Personality is , to large extent, inherent --A-type parents usually bring about A-type offspring. But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is improtant to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor lives of their children.

One place where children soak up A characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. Too many schools adopt the "win at all costs" moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows. Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences:remember that Pheidippides ,the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying:"Rejoice, we conquer!".

By far the worst form of competition in school is the disproportionate emphasis on examinations . It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well.The merits of competition by examination are somewhat questionable, but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.

Obviously, it is neither practical nor desirable that all A youngsters change into 'B's. The would needs types, and schools have an important duty to try to fit a child's personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.

1. According to the author, what factors contribute to the building of personality?

A. inheritance

b. inheritance, competition and environment

c. competition

d. environment

2.Which of the following statements is not true according to the author of the passage?

A. Schools usually adopt severe competitive policies.

B. Students are often divided by competition results.

C. School is place where children cultivate their characteristics.

D. The stronger desire for winning, the better.

3.The phrase "soak up" is closest in meaning to ____.

A. pull up b. take up c. take in d. pull in

4.What attitude does the author hold toward examinations in schools?

A. positive b. negative c. doubtful d. neutral

5.what suggestion does the author make concerning the management of schools?

A. All students be made into competitive A types.

B. A child's personality be considered in regard to his possible future job.

C. All students be changed into B characteristics.

D. Schools abolish all forms of examinations.

答案解析：

1. According to the author, what factors contribute to the building of personality?

正确答案：B. inheritance, competition and environment

解析：文章提到，个性在很大程度上是遗传的（A型父母通常会生育A型的孩子），但环境也对个性有深远的影响。尤其是如果父母非常看重竞争，孩子也很可能会在这种环境下成长。因此，个性是由遗传、竞争和环境三个因素共同作用的。

2. Which of the following statements is not true according to the author of the passage?

正确答案：D. The stronger desire for winning, the better.

解析：文章明确指出，过于渴望获胜可能带来危险后果，例如提到马拉松赛跑的Pheidippides，他在说“欢呼，我们赢了！”后几秒钟就死去。因此，作者认为过于强烈的胜利欲望并不是好的，选项D是错误的。

3. The phrase "soak up" is closest in meaning to ____.

正确答案：C. take in

解析：在文中，"soak up"表示吸收或接受。在学校中，孩子们会“吸收”这些竞争性特质，因此它的意思与“take in”（接受或吸收）最为接近。

4. What attitude does the author hold toward examinations in schools?

正确答案：B. negative

解析：文章对学校中的考试态度是负面的，作者认为目前学校对考试的过度强调不利于孩子的成长，特别是在竞争的环境中，很多学生明知道自己会失败，这种竞争带来的负面影响是明显的。

5. What suggestion does the author make concerning the management of schools?

正确答案：B. A child's personality be considered in regard to his possible future job.

解析：文章建议，学校应当根据孩子的个性来考虑未来的职业发展，而不是将所有学生培养成具有竞争力的A型人格。这样可以帮助孩子发挥他们的优势并适应未来的工作环境。

答案总结：

1. B (遗传、竞争和环境)

2. D (过强的胜利欲望不一定更好)

3. C (take in)

4. B (负面)

5. B (学校考虑孩子个性与未来职业的匹配)

这种题型主要考察理解文章主旨和细节的能力，因此做题时要特别注意作者的态度、用词和各段落的核心观点。