阅读理解。
For a long time, a boy wondered why his next-desk pal was always the first in the class, whereas he
could only rank the 21st. At home, he asked his mom, "Am I more stupid than other kids? How come I
always lag behind? I just can't come up with an answer." Mom was aware that her son's self-respect had
been damaged by the ranking system, but she didn't know what to say to help.
She was tempted (想要) to say that intelligence differs and that yes, her son's friend really was the
smarter boy. But that would have so upset her son. Thank goodness she resisted the temptation to say it.
Her son and his friend went on to high school that year, but despite trying as hard as he could, her son's
friend still outdid him. But she was proud of her boy for his hard work, sincerely proud. It was around this
time she decided to take him on a trip to the seaside. On the trip, she at last found an answer for him.
Today her son no longer cares about rankings. He doesn't have to, for he himself is now the top of the
class-at the top national university he attends. Invited to speak to his old high school, he mentioned a valuable
childhood experience: Once, on a trip to the sea, my mother and I were lying on the beach. She pointed to
the sea and said to me, "Do you see the seabirds fighting for food out there? When a wave comes near, the
little birds rise quickly. The 'clumsy' seagulls are far less quick and have to struggle to get away from the
wave. But these 'clumsy' prove to have the biggest, strongest wings, which open the widest and allow the
bird to travel the furthest. When the season changes, they leave for foreign shores, leaving the little birds
behind. Son, I have a feeling that you are one of those seagulls."
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1. From the first paragraph, we could conclude the mother ______.
A. knew her son was not bright enough
B. was troubled by her son's low rankings
C. decided to help with her son's school work
D. saw the harmful effects of the ranking system
2. The mother didn't give an answer at first because she didn't want to hurt her son's ______.
A. self-respect
B. intelligence
C. strength
D. rankings
3. The story conveys the message that _____.
a. only rankings show intelligence
b. hard work and confidence can lead to a change in rankings
c. parents should see children's strengths and encourage them
d. competition between students is good for society
A. b, c
B. c, d
C. a, b, c
D. b, c, d
4. Which of the following would be the best title for the story?
A. How Important are Rankings?
B. Little Birds and Seagulls
C. The Answer Mom Gave
D. Hard Work Pays Off!
