Question

Blind imitation is self-destruction. To those who do not recognize their own unique worth, imitation appears attractive; to those who know their strength, imitation is unacceptable.

In the early stages of skill or character development, imitation is helpful. When I first learned to cook, I used recipes and turned out some tasty dishes. But soon I grew bored. Why follow someone else’s way of cooking when I could create my own? Imitating role models is like using training wheels on a child’s bicycle; they help you get going, but once you find your own balance, you fly faster and farther without relying on them.

In daily life, imitation can hurt us if we subconsciously (下意识地）hold poor role models. If, as a child, you observed people whose lives were bad, you may have accepted their fear and pain as normal and gone on to follow what they did. If you do not make strong choices for yourself, you will get the results of the weak choices of others.

In the field of entertainment, our culture praises and admires celebrities. Those stars look great on screen. But when they step off screen, their personal lives may be disastrous. If you are going to follow someone, focus on their talent, not their bad character or unacceptable behaviors.

Blessed is the person willing to act on their sudden desire to create something unique. Think of the movies, books, teachers, and friends that have affected you most deeply. They touched you because their creations were motivated by inspiration not desperation. The world is changed not by those who do what has been done before them, but by those who do what has been done inside them. Creative people have an endless resource of ideas. The problem a creator faces is not running out of material; it is what to do with the material knocking at the door of imagination.

Study your role models, accept the gifts they have given, and leave behind what does not serve you. Then you can say, “I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors’ tragedies and declare victory, and know that they are cheering me on.”

1.Imitation proves useful when you _______.

A. know you are unique    B. lose the balance of life

C. begin to learn something new    D. get tired of routine practice

2.To avoid the bad result of imitation, we should _______.

A. forget daily fear and pain    B. choose the right role models

C. ask others for decisions    D. stay away from stars

3.According to the author, the world moves on because of those who are _______.

A. desperate to influence others with their knowledge

B. ready to turn their original ideas into reality

C. eager to discover what their ancestors did

D. willing to accept others’ ideas

4.What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?

A. To highlight the importance of creativity.

B. To criticize the characters of role models.

C. To compare imitation with creation.

D. To explain the meaning of success.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.B

4.A

【解析】本文作者主要强调了创新的重要性，指出模仿只在最开始学习新东西的时候是有用的，要勇于创新，不要盲目模仿。

1.Ｃ细节理解题。根据文章第二段In the early stages of skill or character development, imitation is helpful.以及例子说明，模仿在开始学习新东西是有用的。故选Ｃ。

2.Ｂ推理判断题。根据文章第三段可知，人们选择不好的榜样时，就会使模仿的结果变坏。所以，要想避免模仿结果变坏，要选择好的榜样。故选Ｂ。

3.Ｂ细节理解题。根据倒数第二段The world is changed not by those who do what has been done before them, but by those who do what has been done inside them. Creative people have an endless resource of ideas. The problem a creator faces is not running out of material; it is what to do with the material knocking at the door of imagination.可知，世界之所以一直前进是因为有创造力的人总是设法把自己的想法变成现实，故选Ｂ。

4.Ａ主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文作者主要强调了创新的重要性，指出模仿只在最开始学习新东西的时候是有用的，要勇于创新。故选Ａ。