Question

    Most people aren’t good at creative problem solving for two reasons: First, they are not trained in how to be creative. Second, they don’t understand group strength well enough to harness(驾驭) their power to maximize group creativity.

A key element of creativity is applying existing knowledge to a new problem. The more people getting involved in solving it, the more knowledge there is to work on it. Unfortunately, research shows that the traditional brainstorming methods fail to achieve that goal. When groups get together to exchange ideas, they actually come up with fewer ideas overall than if they each had worked alone.

To fix this problem, you should consider the two stages of group problem-solving: divergence(分散) and convergence(集中). Divergence happens when the group considers as many different potential solutions as possible. Convergence happens when the various proposed solutions are evaluated and reduced to a smaller set of candidate solutions to the current problem.

The essential principle of group creativity is that individuals working alone diverge, whereas group members working together converge. In groups, once a member states a potential solution, it makes others think about the problem similarly. That is why groups working together diverge less than individuals working alone.

Therefore, be aware of when to diverge and when to converge. For example, early in the problem-solving process, have group members work alone to write down statements describing the problem. Then get them back to discuss their descriptions. The group discussion will lead everyone to accept one or a small number of these statements to work on—this is healthy convergence.

When starting to generate solutions, you again want divergence. Have people work alone to start. Then collect people’s initial ideas and send them around to others and allow the divergence to continue as everyone individually builds on the ideas of other members. Finally, let the group discuss the resulting ideas. This discussion will gradually lead the group to converge on a small number of candidate solutions.

This simple method works effectively, because it respects what individuals and groups do best.

1.We can infer that the traditional brainstorming methods ______.

A.enable people to form more ideas together

B.greatly encourage group creativity

C.actually limit group creativity

D.prevent people’s involvement in the problems

2.According to Para. 4, when a member presents an idea, others tend to _____.

A.think the other way round B.follow his way of thinking

C.be more confident in their own ideas D.be less willing to share their own ideas

3.What should group members first do early in the problem-solving process?

A.Discuss the problem. B.Put down group statements together.

C.Simplify the problem. D.Write down their individual descriptions.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.A simple way to make group thinking more effective

B.Difficulties in organizing group thinking

C.Differences between divergence and convergence

D.Advantages of group thinking over individual thinking

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。短文介绍了团体不擅长创造性解决问题的原因以及提出了一种使团体更具有创造力的方法。

1.推理判断题。由第二段A key element of creativity is applying existing knowledge to a new problem. The more people getting involved in solving it, the more knowledge there is to work on it. Unfortunately, research shows that the traditional brainstorming methods fail to achieve that goal.可知，创造力的一个关键因素是应用现有知识解决新问题，人们越多地涉及创新地解决问题，就会有越多的知识被应用，不幸的是，研究表明：传统的脑力风暴并不能如愿以偿达到目的。所以研究表明，传统的头脑风暴方法实际上限制了团队的创造力。故选C项。

2.细节理解题。由第四段In groups, once a member states a potential solution, that makes others think about the problem similarly.可知，在团体，一旦一个成员阐述了一个潜在的解决办法，就会使其他成员对这个问题有类似的想法。所以根据第4段，当一个成员提出一个想法时，其他人往往会跟随他的思维方式。故选B项。

3.细节理解题。由第五段For example, early in the problem-solving process, have group members work alone to write down statements describing the problem.可知，在问题解决过程的早期，团队成员应该首先写下他们各自的叙述。故选D项。

4.主旨大意题。根据第一段的Most people aren’t good at creative problem solving for two reasons.可知，第一段提到众人不擅长创造性解决问题的原因有两个。再根据第二段“Unfortunately, research shows that the traditional brainstorming methods fail to achieve that goal. When groups get together to exchange ideas, they actually come up with fewer ideas overall than if they each had worked alone”可知，不幸的是，研究表明，传统的头脑风暴方法未能实现这一目标。当团队聚在一起交流想法时，他们实际上提出的想法比各自单独工作时要少。所以短文的前两段提出了团体不擅长创造性解决问题的原因以及现存的团队创造力解决方法的弊端，短文从第三段起就上述现象提出了一种使团体更具有创造力的方法。因此推断文章主要讲述了一种使团体更具有创造力的方法。故A项“一种使团体更具有创造力的方法”为最佳标题。故选A项。