Personality is, to a large extent, inherent—A-type parents, usually bring about A-type children. But the environment must also have a __11__ effect, wince if competition is important to the parents it is likely to become a major__ 12__ in the 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 __13__ the " win at all costs" moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current __14__ 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 __15 __keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying; "cheers, we conquer!"
By far the worst form of competition in schools is the extreme__ 16__ on examinations. It is a rare school that allows pupils to __17__ on those things they do well. The merits of competition by examination are somewhat __18__ , but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.
Obviously, it is neither __19__ nor desirable that all A youngsters change into B's. The world needs types, and schools have an important duty to try to __20__ a child's personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.
A. enough
B. fit
C. emphasis
D. practical
E. innumerable
F. concentrate
G. adopt
H. questionable
I. profound
J. factor
K. too
L. substance
M. passion
N. emotion
O. fix
II. I 12. J 13. G 14. M 15. K 16. C 17. F 18. H 19. D 20. B
