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I told my friend Graham that I often cycle two miles from my house to the town centre but
unfortunately there is a big hill on the route. He replied, "You mean fortunately." He explained
that I should be glad of the extra exercise that the hill provided.
My attitude to the hill has now changed. I used to grumble as I approached it but now I tell
myself the following. This hill will exercise my heart and lungs. It will help me to lose weight and
get fit. It will mean that I live longer. This hill is my friend. Finally I comfort myself with the thought
of all those silly people who pay money to go to a gym and sit on stationery exercise bicycles when
I can get the same value for free. I have a smile of satisfaction as I reach the top of the hill.
Problems are there to be faced and overcome. We cannot achieve anything with an easy life.
Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to gain a university degree. Her activism and
writing proved inspirational. She wrote, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only
through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition
inspired and success achieved."
One of the main determinants of success in life is our attitude towards adversity (逆境). From
time to time we all face hardships, problems, accidents,  afflictions and difficulties. Some are of
our making but many confront us through no fault of our own.  While we cannot choose the
adversity we can choose our attitude towards it.
Douglas Bader was 21 when in 1931 he had both legs cut off following a flying accident. He
was determined to fly again and went on to become one of the leading flying aces in the Battle of
Britain with 22 aerial victories over the Germans. He was an inspiration to others during the war.
He said, "Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense.
Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches (拐杖) or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go
to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them
persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible."
The biographies(传记)of great people are full of examples of how they took steps to overcome
the difficulties they faced. The common thread is that they did not become depressed. They chose
their attitude. They chose to be positive. They took on the challenge. They won.
Nevertheless, there is still the problem of how you change your attitude towards adversity.
1. Which of the following is TRUE according to the author of the  passage?
A. Climbing hills on bicycles is the best way to take exercise.
B. People are silly to pay to go to the gym.
C. Those who want to achieve success can't expect to live         an easy life.
D. People's attitude towards adversity is the only factor that determines whether they will succeed.
2. By quoting what Douglas Bader said, the author intends to  tell us "________".
A. Failure is the mother of success.
B. A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit.
C. If you venture nothing, you will have nothing.
D. Nothing is difficult to the man who will try.
3. Following this passage, the author will further talk about ________.
A. how his friend helped him to change his attitude towards  the adversity he faced
B. what steps to take to change your attitude towards the  adversity you face
C. what great people have in common
D. why it is important to keep optimistic in face of adversity
4. Which of the following can best function as the title of the  passage?
A. Face Adversity with a Smile
B. Different Attitudes towards Adversity
C. Nothing is Impossible
D. Life Is Full of Adversity

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