After years of observing human nature, I have decided that two qualities make the difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance curiosity and discontent. I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either. And I have never known an average man who had both. The two belong together.
Together, these deep human urges（驱策力）count for much more than ambition. Galileo was not merely ambitious when he dropped objects of varying weights from the Leaning Tower at Pisa and timed their fall to the ground. Like Galileo, all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent, "Why? Why? Why?"
Fortunately, curiosity and discontent don’t have to be learned. We are born with them and need only recapture them.
"The great man," said Mencius（孟子）, "is he who does not lose his child’s heart. "Yet most of us do lose it. We stop asking questions. We stop challenging custom. We just follow the crowd. And the crowd desires only the calm and restful average. It encourages us to occupy our own little corner, to avoid foolish leaps into the dark, to be satisfied.
Most of us meet new people, and new ideas, with hesitation. But once having met and liked them, we think how terrible it would have been, had we missed the chance. We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake.
How should you start? Modestly, so as not to become discouraged. I think of one friend who couldn’t arrange flowers to satisfy herself. She was curious about how the experts did it. How she is one of the experts, writing books on flower arrangement.
One way to begin is to answer your own excuses. You haven’t any special ability? Most people don’t; there are only a few geniuses. You haven’t any time? That’s good, because it’s always the people with no time who get things done. Harriet Stowe, mother of six, wrote parts of Uncle Tom’s Cabin while cooking. You’re too old? Remember that Thomas Costain was 57 when he published his first novel, and that Grandma Moses showed her first pictures when she was 78.
However you start, remember there is no better time to start than right now, for you’ll never be more alive than you are at this moment.
51. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.
Apropose a definition
Bmake a comparison
Creach a conclusion
Dpresent an argument
52. What does the example of Galileo tell us?
ATrial and error leads to the finding of truth.
BScientists tend to be curious and ambitious.
CCreativity results from challenging authority.
DGreatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.
53. What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent?
AObserve the unknown around you.
BDevelop a questioning mind.
CLead a life of adventure.
DFollow the fashion.
54. What can we learn from Paragraphs 6 and 7?
AGaining success helps you become an expert.
BThe genius tends to get things done creatively.
CLack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action.
DYou should remain modest when approaching perfection.
55. What could be the best title or the passage?
ACurious Minds Never Feel Contented
BReflections on Human Nature
CThe Keys to Achievement
DNever Too Late to Learn