There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process. People have generally viewed personal growth as an external result or product that can easily be identified and measured. The worker who gets a promotion, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language—all these are examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.
By contrast, the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since by definition it is a journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way. The process is not the road itself, but rather the attitudes and feelings people have, their caution or courage, as they encounter new experiences and unexpected obstacles. In this process, the journey never really ends; there are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.
In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to confront the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may "fail" at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is essential to our ability to grow. Do we perceive ourselves as quick and curious? If so, then we tend to take more chances and to be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we're shy and indecisive? Then our sense of timidity can cause us to hesitate, to move slowly, and not to take a step until we know the ground is safe. Do we think we're slow to adapt to change or that we're not smart enough to cope with a new challenge? Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
These feelings of insecurity and self-doubt are both unavoidable and necessary if we are to change and grow. If we do not confront and overcome these internal fears and doubts, if we protect ourselves too much, then we cease to grow. We become trapped inside a shell of our own making.
1.A person is generally believed to achieve personal growth when_______.
A.he has given up his smoking habit
B.he has made great efforts in his work
C.he is keen on learning anything new
D.he has tried to determine where he is on his journey
2.In the author's eyes, one who views personal growth as a process would_______.
A.succeed in climbing up the social ladder
B.judge his ability to grow from his own achievements
C.face difficulties and take up challenges
D.aim high and reach his goal each time
3.When the author says "a new way of being" (Line 3, Para. 3) he is referring to_______.
A.a new approach to experiencing the world B.a new way of taking risks
C.a new method of perceiving ourselves D.a new system of adaptation to change
4.For personal growth, the author advocates all of the following EXCEPT_________.
A.curiosity about more chances B.promptness in self-adaptation
C.open-mindedness to new experiences D.avoidance of internal fears and doubts
5.Which statement is NOT the cause for the process of personal growth being difficult to define?
A.There are no obvious signposts or landmarks in the process
B.It includes the abstract things such as feeling and attitude etc rather than just a process
C.It is changing and developing constantly
D.There are always new ideas and new challenges appearing during the process
长难例句分析
［长难例句］If we do not confront and overcome these internal fears and doubts, if we protect ourselves too much, then we cease to grow.
［结构分析］本句中，主干是we cease to grow。前面的两个if引导的都是条件从句，它们之间是并列关系。
［参考译文］如果我们不去面对、不去克服这些内在的恐惧和疑虑，如果我们过分地保护自己，那么我们就会停止成长。
全文参考译文
对于成长，人们有两种基本看法：一种是看做结果，另一种是看做过程。人们通常把个人成长看做很容易识别和衡量的外在结果。工人获得提升，学生升学，外国人掌握了一门新语言，这些都是付出之后，取得了可衡量的成绩的例子。
相比之下，对个人成长过程的测定就难得多了。因为从定义上讲，它是一次旅行，不是路上的某个路标或里程碑。过程不是道路本身，而是当人遇到新体验或意料之外的障碍时所持的态度和情感，谨慎小心或者勇气十足。在这个过程中，旅途从来没有真正的尽头；总有体验这个世界的新方式、总有尝试的新思路、总会接受新挑战。
为了成长，为了探索新的道路，人们需乐于去冒险，去面对未知世界，去接受开始阶段失败的可能性。当我们尝试新的生存方式时，如何看待自己对我们能力的提高是很必要的。我们认为自己反应敏捷又好奇心强吗？如果那样，我们会抓住更多的机会，我们会更勇于面对陌生的经历。我们是否认为自己害羞而优柔寡断呢？那么这种胆怯感会使我们犹豫不前、行动缓慢，直到我们确信安全，才会更进一步。我们是否认为自己适应或改变得很慢，或是在应对新的挑战时不够精明呢？那样的话，我们可能会更加消极，或者根本不去尝试。
我们要改变、要成长，不安全感、自我怀疑的感觉是不可避免的，也是必要的。如果我们不去面对、不去克服这些内在的恐惧和疑虑，如果我们过分地保护自己，那么我们就会停止成长。我们就会作茧自缚。
题目答案与解析
1.一个人被认为取得了个人成长，通常可指_________。
A.他克服掉了吸烟的习惯 B.他在工作中很努力
C.他渴望学习任何新的事物 D.他努力确定自己在人生道路上的位置
【答案】A
【解析】从第一段第二句“人们通常把个人成长看做很容易识别和衡量的外在结果”可知A项为正确答案。A项表达的内容原文并未提到，但我们知道，戒烟是非常不易的，它需要坚定的决心与毅力。正像是一个学生要取得好成绩必须作出努力，最后才能取得成功。
2.在作者的眼中，将个人成长视作一个过程的人会_________。
A.提高社会地位 B.判断自己从个人成就中得到的能力
C.面对困难，迎接挑战 D.要求高，并且每次都实现自己的目标
【答案】C
【解析】从第二段可以得出答案。C项为正确答案。A、B、D项均属于结果。
3.当作者说“为人处世的新方法”（第三段第三行）时，他指的是_________。
A.一种体验世界的新的方法 B.一种冒险的新方法
C.一种自我感知的新方法 D.一种适应改变的新方法
【答案】A
【解析】依据第二段最后一句 ...there are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept，因而答案为A项。
4.为了个人成长，以下几项除了_________ 之外作者都提倡。
A.对更多机会充满好奇 B.自我适应快
C.对新的经历能够接受 D.回避内心的恐惧和疑虑
【答案】D
【解析】从最后两段可以得出正确答案。A、B、C项均可以从文章中找到，只有D选项没有提及。
5.个人成长的过程很难描述，下列哪一项不是其原因？
A.这个过程中没有明显的标志和里程碑。
B.这个过程包含很多抽象的东西，诸如感觉、态度等，而不仅仅是一个过程。
C.这个过程始终处在发展变化中。
D.在这个过程中总有新的观念和新的挑战出现。
【答案】D
【解析】其余选项都在文章中有所论及，也可以推理得出。唯有D选项显得很绝对，跟文意不符。
