(2020·广东揭阳市高三第二次模拟) I once complained to my friend Mike, “I often cycle two miles from my house to the town center 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 complain 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 stationary 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, “The character cannot be developed with ease.Only through experiences of 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.From time to time we all face hardships，problems，accidents and difficulties.Some are of our making but many are no fault of our own.While we cannot choose 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 aviators 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, and you'll never use crutches or a stick, and then have a go at everything.Go to school, and 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 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.
语篇解读：本文是一篇议论文。生活中，决定成败的主要因素之一是我们对待逆境的态度。虽然我们不能避免逆境，但是我们能选择面对它的态度。
12．Which of the following is TRUE according to the author of the passage?
A．One who wants to achieve success can't expect to live an easy life.
B．Climbing hills on bicycles is the best way to take exercise.
C．Going to a gym is greatly beneficial to people's health.
D．People's attitude to hardships is the only factor of their success.
解析：选A　细节理解题。根据第三段中“We cannot achieve anything with an easy life.”可知，一个想要成功的人不能期望过着轻松的生活，选项A符合题意。故选A。
13．What does the author intend to tell us by quoting what Helen Keller said?
A．Failure is the mother of success.
B．A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
C．If you risk nothing, you will have nothing.
D．Nothing is difficult to the man who will try.
解析：选D　推理判断题。根据所引用的话“Only through experiences of suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.(只有通过苦难的经历，灵魂才能得到强化，视野才能清晰，雄心才能激发，成功才能实现) ”可知这与D项“世上无难事，只要肯登攀”意境吻合，故选D。
14．What will the author further talk about in the following paragraph?
A．How his friend helped him to change his attitude towards the challenge he faced.
B．Why it is important to keep optimistic in the face of trouble.
C．What steps to take to change your attitude towards the difficulties you face.
D．What great people have in common.
解析：选C　推理判断题。根据最后一段“Nevertheless, there is still the problem of how you change your attitude towards adversity.”可知，作者在接下来的段落中会谈论“如何改变对待逆境的态度”。故选C。
15．Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A．Different attitudes towards misfortune
B．Face difficulties with a smile
C．Nothing is impossible
D．Life is full of adversity
解析：选B　标题归纳题。本文围绕面对逆境我们应持乐观的态度这一话题展开，所以B项“笑对逆境”适合作本文标题。