Passage Four
Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage.
Albert Einstein recalled his learning problems philosophically: “My intellectual (智力的) development was slow, as a result of which I began to wonder about space and time only when I had already grown up. Naturally, I could go deeper into the problem than a child.” And so, 11 years after dismissal from school, young Albert Einstein published the theory of relativity that changed our understanding of the universe.
No one in this century has been more widely recognized as a genius than Einstein. Yet his problems with early intellectual development and his peculiar gifts cast great doubt on all our conventional ideas about genius, intelligence or “I.Q.” (智商). On the one hand, Einstein showed early defects in abilities that our mental tests value; on the other hand, his special intellectual faculties went far beyond most definitions of intelligence. Moreover, their growth appears peculiarly gradual, contradicting the popular conception of intelligence as something inborn and fixed. His resolute persistence and his skills in playing games with ideas were apparently as decisive to his genius as any cutting edge of intellect (智能).
These powerful aspects of intelligence that conventional definitions overlook are getting close attention in a new wave of research. This comes after years of earlier studies which exposed the narrowness of our usual measures of mental ability. Intelligence, it turns out, is multifaceted and marvelous; it includes personal characteristics, creativity skills and intellectual capabilities that show up on no test. What is most exciting is that some of these iii-defined abilities are possessed by many people. Just knowing about such neglected skills will help us discover and develop untapped (未开发的) potential-in ourselves and in our children.
36. This passage is about ________.
A) the development of Einstein’s intellect
B) the wide recognition of Einstein as a genius
C) conventional ideas concerning genius
D) an insight to the complexity of human intelligence
37. According to the passage, when Einstein was at school, he ________.
A) fell behind other pupils
B) was fond of studying philosophical problems
C) was proud of his own diligence
D) thought more deeply about the problems of space and time than his classmates
38. Which of the following led to Einstein’s success?
A) His good skills in game-playing.
B) His diligence and powerful mind.
C) His unusual insight into the conception of intelligence.
D) His decisiveness in taking actions.
39. “Multifaceted” (Para. 3, Line 6) probably means ________.
A) having many aspects
B) having many abilities
C) having many skills
D) having many uses
40. According to the passage which of the following statements is TRUE’?
A) Conventional intelligence tests are not reliable.
B) For ordinary people intelligence is something inborn and fixed.
C) Einstein was apparently a genius in playing games as well as in scientific research.
D) Einstein’s early defects in abilities contributed to his later mental development.