Passage One
Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.
Lao Zi once said,“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” People-pleasing,or seeking self-worth through others'approval,is unproductive and an exhausting way to go through life.Why do we allow what others think of us to have so much power over how we feel about ourselves?If it's true that you can't please all people all of the time,wouldn't it make sense to stop trying?
Unfortunately,sense often isn't driving our behavior.For social beings who desire love and belonging, wanting to be liked,and caring about the effect we have on others,is healthy and allows us to make connections.However,where we get into trouble is when our self-worth is dependent upon whether we win someone's approval or not.
This need to be liked can be traced back to when we were children and were completely dependent on others to take care of us:Small children are not just learning how to walk and communicate,they are also trying to learn how the world works.We learn about who we are and what is expected of us based on interactions with others so,to a four-year-old,if Mommy or Daddy doesn't like him or her,there is the danger that they will abandon them.We need to understand that when we desperately want someone to approve of us,it's being driven by that little kid part of us that is still terrified of abandonment.
As you become more capable of providing yourself with the approval you seek,your need for external validation will start to vanish,leaving you stronger,more confident,and yes,happier in your life.Imagine how much time we lose each moment we restrain our authentic selves in an effort to be liked.
If we base our worth on the opinions of others,we cheat ourselves of the power to shape our experiences and embrace life not only for others but also for ourselves,because ultimately,there is no difference.So embrace the cliché(老话)and love yourself as it's highly doubtful that you'll regret it.
46.What can we conclude from Lao Zi's quotation?
A)We should see through other people's attempt to make a prisoner of us.
B)We can never really please other people even if we try as hard as we can.
C)We can never be truly free if taking to heart others'opinion of us.
D)We should care about other people's view as much as they care about our own.
47.What will happen if we base our self-worth on other people's approval?
A)Our desire to be loved will be fulfilled.
B)Our life will be unfruitful and exhausting.
C)Our identity as social beings will be affected.
D)Our sense of self will be sharpened and enhanced.
48.What may account for our need to be liked or approved of?
A)Our desperate longing for interactions with others.
B)Our understanding of the workings of the world.
C)Our knowledge about the pain of abandonment.
D)Our early childhood fear of being deserted.
49.What can we do when we become better able to provide ourselves with the desired approval?
A)Enjoy a happier life.
B)Exercise self-restraint.
C)Receive more external validation.
D)Strengthen our power of imagination.
50.What does the author advise us to do in the last paragraph?
A)Embrace life for ourselves and for others.
B)Base our worth on others'opinions.
C)See our experiences as assets.
D)Love ourselves as we are
答案解析：
46.由题干中的关键词“Lao Zi's quotation”定位到第一段。第一段提到老子说“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.”，意思是太在意别人的看法就会成为他们的“囚徒”，也就是如果太在意别人对我们的看法，我们就永远无法真正自由，所以选C。
47. 由题干中的关键词“base our self-worth on other people's approval”定位到第一段。第一段提到“People-pleasing, or seeking self-worth through others' approval, is unproductive and an exhausting way to go through life.”，即如果我们的自我价值感建立在别人的认可之上，我们的生活将是无成效且令人疲惫的，所以选B。
48. 由题干中的关键词“account for our need to be liked or approved of”定位到第三段。第三段提到“We need to understand that when we desperately want someone to approve of us, it's being driven by that little kid part of us that is still terrified of abandonment.”，说明我们对被喜欢或认可的需求可能源于我们童年时害怕被遗弃，所以选D。
49. 由题干中的关键词“become better able to provide ourselves with the desired approval”定位到第四段。第四段提到“As you become more capable of providing yourself with the approval you seek, your need for external validation will start to vanish, leaving you stronger, more confident, and yes, happier in your life.”，即当我们能够更好地给自己提供所需的认可时，我们会生活得更快乐，所以选A。
50. 由题干中的关键词“the last paragraph”定位到最后一段。最后一段提到“So embrace the cliché(老话) and love yourself as it's highly doubtful that you'll regret it.”，即作者建议我们要爱自己本来的样子，所以选D。
