(9) Picking winners is also the order of the day in excommunist states, a hangover from the times when talented virtues like modesty and social solidarity makes people flinch from the idea of treating brainy children differently.

(10) And in Japan there is a widespread belief that all children are born with the same innate abilities - and should

therefore be treated alike. All are taught together, covering the same syllabus at the same rate until they finish compulsory schooling. Those who learn quickest are expected then to teach their classmates.

(11) Statistics give little clue as to which system is best. The performance of the most able is heavily affected by

factors other than state provision. Most state education in Britain is nominally non-selective, but middle-class parents try to live near the best schools. Ambitious Japanese parents have made private, out-of-school tuition a thriving business. For what it’s worth, the statistical data suggest that some countries, selection and do as well. Some say the key to success is simply hard graft. Judit, the youngest of the Polgar sisters, was the most driven, and the most successful; Zsofia, the middle one, was regarded as the most talented, but she was the only one who did not achieve the status of grand master. “Everything came easiest to her,” said her older sister. “But she was lazy.”

IV. In this section, there are ten incomplete statements followed by four choices marked A, B, C and D.

Choose the best answer and write the corresponding letter on your Answer Sheet. (20 points, 2 points for each)

55. In their childhood, the three daughters of Polagar _____.

A. played chess in house all day long

B. had plenty of intense training on chess

C. took various lessons on games in house

D. revealed their talent in playing chess

56. In paragraph 3, the author tends to _____ Polagar’s view on child-rearing.

A. support

C. question B. despise D. defend

57. In America, student winners are usually picked out on the basis of _____.

A. test results and praises from teachers