《2025年红对勾高考一轮复习金卷英语》

Test 3（2024·安徽合肥三模）
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story The Birth - Mark, a chemist called Aylmer marries a young woman, Georgiana, whose only imperfection is a red spot on her left cheek. He considers it a “terrible flaw”. So she asks him to use his skills to remove it. At length Aylmer creates a medicine that has the desired effect: to kill her without pain.
Hawthorne’s story illustrates the harm of perfectionism. It is Thomas Curran’s starting - point for a study of what he calls a “hidden epidemic(流行病)”. He thinks the endless effort for higher standards is mainly a disaster. As a social psychologist at the London School of Economics, Mr Curran describes himself as “a recovering perfectionist”. Drawing on both academic research and his own experiences, he makes a convincing case.
Mr Curran distinguishes between two sorts of perfectionism. The first, which looks inward, is the unforgiving self - criticizing of the hard - working employees. A second version, directed towards others, is commonly found in bosses who have unrealistic expectations of their staff and sharply criticize their supposed failings. Its victims tend to feel lonely. Often they think about harming themselves.
Having noted the potential negative effects, Mr Curran suggests some causes. These include a lack of job security, unreasonable requirements by helicopter parents and the unhealthy advertising, which fuel consumption and anxiety.
“The economy,” he claims, “is based on our discontent. Social media flood users with images of finely sculpted bodies, seemingly perfect dresses and unbelievably romantic weddings.”
His greatest attack, though, is directed at society. In this he draws on the thinking of Michael Sandel, a philosopher at Harvard. Especially in the book, The Tyranny of Merit, Professor Sandel has argued that using achievements as a sorting machine leads to a society that is divided into just winners and losers, while ignoring the common good. Like Mr Curran, Professor Sandel has a good point.
9. Who can be considered as the second type of perfectionist by Thomas Curran?
A. Aylmer.
B. Georgiana.
C. Michael Sandel.
D. Nathaniel Hawthorne.
10. According to Thomas Curran, a healthy economy should ______.
A. not have winners or losers
B. provide job security for everyone
C. be free from advertisements
D. not be driven just by anxiety
11. What does the author think of Michael Sandel’s criticism of the society?
A. Unfair.
B. Convincing.
C. Misleading.
D. Gentle.
12. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. The Imperfection of Our Society
B. A Review of The Tyranny of Merit
C. Comments on Thomas Curran’s Study
D. Effective Ways to Deal With Perfectionism

答案： 9. A 10. D 11. B 12. C