Hard work has been an important part of the American belief from the nation’s beginning. The American idea that hard work was to be (36) distinguishes us from Europeans who admire their gentlemen of leisure.
Now, however, like many other (37) values, hard work is coming under attack. In academic journals, conferences and classrooms, the idea of hard work is considered to be another of those (38) that the dominant forces of our society impose on the rest of us. It (39) advances white-male interests.
In a recent survey, high school students in the United States and Japan were asked to (40) factors that contributed to success in the classroom. Of the Japanese, 72 percent listed hard work first while only 27 percent of Americans agreed.
Many factors contribute to the devaluing (降低……的价值) of hard work. Thinking that self-esteem is crucial, many parents and teachers (41) to point out the students’ failing, even laziness. To make matters worse, Americans place an unusually high value on the idea of inborn ability. And aptitude (天资) (42) deemphasises the role that hard work plays in success. So if our students fail to see that hard work (43) , it is because we are telling them time and again that it doesn’t. If we want young people to esteem hard work, it is up to us to show them its worth, its strength and its (44) in everyday life.
And while we are at it, we should make the larger argument there are many ideas to which we can all subscribe. The notion that values cannot (45) class, race more than the idea of hard work. It calls into question whether there can be an American creed (信条)—a public philosophy for us all.
A．rank
B．standard
C．esteemed
D．motives
E．transcend
F．notions
G．peculiarly
H．matters
I．inevitably
J．significance
K．traditional
L．cancels
M．hesitate
N．merely
O．defied