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There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process. People have generally viewed personal growth as an external result or product that can easily be identified and measured. The worker who gets a promotion, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language — all these are examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.
By contrast, the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since by definition it is a journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way. The process is not the road itself, but rather the attitudes and feelings people have, their caution or courage, as they encounter new experiences and unexpected obstacles. In this process, the journey never really ends; there are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.
In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to confront the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may "fail" at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is essential to our ability to grow. Do we perceive ourselves as quick and curious? If so, then we tend to take more chances and to be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we're shy and indecisive? Then our sense of timidity can cause us to hesitate, to move slowly, and not to take a step until we know the ground is safe. Do we think we're slow to adapt to change or that we're not smart enough to cope with a new challenge? Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
These feelings of insecurity and self-doubt are both unavoidable and necessary if we are to change and grow. If we do not confront and overcome these internal fears and doubts, if we protect ourselves too much, then we cease to grow. We become trapped inside a shell of our own making.
55. A person is generally believed to achieve personal growth when ________.
[A] he has given up his smoking habit
[B] he has made great efforts in his work
[C] he is keen on learning anything new
[D] he has tried to determine where he is on his journey
56. In the author's eyes, one who views personal growth as a process would ________.
[A] succeed in climbing up the social ladder
[B] judge his ability to grow from his own achievements
[C] face difficulties and take up challenges
[D] aim high and reach his goal each time
57. When the author says "a new way of being" (line 2, paragraph 3) he is referring to ________.
[A] a new approach to experiencing the world
[B] a new way of taking risks
[C] a new method of perceiving ourselves
[D] a new system of adaptation to change
58. For personal growth, the author advocates all of the following EXCEPT ________.
[A] curiosity about more chances
[B] promptness in self-adaptation
[C] open-mindedness to new experiences
[D] avoidance of internal fears and doubts
n. 改編，改編成的作品，適應
