Research shows that much of our predisposition(倾向)towards determination,sociability and self­control and sense of purpose is in our genes.In fact,our DNA plays a bigger role in influencing these traits(characteristics)than our upbringing(儿童期的教养)and the company we keep.Taken together,these aspects of personality can make the difference between success and failure,say the Edinburgh University researchers.
　　They questioned more than 800 pairs of twins about their attitudes to life to tease apart the influences of nature and nurture.Comparing identical twins,who share all their DNA and their upbringing,with non­identical twins,who have a shared background but are no more genetically alike than other brothers and sisters,is a technique often used by researchers to quantify the influence of genetics.
　　The results,published in the Journal of Personality,showed that genes play a much bigger role than lifestyle,with self­control particularly etched(铭刻)into our DNA.
　　Our genes also largely determine how determined and persistent we are.This is important in terms of success,as someone who refuses to give up is more likely to achieve their dreams than someone_who_throws_in_the_towel_at_the_first_hiccough.
　　Researcher Professor Timothy Bates said,“Ever since the ancient Greeks,people have debated the nature of a good life and the nature of a virtuous life.Why do some people seem to manage their lives,have good relationships and cooperate to achieve their goals while others do not?Previously,the role of family and the environment around the home often controlled people's ideas about what affected psychological well­being.However,this work emphasizes a much more powerful influence from genetics.”
　　However,those who haven't been dealt a helpful hand of genes shouldn't be too depressed.The professor says a sense of purpose is the key and advises those who are eager for success to focus their thoughts on making a difference.
　　1、What is the best title for the passage?
　　A.How do people work hard?
　　B.Why can some people succeed?
　　C.DNA determines success or failure.
　　D.Several factors determine personality.
　　参考答案：C
　　参考解析：主旨大意题。本文主要讲述了基因在人一生的成败中起着关键性的作用，故答案为C。
　　2、What does the result of the research indicate?A.Our DN
　　A is the only factor to decide our traits.
　　B.Our DNA plays a decisive role in achieving success.
　　C.Education plays little part in the formation of our character.
　　D.Society has little effect on us in our personality.
　　参考答案：B
　　参考解析：细节理解题。根据第一段“Taken together,these aspects of personality can make the difference between success and failure”可知，答案为B。
　　3、According to the passage,the key personality trait is ________.
　　A.determination
　　B.kindness
　　C.politeness
　　D.sociability
　　参考答案：A
　　参考解析：推理判断题。根据末段“The professor says a sense of purpose is the key and advises those who are eager for success to focus their thoughts on making in difference”可推断，答案为A。
　　4、Timothy Bates mentions the ancient Greeks in order to indicate that ________.
　　A.some people can live a good life because they can manage their lives
　　B.people haven't made it clear yet what is the key personality trait to be a success
　　C.in ancient Greece the role of family and the environment was ignored
　　D.the relationship between personality and success has always been people's concern
　　参考答案：D
　　参考解析：推理判断题。根据第五段“Ever since the ancient Greeks,people have debated the nature of a good life and the nature of a virtuous life”和下文内容可推断，答案为D。
　　5、The underlined part in Paragraph 4 refers to someone who ________.
　　A.is born successful
　　B.determines to make a difference
　　C.makes great effort
　　D.admits defeat easily
　　参考答案：D
　　参考解析：推理判断题。根据句中someone who refuses to give up和than可推断，这里指轻易认输的人，故答案为D。
　　参考译文：
　　我们的公司。爱丁堡大学的研究人员说，综合起来，人格的这些方面可以使成功和失败之间产生区别。
　　他们询问了800多对双胞胎，询问他们对生活的态度，以取笑大自然和养育的影响。同卵双胞胎拥有相同的DNA和成长过程，而非同卵双胞胎拥有相同的背景，但在遗传上并不比其他兄弟姐妹更相似，这是研究人员常用的一种技术，用来量化遗传学的影响。
　　这项发表在《个性杂志》上的研究结果表明，基因比生活方式起着更大的作用，尤其是在我们的DNA中嵌入了自我控制。
　　我们的基因也在很大程度上决定了我们的决心和持久性。这在成功方面很重要，因为一个拒绝放弃的人比一个先把毛巾扔到打嗝处的人更有可能实现自己的梦想。
　　研究员蒂莫西·贝茨教授说：“自从古希腊人以来，人们就一直在争论美好生活的本质和高尚生活的本质。为什么有些人似乎在管理自己的生活，建立良好的关系，合作来实现自己的目标，而另一些人却没有呢？以前，家庭的角色和家庭周围的环境经常控制着人们对影响心理健康的因素的看法。然而，这项研究强调了来自遗传学的更强大的影响。”
　　然而，那些没有得到基因帮助的人不应该太沮丧。教授说，目标感是关键，并建议那些渴望成功的人把他们的想法集中在改变上。