Choosing the Right Resolution (决定)

     Millions of Americans began 2014 with the same resolution they started 2013 with, a goal of losing weight. However, setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake.

     To reach our goal of losing weight --- the output, we need to control what we eat --- the input (输入). That is, we tend to care about the output but not to control the input. This is a bad way to construct goals. The alternative is to focus your resolution on the input. Instead of resolving to lose weight, try an actionable resolution: “I’ll stop having desert for lunch,” or “I’ll walk every day for 20 minutes.” Creating a goal that focuses on a well-specified input will likely be more effective than concentrating on the outcome.

      Recently a new science behind incentives (激励), including in education, has been discussed. For example, researcher Roland Fryer wanted to see what works best in motivating children to do better in school. In some cases, he gave students incentives based on input, like reading certain books, while in others, the incentives were based on output, like results on exams. His main finding was that incentives increased achievement when based on input but had no effect on output. Fryer’s conclusion was that the intensives for inputs might be more effective because do not know how to do better on exam, aside from general rules like “study harder”. Reading certain books, on the other hand, is a well-set task over which they have much more control.

      As long as you have direct control over your goal, you have a much higher chance of success. And it’s easier to start again if you fail, because you know exactly what you need to do.

      If you want to cut down on your spending, a good goal would be making morning coffee at home instead of going to a cafe, for example. This is a well-specified action-based goal for which you can measure your success easily. Spending less money isn’t a goal because it’s too general. Similarly, if you want to spend more time with your family, don’t stop with this general wish. Think about an actionable habit that you could adopt and stick to, like a family movie night every Wednesday.

      In the long run, these new goals could become a habit.

1.63. The writer thinks that setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake because _______.

A it is hard to achieve for most Americans

B it is focused too much on the result

C it is dependent on too many things

D it is based on actionable decisions

解析：选B。【解析】细节理解题。根据文章第二段前两句To reach our goal of losing weight --- the output, we need to control what we eat --- the input ( 输入). That is, we tend to care about the output but not to control the input.可知，为了实现我们减肥目标，我们需要控制我们所吃的东西(输入)，而不是只关注结果（输出）。这就是我们只为自己设立减肥的目标的错误的原因，即只注重结果。故选B项。

2.64. In Roland Fryer’s research, some students did better than the others because ______.

A they obeyed all the general rules

B they paid more attention to exams

C they were motivated by their classmates

D they were rewarded for reading some books

解析：选D。【解析】推理判断题。根据文章第三段第三句His main finding was that incentives increased achievement when based on input but had no effect on output.可知，以输入为基础的激励会受到很好的效果。又第三段第三句In some cases, he gave students incentives based on input, like reading certain books可知，他给学生在输入过程中的激励就是读一定量的书。故D项说法：用奖励激励学生读书是效果比其他的好。故选D项。

3.65. According to the writer, which of the following statements is a good goal?

A I’ll give up desert.

B I’ll study harder.

C I’ll cut down my expense

D I’ll spend more time with my family.

解析：选A。【解析】推理判断题。根据文章第二段前两句To reach our goal of losing weight --- the output, we need to control what we eat --- the input ( 输入). That is, we tend to care about the output but not to control the input.可知，为了实现我们减肥目标，我们需要控制我们所吃的东西(输入)，而不是只关注结果（输出）。故A项 “放弃甜点。”最贴切。

4.66. The writer strongly believes that we should ________ .

A develop good habits and focus on the outcome

B be optimistic about final goals and stick to them

C pick specific actions that can be turned into good habits

D set ambitious goals that can balance the input and output

解析：选C。【解析】细节理解题。根据文章第五段最后一句Think about an actionable habit that you could adopt and stick to, like a family movie night every Wednesday.可知，作者建议人们多去想一种我们能够接受和坚持下去的行为习惯，即建议人们要采取真正可成为习惯的实际行动。故选C项。