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Taking Criticism in Stride 面对批评是成长的开始

课文朗读

课文讲解 

繁體中文譯本

You’ve finished a big project for school. In your eyes, it is brilliant, ingenious, and even perfect. Then, after you hand it in, your teacher comes along and tells you that it needs improvement. Naturally, your first response is to become defensive, but hold on a minute. There is a right way and a wrong way to receive criticism.

你完成了学校的一项重要作业，自认做得很出色巧妙，甚至可说完美，但缴交后老师却过来说仍需改善。你最初的反应自然是开始辩解，但先等等，接受批评的方式也有对错之分。

For most people, it’s normal to want to defend any work they have done. However, we have to remember that we can learn from our mistakes, and sometimes it takes an extra pair of eyes to point those mistakes out. No matter how well-crafted our counter-argument may be, it does not eliminate the fact that all criticism likely has some value.

对多数人而言，捍卫自己完成的作品乃人之常情，但我们得记住，错误可以让我们学习，而指出错误有时还需格外用心。无论我们的反驳多么字斟句酌，都无法排除一个事实：所有批评都可能有其价值。

For most people, the first step in taking criticism is the most difficult. While every bone in your body may be telling you to fight back, what you should do instead is take a deep breath, sit back, and listen. Don’t try to defend yourself or clarify your position right away. Just listen, nod your head, and smile if you can. Let the person who is offering the criticism know that his or her opinion is being received in a calm manner.

对多数人而言，接受批评的第一步总特别困难。尽管体内的每个细胞都可能要你反击，但你却应该深吸一口气，然后坐下倾听。别试图为自己辩解，或即刻澄清自己的立场，只要倾听、点头，可以的话再报以微笑，让提出批评的人知道，你正平心静气地接受他的意见。

Vocabulary

单词发音

take something in stride [straɪd]  轻易做某事; 从容面对某事

ingenious [ɪnˋdʒinjəs] adj. 制作精巧的；巧妙的

defensive [dɪˋfɛnsɪv] adj. 防御的，自卫的

criticism [ˋkrɪtə͵sɪzəm] n. 批评

eliminate [ɪˋlɪmə͵net] v. 排除，消除，消灭

clarify [ˋklærə͵faɪ] v. 澄清

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单词发音

well-crafted 精心设计的

counter-argument 反驳；抗辩

every bone in one's body 全身 It's figurative! Let a bone represent each of your traits, or qualities.

课文朗读

课文讲解

Now that you’ve gotten past that difficult first step, ask your critics questions. This will be especially useful if your critic tends to ramble. Asking specific questions can help both of you get to the heart of the matter. To really go the extra mile, paraphrase what your critic said. This tactic, known as “mirroring,” really shows the other person that he or she has been heard.

完成困难的第一步后，你得对批评者提出询问，如果批评者讲话漫无边际，这一步会特别有用。明确的提问可帮助双方找到问题核心。为了更表现诚意，用自己的话把批评者说的话再讲一次，此手法一般称为「镜射」，如此真的可向对方表示，你已听进他说的话。

Next, remember that the criticism being offered is not a challenge. Fight that inevitable urge to interrupt with your own thoughts. It’s only advice, after all. In the end, the decision to follow it or not lies with you. Then, no matter how you may feel on the inside, say, “thank you” as a show of goodwill. Whether you are in the classroom or society, maintaining positive working relationships is a key to success.

再来，要记住别人提出的批评并非挑衅，要克制住难免想以自己的想法打断对方的冲动，毕竟对方只是提出建言，是否要采纳决定权在自己。接着无论内心感受如何，都该向对方道谢以表善意。无论在学校或社会上，维系良性的合作关系都是成功的关键。

When all is said and done, it is time to decide whether or not your critic has a valid point. Be sure to talk with other people around you to get as much input as possible. A third or fourth opinion never hurts. As the old show business saying goes, “Everyone’s a critic.”

归根结底，你该判定批评者的论点能否服人。务必和周遭的人讨论，尽可能取得更多意见，参考第三或第四人的见解绝不会有所损失，正如一句演艺圈的老话所说：「每个人都可批评别人。」

−by Webster Chang & Joe Henley

Vocabulary

单词发音

tactic [ˋtæktɪk] n. 战术；策略

inevitable [ɪnˋɛvətəb!] adj. 不可避免的

urge [ɝdʒ] n. 强烈的欲望；冲动

valid [ˋvælɪd] adj. 有根据的；令人信服的

input [ˋɪn͵pʊt] n. 投入（物）〔指向工作﹑会议等提供的意见﹑建议﹑资金﹑努力等〕

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单词发音

ramble [ˋræmb!] v. 漫谈，聊天(of speech, writing, etc.) to lack organization

heart [hɑrt] n. 中心；要点

go the extra mile 做比期望的多得多的努力 to do more and make a greater effort

paraphrase [ˋpærə͵frez] v. 释义，意译，改述

lie [laɪ] v.（事情）在于

goodwill [ˋgʊdˋwɪl] n. 善意，好心

when all is said and done 该做的都做了，该说的都说了; 说到底, 归根到底 when everything is finished and settled; when everything is considered

saying [ˋseɪŋ] n. 格言，警句，谚语

Reading Questions

1. According to the article, what is usually the first reaction to criticism?

A. To want to learn as much as possible from a mistake.

B. To silently accept it without further complaint.

C. To defend yourself by insulting those who are doing the criticizing.

D. To stand up for the good qualities of your own work.

2. Which of the following is NOT given as advice on how to respond to criticism?

A. Try to keep an open mind.

B. Listen to your heart.

C. Present a relaxed attitude to your critic.

D. Avoid immediately answering back.

3. Why should you ask your critic specific questions?

A. Because it helps to make peace with critic.

B. Because it helps you clearly understand the matter.

C. Because it helps to bring a smile to your critic’s face.

D. Because it helps you hear what people around you are saying.

4. What can be inferred from the article?

A. You will only be successful if you learn to criticize effectively.

B. People who criticize should mind their own business.

C. Learning to accept criticism well is an important social skill.

D. Being criticized often will help you to be a better critic.

Answer