D(2025·南通)
① Do you sometimes feel too afraid to try new things? If you want to grow and get better, you need to take risks and challenge yourself. But your brain often tells you to stay safe. It might say, "Don't bother trying something new." Even when these thoughts aren't reasonable, our anxiety can still win. Instead of thinking about the good things that could happen, we worry more about "What if something goes wrong?"
② Avoiding all risks might seem smart, but it can make you feel unhappy. The problem is that we often make decisions based on feelings, not facts. We think, "The more scared I feel, the riskier it is." But feelings aren't always reasonable. If we knew how to think about risks clearly, we'd know which risks are worth taking. For example, trying a new hobby like painting might feel scary at first, but it could bring you joy and new skills.
③ Whether you're afraid to change your job or too nervous to ask a friend for coffee, learning to take "good risks" can improve your life. Here are good ways to help.
④ Balance feelings with facts. Many times, we think fear means something risky. But that's not true. For example, driving a car feels safe because we do it every day, but giving a speech in public might make your heart beat fast. Yet the fact shows that car accidents are much more common than getting hurt while speaking! So before you avoid doing something scary, take three deep breaths and ask yourself, "What's the real risk here?"
⑤ Take steps to succeed. You can do many small things to lower risks. If you're nervous about a test, make a study plan and review each day—this helps you feel more prepared. It's okay to feel butterflies in your stomach when you try something new. Facing fear helps
build your mental muscle, just like exercising builds physical muscle. So, taking smart risks helps you become mentally stronger. Each time you try something scary, you will learn to deal with uncertainty and anxiety. You'll also get new skills and grow from mistakes. If you try out for a dance team and don't make it, you can ask for the reason and then practise more. With practice, you'll get better at facing risks, and your chances of success will rise.
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D
)12. Which of the following is TRUE according to the first two paragraphs?
A. Avoiding risks is a smart way to stay happy.
B. Taking risks requires us to trust our feelings.
C. Our brain often tells us to face challenges bravely.
D. Our feelings often influence us to make decisions.
(
A
)13. What does the underlined phrase "build your mental muscle" mean in the last paragraph?
A. Develop strength in your mind.
B. Exercise your body to stay healthy.
C. Think mainly about cheerful things.
D. Avoid situations that make you afraid.
(
C
)14. 新考法 篇章结构 What is the structure of this passage? (①=Paragraph 1, ②=Paragraph 2...)

(
A
)15. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Taking smart risks can push us forward.
B. Trying many small things can reduce risks.
C. Learning clearly about real risks can help a lot.
D. Practising more can help deal with risks better.