Looking back on my childhood, I am convinced that naturalists are born, not made. Although we were brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental arithmetic.

Before World War I, we spent our summer holidays in Hungary. I have nothing but the dim memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal-clear memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local bird and above all, the insects.

I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world and my enthusiasm had led me into varied investigation. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil while reading about other people’s observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my curious mind. Suddenly you fancy you see the answer to the riddle, because it all seems to fit together. This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some might honor with the title of scientific research. But curiosity, a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist: one of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self-discipline, a quality I lack. A scientist requires not only self-discipline but also hard-training, determination and a goal. A scientist, up to a point, can be made. A naturalist is born. If you can combine the two, there can be little doubt that you get the best of both worlds.

1). Which of the following is characteristic of the author’s childhood?

A. he suffered from serious loss of hearing.

B. he didn’t get on well with his brothers and sisters.

C. he showed strong interest in flowers and insects.

D. he was good at reading at an early age.

2). The author fails to remember his relatives clearly in that _______.

A. he was too young then

B. he had a poor memory

C. he spent little time living with them

D. he was absorbed in observing nature

3). It can be concluded that one essential quality required by a scientist is _______.

A. self-discipline

B. a powerful memory

C. being enthusiastic

D. having a sharp eye

4). The author believes that he is ________.

A. a scientist as well as a naturalist

B. not a naturalist but a scientist

C. not a scientist but a naturalist

D. neither a scientist nor a naturalist

5). It can be inferred that it is almost impossible to _______.

A. make someone become a naturalist

B. make someone become a scientist

C. tell the difference between science and nature

D. take an interest in both science and nature