The other day I heard a few local musicians talking:
“I hate all the terrible pianos in this town. I hate that rubbish they play on the radio. They can’t even understand a bit of music.”
“I’m never playing in that club again. Too many drunks and nobody listens to us.”
But, one younger musician said, “There are a few clubs that book my band a few nights a month, and I’m trying to find other places to play. I’m also looking to book a few summer festivals this year.”
I’ve heard that you are the average of the five people whom you spend the most time with, or to put it another way, you are who your friends are.
Attitudes are important. Whether they’re positive or negative, they’re rubbing off on you. If you’re around people who complain about lack of work and about other musicians, or blame others, and you play the role of victim, chances are you will start to as well. So it’s time to take a look at the people you call “friends”.
This is an easy exercise: Make a list of the people who you hang out with, and simply stop spending time with the negative people on your list. Set a new standard for yourself and don’t become friends with people who fall below that standard.
Keep successful people around you and your own chances for success will be much better. Ask them how they do it. Ask if they will help you get the work you’re looking for, or maybe give you some advice to help you on your career path.
32. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A. A friend in need is a friend indeed B. How to make friendship last for ever
C. You are who your friends are D. Friends are the most important in one’s success
33. The underlined sentence “they’re rubbing off on you” in Paragraph 6 means ______.
A. they’ll push you ahead B. they’ll influence you
C. they’ll cover your shortcomings D. they’ll help you achieve your goal
34. The musicians’ words at the beginning are written mainly to show ______.
A. the musicians’ living conditions are quite poor
B. people have poor taste in music
C. people have different attitudes towards the same thing
D. young people have greater chances of succeeding
35. The passage is mainly written for ______.
A. musicians B. managers C. negative people D. people wanting to succeed