阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳答案。
A
Thinking outside the box
What if, whenever we face any challenge, we stopped and asked, “What if?” What if we challenged the rules and started thinking outside the box?
Thinking outside the box is a metaphor(隐喻) often used to describe different, or creative thinking. It shows up in simple things like using paper to make crafts—instead of just writing on it—for example.
According to Fast Company, the term came into use in the 1970s. Management consultants(顾问) would give clients a 9-dot puzzle and ask them to connect the dots with only 4 lines. Naturally, this task requires some lateral thinking(跨界思维), so the consultants would encourage their clients to “think outside the box”. In this case, in order to come up with an innovative solution, they needed to look beyond the box and create something else.

One thing stands out for us from this exercise. At first, you see a box. To draw those 4 lines, you have to first use up all the ways within the box. Only then can you realize that the problem is the box itself. You come to that realization after understanding the box and uncovering its limitations. To think outside the box is to fully understand the current situation—then challenge it.
Thinking outside the box helps you solve challenging problems. It allows you to look beyond a narrow view to find answers that would not exist otherwise. Thinking outside the box also forces you to widen your horizon. And when you widen your horizon, you become aware of opportunities. Diversity of experience, divergent thinking(发散思维), and a willingness to take risks encourages people to grow. Thinking small keeps us small. When we stay within our comfort zone, taking risks, growing, and challenging the norm all seem much more frightening. To become an effective leader, or a team member, think outside the box.
Whatever you do, think twice: first in the box, then outside the box. Outside-the-box thinking often breaks the routines and may sound ridiculous(荒谬的). But without thinking outside the box, these people, like Thomas Edison and Isaac Newton, wouldn’t have changed the world in the way they did. Master the established rules of your craft, apply them and if they’re not bringing results, allow yourself to start thinking outside the box. You’ll be glad you did.
() 1. Which of the following is an example of the “lateral thinking”?
A. Using a plastic bottle as a bird feeder.
B. Buying milk at a grocery store.
C. Taking an elevator to the office.
D. Watching TV in the evening.
() 2. What does the underlined sentence “Thinking small keeps us small.” in paragraph 5 mean?
A. Small thinking helps achieve big goals.
B. Avoiding challenges and risks limits personal growth.
C. Big thinking leads to unnecessary risks and problems.
D. Small thinking is key to staying safe and comfortable.
() 3. What’s the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage?
A. To discuss unusual methods.
B. To criticize(批判) creative thinking.
C. To explain ways to avoid risks.
D. To encourage us to break routines.