Both brothers gave a similar answer when asked why their lives turned out the way they did. They said, "You'd turn out this way too if you had a childhood like mine." Neither of the brothers could change his past, but one of them adjusted (调整) his sail.

　　It doesn't take much to find an excuse whether that is our family background, our lack of education, or that we live in the wrong city, or do not know the right people. Each one of these excuses has a solution. However, if you believe that there is nothing you can do to turn your life around, then you won't be able to change your life for the better.

　　If you really desire to turn your life to a new course, to set your sail to a different port, it is a matter of choice. If you choose to move forward, the easiest way is to find a solution to your today's situation. Solutions are there if you want to go after them. Sure, it may take some hard work, or the willingness to take a risk. But if you do not, then you will never have a different or happy life. Do not limit yourself by finding an excuse; only limit yourself by refusing to have an excuse.

　　语篇解读：本文为夹叙夹议文。我们的过往是什么并不是很重要，因为未来掌握在我们自己手里。

　　1．Why does Tim's brother have a happy life?

　　A．He had a happy childhood.

　　B．He tried hard to change his life.

　　C．He had a wonderful foster home.

　　D．He was the smartest of his family.

　　解析：选B　推理判断题。由第二段"Tim's brother, although experiencing the same childhood, educated himself and got a good job."可知，Tim的哥哥努力改变自己的命运。

　　2．What did Tim think led to his unhappy life?

　　A．His laziness.

　　B．Not adjusting his sail.

　　C．His unhappy childhood.

　　D．Not having any opportunities.

　　解析：选C　细节理解题。由第三段"They said, 'You'd turn out this way too if you had a childhood like mine.'"可知，Tim将自己的不幸归咎于自己不幸的童年。

　　3．In the author's opinion, his friend Tim ________.

　　A．really had no chance to improve his life

　　B．failed because he lived in the wrong city

C．was the most unfortunate man in the world