English LanguageComprehension and summaryJAMB

Many people assume that intelligence is fixed at birth, that a child is either 'brilliant' or 'dull' and nothing can change it. Research on learning suggests otherwise. When students are praised for effort rather than for being clever, they are more willing to attempt difficult problems, and they recover more quickly from failure. Students told that they are naturally gifted, on the other hand, often avoid challenges, fearing that a poor result will expose them as ordinary after all. This does not mean that all praise for effort is useful. Praising a student for working hard on a method that is clearly not working may simply encourage wasted energy. The most helpful feedback, researchers argue, names the strategy: 'You checked each step, and that is why you found the error.' Such comments teach students what to repeat. Parents and teachers, therefore, should be careful about the words they choose, for a careless label can follow a child for years.

The passage mainly argues that

An AdmitMe practice question, written for the JAMB syllabus. Not an official past question.