[长难句突破]

The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A-types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows.

主体句式：The current passion produces a two-layer system.

结构分析：本句主语和谓语之间的介词短语"for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock"是修饰passion的定语。宾语a two-layer system后面跟了一个以in which 定语从句。

[全文译文]

Personality is to a large extent inherent--A-type parents usually bring about A-type offspring. But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is important to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor in the lives of their children.

One place where children soak up A-characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. Too many schools adopt the ‘win at all costs' moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A-types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows. Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences: remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying: "Rejoice, we conquer!"

By far the worst form of competition in schools is the disproportionate emphasis on examinations. It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well. The merits of competition by examination are somewhat questionable, but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.

Obviously, it is neither practical nor desirable that all A-youngsters change into B's. The world needs A types, and schools have an important duty to try to fit a child's personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.

If the preoccupation of schools with academic work was lessened, more time might be spent teaching children surer values. Perhaps selection for the caring professions, especially medicine, could be made less by good grades in chemistry and more by such considerations as sensitivity and sympathy. It is surely a mistake to choose our doctors exclusively from A-type stock. B's are important and should be encouraged.

性格在很大程度上是与生俱来的--A型的父母通常会有A型性格的后代。但是环境也有着深远的影响，因为如果竞争对于父母来说很重要的话，那么竞争也有可能成为孩子生活中的一个重要因素。

孩子变成A型性格的一个地方就是学校，而学校从本质上来说是一个竞争的机构。太多的学校把"不惜一切取得成功"作为道德标准，并用孩子们在运动方面的成就来衡量他们是否成功。目前这种让孩子们与他们的同学竞争、与时间赛跑的流行方式导致了一种双层体制，在其中A型性格的学生们在某种程度上要比B型性格的学生们好。过于热衷获胜可能产生危险的后果：记住，第一次跑马拉松的人费迪皮迪兹在说完"欢呼吧，我们胜利啦"之后几秒便倒地而死。

到目前为止，学校中最严重的竞争形式就是对于考试的过分强调。能够强调让学生们集中精力做他们能够做的事情的学校已经是寥寥无几。通过考试来竞争这种方式的优点是令人怀疑的，但是明知失败却还要竞争则无疑是有害的。

显然，把所有A型性格的孩子变成B型孩子既不现实也不可提倡。这个世界需要多样化，学校最重要的职责就是是孩子们的性格能够适应他们未来的工作。这是最好的管理模式。

如果学校减少对于学业的强调，那么或许就会有更多的时间来叫学生们更加有价值的东西。或许对于护理职业人员的选择来说，特别是对于医学界的人员选择来说，应该减少对于化学成绩的侧重，而更多考察从业人员的敏感性和同情心，这样更好一些。只从A型性格的人当中选择医生显然是一个错误。B型性格的人也非常重要，应予以鼓励。