Like many of my generation, I have a weakness for hero worship. At some point, however, we aU to question our heroes and our need for them. This leads us to ask: What is a hero Despite immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a number of characteristics that instruct and inspire people. A hero does something worth talking about. A hero has a story of adventure to tell and community who will listen. But a few heroes beyond mere fame. Heroes serve powers or principles larger than themselves. Like high-voltage transformers, heroes take the energy of higher powers and step it down so that it can be used by ordinary The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. Those who imitate a genuine, hero experience life with new depth, enthusiasm, and meaning. A sure test for would-be heroes is what or whom do they serve What are they willing to live and die for If the answer or evidence suggests they serve only their own fame, they may be famous persons but not heroes. Madonna and Michael Jackson are famous, but who would claim that their fans find life more abundant Heroes are catalysts (催化剂) for change. They have a vision from the mountaintop. They have the skill and the charm to move the masses. They create new possibilities. Without Gandhi, India might still be part of the British Empire. Without Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., we might still have segregated (隔离的) buses, restaurants, and parks: It may be possible for largescale change to occur without leaders with magnetic personalities, but the pace of change would be slow, the vision uncertain, and the committee meetings endless. Gandhi and Martin Luther King are typical examples of outstanding leaders who ______.

A. are good at demonstrating their charming characters
B. can move the masses with their forceful speeches
C. are capable of meeting all challenges and hardships
D. can provide an answer to the problems of their people