The key answer of exercise 2
The key to exercise solutions in chapter From school to work 11-12 for the textbook Identity A2 to B1 with authors Carla Leonard from Oxford University Press
Question
Listen and read the text on the right. Who are the people and why are they famous? Do you find any of them inspiring? Why?
Answer
The text highlights four individuals who initially faced failure or rejection but later achieved great success through hard work and perseverance.
- Thomas Edison: He is a famous American inventor known for his contributions to the electric light bulb and other innovations. Despite being labeled as "too stupid to learn" by his teachers and facing setbacks in his early career, he persisted until he succeeded.
- J.K. Rowling: She is a renowned author, best known for the Harry Potter series. Rowling encountered financial struggles and battled depression while raising her daughter as a single mother. Her first Harry Potter manuscript was rejected numerous times before finding a publisher.
- Lady Gaga: A world-famous pop icon, Lady Gaga faced rejection early in her career when her first record company dropped her. However, she persisted in pursuing her passion for music, encouraged by her grandmother's words of resilience.
- Michael Jordan: Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan initially faced rejection when he was cut from his high school basketball team for being too short and lacking skills. Despite setbacks, he persevered, eventually achieving remarkable success in basketball and beyond.
All of these individuals overcame significant obstacles and setbacks to achieve their goals, making their stories inspiring to many. Their determination, resilience, and willingness to keep pushing forward despite failures serve as powerful reminders of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Their successes didn't come easily, but through hard work and persistence, they turned their failures into stepping stones toward greatness.