Exercise 1. Listen to the story “The secret to success”. What are the two lessons that you learned from the story? Write them down.
Exercise 2. Albeit, first familiarize yourself with the new words:
an apprentice - подмастерье
indispensable - незаменимый
a mentor - наставник
a capability - умение
to pace back and forth - ходить туда-сюда
a time-off request - запрос на перерыв
much to his shock - к его большому шоку
a wounded pride - уязвленная гордость
to encounter a problem - столкнуться с проблемой
to handle problems - решать проблемы
to keep up the good work - поддерживать хорошую работу
a pattern - модель, шаблон
to take for granted - принять как должное
to dawn on smb - озарить кого-л.
a light bulb - лампочка
to provide illumination - обеспечить освещение
Exercise 3. Fill in the gaps using the words from the list above. Watch out for the verbs, you may need to put them in the right tense.
White candles, the only _______________________, burned on the table. I was lying there, thinking that _________ needed changing, the ceiling could use another coat. It began __________ that something was wrong. He just took it _________ that he would pass the exam. I found Mark at the hospital, _________ restlessly back and forth. I can speak French, but simultaneous translation is beyond my _______________. You need ______________ to guide you along your life experience. This book is _______________ to anyone interested in space exploration. When I finish classes, I’m hoping to land a summer job as a chef’s __________________. A general _________ began to emerge. He was told to keep up __________. He is used to ___________ problems creatively. They __________________serious problems when two members of the expedition were injured. It was only ______________ that stopped him from apologizing. ____________________ she was not there any more. Have you ever had to make time-off ______________ for health reasons.
Exercise 4. Explain the meaning of the following words.
Dedication and diligence
He sighed and poured his heart out.
I am still making as little as I did before.
to become indispensable to the factory.
to give yourself a break
to terminate employment
Exercise 5. Learn the following lessons by heart and follow them.
- Talk less, do more and never stop developing your skills.
- No matter what, keep quiet and focus on the job.
- There is always a skill to learn. Skills are endless.
- Speak slowly to make your point.
- Ask for advice. However don’t rely on it blindly, and check it out on the way.
- Nobody pays attention to the light bulb that is always on. It is only when it goes off that people suddenly take notice and realize they’ve been taking it for granted. But if the light bulb goes off frequently then sooner or later it will be replaced with one that is more reliable. Who wants a light bulb that no one can count on to provide illumination?
- Thank people for the good fortune of having them in your life.
- Look for balance in life.