๐ Unit 16: Success & Celebration
Walt Disney: An Example of Struggle and Success
A. Use the correct words/phrases given below to complete the sentences.
Words/Phrases: domineering, solace, apprentice, bankrupt, plotting, afloat, mounting, harness, perseverance, colossal
a. Kisan had to sell his house to keep his business afloat.
b. He was accused of plotting the robbery of the bank.
c. Scientists are trying to harness the sun's rays as a new source of energy.
d. Many companies went bankrupt during the economic depression.
e. Courage and perseverance are the keys to success in life.
f. The government had mounting pressure from the public to withdraw the bill.
g. After his graduation, he worked as an apprentice electrician in a company.
h. The government spent a colossal amount of money on the renovation of the historical buildings.
i. Kathy was brought up by an unkind domineering stepmother.
j. Patrick took solace in the company of his mates.
B. Find the meaning of the following phrases/idioms from a dictionary and use them in sentences of your own.
a. Make ends meet
Meaning: To have just enough money to pay for living expenses.
Example: With the increasing cost of everyday necessities, many families find it difficult to make ends meet.
b. Silver lining
Meaning: A positive aspect of a bad situation.
Example: Although losing my job was painful, having more time to concentrate on writing was the silver lining.
c. Nervous breakdown
Meaning: A sudden inability to cope with everyday life due to extreme stress or anxiety.
Example: Continuous pressure at work eventually caused Steve to have a nervous breakdown.
d. Kick in the teeth
Meaning: An unexpected, unpleasant surprise.
Example: After performing exceptionally well throughout the tournament, the team's defeat in the final was a real kick in the teeth.
e. Drop out
Meaning: To abandon an activity or course of study.
Example: Some college students drop out during their first year because they experience financial problems or lose motivation.
f. Set off
Meaning: To start a journey or cause something to happen.
Example: We set off for Paris early in the morning to escape the traffic.
Example: The sudden noise set off the car alarms along the street.
C. The following sentences represent some events in Disney's life. Study and rewrite them in the chronological order.
a. Disney left home and went to France to work as an ambulance driver.
b. He returned to Chicago and worked as a trainee at an art studio.
c. He created the characters, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse.
d. The cartoon company collapsed.
e. Disney suffered severe mental and emotional illness.
f. He shifted his focus from big screens to television shows.
g. He successfully founded the famous Disneyland.
ans:
a. Disney left home and went to France to work as an ambulance driver.
b. He returned to Chicago and worked as a trainee at an art studio.
c. He created the characters, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse.
d. The cartoon company collapsed.
e. Disney suffered severe mental and emotional illness.
f. He shifted his focus from big screens to television shows.
g. He successfully founded the famous Disneyland.
D. Answer these questions.
a. How would you describe Walt Disney's childhood?
=> Answer: Disney's early years were marked by financial difficulties and considerable hard work, as he was expected to assist his family with work on their farm.
b. What was the family background of Disney?
=> Answer: Walt Disney was raised in a modest family that lived and worked on a farm in Missouri, USA.
c. What did Disney do after facing failure in his first business?
=> Answer: When his first business venture failed, Disney left for Hollywood, where he sought to establish himself in animation and filmmaking.
d. How was the character of Mickey Mouse created?
=> Answer: Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse in 1928 for the animated cartoon "Steamboat Willie."
e. What led to Disney experiencing a mental breakdown?
=> Answer: The combination of career-related stress and financial difficulties during the early period of his professional life contributed to Disney's mental breakdown.
f. Which films were commercially unsuccessful?
=> Answer: Among Disney's early productions, "Alice's Wonderland" was one of the films that did not perform successfully in the commercial market.
g. Which films brought great financial returns to Disney?
=> Answer: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Cinderella" generated considerable financial success for Disney.
h. Why was the opening of Disneyland called 'Black Sunday'?
=> Answer: The first day of Disneyland's opening was described as 'Black Sunday' because various technical difficulties occurred and the event received unfavorable reviews.
i. Who has significantly inspired you in your life? Share his/her life story with the class.
=> Answer: Walt Disney has greatly inspired me because his imagination, courage and determination enabled him to continue pursuing his ambitions even after encountering serious setbacks.
j. What lessons can we learn from Disney's life?
=> Answer: Disney's experience shows us that perseverance, creativity and self-confidence are essential when dealing with failure, difficulties and obstacles on the way to success.
E. Who has significantly inspired you in your life? Share his/her life story with the class.
เคเคคเฅเคคเคฐ :
My uncle Gaurav is the person who has had the greatest inspirational influence on my life. His journey began in a lower middle class family, where financial circumstances required him to take different jobs while continuing his schooling. Even though supporting his family was difficult, he remained committed to his education and continued working toward his ambition of becoming an engineer.
After completing high school, he earned a scholarship that allowed him to pursue Mechanical Engineering at a reputed university. His dedication to his studies helped him graduate as the top student in his class. Soon afterward, he joined a multinational company, where his strong work ethic helped him progress rapidly and receive several promotions during his 20s.
My uncle has always considered education an important foundation for a successful future. He repeatedly encouraged me and my cousins to take our studies seriously and supported us financially whenever he was able to do so. His advice was simple but powerful: we should continue pursuing our ambitions regardless of how difficult they might initially appear.
After dedicating 25 years to the same company, he decided that it was time to pursue an independent career. He resigned from his secure position and used his savings to establish a small consulting firm. Starting a business involved uncertainty and risk, but his confidence and determination eventually helped the company prosper.
Today, the business has grown to employ over 50 people, and his achievements have enabled him to support his entire extended family.
His journey becomes especially meaningful to me whenever I experience disappointment or feel like abandoning a goal. I remember how he progressed from humble circumstances to considerable success through persistence and courage. His example encourages me to work sincerely, remain patient during difficulties and take risks when they are necessary for achieving worthwhile goals.
From my uncle, I have learned that determination and confidence can transform even distant ambitions into achievable goals. His generosity, courage and wisdom have made him not only an inspirational figure but also a role model whom I deeply admire.
His story also reminds me that extraordinary success does not always begin with extraordinary opportunities. Ordinary people can achieve remarkable things when they combine hard work with perseverance. I feel fortunate to have such an inspiring person in my life.
๐ Grammar I
A. Choose the correct prepositions and complete the sentences.
a. I reached sometime between 9:00 to 9:15 am.
b. I usually stay in my office from 10 am to 4 pm.
c. You should finish your test by the next 30 minutes.
d. Noor worked in the hotel until 2010.
e. I have been looking for my spectacles, I don't remember where I kept them.
f. Mr. Shahi has ten members working under him.
g. There is a knock at the door. Who can be calling us now?
h. Kritika is in her twenties.
i. There is a great deal of violence in some countries.
j. Their discussion turned into an unpleasant quarrel.
B. Complete the sentences with in, on, or at.
a. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
b. Last year, we went on a trip to National Botanical Garden, Godawari from our school.
c. Can you turn the light on, please? I don't want to sit in the dark.
d. She was married at the young age of 20.
e. Science and technology has developed at a great pace.
f. In my opinion, violent films should be banned for children.
g. I heard the news on the radio this morning.
h. My father is not at home at the moment.
โ๏ธ Writing I
Message of Congratulation
A. Imagine that your school football team has won the title of 'Inter-school Football Tournament' organised by the District Sports Development Committee. Write a message of congratulation to the team on behalf of the school to appear on the school notice board.
MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION
เคเคคเฅเคคเคฐ :
We are extremely pleased to extend our warmest congratulations to our school football team for securing victory in the Inter-school Football Tournament organised by the District Sports Development Committee. This outstanding result has brought immense pride and honour to our entire school.
Your achievement is the outcome of persistent preparation, discipline and remarkable cooperation among team members. Each player contributed through regular practice, encouragement and a strong sense of unity, which was clearly reflected in your performance on the field.
Although winning the trophy and cash prizes is a significant accomplishment, the true value of this experience also lies in the friendship, cooperation, sportsmanship and lessons that you have developed throughout the competition.
On behalf of the entire school family, I sincerely congratulate and appreciate every member of the team for representing our institution so successfully. Your accomplishment will undoubtedly encourage our younger students to pursue sporting excellence with confidence and dedication.
We hope this success becomes the beginning of many more achievements in the future.
Congratulations once again, and our very best wishes for your upcoming endeavours!
Shriram Lamichhane
Head of School & Whole SR Academy Family
Kathmandu, Nepal
B. Your maternal uncle has recently been promoted to the post of Inspector of Nepal Police. Write a letter of congratulation extending him your best wishes.
Dear Uncle,
เคเคคเฅเคคเคฐ :
I was extremely pleased to receive the news of your promotion to the post of Inspector of Nepal Police. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on achieving this well-deserved milestone in your career.
Your advancement reflects the dedication, discipline and sincerity that you have consistently demonstrated throughout your professional life. I have always looked up to you as someone who performs his responsibilities seriously, and this promotion makes me especially proud.
Your new position will naturally involve greater responsibilities and challenges. Nevertheless, I am confident that you will meet them successfully because of your professionalism, integrity and commitment to your duties.
Everyone in our family is delighted by your achievement. We sincerely hope that this new responsibility brings you further opportunities for professional growth and personal satisfaction. I also hope that your example will continue to encourage your juniors to perform their duties honestly and conscientiously.
Once again, congratulations on this wonderful achievement. I look forward to meeting you soon and celebrating your promotion together.
With love and best regards,
Shriram
๐ Unit 16: Reading II
Poem: 'IF' by Rudyard Kipling
The poem 'IF' by Rudyard Kipling takes the form of a father's advice to his son. It explains the qualities and attitudes that a person needs in order to develop a strong character and live a respectable life.
The opening section focuses on emotional control. The son is encouraged to stay calm when others around him lose their self-control and to remain steady regardless of whether circumstances bring victory or defeat. Neither success nor failure should be allowed to dominate his mind.
Kipling also stresses the importance of confidence and personal principles. Even when other people doubt him, the son should continue trusting his own abilities. Likewise, he should remain loyal to his ideals even when those ideals are unpopular. At the same time, he must avoid becoming arrogant when successful or bitter when unsuccessful.
The poem also presents the importance of human relationships. A mature individual should be able to interact with people of different backgrounds while continuing to show kindness and compassion. Hard work is another major quality emphasized by the poet. Meaningful effort should be undertaken wholeheartedly rather than solely for the sake of receiving a reward.
Toward the conclusion, the poet asks his son to maintain a balanced attitude toward dreams and achievements. He should be brave enough to dream greatly but strong enough to accept the loss of those dreams without being defeated emotionally. He must also understand the responsibilities associated with service and remain truthful regardless of the people around him.
The poem therefore presents an ideal model of human character built upon self-control, confidence, humility, compassion, perseverance and service. Kipling suggests that a person who develops these qualities can become truly mature, honorable and worthy.
๐ IF Poem Exercise
A. Match the following words/phrases with their correct meanings.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a. unforgiving | vii. not giving a second chance; not happening again |
| b. virtue | iii. behaviour showing high moral standards |
| c. sinew | vi. a strong band of tissues in the body |
| d. pitch-and-toss | v. a game of skill and chance |
| e. worn-out | ii. badly damaged and no longer useful |
| f. stoop | ix. to bend the body forwards and downwards |
| g. knave | viii. a person who cheats by pretending to be somebody else |
| h. triumph | iv. a great success, achievement or victory |
| i. impostor | vi. a dishonest person |
B. Complete the summary of the poem using the given words/phrases.
[will, importance, success, failure, value, inspirational, truthfulness, virtue]
เคเคคเฅเคคเคฐ :
In 'If', Rudyard Kipling provides inspirational insights into life. In the first stanza, the poet suggests us to keep calm, have self-trust and bear failure. According to the poet, it is important to be thoughtful about an action before undertaking it. Similarly, balancing between success and failure is another important quality of a successful person. In the third stanza, the poet suggests us to value our winnings. We must devote our intellect, heart, and muscle in the work we do, and we should always have a strong virtue to achieve success. In the final stanza, the poet suggests us to maintain our truthfulness no matter who we are with. Most importantly, we must realize the importance of time.
C. Answer the following questions.
a. What does the poet suggest about dealing with lies?
=> Answer: The poet encourages us to remain firm in our principles when confronted with lies. Rather than allowing dishonesty to disturb us, we should continue behaving with integrity.
b. What do you mean by 'not be tired by waiting'?
=> Answer: It refers to maintaining patience while waiting for a desired outcome. A person should continue striving toward a goal instead of becoming frustrated simply because success takes time.
c. Why should we not aim only to dream in life?
=> Answer: Dreams cannot accomplish anything on their own. They become meaningful only when they are followed by action, sustained effort and determination to transform those ambitions into reality.
d. How do you think we can achieve our dream?
=> Answer: Achieving a dream requires commitment and continuous effort. We should remain concentrated on our purpose, work consistently, handle both success and failure calmly and retain confidence even when other people doubt us.
e. What can knaves do to us?
=> Answer: Dishonest people may deceive, cheat or betray us for their own purposes. However, their behavior should not influence us to abandon our own honesty, dignity or moral principles.
f. Why should we forget our failures in life?
=> Answer: We should avoid remaining trapped in memories of failure because excessive attention to past disappointment can prevent future progress. Instead, we should learn from what went wrong and use those lessons to move forward with renewed confidence.
g. What should we do if we lose the 'pitch-and-toss'?
=> Answer: If we lose the 'pitch-and-toss', we should accept the outcome without excessive sadness or regret. Since the result represents chance, we should remain calm and give equal importance to both winning and losing.
D. What suggestions do your parents and teachers give you to be successful in life?
=> Answer: My parents and teachers have given me several important guidelines for building a successful future:
- โขGet a good education: They encourage me to take my studies seriously and work toward obtaining a college degree from a reputed institution.
- โขDevelop good habits and skills: They advise me to cultivate discipline, effective time management and good communication abilities.
- โขWork hard and be persistent: They remind me that difficulties should not become reasons to stop trying. Consistent effort is necessary for progress.
- โขStay focused on goals: They suggest choosing clear objectives, preparing practical plans and checking my progress regularly.
- โขBuild strong character: They consider honesty, integrity, humility and empathy essential qualities for meaningful and lasting success.
According to their guidance, education, hard work, persistence, goal-focusedness and strong character form the major foundation for success in life.
๐ Grammar II
Complete the sentences below with the correct prepositional phrases from the box.
[in cash, at playing, interested in, with each other, out of their hand, in a hurry, out of reach, on a diet, at large, on board]
a. The accident took place as the bus and the lorry collided with each other.
b. Amin is brilliant at playing the violin.
c. Mr. Sharma is not interested in politics.
d. The criminal who took the lives of five is still at large.
e. I cannot contact him. His phone is out of reach.
f. The concert went out of hand. They had to call the police to take control.
g. Sanskriti is on a diet these days for fear that she will put on weight.
h. I cannot talk to you now. I am in a hurry.
i. Even though the plane had to take an emergency landing, all the passengers on board were safe and sound.
j. Would you like to make the payment in cash?
โ๏ธ Writing II
Speech: Failure as a Pillar of Success
Question
Many people opine that we should not be discouraged by our failures in life. We should rather take our failures as an opportunity to correct our mistakes and achieve success next time. Draft a speech on 'Failure as Pillar of Success'. Include relevant examples from renowned and successful personalities in the world.
Answer
Speech on Failure as Pillar of Success
เคเคคเฅเคคเคฐ :
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning everyone. Today, I am here to speak on the topic 'Failure as Pillar of Success'.
Failure is an unavoidable part of human life. At some point, everyone experiences disappointment, rejection or an unsuccessful attempt. Such experiences may initially weaken our confidence, but they can also teach us valuable lessons. When failure is understood properly, it becomes an opportunity to identify weaknesses, improve our methods and prepare ourselves for another attempt.
Thomas Edison provides a powerful example of this attitude. His efforts to develop the light bulb involved countless unsuccessful attempts. Instead of considering these attempts a reason to quit, he continued experimenting until his persistence contributed to an invention that transformed everyday life.
Walt Disney's journey also demonstrates how setbacks can precede major achievements. He was dismissed from his first newspaper position because he was judged to lack creativity. His early business efforts also encountered repeated failures. Nevertheless, he continued working on his ideas, eventually achieving extraordinary success through Mickey Mouse and Disneyland. His experience demonstrates the importance of refusing to surrender after disappointment.
J.K. Rowling experienced repeated rejection before reaching international success. Numerous publishers rejected her work before the first Harry Potter book was finally published. Her eventual achievement demonstrates that rejection may delay a dream without necessarily destroying it.
The experiences of these successful personalities show that failure is often part of the journey toward ambitious goals. The most important issue is not whether we fail, but how we respond afterward. Instead of allowing failure to defeat us, we should examine our mistakes, recognize where improvement is required and begin again with greater knowledge and renewed determination.
Therefore, failure should not always be regarded as an ending. It can provide the experience and understanding needed to build future success. Whenever we encounter failure, we should use it as a lesson and allow it to move us closer to our goals.
So, whenever you experience failure, do not consider yourself defeated. Learn from the experience, stand up again and continue moving toward your dreams.
Thank you.