Reach for the Top - Maria Sharapova

 

Meanings to words and phrases:

disarming: likable

at odds with: in conflict with

poised: calm, elegant

pinnacle: the most successful point, the highest point of

rapid: fast, quick

ascent: growth, climb

endure: suffer patiently, withstand,

heart-wrenching: extremely sad

depress: sadden, feeling low

quitting: leaving, stopping, not going further

pursue: follow

bagging: winning

meteoric: very rapid

ambition: goal, aim

amply: plentifully

parades: displays, shows

sophisticated: fashionable

at odds with: in disagreement with

fizzy: aerated, bubbly

pigeon-holed: classified, categorized

unwavering: steady, firm

grudge: oppose, mind

Summary:

The success story of Maria Sharapova inspires us to remain determined and be ready to make sacrifices in order to fulfill our dreams. On 22 August 2005, Maria became the top-seeded player in the world women’s tennis player rankings. This lesson tells us about

At the tender age of nine, she left her home in Siberia, Russia to get training in tennis. She went to Florida in USA with her father. Maria suffered a painful separation from her mother for a period of two years. She could not see her father too as he remained busy working, arranging funds for all her needs. She was bullied by her seniors and being a foreigner, she had to suffer all that patiently. Maria did not feel depressed, rather she was prepared for greater insults too in order to achieve her aim.

Her mantra for success is to work hard and face the toughest competition. Although she was trained in the US, she considers herself to be a Russian and is willing to represent Russia at the Olympics too.

Her favourite hobbies are fashion, singing, and dancing. She loves reading novels written by Arthur Conan Doyle. Her love for fashionable evening gowns is in contrast to her liking for pancakes with chocolate spread and orange flavoured aerated drinks. The monetary gains and the fame incurred by Maria are well deserved.

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph.1. How is Maria’s personality a mix of contrasts?
The maturity, balanced mind and inner strength of Maria do not appear to be in accordance with her glamorous dress or her charming manner and ready smile. There seems to be some mismatch between her

2. What does Maria declare to be her ‘mantra for success’?
Maria works really hard to fulfill her dreams. She does not shy away from making any sacrifice. She does not allow herself to be emotional and sentimental. She is very competitive and works hard to be the best in whatever she does. She is driven by her hunger to succeed and the dream of becoming the world number one in women’s tennis. This is her mantra for success.

3. Why was Maria brought to Florida in the USA by her father? Why didn’t her mother go with her? How did Maria respond to this separation?
Maria was brought to Florida, USA, by her father, Yuri, to get trained as a professional tennis player and reach great heights of success and stardom in this sport. Her mother, Yelena, did not go with her because of visa restrictions. This two-year separation was very painful for the young girl. But Maria endured this

4. Describe Maria’s struggle to reach at the top of the world in the field of the women tennis.
Maria started working to achieve her goal at a very young age, making any sacrifices required. She had to face separation from her mother and stay in completely unfamiliar and hostile surroundings for years. She also faced humiliation but never let it affect negatively. She took it as a challenge and with her mental toughness and competitive nature; she succeeded in achieving her goal.

5. In addition to tennis, what else is Maria fond of?
Maria’s first love is tennis. Apart from this sport, she is fond of fashion, singing and dancing like any other young girl of her age. She also likes to read Arthur Canon Doyle’s novels, is fond of sophisticated evening gowns and enjoys pancakes with chocolate-spread and fizzy orange drinks.

 6. The lives of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova have much in common to prove that determined and consistent hard work paves the way to success. Identify the points of comparison and contrast in the lives of these two great players. (Long Answer Question)

Santosh Yadav, the legendary mountaineer from India, and Maria Sharapova, Russia’s tennis sensation who trained in the USA, are living examples that single-minded determination and dedication and consistent hard work are the way to success. Both young women had to struggle against odds to reach the top. Santosh belonged to a small village in the Rewari district of Haryana while Maria came from the frozen plains of Siberia where she did not have adequate training facilities.

 

Although both girls were supported by their respective parents, Santosh, at times, had to struggle to make her conservative family agree to her decisions, while Maria’s parents were willing to make any sacrifice to help Maria succeed. However, both the young girls had to sacrifice the loving and protective environment of their homes in order to train for their passion.

Both the women had unwavering determination, physical and mental strength, and undivided focus on their goals. They both rose to the number one position in their respective areas within a short span of four years. While Sharapova moved from the frozen Siberia to the plains of Florida, Yadav moved from the plains of Rewari to the frozen Mount Everest. But both of them are devout patriots and their love for their country remains constant.

Grammar Exercises:

Working in small groups of 4–5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.

Points of Comparison/Contrast	Santosh Yadav	Maria Sharapova
1. Their humble beginning	She was born in the small village of Joniyawas of Rewari District in Haryana.	She was born in the frozen plains of Siberia.
2. Their parents’ approach	Her parents disapproved of her wish to study at a school in Delhi, however, later they accepted it.	Her father worked hard to arrange funds for her training.
3. Their will power and strong desire to succeed	Then there was no looking back for this determined young girl.	When you come from nothing and you have nothing, then it makes you very hungry and determined.
4. Evidence of their mental toughness	Equipped with an iron will, physical endurance, and an amazing mental toughness, she proved herself repeatedly.	Instead of letting that depress me, I became more quietly determined and mentally tough. I learned how to take care of myself.
5. Their patriotism	I felt proud as an Indian.	Though Maria Sharapova speaks with a pronounced American accent, she proudly parades her Russian nationality.

 

The Little Girl - Textual Grammar

 

Thinking about the language

1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences. Clues are given in brackets.

(i) She was ________ by the news of her brother’s wedding. (very pleased)

(ii) I was _______ to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)

(iii) She was ___________ at the birth of her granddaughter. (extremely happy)

(iv) The coach was _________ with his performance. (satisfied about)

(v) She was very ________ with her results. (happy about something that has happened)



Ans.

(i) She was thrilled by the news of her brother’s wedding. (very pleased)

(ii) I was delighted to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)

(iii) She was overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter. (extremely happy)

(iv) The coach was pleased with his performance. (satisfied about)

(v) She was very happy with her results. (happy about something that has happened)



2. Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences. The first one has been done for you.



(i) You are a big girl now. older

(ii) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career.

(iii) Their project is full of big ideas.

(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country.

(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar.

(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater.

(vii) What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear.



Ans.

(i) You are a big girl now. older

(ii) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career. Most important

(iii) Their project is full of big ideas. ambitious

(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country. popular

(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar. ardent

(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater. gourmand

(vii) What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear. generous



II. Verbs of Reporting

1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences.

(i) He says he will enjoy the ride.

(ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.

(iii) No one told us that the shop was closed.

(iv) He answered that the price would go up.

(v) I wondered why he was screaming.

(vi) Ben told her to wake him up.

(vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.



Ans.

(i) He says he will enjoy the ride.

(ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.

(iii) No one told us that the shop was closed.

(iv) He answered that the price would go up.

(v) I wondered why he was screaming.

(vi) Ben told her to wake him up.

(vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.






Were complaining

shouted

replied


remarked

ordered

suggested




(i) “I am not afraid,” ________ the woman.

(ii) “Leave me alone,” my mother ___________.

(iii) The children ________ that the roads were crowded and noisy.

(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,” ________ the master.

(v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” _________the sports teacher.

(vi) The traffic police ________ all the passers-by to keep off the road.



Ans.

(i) “I am not afraid,”replied the woman.

(ii) “Leave me alone,” my mother shouted.

(iii) The children were complaining that the roads were crowded and noisy.

(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,” remarked the master.

(v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” suggested the sports teacher.

(vi) The traffic police ordered all the passers-by to keep off the road.


Meanings to some new words and phrases


a figure to be feared: a person to be feared

Glad sense of relief: feeling relaxed

Fainter and fainter: to lessen or reduce

slip down: come down quietly and unwillingly

Stutter: to stammer, to speak with pauses

given it up: stopped doing it

Trying so hard: making a lot of efforts

Wretched: unhappy, sad

on the brink of suicide: about to commit suicide

suicide: kill oneself

Snoring: the sound produced by some people when there are asleep.

Gravely: seriously.

Laboriously: with lot of effort or difficulty.

Wandered into: went into, by chance

Scraps: small pieces of cloth or paper etc that are not needed.

shadowed room means that as it was dark, there was a light outside the room which was making shadows in the room.

a sad little pattern refers to the sad atmosphere in the room.

The damned thing: used to express anger at something.

Hue and Cry: angry protest.

given it up: stopped doing it

Trying so hard: making a lot of efforts

Bedclothes Refers to the sheets, the top sheets that you cover yourself when you are sleeping.

Clung: to attach yourself to something.

Nightmare: a bad dream. A Butcher is a person who cuts animals, who cuts meat.

tucked up: covered up nicely in bed

Snuggled: moved into a warm, comfortable position, close to another person

A Truly Beautiful Mind - Questions and Answers

Thinking about the Text (Page 50)

Question 1.

Here are some headings for paragraphs in the text. Write the number(s) of the paragraph(s) for each title against the heading. The first one is done for you.

i. Einstein’s equation         [   9  ]

ii. Einstein meets his future wife [     ]

iii. The making of a violinist         [     ]

iv. Mileva and Einstein’s mother [     ]

v. A letter that launched the arms race [     ]

vi. A desk drawer full of ideas [     ]

vii. Marriage and divorce         [     ]

Answers: 

i. Einstein’s equation         [   9  ]

ii. Einstein meets his future wife [   7  ]

iii. The making of a violinist         [   3  ]

iv. Mileva and Einstein’s mother [  10 ]

v. A letter that launched the arms race [   15]

vi. A desk drawer full of ideas [  8   ]

vii. Marriage and divorce         [   11]

Question 2.

Who had these opinions about Einstein?

1. He was boring.

2. He was stupid and would never succeed in life.

3. He was a freak.

Answer:

1. His playmates.

2. His headmaster.

3. His mother.

Question 3.

Explain what the reasons for the following are:

1. Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good.

2. Einstein wanting to study in Switzerland rather than in Munich.

3. Einstein seeing in Mileva an ally.

4. What do these tell you about Einstein?

Answers:

1. Einstein left the school in Munich because he did not like the discipline of the school. He hated the school’s regimentation and often clashed with teachers.

2. Albert’s parents moved to Milan and left their son with relatives. After prolonged discussion, Einstein got his wish to continue his education in German-speaking Switzerland. Actually, it was more liberal than Munich.

3. Einstein saw in Mileva Maric an ally against the “Philistines” - the people in his family and at the university with whom he was constantly at odds. He found that she was a “clever creature”. He wanted to mix science with tenderness.

4. We can say that Einstein liked freedom as he didn’t like the discipline of the school. He was capable of fulfilling his desires as he could convince his family and continue his education in German-speaking Switzerland. He had specific views on his life as he chose Mileva Maric, a Serbian girl who was elder to him, as his would-be wife. 

Question 4.

What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why?

Answer:

Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office the “bureau of theoretical physics” because he kept all his writings of his theories in it. Einstein was actually developing his own ideas in secret and his drawer had all the evidence which could reveal the secret.

Question 5.

Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt?

Answer:

With the emergence of Nazis in Germany, Einstein emigrated to the United States. It was known that the Nazis had the ability to develop and make an atomic bomb. Einstein was aware of its destructive power. A bomb could damage a large area. So he warned Franklin D. Roosevelt in his letter.

Question 6.

How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Answer:

The atomic bomb devastated the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was deeply shaken by the extent of the destruction and wrote a public missive to the United Nations. 

Question 7.

Why does the world remember Einstein as a ‘world citizen’?

Answer:

The world remembers Einstein as a ‘world citizen’ because he believed in universal peace. When there was the rat race for becoming atomic power, he was worried about the aftermath of the bomb. He was really a world citizen who was concerned with humanity. 

Question 8.

Here are some facts from Einstein’s life. Arrange them in chronological order.

[ ] Einstein publishes his special theory of relativity.

[ ] He is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

[ ] Einstein writes a letter to U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and warns against Germany’s building of an atomic bomb.

[ ] Einstein attends a high school in Munich.

[ ] Einstein’s family moves to Milan.

[ ] Einstein is born in the German city of Ulm.

[ ] Einstein joins a University in Zurich, where he meets Mileva.

[ ] Einstein dies.

[ ] He provides a new interpretation of gravity.

[ ] Tired of the school’s regimentation, Einstein withdraws from school.

[ ] He works in a patent office as a technical expert.

[ ] When Hitler comes to power, Einstein leaves Germany for the United States.

Answers:

[1] Einstein is bom in the German city of Ulm.

[2] Einstein attends a high school in Munich.

[3] Einstein’s family moves to Milan.

[4] Tired of the school’s regimentation, Einstein withdraws from school.

[5] Einstein joins a University in Zurich where he meets Mileva.

[6] He works in a patent office as a technical expert.

[7] Einstein publishes his special theory of relativity.

[8] He provides a new interpretation of gravitation.

[9] He is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

[10] When Hitler comes to power, Einstein leaves Germany for the United States.

[11] Einstein writes a letter to U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt and warns against Germany’s building of an atomic bomb.

[12] Einstein dies.

Thinking about language (Page 51)

Question 1.

Here are some sentences from the story.

Choose the word from the brackets which can be substituted for the italicized words in the sentences.

1. A few years later, the marriage faltered, (failed, broke, became weak)

2. Einstein was constantly at odds with people at the university, (on bad terms, in disagreement, unhappy)

3. The newspapers proclaimed his work as “a scientific revolution”, (declared, praised, showed)

4. Einstein got ever more involved in politics, agitating for an end to the arms buildup. (campaigning, fighting, supporting)

5. At the age of 15, Einstein felt so stifled that he left the school for good. (permanently, for his benefit, for a short time)

6. Five years later, the discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin had American physicists in an uproar, (in a state of commotion, full of criticism, in a desperate state)

7. Science wasn’t the only thing that appealed to the dashing young man with the walrus mustache, (interested, challenged, worried)

Answers:

1. failed

2. in disagreement

3. declared

4. campaigning

5. permanently

6. in a state of commotion

7. interested.

Question 2.

1. ……………. the firefighters finally put out the fire. (They worked round the clock.)

2. She watched the sunset above the mountain, ……………. (She noticed the colours blending softly into one another.)

3. The excited horse pawed the ground rapidly, ……………. (While it neighed continually.)

4. ……………. ,I found myself in Bangalore, instead of Benaras. (I had taken the wrong train.)

5. ……………., I was desperate to get to the bathroom. (I had not bathed for two days)

6. The stone steps, ……………. needed to be replaced. (They were worn down).

7. The actor received hundreds of letters from his fans, ……………. (They asked him to send them his photograph.)

Answers:

1. Working round the clock the firefighters finally put out the fire.

2. She watched the sunset above the mountain, noticing the colours blending softly into one another.

3. The excited horse pawed the ground rapidly, neighing continually.

4. Having taken the wrong train I found myself in Bangalore instead of Benaras.

5. Having not bathed for two days I was desperate to get to the bathroom.

6. The stone steps being worn down needed to be replaced.

7. The actor received hundreds of letters from his fans asking him to send them his photograph.

Writing newspaper reports (Page 53)

Write a newspaper report. Here are some notes which you could use to write a report.

21 August 2005—original handwritten manuscript of Albert Einstein unearthed— by student Rowdy Boeynik in the Univer¬sity of Netherlands—Boeynik researching papers—papers belonging to an old friend of Einstein—fingerprints of Einstein on these papers—16 page document dated 1924—Einstein’s work on this last theory—behavior of atoms at low temperature—now known as the Bose-Einstein condensation—the manuscript to be kept at Leyden University where Einstein got the Nobel Prize.

Question 1.

Write a report which has four paragraphs, one each on:

• what was unearthed?

• who unearthed it and when.

• what the document contained.

• where it will be kept.

Answer:

21 August 2005. Student Unearths Einstein Manuscript. An original handwritten Albert Einstein manuscript has been unearthed at the University of Netherlands.

A student named Rowdy Boeynik, who was researching the papers belonging to an old companion of Einstein had found a 16-page document dated 1924. The document had Einstein’s fingerprints on it. 

It contained Einstein’s work on his last theory about the behavior of atoms at low temperatures. The theory is known as ‘Bose-Einstein Condensation’ nowadays. 

The manuscript will be kept at Leyden University where Einstein got the Nobel Prize.