Aim High 4 Unit 3 : Motivation

Unit 3 page 22. exercise 3 Read and listen to the text.

Yes, we can

Esther Vergeer from Holland
When 8-year-old Esther Vergeer suddenly lost consciousness after a swimming lesson, she can't have imagined the nightmare that was awaiting her; two years of operations that left her without the use of her legs. When she was finally able to leave hospital, she had to use a wheelchair. Once she was home, Esther slowly realized she could either feel sorry for herself or she could make the most of her new life. She decided to take the second option. Wheelchair sports helped Esther to start enjoying life again. She immediately stood out as an all-round sportswoman but she decided to focus on just one sport: tennis. It was an intelligent move because she has been the world's number one player ever since and has an impressive number of Paralympic gold medals. When Esther began playing sport many people may have thought it was just a chance for her to socialize with other young people. However, with her talent and strong motivation to succeed she has become an Olympic star.
William Kamkwamba from Malawi
In 2002, 14-year-old William Kamkwamba was told that his school days were over. His parents couldn't continue paying his school fees because drought had destroyed the family farm. However, William was determined that his new situation wasn't going to shatter his dream of one day providing his family's home with electricity and fresh water. William studied library books at home and one of them, Using Energy, gave him the idea that transformed his life: designing and building a windmill. Using tree branches and old tractor and bicycle parts, William started constructing a windmill that would generate electricity. His neighbours thought he was crazy until the day he connected a cable from the windmill to his home. With the flick of a switch his house became the only one in the village with electric light. Since then William has built more windmills in the village and installed an electric water pump . William's talent for engineering has made him famous. A group of business people, impressed by his skills and self-motivation, decided to pay for his education at an elite school in South Africa. However, William hasn't forgotten his compatriots and he says that when he has finished studying he wants to bring electricity to all Malawi.
Amir Khan from England
Amir Khan was born in England to Pakistani parents and from the moment he could walk it was clear that he was hyperactive . Unfortunately, his hyperactivity would get him into fights at school and his father decided he needed to do something about it. At the age of only eight, Amir's father made him become a member of a boxing club. Amir's father must have been desperate to take such a step but time has shown that he was right. Young Amir used up all his energy at the gym, got on better at school and started winning boxing titles. By the time he was 17 he had won the European championships and a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Amir's success has made a big impact on young people in Britain, especially on those from an Asian background . By overcoming a difficult start, he has inspired them. His pride in being British and Asian has motivated lots of young British Asians to take up mainstream sport.

For exercises, please click HERE