Read the article from which some sentences have been
taken out. Choose the correct sentences A–F to fill the gaps 1–5. There is one
sentence you do not need.
How Did They Make It?
What’s the key to success?
We all want to know! So, we asked a couple of people who have made it to the
top of their chosen professions what they think is the secret.
Ben Salter, winner of two
Olympic gold medals for running:
How
did I make it to the top? If I had a pound for every time I’ve been asked this
question, I’d be really wealthy. If I could give a simple answer, I would be
even wealthier! My success has been in athletics. People often wonder whether
it is down to my genes. Was my dad a good runner? (1) ___ To be honest, I think my own success has been a result of a
combination of factors. I have parents who are keen on sports and encouraged me
to take up running quite early on. I remember training regularly from about the
age of six. Not because I had to, but because I loved it. That’s what they gave
me – a love for the sport, and that was very important. However, when you start
talking about success itself, it’s important to remember that there are a lot
of talented sportsmen out there, particularly runners. So why did I make it to
the top over those other excellent sportsmen who were no doubt equally as
dedicated as I was? (2) ___ And mine
was to be living in an area which had a magnificent sports club that offered
free coaching to children who showed promise. My parents could never have
afforded to pay a top coach to train me. The cost was way out of their league.
As it was, I received coaching from one of the best coaches in the country. He
inspired me to push myself to the limits. (3)
___ Thanks, Mac!
Dave Myers, entrepreneur:
You
know, some people can have all the talent in the world and never really get the
success they deserve. In my opinion, to be successful, particularly in the business
world, what is really required is determination and perseverance. If you’re a
young entrepreneur like I was, you have to have a goal and then really work
towards it. (4) ___ You need to come back from a failure, fighting. That’s
where the perseverance comes in. Don’t give up! In my case, I knew very early
on that I wanted to have my own online business and so, even when I was still at school, I’d get up early
and put in an hour’s work on the computer before a day’s studying. In the
evening I’d be on the computer again. I used every spare minute I had. And it
certainly wasn’t plain sailing. (5)
___ In the end, however, all the hard work paid off and my business has done
extremely well. Some people have said that my success is down to my having a gift
for spotting lucrative deals, or, as my mother maintains, the ability to
persuade anyone to do anything! But I definitely believe that in the end, what
gives you that extra edge is working hard and never losing sight of your goal.A That’s where I think luck
comes into play.
B There were many times when things
went wrong and I was tempted to change track.
C Being good at something isn’t
enough on its own.
D It’s not easy because you
have to take chances and there are a lot of disappointments along the way.
E Quite honestly I can say that
without him, I would never have made it right to the top.
F Or is it because I started
training at a young age?