8th grade. Unit 8. Project: My Favourite Book

👉Communicative area: reading and speaking about your favourite book 

Click here to edit your project 8A, 2026

Click here to edit your project 8B, 2026

AEF 1. Irregular verbs leave - write

 

1. When did you leave school?

2. Have you ever lost your keys?

3. Did your team lose the game last week?

4. What do you like to make for breakfast?

5. Did you make breakfast yesterday?

6. Did you meet your friend yesterday?

7. Who did you meet at the party?

8. How much money did you pay for your phone?

9. Do you pay with cash or card?

10. Where do you put your shoes?

11. Did you put your book on the table?

12. Do you read books every day?

13. Did you read the newspaper today?

14. Can you run fast?

15. Did you run in the park yesterday?

16. What did you say when you were wrong?

17. Did your teacher say anything interesting?

18. Did you see the stars  last night?

19. Did you see the movie yesterday?

20. Did you send an email today?

21. Who did you send the invitation to?

22. Do you like to sing?

23. Did you sing in the shower this morning?

24. Where did you sit in class?

25. Did you sleep well last night?

26. Did you sleep late yesterday?

27. Can you speak English?

28. Did you speak to your friend today?

29. How do you spend your weekends?

30. Did you spend money on toys last week?

31. Where do you stand in line?

32. Did you stand at the bus stop yesterday?

33. Do you like to swim?

34. Did you swim in the pool last winter?

35. Do you want to teach others?

36. Did your teacher teach you something new?

37. Did you take the bus today?

38. Did you tell the truth when you were young?

39. What do you think about the weather?

40. Did you think the test was easy?

41. Do you understand the instructions?

42. Did you understand the lesson?

43. When did you wake up in the morning?

44. What do you wear in summer?

45. Did you wear new clothes today?

46. Did you win the game?

47. Do you write new words in your notebook?

48. Did you write a letter to your friend yesterday?

10th grade Advanced. Unit 8. Lesson 3. What kind of news do you prefer?

👉Communicative area: listening to people who speak about reading newspapers and explaining one’s own reading habits and preferences; giving advice about (on) reading newspapers

👉Active vocabulary: look through, tend to do something, scan (scan through), find out, go on, check, keep (somebody) up to date with, bring somebody up to date with, go through something, turn to something, focus on, pick up, put off, there and then

Is it important to read news? Why (not)? 

Is it interesting and exciting to learn what is going on in the world? Why (not)?

Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs

 

10th grade Advanced. Unit 8. Lesson 1. What is mass media?

👉Communicative area: exploring and explaining what mass media is

👉Active vocabulary:  the (mass) media, multimedia, reach, 

outreach, influence, credibility

1. Can you name different types of mass media around you?

2. Which media do you use most?

3. What do you mainly get from these media?

4. How do media affect your daily activities?

5. Which media do you find most influential or interesting?

6. How media has changed your way of communicating?

 

Quiz created by Veronika Bebekh with GoConqr

Read the text about mass media and explain the meaning of the words in italics. 

Mass media is used to communicate ideas, thoughts, or to inform people about different events and news in all spheres of life. Transmitting information is possible with the use of modern means of communication. Throughout history means of communication appeared as a result of advancing technologies, from pigeon post thousands of years ago to print and to the greatest inventions of the 19th – 21st centuries, such as the telegraph and the telephone, the radio and TV, text messaging and the Internet. 

The Internet revolutionised our life. It appeared in the 1970s in the United States, and it became known and available to general public in the early 1990s. At the beginning of 2020, about 4.5 billion, which is more than a half of the world’s population, were Internet users. The Internet gave rise to the development of new forms of distance communication: LinkedIn – 2002, MySpace – 2003, Facebook – 2004, YouTube – 2005, Twitter – 2006, Instagram – 2010, Zoom Video Communications – 2011. In 2020 Zoom’s daily online meetings participants were over 300 million. 

It’s obvious that the 21st century saw a real boom in developing various social networks, podcasts, blogs and vlogs, and a variety of platforms for distance learning, both national and international. These new forms of communication make it 127 possible for any person in the world to create their own content and place it on different websites, including their own. 

Despite huge amounts of information on the Internet, the role of traditional mass media is still significant in influencing people’s minds and behaviour. At the same time, the mass media have adapted to the requirements of the new reality and every newspaper, radio station or TV channel have moved their presence to the Internet to increase their outreach through web sites, apps and podcasts. Online newspapers take advantage of multimedia possibilities, including not only images, but audios and videos as well. 

At the core of the media is storytelling. Stories are told by correspondents, journalists, writers, show masters and show guests, scientists, podcast hosts, etc. Though mass media has interactive formats, such as interviews, talk shows, commenting on pieces of news, videos, social network posts, it is the author of the story who influences the minds of readers or listeners most of all. So, credibility becomes issue number one in mass media, which is two-sided: credibility of the source of information, and credibility of the storyteller.

1. What is the main purpose of mass media?

2. How has the means of communication evolved throughout history?

3. Name some of the major inventions of the 19th to 21st centuries that improved communication.

4. When did the Internet appear, and when did it become accessible to the general public?

5. Approximately how many people were Internet users worldwide at the beginning of 2020?

6. Can you list some online platforms that emerged in the early 2000s?

7. How many people participated in Zoom’s daily online meetings in 2020?

8. What new forms of communication have developed in the 21st century?

9. How do social networks and online platforms affect content creation?

10. Despite the abundance of information on the Internet, why does traditional mass media still hold significance?

11. How have traditional mass media adapted to the digital age?

12. What multimedia possibilities do online newspapers use?

13. Who are the main storytellers in the media according to the text?

14. What formats of interaction are mentioned as part of mass media?

15. Why is credibility considered the most important issue in mass media?

What is your favourite media? Why? Say 10–12 sentences to answer this question.

Quiz created by Veronika Bebekh with GoConqr

10th grade Advanced. Unit 7. Lesson 9. Maxims

👉Communicative area: reading for detail, planning for a project

AEF 3. Lesson 3B. Grammar: Articles a/an, the, no article

 

Exercise 1: articles: a / an, the, no article

Exercise 2: articles: a / an, the, no article

AEF 1. Irregular verbs be - know

 

1. Were you at home yesterday? 

2. Was she happy last week? 

3. Were they tired after work? 

4. Did your friend become a teacher? 

5. When did you become friends? 

6. Did you become taller? 

7. Did the lesson begin at 9 o'clock? 

8. When did the movie begin? 

9. When did  the class begin?

10. Did you break the glass?

11. When did she break her phone? 

12. Did you bring your book? 

13. When did he bring the snacks? 

14. Did your parents build a new house? 

15. Did you build a new house? 

16. Did you buy a new shirt last week? 

17. When did she buy the gift?

18. When did you buy a car? 

19. Could you swim last summer?

20. Were you able to find the bus?

21. Did you catch the ball?

22. When did you catch the train last time? 

23. Did you catch a butterfly in childhood?

24. Did your friends come to the last birthday party? 

25. When did you come home yesterday? 

1. Were you at the park yesterday?
2. Was she tired after work?
3. Were you happy last weekend?
4. Did you become a doctor?
5. When did you become friends with your best friend?
6. Did you become taller last year?
7. Did the movie you saw last time at the cinema begin on time?
8. When did our class begin?
9. Did you break her phone last year?
10. Did you break the window in your childhood?
11. Did you bring your books?
12. Did you bring the cake for your last birthday?
13. Did they build a new house?
14. Did you buy a new phone last year?
15. Did you buy a gift?
16. Could you play the guitar at school?
17. Could you ride a bike?
18. Did you catch the bus  to go to work yesterday?
19. When did you catch the fish?
20. Did your family come to the festival last summer?
21. When did you come home yesterday?
22. When did you come to the party last time?
23. Did your sweater cost much?
24. Did you do your homework?
25. When did you do the cleaning last?
26. Did you do your chores today?
27. Did you drink juice yesterday?
28. Where did you drink coffee?
29.  Did you drink enough water last week?
30. Did you drive to work last Monday?
31. When did you drive the car?
32. Did you eat pizza yesterday?
33. Did you fall in the amusement park?
34. Did you feel cold last winter?
35. Did you feel sick last month?
36. Did you find your keys?
37. Did you fly last summer?
38. Did you forget your umbrella?
39. Have you forgotten anything?
40. Did you get a gift for your last birthday?
41. Have you got a new phone?
42. Did you give a present to your mum last spring?
43. Did you give your friend the message last weekend?
44. When did you go to the cinema last?
45. Did you go abroad on your last vacation?
46. Did you have a good day?
47. When did you have lunch?
48. Did you hear the news?
49. Did you know the answer to the question?

10th grade Advanced. Unit 7. Lesson 8. The great people of Belarus

👉Communicative area: listening for detail, talking about the great people of Belarus

👉Active vocabulary: ancestor, descendant, prominent, to endure, hardship, legacy, to have an impact

What do these people have in common?

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 8. Music Talent Shows

👉Communicative area: evaluating a musician’s perfor mance of a song

👉Active vocabulary: to be music to one’s ears, to beat the drum for, to call the tune, chin music, to dance to one’s tune, to face the music, to sing a different tune, to ring a bell

Look at the names of popular TV shows. Which of them have 

you ever watched or heard of?

The X Factor            The Voice            Talent Mayoy Krainy

Britain’s Got Talent    American Idol      Eurovision Song Contest

The International Festival of Arts

“Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”.

Listen again and answer the following questions.

1. How many judges have expressed their opinion on Sarah’s performing?

2. Was the contestant selected to the further stage of the contest? 

3. Did she have any problems in singing according to the judges’ evaluation (оценке)? 

4. What kind of evaluation did Sarah get about her voice and manner of singing?

5. What kind of relations do the judges have between themselves? How do you know? 

6. Why was Sarah given a chance to choose a coach?

10th grade Advanced. Unit 7. Lesson 7. Business geniuses

👉Communicative area: discussing business geniuses; reading and listening for gist and detail

👉Active vocabulary: entrepreneur, conventional

👉Active grammar: Conditional III

 Read the article on the topic. What qualities should a business genius possess? 

What is a genius? A 17th century English poet wrote: “Genius is above correctness”. A genius is able to ignore conventional ideas about what’s possible and to … dream. By realising their dreams, geniuses succeed in redefining of what’s possible. In 17 December, 1903, the Wright brothers made their first flight. It lasted 12 seconds. On 12 April, 1961, Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth. If it hadn’t been for the Wright Brothers, Gagarin probably wouldn’t have made his flight. Within less than six decades, humanity had gone from never having flown, to sending a man into space. 

So, what does a business genius look like? Steve Jobs, the Apple founder seems to be the best example. Mr Jobs wasn’t conventionally smart. His success highlights an interesting difference between intelligence and genius. His imagination was instinctive, unexpected, and, at times, magical. It was brought about by intuition, not analytical powers. For him, experience was more important than analysis. He didn’t study data or numbers, he could guess what lay ahead. 

How is the genius different from the dreamer? It is not enough to have new ideas. They have to be put into practice. Steve Jobs didn’t have the idea for the PC, but he realised that the PC needed to be much more user-friendly than his competitors’ computers were. The Macintosh was small, cute and easy to use. Just as Apple’s music players, phones and tablet computers. Apple wasn’t the first into these markets, but its product seemed to be the best one out, embodying the unity of perfect form and easy function. 

So, a genius isn’t necessarily the smartest person in the room, but the one with the imagination and persistence to translate a smart idea into the best product. It’s someone who believes they are right when everyone around them is calling them a fool. A successful entrepreneur doesn’t have to get a million-dollar small business idea, but they have to turn the idea into a million dollars. 

To become a successful entrepreneur, you need to believe in yourself even when the so-called experts tell you you’re doomed to fail. You need the ability to think “What if?” and be smart enough to know how to achieve your dream. A good entrepreneur, like a genius, is a dreamer who’s prepared to get things done.

1. How did a 17th-century English poet define genius?

2. What are some notable achievements mentioned in the text that demonstrate human progress?

3. According to the text, what is a key difference between intelligence and genius?

4. Why does the text suggest that Steve Jobs was a business genius?

5. What qualities did Steve Jobs rely on instead of analytical powers?

6. What example does the text give to show that having new ideas isn’t enough?

7. How did Apple’s products embody the idea of genius in business?

8. According to the text, what is the main characteristic that distinguishes a genius from a dreamer?

9. What does the text say about the importance of belief in oneself for entrepreneurs?

10. How does the text define a successful entrepreneur?

1. What kind of prize has been set up? 

2. How big is the prize? How does it compare with the Nobel Prize? 3. Why was the prize established? 

4. What made Yuri Milner decide to set up the prize? 

5. Who sponsors the prize together with him? 

6. What was the recipients’ reaction to getting the prize? 

7. What would you do if you received such a prize? 

8. What is the attitude of the news item’s author to business geniuses?

10th grade Advanced. Unit 7. Lesson 6. Renaissance polymaths

👉Communicative area: discussing the qualities making a person a polymath; reading for gist and for detail, retelling

👉Active vocabulary: word-building prefixes inter-, post-, re-, co-, em-: postmodern, to reprint, interplanetary, co-author, to embody

Text A

Brian May, the founder of the legendary British glam rock band Queen, is keen on stars. Not Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, but the much larger, more beautiful ones.  Best known as Queen’s lead guitar player, May wrote We Will Rock You, Who Wants to Live Forever, I Want It All; sang the bass parts on Bohemian Rhapsody and played that guitar solo on We Are the Champions — all hits people are still listening now. That success seems very small in the history of the universe, though. 

Just as his band was starting to make some noise 50 years ago, May was studying astrophysics. After taking a 30-year break to live the life of a rock god, he has completed a dissertation on interplanetary dust and earned a doctorate from Imperial College. 

His doctoral thesis examines the mysterious phenomenon known as Zodiacal light that appears in the western sky after sunset and in the eastern sky two or three hours before sunrise. Many people have thought it is the first sign of morning twilight. 7 103 A Persian astronomer who lived around the 12th century referred to it as “false dawn” in a poem. Astronomers now know that Zodiacal light represents reflected sunlight shining on space debris. Brian May has also co-authored a book with a title that could pass for a Queen song: Bang! The Complete History of the Universe. 

During the interview with our reporter, May wore a long black coat, white sneakers and an electric Hawaiian shirt; his hair was a kinky black mass, so he managed to perfectly embody both rock ‘n’ roller and mad scientist. “I think music is about our internal life. It’s part of the way people touch each other. And astronomy is the very opposite thing. Instead of looking inwards, you are looking out, to things beyond our grasp”, he said. 

May enjoys dividing his time between the observatory and the recording studio these days. Whether he’s inspecting stars or working on his new album, he likes being called “Dr May”. As a guitarist, he uses his home-built guitar, “Red Special”. He built it with his father’s help. Guess what? It’s one of the most incredible instruments ever made! 

Once a fellow-astronomer told him on a TV programme: “I don’t know any scientist who looks as much as Isaac Newton as you do”. In 2005 Brian May was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire for “services to the music industry and his charity work”. The same year, he was also voted the 7th greatest guitarist of all time. Bravo, Brian! May long live May!

1. Who is Brian May and what band is he famous for founding?

2. What are some of Brian May’s most well-known songs?

3. Besides being a musician, what scientific field did Brian May study?

4. How long did Brian May take a break from music to study astrophysics?

5. What is the focus of Brian May's doctoral thesis?

6. What is Zodiacal light, according to current astronomers?

7. Who referred to Zodiacal light as “false dawn” and when?

8. What is the title of the book Brian May co-authored that sounds like a Queen song?

9. How did Brian May describe the difference between music and astronomy?

10. What nickname does Brian May like to be called when working on his scientific pursuits?

11. What is the name of Brian May’s home-built guitar?

12. Who helped Brian May build his guitar, “Red Special”?

13. In what year was Brian May made Commander of the Order of the British Empire?

14. For what contributions was Brian May awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire?

15. What ranking did Brian May receive as a guitarist in 2005?

16. How did a fellow-astronomer compare Brian May's appearance to Isaac Newton?

Text B

Ray Bradbury, who died aged 91, was the 20th-century American short-story writer. He was born in a small town in Illinois. In 1934 his family moved to Los Angeles, where he lived for the rest of his life. He never travelled, much preferring a bicycle to a car, and usually avoiding aircraft. Bradbury lived quietly, but remained a much-loved writer throughout his long life. He wrote, “As a result of reading science fiction when I was eight, I grew up with 104 an interest in music, architecture, city planning, transportation, politics, ethics, aesthetics on any level, art … it’s just total!”. 

Although he was also known for a few novels – principally Fahrenheit 451 – as well as for children’s books, plays, screenplays and poetry, it was his short stories that made him famous, with his best-known collection being The Martian Chronicles. His tales were reprinted in countless magazines and anthologies, including many school textbooks, making his name familiar to younger generations.  Surprisingly, Ray Bradbury was not only a visionary writer – he was also an architectural “imaginer” who influenced urban development. For better or worse, he was a key influence in two major urban trends of the past few decades: theme parks and shopping malls. His interest in theme parks came about through his friendship with Walt Disney.  

The attitudes they shared were childhood nostalgia and futuristic utopianism, so, naturally, Disney invited Bradbury to consult on the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. 

Bradbury thought deeply about the influence of our housing designs on how we live, not just as individuals but as a society. As a result, another Bradbury’s idea was to use giant shopping malls to save American cities from decay. He was recruited as a consultant by architect Jon Jerde – now one of the world’s leading mall designers – on some of his early projects. Bradbury advised on the postmodern Horton Plaza in San Diego and laid the foundation for the Glendale Galleria shopping centre in Los Angeles. He thought that the city did not have enough central meeting points, like, for example, the outdoor restaurants in Paris. In his opinion, these places should have enough tables and chairs for people to chat with their friends, and they should house restaurants, bookshops, cinemas and coffee shops surrounding what he called “the conversation pit”. He also noted that the area should be open until at least 11 p.m. because of our busy working schedules. 

However, first and foremost Ray Bradbury was a science fiction writer. The things you can read about in his books are Martians, robots, dinosaurs, mummies, ghosts, time machines, rocket ships and carnival magicians. His work inspired writers and filmmakers like Stephen King, Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, and helped transport science fiction out of the pulp magazines into the mainstream.

1. When did Ray Bradbury die, and how old was he?

2. Where was Ray Bradbury born?

3. To which city did Bradbury’s family move in 1934, and where did he live afterward?

4. What means of transportation did Ray Bradbury prefer, and which did he generally avoid?

5. According to Bradbury, what influenced his interest in topics like music, architecture, and city planning?

6. What is the title of Ray Bradbury’s most famous novel?

7. Which collection of stories made Ray Bradbury world-famous?

8. In addition to writing books and stories, what other area did Bradbury influence, particularly related to urban development?

9. How did Bradbury’s friendship with Walt Disney influence his interests?

10. What event did Disney invite Bradbury to consult on in 1964?

11. What urban trend did Bradbury influence with his ideas about shopping malls?

12. Which architect recruited Bradbury as a consultant for shopping mall projects?

13. Name one shopping mall project Ray Bradbury advised on.

14. What did Ray Bradbury think cities needed more to improve social interactions?

15. What is “the conversation pit” that Bradbury described?

16. Why did Bradbury believe shopping centers should stay open until at least 11 p.m.?

17. What are some subjects and themes explored in Bradbury’s science fiction stories?

18. What filmmakers and writers were inspired by Ray Bradbury’s work?

19. How did Bradbury help change the perception of science fiction in popular culture?

Topics for discussion: Imagine that you are the author of a TV show, dedicated to outstanding people of Belarus. Who would you invite for an interview?

If I were the creator of a TV show dedicated to celebrating the most outstanding people of Belarus, I would carefully choose guests who have made significant contributions to the country and inspired others. Such a show would not only highlight their achievements but also motivate viewers to pursue their own goals and dreams.

Firstly, I would invite Pavel Masherov, a renowned Belarusian politician and former leader of Belarus. As a prominent figure in Belarusian history and politics, his leadership and dedication to the development of Belarus would provide valuable insights into the country's progress. His stories about his efforts to build and strengthen Belarusian society could serve as a great source of inspiration for viewers to be proud of their heritage and work towards a better future. 

Beyond political leaders, I would also invite scientists and innovators from Belarus. For example, Zhores Alferov, a Belarusian-born Russian physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 for his work on semiconductor heterostructures. His outstanding achievements in science show how Belarusian talent can excel on the world stage. His journey of perseverance and dedication would inspire young scientists and students to pursue careers in technology and research.

Another key group I would include are artists and writers who have gained international fame. I would invite Yanka Kupala, one of Belarus’s most famous poets and writers, who has significantly contributed to Belarusian literature and language. His works preserve the national culture and help foster national pride. Interviewing him could shed light on the importance of literature and arts in shaping Belarusian identity.
Additionally, I would feature athletes who have achieved great success. For example, Darya Domracheva, a Belarusian biathlete who has won multiple Olympic gold medals. Her dedication and perseverance inspire many Belarusians, especially young people who dream of excelling in sports. Her story could encourage viewers to stay committed to their goals despite difficulties.
Finally, I would also include a prominent Belarusian youth figure — Gennady Korotkevich, a world-renowned competitive programmer and winner of numerous international coding competitions. His exceptional talent in programming and problem-solving demonstrates that Belarusian youth can excel at the highest levels of technology and innovation. His story would motivate young viewers to follow their passions and pursue careers in IT and innovation.
In conclusion, my ideal guest list for this TV show would consist of a mix of political leaders, scientists, artists, athletes, and young changemakers like Korotkevich. Each of them plays a vital role in Belarusian society and can serve as role models. The show would highlight their journeys, struggles, achievements, and dreams, demonstrating that regardless of backgrounds, dedication, and passion can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. By sharing these inspiring stories, the program would foster pride in Belarusian culture and motivate everyone to contribute to the country’s bright future.

1. Why doesn’t everyone become successful?

Everyone dreams of being successful, but not everyone achieves it. There are many reasons for this. One reason is lack of motivation or persistence. Some people give up when faced with difficulties, while others keep working hard. Additionally, success often requires luck and opportunities that not everyone has access to. Poor education or financial problems can also prevent people from reaching their goals. Moreover, fear of failure can stop someone from trying new things or taking risks. In conclusion, success depends on a combination of effort, opportunities, and attitude. Not everyone reaches success because they do not have all these factors working in their favor.

2. What would you ask an outstanding person about?

If I had the chance to meet an outstanding person, I would ask them about their journey to success. I would like to know what motivated them to keep going during difficult times. I would also ask for their advice on how to stay focused and motivated despite setbacks. Additionally, I might inquire about the most important lessons they have learned along the way. Their experiences and tips could inspire me to improve myself and reach my goals. Overall, I believe their story could teach valuable lessons about dedication and dreaming big.

3. Do achievements always belong to an individual or a group of people?

Achievements can belong to either an individual or a group of people. When someone succeeds through their hard work, talent, and dedication, their achievement is often seen as personal. For example, winning a sports competition or getting an award usually belongs to one person. However, many achievements are the result of teamwork and collaboration. In projects, businesses, or scientific discoveries, multiple people contribute their skills and ideas. In these cases, success belongs to the group. Ultimately, achievements can be shared or individual, depending on the situation. Both types of success are important and show different strengths.

10th grade Advanced. Unit 7. Lesson 5. Born or made

👉Communicative area: discussing the role of various factors in the development of a genius; listening and reading for gist and detail

👉Active vocabulary: inattentive, poor (student), persistence, solid, upbringing, mischievous, mentor; word-building: affixes en-, un-, -ment, -tion, -ly, -al, -ive, -able

👉Active grammar: Future Continuous

 

Read the article on the topic. 

Do you think geniuses are born or made?

Do they call you dumb? Do you hate school? It doesn’t matter as you might be a genius, or, at least, a very creative person. There are international chess masters that have below average IQs. Many natural-born geniuses end up as insurance salesmen because of their traumatic school experiences. The “absent-minded professor” isn’t just a cliche. Several of the most famous inventors and scientists, for example, are believed to have ADD (attention deficit disorder) traits. It means they were really inattentive. However, they were curious, playful and enthusiastic. 

There is a ground-breaking palaeontologist – Dr Paul Sereno – who was considered to be a poor student. “I wasn’t reading in the second grade”, he said. “I couldn’t tell time in the third grade, and I nearly failed the school exam”. He was mischievous with rocks and took part in accidents involving knives and bikes. His interest in fossils started after he stole a book from the library. After a trip to the Museum of Natural History, he became “fascinated with stories of palaeontological expeditions”. “I could combine art, travel, science, adventure, biology, palaeontology and geology”, he remembered thinking. “Right then, I knew exactly what I wanted to be”. Since then, he’s led all sorts of expeditions and developed creative theories on how dinosaurs are related to each other. 

It’s amazing how many of most creative and brightest scientists had slow starts at school. Albert Einstein had trouble at school. He was a notoriously poor student. It was only after a relative showed him how to play games with numbers and Albert was moved on to an alternative school that he began to do well. Still, he described himself as a “slow thinker” and had verbal difficulties. Nikola Tesla was also constantly in trouble as a child. Leonardo da Vinci had a great deal of trouble finishing projects. These people had the natural curiosity of children and a different way of thinking. Instead of linear thinking and remembering details, they are global thinkers who are good at picking up concepts, relationships, and they are good creative problem solvers. 

So, are geniuses born or made? Examining closely even the most extreme examples – Mozart, Newton, Einstein, Stravinski – we could say that geniuses are made, not born. They say that there are three keys to success: hard work, persistence and a solid upbringing. All the people who got international fame usually worked with a high level mentor. Perfect practice made them perfect. The genius status is achieved by putting in five minutes of extra work and 10 years of effort more than an average person does. A lot of people think that highly talented people can become good at anything fast, but study suggests that nobody was able to rise without having practised for 10 years. In classical music, it is more than 15–20 years before they start winning in competitions. 

What’s the conclusion then? Don’t despair if you are considered to be a slow learner. Stay curious. Find something that fascinates you. And practise, practise, practise. Who knows? You might become another Einstein.

1. What are some common misconceptions about geniuses and intelligence?

2. Why do many natural-born geniuses end up in careers like insurance salesmen?

3. What traits are often associated with inventors and scientists who are believed to have ADD?

4. How did Dr. Paul Sereno's early school experiences describe him as a student?

5. What sparked Dr. Sereno’s interest in paleontology?

6. How did Albert Einstein’s school performance change over time?

7. What difficulties did Einstein face despite his later fame?

8. Why are many of the brightest scientists described as having slow starts at school?

9. What is the difference between linear thinking and global thinking as described in the text?

10. Do the examples in the text suggest that geniuses are generally born or made?

11. What are the three keys to success according to the text?

12. How important is practice in achieving genius status, according to the text?

13. How long does it typically take for musicians to start winning in competitions?

14. What advice does the text give to slow learners?

15. What can staying curious and practicing consistently potentially lead to?