Unit 4: Success and Goals
Topic Overview: The Psychologyof Success
What makes people successful? Is it talent, or is it how they think? Research suggests that our mindset plays a crucialrole. People with a growth mindset believe that they can learnnew skills and improve through hard work. They enjoy challenges and learn from feedback. In contrast, people with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence and talent are things you are born with and cannot change. They often fear failure and may give up easily when things get difficult.
To achieve our goals, we often need motivation. This can come from internal desires or external factors like a reward or a prize. Sometimes, we need others to encourage us to keep going.
Grammar Focus: Future Plans (Will vs. Going To)
We use different forms to talk about the future depending on the context:
- Be going to: Use this for future plans and intentions that you have already decided on. It is also used for predictions based on present evidence (e.g., “Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.”).
- Will / Won’t: Use this for instantdecisions made at the moment of speaking, promises, offers, and general predictions about the future without present evidence.
Exercise 1: Vocabulary Definitions
Match the words below with their correct definitions.
Words: challenge, encourage, praise, prize, punish, reward, goal, mindset
- Something difficult that tests your ability: ____________________
- To give someone support, confidence, orhope: ____________________
- To express warm approval or admiration: ____________________
- An award given to the winner of a competition: ____________________
- To make someone suffer for doing something wrong: ____________________
- Something given in recognition of serviceor effort: ____________________
- Something you want to achieve in the future: ____________________
- A way of thinking or feeling about things: ____________________
Exercise 2: Grammar Selection (Will vs. Going To)
Circle the correct future form to complete the sentences.
- I have decided that I will / am going to learn Spanish next year.
- “The phone is ringing.” “Don’t worry, I will / am going to answer it.”
- Look at that car! It’s driving too fast. It will / is going to crash!
- I promise I won’t / am not going to tell anyone your secret.
- We will / are going to visit our grandparents this weekend. We planned it last week.
- I think cars will / are going to fly in the year 3000.
- “I forgot my wallet.” “I will / am going to lend you some money.”
- She is going to / will study medicine at university; that is her plan.
Exercise 3: Growth vs. Fixed Mindset
Read the statements. Mark them as G(Growth Mindset) or F (Fixed Mindset).
- I’m not good at math, so I should stop trying. [ ]
- Mistakes help me learn andget better. [ ]
- I can learn to do anything I want. [ ]
- If Ihave to try hard, it means I’m not smart. [ ]
- I like it when work is difficult because it is a challenge. [ ]
- Other people’s success makesme feel bad about myself. [ ]
- I appreciate feedback because it helps me improve. [ ]
- My intelligence is something I cannot change. [ ]
Exercise 4: Vocabulary inContext
Complete the sentences using the target vocabulary words.
- The teacher gave the student ________ for her excellent essay.
- If you don’t study, you might ________ yourself with a bad grade.
- Winning the first ________ in the contest was a dream come true.
- My parents always ________ me to try my best at school.
- Running a marathon is a big ________, but I am ready for it.
- Getting a promotion was a great ________ for all his hard work.
- It is important to set a realistic ________ for your career.
- Having a positive ________ helps you overcome obstacles.
Exercise 5: Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the sentences using the word in parentheses so they have a future meaning.
- I intend to buy a newlaptop soon. (going) __________________________________________________
- I promise to help you with your homework. (will) __________________________________________________
- Do you have plans for Saturday night? (doing) __________________________________________________
- I predict it will rain later. (think) __________________________________________________
- We have arranged to meet Paul at 6 PM. (meeting) __________________________________________________
- I refuse to speak to him! (won’t) __________________________________________________
- Look at the traffic; we are sure to be late. (going) __________________________________________________
- I offer to carry your bag. (will) __________________________________________________
Exercise 6: Identifying Function
Identify if the sentence is a Prediction (P), Offer (O), Promise (PR), or Plan (PL).
- I’ll wash the dishes for you tonight. [ ]
- I’m going to travel to Japan next summer. [ ]
- I won’t ever lie to you again. [ ]
- I think it will be sunny tomorrow. [ ]
- We are going to buy a new house next year. [ ]
- I’ll open the window; it’s hot in here. [ ]
- Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back on Friday. [ ]
- Robots will do all the housework in the future. [ ]
