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Question
One cannot always get what one wants and sometimes it is for the best. Present your reflections on this statement.
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Solution
Life is a journey filled with the interplay of "fulfilled expectations" and "unfulfilled expectations." This delicate balance is governed by the circumstantial laws that shape our aspirations. While humans naturally aspire to achieve much, success is never guaranteed, and failures are not the end but often blessings in disguise.
Consider the story of Edison, whose factory was engulfed in flames. Instead of succumbing to despair, he perceived it as an opportunity for greater things. This resilient attitude, the ability to see setbacks as stepping stones, is the key to progress. If every desire were easily fulfilled, the elation of success would lose its meaning, and complacency might hinder our growth potential.
Setbacks in life are character tests, and as the saying goes, it's not about how many times we fall but how many times we rise. Facing failure cultivates strength of character, patience, empathy, and a holistic understanding of life. It teaches us to navigate the highs and lows with equanimity.
Fulfilling every desire is neither possible nor practical. Like a child whose every whim is indulged, such a person might lack the resilience needed to weather life's storms. The sudden burst of the fantasy bubble can be a profound shock, leading to challenges in finding one's bearings.
Rudyard Kipling's timeless words resonate here: "If you can meet triumph and disaster / And treat those impostors just the same." These words underscore the essence of navigating life's uncertainties with grace, whether in times of success or failure. The ability to face both triumph and disaster with equanimity defines true strength of character—a strength that enables us to claim our place in the world and, as Kipling concludes, to be a "Man, my son!"
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Working in pairs, go through the table below that gives you information about the top women tennis players since 1975. Write a short article for your school magazine comparing and contrasting the players in terms of their duration at the top. Mention some qualities that you think may be responsible for their brief or long stay at the top spot.
Top-Ranked Women Players
I. The roll of honour of women who enjoyed life at the summit since everybody’s favourite player, Chris Evert, took her place in 1975.
| Name | Ranked on | Weeks as No. 1 |
| Maria Sharapova (Russia) | 22 August 2005 | 1 |
| Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) |
October 2004 |
82 |
| Amelie Mauresmo (France) | 13 September 2004 | 5 |
|
Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium) |
20 October 2003 | 45 |
| Kim Clijsters (Belgium) | 11 August 2003 | 12 |
| Serena Williams (U.S.) | 8 July 2002 | 57 |
| Venus Williams (U.S.) | 25 February 2002 | 11 |
| Jennifer Capriati (U.S.) | 15 October 2001 | 17 |
| Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) | 12 October 1998 | 82 |
| Martina Hingis (Switzerland) | 31 March 1997 | 209 |
| Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (Spain) | 6 February 1995 | 12 |
| Monica Seles (U.S.) | 11 March 1991 | 178 |
| Steffi Graf (Germany) | 17 August 1987 | 377 |
| Tracy Austin (U.S.) | 7 April 1980 | 22 |
| Martina Navratilova (U.S.) | 10 July 1978 | 331 |
| Chris Evert (U.S.) | 3 November 1975 | 362 |
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To every one’s surprise, he turned _____________ at the party.
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The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to complete
one by one they all turned around and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet.
Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued
The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk
And a banner above that said (Special Olympics)
Could not have been more on the mark.
That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.
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Explain the following phrases in a sentence or two.
(a) Pulled up on their heels
(b) Brought the young boy to his feet.
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| Date and venue — occasion — Chief Guest — other invitees — inauguration — events —other important features — highlights — reaction of audience — conclusion. |
Fill in the blank with an appropriate word:
He was …….. pressure to complete the work.
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(ii)Asian art tries to capture the essence of inner life and spirit.
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Does Frank seem to encourage Taplow's comments on Crocker-Harris?
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|
A |
B |
|
ornithologist |
study of the skin |
|
gerontologist |
study of cells |
|
ergonomist |
study of birds |
|
dermatologist |
study of old age |
|
cytologist |
study of the design of equipment |
Use the phrase in a sentence of your own, after finding out its meaning.
cheered along
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|
Miss Fernandes is our new class teacher. She is slim and fit even at the age of 50. With her grey hair, spectacles, and plain formal clothes, she looks so strict! But we discovered that her classes can be great fun. We begin each class with a simple two-minute game or activity. Today we had to write as many words beginning with 'a' as we could, within 60 seconds. I wrote 50! I got a pot on my back for making 'the best effort'! I feel on top of the world. |
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- Practical conservation of posterity
- Human/animal trespassing
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- He saw a shoe in the lion's cage.
- Finally, the kite brought him back to the park.
- Our class had gone to the zoo.
- Puran was flying the brand new kite in the park.
- Some children stood and screamed, and some ran to the Director of the zoo.
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Correct the use of the describing word in the following sentence.
I like this the best of the two.
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move fast s ______.
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How did the other Women react to Woman 5?
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The photographer had made changes ______.
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