Reading. Teenage entrepreneurs

TEENAGE ENTREPRENEURS

Surveys often reveal that more than half of all the teenage entrepreneurs that

have recently emerged in the United States are firstborn children, and many are

from immigrant families. Some are content with modest revenues, others are

primarily after big money - but most are driven simply by the desire to shape their

own destinies. Certainly, all possess qualities such as ingenuity, a good intellect, a

healthy sense of self, inner drive, and a clear-cut purpose. " It's not luck; it's hard

work, " says one of them. " If you work hard, you'll be successful - that's what I

always say. You can't rely on anybody but yourself." Perhaps the most engaging

quality of the teenage entrepreneurs is their effervescent optimism. Reared in an era

of unprecedented exposure to news of disaster, terrorism, famine, and the threat of

nuclear mayhem, they nevertheless developed into positive-thinking achievers.

Aware of the obstacles, they are far more interested in the opportunities.

EXERCISE 1: Find words or phrases in the passage which mean the same as:

COLUMN A COLUMN B

a) person who organizes and manages a

business enterprise

b) happy; satisfied

c) income

d) looking for; trying to get (phrase)

e) wish; strong feeling of want

f) future; fate

g) cleverness; skill; ability to think of new ideas

h) self-motivation (phrase)

i) obvious; distinct; easy to understand

j) holding your attention; seeming attractive

k) lively; enthusiastic

I) (of children) bring up; raise

m) never done or known before

n) chaos; state of no control

66 ELS

EXERCISE 2: Choose the correct answer according to the passage.

1. According to the passage, teenage entrepreneurs were able to succeed

A) despite growing up in a troubled age

B) because they had emigrated to the United States

C) because they work much harder than anyone else

D) as they were the first children born into their families

E) due to their desire to become very rich

2. The motivation most commonly found in teenage entrepreneurs is

A) that, as immigrants, they are eager to succeed in the States

B) the need to support their younger brothers and sisters

C) that they want to determine their own futures

D) the opportunity to become extremely wealthy

E) the wish to be successful despite unfavourable conditions

3. While a moderate income can be pleasing for some entrepreneurs

A) more of them are concerned with helping their families

B) many are only interested in what they can achieve

C) most get their satisfaction from the hard work

D) others want to make a fortune

E) very few are prepared to settle for little

EXERCISE 3: Complete the sentences by selecting words from Column B in EXERCISE 1.

1. The plan seemed very to begin with, but on further investigation it was

found to be quite complicated.

2. The action the manager took was quite and took everyone by surprise.

3. I would be with a small, pretty flat; I don't want anything too grand.

4. He doesn't believe in He thinks you have to live according to a plan.

5. She has a lot of and has managed to succeed despite many

difficulties.

ВАРИАНТ 15