Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

UNIT 8
Unit 8, Behavioral Science, The Q Classroom
Page 153

Teacher: Unit 8’s question is “What can we learn from success and failure?” Let’s start by
talking about ways that people can be successful. Sophy, what are some types
of success?
Sophy: People can be financially successful, or successful in school, or they can have a
good family life.
Teacher: OK, let’s take success in school. Yuna, what can we learn from success in
school?
Yuna: We learn which habits are important. We study hard and pass the test. This
teaches us to keep studying. If we don’t study and we fail, we learn the same
thing.
Teacher: True! Success and failure can teach the same kinds of lessons. How about
success or failure in our personal lives? What can we learn from that? Felix?
Felix: Well, you can learn from your relationships with people. If I have a good
friendship with someone, it teaches me about what I value in a friendship, like
honesty. If I lose a friend because I lied to him, it teaches me not to lie to my
friends in the future.
Teacher: What do you think we can learn from success and failure, Marcus?
Marcus: I think we learn more from failure. When I fail at something, I know I need to
learn a lesson, so I really pay attention. If I’m successful, I might not think
about why I am successful.
Teacher: Good point.

Unit 8, Listening 1, Activity A, C; Unit 8, Listening Skill, Activity A

Page 155, 158

Professor: OK. So, last week we looked at various definitions of success, and common
ways people measure success— through status, fame, money, possessions,
and so on. Now this week I want to expand on this and ask you to question the
importance of success, and what it really means to be successful.

We learn from an early age that success is good…something we should try to

achieve through a combination of hard work and determination. You all
know the expression “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Well, some
research suggests that trying really hard to achieve something might actually
be the wrong thing to do. It all depends on whether your goal is achievable. To
give you an example, imagine a short, thirty year- old man who smokes forty
cigarettes a day. Should he give up his job to take up basketball in the hope of
becoming a major basketball star? I don’t think so! So, the first point I’d like to
make is that you need to be realistic about what it is you want to achieve.

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Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

Chasing an impossible dream, one that you can never reach, is a frustrating
waste of time and energy. Make sure the success you’re aiming for is
achievable. If it isn’t, then readjust your goals to something more reasonable,
something that you can achieve.

The second point I want to make is that of course success is good, but trying to
become successful shouldn’t take over your life. You shouldn’t become so
determined to succeed at something that it causes you stress or anxiety. People
who put too much importance on succeeding at something, and then fail, can
have serious psychological problems.

This brings me to another point, which may shock you. Success isn’t always a
good thing. Success in one area can bring problems in others—for instance, a
successful career might result in the end of a marriage. Good relationships take
time and effort, and if someone is working hard at developing their career all
the time, then their family life and relationships can suffer as a result. Take for
example, all the famous people we hear about getting divorced in the media.
These TV presenters, sports stars, and so on are at the top of their profession,
but they pay a price with their personal lives. A close friend of mine from my
high school days is a successful businessman, but he got divorced last year. He
says his career ruined his marriage. So, be careful what you wish for, and
make sure you know the downside, as well as the up.

The final point I want to make in this introduction is that we need to remember
that our definition of success changes with age. What people want to achieve in
high school is different from what they want to achieve when they are 20, or
40, or even 70. So, for example, success for my grandfather is getting out of bed
in the morning! Be aware that our goals change over time. You may want a
sports car now, but when you have three children maybe you’ll want a big
family car instead! It’s important to recognize that our goals can change, as our
lives change.

Unit 8, Listening Skill, Activity B

Page 158

Paul: After I graduated from college, the only thing I wanted was to make money. I
was money hungry. For example, I only chose jobs that paid well! I guess that’s
kind of natural, to want to earn lots of money. But I was also really concerned
about my status at work. I mean, I felt the best way to measure my success—
apart from my salary—was by my job title. So, to give you an example, I left
one company to work for another because the job title sounded better!
Amazing now that I think about it, but true! … Well, then, about a year ago, I
found out I had cancer. I spent six months in and out of the hospital. I’m better
now, but being successful these days, for me, is not about being a
multimillionaire—it’s about being healthy. For instance, jogging in the park is a
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Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

success, to me. I love it, and it doesn’t cost anything! I also value my friendships
more. I got back in touch with my old college classmates, and we get along
really well…So for me, for example, I see reconnecting with my old college
friends as a great success. It’s really made me a lot happier.

Unit 8, Listening 2, Activity A, C, D

Page 161, 162

Part 1
Interviewer: Hello, Mohannad. You’re well known today in Saudi Arabia and
internationally as a “blind inventor.”
Mohannad: Yes, I guess that’s how many people think of me.
Interviewer: I read that you lost your sight and your right leg in a car crash when you
were 20.
Mohannad: That’s correct. Just two weeks after my wedding and two years after
enrolling in college.
Interviewer: Yet incredibly that didn’t hold you back.
Mohannad: No, it didn’t. I finished my degree in Industrial Engineering and continued
from there.
Interviewer: Could you tell me a little about the challenges you’ve faced on the road to
success?
Mohannad: Well, even before losing my eyesight and leg, I faced many challenges. I
didn’t have an instructor or anyone to guide me. Also, my classmates and
teachers would often discourage me. I used to spend a lot of time alone, too,
working on my inventions. After the accident, my life became even more
challenging. Daily activities for someone who has lost his sight and leg
become tricky. I had to abandon some of my hobbies and spend less time
with my friends in order to concentrate on learning everything that might
help me to achieve my dreams.
Interviewer: So inventing is something that you were always interested in?
Mohannad: Yes. I started inventing in my childhood. I liked to redesign my toys, and to
try and repair household items. Looking back, I wasn’t especially
successful, but I was determined. I guess that’s been the key. I firmly
believe there’s no convincing reason for giving up on your dreams.

Unit 8, Listening 2, Activity C

Page 162

Part 2
Interviewer: So what kinds of things have you invented?
Mohannad: Lots of things, including many disability aids to help handicapped people,
even before my accident. But perhaps I’m most famous for the “Saqr Al
Orubah”—a submarine that can dive to 6,525 meters. People thought it was
impossible to dive so deep. I received an award from King Abdullah for it.
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Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

Interviewer: And which of your achievements are you most proud of?
Mohannad: The first award I won for invention, when I was 12 years old. That simple
award was a huge boost to my self-esteem. From that moment on, I felt I
was born to be an inventor. I’m also very proud of my book Guidance for
Leading Invention, which was the first detailed step-by-step pocketsize
book for inventors.
Interviewer: What things have helped you on the road to success?
Mohannad: Oh, many things. My wife, family, and friends have been very supportive.
On an individual level, I drew inspiration from the stories of famous
hardworking people I had read about. I used to imagine my life story as
similar to theirs, but one that hadn't been written yet.
Interviewer: And what are you working on at the moment?
Mohannad: These days I focus completely on training and managing projects related to
invention through the Isterlab Training Center. So far we’ve delivered
lectures and workshops on invention skills to more than 30,000 people
across the Arab world. At the moment, I’m preparing a series of online
videos to teach young people—in a simple and interesting way—how to
invent and innovate. My goal is to inspire one million inventors across the
Arab world!
Interviewer: Wow. That’s a big target! But what about the flipside of success—failure?
Do you think failure can be a positive thing? I mean, have you learned
anything from your failures?
Mohannad: I see failure as a friend who teaches you how to become successful. I always
say life is like a messy library. You need to open many drawers before you
find what you’re looking for. The best way to make progress in life lies in
trial and error. I have personally learned more from my failure than my
success.
Interviewer: Has your view of success changed over time?
Mohannad: Yes, of course it has. My understanding of success changes almost every
day. When I was a child, I used to think that if you put a lot of effort in, and
tried hard, then you would always succeed. Later, I was convinced that
careful planning would lead to success with less effort. Now, I believe that
having an ideal team around me will help me to achieve even more than I
could ever dream of.
Interviewer: Well, I wish you every success going forward, Mohannad. Great talking with
you.
Mohannad: Thank you.

Unit 8, Listening 2, Activity D

Page 162

Interviewer: Hello, Mohannad. You’re well known today in Saudi Arabia and
internationally as a “blind inventor.”
Mohannad: Yes, I guess that’s how many people think of me.

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Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

Interviewer: I read that you lost your sight and your right leg in a car crash when you
were 20.
Mohannad: That’s correct. Just two weeks after my wedding and two years after
enrolling in college.
Interviewer: Yet incredibly that didn’t hold you back.
Mohannad: No, it didn’t. I finished my degree in Industrial Engineering and continued
from there.
Interviewer: Could you tell me a little about the challenges you’ve faced on the road to
success?
Mohannad: Well, even before losing my eyesight and leg, I faced many challenges. I
didn’t have an instructor or anyone to guide me. Also, my classmates and
teachers would often discourage me. I used to spend a lot of time alone, too,
working on my inventions. After the accident, my life became even more
challenging. Daily activities for someone who has lost his sight and leg
become tricky. I had to abandon some of my hobbies and spend less time
with my friends in order to concentrate on learning everything that might
help me to achieve my dreams.
Interviewer: So inventing is something that you were always interested in?
Mohannad: Yes. I started inventing in my childhood. I liked to redesign my toys, and to
try and repair household items. Looking back, I wasn’t especially
successful, but I was determined. I guess that’s been the key. I firmly
believe there’s no convincing reason for giving up on your dreams.
Interviewer: So what kinds of things have you invented?
Mohannad: Lots of things, including many disability aids to help handicapped people,
even before my accident. But perhaps I’m most famous for the “Saqr Al
Orubah”—a submarine that can dive to 6,525 meters. People thought it was
impossible to dive so deep. I received an award from King Abdullah for it.
Interviewer: And which of your achievements are you most proud of?
Mohannad: The first award I won for invention, when I was 12 years old. That simple
award was a huge boost to my self-esteem. From that moment on, I felt I
was born to be an inventor. I’m also very proud of my book Guidance for
Leading Invention, which was the first detailed step-by-step pocketsize
book for inventors.
Interviewer: What things have helped you on the road to success?
Mohannad: Oh, many things. My wife, family, and friends have been very supportive.
On an individual level, I drew inspiration from the stories of famous
hardworking people I had read about. I used to imagine my life story as
similar to theirs, but one that hadn't been written yet.
Interviewer: And what are you working on at the moment?
Mohannad: These days I focus completely on training and managing projects related to
invention through the Isterlab Training Center. So far we’ve delivered
lectures and workshops on invention skills to more than 30,000 people
across the Arab world. At the moment, I’m preparing a series of online
videos to teach young people—in a simple and interesting way—how to
invent and innovate. My goal is to inspire one million inventors across the
Arab world!
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Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

Interviewer: Wow. That’s a big target! But what about the flipside of success—failure?
Do you think failure can be a positive thing? I mean, have you learned
anything from your failures?
Mohannad: I see failure as a friend who teaches you how to become successful. I always
say life is like a messy library. You need to open many drawers before you
find what you’re looking for. The best way to make progress in life lies in
trial and error. I have personally learned more from my failure than my
success.
Interviewer: Has your view of success changed over time?
Mohannad: Yes, of course it has. My understanding of success changes almost every
day. When I was a child, I used to think that if you put a lot of effort in, and
tried hard, then you would always succeed. Later, I was convinced that
careful planning would lead to success with less effort. Now, I believe that
having an ideal team around me will help me to achieve even more than I
could ever dream of.
Interviewer: Well, I wish you every success going forward, Mohannad. Great talking with
you.
Mohannad: Thank you.

Unit 8, Pronunciation, Example 1

Page 167

Female voice: I see failure as a friend who teaches you how to become successful.
Female voice: I see failure as a friend who teaches you how to become successful.

Unit 8, Pronunciation, Example 2

Page 167

You can learn more from your failures than you can from your successes.
Success for my grandfather is getting out of bed in the morning!
Failing is a good preparation for life.

Unit 8, Pronunciation, Activity A

Page 167

1. Failure is an important stage on the road to success.

Failure is an important stage on the road to success.

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Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

2. We shouldn’t be afraid of failure, because we can learn from it.

We shouldn’t be afraid of failure, because we can learn from it.

3. Failure is something to be encouraged by.

Failure is something to be encouraged by.

4. Don’t give up too easily.

Don’t give up too easily.

Unit 8, Pronunciation, Activity B

Page 167

1. Failure is an important stage on the road to success.

2. We shouldn’t be afraid of failure, because we can learn from it.
3. Failure is something to be encouraged by.
4. Don’t give up too easily.

Unit 8, Pronunciation, Activity D

Page 168

You need to experience failure and learn from it, in order to really succeed. Failing
is a good preparation for life. It makes you stronger and more able to overcome
life’s problems. Don’t be scared of failure! It might sound strange, but letting go of
your fear of failure might help you to succeed.

Unit 8, Speaking Skill, Activity A

Page 168

1. Professor: So you need to make sure the success you’re aiming for is achievable.
Student 1: Sorry, I don’t get what you mean.
Professor: What I’m trying to say is be realistic with the goals you set for yourself.
2. Professor: Success in one area can bring problems in others.
Student 2: What do you mean exactly?
Professor: Well, to give you an example, someone can be at the top of her career,
but her family life might be in crisis as a result.
3. Professor: Keep your desire for success in proportion.
Student 3: Do you think you could say a bit more aboutthat?
Professor: Yes. I mean don’t let your desire for success become greater than other
important areas in your life.
4. Professor: Our definition of success alters with age.

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Q2e Listening & Speaking 3: Audio Script

Student 1: Can you give an example, please?

Professor: Sure. Someone of twenty might view success as being rich, but at fifty
that same person might think of success as a happy family life.

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