Start Now to Be the Best, Not When You're Young, Study Says
CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
12/28/2025
WARM-UP
Answer quickly. No right or wrong answers.
Have you heard stories about children who are extremely talented?
Do you think people must start young to become very good at something?
Do you believe practice is more important than natural ability?
VOCABULARY
Essential (A1–B1)
prodigy – a young person with exceptional ability
Example: Mozart was a child prodigy.
talent – a natural ability to do something well
Example: She has a talent for music.
potential – the possibility to develop or improve
Example: He has the potential to become a great musician.
expert – a person with a high level of skill or knowledge
Example: She is an expert in classical piano.
performer – someone who entertains people by acting, singing, or playing music
Example: The performer played the violin beautifully.
Developed (B2–C2)
gradually – slowly over time
Example: His skills improved gradually.
burnout – extreme tiredness or loss of motivation
Example: Focusing too early can lead to burnout.
practice – repeated activity to improve a skill
Example: Daily practice helps musicians improve.
focus – to give attention to one thing
Example: Too much focus on one skill can cause stress.
motivation – the desire to do something
Example: Motivation plays a key role in long-term success.
READING
Introduction
“This article discusses new research on learning and success. It questions whether starting young is necessary to become an expert. Read for the main ideas.”
(Read at your level. Do not translate every word.)
Article (All Levels)
Many people believe that a child prodigy will become the best adult performer. Stories of early talent often suggest success comes from starting young.
However, research shows that many people develop skills gradually and still reach their full potential later in life.
Developed Article (B1–C2)
A recent study examined nearly 35,000 adults who became experts in areas such as music, sports, and chess. The results showed that most top performers were not child prodigies.
Instead, they tried many activities as children, improved gradually, and developed strong motivation over time. Researchers suggest this variety reduces burnout and helps people discover where their true talent lies.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
(Answer based on your level.)
A1–A2
What is a prodigy?
Do all experts start young?
Can people improve skills later in life?
B1–B2
What did the new study examine?
Why is learning many skills helpful?
What problem can early focus cause?
C1–C2
Why might starting later reduce burnout?
How does gradual improvement affect long-term success?
Why is motivation important in becoming an expert?
SPEAKING
(Choose a question level.)
A1–A2 — Foundation
Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions.
(Answer + 1 reason)
“I think ___ because ___.”
“I feel ___ about this.”
“I like ___.”
“This is important because ___.”
Personal Questions
Do you think talent is natural?
Did you start any hobbies young?
Are you good at music or sports?
Do you like learning new skills?
Is practice difficult for you?
Do you know a talented person?
Do you enjoy performing?
Do you feel pressure to be good at things?
Is it okay to learn slowly?
Do you try many activities?
Do you feel motivated to improve?
Is success important to you?
Do you like challenges?
Do you think mistakes help learning?
Do you want to become an expert at something?
B1–B2 — Expansion
Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions.
(Answer + reason + 2 details)
“I feel ___ because ___; for example, ___ and ___.”
“One challenge is ___.”
“I believe success depends on ___.”
“This experience taught me ___.”
Personal Questions
Why do people admire child prodigies?
Do you think starting young guarantees success?
How important is practice compared to talent?
Have you ever changed interests over time?
How does motivation affect learning?
Have you experienced burnout?
Do you prefer variety or focus when learning?
How did school influence your talents?
Can trying many skills improve learning?
Do you think pressure harms performance?
How do you stay motivated long-term?
What skills have you developed gradually?
Do you think adults learn better than children?
How do mistakes help improvement?
What makes someone an expert?
C1–C2 — Depth & Reflection
Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions.
(Reason + multiple details + consequence or reflection)
“I believe ___ because ___; for instance, ___, ___, and ___; as a result, ___.”
“One key issue is ___.”
“I am concerned about ___.”
“In the long term, I think ___.”
Personal Questions
How does this study challenge traditional ideas about success?
Should education systems reduce early specialization?
How does gradual learning affect creativity?
Can pressure on young talent be harmful?
How should parents support children’s interests?
Is expertise more about time or strategy?
How does motivation evolve with age?
Can trying many skills improve adaptability?
What role does failure play in mastery?
How do cultural expectations shape success?
Is the 10,000-hour idea outdated?
How should society define talent?
Can late starters outperform early learners?
How does burnout affect long-term achievement?
Do you agree that waiting can lead to greater success?
