Worthy of Recognition?
3/17/2023 5:29:29 PM
Do you know?
- The Guinness Book of World Records, also called Guinness World Records, is an annual reference book covering all types of records about the world and its inhabitants.
- Ashrita Furman, a GWR record-breaker, currently holds nearly 200 records, including the record for holding the most Guinness world records.
Let's explore in the following passage!
PREPARING TO READ
The words and phrases in bold below are used in the text "Worthy of Recognition?". Read the sentences and match the word or phrase to its definition.
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The great music system enhances his enjoyment of his new car. The fact that the plane was able to land safely under those conditions was astounding. She suddenly realized the oddity of her remark and blushed. He received devastating injuries in the accident. The athletes strove to improve their performance before the next Olympics. The book's success has surpassed everyone's expectations. |
(v.): to do or be better than somebody/something
(v.): to try very hard to achieve something
(adj.): causing great damage or suffering to something or someone
(n.): a strange or unusual thing, person, or event
(adj.): so surprising that it is difficult to believe
(v.): to improve the quality, amount, or strength of something
Read and complete the tasks.
Worthy of Recognition?
Creating the largest popcorn sculpture, completing twenty-seven thousand jumping jacks in five hours, skipping the fastest five kilometers while holding a tiger’s leash, as well as eighty-six other astounding feats, are held by one man in the Guinness Book of World Records. Ashrita Furman is a former economics major who dropped out of Columbia University, yet he has still made somewhat of a name for himself.
Furman, wanting to enhance his spiritual life, changed his name from Keith to Ashrita. His desire to surpass human limitations brings attention to him in unique ways. At the age of fifty-four, Furman continues to break thirty-five to forty records a year in an attempt to challenge his own limits. He holds records for activities ranging from tearing the most shirts in a minute to completing the fastest mile on a pogo stick in Antarctica.
Why does Ashrita Furman attempt to break so many records? While these feats for which Furman holds records are fascinating and amazing, are they really worth the funds needed to carry them out?
While there are those who enjoy the thrill of competition and strive to be unique in their pursuit of fame, is the publicity necessary when the cost of the record-breaking attempts can be so high? Injuries, financial obligations, and failure can be devastating. On the other hand, an average person can be fascinated by the courage, skill, and sometimes oddity of world-record breakers.
Source: Reading for the Real World 2
Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading.
1. Ashrita Furman did not earn a degree in economics from Columbia University.
2. Ashrita Furman has had the name since birth.
3. No one travels a mile in Antarctica on a pogo stick faster than Ashrita Furman.
According to the text, Ashrita Furman _____.
- sacrificed his family time to achieve such incredible feats
- struck gold by holding more than 86 feats in the Guinness Book of World Records
- was reluctant to give up his world record-breaking career
- gained unique fame for his aspiration to push the boundaries of human ability
What can be concluded from the last paragraph?
- The cost of the record-breaking attempts is of no account to average people.
- There is a debate over whether or not it is worth it to attempt to break world records.
- Almost all world-record breakers live a famous and lavish lifestyle.
- People who enjoy the thrill of competition exhibit traits like determination and courage.
What is the main idea of the text?
- Furman's unique accomplishments and questions about the value of record-breaking attempts
- An insight into Furman's motivations for attempting to break so many records
- Furman's astounding feats and his career as a famous world record breaker
- A brief discussion of Furman's background and his desire to challenge human limitations
Drag and drop to complete the summary.
Ashrita Furman, a Columbia University and former economics student, has achieved 89 world records such as tearing the most shirts in a minute and completing the fastest mile on a pogo stick in Antarctica. Furman's comes from his aspiration to human limitations. While the cost and hazards of record-breaking attempts are a for some, others are intrigued by the of record-breakers.
VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
Build your vocabulary by learning these intensive idioms in the topic area of Lifestyle
James: "I've had the opportunity to meet people from all _____ during my travels."
Anna: "That's fascinating. Can you tell me about some of the most memorable encounters?"
- walks of life
- slices of life
- loss of life
- staff of life
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
The successful cardiac surgery afforded him the energy to live life to the fullest.
- In the case of a failed heart operation, his zest for life remained.
- Due to the cardiac surgery, his desire to live was temporarily diminished.
- After the successful heart operation, he was given a new lease of life.
- Having undergone the cardiac surgery reduced his sense of vitality.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
They've been living high off the hog ever since David won the lottery.
- living a healthy lifestyle
- leading a life of luxury
- living a sedentary lifestyle
- leading a frugal life
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word in brackets. You must use between THREE and SIX words, including the word given. Do NOT change the word given.
Throughout his life, he has always had a passion for embarking on extreme adventures. (EDGE)
=> He's never been one to shy away from .