MENTALLY STRONG PEOPLE, DOUBLE TEXT READING INTO WRITING ACTIVITY

A lot of research goes into analyzing and trying to improve physical strength and prowess but very little into a much more important contributor to success: mental strength. Do the two reading tasks and bring all the information you glean, plus your own experience together in a double text writing activity. This task has been prepared on demand and will be especially useful to all those who have problems with paraphrasing and fill-in-the-blanks type questions.

BEFOR YOU READ

Access the following interview with the psychologist whose views are discussed in the reading passages and watch carefully. Make a note of anything you feel will be relevant to your writing.

The link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2013/12/06/how-to-become-mentally-strong-a-video-chat-with-amy-morin/

NOW WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEO
How to Be Emotionally and Mentally Strong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iwvNk2ynDw

TEXT ONE: MENTALLY STRONG PEOPLE: THE 13 THINGS THEY AVOID

By: Cheryl Conner

Published: Forbes Magazine; November 18, http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2013/11/18/mentally-strong-people-the-13-things-they-avoid/

Level of Difficulty: **

QUESTIONS

1.       Which aspects of mental strength are vital for success?

2.       Why do mentally strong people find it easier to move on after misfortunes?

3.       Misfortunes can be a blessing in disguise as mentally strong people………………………….

4.       The innate source of power of mentally strong people is……………………………………………

5.       Mentally strong people are afraid of becoming complacent or stagnant because…………

6.       Moaning about other people is not something mentally strong people do because………..

7.       Mentally strong people are not crowd pleasers or harsh critics because…………………………

8.       Mentally strong people don’t jump headlong into foolish risks because they need to…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9.       Dwelling on the past is a mistake because people end up……………………………………………………

10.   What features of mentally strong people are essential to success? How can the opposite be described?

11.   What does “this ability” in the sentence “Mentally strong people have this ability” refer to?

12.   Mentally strong people will take failure in their stride if this means…………………………………….

13.   The reason why mentally strong people value private time is the fact that………………………….

14.   Mentally strong people feel a salary, a benefits package and a comfortable home are results of …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

15.   A mentally strong person can be compared to a chess player because……………………………………

TEXT TWO: 5 POWERFUL EXERCISES TO INCREASE YOUR MENTAL STRENGTH

By: Amy Morin

Published: The Forbes Magazine; December 3, 2013 http://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2013/12/03/5-powerful-exercises-to-increase-your-mental-strength/

Level of Difficulty:**

QUESTIONS

1. Becoming mentally stronger means having the fortitude to……………………………………………………
2. The willpower, fortitude and dedication involved in mental strength are especially important while facing …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Core beliefs are liable to be wrong if they are……………………………………How can such core beliefs work to a person’s detriment?
4. For a local citizen to worry about the predicted earthquake in Istanbul is wrong because…………………………What one should do instead is …………………………………………………
5. Negative self talk can become a serious obstacle in life as…………………………….Productive thoughts on the other hand will eventually enable you………………………………………………..
6. According to the writer, if a businessman is losing out due to his fear of flying, he should…………………………………(Use your own words) because………………………………………..
7. Creating time to reflect on daily progress impacts future success because………………….

WRITING TASK

Follow the plan below to bring together all that you have learnt in a definition / solution essay. Remember to provide examples where possible.

In your introduction, discuss mental strength as opposed to physical strength as a major contributor to success.

In your first developmental paragraph, use information from text one and your own examples to describe the mentally strong person

In your second developmental paragraph, use the information in the second text to suggest ways in which to become mentally stronger. Provide specific examples whenever you can.

In your conclusion, write a restatement

MENTALLY STRONG PEOPLE, DOUBLE TEXT READING INTO WRITING ACTIVITY KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This activity is a smooth introduction to writing activities involving more than one source. The texts are complementary and slot in together very nicely. The activity also provides practice with a particular question type: those involving paraphrasing and filling in blanks.

TEXT ONE: KEY

1. Tenacity, grit, optimism and an unfailing ability
2.  They have learnt to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes and they have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair
3. Learn lessons
4. Their ability to manage the way they respond
5. Because such an environment / this environment can’t energize them and bring out their best.
6. These factors are beyond their control
7. Neither position is a good one
8. Weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and fully assess the potential downsides and even the worst case scenarios before they take action
9. Miring their mental energy in past disappointments or in fantasies of the glory days gone by
10. The ability to be self reflective in an accurate and productive way; insanity
11. The ability to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success
12. The learning experience from every failure can bring them closer to their ultimate goals
13. They use their downtime to reflect, to plan and to be productive
14. Work and succeeding on their merits
15. He is in it for the long haul; OR they have staying power

TEXT TWO: KEY

1. Live according to your values and be bold enough to create your own definition of success
2. Life’s inevitable obstacles
3. Black and white; they may become a self fulfilling prophecy
4. It drains mental energy quickly; prepare for it
5. It holds you back from reaching your full potential; to become your best self
6. Board a plane or fly; some discomfort is often necessary for greater gain and tolerating that discomfort will help make your vision a reality one step at a time
7. It reinforces your ability to reach your definition of success while living according to your values.