Lesson 37: Theme: Success & Goals
discuss ambition, success and motivation with rich vocabulary and confident future language.
Why this matters
"What is success?", "Are goals important?", and "How do people stay motivated?" are common abstract Part 3 questions. They reward idiomatic, opinion-rich language and clear future forms. They also recycle the future/conditional grammar from Lessons 29 and 31.
The Tip/Trick
Redefine the abstract word first, then answer. For "success" or "ambition", give your definition, then build on it. This shows independent thinking and avoids a vague start.
- Before: "Success is have money and good job. Everyone want success."
- After: "To me, success isn't really about money — it's more about feeling fulfilled by what you do. Once you define it that way…"
Grammar Focus — Future forms for goals (review)
Rule: use aim to / intend to / be determined to / be likely to for goals and predictions. Reference: the "Future forms (will / going to / might / likely to)" section.
- "I'm determined to improve my English this year."
- "People who set clear goals are more likely to achieve them."
- "She intends to start her own business eventually."
Vocabulary Cluster — Success & goals
Add to under "Success & goals".
- to set realistic goals — sensible targets — "It helps to set realistic goals."
- to stay motivated — keep your drive — "It's hard to stay motivated."
- a sense of fulfilment — feeling satisfied — "Work gives me a sense of fulfilment."
- to climb the ladder — advance in a career — "Not everyone wants to climb the ladder."
- to reach your full potential — achieve your best — "Education helps you reach your full potential."
- hard work pays off — effort is rewarded — "In the end, hard work pays off."
- to have drive / ambition — strong motivation — "She's got real drive."
- a stepping stone — a step towards a goal — "This job is a stepping stone."
Drill these as flashcards — flip, then grade yourself.
Answer Outline
- Redefine: "To me, ____ isn't about ____ — it's more about ____."
- Reason: "because ____."
- Future/goal form: "People who ____ are more likely to ____."
- Stance: "So I'd say ____."
Model Answers: 5.0 vs 7.0
Question: How do you define success?
Band 5.0: "Success is money and famous and good job. If you have these you are success. Everyone want it. It is important."
Band 7.0: "To me, success isn't really about money or status — it's more about a sense of fulfilment and reaching your full potential. I think people who set realistic goals and stay motivated are far more likely to feel genuinely successful, even if they never become wealthy. For example, a teacher who loves their work might be 'more successful' than a miserable millionaire. So I'd argue success is deeply personal rather than something you measure in income."
What changed:
- Redefines the abstract term first.
- Future/likelihood: "are far more likely to feel…".
- Collocations: "a sense of fulfilment", "reach your full potential", "set realistic goals".
- Memorable contrast: "a teacher who loves their work vs a miserable millionaire".
- "you are success" → "you are successful" (adjective).
- "everyone want" → "everyone wants".
- Listing nouns with no development → redefine and explain.
Your Turn (Record)
Task: Answer 3 questions, redefining the key word first: (1) What does it mean to be successful? (2) Are goals necessary for a happy life? (3) Why do some people lose motivation? ⏱ ~4 min.
Your turn — record & get scored
Part 3- What does it mean to be successful?
- Are goals necessary for a happy life?
- Why do some people lose motivation?
Self-Check + Spaced Review
Done when:
- I redefined the abstract term in my own words.
- I used a future/likelihood form.
- I used ≥4 success/goal collocations.
Spaced review:
- From Lesson 31: add a conditional ("If you set goals, you'll…").
- From Lesson 26: keep a clear, developed opinion (OREO).