Summary
Maria Sharapova became the world number one in women’s tennis in 2005 at a young age, having sacrificed much to reach the pinnacle. She moved to the United States at age 9 with her father to train, leaving her mother behind in Siberia for two years due to visa restrictions. Despite feeling lonely and facing difficult living conditions, she persevered and became mentally tough, ultimately leading to her success at Wimbledon in 2004 and reaching the world number one spot the following year. Sharapova speaks with an American accent but is proud of her Russian nationality and would play in the Olympics for Russia if given the opportunity. She has a wide range of interests, including fashion, singing, dancing, and reading, and is driven by her desire to be the best in the world.
Summary in 300 words
Maria Sharapova is a professional tennis player from Russia who rose to fame in 2005 when she became the world number one in women’s tennis. Despite her young age and the glamour associated with her, there is something disarming about Sharapova. Her journey to the top of the world in tennis began at a very young age, when she was just nine years old and her father Yuri packed her off to train in the United States. This move required a heart-wrenching two-year separation from her mother Yelena, who stayed behind in Siberia due to visa restrictions. Despite being so young, Sharapova had to learn to take care of herself and to be mentally tough, as she was often lonely and faced difficult living conditions. However, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a successful tennis player.
The sacrifices that Sharapova made in her childhood paid off when she bagged the women’s singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and reached the world number one spot in 2005. Her journey from the frozen plains of Siberia to the summit of women’s tennis has touched the hearts of tennis fans, but for Sharapova herself, there appears to be no room for sentiment. She is extremely competitive and works hard at what she does, considering it her job. Despite speaking with a pronounced American accent, Sharapova is proud of her Russian nationality and would play in the Olympics for Russia if given the opportunity.
In her free time, Sharapova enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including fashion, singing, dancing, and reading. She is particularly fond of reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. Her fondness for sophisticated evening gowns appears at odds with her love of pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks. Sharapova is a unique individual who cannot be easily pigeon-holed or categorized. Her talent, unwavering desire to succeed, and readiness to sacrifice have lifted her to the top of the world. Few would grudge her the riches she is now reaping, as she has always had the dream of becoming number one in the world and it was this dream that kept her going.
Multiple Choice Questions
1.Question. How old was Maria Sharapova when she was first packed off to train in the United States?
a. 9 years old
b. 10 years old
c. 11 years old
d. 12 years old
Answer: a. 9 years old
2.Question. How long was the separation between Maria Sharapova and her mother due to visa restrictions?
a. 1 year
b. 2 years
c. 3 years
d. 4 years
Answer: b. 2 years
3.Question. Where did Maria Sharapova’s father work to keep her tennis training going?
a. Siberia
b. United States
c. Russia
d. Europe
Answer: b. United States
4.Question. What did Maria Sharapova become due to the sacrifices she made in her childhood?
a. Mentally weak
b. Mentally tough
c. Emotionally unstable
d. Physically weak
Answer: b. Mentally tough
5.Question. What was the key to Maria Sharapova’s success at Wimbledon in 2004?
a. Her talent
b. Her desire to succeed
c. Her toughness
d. Her competitive nature
Answer: c. Her toughness
6.Question. What is the most important thing to Maria Sharapova?
a. Money
b. Becoming number one in the world
c. Her hobbies
d. Her family
Answer: b. Becoming number one in the world
7.Question. In what year did Maria Sharapova become the world number one in women’s tennis?
a. 2004
b. 2005
c. 2006
d. 2007
Answer: b. 2005
8.Question. How does Maria Sharapova feel about her sacrifices?
a. She regrets them
b. She considers them worth it
c. She is indifferent
d. She is unsure
Answer: b. She considers them worth it
9.Question. What is the mantra for success according to Maria Sharapova?
a. Work hard at what you do
b. Be the best in the world
c. Be mentally tough
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
10.Question. What is Maria Sharapova’s nationality?
a. American
b. Russian
c. Both
d. Neither
Answer: b. Russian
11Question. What are Maria Sharapova’s hobbies?
a. Fashion
b. Singing
c. Dancing
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
12.Question. What is Maria Sharapova’s favorite author?
a. Jane Austen
b. Arthur Conan Doyle
c. J.K. Rowling
d. Stephen King
Answer: b. Arthur Conan Doyle
13.Question. What does Maria Sharapova say about her monetary gains from tennis?
a. It’s not important
b. It’s a motivation
c. It’s a distraction
d. It’s a burden
Answer: b. It’s a motivation
14.Question. What does Maria Sharapova say about her accent?
a. She is ashamed of it
b. She is proud of it
c. She wants to change it
d. She doesn’t think about it
Answer: b. She is proud of it
15.Question. What is the dream that kept Maria Sharapova going?
a. Becoming rich
b. Playing in the Olympics
c. Becoming number one in the world
d. Traveling the world
Answer: c. Becoming number one in the world
16.Question,. What does Maria Sharapova say about her ambition?
a. She is unsure of it
b. She is vague about it
c. She is clear about it
d. She is secretive about it
Answer: c. She is clear about it
17.Question. Who packed Maria Sharapova off to train in the United States?
a. Her mother
b. Her father
c. Her coach
d. Her agent
Answer: b. Her father
18.Question. How does Maria Sharapova feel about her journey from Siberia to the summit of women’s tennis?
a. She is sentimental
b. She is indifferent
c. She is proud
d. She is embarrassed
Answer: c. She is proud
19.Question. What does Maria Sharapova say about her love for pancakes and chocolate spread?
a. It’s at odds with her sophisticated evening gowns
b. It’s in line with her love of sophisticated evening gowns
c. It’s a secret
d. It’s not mentioned in the text
Answer: a. It’s at odds with her sophisticated evening gowns.
Prose Passage
Maria Sharapova is a professional tennis player from Russia who rose to fame in 2005 when she became the world number one in women’s tennis. Despite her young age and the glamour associated with her, there is something disarming about Sharapova. Her journey to the top of the world in tennis began at a very young age, when she was just nine years old and her father Yuri packed her off to train in the United States. This move required a heart-wrenching two-year separation from her mother Yelena, who stayed behind in Siberia due to visa restrictions. Despite being so young, Sharapova had to learn to take care of herself and to be mentally tough, as she was often lonely and faced difficult living conditions. However, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a successful tennis player.
The sacrifices that Sharapova made in her childhood paid off when she bagged the women’s singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and reached the world number one spot in 2005. Her journey from the frozen plains of Siberia to the summit of women’s tennis has touched the hearts of tennis fans, but for Sharapova herself, there appears to be no room for sentiment. She is extremely competitive and works hard at what she does, considering it her job. Despite speaking with a pronounced American accent, Sharapova is proud of her Russian nationality and would play in the Olympics for Russia if given the opportunity.
In her free time, Sharapova enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including fashion, singing, dancing, and reading. She is particularly fond of reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. Her fondness for sophisticated evening gowns appears at odds with her love of pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks. Sharapova is a unique individual who cannot be easily pigeon-holed or categorized. Her talent, unwavering desire to succeed, and readiness to sacrifice have lifted her to the top of the world. Few would grudge her the riches she is now reaping, as she has always had the dream of becoming number one in the world and it was this dream that kept her going.
Multiple Choice Questions:
1.Question. How old was Maria Sharapova when she was first packed off to train in the United States?
a. 9 years old
b. 10 years old
c. 11 years old
d. 12 years old
Answer: a. 9 years old
2.Queston. How long was the separation between Maria Sharapova and her mother due to visa restrictions?
a. 1 year
b. 2 years
c. 3 years
d. 4 years
Answer: b. 2 years
3.Question. Where did Maria Sharapova’s father work to keep her tennis training going?
a. Siberia
b. United States
c. Russia
d. Europe
Answer: b. United States
4.Question. What is Maria Sharapova’s nationality?
a. American
b. Russian
c. Both
d. Neither
Answer: b. Russian
5.Question. What does Maria Sharapova say about her monetary gains from tennis?
a. It’s not important
b. It’s a motivation
c. It’s a distraction
d. It’s a burden
Answer: b. It’s a motivation
Prose Passage
Maria Sharapova’s rise to the top of the world in women’s tennis is a testament to her talent, determination and sacrifice. Despite being just a teenager when she reached the number one ranking, she had been working towards this goal for many years. Her father, Yuri, recognized her potential at a young age and made the difficult decision to send her to the United States to train, even though it meant a separation from her mother, Yelena, for two years. The young Sharapova faced many challenges, including loneliness and difficult living conditions, but she never wavered in her desire to become a successful tennis player.
The sacrifices that Sharapova made in her childhood paid off in 2004 when she won the women’s singles crown at Wimbledon and in 2005 when she became the world number one. Her journey from the frozen plains of Siberia to the summit of women’s tennis has inspired many, but for Sharapova, there is no room for sentiment. She is extremely competitive and works hard at what she does, considering it her job. Despite speaking with a pronounced American accent, Sharapova is proud of her Russian nationality and would play in the Olympics for Russia if given the opportunity.
In her free time, Sharapova enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including fashion, singing, dancing, and reading. She is particularly fond of reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. Her fondness for sophisticated evening gowns appears at odds with her love of pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks. Sharapova’s unique combination of talent, determination, and sacrifice has propelled her to the top of the world in tennis, and it is this that sets her apart from others.
Multiple Choice Questions:
1.Question. What was the key to Maria Sharapova’s success at Wimbledon in 2004?
a. Her talent
b. Her desire to succeed
c. Her toughness
d. Her competitive nature
Answer: c. Her toughness
2.Question. How does Maria Sharapova feel about her sacrifices?
a. She regrets them
b. She considers them worth it
c. She is indifferent
d. She is unsure
Answer: b. She considers them worth it
3.Question. What is the most important thing to Maria Sharapova?
a. Money
b Becoming number one in the world
c. Her hobbies
d. Her family
Answer: b. Becoming number one in the world
4.Question. How long was the separation between Maria Sharapova and her mother due to visa restrictions?
a. 1 year
b. 2 years
c. 3 years
d. 4 years
Answer: b. 2 years
5.Question.What does Maria Sharapova say about her accent?
a. She is ashamed of it
b. She is proud of it
c. She wants to change it
d. She doesn’t think about it
Answer: b. She is proud of it
Questions
I. Question. Identify the two parts in the sentences below by underlining the part that gives us the information in brackets, as shown above. 1. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. (Contrasts her dress with that of others)
Answer; The first part of the sentence “Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses” contrasts the dress of Santosh with that of others. The second part “Santosh preferred shorts” tells us about Santosh’s personal preference for clothing.
2.Question. She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.(Tells us what happened after the first action.)
Answer. The first part of the sentence “She left home” tells us about the action of leaving home. The second part “and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi” tells us what happened after the first action and tells us where she went after leaving home.
3.Question. She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived.(Tells us when she was going to fight the system.)
Answer. The first part of the sentence “She decided to fight the system” tells us about the action of deciding to fight the system. The second part “when the right moment arrived” tells us when she was going to fight the system, it specifies the timing of the action.
4.Question. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. (Tells us when Maria was sent to the U.S.)
Answer,The first part of the sentence “Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday” gives information about Maria’s age at the time of the event. The second part “when she was packed off to train in the United States” tells us when Maria was sent to the U.S. It gives the timing of the event when she was sent to train in the United States.
Important Words of “Reach For the Top Part 2 Maria Sharapova”
- Disarming – causing someone to lose their feeling of suspicion or fear
- Pinnacle – the highest point of achievement or development
- Heart-wrenching – causing intense sorrow or distress
- Separation – the state of being apart from someone or something
- Visa restrictions – laws or regulations that limit the number of people who are allowed to enter a country or area
- Loneliness – the state of being alone and feeling unhappy because of it
- Humiliation – the feeling of being embarrassed or ashamed
- Insults – disrespectful or offensive language or behavior
- Steadfastly – in a determined and unwavering manner
- Determined – having made a firm decision and being resolved to achieve a certain goal
- Mentally tough – having a strong and resilient mind
- Competitiveness – the quality of being eager to win or be the best at something
- Meteoric – happening very quickly and with great success
- Sentiment – a feeling of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia
- Ambition – a strong desire to achieve something
- Mantra – a word or phrase that is repeated often and used to focus the mind
- Parades – to display or show something in a public or prominent way
- Citizenship – the status of being a citizen of a particular country
- Sophisticated – having a lot of knowledge, experience, and good taste
- Pancakes -a type of flat, round cake made from a batter and cooked on a griddle or frying pan
21. Chocolate spread – a sweet, smooth mixture made from chocolate and used as a spread or filling
- Fizzy – having bubbles of gas, typically carbon dioxide
- Pigeon-holed – to classify or categorize someone or something in a restrictive or limiting way
- Riches – an abundance of wealth or valuable possessions
- Monetary – relating to money or the monetary system
- Business – a commercial or industrial enterprise
- Sport – an activity that is done for enjoyment and involves physical exertion or skill
- Dream – a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep
- Hunger – a feeling of needing or wanting to eat food
- Grudge – a feeling of resentment or bitterness towards someone or something.