Book pages 76 and 77
Read the text about genius people and the sentences. Write A if the sentences are correct. If they are not correct, write B.
Wunderkinds
There have always been smart and brilliantly smart teenagers in the world. For example, the French mathematician Evariste Galois (1811 – 1832). It is claimed that he invented the field of abstract algebra (which lies at the heart of modern quantum mechanics, among other things) when he was still in his teens years.
If he’d lived in modern society, he would’ve been referred to as a nerd, but he was not. The fact that he died in a duel over a love relation he had at the age of 21 would’ve saved him from being called that nickname.
So either smart or brilliantly smart teens is nothing new. However, it is not something we see very often nowadays. Some of these teens have become inventors solving difficult mathematical problems, but others belong to completely different fields like brilliant artists, performers, dancers, musicians, singers or entrepreneurs; and there are others that seem to be a walking encyclopedia due to the fact that they can speak multiple languages, spell the most strange and difficult word you can think of, and tell you the exact words brilliant people from the past wrote and the influence they’ve had throughout history. In other words, there have been smart, very smart, super smart and incredibly brilliant smart teens, but how can intelligence be measured?
The most popular test or measurement for intelligence is the Stanford-Binet IQ test offered through Mensa International, an organization for high – IQ people. This test shows that an average IQ score is 85 – 114 and 144 or above is considered “a genius level,” some people have intelligence and talents that sometimes don’t match a test score, though.
With that being said, many parents and teachers must understand that it is pretty hard to recognize the real “smart” in each of their kids. Just get what the following phrase means:
“Never judge a book by its cover”
Consider recognizing the diversity among teenagers and find a way to help them understand, accept and share the “smart” they, each, have.
Remember, sometimes “smart or genius” only emerges after having gone through exciting, enjoyable or very significant experiences.
Take these examples: Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school. Winston Churchill failed 6th grade. Werner Von Braun failed 9th-grade algebra. Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four and didn’t read until he was seven. Beethoven’s teacher called him hopeless as a composer.
For the most part, “wunderkind people” are just like you and me – just much smarter.
Take this definition from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary:
- wunderkind /`wΩn.de.kInd/ , /`vΩn-/ /-dæ-/ noun [ C ]
• a person who is very clever or good at something and achieves success at a young age
