Buổi 55: Luyện tính giờ – Writing Task 2 (40 phút) + kế hoạch duy trì trình độ sau khóa học

Few questions provoke as much disagreement as whether people succeed because of their own efforts or because of circumstances beyond their control. In my view, hard work is necessary for most kinds of success but rarely sufficient, and the influence of background is greater than those who emphasise effort tend to admit.

The case for hard work is a strong one. Almost every accomplished musician, scientist or entrepreneur has spent years practising, failing and trying again, and talent that is never developed rarely produces results. Belief in effort also has practical value: people who think their actions matter are more likely to persist when things become difficult. A society that told its young people that success was simply a matter of luck would risk discouraging the very effort on which progress depends.

Nevertheless, effort does not operate in a vacuum. A child who grows up with books at home, a quiet place to study and parents who can pay for extra lessons begins the race several steps ahead of one who has none of these. Family connections can open doors to internships and first jobs, and chance events – an illness, an economic downturn in the year one graduates, a single encouraging teacher – can shape a career in ways that no amount of determination could have produced.

The most serious objection to this view is that emphasising background may become an excuse for not trying. This is a fair concern. However, recognising the role of circumstances does not mean that effort is pointless; it means that the rewards of effort are distributed unevenly. Acknowledging this should make us both more modest about our own achievements and more willing to support those who work hard without the same advantages.

In conclusion, success usually requires determination, but it also depends heavily on starting points and chance. The most accurate answer is not to choose between the two, but to recognise how they interact.