Speaking July 24-26

Describe someone（a famous person）that is a role model for young people

I’d like to talk about Professor Stephen Hawking. Although he passed away in 2018, I first encountered him through his bestselling book A Brief History of Time during my undergraduate studies. Reading about his cosmological insights against the backdrop of his struggle with ALS struck me profoundly. Despite being diagnosed in his early twenties and confined to a wheelchair, he continued to develop groundbreaking theories on black holes and the origin of the universe.

What really stands out is how he communicated complex physics to lay audiences—lectures, interviews and even a cameo on The Simpsons—making science accessible and captivating. His daily routine involved dictating equations via a speech-generating device and collaborating with colleagues worldwide. Even when faced with deteriorating health, he never relinquished his research or sense of humour.

I think young people can learn invaluable lessons from Hawking’s resilience and passion: adversity didn’t stop his intellectual curiosity, and his example shows that physical limitations need not curtail one’s ambitions. At the end of the day, his life illustrates that perseverance, coupled with a relentless pursuit of knowledge, makes an enduring role model.

I’d like to talk about Professor Stephen Hawking.
/aɪd laɪk tə tɔːk əˈbaʊt prəˈfesə ˈstiːvən ˈhɔːkɪŋ/

Although he passed away in 2018, I first encountered him through his bestselling book A Brief History of Time during my undergraduate studies.
/ɔːlˈðəʊ hiː pɑːst əˈweɪ ɪn ˈtwenti ˈeɪtiːn aɪ fɜːst ɪnˈkaʊntəd hɪm θruː hɪz ˌbestˈselɪŋ bʊk ə briːf ˈhɪstri əv taɪm ˈdjʊərɪŋ maɪ ˌʌndəˈɡrædʒuət ˈstʌdiz/

Reading about his cosmological insights against the backdrop of his struggle with ALS struck me profoundly.
/ˈriːdɪŋ əˈbaʊt hɪz ˌkɒzməˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈɪnsaɪts əˈɡenst ðə ˈbækdrɒp əv hɪz ˈstrʌɡl wɪð eɪ el es strʌk miː prəˈfaʊndli/

Despite being diagnosed in his early twenties and confined to a wheelchair, he continued to develop groundbreaking theories on black holes and the origin of the universe.
/dɪˈspaɪt ˈbiːɪŋ ˈdaɪəɡnəʊzd ɪn hɪz ˈɜːli ˈtwentiz ənd kənˈfaɪnd tə ə ˈwiːltʃeə hiː kənˈtɪnjuːd tə dɪˈveləp ˈɡraʊndbreɪkɪŋ ˈθɪəriz ɒn blæk həʊlz ənd ði ˈɒrɪdʒɪn əv ðə ˈjuːnɪvɜːs/

What really stands out is how he communicated complex physics to lay audiences—lectures, interviews and even a cameo on The Simpsons—making science accessible and captivating.
/wɒt ˈrɪəli stændz aʊt ɪz haʊ hiː kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd ˈkɒmpleks ˈfɪzɪks tə leɪ ˈɔːdiənsɪz ˈlekʧəz ˈɪntəvjuːz ənd ˈiːvən ə ˈkæmiəʊ ɒn ðə ˈsɪmpsənz ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈsaɪəns əkˈsesəbəl ənd ˈkæptɪveɪtɪŋ/

His daily routine involved dictating equations via a speech-generating device and collaborating with colleagues worldwide.
/hɪz ˈdeɪli ruːˈtiːn ɪnˈvɒlvd dɪkˈteɪtɪŋ ɪˈkweɪʒənz ˈvaɪə ə ˈspiːtʃ-ˈdʒenəreɪtɪŋ dɪˈvaɪs ənd kəˈlæbəreɪtɪŋ wɪð ˈkɒliːɡz ˈwɜːldwaɪd/

Even when faced with deteriorating health, he never relinquished his research or sense of humour.
/ˈiːvən wen feɪst wɪð dɪˈtɪəriəreɪtɪŋ helθ hiː ˈnevə rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃt hɪz rɪˈsɜːtʃ ɔː sens əv ˈhjuːmə/

I think young people can learn invaluable lessons from Hawking’s resilience and passion: adversity didn’t stop his intellectual curiosity, and his example shows that physical limitations need not curtail one’s ambitions.
/aɪ θɪŋk jʌŋ ˈpiːpəl kæn lɜːn ɪnˈvæljʊəbəl ˈlesənz frəm ˈhɔːkɪŋz rɪˈzɪliəns ənd ˈpæʃən ədˈvɜːsəti ˈdɪdnt stɒp hɪz ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəl ˌkjʊəriˈɒsəti ənd hɪz ɪɡˈzɑːmpəl ʃəʊz ðæt ˈfɪzɪkəl ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃənz niːd nɒt kɜːˈteɪl wʌnz æmˈbɪʃənz/

At the end of the day, his life illustrates that perseverance, coupled with a relentless pursuit of knowledge, makes an enduring role model.
/æt ði end əv ðə deɪ hɪz laɪf ˈɪləstreɪts ðæt ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns ˈkʌpld wɪð ə rɪˈlentlɪs pəˈsjuːt əv ˈnɒlɪdʒ meɪks ən ɪnˈdjʊərɪŋ rəʊl ˈmɒdəl/

part 3

What kinds of people are likely to be the role models for teenagers?

Actually, many adolescents admire athletes—think of Li Na or Yao Ming—because their stories embody discipline and mental toughness. You know, training for hours every day and overcoming injuries demonstrates that success demands both physical effort and a strong mindset. What I’m trying to say is that sports role models teach teenagers the importance of setting routines, handling setbacks and celebrating gradual progress. So, basically, seeing top athletes persevere encourages young people to apply the same work ethic to their studies or personal projects.

Actually, many adolescents admire athletes—think of Li Na or Yao Ming—because their stories embody discipline and mental toughness.
/ˈæktʃuəli ˈmeni ˌædəˈlesnts ədˈmaɪə ˈæθliːts θɪŋk əv liː nɑː ɔː jaʊ mɪŋ bɪˈkɒz ðeə ˈstɔːriz ɪmˈbɒdi ˈdɪsɪplɪn ənd ˈmentl ˈtʌfnəs/

You know, training for hours every day and overcoming injuries demonstrates that success demands both physical effort and a strong mindset.
/juː nəʊ ˈtreɪnɪŋ fɔː ˈaʊəz ˈevri deɪ ənd ˌəʊvəˈkʌmɪŋ ˈɪnʤəriz ˈdemənstreɪts ðæt səkˈses dɪˈmɑːndz bəʊθ ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈefət ənd ə strɒŋ ˈmaɪndset/

What I’m trying to say is that sports role models teach teenagers the importance of setting routines, handling setbacks and celebrating gradual progress.
/wɒt aɪm ˈtraɪɪŋ tə seɪ ɪz ðæt spɔːts rəʊl ˈmɒdəlz tiːʧ ˈtiːneɪdʒəz ðə ɪmˈpɔːtns əv ˈsetɪŋ ruːˈtiːnz ˈhændlɪŋ ˈsetbæks ənd ˈselɪbreɪtɪŋ ˈɡrædʒuəl ˈprəʊɡres/

So, basically, seeing top athletes persevere encourages young people to apply the same work ethic to their studies or personal projects.
/səʊ ˈbeɪsɪkli ˈsiːɪŋ tɒp ˈæθliːts ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒɪz jʌŋ ˈpiːpəl tə əˈplaɪ ðə seɪm wɜːk ˈeθɪk tə ðeə ˈstʌdiz ɔː ˈpɜːsənəl ˈprɒdʒekts/

Is it important for children to have a role model?

Let me see… I think children benefit enormously from having a role model because they learn values through observation. When a youngster watches a respected teacher consistently show integrity—say, admitting mistakes in front of the class—they internalise honesty without needing lengthy lectures. In other words, role models translate abstract principles into real-world behaviour that kids can emulate. At the end of the day, seeing positive examples in action accelerates social learning and helps children form strong ethical foundations.

Let me see… I think children benefit enormously from having a role model because they learn values through observation.
/let mi siː aɪ θɪŋk ˈʧɪldrən ˈbenɪfɪt ɪˈnɔːməsli frɒm ˈhævɪŋ ə rəʊl ˈmɒdəl bɪˈkɒz ðeɪ lɜːn ˈvæljuːz θruː ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən/

When a youngster watches a respected teacher consistently show integrity—say, admitting mistakes in front of the class—they internalise honesty without needing lengthy lectures.
/wen ə ˈjʌŋstə ˈwɒʧɪz ə rɪˈspektɪd ˈtiːʧə kənˈsɪstəntli ʃəʊ ɪnˈteɡrəti seɪ ədˈmɪtɪŋ mɪˈsteɪks ɪn frʌnt əv ðə klɑːs ðeɪ ɪnˈtɜːnəlaɪz ˈɒnɪsti wɪˈðaʊt ˈniːdɪŋ ˈleŋθi ˈlekʧəz/

In other words, role models translate abstract principles into real-world behaviour that kids can emulate.
/ɪn ˈʌðə wɜːdz rəʊl ˈmɒdəlz trænzˈleɪt ˈæbstrækt ˈprɪnsəpəlz ˈɪntə riːl wɜːld bɪˈheɪvjə ðæt kɪdz kæn ˈemjʊleɪt/

At the end of the day, seeing positive examples in action accelerates social learning and helps children form strong ethical foundations.
/æt ði end əv ðə deɪ ˈsiːɪŋ ˈpɒzətɪv ɪɡˈzɑːmpəlz ɪn ˈækʃən əkˈseləreɪts ˈsəʊʃəl ˈlɜːnɪŋ ənd helps ˈʧɪldrən fɔːm strɒŋ ˈeθɪkəl faʊnˈdeɪʃənz/

Are there any differences between today＇s famous people and those of the past?

To be honest, I suppose celebrities of earlier eras maintained a carefully crafted public persona—image managers would shield them from controversy, and press coverage was tightly controlled. Nowadays, fans expect more “behind-the-scenes” glimpses, and influencers often share their daily routines or personal struggles to appear authentic. That shift means modern famous figures can connect more intimately with audiences, but it also exposes them to harsher scrutiny and relentless trolling. So, basically, while past stars were distant icons, today’s celebrities must balance authenticity with brand maintenance to keep their fanbase engaged.

To be honest, I suppose celebrities of earlier eras maintained a carefully crafted public persona—image managers would shield them from controversy, and press coverage was tightly controlled.
/tə biː ˈɒnɪst aɪ səˈpəʊz səˈlebrətiz əv ˈɜːliə ˈɪərəz meɪnˈteɪnd ə ˈkeəfəli ˈkrɑːftɪd ˈpʌblɪk pəˈsəʊnə ˈɪmɪdʒ ˈmænɪdʒəz wʊd ʃiːld ðəm frəm ˈkɒntrəvɜːsi ənd pres ˈkʌvərɪdʒ wəz ˈtaɪtli kənˈtrəʊld/

Nowadays, fans expect more “behind-the-scenes” glimpses, and influencers often share their daily routines or personal struggles to appear authentic.
/ˈnaʊədeɪz fænz ɪkˈspekt mɔː bɪˈhaɪnd ðə siːnz ˈɡlɪmpsɪz ənd ˈɪnflʊənsəz ˈɒfən ʃeə ðeə ˈdeɪli ruːˈtiːnz ɔː ˈpɜːsənəl ˈstrʌɡəlz tə əˈpɪə ɔːˈθentɪk/

That shift means modern famous figures can connect more intimately with audiences, but it also exposes them to harsher scrutiny and relentless trolling.
/ðæt ʃɪft miːnz ˈmɒdən ˈfeɪməs ˈfɪɡəz kæn kəˈnekt mɔː ˈɪntɪmətli wɪð ˈɔːdiənsɪz bʌt ɪt ˈɔːlsəʊ ɪkˈspəʊzɪz ðəm tə ˈhɑːʃə ˈskruːtəni ənd rɪˈlentləs ˈtrəʊlɪŋ/

So, basically, while past stars were distant icons, today’s celebrities must balance authenticity with brand maintenance to keep their fanbase engaged.
/səʊ ˈbeɪsɪkli waɪl pɑːst stɑːz wɜː ˈdɪstənt ˈaɪkɒnz təˈdeɪz səˈlebrətiz mʌst ˈbæləns ˌɔːθenˈtɪsəti wɪð brænd ˈmeɪntənəns tə kiːp ðeə ˈfænbeɪs ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/

What qualities do famous people have?

To be honest, unwavering perseverance is another hallmark of many high-profile figures. Whether it’s an actor enduring years of auditions or an athlete recovering from injury, famous individuals typically show grit in the face of setbacks. I mean, success rarely comes overnight; it’s often the product of countless late nights and relentless practice. In other words, their strong work ethic—combined with the ability to bounce back from failure—signals to fans that greatness demands both talent and tenacity.

To be honest, unwavering perseverance is another hallmark of many high-profile figures.
/tə biː ˈɒnɪst ʌnˈweɪvərɪŋ ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns ɪz əˈnʌðə ˈhɔːlmɑːk əv ˈmeni ˌhaɪ ˈprəʊfaɪl ˈfɪɡjəz/

Whether it’s an actor enduring years of auditions or an athlete recovering from injury, famous individuals typically show grit in the face of setbacks.
/ˈweðə ɪts ən ˈæktə ɪnˈdjʊərɪŋ jɪəz əv ɔːˈdɪʃənz ɔː ən ˈæθliːt rɪˈkʌvərɪŋ frəm ˈɪnʤəri ˈfeɪməs ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlz ˈtɪpɪkli ʃəʊ ɡrɪt ɪn ðə feɪs əv ˈsetbæks/

I mean, success rarely comes overnight; it’s often the product of countless late nights and relentless practice.
/aɪ miːn səkˈses ˈreəli kʌmz ˌəʊvəˈnaɪt ɪts ˈɒfən ðə ˈprɒdʌkt əv ˈkaʊntləs leɪt naɪts ənd rɪˈlentləs ˈpræktɪs/

In other words, their strong work ethic—combined with the ability to bounce back from failure—signals to fans that greatness demands both talent and tenacity.
/ɪn ˈʌðə wɜːdz ðeə strɒŋ wɜːk ˈeθɪk kəmˈbaɪnd wɪð ðə əˈbɪləti tə baʊns bæk frəm ˈfeɪljə ˈsɪɡnəlz tə fænz ðæt ˈɡreɪtnəs dɪˈmɑːndz bəʊθ ˈtælənt ənd təˈnæsəti/

What kinds of people are likely to become famous?

Do people tend to choose the best people as their role models?