copyright © 25Hoon English 版權所有
Unit 35 :
“Opportunity knocks only once”
Pre-advanced
Objective
To be able to know more about idioms and expressions.
Vocabulary
Read and know the meaning of the words used in the article.
1. opportunity /ˌɑː.pɚˈtuː.nə.t̬i/
an occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do, or the possibility of doing something
Everyone will have an opportunity to comment.
2. adorn/əˈdɔːrn/
to add something decorative to a person or thing
The bride’s hair was adorned with white flowers.
3. courtier /ˈkɔːr.t̬i.ɚ/
a companion of a queen, king, or other ruler in their official home, especially in the past
Many of the courtiers were strongly wedded to traditional ways of doing things.
4. defeat /dɪˈfiːt/
to win against someone in a fight, war, or competition
Napoleon was defeated by the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo.
Quick Reading
Read the short passage.
We must make the best use of an opportunity when it comes our way. We may not get a second chance.
So we have to be alert and identify an opportunity, grasp it as it comes along and make the best use of it.
When there are hundreds of people looking for the same opportunity, we have to be intelligent enough to realize its value and act accordingly.
Raman was famous in Tenali for his wit and humour. But he wanted to become very rich and become a Minister in the court of King Krishnadevaraya. He heard that the King’s Chief Rajguru Thathachariar was visiting a nearby town.
Raman went and met him with a set of poems that he had written. The Chief Minister was very impressed and told Raman that he should one day adorn the court of the King. Ramann returned home feeling elated.
Weeks passed and there was no news from Rajguru. Raman decided to go and visit Rajguru. When Rajguru saw him he was surprised that Raman had taken his words so seriously and chased him away.
But Raman was not one to give up. He was just waiting for an opportunity to prove his worth to the King.
The next day Raman was present at the court where a famous magician was entertaining the King and his courtiers. At the end of the show the magician challenged anyone present in the court to come and defeat him.
The King was ashamed as no one came forward including Rajguru. Just then Raman stood up and declared that he could challenge the magician. The King promised Raman a bag of gold if he won the challenge.
Raman then proceeded to whisper something to the guard who went out and soon came back and handed over a bag to Raman. Raman told the magician, “I am now going to do a trick with my eyes closed. But you must do the same trick with your eyes open.” The magician agreed without a second thought.
Raman at once took a handful of sand that was in the bag and put it over his
closed eyes. The magician immediately accepted defeat since he knew he could not put sand inside his eyes.
The King was very happy with Raman and gave him a bag of gold and appointed him as one of his ministers then and there. Thus Raman utilized the opportunity that came his way and made good use of it.
Discussion
Answer the questions with your teacher.
- Do you believe in the proverb ” opportunity knocks only once”?
- Have you tried loosing an opportunity? How was your feeling?
- How do you use the opportunity in a best way?
- Did you experience being defeated by someone?
