Walt Disney: An Example of Struggle & Success | Unit 16.1 | English

A. Use the correct words/phrases

(domineering, solace, apprentice, bankrupt, plotting, afloat, mounting, harness, perseverance, colossal)

1. Kisan had to sell his house to keep his business afloat.
   b. He was accused of plotting the robbery of the bank.
   c. Scientists are trying to harness the sun’s rays as a new source of energy.
   d. Many companies went bankrupt during the economic depression.
   e. Courage and perseverance are the keys to success in life.
   f. The government had mounting pressure from the public to withdraw the bill.
   g. After his graduation, he worked as an apprentice electrician in a company.
   h. The government spent a colossal amount of money on the renovation of the historical buildings.
   i. Kathy was brought up by an unkind domineering stepmother.
   j. Patrick took solace in the company of his mates.

B. Phrases/Idioms — Meanings & Sentences

1. make ends meet – to earn just enough money to live
   👉 Many families are struggling to make ends meet these days.
2. silver lining – a positive aspect in a difficult situation
   👉 Losing the job was hard, but the silver lining was that he started his own business.
3. nervous breakdown – a serious mental health crisis
   👉 After months of pressure, she suffered a nervous breakdown.
4. kick in the teeth – something very disappointing or upsetting
   👉 Not getting the promotion was a real kick in the teeth for him.
5. drop out – to leave school or a course before finishing
   👉 He had to drop out of college due to financial problems.
6. set off – to start a journey
   👉 We set off for Pokhara early in the morning.

C. Chronological Order of Events in Disney’s Life

Correct order:

1. g. Disney left home and went to France to work as an ambulance driver.
2. c. He returned to Chicago and worked as a trainee at an art studio.
3. e. The cartoon company collapsed.
4. d. He created the characters, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse.
5. b. He successfully founded the famous Disneyland.
6. a. He shifted his focus from big screens to television shows.
7. f. Disney suffered severe mental and emotional illness.

D. Answer the Questions

1. How was Walt Disney’s childhood?
   Walt Disney’s childhood was difficult. He grew up in a strict household under a demanding father, which made his early life challenging.
2. Describe Disney’s family background.
   He was born into a large family. His father, Elias Disney, was a strict man who often made Walt and his siblings work hard, while his mother, Flora, was kind and supportive.
3. What did Disney do after his failure in the first business?
   After his first cartoon company failed, he moved to Hollywood with determination to start fresh and began building a new studio with his brother Roy.
4. How was the character of Mickey Mouse created?
   Mickey Mouse was created after Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. During a train journey, he sketched the idea for Mickey, who soon became a global icon.
5. Why did Disney have a mental breakdown?
   He suffered a mental breakdown because of constant work pressure, financial stress, and the betrayal by his business partners, which overwhelmed him emotionally.
6. Which of his films were commercially useless?
   Some of his early films did not do well commercially, and certain ambitious projects initially failed to make profits.
7. Which films produced him great financial returns?
   Films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and The Lion King brought him great financial success and helped his company grow.
8. Why do you think the opening of Disneyland was called ‘Black Sunday’?
   The opening day of Disneyland was called ‘Black Sunday’ because of multiple problems like overcrowding, fake tickets, plumbing failures, and technical glitches.
9. What special quality of Disney made him finally a successful entrepreneur?
   His perseverance, creativity, and ability to turn setbacks into opportunities made him a successful entrepreneur.
10. What lesson do you learn from Disney’s life?
    His life teaches us to never give up in the face of failure, to keep dreaming big, and to work hard with patience and vision.

E. Personal Inspiration

(Example Answer — you can replace with your own story.)

My Inspiration: My Grandfather
My grandfather has always inspired me. He grew up in a small village with very limited resources. Through hard work and honesty, he became a respected teacher. He faced many hardships but never gave up on education. His dedication and values motivate me to work hard and stay humble.

Pronunciation Table

Speaking — Congratulating

4. “Congratulations! You got a GPA of 4.0. You really deserve this success.”
   b. “That’s wonderful news! Congratulations on the arrival of your baby girl.”
   c. “My warmest congratulations to you on your new job.”
   d. “Well done! You’ve been promoted. I’m so proud of you.”
   e. “Congratulations on your graduation! You did it.”
   f. “I commend you on your success. Winning that trophy is a big achievement.”

Grammar I

A. Choose the correct prepositions:

1. ii. between
   b. iv. from
   c. ii. by
   d. ii. in
   e. iv. for
   f. i. under
   g. i. on
   h. ii. in
   i. i. of
   j. ii. into

B. Complete with in, on, or at:

20. at 100 degrees Celsius.
    b. went on a trip.
    c. sit in the dark.
    d. married at the young age of 20.
    e. developed at a great pace.
    f. In my opinion.
    g. news on the radio.
    h. not at home at the moment

Writing I

A. Message of Congratulations (School Notice Board)

Regent Residential School
Message of Congratulations
We are proud and delighted to announce that our school football team has won the title of the Inter-School Football Tournament, organised by the District Sports Development Committee. The team’s hard work and dedication have brought home the trophy and cash prizes. Congratulations to all the players and best wishes for continued success.

— School Administration

B. Letter of Congratulations

[Your Address]
[Date]

Dear Maternal Uncle,

I am very happy to hear about your promotion to the post of Inspector of Nepal Police. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved achievement. Your hard work, discipline, and dedication have brought you this success.

I wish you continued progress and success in your new role. May you inspire others through your service and leadership.

With warm regards,
[Your Name]