Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- milestone /MAHYL-stohn/
- reflection /ri-FLEK-shuhn/
- outdated /out-DEY-tid/
- prototype /PROH-tuh-tahyp/
- commitment /kuh-MIT-muhnt/
[noun] – a significant event or point in development
The team’s victory was a major milestone in their sports career.
[noun] – the act of thinking deeply about something; consideration
After the meeting, I took a moment for reflection on the new ideas presented.
[adjective] – no longer in use or no longer useful because of being old-fashioned or out of date
The old computer system is outdated and needs to be replaced.
[noun] – an original model on which something is patterned or based
The engineers created a prototype of the new phone to test its features.
[noun] – the state of being dedicated or devoted to a cause or activity
Her commitment to the project was evident in the long hours she worked.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On April 4, 2025, Microsoft celebrated its 50th anniversary. This milestone marked a reflection on the early beginnings of the company, which started with a small but significant piece of computer code written by Bill Gates 50 years ago. The code, which may seem outdated today, was a crucial step in the creation of Microsoft. Bill Gates and his friend Paul Allen were inspired by an article about the Altair 8800 minicomputer and decided to develop software for it. In 1975, while Gates was a freshman at Harvard, the duo contacted the Altair’s manufacturer, Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems, claiming they had the software needed to operate the computer. At the time, they had not yet written the code but were determined to deliver on their promise.
After two months of hard work, Gates successfully completed the code using the BASIC programming language, developed at Dartmouth College in 1964. Although the pair did not have a prototype of the Altair, their commitment and dedication led to the creation of the first operating system for the Altair. This success became the foundation of what would grow into a multi-trillion-dollar company. The code not only marked the beginning of Microsoft but also signaled the start of a revolution in personal computing. The company went on to develop products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows, which changed the way people interacted with computers. With Microsoft now worth $2.8 trillion and under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Gates reflected on the incredible journey of the company, calling it “crazy that the dream came true.”
After two months of hard work, Gates successfully completed the code using the BASIC programming language, developed at Dartmouth College in 1964. Although the pair did not have a prototype of the Altair, their commitment and dedication led to the creation of the first operating system for the Altair. This success became the foundation of what would grow into a multi-trillion-dollar company. The code not only marked the beginning of Microsoft but also signaled the start of a revolution in personal computing. The company went on to develop products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows, which changed the way people interacted with computers. With Microsoft now worth $2.8 trillion and under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Gates reflected on the incredible journey of the company, calling it “crazy that the dream came true.”
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever reached a personal milestone in your life? If so, what was it, and how did you feel? If not, what milestone do you hope to reach in the future?
- Have you ever had to adapt to an outdated technology or system? If so, how did you manage the situation? What would you have done differently if you had more time or resources? If not, how would you handle the situation if you were in that position?
- Do you agree that technological advances quickly make older systems outdated?
- How important do you think it is to have a prototype before starting mass production of a product? What could happen if a prototype is not made?
- Do you think people today are less committed to long-term projects than in the past? What could be some reasons for this change?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- beginning
- article
- operate
- product
- incredible