Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What does a 50th anniversary represent?
- Why is it significant when a company celebrates a milestone like a 50th anniversary?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- crucial /KROO-shuhl/
- confident /KON-fi-duhnt/
- deliver /dih-LIV-er/
- leadership /LEE-der-ship/
- dedication /ded-i-KEY-shuhn/
[adjective] – extremely important or necessary
The teacher said the homework was crucial for passing the exam.
[adjective] – feeling sure about your abilities or qualities
She was confident she could finish the test in time.
[verb] – to successfully provide or complete something
The team was confident they could deliver the project on time, despite the tight deadline.
[noun ] – the ability to lead a group of people or an organization
The manager showed great leadership during the project.
[noun] – the quality of being committed to a task or purpose
He showed dedication to his job by working extra hours.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On April 4, 2025, Microsoft celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the history of technology. The company was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who started with a small but important piece of computer code. This code, created in 1975, was crucial for the development of Microsoft. Bill Gates and Paul Allen were inspired by an article about the Altair 8800 minicomputer, which led them to offer software to the Altair’s manufacturer, Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems. At the time, they had not yet written the code but were confident they could deliver.
After two months of hard work, Bill Gates completed the code using the BASIC programming language. This was a turning point, as it became the first operating system for the Altair and the foundation of Microsoft. Over the years, the company grew and developed products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows, which changed how people used computers. Microsoft’s success also helped shape the personal computing revolution. Today, under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Microsoft is worth $2.8 trillion. Reflecting on the company’s journey, Bill Gates described it as “crazy that the dream came true.” This anniversary highlights the importance of dedication and innovation in shaping the future.
After two months of hard work, Bill Gates completed the code using the BASIC programming language. This was a turning point, as it became the first operating system for the Altair and the foundation of Microsoft. Over the years, the company grew and developed products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows, which changed how people used computers. Microsoft’s success also helped shape the personal computing revolution. Today, under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Microsoft is worth $2.8 trillion. Reflecting on the company’s journey, Bill Gates described it as “crazy that the dream came true.” This anniversary highlights the importance of dedication and innovation in shaping the future.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- When was Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebrated?
- Who founded Microsoft?
- How long did it take Bill Gates to complete the code?
- What inspired Bill Gates and Paul Allen to offer software for the Altair 8800?
- What programming language did Bill Gates use to complete the code?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever worked hard for something you believed in? If so, what was the result of your hard work? If not, what do you think might stop you from working hard for something?
- Have you ever been part of a big celebration? If so, what was the most memorable part of the celebration? If not, what type of celebration would you like to be part of?
- Do you agree that hard work is necessary to achieve success?
- How does dedication help a company achieve its goals?
- Why do you think Microsoft became so successful?