Summarizing a Text, Practice Makes Perfect - #1-5

PRACTICE #1 -- Finish the sentences using the text. You MAY use the ideas written within brackets [ ], but this is NOT necessary to complete the exercises.

TEXT: I was reminded of the importance of deliberate practice by a fascinating new book, Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning. Its author is Gary Marcus, a cognitive psychologist at New York University who studies how the brain acquires language. Marcus is also a wannabe guitarist who set out on a quest to learn to play at age 38. In Guitar Zero he takes us along for the ride, exploring the relevant research from neuroscience, cognitive science and psychology along the way. One of his main themes is the importance of doing practice right.

Complete the following sentences by adapting the text above:

a) In his book "Guitar Zero" the cognitive psychologist Gary Marcus…

….who is also a …

..studies how the brain acquires language…

b) Gary Marcus, a cognitive psychologist and wannabe guitarist, …

wrote a book about…

wrote a book that relates to

…

explores in his book…

c) A main theme of "Guitar Zero", a book by…. [who is…] , [explores the theme of…]

… a book by Gary Marcus, who is a…

….explores the theme of…

d) Gary Marcus, a cognitive psychologist, explores… [in his book…]

…in his book Guitar Zero, explores relevant research from…

PRACTICE #2 -- Finish the sentences using the text.

TEXT: I was reminded of the importance of deliberate practice by a fascinating new book, Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning. Its author is Gary Marcus, a cognitive psychologist at New York University who studies how the brain acquires language. Marcus is also a wannabe guitarist who set out on a quest to learn to play at age 38. In Guitar Zero he takes us along for the ride, exploring the relevant research from neuroscience, cognitive science and psychology along the way. One of his main themes is the importance of doing practice right.

Complete the following sentences by adapting the text above:

a) "Guitar Zero" …

b) Gary Marcus …

c) A cognitive psychologist…

d) The important of doing practice "right"…

PRACTICE #3 -- Finish the sentences using the text. You MAY use the ideas written within brackets [ ], but this is NOT necessary to complete the exercises.

TEXT “Hundreds of thousands of people took music lessons when they were young and remember little or nothing,” Gary Marcus, a cognitive psychologist points out, thus proving wrong the idea that learning an instrument is easiest when you’re a kid. The important thing is that one must perform what is called deliberate practice which involves a constant process of self-evaluation, of focusing on one’s weaknesses, rather than simply fooling around and playing to one’s strengths. Studies show that practice aimed at correcting weaknesses is a better predictor of expertise than raw number of hours. Which is to say that playing for fun and repeating what you already know may not necessarily bring your playing to a new level.

Complete the following sentences by adapting the text above:

a) Gary Marcus, a cognitive psychologist, points out that although hundreds of thousands of… [as adults many of them…]

b) Gary Marcus suggests that the idea that… [is…] [because, although many people...]

c) "Deliberate practice", as described by psychologist Gary Marcus,…

d) To become good at something one cannot simply… [but rather must…]

PRACTICE #4 -- Finish the sentences using the text. You MAY use the ideas written within brackets [ ], but this is NOT necessary to complete the exercises

TEXT So how does deliberate practice work? Anders Ericsson, a behavioral psychologist, makes it clear that daily practice is not enough. Nor are long hours of practice are enough. “Deliberate practice,” Ericsson declares, “requires effort and is not inherently enjoyable.” Having given us fair warning, he reveals the secret of deliberate practice: relentlessly focusing on our weaknesses and inventing new ways to root them out. Results are carefully monitored, ideally with the help of a coach or teacher.

Complete the following sentences by adapting the text above

a) To become skilled at something Anders Ericsson, a psychologist, believes that neither… [nor…]

b) Anders Ericsson, a psychologist, says that deliberate practice requires that we...

c) The secret of deliberate practice is to… [as well as to…]

d) If a person does not… [then he will not…]

PRACTICE #5 -- Finish the sentences using the text. You MAY use the ideas written within brackets [ ], but this is NOT necessary to complete the exercises

TEXT The key element of deliberate practice sounds simple, even obvious, but it’s something most of us avoid. If we play the piano or golf or speak French or play the guitar, it’s because we like it. And in the process we’ve often achieved a level of competency that makes us feel good about ourselves. But what many of us don’t do is intentionally look for ways that we’re failing and then work at those flaws until they’re gone, and then search yet again for more ways we’re messing up. But almost two decades of research shows that’s exactly what distinguishes the merely good from the great.

Complete the following sentences by adapting the text above

a) The key element of deliberate practice involves intentionally looking for… [and…]

b) Many of us do something because it makes us feel good about ourselves. However, to achieve a higher level of skill we must…

c) Many of us avoid "deliberate practice" at something because we have…

[and we don't want to…]

d) Research shows that to become better than "merely good" one must…