Is money the best measure of success? After a challenging childhood and failed football career, Dean Forbes has been placed top of a Powerlist of influential Black Britons.
The millionaire who was homeless twice
Passing on the wealth: Forbes says his children have "never had to deal with anything I had to deal with" due to his earnings. Comprehension quiz
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The word “underprivileged” in this context means:
A: Lacking the rights and advantages of other people.
B: Having no talent or special skills.
C: Being lazy and unwilling to work.
D: Feeling disappointed after a rejection.
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Which word is the closest synonym for “resilient”?
A: Fortunate
B: Determined
C: Wealthy
D: Tough
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According to the article, which two of the following were challenges Dean Forbes faced as a young man?
A: He failed to get any GCSEs.
B: He was in debt for a large sum of money.
C: He was involved with a criminal gang.
D: His mother suffered from an illness.
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What does Dean Forbes want to impress upon people from communities like the one he grew up in?
A: That sport is the best route to success.
B: That getting into debt is a bad idea.
C: That business can be a path to wealth.
D: That you should always work in a call centre.
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In your own words, summarise what Dean Forbes believes helped him to become so successful.
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In your own words, what do you think is the main purpose of this article?
Answers
Tap to reveal
1. A 2. D 3. B and D 4. C 5. He says that he has been lucky and helped by others, but he has also worked very hard. He learned to be resilient from his early disappointments, which taught him not to dwell on bad luck and to see work as a privilege. 6. Similar to: "To tell an inspirational story about overcoming hardship to achieve success."
1. A 2. D 3. B and D 4. C 5. He says that he has been lucky and helped by others, but he has also worked very hard. He learned to be resilient from his early disappointments, which taught him not to dwell on bad luck and to see work as a privilege. 6. Similar to: "To tell an inspirational story about overcoming hardship to achieve success."
Glossary
Rio Ferdinand - A former England football player, known for being one of England's "greatest ever defenders".
Telecom - Short for telecommunications — the sending of information over long distances using cables or other technology.
Guyanese - From Guyana, a country on the northern coast of South America. Guyana is ethnically diverse, with substantial populations of Indian and African heritage, in part due to the legacy of colonialism.
Muscular dystrophy - A rare genetic condition that causes the muscles to become weaker over time.
GCSEs - National exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Leukaemia - Cancer of the white blood cells.