[Paragraph Questions and Answers
1. What do you learn about Stephen Hawking’s childhood and education?
Stephen Hawking was born on 8 January 1942 in Oxford. His parents were not wealthy, but they valued education. He was not a child prodigy and remained only halfway up in his class. At eight, he began thinking about becoming a scientist. Though his father wanted him to study medicine, Hawking preferred mathematics and physics because he wanted exact answers. In 1959, he joined University College, Oxford, to study natural science and specialise in physics.
2. Describe Hawking’s life at Oxford and his admission to Cambridge.
Hawking initially felt lonely and bored at Oxford. Later, he became popular among his classmates, who found him lively, cheerful, adaptable and witty. He applied for doctoral research at Cambridge, but his admission depended on obtaining a First from Oxford. His result was between a First and a Second. During the interview, he cleverly said that a First would take him to Cambridge, while a Second would keep him at Oxford. The examiners awarded him a First, and he went to Cambridge.
3. How did Hawking respond to the diagnosis of ALS?
Shortly after his twenty-first birthday, Hawking was diagnosed with ALS, an incurable disease that gradually destroys nerve cells. Doctors told him that he might have only two years to live. At first, the diagnosis pushed him into deep depression. However, dreams about death made him realise that many worthwhile things remained to be done. When the disease progressed more slowly than expected, he began to enjoy the present and understood that life was precious.
4. How did Jane Wilde influence Stephen Hawking’s life?
Jane Wilde was optimistic, serious-minded and deeply religious. She believed that good could emerge from any adversity. When she met Hawking after his discharge from the hospital, he had almost lost his will to live. Jane was not discouraged by his condition. Her friendship and positive attitude restored his hope. They believed that together they could build something worthwhile. Hawking received a fellowship at Caius College in 1965, and he and Jane married in the same year.
5. How did Hawking overcome the loss of his voice and complete A Brief History of Time?
Hawking developed pneumonia during a visit to Switzerland. A tracheotomy saved his life but permanently removed his ability to speak. Walt Woltosz, a computer expert, sent him a programme called the Equalizer, which allowed him to select words from a computer screen. With this technology and the assistance of his student Brian Whitt, Hawking completed A Brief History of Time. Published in 1988, the book made complex ideas about the universe understandable to ordinary readers.]
1. What do you learn about Stephen Hawking’s childhood and education?
Stephen Hawking was born on 8 January 1942 in Oxford. His parents were not wealthy, but they valued education. He was not a child prodigy and remained only halfway up in his class. At eight, he began thinking about becoming a scientist. Though his father wanted him to study medicine, Hawking preferred mathematics and physics because he wanted exact answers. In 1959, he joined University College, Oxford, to study natural science and specialise in physics.
2. Describe Hawking’s life at Oxford and his admission to Cambridge.
Hawking initially felt lonely and bored at Oxford. Later, he became popular among his classmates, who found him lively, cheerful, adaptable and witty. He applied for doctoral research at Cambridge, but his admission depended on obtaining a First from Oxford. His result was between a First and a Second. During the interview, he cleverly said that a First would take him to Cambridge, while a Second would keep him at Oxford. The examiners awarded him a First, and he went to Cambridge.
3. How did Hawking respond to the diagnosis of ALS?
Shortly after his twenty-first birthday, Hawking was diagnosed with ALS, an incurable disease that gradually destroys nerve cells. Doctors told him that he might have only two years to live. At first, the diagnosis pushed him into deep depression. However, dreams about death made him realise that many worthwhile things remained to be done. When the disease progressed more slowly than expected, he began to enjoy the present and understood that life was precious.
4. How did Jane Wilde influence Stephen Hawking’s life?
Jane Wilde was optimistic, serious-minded and deeply religious. She believed that good could emerge from any adversity. When she met Hawking after his discharge from the hospital, he had almost lost his will to live. Jane was not discouraged by his condition. Her friendship and positive attitude restored his hope. They believed that together they could build something worthwhile. Hawking received a fellowship at Caius College in 1965, and he and Jane married in the same year.
5. How did Hawking overcome the loss of his voice and complete A Brief History of Time?
Hawking developed pneumonia during a visit to Switzerland. A tracheotomy saved his life but permanently removed his ability to speak. Walt Woltosz, a computer expert, sent him a programme called the Equalizer, which allowed him to select words from a computer screen. With this technology and the assistance of his student Brian Whitt, Hawking completed A Brief History of Time. Published in 1988, the book made complex ideas about the universe understandable to ordinary readers.]
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