University appoints world's youngest professor

Alia Sabur has astonished her parents and teachers for years with her exploits inside and outside the classroom. Now, the New Yorker has been named the world's youngest college professor ever, breaking a record set three centuries ago by a Scottish mathematician. Korea's Konkuk University has announced that Ms Sabur, 19, will begin teaching physics next month at the Department of Advanced Technology Fusion. The appointment, which was made a few days short of her 19th birthday on 22 February, earns the doctoral student a place in the Guinness Book of World Records ahead of Colin Maclaurin, a physicist who became professor of mathematics at the University of Aberdeen in 1717.

Few who know her were surprised at the announcement. University graduate at 10, bachelor's degree at 14, masters at 17; Ms Sabur has been "setting records and making history, starting with reading at eight months old", says her website (aliasabur.com). Along the way, she found time to become a concert clarinettist with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra when she was 11. She plays Mozart, but loves U2. "I went to their Vertigo concert," she says on the phone from New York. "It was awesome."

Ms Sabur, a PhD candidate in materials science and engineering, is developing spectroscopy techniques "including nano-tube-based cellular probes" that could be used to zap tumours – a cure for cancer, in other words. At university in the US, she worked with her professor on a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

What's her secret? Childlike curiosity, she says. She thanks God, and her mum and dad – a retired engineer and a cable television reporter – for her genius. "My parents encouraged me in anything I wanted to do. We believe it is a gift from God... a combination of gift and environment." The Guinness announcement has sparked a deluge of e-mails from curious parents. "They want advice for their kids. I say encourage them at what they're good at."

Question 1 [2 points]Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Alia was 18 when the Konkuk University made her a professor.
b) Alia was not impressed by U2’s concert.
c) Alia will be working on a project to cure Alzheimer’s Disease.
d) The Sabur family have received a lot of messages from other families.

Question 2 [2 points]Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) Who was the youngest university professor before Alia?
b) How does Alia explain her success?

Question 3 [1.5 points]Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) achievements (paragraph 1)
b) destroy (paragraph 3)
c) to cause a reaction (paragraph 4)

Question 4(1.5 points]Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Few people who knew Alia were surprised at the announcement.
The announcement ……………...............……… very many people who knew Alia.
b) “My parents encouraged me in anything I wanted to do. We believe it is a gift from God,” said Alia.
Alia said that ………...................... and that ……..................................…. .
c) Scottish mathematician Colin Maclaurin set the record of the world’s youngest professor three centuries ago.
Scottish mathematician Colin Maclaurin has been ………………......................…………… centuries.

Question 5[2 points]‘If you want to be successful, you have to work hard.’ Comment. Write 120 – 150 words.