I. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
The Role of Failure in Success
In a world obsessed with achievement, failure is often seen as something to be avoided at all costs. Report cards, résumés, and social media profiles highlight only the wins, rarely acknowledging the missteps that came before them. Yet, many of history’s most influential figures—from Thomas Edison to J.K. Rowling—have attributed their success not to a lack of failure, but to their persistence through it. In truth, failure plays a far more crucial role in growth than success alone ever could.
Psychologically, failure provides a powerful opportunity for learning. When something doesn’t work, the mind is prompted to analyze, adjust, and try again. This process builds resilience and adaptability—skills that are essential not just in careers, but in life. Without the experience of failure, people may never develop the humility, patience, and critical thinking necessary to navigate complex challenges.
However, society often sends conflicting messages. On one hand, failure is praised in motivational speeches and business books. On the other, academic and corporate systems frequently punish it harshly, equating mistakes with incompetence. This contradiction leads many to hide their failures rather than learn from them, ultimately slowing their progress. Reframing failure as a necessary part of mastery, rather than a shameful setback, requires a cultural shift as well as personal courage.
Of course, not all failures are equally instructive. Repeating the same mistakes without reflection is hardly productive. But when failure is met with honest evaluation and intentional effort to improve, it becomes a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. Ironically, those who embrace failure with an open mind are often the ones who succeed the most—not because they failed less, but because they learned more.
