Speaking Dec 1

Describe an intelligent person you know.

The intelligent person I’d like to talk about is my undergraduate quantum mechanics professor, Professor Li. I first met him in my second year at university, and since then he has supervised one of my small research projects in condensed matter physics.

What strikes me is that his intelligence is not only about a high IQ or solving equations quickly. He has an exceptional ability to distil very abstract ideas into simple, concrete pictures. For example, when he explained the uncertainty principle, he did not just write down the formula; he used everyday analogies and even short stories so that the whole class could internalise the concept.

Outside the classroom, he runs a research group, and he reads widely in mathematics, computer science and even philosophy, so he can always connect one topic with another. I remember asking a rather naive question after class, and he paused for a second and said, “That’s actually a question about how we construct models of reality,” and then gave a really systematic explanation.

At the end of the day, I think he is intelligent because he combines deep theoretical understanding with clear communication and intellectual humility. He is always willing to say “we don’t know yet”, which, to me, shows a very mature kind of intelligence.

The intelligent person I’d like to talk about is my undergraduate quantum mechanics professor, Professor Li.
/ðiː ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt ˈpɜː.sən aɪd laɪk tuː tɔːk əˈbaʊt ɪz maɪ ˌʌn.dəˈɡrædʒ.u.ət ˈkwɒn.təm məˈkæn.ɪks prəˈfes.ə prəˈfes.ə liː/

I first met him in my second year at university, and since then he has supervised one of my small research projects in condensed matter physics.
/aɪ fɜːst met hɪm ɪn maɪ ˈsek.ənd jɪə æt ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.sə.ti ænd sɪns ðen hiː hæz ˈsuː.pə.vaɪzd wʌn ɒv maɪ smɔːl rɪˈsɜːtʃ ˈprɒdʒ.ekts ɪn kənˈdenst ˈmæt.ə ˈfɪz.ɪks/

What strikes me is that his intelligence is not only about a high IQ or solving equations quickly.
/wɒt straɪks miː ɪz ðæt hɪz ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns ɪz nɒt ˈəʊn.li əˈbaʊt eɪ haɪ ˌaɪˈkjuː ɔː ˈsɒlv.ɪŋ ɪˈkweɪ.ʃənz ˈkwɪk.li/

He has an exceptional ability to distil very abstract ideas into simple, concrete pictures.
/hiː hæz æn ɪkˈsep.ʃən.əl əˈbɪl.ə.ti tuː dɪˈstɪl ˈver.i ˈæb.strækt aɪˈdɪəz ˈɪn.tuː ˈsɪm.pəl ˈkɒŋ.kriːt ˈpɪk.tʃəz/

For example, when he explained the uncertainty principle, he did not just write down the formula; he used everyday analogies and even short stories so that the whole class could internalise the concept.
/fɔːr ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl wen hiː ɪkˈspleɪnd ðiː ʌnˈsɜː.tən.ti ˈprɪn.sə.pəl hiː dɪd nɒt dʒʌst raɪt daʊn ðiː ˈfɔː.mjʊ.lə hiː juːzd ˈev.ri.deɪ əˈnæl.ə.dʒiz ænd ˈiː.vən ʃɔːt ˈstɔː.riz səʊ ðæt ðiː həʊl klɑːs kʊd ɪnˈtɜː.nəl.aɪz ðiː ˈkɒn.sept/

Outside the classroom, he runs a research group, and he reads widely in mathematics, computer science and even philosophy, so he can always connect one topic with another.
/ˌaʊtˈsaɪd ðiː ˈklɑːs.ruːm hiː rʌnz eɪ rɪˈsɜːtʃ ɡruːp ænd hiː riːdz ˈwaɪd.li ɪn ˌmæθˈmæt.ɪks kəmˈpjuː.tə ˈsaɪ.əns ænd ˈiː.vən fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi səʊ hiː kæn ˈɔːl.weɪz kəˈnekt wʌn ˈtɒp.ɪk wɪð əˈnʌð.ə/

I remember asking a rather naive question after class, and he paused for a second and said, “That’s actually a question about how we construct models of reality,” and then gave a really systematic explanation.
/aɪ rɪˈmem.bə ˈɑːsk.ɪŋ eɪ ˈrɑː.ðə naɪˈiːv ˈkwes.tʃən ˈɑːf.tə klɑːs ænd hiː pɔːzd fɔːr eɪ ˈsek.ənd ænd sed ðæts ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li eɪ ˈkwes.tʃən əˈbaʊt haʊ wiː kənˈstrʌkt ˈmɒd.əlz ɒv riˈæl.ə.ti ænd ðen ɡeɪv eɪ ˈrɪə.li ˌsɪs.təˈmæt.ɪk ˌek.spləˈneɪ.ʃən/

At the end of the day, I think he is intelligent because he combines deep theoretical understanding with clear communication and intellectual humility.
/æt ðiː end ɒv ðiː deɪ aɪ θɪŋk hiː ɪz ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt bɪˈkɒz hiː kəmˈbaɪnz diːp ˌθɪəˈret.ɪ.kəl ˌʌn.dəˈstæn.dɪŋ wɪð klɪə kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən ænd ˌɪn.təlˈek.tʃu.əl hjuːˈmɪl.ə.ti/

He is always willing to say “we don’t know yet”, which, to me, shows a very mature kind of intelligence.
/hiː ɪz ˈɔːl.weɪz ˈwɪl.ɪŋ tuː seɪ wiː dəʊnt nəʊ jet wɪtʃ tuː miː ʃəʊz eɪ ˈver.i məˈtʃʊə kaɪnd ɒv ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/

part3

Would you say you are intelligent or hard-working?

To be honest, I would describe myself as more hard-working than naturally intelligent. I mean, in physics you do need a certain level of analytical ability, but most of my progress has come from perseverance and sustained effort rather than instant insight. At university, some classmates could finish a problem set in one evening, whereas I usually had to go through several drafts, check every step carefully, and even re-watch the lectures.

Actually, this habit of systematic revision has shaped my personality: I keep detailed notes, I reflect on my mistakes, and I try to improve my method rather than blame my “talent”. At the end of the day, I think my main strength is diligence and self-discipline, and if that counts as a form of intelligence, then I’m happy to be “intelligent” in that sense.

To be honest, I would describe myself as more hard-working than naturally intelligent. /tuː biː ˈɒn.ɪst aɪ wʊd dɪˈskraɪb maɪˈself æz mɔː ˌhɑːdˈwɜː.kɪŋ ðæn ˈnætʃ.ər.əl.i ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt/

I mean, in physics you do need a certain level of analytical ability, but most of my progress has come from perseverance and sustained effort rather than instant insight. /aɪ miːn ɪn ˈfɪz.ɪks juː duː niːd eɪ ˈsɜː.tən ˈlev.əl ɒv ˌæn.əˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl əˈbɪl.ə.ti bʌt məʊst ɒv maɪ ˈprəʊ.ɡres hæz kʌm frɒm ˌpɜː.sɪˈvɪə.rəns ænd səˈsteɪnd ˈef.ət ˈrɑː.ðə ðæn ˈɪn.stənt ˈɪn.saɪt/

At university, some classmates could finish a problem set in one evening, whereas I usually had to go through several drafts, check every step carefully, and even re-watch the lectures. /æt ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.sə.ti sʌm ˈklɑːs.meɪts kʊd ˈfɪn.ɪʃ eɪ ˈprɒb.ləm set ɪn wʌn ˈiːv.nɪŋ weərˈæz aɪ ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li hæd tuː ɡəʊ θruː ˈsev.ər.əl drɑːfts tʃek ˈev.ri step ˈkeə.fəl.i ænd ˈiː.vən ˌriːˈwɒtʃ ðiː ˈlek.tʃəz/

Actually, this habit of systematic revision has shaped my personality: I keep detailed notes, I reflect on my mistakes, and I try to improve my method rather than blame my “talent”. /ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li ðɪs ˈhæb.ɪt ɒv ˌsɪs.təˈmæt.ɪk rɪˈvɪʒ.ən hæz ʃeɪpt maɪ ˌpɜː.sənˈæl.ə.ti aɪ kiːp ˈdiː.teɪld nəʊts aɪ rɪˈflekt ɒn maɪ mɪˈsteɪks ænd aɪ traɪ tuː ɪmˈpruːv maɪ ˈmeθ.əd ˈrɑː.ðə ðæn bleɪm maɪ ˈtæl.ənt/

At the end of the day, I think my main strength is diligence and self-discipline, and if that counts as a form of intelligence, then I’m happy to be “intelligent” in that sense. /æt ðiː end ɒv ðiː deɪ aɪ θɪŋk maɪ meɪn streŋθ ɪz ˈdɪl.ɪ.dʒəns ænd ˌselfˈdɪs.ə.plɪn ænd ɪf ðæt kaʊnts æz eɪ fɔːm ɒv ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns ðen aɪm ˈhæp.i tuː biː ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt ɪn ðæt sens/

How do people in your country define "intelligent"?

I think in China a lot of people still equate intelligence with academic performance. If a student consistently gets top marks in maths or physics competitions, people will automatically label him or her as “very smart”. In that sense, intelligence is defined quite narrowly as logical reasoning, memory, and test-taking ability, especially in high-stakes exams.

But actually, when people grow older, the definition becomes a bit more sophisticated. In everyday conversation, my parents and their friends often call someone intelligent if he can analyse a problem calmly, make a sensible decision under pressure, and learn new skills quickly. So, it’s not only about IQ; it’s also about sound judgement and adaptability.

At the end of the day, in my country “intelligent” usually means someone who can handle complex tasks efficiently and convert knowledge into tangible achievements, whether that’s getting into a good university or doing well in a demanding job.

I think in China a lot of people still equate intelligence with academic performance. /aɪ θɪŋk ɪn ˈtʃaɪ.nə eɪ lɒt ɒv ˈpiː.pəl stɪl ɪˈkweɪt ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns wɪð ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk pəˈfɔː.məns/

If a student consistently gets top marks in maths or physics competitions, people will automatically label him or her as “very smart”. /ɪf eɪ ˈstjuː.dənt kənˈsɪs.tənt.li ɡets tɒp mɑːks ɪn mæθs ɔː ˈfɪz.ɪks ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ənz ˈpiː.pəl wɪl ˌɔː.təˈmæt.ɪ.kəl.i ˈleɪ.bəl hɪm ɔː hɜːr æz ˈver.i smɑːt/

In that sense, intelligence is defined quite narrowly as logical reasoning, memory, and test-taking ability, especially in high-stakes exams. /ɪn ðæt sens ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns ɪz dɪˈfaɪnd kwaɪt ˈnær.əʊ.li æz ˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈriː.zən.ɪŋ ˈmem.ər.i ænd test ˈteɪ.kɪŋ əˈbɪl.ə.ti ɪˈspeʃ.əl.i ɪn haɪ steɪks ɪɡˈzæmz/

But actually, when people grow older, the definition becomes a bit more sophisticated. /bʌt ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li wen ˈpiː.pəl ɡrəʊ ˈəʊl.dər ðiː ˌdef.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən bɪˈkʌmz eɪ bɪt mɔː səˈfɪs.tɪ.keɪ.tɪd/

In everyday conversation, my parents and their friends often call someone intelligent if he can analyse a problem calmly, make a sensible decision under pressure, and learn new skills quickly. /ɪn ˈev.ri.deɪ ˌkɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃən maɪ ˈpeə.rənts ænd ðeər frendz ˈɒf.ən kɔːl ˈsʌm.wʌn ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt ɪf hiː kæn ˈæn.əl.aɪz eɪ ˈprɒb.ləm ˈkɑːm.li meɪk eɪ ˈsen.sə.bəl dɪˈsɪʒ.ən ˈʌn.dər ˈpreʃ.ər ænd lɜːn njuː skɪlz ˈkwɪk.li/

So, it’s not only about IQ; it’s also about sound judgement and adaptability. /səʊ ɪts nɒt ˈəʊn.li əˈbaʊt ˌaɪˈkjuː ɪts ˈɔːl.səʊ əˈbaʊt saʊnd ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt ænd əˌdæp.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/

At the end of the day, in my country “intelligent” usually means someone who can handle complex tasks efficiently and convert knowledge into tangible achievements, whether that’s getting into a good university or doing well in a demanding job. /æt ðiː end ɒv ðiː deɪ ɪn maɪ ˈkʌn.tri ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li miːnz ˈsʌm.wʌn huː kæn ˈhæn.dəl ˈkɒm.pleks tɑːsks ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt.li ænd kənˈvɜːt ˈnɒl.ɪdʒ ˈtæn.dʒə.bəl əˈtʃiːv.mənts ˈweð.ər ðæts ˈɡet.ɪŋ ˈɪn.tuː eɪ ɡʊd ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.sə.ti ɔː ˈduː.ɪŋ wel ɪn eɪ dɪˈmɑːn.dɪŋ dʒɒb/

Do you think smart people tend to be selfish?

Well, I wouldn’t say smart people naturally tend to be selfish. I think what often happens is that in a very competitive environment, like our exam-oriented education system, the most intelligent students simply learn to optimise for personal success – top grades, scholarships, good jobs. From the outside, that behaviour can look quite self-centred, but it’s largely a response to the incentive structure, not a personality trait.

To be honest, I’ve also met highly intelligent people who are extremely altruistic and socially responsible. They use their analytical skills to help classmates, do voluntary tutoring or work on public-interest projects. So, in my view, intelligence just gives people more capacity to pursue whatever values they already hold. At the end of the day, whether a smart person is selfish or generous depends much more on their moral education, family influence and life experience than on their IQ.

Well, I wouldn’t say smart people naturally tend to be selfish. /wel aɪ ˈwʊdnt seɪ smɑːt ˈpiː.pəl ˈnætʃ.ər.əli tend tuː biː ˈsel.fɪʃ/

I think what often happens is that in a very competitive environment, like our exam-oriented education system, the most intelligent students simply learn to optimise for personal success – top grades, scholarships, good jobs. /aɪ θɪŋk wɒt ˈɒf.ən ˈhæp.ənz ɪz ðæt ɪn eɪ ˈver.i kəmˈpet.ɪ.tɪv ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt laɪk ˈaʊə ɪɡˈzæm ˈɔː.ri.en.tɪd ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən ˈsɪs.təm ðə məʊst ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt ˈstjuː.dənts ˈsɪm.pli lɜːn tuː ˈɒp.tɪ.maɪz fɔː ˈpɜː.sən.əl səkˈses tɒp ɡreɪdz ˈskɒl.ə.ʃɪps ɡʊd dʒɒbz/

From the outside, that behaviour can look quite self-centred, but it’s largely a response to the incentive structure, not a personality trait. /frɒm ðə ˌaʊtˈsaɪd ðæt bɪˈheɪ.vjə kæn lʊk kwaɪt ˌselfˈsen.təd bʌt ɪts ˈlɑːdʒ.li eɪ rɪˈspɒns tuː ðiː ɪnˈsen.tɪv ˈstrʌk.tʃə nɒt eɪ ˌpɜː.səˈnæl.ə.ti treɪt/

To be honest, I’ve also met highly intelligent people who are extremely altruistic and socially responsible. /tuː biː ˈɒn.ɪst aɪv ˈɔːl.səʊ met ˈhaɪ.li ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt ˈpiː.pəl huː ɑː ɪkˈstriːm.li ˌæl.truˈɪs.tɪk ænd ˈsəʊ.ʃəli rɪˈspɒn.sə.bəl/

They use their analytical skills to help classmates, do voluntary tutoring or work on public-interest projects. /ðeɪ juːz ðeə ˌæn.əˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl skɪlz tuː help ˈklɑːs.meɪts duː ˈvɒl.ən.tər.i ˈtʃuː.tər.ɪŋ ɔː wɜːk ɒn ˈpʌb.lɪk ˈɪn.trəst ˈprɒdʒ.ekts/

So, in my view, intelligence just gives people more capacity to pursue whatever values they already hold. /səʊ ɪn maɪ vjuː ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns dʒʌst ɡɪvz ˈpiː.pəl mɔː kəˈpæs.ə.ti tuː pəˈsjuː wɒtˈev.ə ˈvæl.juːz ðeɪ ɔːlˈred.i həʊld/

At the end of the day, whether a smart person is selfish or generous depends much more on their moral education, family influence and life experience than on their IQ. /æt ðiː end ɒv ðə deɪ ˈweð.ə eɪ smɑːt ˈpɜː.sən ɪz ˈsel.fɪʃ ɔː ˈdʒen.ər.əs dɪˈpendz mʌtʃ mɔː ɒn ðeə ˈmɒr.əl ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən ˈfæm.əl.i ˈɪn.flu.əns ænd laɪf ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns ðən ɒn ðeə ˌaɪˈkjuː/

Why are some children more intelligent than others?

Well, I think it’s a mix of innate ability and early environment. Some children are simply born with a faster information-processing speed or a better memory capacity, which gives them an advantage when they start school. But to be honest, what really widens the gap is how much stimulation they receive when they are very young – things like being read to, having proper conversations with adults, and being encouraged to ask questions.

In China, you can really see the difference between children whose parents invest time in intellectual activities and those who are mainly exposed to screens. One group learns to reason, concentrate and express themselves, while the other may struggle with attention and self-control. At the end of the day, intelligence is not just about raw talent; it’s heavily shaped by family interaction, early education and daily habits.

Well, I think it’s a mix of innate ability and early environment. /wel aɪ θɪŋk ɪts eɪ mɪks ɒv ɪˈneɪt əˈbɪl.ə.ti ænd ˈɜː.li ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt/

Some children are simply born with a faster information-processing speed or a better memory capacity, which gives them an advantage when they start school. /sʌm ˈtʃɪl.drən ɑː ˈsɪm.pli bɔːn wɪð eɪ ˈfɑː.stə ˌɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən ˈprəʊ.ses.ɪŋ spiːd ɔː eɪ ˈbet.ə ˈmem.ər.i kəˈpæs.ə.ti wɪtʃ ɡɪvz ðem æn ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ wen ðeɪ stɑːt skuːl/

But to be honest, what really widens the gap is how much stimulation they receive when they are very young – things like being read to, having proper conversations with adults, and being encouraged to ask questions. /bʌt tuː biː ˈɒn.ɪst wɒt ˈrɪə.li ˈwaɪ.dənz ðiː ɡæp ɪz haʊ mʌtʃ ˌstɪm.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən ðeɪ rɪˈsiːv wen ðeɪ ɑː ˈver.i jʌŋ θɪŋz laɪk ˈbiː.ɪŋ red tuː ˈhæv.ɪŋ ˈprɒp.ə ˌkɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃənz wɪð ˈæd.ʌlts ænd ˈbiː.ɪŋ ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒd tuː ɑːsk ˈkwes.tʃənz/

In China, you can really see the difference between children whose parents invest time in intellectual activities and those who are mainly exposed to screens. /ɪn ˈtʃaɪ.nə juː kæn ˈrɪə.li siː ðiː ˈdɪf.ər.əns bɪˈtwiːn ˈtʃɪl.drən huːz ˈpeə.rənts ɪnˈvest taɪm ɪn ˌɪn.təlˈek.tʃu.əl ækˈtɪv.ɪ.tiz ænd ðəʊz huː ɑː ˈmeɪn.li ɪkˈspəʊzd tuː skriːnz/

One group learns to reason, concentrate and express themselves, while the other may struggle with attention and self-control. /wʌn ɡruːp lɜːnz tuː ˈriː.zən ˈkɒn.sən.treɪt ænd ɪkˈspres ðəmˈselvz waɪl ðiː ˈʌð.ə meɪ ˈstrʌɡ.əl wɪð əˈten.ʃən ænd ˌself.kənˈtrəʊl/

At the end of the day, intelligence is not just about raw talent; it’s heavily shaped by family interaction, early education and daily habits. /æt ðiː end ɒv ðiː deɪ ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns ɪz nɒt dʒʌst əˈbaʊt rɔː ˈtæl.ənt ɪts ˈhev.ɪ.li ʃeɪpt baɪ ˈfæm.əl.i ˌɪn.təˈræk.ʃən ˈɜː.li ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən ænd ˈdeɪ.li ˈhæb.ɪts/

Do you think it's true that smart people get more opportunities in their lives?

I think it’s partly true. In many societies, including China, people who are considered “smart” – usually meaning good at exams and logical reasoning – do get better access to opportunities, such as key schools, scholarships and prestigious internships. Once they enter these institutions, they naturally build more social capital, so more doors open for them.

But actually, this is based on a narrow definition of intelligence. Our system tends to reward test-taking ability rather than creativity or emotional intelligence. So those who don’t excel in written exams may be overlooked, even if they have strong practical competence or leadership potential.

At the end of the day, I’d say smart people do enjoy an advantage, but their opportunities are also a result of educational policies, family background and social networks, not just pure brainpower.

I think it’s partly true. /aɪ θɪŋk ɪts ˈpɑːt.li truː/

In many societies, including China, people who are considered smart – usually meaning good at exams and logical reasoning – do get better access to opportunities, such as key schools, scholarships and prestigious internships. /ɪn ˈmen.i səˈsaɪ.ə.tiz ɪnˈkluː.dɪŋ ˈtʃaɪ.nə ˈpiː.pəl huː ɑː kənˈsɪd.əd smɑːt ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li ˈmiː.nɪŋ ɡʊd æt ɪɡˈzæmz ænd ˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈriː.zən.ɪŋ duː ɡet ˈbet.ə ˈæk.ses tuː ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.tiz sʌtʃ æz kiː skuːlz ˈskɒl.ə.ʃɪps ænd preˈstɪdʒ.əs ˈɪn.tɜːn.ʃɪps/

Once they enter these institutions, they naturally build more social capital, so more doors open for them. /wʌns ðeɪ ˈen.tə ðiːz ˌɪn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃənz ðeɪ ˈnætʃ.ər.əl.i bɪld mɔː ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈkæp.ɪ.təl səʊ mɔː dɔːz ˈəʊ.pən fɔː ðem/

But actually, this is based on a narrow definition of intelligence. /bʌt ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li ðɪs ɪz beɪst ɒn eɪ ˈnær.əʊ ˌdef.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən ɒv ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/

Our system tends to reward test-taking ability rather than creativity or emotional intelligence. /aʊə ˈsɪs.təm tendz tuː rɪˈwɔːd test ˈteɪ.kɪŋ əˈbɪl.ə.ti ˈrɑː.ðə ðæn ˌkriː.eɪˈtɪv.ə.ti ɔː ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/

So those who don’t excel in written exams may be overlooked, even if they have strong practical competence or leadership potential. /səʊ ðəʊz huː dəʊnt ɪkˈsel ɪn ˈrɪt.ən ɪɡˈzæmz meɪ biː ˌəʊ.vəˈlʊkt ˈiː.vən ɪf ðeɪ hæv strɒŋ ˈpræk.tɪ.kəl ˈkɒm.pɪ.təns ɔː ˈliː.də.ʃɪp pəˈten.ʃəl/

At the end of the day, I’d say smart people do enjoy an advantage, but their opportunities are also a result of educational policies, family background and social networks, not just pure brainpower. /æt ðiː end ɒv ðiː deɪ aɪd seɪ smɑːt ˈpiː.pəl duː ɪnˈdʒɔː æn ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ bʌt ðeə ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.tiz ɑː ˈɔːl.səʊ eɪ rɪˈzʌlt ɒv ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən.əl ˈpɒl.ə.siz ˈfæm.əl.i ˈbæk.ɡraʊnd ænd ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈnet.wɜːks nɒt dʒʌst pjʊə ˈbreɪnˌpaʊ.ə/

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