Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work? Explain your opinion, using specific reasons and examples.
Without a doubt, hard work is a much better predictor of success than natural ability. In my experience, I have seen this at work in sports, school, and work.
毫无疑问，努力工作比天生的能力更能预测成功。以我的经验，我在运动、学校和工作中都见过这种情况。
Many athletes have a natural ability to run the fastest mile or kick the ball the most accurately. Unless they work hard though, they will not be stars. They need to train daily, eat properly, live correctly. It takes hard work to be Number One.
许多运动员天生就有跑最快一英里或踢最准确的球的能力。除非他们努力工作，否则他们不会成为明星。他们需要每天训练，正确饮食，正确生活。在学校里，我看到许多聪明的学生考试成绩很差。他们依靠自己的智慧来渡过难关。但是，除非他们每天都做作业，参加课堂讨论，为考试而学习，否则他们将是班上最底层的人。
At school, I have seen many very bright students do poorly on exams. They count on their intelligence to get them through. However, unless they do their homework every day, participate in class discussions, and study for exams, they will be the bottoms of the class.
许多销售人员可以与任何人交谈，说服他或她买东西。他们有天生的销售能力。然而，他们必须对这项技能进行一些艰苦的工作。他们必须了解他们的客户，了解他们正在销售的产品，了解市场，他们必须在销售过程中投入一些精力。如果他们不坚持到底，就不会进行销售。
Many salespeople can talk with anyone and convince him or her to buy something. They have a natural ability to sell. They must however apply some hard work to this skill. They must learn a lot about their customers, about the product they are selling, and about the market, they must put some effort into the paper work that goes along with the sale. If they don't follow through, the sale will not be made.
无论在什么地方，无论是在操场上，学校里，还是在销售楼层，一个人要想成功，都不能依赖他天生的能力。他们必须努力工作才能成功
Whatever the area, whether on the playing field, at school, or on the sales floor, a person must not rely on his natural ability along if he or she wants to succeed. They must work hard to be a success.