B2 Challenges & Achievements
Vocabulary for talking about goals, setbacks and success: how to describe your ambitions, the difficulties you face, and the way you finally reach your objectives.
Goals, ambitions & personal qualities
Key nouns to describe what you want in life and the inner qualities that help you get there.
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goal – an objective or result you want to achieve in the future.
ExampleMy main goal this year is to pass the B2 exam.
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lifelong ambition / burning ambition – something you have always wanted to do, or a very strong desire to achieve something important.
ExampleIt’s been his lifelong ambition to start his own company.
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hardship – a difficult situation that is hard to live with (for example, poverty or illness).
ExampleShe went through a lot of hardship before she became successful.
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motivation – the desire or energy you have to achieve a goal.
ExampleHe suddenly lost motivation and stopped studying.
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determination – strong, persistent effort to keep working towards your goal, even when it is difficult.
ExampleWith enough determination, she finished the project on time.
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resilience – the ability to recover after difficulties or setbacks and keep going.
ExampleHis resilience helped him bounce back after losing his job.
Obstacles & steps forward
Words to describe problems on the way to success – and the progress you make.
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setback – something that slows down your progress or pushes you backwards.
ExampleThe injury was a real setback to his training.
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hurdle – a problem you must overcome in order to move forward.
ExampleGetting enough funding was the biggest hurdle for the project.
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stepping stone – something that helps you move closer to your long-term goal.
ExampleThis job isn’t perfect, but it’s a useful stepping stone to something better.
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breakthrough – an important discovery or event that suddenly improves a difficult situation.
ExampleThe team made a breakthrough in cancer research.
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accomplishment – something you achieve and feel proud of.
ExamplePublishing her first article was a huge accomplishment.
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dream come true – something you have wanted for a long time that finally happens.
ExampleWorking abroad was a dream come true for him.
Success & results
How to talk about finally reaching your goals and going beyond what people expected.
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achieve / fulfil a goal, ambition or dream – to reach something you have been working hard for.
ExampleShe achieved her goal of running a marathon.
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believe in yourself / someone – to be confident that you or another person can succeed.
ExampleHer coach always believed in her, even when she doubted herself.
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overcome a problem / hurdle – to successfully deal with a difficulty and move past it.
ExampleThey overcame financial hurdles and kept the business open.
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exceed expectations – to do much better than people thought you would.
ExampleThe final results exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Key verb phrases
Common verb phrases for describing challenges, effort and achievement.
| Verb / phrase | Meaning & example |
|---|---|
| pursue a dream |
To actively work towards something you really want.
ExampleShe moved abroad to pursue her dream of becoming a designer.
|
| face (something) |
To confront a difficult situation or reality.
ExampleHe had to face the fact that his plan wasn’t working.
|
| attempt (to do something) |
To try to do something, often challenging.
ExampleThey attempted to climb the mountain in winter.
|
| deal with (a problem) |
To take action to manage or solve a difficult situation.
ExampleShe had to deal with several technical problems during the presentation.
|
| succeed in (doing something) |
To manage to do something you have been trying to do.
ExampleHe finally succeeded in passing the driving test.
|
| pull something off |
(Informal) To succeed in doing something difficult or risky.
ExampleNobody thought they could win, but they pulled it off.
|
| persevere / never give up |
To continue trying, even when it is hard or slow.
ExampleIf you persevere and never give up, your skills will improve.
|
| push yourself |
To force yourself to work harder or go beyond your comfort zone.
ExampleShe really pushed herself to finish the course in time.
|
💡 Tip: In stories about your life, combine a problem word (setback, hurdle, hardship) with a success verb (overcome, persevere, achieve, exceed expectations) to describe your progress in a natural B2 way.
Exercises:
Challenges & Achievements
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence below.
1
My short-term
is to pass the B2 exam by the end of the year.
Correct:
A goal = something you want to achieve; a specific target or aim.
2
Becoming a doctor has been her
– she has wanted it since she was a child.
Correct:
A lifelong ambition = a goal you have had for most of your life.
3
He has a
to start his own company – he talks about nothing else.
Correct:
A burning ambition = a very strong, intense desire to achieve something.
4
Failing the exam was a real
for her, but it didn’t stop her from trying again.
Correct:
A setback = a problem that delays your progress or makes your situation worse for a time.
5
Learning to speak in public was the biggest
he had to overcome before he could become a good leader.
Correct:
A hurdle = an obstacle or difficulty you must overcome to move forward.
6
The family went through years of financial
after the factory closed.
Correct:
Hardship = severe difficulty or suffering, especially because of lack of money or basic needs.
7
Her main
for studying abroad is to improve her career prospects.
Correct:
Motivation = the reason or inner drive that makes you want to do something.
8
With enough
and hard work, she finally finished the marathon.
Correct:
Determination = the strong decision not to give up, even when something is difficult.
9
His
helped him bounce back quickly after losing his job.
Correct:
Resilience = the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or stress.
10
This internship is just a
to a full-time position in the company later on.
Correct:
A stepping stone = something that helps you progress towards a bigger goal.
11
The new treatment was a major
in cancer research and gave doctors new hope.
Correct:
A breakthrough = an important discovery or success that solves a big problem.
12
Publishing her first novel was a huge
that she had worked towards for years.
Correct:
An accomplishment = something successful that you have achieved after effort.
13
Winning the scholarship and studying abroad was a
for her – she had imagined it for years.
Correct:
A dream come true = something you wanted very much that finally happens in reality.
Challenges & Achievements
Match the sentences with the challenges & achievements words
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