Show the baseline. Find the first writing target.

In sports, talent gets attention early, but habits decide who keeps improving. A player who only relies on natural ability may look impressive in short bursts, yet struggle when the game gets harder. The same pattern appears in school. A student who understands quickly can sometimes get by without strong systems: no planning, weak notes, rushed studying, and late writing. That works until the workload increases.

High school changes the equation because assignments are longer, tests cover more material, and teachers expect students to manage time more independently. The students who adjust fastest are not always the ones who were labeled the smartest in middle school. Often, they are the ones who build repeatable habits: starting early, asking better questions, reviewing mistakes, and learning how to explain their thinking clearly.

This does not mean talent is unimportant. Talent gives a student a head start. But talent without habits is fragile. Habits turn ability into something reliable.

Pick the two strongest pieces of proof. Smaller is usually better if it proves the point.

Why does the passage argue that habits become more important as school gets harder?

Use a clear topic sentence, evidence, reasoning, and a closing sentence.

Rewrite each sentence so it is clearer and more specific.