Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
At least one-third of the people we know are introverts.
They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favour working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.
In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.
Vocabulary
Argues Inherently
Undervalue Overwhelming
Charts Sadder
Throughout Thrive
Permeate Plenty
Witty Hang out
High-octane Exhausting
Taps into Priceless
Indelible
Grammar
can swim — could all swim — couldn’t walk — didn’t manage to — was able to jump — was able to stand — needed to be able — to be able to — managed to climb
When I was a young child, I _________couldn’t swim__________________ — I only learned to swim when I was 14. I guess I thought that I didn’t need _______________________ swim, because I never went to swimming pools. But one day I went for a walk on a hill near the sea with my friends — we were about 13 at the time. Part of the path was missing in one place — we _________________________ along it, so we decided to jump across. My friend Andy was quite big, so he ______________________________ across it very easily. But then it was my turn — I was a lot smaller, so I ___________________________________________ jump across . I fell down the hill and into the sea. My friends ______________________________________, so they thought it was really funny to see me in the water, but I was really scared. Luckily, I _____________________________ on the rock under the water and the I ________________ out of the water. After that, I knew I _______________________________to swim, so I started going to swimming lessons every week. And now I ________________________________ really well.
Speaking
Research a famous introvert. Prepare a 2-minute presentation. We will try and guess who you’ve chosen, so DO NOT reveal his/her name.
Homework
“It’s much better to be an extrovert than an introvert.”
Write a 100-word essay (formal style) giving your opinion on the statement above.
Feel free to post it in the comment box below. If you do, you will get free feedback from a native speaker on your writing.
Good luck.
Teacher Leo
