Assessment Name: _______________________________________________

Unit 2

Read the text and choose the best answer to each question.

The Ins and Outs of Being You

1 It’s lunchtime at any school in America, and the same scene is playing out. Tables are crammed
with students chattering loudly and excitedly about the day. Some are dancing beside their chairs or
bouncing from friend to friend. And then there are other students who seem content talking quietly
to a friend while they eat or even sitting alone and reading. Both groups appear happy with their
routines. Where do you find yourself in this cafeteria/setting? And exactly what is it that draws you to
fit into one of these groups of students more than the other?

2 The two personality types have names—extroverts and introverts. Extroverts tend to be talkative and
outgoing—like the students crowded around the noisy tables. Introverts tend to be more quiet and
private—like the students talking in pairs or reading. But being one type or the other is more than
just the way you behave at lunch. Being an extrovert or introvert shows up in many areas of your life.

3 Extroverts typically have more friends than introverts. They love being in the middle of people and
action. They speak first (and often!), and they like to be in charge of every situation. Extroverts truly
love getting attention. Because of their outward focus and their ability to think quickly, extroverts
make decisions easily. They can also be distracted when they are required to be quiet and to focus
for longer periods of time. Find the star of the school play, and you’ve probably found an extrovert.

4 Introverts value alone time more than social time. They tend to have fewer friends, but often they
develop close and lasting bonds with the friends they have. Introverts listen first and then speak.
They like to think carefully about the decisions they make. Unlike extroverts, introverts might
intentionally take steps to avoid being the center of attention, preferring to interact with others one-
on-one. They focus on topics deeply, rather than widely. Find the person sketching or reading tucked
in a corner in a crowded room, and you’ve probably found an introvert.

5 What makes someone behave more like an extrovert or an introvert? Scientists have found it begins
with what happens in our brains. People have a chemical in their brain called dopamine. Dopamine
is a neurotransmitter that signals people to become talkative or more alert. It urges people to explore
our environment and even to take risks. Extroverts and introverts have the same amount of dopamine
in their brains. The difference is the way people react when it is released. Extroverts feel a “buzz”
when their brains are flooded with dopamine. This fills their brains with good feelings. So while it
may seem that an extrovert grabs rudely for attention or ignores the needs of others, they are merely
responding to these chemical signals in their brains.

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Unit 2

6 Introverts, however, react quite differently. When an introvert’s brain is flooded with dopamine,
prompting the person to speak up or interact in a large group, the introvert feels completely
overwhelmed. Introverts respond better to another chemical in our brains called acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine signals people to slow down. If dopamine says, “Full speed ahead!” acetylcholine
replies, “Rest and digest!” When acetylcholine is released and the slowdown begins, muscles relax,
blood pressure decreases, and the introvert’s brain is filled with good feelings. Some people think
when introverts pull away from others it means they don’t like people. But they are actually being
signaled to rest after the hard work of interacting with others.

7 Extroverts and introverts need time to recharge from daily activities that challenge their personality
types, but how they recharge is different. An extrovert still needs excitement and might take a
challenging side trail on a cross-country bike. An introvert, though, chooses a more peaceful bike
ride through a park, happily alone and enjoying the view. An extrovert might choose to go to a
concert with a group of friends after a long day of studying. An introvert, after participating in a group
activity, may just go home to watch a movie with a friend—or alone.

8 If you find yourself thinking that you may be a little bit of both, you’re on to something! Scientists
have discovered that there may be a blend of the two personality types called an ambivert. Ambiverts
lie right between extroverts and introverts, which allows them to be more flexible in all types of
settings. But whether you feel more of an extrovert or introvert, or somewhere in the middle, it’s
helpful to understand there are clear benefits of both personality types. Think about your strengths
and how you might put them to use. Learn to recognize the signal that tells you that you need a
break, and try some new activities that can recharge you for that next challenge in your day. And
most of all, be comfortable just being you.

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Assessment Name: _______________________________________________
Unit 2

1 How does the author support the idea that people behave differently based on their personality type?
A By emphasizing that the behaviors of the personality types can be influenced by others
B By providing descriptions of the personality types and including examples of how the types act
C By including definitions of the personality types and including the challenges of each type
D By stressing the importance of determining the personality type of each individual person

2 Read the dictionary entry for the word draw.

draw \drô\ v
1. to sketch
2. to move to one side
3. to attract
4. to inhale

Which definition best matches the way draws is used in paragraph 1?

F Definition 1
G Definition 2
H Definition 3
J Definition 4

3 What do the details in paragraphs 5 and 6 reveal about extroverts and introverts?
A The differences in personality are brain-based.
B The personality types have different learning styles.
C The brains of extroverts and introverts are filled with good feelings.
D Extroverts and introverts take risks based on brain chemicals.

4 Which sentence from the text best shows how introverts might choose to refresh?
F Introverts listen first and then speak.
G Some people think when introverts pull away from others it means they don’t like people.
H Extroverts and introverts need time to recharge from daily activities that challenge their
personality types, but how they recharge is different.
J An introvert, though, chooses a more peaceful bike ride through a park, happily alone and enjoying
the view.

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5 How does the organizational pattern of paragraphs 3 and 4 contribute to the text?
A By identifying problems that extroverts and introverts face
B By providing definitions of personality traits of extroverts and introverts
C By explaining the causes of the behaviors of extroverts and introverts
D By describing the advantages and disadvantages of being extroverts and introverts

6 Read this sentence from paragraph 4.

Introverts value alone time more than social time.

_I
Why does the author use italics in this sentence?
F To indicate that introverts and extroverts have similar values
G To emphasize a key difference between introverts and extroverts
H To stress the importance of analyzing the behavior of others
J To provide definitions of difficult terms related to the central idea

7 The author wrote this text most likely to —

A persuade the reader to determine his or her personality type
B describe how the two main personality types are studied
C inform the reader about scientific studies about the two personality types
D explain the differences between the two main personality types

8 In paragraph 5, the root words neuro, trans, and mit help the reader determine that the word
neurotransmitter means —
F sending between nerves
G forcing away from nerves
H without nerves
J someone feeling the nerves

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Assessment Name: _______________________________________________
Unit 2

9 What is the most likely reason the author includes the scenario in paragraph 1? Use evidence from the
text to support your answer.

10 Why might the author have chosen the organizational pattern used in paragraph 2? Use evidence from
the text to support your answer.

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