Penguin Readers L07: Surrounded by Idiots (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.

Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.

The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers’ story comprehension and develop vocabulary.

Surrounded by Idiots, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future perfect simple, mixed conditionals, past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive forms and modals for deduction in the past.

Do you ever think you're the only one making any sense? Or have you tried to persuade someone of something, with no success? Surrounded by Idiots offers a simple, yet creative way for assessing and dealing with the personalities of people we communicate with―both in and out of the office.

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Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Thomas Erikson (Author)

Thomas Erikson is a motivator, author and public speaker. His book Surrounded by Idiots is one of the world’s best-selling non-fiction books and has been translated into over 40 languages.

His way of sharing his knowledge with his readers is by using specific storytelling and lots of humor. To achieve new skills should be easy. Therefore, he do not write in a way that is packed with numbers and details, but rather in a way that will make the reader say: Ah! I recognize that!

Thomas has devoted close to 30 years of his career to helping people communicate with each other, and along the way he´s developed practical and functional tools that facilitate both professional and private life.

Thomas believes in the importance of a higher understanding of others, in order to decrease the number of unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts either in a relationship or at work.