The Mystery of Still Waters


The Mystery of Still Waters
Have you ever heard the saying, "Still waters run deep"? It's a proverb, a short, wise saying that's been around for a long time. But what does it really mean? It's not about water at all, but about people and their personalities!
The basic idea is that people who are quiet or calm on the outside might have a lot going on inside. Imagine a pond. If the surface is still and smooth, you might not realize how deep it is or what interesting things are hidden beneath. People can be like that too.
Some people are naturally talkative and outgoing. They share their thoughts and feelings easily. We often know what they are thinking because they tell us! But other people are more reserved. They might not say much, but that doesn't mean they don't have strong feelings or interesting ideas.
Different Personalities
- Proverb:
- A short, well-known saying that expresses a common truth or belief.
- Reserved:
- Quiet and not openly showing one's feelings or thoughts.
- Perceptive:
- Having or showing an ability to understand or notice things easily.
- flustered:
- Feeling nervous, confused, or upset when faced with a stressful situation.
- reflecting:
- Thinking quietly and carefully about ideas, feelings, or past experiences.
- inspire:
- To fill someone with confidence, excitement, or new ideas to do something good.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts â all built from this text.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.

Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What does the proverb "Still waters run deep" mean?
- 2Why is the proverb "Still waters run deep" not literally about water?
Where this passage belongs
About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
âThe Mystery of Still Watersâ is a explanatory article reading passage about Proverbs and Personality, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (341 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.