Buffett Brilliance Open Response

This passage covers the history and transformation of Berkshire Hathaway, a company that began as a textile manufacturing firm in the 1800s. The company’s pivotal moment came when Warren Buffett started buying shares in the 1960s, recognizing its potential despite its struggles. Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway shifted its focus from textiles to insurance and diversified into various industries, including railroads, utilities, and consumer brands like Dairy Queen and Duracell. Today, Berkshire Hathaway is a global conglomerate, owning stakes in multiple businesses across several sectors.

Reading passages like this one enhance students’ comprehension skills by guiding them through the evolution of a company’s business model and strategic direction. It encourages vocabulary growth with business and finance-related terms such as “conglomerate,” “insurance,” and “ownership stake.” The story of Warren Buffett’s investment strategy also fosters critical thinking, as students can evaluate how decisions made at pivotal moments shaped the company’s future. Additionally, exposure to varied sentence structures and business language improves grammar proficiency, helping students articulate complex ideas more effectively.