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1. Around what singular incident does Gladwell see the whole book revolving, as described in the introduction, "Step Out of the Car"?

Gladwell explains in the introduction to the text, entitled "Step Out of the Car!" that a single incident provoked his creation of the book. The details of Sandra Bland's life and death touched Gladwell in a significant way and he felt the need to investigate the reasons behind the many pitfalls of human communication he sees as being responsible for her demise.

2. What was Nahuatl?

Nahuatl was the language spoken by the Aztecs, among them Montezuma II himself. Gladwell explains that Nahuatl was a complex language with many subtle variances that were clearly lost on the Spanish upon their arrival.

3. What is significant about the year 1519, as it is described in the introduction to the text?

It was the year 1519 when the bloodiest conflict in history up to that point occurred. Gladwell describes the arrival of the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his men at the doorstep of Montezuma II, the ruler of the Aztecs. Upon arriving, Cortes took Montezuma II hostage and then had him murdered. By the end of the conflict, 20 million Aztecs were dead.

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