Skill Builder: Speaking – Books Intermediate 

Reading Preferences

● Do men and women like the same kind of books?● Do children prefer reading or watching TV these days? What’s best for them?● Have you ever read the book and seen the film of the same story? Which was better?● Are e­books popular in your country?● What is the greatest threat to reading?

INTERACTION

The e­book

Say what you prefer and why.

I prefer A to B because…   prefer + ing

1. contemporary books / classic literature2. fiction / non-fiction3. books / films4. borrow a book / buy a book5. e-books / paperbacks6. comics / novels7. theatre plays / films8. bestsellers / experimental novels

Types of Genres

What sort of books do you enjoy reading?Romantic novelsSci­fi novelsThrillersHistorical novelsContemporary novels

Adventure novelsNon­fictional booksFantasy novelsHorror storiesComics

➢ Which sort of literary works do people tend to read the most, novels, poetry or plays? 

➢ What type of novels are the most popular?➢ Which of the following is a better vehicle for ideas and emotions? Is it novels, films, 

or music? Why do you think so?

Book Ingredients

How do you decide which book to read? Do you read reviews or take advice from friends?Which of the following ingredients influence your opinion of a novel?

❖ The title❖ The plot line❖ The characters ❖ The time setting❖ The place setting❖ The narrative style❖ The genre❖ The author

Recommending a Book

The following adjectives can be used to describe books. Put them in the correct                           box.

Dull, excellent, terrible, moving, superb, awful, fantastic, fascinating, touching, dreadful, thrilling, hilarious, entertaining, amusing

GOOD/INTERESTING

EXCITING

FUNNY

SAD

BORING

BAD

ROLEPLAY

You are in a reading club and today you are recommending other members of the club a good book you have read.

Discuss the following points:

The title The name of the authorThe genreThe time and place setting  (The story is set…)The plot line (The book tells the story of…)The events, but not the ending!!! (in the present tense)

CommentsThe charactersThe plotThe styleThe ending Recommendation

● I highly recommend it● It It is well worth reading.● It is a highly entertaining         

read.● You won’t be able to put it             

down.● It will keep you hooked.

Reading Habits

● How often do you read novels? ● Do you wish that you could spend more time reading? ● Do people read a lot these days?● Is there any book that you have read more than once? Why?● Do you prefer reading fiction or newspapers?● Do you prefer reading broadsheets or tabloids?● Why do you think tabloids are rather popular?

MONOLOGUE

Literacy & Illiteracy Rates

Take a look at the following survey figures. Discuss these figures with your partner.

● What shocks you the most?● What doesn’t surprise you?● What’s the situation in your country?● Do you reckon literacy levels are higher among teenagers or

adults? and among women or men?● What can be done to improve literacy rates in the Third World?

 

WRITING – FORMAL STYLE 

A REVIEW

What is it?

Reviews are short descriptions of books, films, plays, TV programmes, etc They                       are written to inform readers and to give them a recommendation about whether                         (or not) they should read a book or see a film…

What’s its format?

 (book or film ) TITLE 

OPENING PARAGRAPH ● BACKGROUND INFORMATION● TITLE● NAME OF AUTHOR/DIRECTOR● GENRE● TIME & PLACE

PARAGRAPHS 2, 3, 4…● PLOT LINE ­ EVENTS (but not the end!!!) (in the present tense)● COMMENTS

○ The cast/characters○ The plot/script○ The style○ The ending 

CLOSING PARAGRAPH ● RECOMMENDATION 

○ I highly recommend it.○ I would not recommend it because…○ Do not miss it. It is well worth + ing.○ It is highly entertaining.