Choose a book as you choose a friend.
Objectives:
• to practise useful vocabulary and expressions
• to develop students' reading skills
• to provide opportunities for developing speaking skills
Warm up
Why is the book like a king? (Because it has many pages.)
Introducing the Topic
Reading
A) Read the poem and say in what way children must be good to books.
BOOK LOOK
B) Answer the questions.
1. Books need much care, don't they?
2. In what way must we treat books?
3. Why do we use book-marks?
4. Why mustn't we turn an open book on its face?
c) You remember the library rules, don't you? Say what the new rules the
poem Book Look teaches you.
Vocabulary
A) Remember these different kinds of books: fiction, science fiction,
non-fiction, detective stories, adventure stories, humorous stories, spy
stories,
An English proverb
Since books are friends, They need much care. When you're reading them,
Be good to them and fair.
Use book-marks, children, To hold your place, And don't turn a book Upon
its clear face.
Remember, children, then: Books are meant to read, Not cut or colour
them — No, really never indeed!
B. Walker
fairy tales, short stories, books of poetry, historical dramas,
biographies, autobiographies.
B) Say what you can enjoy in each kind of book and why; what kind of
people these books appeal to; and how the choice of books can characterize the
reader, his interests and education.
C) Would a non-fiction book be of interest to a general reader, or only
to a reader interested in particular subject? Express your opinion. Give the
reason.
D) Say why a book can disappoint you sometimes or leave you indifferent?
E) Which is the odd word in each group and why?
1. play novel short story poem
2. atlas dictionary paperback encyclopedia
3. textbook article dictionary guidebook
4. magazine biography newspaper booklet
Answers: 1 — a poem which may be rhymed; 2 — a paperback which doesn't
tell about the content; 3 — an article which is a particular piece of writing
in a large work (book, encyclopedia, newspaper, etc.); 4 — a biography which is
a genre and the rest in the row are types of publications.
F) Look at these adjectives. The ones in the second column are the
'extremely form' of the ones in the first column. How many of them can you use
to describe books you have read?
Adjective 'Extremely form'
Good excellent superb fabulous
Interesting enthralling fascinating intriguing
Nice dehghtful
Exciting thrilUng gripping
Frightening terrifying horrible
Answer the questions
1. What are your favourite kinds of books?
2. Do you have favourite books or writers?
3. What was the last book you read? Why did you decide to read it? Did
you like it? Will you recommend it to your friend and parents?
4. Do you think books influence people in some way? Yes / No. Why do you
think so?
5. Do you prefer to read a book first and then see its filmed version
or, see it first and then read? Why?
6. What or who influences the choice of the books you read?
7. Do you ever reread books or do you think it's a waste of time?
8. If you like to reread books, what makes you do so?
9. If you have read an interesting book, do you want to share your
impressions with somebody or do you like to keep them to yourself?
10. Some science fiction writers say that in the future books will be
replaced by the computers. What is your opinion about this?
Speaking. Discussing books
A) Discuss the book using the models. Model 1
Model 2
B) Some books help us to understand people's character and behavior,
they teach us what should be done and what must not be done.
Speak on this topic, using the following questions as a plan:
1. What characters in books have become great friends to many children
and why?
2. What examples of noble actions and feelings have you read about in
the books?
3. What are the qualities of your favourite characters which you would
like to develop in yourself? Are they honesty, truthfulness, courage, unselfishness?
What else?
4. What characters helped you to see and understand that some actions
and feelings may be mean?
5. How do books help people to develop their finest qualities?
C) Agree or disagree. Give the reasons for your opinion.
1. It is very good when a book has colourful, attractive illustrations.
A nicely illustrated book adds to a better understanding of the book
characters. A book without illustrations is boring to read.
2. It is important to find out something about the author of the book
chosen to read. The author's life gives the explanations of his character's
behavior and actions.
3. It is clear at first sight whether the book is interesting to read.
4. The classics are boring.
D) Readers differ, don't they? What kind of reader are you?
Use the following words and phrases: to make someone think over..., a serious
reader, to be deep in thoughts, to be curious about..., most humorous, can
hardly read for laughing (for tears), enthusiastic, to be delighted, to be in
high spirits, to arouse the feelings of curiosity, to fall asleep.
E) Discuss these questions.
1. Do you sometimes reread the same book again and again? What is the
reason for this?
2. Is it true that you often choose a book because a friend of yours has
read it and has told you how much he enjoyed it? What are other reasons why you
choose a book?
3. Which books do you read in your spare time? Which books do you take
on trips for study or discussion?
4. Do you think that books help you to learn how to express your
thoughts and feelings more exactly?
F) Work in groups. Speak about different kinds of readers. Say what
different readers appreciate in different kinds of books. The following words
maybe helpful:
To develop literary taste, to influence somebody, to arouse interest
(curiosity, admiration), can't help admiring, to develop somebody's
imagination, to be filled with wonder, to be impressed, to appeal to the
readers' interests, to possess ability to show..., to entertain the reader, to
enjoy new ideas, to be delighted with humour, to be attracted by..., to bring
pleasure and delight, to portray life in its richness.
Homework
Write a story on the topic"How I choose books for reading". | 
