"The books can give new views to life, And teach us how to
live".
George Crabber
Objectives:
to present and practice vocabulary on the topic to practise scanning for
specific information to foster students' spoken skills
Warm up
A) Guess the riddle.
CAN YOU GUESS?
We have friends. They
cannot walk, and cannot see.
But they are very good to you and me.
With these friends we sail
on ships, and ride on trains
and even fly in airplanes.
These friends show us
towns, seas, and lands,
Can you guess who are
these good friends?
(Books)
B) Make up acrostic: B
Introducing the Topic
Reading
A) Finish the lines of the poem using the words from the table.
lovers; box; there; age; play; looks; end; eyes
BOOKS
What world of wonders are our books!
As one opens them and_(looks),
New ideas and people rise
In our fancies and our_(eyes).
The room we sit in melts away,
And we find ourselves at_(play)
With someone, who before the_(end),
May become our chosen friend. Or we sail along the page
To some other land or_(age).
Here's our body in the chair,
But our mind is over_(there).
Each book is a magic_(box)
Which with a touch a child unlocks. In between their outside covers
Books hold all things for their_(lovers).
Eleanor Farjeon
B) Answer the questions.
What does the poet call books?
What can the reader imagine while reading a book?
C) Do you agree that the books are "worlds of wonder" and that
each book is "a magic box"? Explain your opinion.
D) Give the examples that show that a book is " a magic box which
with a touch a child unlocks".
Vocabulary
A) Read and remember how to use the words.
novel: a historic novel, the latest novel, a short novel, a novel by
Dickens, his favourite novels.
chapter: a long chapter, a short chapter, to the end of the chapter.
cover: the cover of the book, the front cover, to read a book from cover
to cover.
contents: the contents of a book (a novel, an article).
table of contents
volume
to publish: to publish a book (news, information)
choice: a good (poor) choice of books, to make one's choice.
B) Fill in the following sentences with the given prepositions.
on; by; in; up; with; from; of; to
1. I borrowed this book_(from) the library.
2. I read it_(in) a book.
3. You'll have to look_(up) the meaning_(in) a dictionary.
4. "Hamlet" is a tragedy_(by) Shakespeare.
5. Books are a wonderful source_(of) knowledge.
6. I'd like to relax_(with) a good book for the rest of the day.
7. I believe that reference books should be_(in) every home.
8. Nowadays books are sold_(in) large numbers.
9. The librarian said the book was_(on) the top shelf.
10. Do you like to lend books_(to) your friend?
Reading
A) Read the interview of a correspondent with a young Ukrainian writer.
Say what the writer appreciates in books most of all and why he considers them
the greatest wonders in the world.
BOOKS ARE THE GREATEST OF THE WORLD'S WONDERS
C. The rise of television has been coupled with the death of books. What
can be done to rescue them?
W. I don't think that books need to be rescued. A book is one of the
greatest wonders in the world. It gives us a unique chance to link up with
authors who lived hundreds and thousands years ago. Thanks to books, we can
talk to people who lived in different ages and countries. Through reading books
we hear their voices, thoughts and feelings.
The book is the surest way to bring nations together. It gives us an
insight not only into the past, but also into the future. The book is a
faithful friend, it can be put aside and taken up again at any moment.
C. When and how did you take to reading?
W. I became very keen on literature early in life. This probably
happened because we had a very good and widely-read library at home. Books
stirred my imagination, expanded the boundaries of the familiar world, and
filled my life with great expectations of joy and happiness.
Since childhood, I have been enchanted by famous Ukrainian writers and
poets. Luckily, this country is rich in remarkable authors.
C. How do you read?
W. As far as an interesting author is concerned, I study rather than
read his or her book. For example, after reading Dante Alighieri's "Divina
Comedia" I came to the conclusion that this rich work demands great
erudition on the part of the reader. One must know Ancient Greece mythology and
legends, the history and literature of Ancient Rome, peculiarities of Italy's
philosophy and early French Literature.
C. What do you regard as the hallmark of true literature?
W. It is my firm belief that the author's true task is self-expression.
Good literature always expresses the author's position.
And no real art can be achieved without the truth of life.
B) How would you answer the same questions which were offered in the
interview?
C) Say what you think careful, serious reading demands on the part of
the reader.
Speaking
BOOKS IN YOUR LIFE
Some books help us to understand people's character and behavior, they
teach us what should be done and what must be done.
A) Speak on this topic. You may use the following questions as a plan.
1. What characters in the 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 to understand that some actions
and feelings maybe mean?
5. How do books help people to develop their finest qualities?
B) Discussing the books.
Discuss the books using the models
Model 1
our youth.
history the children.
„ , biology , .Al
the grownups.
Books on . . are very popular
with
science medicine readers.
atr teenagers.
the Ukrainian people
Model 2
How to Ask for and Give an Opinion
What do you think of_? — Well, in my opinion_
How do you find_? — As far as I'm concerned_
What's your opinion of_? — If you want my opinion_
How do you feel about...? — As I see it_
What would you say to_? — In my view_
C) Read and remember.
D) Read the dialogue. Say what opinions about the same book are
expressed in it and how these opinions differ.
Mary. What do you think of the book, John?
John. Well, in my opinion, it's a book about nothing. The author tries
very hard to convince us that young people nowadays are not interested in serious
problems of society. I disagree entirely.
Mary. Well, possibly, but there are several interesting characters in
the book which are depicted very vividly. Besides, the writhing is simple and
clear.
John. Yes, perhaps, but I still think that the book won't appeal to the
young.
E) Practise asking for and giving your own opinion about an author (a
book character, a book's contents, an interview)
Work in groups
Comment on these quotations:
1. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
2. Choose an author as you choose a friend.
3. Books and friends should be few bur good.
4. All books are divisible into two classes: the books of the hour and
the books of all time.
Homework
Write a composition "Books in my life".
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