3. Fill in the gaps with a word from the list below.

gripping tear-jerker unbelievable boring suspense hilarious

1. Johnny Belson’s latest novel was a real……………….; I couldn’t stop crying all the way through.

2. Bob didn’t get past the first chapter of that autobiography; he found it so……………………… .

3. The characterization was so poor that it made the story completely…………………………… .

4. The adventure story was so………………………….that I couldn’t put it down.

5. Readers were kept in ………………………..until the very end when they found out who the murderer was.

6. His …………………………accounts of his babysitting nightmares made me laugh hysterically.

4. Read the text and fill in the gaps with a word from the list below. Then say what books you use at school and what you use them for.

atlas guidebook encyclopaedias reference books

phrasebook dictionary map textbook

When I started studying for my A-levels, I had to buy several different types of books before the courses started. I needed 1) ………………….for each of my subjects, which contained most of the information I needed. For any extra information I would go to the library, to look at 2)…………… or3)......................., which contained everything I needed to know. In order to check my spelling I bought a(n) 4)……………………….and because I was taking Geography, a(n) 5)……………………… . We were taken on a field trip to France to improve our French, but we couldn’t have done without a(n)6)…………………….which helped us with the words we didn’t know. To make sure we didn’t get lost we bought a(n)7)…………………….. of the area, and a(n) 8)........................which helped us to find interesting places.

eg. At school we use a textbook for history. It lists all the dates and events that we need to know about.

5. Look at the titles of the books below. Say a) what you think they are about and b) whether or not you would like to read them and why.

• Useful expressions

I’d choose/like, I don’t think I’d …, I wouldn’t like…, …seems to be about…, …could be about…, Perhaps/maybe…, …is obviously a …, …must be…

eg. The first book is obviously a romantic novel. It must be about two people falling in love with each other. However, I don’t think I’d like to read it. I don’t like love stories so I’d definitely choose something else.

6. Fill in the gaps in the table with one of the words from the list below. Then say what the advantages and disadvantages of the different places are.

convenient periodically order variety limited expensive reference display extensive access

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Library	inexpensive, don’t have to buy books,……………… collection, quiet for studying, good…………………section	can only borrow books for short periods, not always…………………….
Bookshop	extensive collection, can ……………………….. books	………………………………… ,can’t spend too much time flipping through books, crowded, noisy
Book Exhibition	Lest books on…………………………….sold at a discount	geared towards marketing, crowded, pressure,…………………… selection, only for newly-released books
Mobile Library	gives………………………to books in remote areas	lack of ………………………, available only………………..

eg.A library is useful as it’s not expensive to join and you don’t have to buy the books.

7. Look at pictures A and B.

• Compare these two pictures. How often do you go to either of these two places?

• What sort of books does you like reading?

• Are there any public libraries in your area?

• How could people be encouraged to buy books and read more

F. MUSIC

1. Do you know the types of music in the box below?

rap rock heavy metal reggae country and western folk classical opera funk jazz techno blues pop soul salsa middle-of-the-road

2. Work in pairs. Talk about your favourite and least favourite types of music, pieces of music and performers. You can use the words below.

amusing boring depressing exciting great interesting irritating moving passionate relaxing sad silly thrilling

eg. I think opera is incredibly boring, but I love rap.

3. Look at the table below, then say what kind of music you like or don’t like and what characterizes it. You may use your own ideas.

Kinds of music	Characteristics	Famous performers
Heavy Metal	-very loud, electric rock -aggressive -originated in the UK	Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath
Classical	-long-lasting appeal -variety of instruments used in a number of different combinations -originated in Europe	Beethoven, Mozart
Reggae	-expresses a need for cultural and political identity -originated in Jamaica	Bob Marley
Rock’n’Roll	-marked a rebellious era after the 2nd World War -revolutionised the music industry -originated in the USA	Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones
Hip-hop (rap)	-spoken words set to music -commenting on social problems such as unemployment -originated in New York	Salt’n’ Pepa, Public Enemy

eg. I’m very fond of heavy metal. It is very loud, electric rock music. My favourite group is Iron Maiden.