IELTS Topic: Books
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
bedtime reading:(noun)
something to read in bed before you go to sleep
I enjoy bedtime reading before I go to sleep.
a classic:(noun)
of the highest quality
The jungle book Disney movie is a real classic.
e-book:(noun)
a digital book
I always read e-book versions of my study manuals.
couldn’t put it down:(verb phrase)
(idiom) wasn’t able to stop reading a book
The book The Shack was such a good novel that I couldn't put it down.
to flick through:(verb)
to look quickly through a book
I often flick through the magazines at the doctors office.
hardback:(noun)
a book with a rigid cover (see ‘paperback’ below)
Some hard back library books can be very heavy.
a historical novel:(noun)
a story set in the past
At the university, I had to write a descriptive essay on a historical novel I read.
a page-turner:(noun)
a book that you want to keep reading
The Langoliers by Stephen King is a real page turner.
paperback:(noun)
a book with a flexible cover (see ‘hardback’ above)
I just bought a paper back novel of that Stephen King Book.
to read something from cover to cover:(idiom)
to read a book from the first page to the last
My sister likes to read a book from cover to cover in one day.
PART 1 QUESTIONS
Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the first part, the examiner will ask you a number of general questions
Do you enjoy reading books?
What type of books do you most enjoy reading?
Where do you most enjoy reading books?
Why do some people not like reading?
Do others in your family read books too?
Do you usually read for leisure, or for work, or study purposes?
What was your favorite book or story when you were a child?
Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
What is the best book you've ever read?
Is reading books a popular activity in your country?
What are the advantages of reading instead of watching television or going to the cinema?
How can having good reading skills improve your life?
PART 2 QUESTIONS
Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
You will have 1 minute to prepare to speak, and then you will talk for 2 minutes, during which the examiner will not speak.
Part 2 – sample task card
Sample A
Describe a favorite book in your childhood.
You should say:
What is it
Who is the writer of the book
What was the story of the book
and explain why it is your favorite book from childhood.
Sample B
Describe a book that had a major influence on you. You should say:
what the name of the book is & who the author is
how you first heard of the book
what the main story of the book is
and explain why it played such an important role in your life.
Sample C
Describe a book that you have read which you would like to read again:
You should say:
What is it about?
What genre of book is it?
Is this your favorite genre of book?
Also, explain why you would like to read it again.
PART 3 QUESTIONS
Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the last part, you will talk with the examiner about issues related to the topic on the card.
Do children need to learn how to read while they are still young?
Do you think there is a difference between reading habits in the past and in the present day?
What is the impact of e-books on reading habits?
Let’s consider first of all why people write books. What do you think makes people want to write a book?
What qualities does a writer need?
Is reading as pleasurable in digital format?
Do you think bookshops will survive the digital revolution?
Do you think it’s a good idea to teach children to read when they are very young?
How do you think reading habits will change in the future?
