Vocabulary exercises.

UNIT 2 TO READ OR NOT TO READ

Pre-reading questions:

1. Do you like reading?

2. What are the purposes for your reading?

3. What kind of books do you prefer?

4. Do you think people read less nowadays? Why/why not?

Task: Read Text A and define the power of reading.

TEXT A

POWER READING: REASONS TO BE INFLUENCED BY BOOKS

Ah, the written word! When it is bound and presented in a book, it can entice you to reach beyond the limits of every author's thoughts. There are so many reasons to read a book, most of them highly subjective. When you think about it, there is no wrong reason to read a book, only different perspectives on why it is valuable.

Here are some of the top 10 reasons to read a book, in no particular order. They have been verified with many people who recognize the importance of reading, and share their reasons in casual conversation, as blogs on the internet, and even as educational philosophies on professional writing sites like. You may agree with the reasons listed, or believe some of them unfounded.

1. Relaxation: Many people read to unwind. It seems to help them release tension, and escape the worries that might plague them. It has become a common way to ease muscles, allowing them to release toxins from the body. Reading for relaxation is also a great way to help people calm down when they are excited, and prepare them for a much needed rest.

2. Information: It is hard not to become informed about a topic when you read a book. Regardless of whether it is fictitious, factual, or instructional, you will gather information when you read it.

3. Exploration: Some people are curious. They want to discover new worlds, and understand how things work. Through the enjoyment of exploration, they enthusiastically pursue new learning.

4. Creativity: You would be hard pressed to find someone who didn't generate new ideas after reading a book. Reading stimulates the mind, and helps foster creativity through word play and personal interaction.

5. Economic: Reading books is very economical. You can check out books at the library for free. You can purchase books at garage sales for pennies on the dollar. Once you buy a book, it lasts forever. You can read it over and over again, without ever having to spend another dime for the pleasure of doing so.

6. Education: You have the power to achieve great success in school by reading books. Reading books helps you master subjects more quickly, and prepares you for more advanced degrees. It stimulates your mind as it generates new ideas, enabling you to pursue higher levels of academics.

7. Pleasure: It is quite fun to read books! They are worlds unto themselves, and if you like the topic they present, you will almost certainly have a good time exploring it in their pages.

8. Imagination: Reading books challenges you to think outside the box, opening your mind up to the endless possibilities that the author presents. It helps you develop your own imagination, as you meditate, often for months, or even years, on the words you once read in a book.

9. Satisfaction: How many times have you felt the sheer satisfaction of finishing that wonderful book you started to read? Whether it was an epic novel, or perhaps a self help book that gave you insights into your own personality, you have to admit that it felt really good. There is a certain satisfaction you get when you read a book from start to finish.

10. Sharing: Have you joined Oprah's Book Club? Perhaps you were one of the millions who made Harry Potter a household name. Or maybe you started a blog about your own personal reading adventures. It's natural. People love to share what they read! Whether it's in casual conversation, or drafted into professional book reviews, people talk about reading and the pleasure they derive from it.

It really doesn't matter why you choose to read books. The important thing is that you do. They seem to stick with you long after you have read them, continuing to influence your personality. You may never realize the impact a good book has on your life, but then again, you don't need to. It is like an inspiration that gnaws away at you, helping you become more of who you were meant to be. It is the power you get from reading a book!

VOCABULARY EXERCISES.

Ex.1. Give the Russian equivalents to the following words and phrases:

To be bound, to entice, to verify, unfounded, to plague, to unwind, fictitious, factual, instructional, exploration, to pursue, to foster, to enable, to challenge, sheer, to draft, insights.

Ex.2. Give the English equivalents to the following words and phrases:

Прилипнуть, истинное удовольствие, получать удовольствие от чего-либо, от начала до конца, беспокоить, расслабиться, повседневное выражение, понимание, брать книги в библиотеке.

Ex.3. Insert the right preposition, postposition, or particle when it is required:

1. There is no wrong reason … read a book, only different perspectives … why it is valuable.

2. The reasons … read have been verified with many people who recognize the importance … reading, and share their reasons … casual conversation, as blogs … the internet, and even as educational philosophies … professional writing sites like.

3. Some people enthusiastically pursue … new learning.

4. You can check … books … the library … free.

5. You can purchase … books … garage sales … pennies … the dollar.

Ex.4. Find the words from TEXT A which are the synonyms to the following words: