Vocabulary 1

immigrants

resource

evidence

abroad
evidece

values

make sense

seek out

sefl-confidence

Vocabulary 2
 problems
affects

effect
affected

problems

effects

trouble

effects
problem

affect

effects

affected

Reading. Read the passage below and decide if each of the following statement is True, False or
Not Given
Going by the book: The role of book clubs in modern society
In a recent survey conducted by the Social Sciences department of Wykham-Hove
University, it was discovered that more young people are joining social clubs than
ever before. This is in spite of the rapid growth and development of social
networking websites, the increasing popularity of home-movie systems, and other
forms of entertainment which tend to keep people at home. Prior to the survey, it
had been assumed that modern youngsters were leaning towards a more domestic
lifestyle, preferring activities that kept them indoors rather than getting them out
into the ‘real’ world. When asked their reasons for joining a club, 86% of those
interviewed stated that their main reason was to meet other people. This offered
them the benefits they were less likely to receive by sitting in front of a computer or
the television: friendship, a sense of belonging, new experiences, and recognition,
approval and respect from others.
What particularly surprised the researchers, however, was the number of
youngsters who had joined a book club, or reading club. The idea behind the book
club is very simple. A group of people meet, and one of them recommends a book
which they then all buy and read over the coming month. They then meet again to
discuss different aspects of the book, and then choose another one for the next
month. In some cases, the book is one that has been recommended by a wellknown personality: Oprah
Winfrey heads a book club in the USA which has more members than any other book club in the world.
Encouraged by their findings, the researchers extended the survey to discover how
members benefited from joining a book club. Interviewees explained that, first and
foremost, they were exposed to books they might not normally have read. Even if a
book didn’t suit their tastes, they frequently gained insight into themselves, their
personality, and the personality of the book club member who had suggested that
book. In brief, it changed their perspective on people – real or fictional – and the
world.
The researchers also discovered that, in a world where people complain that no
one listens to them anymore, members felt they had the chance to hear and be
heard. Hearing the opinions of other people, members said, was crucial to growing
into a well-rounded, developed person. Learning how to share their thoughts and
opinions, even if their opinions differed, also taught them communication and social
skills.
The interviewees also said that joining a book club had lead to a better social life,
since interaction between members usually extended beyond the reading room.
This was particularly the case where they had just moved to the area and wanted
to meet people. And though not intended for professional use, book clubs also
provided some with business opportunities: professional connections were created
between people who might not normally meet, and members had become more
open to social networking. In other words, people who had met in a book club were
beneficial to one another outside of the club.
1. The growth and development of social websites has resulted in more people joining clubs. False
2. People who spend less time using a computer or watching television get more respect from other people. Not
given
3. Book club members meet once a month. True
4. Book clubs run by famous people are more popular than those run by ordinary people. Not given
5. People often learn something new about themselves and others through reading a book, even if they don’t
like that book. True
6. The author believes that people don’t listen to one another enough. False
7. People do not have to agree with one another in order to become better communicators. True
8. Book club members do not normally form any type of relationship with other club members. Not given