The power of reading

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Let’s get started
with a warm-up

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Discuss the questions.

● What was the last book you read?

● Have you ever read a book twice? Why?

● Are there any books on your reading list that you are excited about?

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Let’s work with some vocabulary!

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Read the sentences and complete the words. The first letters are provided.

A. When I start reading a book, I have to finish it even if it’s

heavy-g___________ .

B. I like books with multiple plot t___________ so that I can’t guess the
ending until the very end.

C. When I go on holiday, I choose an e___________ read because I need to

relax completely.

D. I can only read before bed if a book is c___________ enough. It needs to

hold my interest so that I don’t fall asleep.

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part 2/2

Read the sentences and complete the words. The first letters are provided.

E. I used to be an avid r___________ and read everything I could get my hands

on. I don’t read as much these days.

F. I find it compelling when protagonists and a___________ make peace at

the end of a book.

G. If a book is a p___________ -turner, I can’t put it down and I read it in one

sitting.

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part 1/2

Let’s check the answers.

A. When I start reading a book, I have to finish it even if it’s

heavy-g___________
going .

B. twists
I like books with multiple plot t___________ so that I can’t guess the
ending until the very end.

C. When I go on holiday, I choose an e___________

easy read because I need to
relax completely.

D. I can only read before bed if a book is c___________

captivating enough. It needs to
hold my interest so that I don’t fall asleep.

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part 2/2

Let’s check the answers.

E. I used to be an avid r___________

reader and read everything I could get my hands
on. I don’t read as much these days.

F. antagonists make peace at

I find it compelling when protagonists and a___________
the end of a book.

G. If a book is a p___________
page -turner, I can’t put it down and I read it in one
sitting.

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part 1/2

Read the sentences again and discuss if they are true for you.

● When I start reading a book, I have to finish it even if it’s heavy-going.

● I like books with multiple plot twists so that I can’t guess the ending until
the very end.

● When I go on holiday, I choose an easy read because I need to relax

completely.

● I can only read before bed if a book is captivating enough. It needs to hold
my interest so that I don’t fall asleep.

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part 2/2

Read the sentences again and discuss if they are true for you.

● I used to be an avid reader and read everything I could get my hands on. I
don’t read as much these days.

● I find it compelling when protagonists and antagonists make peace at the

end of a book.

● If a book is a page-turner, I can’t put it down and I read it in one sitting.

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It’s reading time!

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Read three descriptions of famous books and guess what they are.

1 2
The protagonist lives in a
society plagued with injustice
and totalitarian control.
People are not allowed to
question things and the
government does everything to
diminish the value of
individuality. The main
character finds comfort in his
diary where he can share his
inner thoughts.
The protagonist has to fight
with bigotry against women
all her life. Unlike many of her
peers, she’s direct, well-read
and has progressive ideas
which are often stigmatized
as disgraceful qualities for a
woman to have.
3
Many children aged 11 and
older often identify with the
main characters from these
books. They immerse
themselves in a magical world
where three friends not only
have to fight creepy villains, but
build relationships, stand up
against injustice and
deal with everyday challenges
at school.

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part 1/3

Read the descriptions again and find the words or phrases that are synonyms of
the ones on the right.
1
The protagonist lives in a A. prejudice
society plagued with injustice
B. lose oneself
and totalitarian control.
People are not allowed to C. reduce
question things and the D. confront
government does everything to
E. affected by
diminish the value of
individuality. The main F. open-minded
character finds comfort in his
diary where he can share his
inner thoughts.

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part 2/3

Read the descriptions again and find the words or phrases that are synonyms of
the ones on the right.
2
The protagonist has to fight A. prejudice
with bigotry against women all
B. lose oneself
her life. Unlike many of her
peers, she’s direct, well-read C. reduce
and has progressive ideas D. confront
which are often stigmatized
E. affected by
as disgraceful qualities for a
woman to have. F. open-minded

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part 3/3

Read the descriptions again and find the words or phrases that are synonyms of
the ones on the right.
3
Many children aged 11 and A. prejudice
older often identify with the
B. lose oneself
main characters from these
books. They immerse C. reduce
themselves in a magical world D. confront
where three friends not only
E. affected by
have to fight creepy villains, but
build relationships, stand up F. open-minded
against injustice and
deal with everyday challenges
at school.

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part 1/3

Let’s check the answers.

1
The protagonist lives in a A. prejudice
society plagued with injustice
B. lose oneself
and totalitarian control.
People are not allowed to C. reduce
question things and the D. confront
government does everything to
E. affected by
diminish the value of
individuality. The main F. open-minded
character finds comfort in his
diary where he can share his
inner thoughts.

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part 2/3

Let’s check the answers.

2
The protagonist has to fight A. prejudice
with bigotry against women all
B. lose oneself
her life. Unlike many of her
peers, she’s direct, well-read C. reduce
and has progressive ideas D. confront
which are often stigmatized
E. affected by
as disgraceful qualities for a
woman to have. F. open-minded

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part 3/3

Let’s check the answers.

3
Many children aged 11 and A. prejudice
older often identify with the
B. lose oneself
main characters from these
books. They immerse C. reduce
themselves in a magical world D. confront
where three friends not only
E. affected by
have to fight creepy villains, but
build relationships, stand up F. open-minded
against injustice and
deal with everyday challenges
at school.

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Discuss the questions.

● Which of the books from the descriptions have you read? Did you
like them? Why/Why not? Are any of them an easy read?

● What do you think makes any of these books a must-read?

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In a moment, you’ll watch a video about:

reading and the Harry Potter books

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Read the statement and think of an argument to refute it.

Reading fiction is only for fun.

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 Watch the video (to 00:57) and check your answer.

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Watch the rest of the video (from 00:58) and find the arguments to refute the
statements below.

A. Harry Potter is about magic and it

is irrelevant in real life.

B. Harry Potter books don’t make

children more open-minded.

C. There’s no scientific evidence of

the fact that reading fiction
changes people.

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Let’s see some possible answers.

A. Harry Potter is about magic and it Harry Potter’s world is not just full of magic. It is plagued with the
is irrelevant in real life. same injustices we face today. For example, the way Voldemort
and his supporters treat muggles and consider themselves to be
superior might be compared to modern day discrimination.
B. Harry Potter books don’t make Researchers conducted experiments and proved that children who
children more open-minded. read Harry Potter and identified with the main characters had an
improved attitude towards stigmatised groups.

C. There’s no scientific evidence of According to a brain imaging study, getting immersed in a story
the fact that reading fiction changes the hub regions of the brain linked to language function
changes people. and representing other people’s perspectives.

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Let’s talk!

ESL Brains
Read some famous quotes from the Harry Potter books and decide what
they can teach people.

● ‘Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are
identical and our hearts are open.’

● ‘We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.’

● ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as
much to stand up to our friends.’

● ‘If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats
his inferiors, not his equals.’

● ‘It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our
abilities.’

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part 1/2

Discuss the questions.

● Do you agree with the benefits of reading stories listed in the video? What
other effects can reading fiction have on people?

● Do you agree that the Harry Potter books are much more than books
about wizardry? Why/Why not?

● Can you identify with any of the characters from Harry Potter? Which
house would you be in: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw? Why?

● What are some other books or stories that can help children become more
empathetic? What books promote progressive ideas?

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part 2/2

Discuss the questions.

● What makes a character compelling for you?

● What was the most heavy-going book you’ve had to read? Why was it so?

● Can you think of a book that made you identify with the main character?

● Have you ever read a book that you couldn’t put down? Why was it so
captivating?

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Let’s write!

ESL Brains
Write a short review of any book of your choice. Include information
about the topics below.

● plot and character description

● your reading experience
● what this book can teach people

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THANKS!

ESL Brains