Discussion Topic - Reading
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Discussion Topic - Reading.
Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Q. 1. Do you enjoy reading? [Why/why not?]
Answer: Yes, I do enjoy reading because it helps me to learn about many different kinds of things, including new and latest discoveries, cultures, traditions, lifestyles, important histories along with different world views and opinions that are shaping our world and our future everyday one way or another. Articles and editorials inform us about the latest trend in the world while fictions enhance our imagination and creativity.
Q. 2. What types of books do you read more often?
Answer: I mostly like to read history and philosophical books and books on travelling because all of these books quench the thirst of my mind, unlike any other things. History books allow me to learn about many unknown stories, that were never been told, while books on travelling allow me to learn about many exotic places in our world. Besides, I like to read classical stories written by great writers and fictions from contemporary writers as well.
Q. 3. Tell me something about your favourite book.
Answer: "The Alchemist", one of the greatest books of all time by Paulo Coelho, is my favourite book. The story of this fabulous book tells the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who follows his heart, goes with the flow and learns love and the meaning of life. Life gives you choices and chances if you are willing to take them and there is nothing called an impossible dream. This book is inspirational and I have read it more than once.
Alternative Answer: I have read a number of favourite books but one of my most favourite books is called “Islam between east and west” written by “Alija Izetbegović” a great philosopher and scholar from Bosnia (former Yugoslavia) who went to a great length to examine the historical conflict between “faith” and “materialism”. In this book, the author has dared to suggest that there are only three possible worldviews in this world, and they are religious views, materialistic views and Islamic views.
Q. 4. How has your reading habit changed since your childhood?
Answer: My reading habit has changed significantly since my childhood primarily because I don’t like to read the same kind of books today as I used to when I was a child. Besides, when I was a child, I would often forget about what I had read the previous month but today, I read books with a serious intention so that I can gather some lessons from them. Finally, in my childhood, I used to read all types of books but these days, I first read the reviews of a book and then decide which books should I read in the coming days.
Part 3: Details Discussion
Q. 1. What kinds of book are most popular with children in your country?
Answer: Children in my country usually like to read fairy tales because probably only these books bring them close to their “imaginary perfect world” with no sadness and misery in it. However, many children in my country also love to read “ghost story” as well as books on “travel and adventure” and “detective books” in order to quench the thirst of their “thriller” minds.
Q. 2. Do you think it’s a good idea to teach children to read when they are very young?
Answer: Yes, I do think that it is a good idea to teach children to read when they are very young because if we do so, the children set themselves up to succeed sooner rather than later. Besides, some research works suggest that children often don’t develop strong reading skills unless their parents familiarize them with books at home. Finally, at a very young age, most children already develop listening skills and print recognition skills, and so it would never hurt to teach them reading at a very young age.
Q. 3. How do you think children can be encouraged to read more?
Answer: Children can be encouraged to read more in various ways. To start with, we can work to develop children’s oral language so that they are interested to learn more words. And when they have the urge to learn more words, we can hand them books to encourage the reading. We can also read different kinds of stories to them while also surrounding them with different kinds of reading materials. Finally, we can encourage a wide variety of reading activities that are related to their activities. For example, if they are watching a cartoon, give them a book on cartoon movies or cartoon characters.
Q. 4. How our reading habit changes as we grow up? Why does it happen?
Answer: Our reading habit changes as we grow up because we become more mature, and we become more selective with what we should do and what we like to do. And as a result, the “children comedy” or “ghost stories”, which we used to like during our childhood, doesn’t invite us anymore after 20 years. Besides, as we age, we become empowered to make a decision for ourselves, instead of depending on our parents or teachers, and thus choosing a book that aligns more with knowledge and wisdom we seek.
Q. 5. What kind of books are considered good reads in your opinion?
Answer: In my humble opinion, books on “self-improvement” and “travel” should be considered good reads. I like books on “self-improvement” because it allows me to look into my own flaws and limitation, instead of ‘scrutinizing’ the behaviour and actions of others, which can have a humbling effect on our “ego”. After all, these days, we are too busy finding the faults of others, aren’t we? As for, travel books, there are so many beautiful places in this world with so many different kinds of people and culture, and reading a book on “travel” just open my heart and mind to be accepting of everybody in this world.
Q. 6. If a movie is based on a book, would you prefer to read the book or to watch the film? Why?
Answer: I would prefer to watch the film, rather than reading the entire book, mainly because watching a film makes things look more real and lively as if you are present there in real-time. Besides, reading a book is time-consuming, and I wouldn’t exactly have a proper mindset always to decipher each and every word of the book, despite my best efforts and intention, in order to be able to fully enjoy the book.
Alternative answer: Without a doubt, I would like to read the book because the book and not the movie is from the writer who came up with the stories and characters. Movies are entertaining but they often lack the depth and acumens of a good book. So no matter how hard the producers and directors try, the movie, in most of the cases, turn out to be less satisfying and less profound than the original book based was which the movie was made.
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