IELTS Speaking 2017 Questions # Books

Last time we looked at a cue card that talked about a book that inspired you. The book that you would like to read again. Click on the link below for the cue card question:

Favourite Book Cue Card

This time we are looking at the part III questions related to the cue card.

What can we learn from the literature: especially classics?

Books always have so much to offer to its readers that it truly becomes a part of our lives. It could be fiction, non-fiction or autobiographies. But, literature is the one part of reading that surely takes readers to a new level of understanding and shows dimensions like never before. Classics in many ways showcase the happenings of the time when they were written. People who do read classics are able to understand better the problems of people in past and make so much more sense in the present. I remember reading Godan by Premchand. The classic is about the people living in the village during the post-independence era and showcases the emotional and financial issues faced by the common people. It made me understand the difficulties the villagers in my country do face.

What has changed in terms of reading over the past few decades?

Reading has always been an integral part of our lives since ages. There have been struggles by women to read and write but I believe things have changed when compared with the past. Reading has now become the mainstream hobby that people do propaganda about.  People did read books and newspaper earlier as well, but in today’s time, they have gained importance like never before. Someone who reads novels is given importance and respect and is treated more of intellectual.

Do you think people read less or more nowadays?
People have surely become more inclined towards reading in present times when compared with the past. With the importance of reading being highlighted in recent times, many youngsters have started reading novels and newspaper. Even more, with the high pace with which digitalisation is happening, one need not to always read books to gain knowledge. With google and facebook, most people read news and articles online. There are ebooks available and with competition increasing, surely things have changed.
What do you think is the difference between reading novels and watching movies?
Novels and movies are two different ways of depicting the same facts, in my opinion. There are some people who have a major impact when they read something, while for others to grasp a concept it is important to visualise it. Novels are more of the detailed version of everything, one has to read it to understand it. With movies, the lot of things can happen in the background. For example, in movies, you need not say that the person is sad, a background music and tears can help. With novels, it’s all about words and the writes them off!
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