By the book

'Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards. If you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.'

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) - American president

Comprehension: Book nouns

What is ...?

1 a book token

a. a book which someone gives you as a present that you know you will never read

b. a card worth a certain amount of money which is given as a present, and which can be used to buy books

2 a closed book

a. a book which you have found very difficult to read

b. a subject about which you know absolutely nothing

3 a coffee-table book

a. a large, expensive book full of pictures that is intended to be looked at rather than read

b. a paperback book that gives you recipes for hot drinks from around the world

4 a log book

a. an official document or register used for the purpose of recording information

b. a reference book that helps you identify different types of trees

5 an open book

a. a person you know so well you can always tell what they are thinking or feeling

b. an author's debut novel

Which book?

In which book would you ...

1 look for a recipe to make chocolate cake?

2 look up facts about the second world war?

3 check off the list of goods that are due to be delivered to your shop tomorrow?

4 write your name and address when you stay at a small hotel or a message when you go to a wedding?

5 check how to score in a game of tennis?

a a guest book

b a recipe book

c a reference book

d a rule book

e an order book

Book verbs

What do these verb phrases mean?

1 to do something by the book

a. to read a book that you are enjoying very quickly

b. to do something exactly as the rules tell you

2 to bring somebody to book

a. to punish somebody and make them explain their behaviour

b. to read a child a story before they go to sleep

3 to take a leaf out of somebody's book

a. to copy someone's actions because they produce good results

b. to damage a book that does not belong to you

4 to know every trick in the book

a. to be experienced and know every possible way of doing something

b. to perform a magic show at a children's party

What did he say?

Your friend has used these sentences. What did he mean?

1 You can't judge a book by its cover.

a. You can't tell what a person is like by simply looking at their appearance.

b. You can't tell what something tastes like until it is cooked.

2 That's the oldest trick in the book.

a. That is a very funny trick to play on someone you don't like.

b. That is not a very good way of tricking someone because it has been used so many times before.

3 Why have you always got your nose in a book?

a. Why are you always blowing your nose?

b. Why are you always reading?

4 You should throw the book at him.

a. You should severely punish him.

b. You should forgive him completely.

5 In my book, you were very rude.

a. There was no need to be so rude.

b. In my opinion, you were very rude.

Answers:

Book nouns: 1. b, 2. b, 3. a, 4. a, 5. a

Which book?: 1. b, 2. c, 3. e, 4. a, 5. d

Book verbs: 1. b, 2. a, 3. a, 4. a

What did he say?: 1. a, 2. b, 3. b, 4. a, 5. b