5 Minute Listening: What are you reading?
- Two students are conducting a survey to write an article for their school newspaper about novels that students read
- Listen to the audio and answer the questions
What’s your favourite?Interview one
Polly: Hello, my name’s Polly. I’m from Saint John’s Secondary School. I wonder if you have time to answer a few questions for a survey we’re conducting.
Kelly: No problem.
Polly: Can you give me your name and age please?
Kelly: I’m Kelly and I’m 15.
Polly: Do you enjoy reading?
Kelly: Yes, I love to read. Reading’s my favourite pastime.
Polly: What sort of books do you read most?
Kelly: I enjoy reading fiction. I don’t read factual books very much at all.
Polly: What sort of fiction do you like?
Kelly: I read all sorts of novels but my favourite type of book is a detective novel. I must have read hundreds.
Polly: Do you have a favourite writer?
Kelly: Yes. My favourite writer is Agatha Christie. Her books are brilliant.
Polly: Why is she your favourite author?
Kelly: Because her stories are so clever. They always involve a murder, but you can never guess who the murderer is until the end of the book. When I read one of her novels I always think I know the identity of the killer, but I’m always wrong.
Polly: How many of her books have you read?
Kelly: About fifteen. I have a complete list of all the novels she wrote and my ambition is to read them all.
Polly: How many hours a week do you spend reading?
Kelly: That’s difficult to say. I always read for an hour in bed before I go to sleep. So I would say I read about a dozen hours a week. More during the school holidays.
Polly: How many books would you say you read in a year?
Kelly: Oh ... one every two weeks. About twenty, twenty-five.
Polly: Do you read magazines?
Kelly: No, because I don’t have time. I would much rather spend my reading time a novel.
Polly: Thanks. That’s been very useful. Thanks for your time.
Interview two
Joe: Hello, my name’s Joe. I’m from Saint John’s Secondary School. Would you mind answering a few questions for a survey we’re doing at school, please?
Prisha: Okay. But I’ve only got a few minutes. Make it quick, please.
Joe: Cool. Can I have your name and age?
Prisha: I’m Prisha and I’m 14.
Joe: Do you enjoy reading?
Prisha: Sometimes. I don’t read all the time like the rest of my friends seem to.
Joe: Do you read fiction or non-fiction?
Prisha: Both. I’ll read anything if it interests me.
Joe: What sort of fiction do you like?
Prisha: I don’t have a favourite type of book.
Joe: Do you have a favourite writer?
Prisha: No. I can never remember the names of people who write books.
Joe: What book are you reading at the moment?
Prisha: I’m reading Twilight. All my friend have read it so I thought I’d give it a go.
Joe: How many hours a week do you spend reading?
Prisha: I haven’t a clue.
Joe: How many books did you read last year?
Prisha: Not many. I’m a slow reader. I’d say about three or four.
Joe: Do you read magazines?
Prisha: Yes, I read style magazines.
Joe: Thanks. That’s great.
Interview three
Polly: Hello, my name’s Polly. I’m from Saint John’s Secondary time to answer a few questions for a survey we’re doing at school?
Kai-chung: Cool. I hope they’re not too boring!
Polly: To start with, may I have your name and age??
Kai-chung: I’m Kai-chung and I’m 16.
Polly: Thanks. Do you like reading?
Kai-chung: Yes, I enjoy a good book from time to time, but I’m not the world’s greatest reader.
Polly: What sort of books do you like best?
Kai-chung: Books with a good story. If a book’s boring, I don’t get past the first couple of chapters.
Polly: Have you got a favourite type of book?
Kai-chung: Yes, I love horror stories.
Polly: Have you a favourite writer?
Kai-chung: Yes. it's an American guy called Stephen King. His books are long and it takes me ages to read one, but his stories are amazing.
Polly: Why is he your favourite author?
Kai-chung: Because his books are so spooky.
Polly: How many of his novels have you read?
Kai-chung: I’ve read The Shining and Carrie. I’m about to start IT.
Polly: How many hours a week do you spend reading?
Kai-chung: It varies. Not many at the moment because I have so much school work to do. About three or four hours on average.
Polly: Do you read magazines?
Kai-chung: Very rarely. I never buy magazines. If a friend gives me one, I’ll look through it.
Polly: Thanks for helping me!
Answers:
1. C
2. B
3. B
4. D
5. A
6. C
7. B
8. D
9. D
10. C
11. A
12. B
13. D
14. B
15. D