Isabel Bastida & Ana Mena

Do you agree?

Discuss in pairs• What of the things in the box do you

ever read?• Which do you enjoy reading most/

least? Why?• How often do you read in English?

What sort of things do you read in English?

• Would you ever consider joining a book club? Why (not)?

• Do you usually go to sleep with some good bedtime reading?

• What do you prefer reading a paperback (or hardback) book or an e-book? Why?

• Do you enjoy flicking through books in a bookshop, library, ..?

• Can you think of a book you have read and couldn’t put down?

Newspaper articles, academic books, comics, poems, novels, blogs,

best-sellers, self-help books, instruction manuals, internet forums,

travel / restaurant guides, reviews

DESCRIBING A BOOKHis slim novel contains seventeen loosely connected chapters and centres / revolves on the lives and loves of two elderly female artists. There is very little plot / argument as Jansson is far more interested in the minutiae of everyday life and in the way the relationship between her two stars / protagonists is realised through the sparse, minimal dialogue / speech.

This vivid portrayal of love and politics in medieval England is rooted / based on a true story and manages to bring / carry its characters and era to life through its rich, vibrant language. If you believe that love conquers all and enjoy stories held / set in the past, then this uplifting history / tale may well be for you.

This gripping non-fiction work traces / discovers the history of the feminist movement in twentieth- century America and explores / finds the impact it had on women. Basing / Revolving around the lives of ten women, the book sorts out / tackles such issue as marriage and divorce, domestic violence and the civil rights movement.

“STEP BY STEP” by Megan McDonough

This comic novel is so frequently laugh-out-loud funny that you might not want to read it in public! Told in the main / first person, the book explores the many arguments between the narrator / commentator and his German girlfriend- to hysterical effect! By turns / episodes, absurd, dark and full of insight / judgement, it’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever been in a relationship!

In this moving memoir / memory, Jones confronts her childhood and her troubled relationship with her abusive mother, whose conflict / struggle to overcome her alcoholism is explored in heart-wrenching detail. The book treats / deals with the themes of acceptance and transcendence and is a real page-turner from start to finish. I can’t suggest / recommend it highly enough.

In pairs. Discuss these questions

1. Would you recommend any of the five books to people you know? Which one(s)? Who to? Why?

2. Which of the books would you most / least like to read? Why?

3. Have you ever read anything similar to any of the books described? Talk about it.

Adjectives to describe booksPositive Negative

In pairs. Classify the adjectives below

gripping inaccurate offbeat spine-tingling flat fluent

mind-numbing bombastic verbose dull soppy heavy-going

life-like uninspired tedious wooden poignant riveting subtle

whimsical dreary redundant dazzling twisted awe-inspiring

Which of these adjectives would you use to talk about a film?

FILMS• What’s your favourite film genre?• How would you describe the following types of

films? - a chick-flick - a tearjerker - an indie movie

- a blockbuster - a B-movie

Expressions connected with films. Complete the sentences with the right expression from the box.

film buff trailer adaptation cult film screenplay flop remake stunt shoestring budget cameo twist PG film bombed left something to be desired

a) The director was unknown and couldn’t get funding, so the film was made on a………………… with a cast of amateurs

b) It was a box office smash in America, and made millions of dollars, but in this country it was a …………………

c) After reading the rave reviews online I was dying to see film, but honestly watching the ………………… has put me off going.

d) It’s a faithful ………………… of Ian Fleming’s novel.e) The film doesn’t appeal to a mass audience, but it has become a …………………f) The ………………… is by Tom Stoppard and John Williams composed the score.g) My brother is a real …………………; he can list all the films any director has made.h) The special effects were breathtaking, but the acting …………………i) The first movie was a hit, the sequel …………………j) The completely implausible ………………… at the end ruined it.k) What’s the film rated? I’m going with the kids. “It is a …………………”l) This romcom by Woody Allen deserves an Oscar nomination for the ………………… roles.m) When shooting Skyfall, Daniel Craig broke two ribs as he did all the ………………… scenes.n) To be honest, I liked the ………………… better than the original. The cast were much believable.

USEFUL LANGUAGERecommending entertainment• In terms of special effects, it is …• It’s an absolute must see.• The most striking thing about it is …• What makes it so breathtaking is …• The song itself is easily recognised.• It’s also been very influential in …• It makes an impression on you.• I’d recommend…• You should definitely see…• That’s worth seeing.• You can’t miss……• ........ is a must.

Speculating about entertainment• I suppose/ I guess/ I reckon the film

is about…• I’d say it doesn’t look appealing to

me.• It looks like a bleak portrayal.• It looks as if you were flying.• The painting seems to …• I wonder what the director …• I’d hazard a guess that …• The character gives the impression

that …• It might suggest that …• MODAL VERBS OF SPECULATION.

FILM/ BOOK REVIEWIntroduction: General info.• What type of film is it? It’s a kind of ....• What’s it about? It’s basically about .....• Who’s the main character / characters?• Who's’ written / directed it? • It’s set in .....in .....• It was shot in .....(films)/ shot on location• It’s based on a novel by ... (films)• It’s well-written/ It’s a (adjective)..... book about ....(topic)

Main points of the plot• The plot revolves around ../ centres on ....• The story reaches a dramatic climax when ....• There’s an unexpected twist when ...

Comments on it• (acting) moving/ weak/ unconvincing/ powerful ....• (plot) gripping/ Fast-moving/dull/confusing ...• (language) touching/ witty/ beautifully written / directed

Conclusion: Overall assessment and justification• You should definitely see /read it because ...• You can’t miss it.• You might enjoy it if you like ......

WRITING TASK: A REVIEWThink of a book / film you’ve read or watched and write a review to encourage people to read or watch it.Use the language and ideas presented in this PowerPoint, as well as in your book (pg.116-117)(250 words)