Does reading fiction make us better people?

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

To tend (to do something)

A claim/ To claim something

Pity

To exaggerate (something)

To work (something) out

Blind

To turn out

A distraction

As in

To be hooked (on something)

Having said that

A riot

In other words

To get around (something)

Subtle

To fetch (something) 

To firmly believe (something)

A plot

At first glance

To be deemed (to be) something

A novel

Regardless

As though

A passer-by

To wet yourself

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1. Does the research show that reading fiction increases people’s empathy?

2. What was the “Mind in the Eyes” test?

3. Do you like to read fiction? Why?

4. What’s the best book you have ever read?

5. What are the benefits of reading?

6. Why do people read?

7. How do people choose the books they want to read?

8. If you had to write a book, what would you write?

9. Did you like reading as a child?

10. What’s the best way to inspire kids to read?

11. Do you think that soon people will stop buying paper books?

12. Who is your country’s greatest author?

13. Do you enjoy going to the theatre?

14. Is watching TV as beneficial as reading books?

15. What’s your favourite TV series?