CBS Evening News: The Importance of Reading in a Tech-obsessed world
Activity 1 : Watch the video.
Activity 2: Complete the True or False below.
1. The speaker thinks people today are reading more than ever.
2. Reading helps us improve our imagination and empathy.
3. Smartphones are described as helpful for reading more.
4. The speaker says many people don’t finish even one book a year.
5. The same brain region lights up when we read about something as when we actually experience it.
6. Reading is described as a passive, relaxing act.
7. Opening apps repeatedly without thinking is compared to checking the fridge.
8. The video is connected to Dr Seuss’s birthday.
Activity 3: Read and understand the slang phrases and examples below
1. Imagination
2. Empathy
3. Attention
4. Distraction
5. Passive
6. Itchy feeling
7. Rebellion
8. Succumb
A. A restless feeling that makes you want to do something repeatedly
B. Receiving or taking in without active effort
C. An act of resisting or fighting against control or rules
D. Focusing your mind on something
E. The ability to create pictures or ideas in your mind
F. To give in or be overcome by something
G. Understanding and sharing another person's feelings
H. Something that takes your focus away
Activity 4: Fill the blanks with the vocabulary from Activity 3
Modern life keeps us in a state of __________ attention.
Readers are __________ to manage complex thoughts.
Some companies __________ our lack of focus.
Reading helps you understand other people's emotions and __________.
We open apps repeatedly, responding to constant __________.
Choosing to read instead of scroll is now a __________ act.
Reading __________ with an important author’s birthday.
Reading helps people __________ boredom and slow moments.
Activity 5: Choose Part 1 or Part 2 and write a short paragraph (share it below) or record a voice note.
Part 1: Debate
“Reading is more important now than ever before.”
→ Do you agree or disagree?
Support Questions:
1. What does reading give us that screens don’t?
2. Do you personally find it hard to concentrate when reading? Why?
3. Do you think schools and workplaces should protect time for reading?
Part 2: Reflection Questions
1. What distracts you the most in your daily life?
2. When was the last time you read a full book? How did it feel?
3. Do you think smartphones are changing your brain?
4. Do you agree that reading is a kind of rebellion today?
5. Would you like to build stronger reading habits? Why or why not?
Bitesizedenglish.co.uk s in no way affiliated with, authorised, maintained, sponsored or endorsed by CBS Evening News.
Photo by Felipe Pelaquim on Unsplash
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