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Vocabulary  


Adjectives to describe books and films:
Action-packed: full of action.

Example: My brother loves action-packed movies. Probably that’s why his favourite film is “Terminator”.

Addictive: a book or film that you quickly become addicted to.

Example: “Harry Potter” series by Joanne Rowling are so addictive! I couldn’t stop after the first book and read all volumes.

Creepy: producing a sensation of uneasiness or fear, scary.

Example: Noah finds Stephen King’s stories creepy.

Dreary: gloomy or depressing.

Example: I can’t stand dramas, thrillers and other dreary movies.

Entertaining: funny and enjoyable.

Example: Comedies are very entertaining.

Futuristic: telling about the future.

Example: “Star Wars” movie is futuristic and dynamic.

Heartbreaking: that breaks your heart and evokes sad emotions.

Example: When my aunt watched “Titanic” she cried all day! It’s such a heartbreaking film.

Inspirational: evoking inspiration.

Intense: a book or film loaded with actions and emotions that evokes strong feelings.

Example: The play’s plot was very intense. Just a minute after a couple had a quarrel in the forest, the secret lover appeared and started a fire-fight.

Tear-jerking: tragic, making you cry.

Example: My sister is very emotional. I would rather watch a comedy with her than a tear-jerking movie!

Thought-provoking: a book or film that makes you think of new ideas or that changes your attitude to something.

Example: Ray Bradbury’s novel “Fahrenheit 451” is deeply thought-provoking. I had to rethink my attitude to legislation and censorship after I read it.

Advanced vocabulary:

Action movie: film with fast moving scenes, often containing violence.

Example: Last week I saw a great action movie with my brother at our local movie theatre.

Bedtime reading: a book you read in your bed before going to sleep.

Example: I’m really addicted to books! I can’t even fall asleep without an hour of bedtime reading.

Box office hit: a very successful movie, in terms of money.

Example: The new movie might be a box office hit, but I didn’t like it at all.

E-reader: a gadget for reading books.

Example: My e-reader broke a few days ago, so now I’ll need to fix it or buy a new one.

From cover to cover: from the first page to the last.

Example: I am a slow reader so it takes me a lot of time to read a book from cover to cover.

Hardcover: a book with hard cover. Opposite to softcover.

Example: My friend gave me a hardcover book as a present for my birthday.

Page turner: a book which is so good that you cannot stop reading it.

Example: My sister recommended me a great book. It was such a page turner that I read it in one day!

Plot: a storyline of a book or film.

Intricate plot: a very complex, labyrinthine plot.

Example: The famous Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” has a very intricate plot. It  tells a story of five different families and comprises of 4 volumes.

Subordinate plot (subplot): a plot that is related to, but less important than the main plot of a story.

Example: Ernest Hemingway’s novel “The Sun Also Rises” tells a love story of a man and a woman. However, the book involves many subordinate plots that raise questions about physical and spiritual affinity, trans-racial relationships and anti-Semitism.

Threadbare plot: a simple, primitive plot.

Example: The movie’s plot was threadbare, but cutely disarming in its own way.

Unravelling of the plot: the way in which a story develops over time.

Example: I first thought Jack London’s novel “Martin Eden” to be pretty straightforward. However, the plot unravelled in a very unpredicted way.

Useful idioms:

Don’t judge a book by its cover: a metaphorical phrase which means “you shouldn’t judge someone or something by its appearance alone”.

Example: When I first met Sam I didn’t find him handsome. But, as people say, don’t judge a book by its cover. He turned out to be the most interesting person I’ve ever met and we married soon!

To catch the latest movie: to see a movie that has just come out.

Example: We need to hurry up if we want to catch the latest movie.

To flick through: to look quickly through a book.

Example: I flicked through my notes to prepare for the exam as didn’t have time to study properly.

To know like a book: to know something extremely well.

Example: I live in this city for my whole life and I know it like a book.

To read between the lines: to understand the hidden meaning about something.

Example: When I broke up with my girlfriend, I didn’t want anyone to know that. But Tom saw us in the different corners of the classroom and read everything between the lines. He’s very discerning.

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FAQs on Topic: Books & Films - Speaking for IELTS

1. What are some popular books and films that have been adapted from each other?
Ans. Some popular examples of books and films that have been adapted from each other include "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien, which was adapted into a highly successful film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. Another example is "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling, which spawned a film series that became a global phenomenon. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is another notable example, with multiple film adaptations made over the years.
2. How do books and films differ in their storytelling techniques?
Ans. Books and films differ in their storytelling techniques primarily due to the different mediums through which they convey their stories. Books rely on written words to describe scenes, characters, and emotions, allowing readers to use their imagination to visualize the story. Films, on the other hand, use visuals, sounds, and performances to bring the story to life on the screen. Films also have the advantage of utilizing music, cinematography, and editing techniques to enhance the storytelling experience.
3. What are some advantages of reading a book over watching a film adaptation?
Ans. Reading a book offers several advantages over watching a film adaptation. Firstly, books often provide more detailed and nuanced storytelling, allowing readers to delve deeper into the characters' thoughts and emotions. Books also allow readers to use their imagination to create their own visual interpretation of the story. Additionally, books can offer a more immersive experience as readers can take their time to savor each word and paragraph, creating a deeper connection with the story and its themes.
4. Are there any cases where the film adaptation is considered better than the original book?
Ans. While it is subjective, there have been cases where the film adaptation is considered better than the original book. One example is "The Shawshank Redemption," which is based on a novella by Stephen King. Many viewers argue that the film adaptation, directed by Frank Darabont, successfully captured the essence of the story and improved certain aspects, such as the ending. Another example is "The Godfather," which is often praised as a superior film adaptation compared to the original novel by Mario Puzo.
5. How does the process of adapting a book into a film work?
Ans. The process of adapting a book into a film involves several steps. Firstly, the rights to adapt the book need to be acquired. Once the rights are secured, a screenwriter is usually hired to adapt the book into a screenplay, which involves condensing and adapting the story to fit the film medium. The screenplay then goes through revisions and approvals before a director is attached to the project. The director works with a production team to cast actors, design sets, and plan the visual and technical aspects of the film. Filming takes place, followed by post-production, which includes editing, adding music and special effects, and finalizing the film for release.
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