隨著越來越多的人開始閱讀電子書或收聽有聲書，以傳統書籍為主導的時代會不會因此消失？新冠疫情有沒有改變人們的閱讀習慣？聽 “隨身英語” 節目聊一聊各類閱讀方式的利弊。

詞匯：books and reading 書籍與閱讀

Do you like to bury your head in a good book? Getting absorbed in a good story is a great way to relax. It improves your literacy, and, according to some experts, it’s good for your health as well. Studies show that it can increase our emotional intelligence as we understand a range of perspectives and motivations. But despite these benefits, does the way we consume a story make any difference?

For the purist, the only way to digest a good story is with a paperback or hardback book. Being in print, it’s possible to feel and even smell the book. And of course it’s very portable. But the traditional book has had a rival in recent years from e-books, which are read on e-readers or tablets. An ‘electronic’ book enables you to store hundreds of virtual books in one place and allows you to download books directly.

The e-book has become popular in schools, too, and according to one school in London, it’s encouraged more children to read. 11-year-old Summit told the BBC: “If you really want a book, you can just get it online. It’s so easy, and it’s made me read more. I probably read every day now.” For adults, e-books are certainly a lightweight way of accessing our favourite literature on the move.

The recent lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic have certainly given us all time to read more, and in the UK at least, sales of physical books have risen strongly. Last year, some 202 million paperbacks and hardbacks were sold, and the publishing industry hopes this trend will continue now that people have got into the habit of reading more.

But for those who can’t or don’t want to look at the text in a book, there are audiobooks to listen to. According to Clare Thorpe, writing for the BBC Culture website: “There are hugely ambitious productions using ensemble casts, specially created soundscapes and technological advances… some authors are even skipping print and writing exclusive audio content.” No matter what your reading preference, there’s no doubt we are spoilt for choice in how we access a good story.

詞匯表

bury one's head in 埋頭于
literacy 讀寫能力
emotional intelligence 情商
motivation 動機
purist 講究規范的人，主張正統的人
digest 吸收，理解
paperback 平裝書
hardback 精裝書
in print 印刷的
e-book 電子書
e-reader 電子書閱讀器
literature 文學作品
publishing 出版
text 文字
audiobook 有聲書
soundscape 聲景
spoilt for choice 因選擇太多而無從下手

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. According to some studies, what can reading a book help to improve?

2. What device do you need to read an e-book?

3. Why has the sale of physical books increased in recent times?

4. Who hopes people will get more into the habit of reading a book?

5. True or false? Listening to an audiobook does not require reading a book.

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. I like to read crime stories and work out the _______ of the characters.

digest                         literacy                           motivations                 soundscapes

2. I’ve got a lot to do so I’ve got to _______ in work today.

bury my head             buried my head             bury the head              bury my heads

3. The _______ among us will only play football on grass and not artificial turf.

purer                           purests                          purists                         pure

4. I picked up a cheap _______ at the station and am now reading it on the train.

soundscape                literature                        paperback                   e-reader

5. We were _______ when it came to choosing which film we wanted to watch at the cinema.

spoilts for choice        spoiling for choice          spoils for choice         spoilt for choice

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. According to some studies, what can reading a book help to improve?
Studies show that it can increase our emotional intelligence.

2. What device do you need to read an ebook?
You need an e-reader or a tablet to read an ebook on.

3. Why has the sale of physical books increased in recent times?
The recent lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic have given us more time to read books.

4. Who hopes people will get more into the habit of reading a book?
The publishing industry hopes this trend will continue, now that people have got into the habit of reading more.

5. True or false? Listening to an audiobook does not require reading a book.
True. Listening to an audiobook is good for those who can’t or don’t want to look at the text in a book.

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. I like to read crime stories and work out the motivations of the characters.

2. I’ve got a lot to do so I’ve got to bury my head in work today.

3. The purists among us will only play football on grass and not artificial turf.

4. I picked up a cheap paperback at the station and am now reading it on the train.

5. We were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing which film we wanted to watch at the cinema.