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Chapter 6 Hobbies and Interests

Unit 5: Reading Books

Being a wide-reader contributes to having a healthy mind. Everyone has preferences
when it comes to book genres. Tell me about a book or books that you’ve read.

Answer A:

Last summer, I had read “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo. I normally like self-help books, but a
friend recommended it to me. I do not have a penchant for novels, but remove this from the list.
The story revolves around a man who’s willing to do everything to take care of people around
him. The book shows the different dimensions of what makes a person good. Good people are
very hard to describe. The world is imperfect, people are imperfect; but what can be perfected
in time is will. Jean Valjean, the main character in the story, dramatically perfected his will through
sacrifice and sometimes sacrificing what is considered kosher. “All extreme situations have
their flashes that sometimes blind us, sometimes illuminate us.” I also learned the two extremes
of goodness. As it says in the book, “Every blade has two edges; he who wounds with one
wounds himself with the other.” Like anyone who chooses his quotable tome to live by, I have
my Les Miserables. No self-help book has told me such lessons that I consider my treasures.

Points to emphasize in answering:

Give the title of the book.
[example: I had read “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo.]

When did you read the book? How did you know about it?

Give a short summary of the story in the book.
[example: The story revolves around a man who’s willing to do everything to take
care of people around him.]

Tell about the lessons you learned from the book.
[example: The book shows the different dimensions of what makes a
person good.]

Conclude the discussion.
[example: No self-help book has told me such lessons that I consider my treasures.]

Vocabulary

penchant - liking
dimension - aspect
perfected - make something ideal
kosher - acceptable
tome - book

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