IELTS Speaking “Books & Reading” Topic Practice

A recorded version of a book in which someone reads the text aloud, which you can listen to

I listen to audiobooks while I drive to work because it helps me enjoy more stories in my busy schedule.

A book in which a person tells the story of their own life, written by that person themselves

The famous athlete wrote an autobiography describing her journey from a small village to winning an Olympic gold medal.

A book that you read before going to sleep at night, usually something relaxing and enjoyable

I always keep a light novel on my nightstand as my bedtime read to help me relax after a long day.

A book that has been sold in very large numbers and is extremely popular

Her debut novel became a bestseller and was translated into twenty languages.

A group of people who meet regularly to discuss books that they have all agreed to read together

I joined a book club at my office and we meet every month to talk about our chosen book over coffee.

A person who loves reading very much and spends a lot of time doing it

Sara is a real bookworm — she finishes at least three books every week.

From the very beginning to the very end of a book, meaning you read the whole thing without skipping any part

She was so fascinated by the history book that she read it cover to cover in one weekend.

A digital version of a book that you can read on a computer, tablet, or special electronic device

I downloaded the e-book onto my tablet so I could read it during my long flight.

A category or type of book, film, or music that shares similar features, style, or subject matter

My favorite genre is science fiction because I love stories about the future and technology.

So exciting and interesting that it holds your attention completely and is difficult to stop reading or watching

The gripping thriller kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last.

A type of serious fiction writing that focuses on deep themes, complex characters, and artistic use of language, rather than just telling an entertaining story

Literary fiction can sometimes be challenging to read, but it often makes you think deeply about life.

A public building in your neighborhood or town where people can borrow books and other materials for free

You can borrow up to five books at a time from the local library with your membership card.

Writing that is based on real facts, events, and people, rather than imaginary stories

I prefer reading non-fiction because I enjoy learning about true historical events.

A book that is so exciting and interesting that you want to keep reading it without stopping

The new mystery novel was such a page-turner that I stayed up until midnight to finish it.

A surprising and unexpected change in the story of a book or film that the reader did not predict

The plot twist at the end of the novel completely shocked me — I never expected the main character to be the villain.

The main character in a book, film, or story, whose experiences the story follows most closely

The protagonist of the novel is a young woman who travels the world searching for her missing father.

The regular patterns or routines a person has when it comes to reading, such as how often, when, and what they read

My reading habits changed a lot after I started taking the bus to work every day.

A book written to help readers improve their own lives, solve personal problems, or develop new skills and habits

After going through a difficult period, she read a self-help book about building confidence and it really motivated her.

To read something quickly, looking only at the main points without reading every word carefully

I didn't have much time, so I just skimmed through the report before the meeting.

Making you think seriously and carefully about important or difficult ideas and questions

The documentary was thought-provoking and made me reconsider my views on climate change.