Is listening to a book better than reading it? – Quiz

1.  Read the text and answer the questions. 

1. What benefits are mentioned in relation to reading in general?
It strengthens communicative ability, vocabulary, and increases emotional intelligence and perception.

2. Why does reading a physical book help to retain information better?
Because when you can see the words, your attention is held more closely.

3. True or false? You feel more empathy towards a character if you read a physical book.
False. You feel more empathy towards a character if you listen to an audiobook.

4. Why is it easier to lose focus in an audiobook?
Because it isn’t as easy to go back and listen again, unlike with a physical book.

5. Why can listening to a book help you enjoy it more?
It heightens the intensity and imagery of the story.

2.  Choose the appropriate words or phrases to complete the following sentences.

1. He was so engrossed by the film, that he didn’t hear me shout.

2. My sister really came alive when she danced on stage.

3. I always read the blurb before choosing a book.

4. Children have shorter attention spans than adults.

5. When you speak, your intonation will help people understand what you mean. 

 Is listening to a book better than reading it?

Picture yourself sitting at home in a quiet reading nook, ignoring the world around you, engrossed in a tale. You read the blurb, instantly became intrigued and now you’re in the middle of an absolute page-turner. But, there’s a hot debate – physical books vs. e-books vs. audiobooks. Does the device you’re using to read affect your reaction to the book?

Generally, reading uses several areas of the brain. There’s attention span, reasoning, reading fluency, memory and language comprehension. Reading is known to strengthen communicative ability, vocabulary and increase emotional intelligence and social perception. So, whichever way you’re reading, there are definitely benefits.

But, let’s look at the pros to reading with your eyes – that’s physical books and e-books. They can help to retain information better. This is because when you can actually see the words, your attention is held more closely. Add to this the fact that with physical books you can go back and find any part you missed, especially if your mind wanders, which it likely will at some point or other.

On the other hand, there’s the audiobook. Headphones in, you’re switched off from life and the story really comes alive, almost like watching a film – in your head. From a scientific perspective, listening to an audiobook is likely to help you develop a greater sense of empathy as you hear the emotion of the narrator. We can more easily understand inflection and intonation. Hearing the story engages different parts of the brain, heightening the intensity and imagery, making you enjoy it more. Yet, going back to attention span, with an audiobook it’s true that it’s much harder to go back and listen again.

All in all, it seems that there are advantages to both physical books and audiobooks. Perhaps, next time you find yourself browsing bookshop shelves, also consider the format. It may just change your whole literary experience.