✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Sport Equipment

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you play any sports that require equipment?

2. What sports equipment do you own?

3. Do you prefer team sports or individual sports?

4. Have you ever borrowed or shared sports gear?

5. Do you think quality equipment makes a difference?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a piece of sports equipment you own or have used.
You should say:

• what it is

• how you got it

• how often you use it
  and explain why it is useful or important to you.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I play tennis and use a tennis racket every week.
2. I have a cricket bat and football boots that I use for weekend games.
3. I prefer team sports — I enjoy playing goalkeeper and wearing my goalkeeper gloves.
4. Yes, I once borrowed a table tennis paddle at a tournament.
5. Definitely — good protective gear and shoes help performance and safety.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One piece of sports equipment I use often is my tennis racket. I bought it last year when I joined a tennis club near my house.

It’s lightweight and has a strong grip, which really helps with control and power. I use it about twice a week when I play with friends.

I’ve also invested in protective gear like wristbands and a case to protect the strings.

It’s important to me because tennis helps me stay fit, and having the right gear makes it even more enjoyable.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Sport Equipment

1. "She bought a new tennis racket for the school tournament."
Q: What equipment did she buy?

2. "His grandfather gave him a wooden cricket bat as a gift."
Q: What did he receive?

3. "You need proper football boots to play on grass pitches."
Q: What kind of shoes are required?

4. "The goalkeeper’s gloves helped him make some amazing saves."
Q: What helped the player?

5. "Cyclists should always wear protective gear like helmets and pads."
Q: What is recommended for safety?

6. "He forgot his table tennis paddle and had to borrow one."
Q: What did he forget?

7. "They installed a basketball hoop in the schoolyard."
Q: What was added to the schoolyard?

8. "The wind kept blowing the shuttlecock off course."
Q: What object was affected by the wind?

9. "She always wears swimming goggles to protect her eyes."
Q: What does she use in the pool?

10. "The team left their hockey sticks in the changing room."
Q: What equipment did they leave behind?

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✦ Answer Key

1. A tennis racket.

2. A cricket bat.

3. Football boots.

4. Goalkeeper gloves.

5. Helmets and pads for safety.

6. A table tennis paddle.

7. A basketball hoop.

8. The shuttlecock.

9. Swimming goggles.

10. Hockey sticks.

 

🧛‍♂️ Dracula – Chapter 11 (Adapted)

Title: Hunting the Count

Van Helsing and his team continued their mission: to find all of Dracula’s boxes of earth—his safe places—and destroy them. They believed this would weaken him and make it possible to end his evil forever.

Jonathan, Arthur, Dr. Seward, and Quincey searched every location Dracula had visited. In one house near the Thames River, they found several of the boxes. Some were empty, but others still held dirt. They placed holy wafers in them so Dracula could not return.

Van Helsing stayed with Mina, who was now very weak. Her face was white, her lips red, and the wounds on her neck deeper. She had dreams of a dark fog entering her room and of hearing Dracula’s voice. Still, she helped with the group’s work—writing, organizing notes, and encouraging the men.

One day, Van Helsing gathered them together.

“Dracula is planning to escape. He knows we are closing in.”

“Where would he go?” asked Arthur.

“Back to Transylvania,” said Jonathan. “To his castle.”

Van Helsing nodded.

“We must stop him before he leaves England.”

Then something terrible happened. Mina cried out in the night. The men ran to her room and found her lying in bed, her face pale and wet with tears. In the dark corner stood Count Dracula, his red eyes glowing.

Dracula hissed at them, his lips stained with blood. Jonathan rushed forward, but the Count disappeared into a cloud of mist.

Van Helsing ran to Mina. Her nightdress was soaked with blood. But this time, the marks were not only on her neck—there was also a small wound on her chest.

“He made her drink his blood,” Van Helsing said in horror. “Now their minds are connected.”

Mina began to cry.

“Am I becoming one of them?”

“No,” Van Helsing said firmly. “We still have time.”

They quickly put protections around the house—garlic, holy water, crucifixes. Mina was given sacred items to keep with her at all times.

But now there was a new idea: if Mina and Dracula were mentally linked, perhaps they could use this to track him.

Van Helsing spoke to Mina.

“If you concentrate, can you see where he is?”

Mina closed her eyes. After a long pause, she said:

“He is on a ship. I feel the sea. I smell salt in the air. He is going home…”

“Then we must follow!” shouted Jonathan.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Wafer	A small piece of holy bread used in church
Thames River	A river in London
Encouraging	Giving support and confidence
Escape	To run away
Nightdress	A dress worn for sleeping
Sacred	Religious or holy
Mentally linked	Connected by the mind or thoughts

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What did the group do to Dracula’s boxes?

2. How was Mina feeling during this chapter?

3. What did Dracula do to Mina during the night?

4. Why was Van Helsing so worried after the attack?

5. How did they plan to use Mina’s condition to help?

6. Where was Dracula going?

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✅ Answers

1. They placed holy wafers inside the boxes to make them unusable.

2. She was weak but still tried to help the others.

3. He made her drink his blood and bit her again.

4. Because Dracula and Mina were now mentally connected.

5. They planned to track Dracula using Mina’s mental link.

6. Back to Transylvania, on a ship

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Sport Places to Play – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Football pitch
   e.g., The match was held on a well-maintained football pitch.

2. Athletics track
   e.g., She trains every morning on the local athletics track.

3. Stadium atmosphere
   e.g., The stadium atmosphere was electric during the final.

4. Spectator stands
   e.g., Thousands of fans filled the spectator stands before kickoff.

5. Cricket ground
   e.g., We watched a game at one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country.

6. Tennis court
   e.g., You need to book the tennis court in advance at our club.

7. Basketball court
   e.g., They play every weekend on the outdoor basketball court near the school.

8. Home ground advantage
   e.g., The team usually performs better with the home ground advantage.

9. Indoor arena
   e.g., The match had to be moved to an indoor arena because of the rain.

10. Training facility
    e.g., The club has invested in a state-of-the-art training facility.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Sport Places

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you like playing or watching sports?

2. Are there good sports facilities in your area?

3. Have you ever been to a stadium?

4. What’s your favourite place to play or watch sport?

5. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor sports venues?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a sports venue you have visited or seen.
You should say:

• what kind of place it is

• what sport is played there

• what it looks like
  and explain why you remember it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I love both! I enjoy playing on the football pitch at my local park.
2. Definitely. We have a nice basketball court and a modern training facility.
3. Yes, I’ve been to a huge stadium for a concert, but also to watch a match — the stadium atmosphere was amazing.
4. I like watching matches from the spectator stands at the cricket ground near my house.
5. I prefer indoor arenas for sports like volleyball — no weather interruptions!

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Part 2 Sample Answer

Last year, I visited a famous cricket ground in London with a group of friends. It was a historic stadium and had a great stadium atmosphere, especially when the home team scored.

We sat in the spectator stands quite close to the field, and the view was fantastic. I learned it was also used as a training facility when matches weren’t on.

The whole experience was exciting — even though I’m not a huge cricket fan, being in such a place made it really memorable.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Sport Venues

1. "The match was held on a well-maintained football pitch."
Q: What kind of surface was the game played on?

2. "She trains every morning on the local athletics track."
Q: Where does she go to train?

3. "The stadium atmosphere was electric during the final."
Q: What was the atmosphere like?

4. "Thousands of fans filled the spectator stands before kickoff."
Q: Where were the fans sitting?

5. "We watched a game at one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country."
Q: What kind of venue was it?

6. "You need to book the tennis court in advance at our club."
Q: What do you have to do before playing tennis?

7. "They play every weekend on the outdoor basketball court near the school."
Q: Where do they usually play?

8. "The team usually performs better with the home ground advantage."
Q: What helps the team perform better?

9. "The match had to be moved to an indoor arena because of the rain."
Q: Why was the venue changed?

10. "The club has invested in a state-of-the-art training facility."
Q: What did the club build?

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✦ Answer Key

1. A football field or pitch.

2. At an athletics track.

3. Very exciting or lively.

4. In the stadium seating area.

5. A place where cricket is played.

6. Make a reservation.

7. At an outdoor basketball court.

8. Playing on familiar ground.

9. Bad weather.

10. A modern place for practice.

 

🧛‍♂️ Dracula – Chapter 10 (Adapted)

Title: A New Target

Now that Lucy had been laid to rest, Van Helsing and his friends knew that Count Dracula was still alive—and dangerous. He had already taken one victim, and they feared he would take more.

Van Helsing spoke to Jonathan and Mina.

“We must be brave. Dracula is in London. He hides by day and walks by night. We must find him and stop him.”

Jonathan remembered the castle in Transylvania. His face went pale as he said:

“I know him. I was his prisoner. I saw him crawl down the castle wall like a lizard.”

Mina hugged him. She was proud of how strong he had become. But Van Helsing noticed something else—Mina looked tired. Her skin was pale, and her eyes had dark circles beneath them.

He looked at Jonathan.

“Has Mina been sleeping well?”
“Not really,” he replied. “She wakes up with bad dreams.”

Van Helsing began to worry. Lucy had also started with strange dreams before she became ill. He asked Mina to write everything in her journal—her dreams, thoughts, and feelings. Mina agreed.

Meanwhile, Van Helsing and the others searched London for Dracula. They visited graveyards, dark alleys, and even the docks, looking for signs of him.

Then, something terrible happened.

One night, Mina was alone in her room. A mist entered through the window. She couldn’t move or speak. She saw a tall, pale figure in black leaning over her. It was Dracula.

Mina later wrote:

“I felt cold, as if my blood was turning to ice. He pressed his lips to my neck. I could not stop him. I could not scream.”

Jonathan, sleeping in the next room, did not hear anything. When he found Mina the next morning, she was weak and pale.

Van Helsing arrived and examined her. He found two small wounds on her neck—the same as Lucy had.

“He has started with her,” Van Helsing said sadly. “We must act quickly.”

They gave Mina garlic and hung a crucifix above her bed. Van Helsing also placed mirrors and sacred objects around the room to protect her.

Then they planned their next move.

Van Helsing believed that Dracula had brought boxes of earth from Transylvania—boxes filled with his native soil. These were his hiding places during the day.

“If we find and destroy his boxes, he will have no place to rest. Then we can destroy him,” he said.

The group split up. Jonathan and Dr. Seward searched the docks. Arthur and Quincey Morris went to investigate old houses Dracula might be using.

Mina stayed behind, growing weaker each night. But she still helped, typing notes and keeping their records in order.

Van Helsing looked at her with admiration.

“You are brave, Miss Mina. Stronger than many men.”

But he knew they were running out of time.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Laid to rest	Buried after death
Brave	Showing courage
Pale	Having little color in the face
Mist	Light fog or steam
Sacred	Related to religion or protection
Crucifix	A Christian cross with Jesus on it
Soil	Earth or dirt
Admiration	Respect and approval

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Van Helsing believe Dracula was still in London?

2. What symptoms did Mina begin to show?

3. What happened to Mina one night while she was alone?

4. How did Van Helsing try to protect Mina afterward?

5. What did Van Helsing say about the boxes of soil?

6. How did Mina continue to help the group?

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✅ Answers

1. Because strange things were happening and people were still in danger.

2. She became pale, weak, and had strange dreams.

3. Dracula visited her, drank her blood, and she couldn’t move or scream.

4. He used garlic, a crucifix, mirrors, and sacred objects.

5. Dracula used them as places to hide during the day; destroying them would leave him vulnerable.

6. She typed notes, organized journals, and stayed involved despite being weak.

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Art – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Work of art
   e.g., That sculpture is a real work of art — so detailed and expressive.

2. Art gallery
   e.g., I visited an art gallery last weekend and saw an exhibition of local artists.

3. Portrait painting
   e.g., She commissioned a portrait painting for her parents’ anniversary.

4. Modern art
   e.g., Some people find modern art confusing, but I think it’s creative.

5. Artistic expression
   e.g., Graffiti can be a form of artistic expression when done well.

6. Famous masterpiece
   e.g., The Mona Lisa is probably the most famous masterpiece in the world.

7. Sculpture exhibit
   e.g., The museum is holding a sculpture exhibit next month.

8. Creative process
   e.g., I’m interested in learning about the artist’s creative process.

9. Abstract style
   e.g., Her paintings use an abstract style with bright, bold colours.

10. Cultural value
    e.g., Art has great cultural value and reflects the society it comes from.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Art

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you like art?

2. Have you ever visited an art gallery?

3. What type of art do you enjoy?

4. Did you learn about art at school?

5. Would you like to learn to paint or draw?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a piece of art you like.
You should say:

• what it is

• where you saw it

• what it looks like
  and explain why you like it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I enjoy looking at different works of art, especially paintings.
2. I went to an art gallery last month — they had a brilliant sculpture exhibit.
3. I really enjoy modern art and paintings with an abstract style.
4. Yes, we studied famous masterpieces in school.
5. I would love to take a class to explore my own artistic expression.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One of my favourite pieces of art is a portrait painting I saw in a small gallery in Italy. It was painted in an abstract style, but you could still recognise the emotion in the face.

I learned more about the artist’s creative process from a guide at the art gallery. It made me realise how much thought goes into every brushstroke.

The painting had both emotional impact and cultural value, and it’s a work of art I’ll never forget.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Art Vocabulary

1. "That sculpture is a real work of art — so detailed and expressive."
Q: What does the speaker think about the sculpture?

2. "I visited an art gallery last weekend and saw an exhibition of local artists."
Q: Where did the speaker go?

3. "She commissioned a portrait painting for her parents’ anniversary."
Q: What kind of artwork did she request?

4. "Some people find modern art confusing, but I think it’s creative."
Q: What is the speaker's opinion of modern art?

5. "Graffiti can be a form of artistic expression when done well."
Q: What can graffiti be considered?

6. "The Mona Lisa is probably the most famous masterpiece in the world."
Q: What does the speaker say about the Mona Lisa?

7. "The museum is holding a sculpture exhibit next month."
Q: What event is happening?

8. "I’m interested in learning about the artist’s creative process."
Q: What aspect of the artist’s work interests the speaker?

9. "Her paintings use an abstract style with bright, bold colours."
Q: How are her paintings described?

10. "Art has great cultural value and reflects the society it comes from."
Q: What role does art play in culture?

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✦ Answer Key

1. It’s impressive and well-made.

2. An art gallery.

3. A personalised painting of someone.

4. It’s creative, even if confusing.

5. A way to express creativity.

6. It’s extremely well-known.

7. A sculpture exhibit is planned.

8. How they come up with and make their work.

9. They’re abstract and colourful.

10. It shows what a society values or feels.

 

🧛‍♂️ Dracula – Chapter 9 (Adapted)

Title: Lucy’s Burial

After Lucy’s strange and sudden death, everyone was in shock. Arthur, heartbroken, arranged the funeral. Mina returned to help support him and Lucy’s family. Van Helsing, though quiet, remained deeply concerned.

“She is gone,” said Arthur sadly.
“No,” Van Helsing whispered to himself. “Not yet.”

Van Helsing insisted that Lucy be buried with garlic and a crucifix, but during the funeral, these were removed without his knowledge. He was furious, but said nothing—only that he would visit her grave later.

That night, children began disappearing from their homes near the cemetery. Some returned, frightened and confused, with small wounds on their necks. Locals called it “The Bloofer Lady” who walked at night.

Van Helsing immediately connected this with Lucy.

He went to Dr. Seward and said:

“We must go to Lucy’s tomb and see if she is truly dead.”

Dr. Seward was shocked, but agreed. That night, they went together to the cemetery. They found Lucy’s tomb open—and her coffin empty.

“Do you understand now?” Van Helsing said. “Lucy is undead.”

Dr. Seward was horrified.

“But how can this be?”

“She is now a vampire,” Van Helsing said. “And she feeds on children.”

They waited outside the tomb. Near midnight, a white figure appeared—Lucy, beautiful and pale, with sharp teeth. In her arms, she held a child.

Dr. Seward gasped.

“It’s true…”

Lucy saw them and hissed. Van Helsing held out a crucifix. She dropped the child and ran into the darkness.

They brought the child to safety, then went back to the tomb. Van Helsing said they must end Lucy’s suffering.

“It is the only way to free her soul,” he said.

The next night, Arthur joined them. When Van Helsing explained the truth, Arthur was filled with sorrow—but also courage.

He agreed to help.

Van Helsing opened the coffin, revealing Lucy sleeping inside, her face strangely peaceful. Arthur drove a wooden stake through her heart while Van Helsing prayed.

Lucy’s body changed. Her face looked calm and pure again—just like before.

“Now she is at peace,” said Van Helsing.

But the work was not over.

“The vampire who turned Lucy still lives,” Van Helsing said. “We must find and destroy him.”

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Funeral	A ceremony after someone dies
Burial	Placing a body in the ground or tomb
Tomb	A stone place where the dead are buried
Undead	Neither fully alive nor dead; often used for vampires
Horrified	Extremely shocked or scared
Stake	A sharp wooden stick used to kill vampires
Sorrow	Deep sadness
Crucifix	A Christian cross with Jesus on it

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Van Helsing want to put garlic and a crucifix in Lucy’s tomb?

2. What strange things began happening near the cemetery?

3. What did Van Helsing and Dr. Seward discover when they visited Lucy’s tomb?

4. What did Lucy look like when she appeared at night?

5. What did Arthur do to help Lucy’s soul rest?

6. What was Van Helsing’s next goal?

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✅ Answers

1. To protect Lucy’s body from becoming a vampire.

2. Children went missing and returned with strange neck wounds.

3. Lucy’s coffin was empty—she was no longer dead.

4. She looked beautiful but pale, with sharp teeth and glowing eyes.

5. He drove a wooden stake through her heart.

6. To find and destroy the vampire who turned Lucy.

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Books & Literature – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Page-turner
   e.g., That mystery novel was a real page-turner — I couldn’t put it down.

2. Hard to follow
   e.g., The plot was a bit hard to follow with so many characters.

3. Well-developed characters
   e.g., I enjoy stories with well-developed characters that feel realistic.

4. A gripping story
   e.g., It was such a gripping story, full of suspense and emotion.

5. Classical literature
   e.g., I studied classical literature like Shakespeare and Homer in school.

6. Light reading
   e.g., On holiday, I prefer light reading like romance or travel books.

7. Non-fiction book
   e.g., I just finished a non-fiction book about climate change.

8. Borrow a book from the library
   e.g., I usually borrow books from the library instead of buying them.

9. Fictional world
   e.g., Fantasy novels let readers escape into a fictional world.

10. Literary prize
    e.g., That novel won a major literary prize last year.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Books & Literature

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you enjoy reading?

2. What kind of books do you like?

3. How often do you read?

4. Do you prefer paper books or e-books?

5. Have you ever read a book more than once?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a book you have read recently.
You should say:

• what the book is

• what it is about

• when you read it
  and explain why you liked or disliked it.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I read almost every day — mostly fiction.
2. I love novels with well-developed characters and a gripping story.
3. I try to read for at least 30 minutes a day.
4. I prefer real books, but e-books are great for light reading while travelling.
5. Yes, I’ve read a few page-turners multiple times.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

A few weeks ago, I read Educated by Tara Westover, which is a non-fiction book about her life growing up without formal education.

I borrowed it from the library and finished it in just a few days. It was a real page-turner — very emotional and powerful.

What made it interesting was how honest and personal it was. Although it wasn’t a fictional world, the story felt just as dramatic.

It even won a literary prize, which I think it truly deserved. I’d definitely recommend it.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Books & Literature

1. "That mystery novel was a real page-turner — I couldn’t put it down."
Q: What kind of book was it?

2. "The plot was a bit hard to follow with so many characters."
Q: What was difficult about the story?

3. "I enjoy stories with well-developed characters that feel realistic."
Q: What does the speaker value in a story?

4. "It was such a gripping story, full of suspense and emotion."
Q: How did the speaker feel about the story?

5. "I studied classical literature like Shakespeare and Homer in school."
Q: What type of books did they study?

6. "On holiday, I prefer light reading like romance or travel books."
Q: What kind of books does the speaker read on holiday?

7. "I just finished a non-fiction book about climate change."
Q: What kind of book was it?

8. "I usually borrow books from the library instead of buying them."
Q: Where does the speaker get books?

9. "Fantasy novels let readers escape into a fictional world."
Q: What do fantasy novels offer?

10. "That novel won a major literary prize last year."
Q: What recognition did the book receive?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Exciting and hard to stop reading.

2. It was confusing due to many characters.

3. Believable and strong characters.

4. It was very exciting and emotional.

5. Classic or historical literature.

6. Easy, enjoyable books.

7. A factual, real-life topic.

8. From the library.

9. An imaginary setting or escape.

10. A writing award.