To Cure What Ails You, Bibliotherapists Prescribe Literature

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Transcript

Audio Time: 5 min 8 sec

Level: Upper intermediate and up

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

To ail: to cause pain or trouble for (someone).

To prescribe: to officially tell someone to use (a medicine, therapy, diet, etc.) as a remedy or treatment.

To rouse: to cause (someone who is tired or not interested) to become active.

Prose: writing that is not poetry: ordinary writing.

Solace: someone or something that gives a feeling of comfort to a person who is sad, depressed, etc.: a source of comfort.

To disclose: to make (something) known to the public.

Bedlam: a very noisy and confused state or scene.

Initial: occurring at the beginning of something.

Hooked: very interested in and enthusiastic about something.

Epic: a long book, movie, etc., that usually tells a story about exciting events or adventures.

Headstrong: not willing to do what other people want: very stubborn.

Plucky: having or showing a lot of courage or determination.

Viking: a member of a group of Scandinavian people who attacked the coasts of Europe in the 8th to 10th centuries A.D.

Remedy: a medicine or treatment that relieves pain or cures a usually minor illness.

Discussion questions:

1. Would you ever try bibliotherapy?

2. Do you think works of literature can help cure what ails people?

3. What books have had an important influence on you?

4. Are there any books (or other texts like poems, scriptures, songs) that you like to read often?

5. If you were a bibliotherapist, what books would you recommend to your clients for different ailments (for example, busyness, anxiety, relationship difficulties, problems with work, indecisiveness, lack of purpose)?