The Importance of Reading in a Tech-Obsessed World (A2-B1/v36180)

Read Across America Day coincides with Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Though designed for children, the day does what most of Seuss’ works do: remind adults of what is important in their lives of constant distraction.

John Dickerson, CBS News Anchor:  I’m going to try your patience. Can you stick with me to the end of this essay about National Read Across America day? Oh no, there go some of you already deciding this topic can’t be interesting enough to stick with especially when there are videos on your phone of cute dachshunds that you can watch. For those of you who’ve stayed, I’m guessing you are readers. Not because that’s the topic, but because reading has conditioned you to
tolerate moments that are not constantly filled with stimulus.

Developing focus is one reason we dedicate a day to promote reading for young people. Beyond building concentration, reading excites the imagination and teaches us to manage complex ideas. One study found that reading about experiences activates the same brain regions as actually having those experiences. Another study showed that imagining fictional characters journeys improves your ability to understand and read people’s emotions and perspectives.

But fewer of us are reading these days. A majority of the country does not read a single book in a year. Reading and the quality of the experience has been in decline for a while because smartphones steal our attention. This means reading is now a defiant act.

Reading is a revolt against the forces, from commerce to politics, who thrive on keeping us in a partial state of attention. A revolt against the forces who installed all that itchy feeling that makes you open an app, look at it, close it and then open it again seconds later without thinking. We used to only do that with refrigerators.

Read Across America Day coincides with Dr Seuss’s birthday. Though designed for children, the day does what most of Seuss’s works do, remind adults of what is important in their lives of constant distraction.

1. try your patience – To test or challenge one’s ability to remain calm and composed
2. stick with me to the end – To remain with someone until the conclusion of an event or situation
3. dachshund – A small breed of dog with a long body and short legs, originally bred for hunting
4. tolerate – To allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of something without interference
5. fictional characters – Imaginary people or beings created for stories, books, movies, or other forms of entertainment
6. steal – To take something without permission or legal right and without intending to return it
7. thrive – To grow or develop well or vigorously; to prosper or flourish
8. revolt – To rise in rebellion against authority or government
9. itchy feeling – A sensation on the skin that causes a desire to scratch;
   figuratively used to mean a more general urge to do something
10. Dr Seuss – The pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel, an American author and illustrator known for his popular
    children’s books.

1. Do you think it’s important to read to children when they’re little?
2. Why aren’t people reading as much today as they used to?
3. Have you ever heard of Dr. Seuss?

Video script and vocabulary

Now find out more by asking Al-i some questions :

• Why is it important to read to children when they're little? Why is it important to read to children when they're little?
• Please recommend five books in the English language that are considered manageable for practicing ESL learners. Please recommend five books in the English language that are considered manageable for practicing ESL learners.
• Name 10 of the most famous books by Dr Seuss Name 10 of the most famous books by Dr Seuss