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Battle of the books
(Throughout the school year)
All over the world, the Battle of the books is an event held at a growing number of schools and universities. At the end of the school year, you can have one, too – maybe even together with other schools in your town or area. What is the “battle”? You take part in the competition by reading from the book list given to you by your teacher at the beginning of the school year. In the battle, you answer questions about the books you have read. Because the battle is held during the last two weeks of the school year, you have lots of time to read the books. The reading list may include books you have read before. It is a good idea to summarize each book which Section one: Questions you can then reread before the battle. In this section, you will be asked How does the competition work? specific questions about the In some countries, the day begins with a contents of a book. meeting in the cafeteria, a morning snack For example: and what the teams must do that day. Then How did James’s parents die? Describe Randolph Hellebore. students become team members and are sent Who is Red Kelly? to their first round of the “Battle.” They play several rounds, each against a different team. One teacher (or group of teachers) gives the Section two: Interpretation points. At the end of the morning, points are In this section, you have to do more added up and the two teams with the most than just repeat facts: You have to points are invited to a “Grand battle” after show your understanding of the lunch, with the other teams as their audience. characters, of their motives, and talk about the book itself. Other versions of the competition are For example: played in the afternoon only, with teams Name some of James’s special from one class or from different classes talents. What does he learn as a playing each other. boy that he can use later in the In the version presented here, there are three adult novels? three different sections. Each section Describe parts of the novel that features tasks that look at different aspects are very exciting. of the books. Here are some example At the end of the novel, George questions about the novel Silver fin by decides to help James. Do you Charlie Higson, a great book about the find this believable? childhood days of James Bond.
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