B2 Reading: Why Books Are Good for Your Health (Upper-Intermediate English)
- Alex
- a few seconds ago
- 3 min read
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B2 Upper-Intermediate English Reading Practice: Why Books Are Good for Your Health
Although it's a sedentary activity, reading books can be good for your health. In fact, people who read books tend to live longer. Why? Like most hobbies, the answer is simple: mental engagement. In the case of books, this is achieved via "deep reading," which is the immersive process of connecting with a text, asking questions about it, and thinking about how it connects to the real world. Studies have also revealed that readers have stronger concentration and critical thinking skills, and they are better at understanding other people's feelings. In short, books keep our minds active, and an active mind often means a longer, healthier life.
This makes sense. Just like our bodies, our brains need exercise. Whether we get that exercise from books, board games, or crossword puzzles, the important thing is consistent mental engagement. When it comes to reading, a twelve-year Yale University study revealed that senior citizens who read books were around 20% less likely to die than those who read nothing. This was for people who read for more than 3.5 hours per week. This statistic reinforces the importance of keeping our minds going.
Another benefit of reading is stress reduction. In addition to being a relaxing activity, reading exposes us to new ideas and ways of looking at the world. As mentioned, this helps develop our critical thinking skills and ability to understand other people's feelings. As these abilities grow stronger, we become better at understanding the world and handling its daily stresses.
But what about online news reports or magazine articles? Don't they have similar benefits? Not quite. The key reason for this is depth. While you can finish most articles in five to ten minutes, a book demands more focus and commitment. Authors take their time exploring themes, character psychologies, and real-world issues—basically, we spend more time with a book's ideas and end up thinking about them more. The bright side for news lovers is that there is evidence that longer, thoughtful articles can provide benefits. Like books, it is the quality of our reading diet that is important.
In conclusion, books don't just entertain us—they actively strengthen our mental muscles and help us live longer, healthier lives. In a digital world that continues to destroy our attention spans, it is books that can save us.
References
A Chapter a Day—Association of Book Reading with Longevity
The life-expanding benefits of 'deep reading'
Why is Deep Reading Important?
Comprehension Questions
A synonym for sedentary is _______________.
a) energetic
b) standard
c) inactive
A synonym for mental engagement is _______________.
a) mental strength
b) mental involvement
c) mental positivity
Crossword puzzles are an example of _______________.
a) board games
b) a brain exercise
c) critical thinking practice
People who read _______________ 3.5 hours per week were around 20% less likely to die in the study.
a) less than
b) more than
c) around
Reading can lower _______________.
a) stress
b) attention
c) critical thinking skills
News reports and articles are usually too _______________ to provide significant health benefits.
a) stressful
b) short
c) easy
Answers
c
b
b
b
a
b
This B2 English reading is ideal for upper-intermediate/pre-advanced learners who can talk easily about everyday topics, as well as a variety of social issues. They are independent learners who can use most tenses with consistent accuracy and have a high level of fluency with almost no hesitation when connecting ideas, but they need more exposure to authentic English materials to boost their knowledge of idioms and cultural references.
Read the text and answer the comprehension questions. You can also listen to the audio to practice your listening and speaking skills.
For Teachers
You can follow up this reading by asking students these questions:
How often do you read books?
What was the last book you read?
Do you have any favourite books?
Why do some people read more than other people?
Do you agree with the article above?
English Reading Practice
Note: This text was written by Alex, a human. It was not generated by AI.