A printable worksheet for news-based English conversation classes.
Date: 2026/01/22
Difficulty: Intermediate B1
PDF: Listening to audiobooks is now seen as real reading
| reduce • | • industry |
| encourage • | • lower |
| housework • | • chores |
| experts • | • matter |
| count • | • specialists |
| publishing • | • motivate |
| reduce | lower |
| encourage | motivate |
| housework | chores |
| experts | specialists |
| count | matter |
| publishing | industry |
Listening to audiobooks is now seen as real reading. Queen Camilla recently appeared as a character in the Beano comic to encourage children to read. She said that comics and audiobooks also count as reading.
Audiobooks have become very popular in recent years. Many people listen while walking, doing housework, or relaxing. Experts say reading is about understanding stories, not only reading printed books. Audiobooks are helpful for busy people and for those with reading difficulties.
Research shows that listening can improve vocabulary and understanding in the same way as reading. Audiobooks can also reduce stress and help people enjoy stories more. Today, they are an important part of publishing.
| A: | Hey, did you see Queen Camilla in the Beano comic? |
| B: | Yes, I did! She's telling kids that comics and audiobooks are real reading. |
| A: | That's cool! I love listening to audiobooks when I do chores. |
| B: | Me too! It makes cleaning so much more fun. |
| A: | And it's great for learning new words, right? |
| B: | Absolutely, and it helps me relax after a long day. |
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jan/21/is-listening-to-an-audiobook-as-good-as-reading