Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever borrowed a book from a library? If so, how long did you keep it? If not, would you like to try?
- Have you ever found an old book in your house? If so, what book was it? If not, what old thing did you find?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- penalty /PEN-l-tee/
[noun] – a punishment for breaking a rule or law
The player received a penalty for touching the ball with his hand. - significance /sig-NIF-i-kuhns/
[noun] – importance or special meaning of something
The teacher explained the significance of the holiday to the class. - endurance /en-DOOR-uhns/
[noun] – the ability to continue doing something difficult for a long time
Running a marathon requires great endurance. - serendipity /ser-uhn-DIP-i-tee/
[noun] – the chance of finding something valuable by accident
It was serendipity when I met an old friend at the airport. - legitimacy /[li-JIT-uh-muh-see/
[noun] – the quality of being legal, right, or generally accepted as valid
The legitimacy of the new rule was questioned by the students.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A book borrowed from the San Antonio Public Library in July 1943 was returned in June 2025, almost eighty-two years later. The book, Your Child, His Family, and Friends by Frances Bruce Strain, was found in Oregon inside a box of old belongings. It had been taken by Maria del Socorro Aldrete Flores when she moved to Mexico City for work at the United States Embassy. A letter explained the story behind the return. At that time, the fine for overdue books was three cents per day, which would equal almost sixteen thousand dollars today. However, the San Antonio Public Library removed overdue fines in 2021, allowing the return without financial penalty.
The book, which gave advice on guiding children in personal relationships, is still in good condition after more than eight decades. It is now displayed in the Central Library until August before being donated for fundraising by the Friends of San Antonio Public Library. Officials noted that this return was unusual but not the longest on record. Guinness World Records shows that the most overdue library book was returned in 1956 to Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, after being borrowed in 1668, a gap of 288 years. The case shows the cultural significance of books, the endurance of libraries, the serendipity of discoveries, the legitimacy of preserving resources, and the continuity of knowledge across generations.
The book, which gave advice on guiding children in personal relationships, is still in good condition after more than eight decades. It is now displayed in the Central Library until August before being donated for fundraising by the Friends of San Antonio Public Library. Officials noted that this return was unusual but not the longest on record. Guinness World Records shows that the most overdue library book was returned in 1956 to Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, after being borrowed in 1668, a gap of 288 years. The case shows the cultural significance of books, the endurance of libraries, the serendipity of discoveries, the legitimacy of preserving resources, and the continuity of knowledge across generations.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- When was the book borrowed from the San Antonio Public Library?
- When was the book returned to the library?
- Where was the book found before it was returned?
- Who took the book to Mexico City when moving for work?
- What was the fine for overdue books at that time?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever borrowed a library book? If so, did you return it on time? If not, why not?
- Have you ever paid a fine for something? If so, what was it? If not, what would you do to avoid one?
- Do you agree that removing overdue fines makes it easier to return books?
- Why do you think libraries keep old books on display?
- How can returning a book after many years help future generations?