When You're Unsure if an English Book Matches Your Level (Holes Reading Record)

Hello! Did everyone have a great Wednesday, the middle of the week?

I spent my time in bits and pieces today—on my morning commute, during my lunch break at work, and even after finishing my workout—to continue reading the original version of "Holes."

However, while reading, a question and a worry suddenly crossed my mind. Since my Kindle, which I had been using well, recently broke, I started reading on my iPad instead. As the screen is larger, the amount of text per page naturally increased, and it felt as if the number of unknown words per page had also significantly jumped to over seven.

Worried that I might have chosen a book that is too difficult for my level, I carefully double-checked with a chatbot whether this book truly suits my current English level (B1–B2 on the IELTS scale). Fortunately, thanks to the following two criteria, I received confirmation that it is still the perfect level for me, which put my mind at ease.

If you are currently struggling with the difficulty level while choosing or reading an English book, try referring to these two criteria!

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2 Ways to Check if an English Book Is Right for You

1. Are you able to understand the overall context?
   • Even if you come across quite a few unknown words per page, it is the right book for you if you have no major trouble understanding the overall story or content through the surrounding context. It is fine as long as you are not completely stuck due to the vocabulary.
2. Is the unknown vocabulary practical?
   • If the words you don't know aren't specialized jargon or archaic terms that only appear in technical texts, but rather essential vocabulary that is common and frequently used in daily life or other books, then it is a book you must read to expand your vocabulary.

Although I had some doubts, after confirming these clear criteria, I gained the conviction that I can trust this book and read it to the end without worry.

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🔠 5 English Expressions Found in the Context of Holes

I would like to share five words and phrases I marked while reading today. Try learning them along with these example sentences while imagining Stanley’s challenging camp life in the novel!

① Stifling

• Meaning: Making it difficult to breathe because it is very hot and the air is uncomfortable.
• Example: There was no shade at Camp Green Lake, and the stifling heat made it difficult for Stanley to breathe while digging. (캠프 그린 레이크에는 그늘이 전혀 없었고, 숨이 막힐 듯한 더위 때문에 스탠리는 구덩이를 파는 동안 숨을 쉬기조차 힘들었다.)

② Marble

• Meaning: A small, hard ball, usually made of glass, used in children's games or for decoration.
• Example: Stanley remembered the smooth texture of a marble compared to the rough, dusty rocks he kept hitting with his shovel. (스탠리는 자신의 삽에 계속 부딪히는 거칠고 먼지투성이인 돌멩이들과 비교하며 공기구슬의 매끄러운 감촉을 떠올렸다.)

③ Later that day

• Meaning: At a time after the present moment during the same day.
• Example: Stanley managed to finish his first hole, and later that day, he returned to the cabin completely exhausted. (스탠리는 겨우 첫 번째 구덩이를 다 팠고, 그날 늦게 완전히 녹초가 된 채 숙소로 돌아왔다.)

④ Slumped

• Meaning: To fall or sit down heavily and suddenly, usually because you are tired or unhappy.
• Example: After hours of painful digging under the sun, Stanley slumped down onto the dirt, barely able to move his arms. (태양 아래서 몇 시간 동안 고통스럽게 구덩이를 판 후, 스탠리는 흙바닥에 털썩 주저앉았고 팔을 거의 움직일 수조차 없었다.)

⑤ Supposedly

• Meaning: Used to say that something is believed to be true, although it may not be confirmed or true.
• Example: Camp Green Lake was supposedly a place for building character, but to Stanley, it felt more like a cruel punishment. (캠프 그린 레이크는 소문에 의하면 인격을 수양하는 곳이었지만, 스탠리에게는 그저 잔인한 형벌처럼 느껴질 뿐이었다.)

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Closing

Including the words summarized today, I plan to compile all the vocabulary gathered during my reading after each chapter or once I finish the book, and update them step-by-step into my website database.

Until the day we fully make a book our own, let's keep moving forward together, even if just a little bit every day, without getting exhausted. It was a busy Wednesday, but you all worked really hard today. Have a restful night, everyone!