---
title: "Of Studies: books to be tasted or digested"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:books-tasted-swallowed-digested"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/books-tasted-swallowed-digested
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Of Studies: books to be tasted or digested

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2078 Kartik, 5 marks
- Video: [Of Studies by Francis Bacon Critical Essay Line-by-Line Explanation Summary & Themes Aspiring Minds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLvXHhoooUA) — Aspiring Minds
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/books-tasted-swallowed-digested
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested." Elucidate the statement.

## Short answer

Some books are to be tasted (sampled in parts), others swallowed (read quickly for general information or entertainment), and a few chewed and digested (studied thoroughly and thoughtfully so their ideas become part of the reader).

## Answer

This statement comes from Francis Bacon's essay "Of Studies". Using the image of food, Bacon says that books should be read in different ways, depending on their value.

#### Meaning
- **"Some books are to be tasted."** These books need only be sampled: a glance at the contents, chapters or a few pages shows whether they are worthwhile. One reads them in parts.
- **"Others to be swallowed."** These books are to be read quickly and without close attention, for general information or entertainment. They do not need to be studied in detail.
- **"Some few to be chewed and digested."** These are the great and important books. They must be read slowly and completely, with attention and thought, so that their ideas become part of the reader's own mind, as food becomes part of the body.

Bacon explains the same idea: some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read but not with great care, and a few "wholly, and with diligence and attention".

#### Significance
- It teaches selective reading. Time is limited, so a reader must decide which books deserve full study.
- Reading is for understanding and not for show.
- Good books are rare, and they deserve the most careful reading.

The comparison to eating makes the advice simple, vivid and easy to remember.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Who wrote the statement about books to be tasted, swallowed and digested?
   A. George Bernard Shaw, in 'Freedom'
   B. Francis Bacon, in 'Of Studies'
   C. Bertrand Russell, in 'Knowledge and Wisdom'
   D. Chinua Achebe, in 'Civil Peace'
   Answer: B. The line is from Francis Bacon's essay 'Of Studies'. (Key point: Source)

2. What does it mean that some books are 'to be tasted'?
   A. They should only be sampled in parts to judge whether they are worthwhile
   B. They should be read quickly for entertainment
   C. They should be studied slowly and completely
   D. They should be memorised word for word
   Answer: A. Tasting means glancing at contents, chapters or a few pages; such books are read only in parts. (Key point: Books to be tasted)

3. Which books are to be 'chewed and digested', and how?
   A. Light books, read quickly for general information
   B. Every book, read only in the contents and index
   C. Books of entertainment, read once without attention
   D. The few great, important books, read slowly and thoughtfully so ideas become part of the reader's mind
   Answer: D. Digesting means reading with attention and thought so ideas are absorbed, as food becomes part of the body. (Key point: Books to be chewed and digested)

4. What is the main lesson of the statement?
   A. All books deserve equal, detailed study
   B. Reading is mainly for show in society
   C. Reading should be selective, matching the way of reading to the value of the book
   D. Books should be avoided in favour of experience
   Answer: C. Time is limited, so readers must decide which books deserve full study. (Key point: Significance)

## Related in Communication English

- [Interpret: reading books (Bacon)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-read-not-to-contradict-books) — Communication English, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Importance of reading books (Of Studies)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aimportance-of-reading-books) — Communication English, chapter 2