Feb 14, 2010

Falling Down: Present Continuous

This is a classic movie with a very current issue. Living in big cities seems to be getting harder and harder. I took advantage of this scene to practice the present continuous tense.


A. Talk to a partner:


1 - Do you face traffic jams to go to school or work?

2 - What do you do to kill time?

3 - Is it dangerous to be locked inside your car during a traffic jam? Explain.

4 - Do you prefer to live in a big city or in a small town? Why?


B. Before watching the scene, check the items you do when you are stuck in a traffic jam.


( ) 1. Throw objects at passers-by.

( ) 2. Talk on the phone

( ) 3. Listen to the radio.

( ) 4. Put on some lipstick.

( ) 5. Honk the horn.

( ) 6. Play games.

( ) 7. Leave the car and walk home.

( ) 8. Sleep in the car.

( ) 9. Read a book.

( ) 10. Do my homework.


C. Now write sentences saying who is performing the activities above during the traffic jam.


Ex: 1. Some children are throwing objects at the passers-by.

2......................................................................................

3......................................................................................

4......................................................................................

5.....................................................................................

6.....................................................................................

7.....................................................................................

8.....................................................................................

9.....................................................................................

10...................................................................................






WORKSHEET


How to make your own video activity:
- Select a scene in which several characters are performing different activities at the same time
- Make sure the activities are still in process.
- List activities the characters are performing and other ones that other people would probably be doing as well if they were there.
- Ask sts to tell each other what they usually do when they are in such situation.
- Have students watch the segment and write sentences saying what the characters are actually doing in the segment.

7 comments:

Lindsay Clandfield said...

Hi there,

Karenne Sylvester from Kalinago English just told me about your work here. This looks great! Well done on such a massive resource, and nice ideas too on how to make your own activities with this material.

Claudio Azevedo said...

Thanks, Lindsay. I'm glad you enjoy it. Come back often.

Vanessa said...

Claudio, I'm exploring your blog and it's just amazing! I have one problem, though... My Real Player won't play the video segments... It's strange, because it 'plays', but with no image nor sound...

Claudio Azevedo said...

Sorry, Vanessa. I don't know what might be happening.

Anonymous said...

Hey Claudio!! How you doing?

I have just used this movie activity with one of my groups and I had to come here to tell you that it worked great! I just skipped question 3 and 4 'cause I thought they are too advanced for the level.

Best Regards!!
Tommy.

Claudio Azevedo said...

Great. Yes, adaptations are necessary. See you.

Bruno said...

Another great time saver. Thank you very much!