The Boxtrolls: Present and Past Modals for Advice and Regrets

This is a lovely movie with a moving story. It is a must. You can't miss this British animation.

I. Work in pairs:

1 - What would you recommend someone if you knew he/she were going to a formal party, but he/she didn't know anywhere there?

2 - What about an informal party? Would your recommendation change?

3 - Have you ever done something in a party that you regretted having done? Talk about it.

4 - What is something someone should NEVER do in  a party?



II. Watch the movie segment and complete the chart. Write 5 pieces of advice that were given to Egg.

ADVICE GIVEN:

1 -

2 -

3 -

4 -

5 -

III. Work in groups. Talk about the mistakes Egg made during the party. 

1 - What shouldn't Egg have done, but he did? Mention as many things you can remember.

2 - What should he have done, but he didn't? Mention as many things as you can remember.

IV. Imagine Egg is going to the following places. Make a list of social etiquette recommendations he should follow, according to your own culture.

1. A wedding

2. A funeral

3. Church

4. Christmas Dinner

5. Theater

6. Plane trip

ANSWERS WILL VARY

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE BOXTROLLS

Grown-ups 2: Modals for Advice - Should & Past Modal for Regrets - Should (not) have Done

This movie is full of interesting scenes, but this one is special. I think it is funny and perfect for practicing modals for advice.


I. Work in small groups. Make a list with five things people should and should not do while shopping at a department store.

Ex: People should not shoplift.

1. ___________________________
2. ___________________________
3. ___________________________
4. ___________________________
5. ___________________________


II. Watch the movie segment. What did the character do that he shouldn't. Make a list with  your partner.

III. Role-Play.

Student A: You are the owner of the department store. Talk politely to the customer and tell him what he should or should not do while visiting his or any other department store.

Student B: You are the character in the movie. You are very sorry for the way the manager felt about your behavior, but you don't think you actually did anything wrong. Try to convince the manager that you are right and that nothing wrong happened there.

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Click: Regrets with Past Modal SHOULD and WISH

This movie provides us with entertainment and food for thought when it comes to our life choices. Having a remote control to extend my favorite moments of the day sounds like a dream, but we have to deal with its consequences. This scene is really touching.

 

Work in pairs:

1. Are you an impulsive person or do you mull an idea over for a long time before taking action?

2. How does it affect your life decisions? Have you ever regretted a decision you have taken? Give examples.

3. Think about three things that you regret having done in your life. Share them with your partner.

4. Would you do anything differently if you could go back in time? Explain it.

5. Imagine that you had a remote control that would allow extending your most pleasurable moments and speeding up your boring moments. Which moments would you extend and which ones would you speed up? Think at least about 5 different moments for each situation.

Watch the movie segment and discuss the questions:

- Is the scene about the past, present or future?

- Can he change his past? Why (not)?

- How does he feel about his relationship with his father?

Make a list of 5 things he regrets. Use both should have + past participle and wish.

EX: He wishes he had spent more time with his dad OR He should have spent more time with his dad.

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - CLICK

A Walk to Remember: Past Modals for Regrets - Should (Not) Have ...

This is a teens classic. In a survey I conducted with my advanced level teenagers, this movie was their favorite one, according to the majority of students in my class. So I decided to see it and I agree with them. It is a very good film, indeed. This scene is perfect to talk about regrets, using past modals.



I. Watch the movie segments and check the sentences that you believe were the characters'  wrong decisions.






















1. The teenagers trespassed a private property.

2. Landon dared a friend to jump from a trampoline to belong to the group.

3. He accepted the challenge

4. He didn't know how deep the dam was

5. They ran away and left their friend hurt and unattended.

6. Landon didn't stop his car when warned by the police and had an accident.

7. Nobody was taking care of the abandoned dam during that night.


II. Now rewrite the sentences above, expressing regrets.


EX:

1. The teenagers shouldn't have trespassed a private property.



II. Discuss these questions:


1. What were the major wrong decisions taken by the group? Explain it.

2. What should happen to those teenagers?

3. Whose fault was that? Landon's, the other teens', or the boy was the one responsible for his own jumping?

4. What would you do if you were in the boy's shoes? What if you were one of the other teens?

5. What should the police do? Arrest Landon, arrest everybody, or have them pay with community services? Explain your answer.

6. What should happen to the property owner?


Answer Key:
2. Landon shouldn't have dared his friend to jump from the trampoline.
3. He shouldn't have accepted the challenge.
4. He should have known how deep the dam was.
5. They shouldn't have run away and left the boy unattended.
6. Landon should have stopped his car when warned by the police.
7. Someone should have been taking care of the abandoned dam.

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - A WALK TO REMEMBER

Lilo & Stitch: Past Modals for Regrets

This animated movie reminds us the way old cartoons were made, but it is a very nice, funny one. The idea and plot are very appealing as well. I liked it very much. I used this scene to reinforce past modals for regrets in a contextualized manner.

A. Lilo is a little girl that is raised by her older sister, Nani. For Lilo not to be taken away to a social institution, her sister has to convince the social worker, Mr. Bubbles, that she has been doing a good job nurturing Lilo. Watch the movie segment and check the items you believe did NOT help Lilo and her sister live together.

1. ( ) Lilo didn't open the door for Nani or the social worker.

2. ( ) Nani left Lilo home alone.

3. ( ) Nani left the stove on when she was out.

4. ( ) Lilo said she got disciplined.

5. ( ) Lilo was reading a book about voodoo.

6. ( ) Lilo said her friends needed to be punished.

7. ( ) Lilo didn't wait for Nani at school.

B. Now rewrite the sentences you have checked in the previous exercise, using past modals for regrets Should (not) have + past participle or Ought (not) to have + past participle.

1. Ex: Lilo ought to (should) have opened the door for Nani and Mr. Bubbles.

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

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

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

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

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

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

B. Discuss the following questions:

1. Should under aged people raise a young child all by herself? Explain it.

2. What should happen to Lilo?

3. What should happen to Nani?

4. What is best for Lilo? To stay with Nani or go to a social institution? Explain it.

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - LILO & STITCH

Answer Key:

A.

2. Nani shouldn't have left Lilo home alone.
3. Nani shouldn't have left the stove on when she was out.
4. Lilo oughtn't to have said she got disciplined.
5. Lilo shouldn't have been reading a book about voodoo.
6. Lilo shouldn't have said her friends needed to be punished.
7. Lilo ought to have waited for Nani at school.

Crazy Heart: Past Modal for Speculation and Regrets

This movie has great music and touching acting. The scene the little boy disappears is perfect for modals for speculation and regrets. I used it for a production, not controlled exercise.

A. Watch the movie segment and write sentences using past modal verbs.

I. Write down 3 sentences saying what might have happened while the boy was lost.



Ex: The boy must have hidden himself somewhere.

1. _____________________

2. _____________________

3. _____________________

II. Write down 3 sentences saying what the main character should not have done.

Ex: He shouldn't have left the boy unattended.

1. ______________________

2. _____________________

3. _____________________

III. Write down 3 sentences saying what he should have done.

Ex: He should have kept an eye on the boy all the time.

1. _______________________

2. _______________________

3. _______________________

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - CRAZY HEART

Answers will vary.

Love Happens: Past Modals for Regrets

A. Watch the movie segment about a man describing how his son died. Check the alternatives that he mentioned.

1. ( ) They stopped by the construction site to pick up some blueprints.

2. ( ) He left his son in the car.

3. ( ) The boy stayed in the car until his dad came back.

4. ( ) The boy left the car and fell off the scaffold.

5. ( ) He lost his job.

6. ( ) His wife left him.

7. ( ) Nobody said anything to support him during the therapy.

B. Now rewrite the items above, using past modals for regrets. Decide if you will use affirmative sentences, according to the information presented in the segment.

1. ...........................................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

C. Talk to a partner:

1. What's your opinion about this kind of therapy? Does it actually help or worsen the problems?

2. Would you join one if you were facing the same kind of problem? Explain it.

3. What should he do to overcome this situation?


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Answer key:

A.

Only #3 is not to be marked.

B.

1. They souldn't have stopped...

2. He shouldn't have left ...

3. The boy should have stayed...

4. The boy shouldn't have left

5. He shouldn't have lost ...

6. His wife shouldn't have left...

7. Somebody should have said something...

Reservation Road: Past Modal - Should - Expressing Regrets

This is a shocking scene that pictures a common current event in our society. Hit and run. I chose it to practice expressing regrets using past modal verbs. The movie is really interesting and the ending is great. I recommend it.





A. Talk to a partner:



1. Have you ever witnessed a car accident? What happened?

2. Is traffic a problem where you live? Explain it.

3. Are traffic laws too strict, too lenient or just fair? Justify your answer.

4. What can be done to improve the traffic flow and prevent accidents?

5. What is hit and run? What should the punishment be in that kind of accident?

6. What about drinking and driving?





B. Watch the video segment and read the items below. Check the characters' wrong decisions.


( ) 1. The boy didn't fasten his seatbelt.


( ) 2. The family stopped at a gas station.


( ) 3. The driver answered his cell phone while he was driving.


( ) 4. Josh's parents left him by himself too close to the main road.


( ) 5. The driver didn't stop to rescue the victim.


( ) 6. The driver lied to his son about the accident.


C. Rewrite the sentences you checked expressing regrets. Use should + have + past participle in your sentences.


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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - RESERVATION ROAD



Answer key:

B.

1. The boy should have fastened his seatbelt.
2. The family shouldn't have stopped...
3. The driver shouldn't have answered...
4. Josh's parents shouldn't have left him...
5. The driver should have stopped...
6. The driver shouldn't have lied...



How to prepare your own video activity:
- Select a scene in which the characters perform actions they regret.
- Select a few of their wrong decisions.
- Have students check the ones that the characters might regret
- Ask the students to write down sentences expressing regrets using the past modal should

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist: Should (Advice) x Should Have (Past Regrets)

This is an enjoyable movie. This scene shows a beautiful girl doing humiliating things because of the excess of drinking that night. It is great to have students practice giving advice and expressing past regrets, contrasting the use of SHOULD to give advice and in the past to express regrets. Remember that this topic may be sensitive. If you think it is inappropriate for your group of students or your culture, don't use it.


A. Talk to a partner. Discuss the following questions:

1 - Are alcoholic beverages sold freely in your country? What are the regulations on the issue?

2 - What's your opinion about drinking and driving? What should the punishment be?

3 - When is it OK to drink alcoholic beverages?

B. Imagine the following situation.


Imagine that some foreign friends of yours are going out tonight in your city to celebrate a very special occasion. Unfortunately, you have an appointment and you can't go with them. They want do have fun, drink, eat something nice, and meet some interesting girls (guys). Which place would you choose and why?



C. Write down 6 pieces of advice to your friends to enjoy the night in your city safely. Use affirmative and negative statements with SHOULD (NOT).


(AFF)

1 - ............................................


2 - .............................................


3 - .............................................



(NEG)


4 - ..............................................


5 - ..............................................


6 - ..............................................



D. Watch the segment now. Imagine the main character, the drunk girl, was with your group of friends. She drank too much and is extremely inappropriate.





E. Make a list of 5 things she should not have done:

1 - .........................................


2 - .........................................


3 - .........................................


4 - .........................................


5 - .........................................

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Urban Legend: Past Modal Verbs – Should have + Past Participle

This is an average movie with several sequels that did not meet my expectations. Because this scene is full of wrong choices and regrets, I used it to practice the use of past modals expressing regrets. Check out your audience first. Too sensitive students may not like it.

Urban Legend: (Total 4’28)
Check only the items in which the main character's decisions were wrong.

1) The girl traveled alone by car on a stormy day. ( )

2) She filled up the gas tank at a desolate gas station. ( )

3) She used a credit card to pay for the gas. ( )

4) She left the car to go to the gas station store. ( )

5) She didn’t listen to what the gas station worker had to say. ( )

6) She used pepper spray to get rid of the gas station worker. ( )

7) She left the gas station in a hurry. ( )

8) She didn’t check the backseat. ( )

Now rewrite the sentences expressing regrets.

Ex:

1 -The girl shouldn’t have traveled alone by car on such a rainy day.

2 - She shouldn’t have filled up the gas tank at a desolate gas station.

.

How to prepare your own video activity:

.
• Choose a movie segment in which the characters do not act properly or regret their actions

• Prepare a checklist of the things he/she did or did not do

• Students check the characters' wrong choices or decisions

• Students write sentences expressing regret - should (not) have done

.

Watch the movie segment here:

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD
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The Joy Luck Club: Past Modal Verb - Should: Expressing Regrets

This a great drama full of cultural references. I love this scene because of the American guy who is having dinner with his fiance's family for the first time and everything he does is culturally inappropriate. It is perfect to express regrets using modals in the past.

Check what happened in the segment.

















( ) The Chinese American woman introduced her fiance to her mother.

( ) She forgot to warn her fiance about a few important rules on Chinese manners.

( ) He had a second glass when everybody had had only just a little.

( ) He didn’t take a small spoon of the main dish.

( ) He bragged he was a fast learner.

( ) He criticized her mother’s cooking.

( ) He didn’t say it was the best dish he had ever tasted.

I. Rewrite the sentences using should to express regret:

Ex:

The Chinese American woman shouldn’t have introduced her fiance to her mother.

She shouldn’t have forgotten to warn him a few important rules on Chinese manners.


II. Now, write two sentences saying should do after this unfortunate dinner.


Ex:

They should stop trying to please her family.

How to prepare your own video activity:

• Choose a movie segment in which the characters do not act properly or regret their actions

• Prepare a checklist of the things he/she did or did not do

• Students work on the content of the segment

• Students write sentences expressing regret - should (not) have done.

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE JOY LUCK CLUB