Planes: Imperative Forms

This movie is not as good as Cars, but Planes has its good moments too. I used this scene to practice imperative forms and to teach some new vocab as well.

I. Watch the movie segment and try to complete the blanks with imperative forms of the given verbs after watching it..

SLALOM - USE -  DIVE - EXTEND - THREAD - ROLL -  LEAN - BEGIN - START - DO - GIVE - LET 

Useful Vocabulary:

(Cornfield)

  (two plane racing silos)

        

  (dive)

 (slalom the silos)

 (roll inverted)

 (extend)

 (finish line)

The flag marks the start line. Across the cornfield,  three silos are waiting for you. ____________those with a 3-G pass. ____________ inverted and ___________, trading altitude for air speed. __________toward the finish line. _____________the silos. _______________into your turns more. ______________your climb and catch him in the dive. ____________your dive now. ____________ it again, one more time. Come on, push it, Duster. ____________this run all you've got. _________________ your radial-G. ______________ gravity work for you.

II. Watch the segment again and check your answers.

III. Discuss:

1. Do you like watching plane racing competitions? What about car racing?
2. Do you consider it a sport? What skills must you have to be a good pilot racer?
3. Would you like to be one? Why (not)?
4. Are you afraid of flying? Does it make a difference if you are riding a jet plane, a small plane, a helicopter or a hang-glider? Explain it.

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ANSWER KEY:

The flag marks the start line. Across the cornfield,  three silos are waiting for you. Slalom those with a 3G pass. Roll inverted and extend, trading altitude for air speed. Dive toward the finish line. Thread the silos. Lean into your turns more. Begin your climb and catch him in the dive. Start your dive now. Do it again, one more time. Come on, push it Duster. Give this run all you've got. Use your radial_G. Let gravity work for you.

Man of Steel: Could x Managed to

IMPORTANT NOTES:

We use could to talk about an ability somebody had in the past. We use managed to to talk about a specific event in the past.

 Examples:

          I could swim when I was six.

Last Saturday evening was tough. I felt good because I managed to swim 6,500 meters.

          He could speak French quite well.

           He managed to speak French to the policeman to explain what had happened.

She could design beautiful outfits. 

They managed to design a dress  which pleased that customer immensely. 

However, with verbs that refer to the five senses, see, hear, smell, feel, taste, and with verbs that refer to thought processes, understand, believe, remember, decide, we normally use could, even when we are talking about specific occasions.

I. Talk to  a partner.

1. Imagine that you are a person with super powers. Make a list of five powers you would like to have, ranking them in order of priority.

2. Show your partner your list and come up with five powers you both would like to have.

3. Think about three things that you could do very well when you were a child/teen.

4. Think about one or two situations in which you managed to do something that you didn't expect you would be able to do successfully, but that you actually did.

II. Watch the movie segment and answer the questions using  "could" or "managed to", according to the situations presented in the segment. The segment is about Superman's childhood and teenage years, as well  his adults years.

1. Make list with at least three things that Clark Kent could do (general ability)  when he was younger and that his other friends couldn't.

2. Write down three things that Clark Kent managed to do (specific situations) when he was younger.

3. What can Superman do now that he is an adult?


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Grown Ups 2: Noun Clauses, Included Questions

I don't usually like sequels, but I think this one is just fine. The first movie had very interesting scenes and so does this one. I hope you enjoy this activity.

REMEMBER:


Noun clauses starting with THAT - I like this jacket. How much is it?
I think (that) it is $25.


Noun clauses starting with a WH-WORD - I like this jacket. How much is it?
I don't know how much it is.

Some noun clauses beginning with the word THAT. Others with a wh-word (who, what, where, why. how, when, which, whose) .



Verbs describing an opinion, feeling, or mental state

Ex:  assume - believe - guess - forget - hope - know - remember - suppose - think - understand - wonder



Verbs that describe what someone said 

Ex: admit - explain - mention - say - tell

Watch the movie segment and then change the question into a noun clause that starts with a wh-word.

Ex: The family was surprised to see a deer in their house. What should they do to be safe?
I don't know what they should do to be safe.

1. The couple were very scared when they saw the deer in their room.
Why did they feel that way.
I wonder ________________

2. The little girl left the door open in case an animal wanted to get into the house. Why did she do that?
I don't understand ____________________

3. The family needed help. Where could they find some help?
Do you know _____________________?

4. They live in  a place where wild animals can invade their houses. How can they prevent animals from getting into their houses?
Can you suggest ______________?

5. They managed to scare the deer away. What did they do?
Do you remember _______________?


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Answer key:

1. I wonder why they felt that way.
2. I don't understand why she did that.
3. Do you know where they could find some help?
4. Can you suggest how they can prevent animals from ...?
5. Do you remember what they did?

The Great Gatsby: Simple Past

This used to be one of my favorite books. The book's first adaptation for the big screen was amazing, with outstanding actors. I confess I was not expecting much of this new version, but I really liked it. DiCaprio is an excellent actor and the story is very close to the original one. It is a must-see.


I. Read the story below. Complete the blanks with the simple past of the verbs in parentheses. Then watch the movie segment and check your answers.

It ______________ (be) the day I got my new English golf shoes. Daisy _____________ (be) by far the most popular girl with the officers from Camp David.One of them ___________ (be) in the car with her. It ______________ (be) Gatsby. The way he ___________ (look) at her is the way all girls want to be looked at. Gatsby was sent off to war. When the war ____________ (end), Daisy _____________ (wait). But for some unknown reason, Gatsby couldn't return. A year later, Tom Buchanan of Chicago ____________ (sweep) in and _________________ (steal) her away. He ___________ (give) her a string of pearls worth $350,000. But the morning of the wedding.- Daisy ____________ (receive) a letter.  But it was too late. That day at 5:00, Daisy Fay _____________ (marry) Tom Buchanan with more pomp and circumstance than Louisville had ever seen. After the honeymoon, I ______________ (see) them in Santa Barbara.Well, it was touching, really. I'd never seen a girl so in love with her husband. A week later, Tom _____________________ (crash) his car. The girl with him _____________ (be) a chambermaid at the Santa Barbara Hotel. It __________________ (get) into all the papers.

II. Discuss in pairs.

1. Retell the story using your own words.

2. Why didn't her love for Gatsby work out?

3. Why didn't her marriage with Tom work out?

4. Was Tom's love for Daisy true? Why (not)?

5. Would you go to Gatsby house to have tea if you were Daisy? Why (not)?

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 Answer key:

It was the day I got my new English golf shoes. Daisy was by far the most popular girl with the officers from Camp David.One of them was in the car with her. It was Gatsby. The way he looked at her is the way all girls want to be looked at. Gatsby was sent off to war. When the war ended. Daisy waited. But for some unknown reason, Gatsby couldn't return. A year later, Tom Buchanan of Chicago swept in and stole her away. He gave her a string of pearls worth $350,000.But the morning of the wedding.- Daisy received a letter.Tell them. Daisy's changed her mind! But the morning of the wedding.- Daisy received a letter. Daisy's changed her mind! But it was too late. That day at 5:00, Daisy Fay married Tom Buchanan with with more pomp and circumstance than Louisville had ever seen. After the honeymoon,I saw them in Santa Barbara.Well, it was touching, really. I'd never seen a girl so in love with her husband.A week later, Tom crashed his car. The girl with him was a chambermaid at the Santa Barbara Hotel. It got into all the papers.

The Young and Prodigious T.S.Spivet: Used to

This activity was provided by a generous reader of mine from Italy who wanted to share this activity. Although I had asked for her name, email, etc, never did she send it to me. I'm adding her blog page, though, in case want to talk to her. http://precaria-tra-i-libri.blogspot.com.br/

 

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The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet: Preposition IN x ON

This activity was provided by a generous reader of mine from Italy who wanted to share this activity. Although I had asked for her name, email, etc, never did she send it to me. I'm adding her blog page, though, in case want to talk to her. http://precaria-tra-i-libri.blogspot.com.br/

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T. S. SPIVET

Ivan the Incredible: Similes, Figures of Speech

This movie is great. It is wonderful to see the story of an ordinary boy who can be the best at everything for just one day. You can't miss it.

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/figures-simile.htm


A simile is a figure of speech that says that one thing is like another different thing. We can use similes to make descriptions more emphatic or vivid.
We often use the words as...as and like with similes.
Common patterns for similes, with example sentences, are:

• something [is*] AS adjective AS something 
• His skin was as cold as ice.
  It felt as hard as rock.
  She looked as gentle as a lamb.
• something [is*] LIKE something
  My love is like a red, red rose.
  These cookies taste like garbage.
  He had a temper (that was) like a volcano.
• something [does**] LIKE something
  He eats like a pig.
  He smokes like a chimney.
  They fought like cats and dogs.

* stative verb: be, feel, smell, taste etc
** action verb

A simile is a direct comparison of two things. Similes are a easy to understand. The uses of similes can be confusing to people who are not fluent in a given language, because they will interpret the words literally. Also, similes  can change from region to region, and even among groups of people, like musicians or teenagers.

I. Match the adjectives and nouns and make similes connecting them. You may repeat the adjectives. What does the witch say to Ivan, using similes?


1. Strong
2. Calm
3. Happy


( ) Cow
( ) Steer
( ) Tarzan
( ) Hog

1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
3. _______________________________________
4. _______________________________________


II.  Watch the segment and check your guesses.

III. Work in groups. Mention five things that you would like to do or be, using similes.

Ex: I'd like to be as fast as Superman.

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - IVAN THE INCREDIBLE

Answer key:

He is as strong as a steer

He's as calm as a cow.

He's as happy as a hog. 

He's just as strong as Tarzan.

Europa Report: Past Modal Verbs for Speculation

This movie could have been better, but it has intriguing moments. This scene, though, is wonderful for past modals for speculation because of the range of possibilities it may unravel.

I. Watch the segment and discuss the questions:

1. What is the new step for mankind the scientist mentions in the beginning of the segment?

2. What were the astronauts doing when they received their last image from the mission.

3. Dr. Samantha Unger was Europa Ventures Lead Mission Planner. She asked herself - What happened?

TASK:

Work in small groups. Speculate about what might have happened to the astronauts and present a report to Dr. Unger. You must come up with five possible/plausible explanations for the mystery. Use your imagination and creativity. 

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Answer key:

1. They put men and women into deep space to explore Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, with similar atmospheric conditions as Earth. It was the first manned trip into deep space.

2. Nothing special, they were working and waiting for the following events to take place.

3. - TASK - Answers will vary.

Now You See Me: To x For

One of my 2013 favorite movies. The lovely story and special effects were so gripping that I was totally involved by the plot and its twists. I strongly recommend it.

Look at some of the ways we can use FOR or TO:

To:

To for destination – We’re going to Paris.

To – What time is it? – minutes before the hour – It’s a quarter to three.

To – Distance – It’s about 1 km from my house to my English School

To – Comparing – I prefer reading to watching TV.

To – Giving – I gave a book to my cousin.

To Motive or Reason (with verb) – I came here to study English with you.

For:

For – Benefits – Yogurt is good for your health.

For – Periods of time – I have lived in Brasilia for 12 years.

For – Scheduling – I made an appointment for Friday.

For – Agree with or in favor of something – Are you for or against the development of nuclear weapons?

For – Doing something to help someone – Could you carry these bags for me?

For – Motive or Reason (with noun) – Let’s go out for a drink?

To and For:

Motive or Reason

I came to Brasilia to be part of the swimming team

I came to Brasilia for the swimming team

I. Watch the movie segment and fill in the blank with FOR or TO. You have to explain why you chose it.

1.Many people in Chicago came _________ see the magic tricks on a beautiful Monday evening.

2. In New Orleans, the hypnotist knew the man hadn't gone on a business trip, but on a trip with his sister-in-law, his lover. The magician made her forget everything. He did it ______ her husband, because he wanted his money.

3. In New York, a magician said he would give US$100,00 ________ anyone who could tell him how his trick was done.

4. He made a magic trick __________ the audience's attention.

5. Many people did not know, but it was a quarter _______ two.

6. In Los Angeles, the magician had to be handcuffed under water ___________ sixty seconds before the piranas were thrown into the tank.

7. Thousands of people went ________ Los Angeles just because of her show.

8. What about you? Are you __________ or against the shows in the segment?

9. The magicians are scheduling a joint presentation ___________ Saturday.

10. Are magic tricks good _________the mind?

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - NOW YOU SEE ME


Answer key:


1. to (motive or reason + verb)
2. for (doing something to help someone)
3. to (giving)
4. for (motive or reason + noun)
5. to (minutes before the hour)
6. for (periods of time)
7. to (destination)
8. for (Agree with or in favor of something)
9. for (scheduling)
10. for (benefits)

Warm Bodies: Modal Verbs for Advice

This is an awesome movie. It is funny, but not stupid. I loved the way the story is told - from the point of view of the zombie. I recommend it.

I. Make a list of 10 things you should do to make your life better:

1 _______________________________
2 _______________________________
3 _______________________________
4_______________________________
5 _______________________________
6 _______________________________
7 _______________________________
8 _______________________________
9 _______________________________
10 ______________________________


II. Read the statements below and check the ones that are true to you:



(      ) I should get out more.

(      ) I should eat better.

(      ) I should stand up straight.

(      ) I shouldn't be so hard on myself.


III. Watch the movie segment and decide what you and the movie's main character - R - have in common. Which of the statements in II are true to R.

IV. Write three pieces of advice to R, using Should/Ought to...


1 _______________________
2 _______________________
3 _______________________


V. Discuss the questions below:

1. Why are people so fascinated by zombies? Why are there so many movies about them?

2. Are zombies scary or funny? Why?

3. What's your opinion about horror movies. Do you like them? Why (not)?

4. Is this scene scary or funny?


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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - WARM BODIES

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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