The BFG: Imperative Forms with NEVER

This is a lovely movie about how physical appearances can mislead us into not knowing the real/whole person.

GRAMMAR TIP:

Negative Imperatives Using Never / Don't Ever

Ex: 

Never do that again.
Never leave your wallet in your car.
Never steal from anyone.
Don't ever lie to anyone.
Don't ever travel without your documents.

Work in small groups:

I. Make a list of 5 things that you are never allowed to do in your house. What have your parents told you never do. (Or that you tell your children never do)

Ex: Never play with fire.

Share your list with the class. Check what  task is the most recurrent task  students must never do at home.

II. Make  predictions. What do you think are the three rules all children have to follow in an orphanage. Write sentences starting with NEVER.

III. Watch the segment and check your answers.

Answer Key:

Never get out of bed
Never go to the window
Never look behind the curtains


WORKSHEET


MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE BFG

Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart: Imperative - Negative Forms

This is a beautiful, magical and dramatic story of a mother who has to make a very difficult decision in life - giving her baby to be raised by someone wealthier, because she does not have the means to nurture him. It is a French animated movie spoken in English I loved it.

I. Work in groups. Read the summary of the beginning of the story of Jack and the cuckoo-clock heart.

Little Jack is born on a day so cold that his heart remains frozen. Madeleine, the midwife, saves his life by inserting a cuckoo-clock in place of his defective heart. It will work, she warns him, as long as Jack observes three golden rules. 

II. Come up with the three rules you believe would keep Jack alive. Be creative and use your imagination.

1 He must never _________________________________________

2 ____________________________________________________ 

3 ____________________________________________________

III. Share your ideas with the class.

IV. Watch the segment and check your answers.

V. Discuss:

1. What's your opinion about the mother's decision to give up on her child? 

2. Why did she do that?

3. What will happen to Jack?

4. Which one of the rules is the most difficult one in your opinion? Why?

5. What would you do if you were in Jack's biological mother shoes?

Answer key:

He will only live as long as he observes three golden rules: 

1 - He must never touch the hands of the clock. 

2 - He must master his anger. 

3 - He must never, ever fall in love. 



WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - JACK AND THE CUCKOO-CLOCK HEART