Movie News

Gambit: Intensifying Expressions – Indeed x At All (Adverbs)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 03:30:00 +0000

This is one of the funniest scenes on this blog. I also loved the movie and Firth’s performance is awesome. I hope you enjoy it, just like my students did.

Indeed – really or certainly, often used to emphasize something:

Indeed, it could be the worst environmental disaster in Western Europe this century.

Evidence suggests that errors may indeed be occurring. We live in strange times indeed.

Mainly UK – Many people are very poor indeed.

At All - (used to make negatives and questions stronger) in any way or of any type:

He’s had no food at all.

I haven’t been at all well recently.

I’m afraid I’ve got nothing at all to say.

Is there any uncertainty at all about the way she died?

Why bother getting up at all when you don’t have a job to go to?

http://dictionary.Cambridge.org/

I. Watch the segment and complete the sentences with at all or indeed.

1. He wasn’t expecting to be locked inside the storage room __________________.

2. He thought that going out the window was very scary _________________.

3. When she saw him on the Savoy Hotel wall, she could not understand what was going on __________________.

4. The vase he stole was _________________ very valuable .

5. The guest lady had no idea that there was a stranger in her room ________________.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – GAMBIT

Answer key:

He wasn’t expecting to be locked inside the storage room at all.

He though that going out the window was scary indeed.

When she saw him on the Savoy Hotel wall, she could not understand what was going on at all.

The vase he stole was indeed very valuable.

The guest lady had no idea that there was a stranger in her room at all.

Wanderlust: Idioms

Sat, 21 Sep 2013 03:30:00 +0000

This is a nice comedy with several really funny scenes. I used it to introduce and have students practice idioms and idiomatic expressions.

I. Match the idioms and their definitions.

1. No matter

2. Twist someone’s arm

3. To be looking for a fight

4. It’s the luck of the drawn

5. Just someone’s luck

6. It’s the same old story

( ) This is typical of someone’s misfortune

( ) It makes no difference how

( ) To persuade someone strongly to do something

( ) The usual bad or unpleasant situation that is happening now has happened before or in other places.

( ) You must take things as they come

( ) To behave in such a way that may provoke an offensive or violent response

II. Watch the segment and complete the blanks with the correct idioms/idiomatic expressions. Make sure you use their correct forms to make them logical.

1. The couple were really ___________________, especially when they decided to talk about how much money they make in a year.

2. It is ______________________________ to have a husband that snores. All her previous boyfriends snored too.

3. It is _________________________. Her husband always farts in the car every time they drive long distances.

4. ________________________ what they talk about, they always end up fighting.

5. She was so tired that she __________________________ to stop the car and find a place to spend the night.

6. They will spend the night in a hotel they have never heard of. The will have to stay there anyway, since it is too late to look for another hotel. _____________________.

III. Talk to a partner:

1. What should they have done to stop arguing?

2. What made them happy and what made them angry?

3. Have you ever traveled long distances with someone by car? Does the length of trip make you impatient and fight with the other traveling partners?

4. What could they have done in order not to fight so much?

KEY:

No matter – It makes no difference how

Twist someone’s arm – To persuade someone strongly to do something

Be looking for a fight – To behave in such a way that may provoke an offensive or violent response

It’s the luck of the drawn – You must take things as they come

Just someone’s luck – this is typical of my misfortune

It’s the same old story – the usual bad or unpleasant situation that is happening now has happened before or in other places

II. The couple were really looking for a fight, especially when they decided to talk about how much money they make in a year.

It is just her luck to have a husband that snores. All her previous boyfriends snored too.

It is the same old story. Her husband always farts in the car every time they drive long distances.

No matter what they talk about, they always end up fighting.

She was so tired that she twisted his arm to stop the car and find a place to spend the night.

They will spend the night in a hotel they have never heard of. The will have to stay there anyway, since it is too late to look for another hotel. It’s the luck of the drawn.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – WANDERLUST

ANSWER KEY:

No matter – It makes no difference how

Twist someone’s arm – To persuade someone strongly to do something

Be looking for a fight – To behave in such a way that may provoke an offensive or violent response

It’s the luck of the drawn – You must take things as they come

Just my luck – this is typical of my misfortune

It’s the same old story – the usual bad or unpleasant situation that is happening now has happened before or in other places.

The couple were really looking for a fight, especially when they decided to talk about how much money they make in a year.

It is just her luck to have a husband that snores. All her previous boyfriends snored too.

It is the same old story. Her husband always farts in the car every time they drive long distances.

No matter what they talk about, they always end up fighting.

She was so tired that she twisted his arm to stop the car and find a place to spend the night.

They will spend the night in a hotel they have never heard of. The will have to stay there anyway, since it is too late to look for another hotel. It’s the luck of the drawn.

Death Becomes Her: Idioms

Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:16:00 +0000

This is a classic movie that makes people reflect upon important life dilemmas, such as aging, plastic surgeries, living forever, among others. This is the second post about idiomatic expressions. More is yet to come in the future.

I. Discuss the questions with a partner:

1. Would you like to live forever? Why (not)?

2. Would you like to drink a magic potion that would make you look young for the rest of your life? Why (not)?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living forever?

4. If you could live forever, would you get married, knowing that all your lovers would age and die, whereas you would still be and look young? Explain it.

II. Match the idioms and the definitions:

1. In the blink of an eye

2. To no avail

3. To be alive and kicking

4. To be no bed of roses

5. To give someone the benefit of the doubt.

( ) When someone tries to do something but does not get the desired result.

( ) When someone is in a strong and healthy condition.

( ) When something happens very quickly

( ) When someone means that it is difficult or not always pleasant.

( ) When someone accepts that what they say is true, even though there is no evidence to support it.

III. Watch the movie segment and complete the sentences with the idioms in exercise II.

1. The mysterious lady offered Dr. Menville a magic potion to _________. He decided not to drink it.

2. Dr. Menville believes that not aging is _______________. There are many disadvantages to living forever.

3. The magic potion reversed the effects of aging _________________. It was amazing how fast it worked.

4. The magic potion would make anyone be ___________________, because they would never grow old.

5. Dr. Menville decided not __________________________ and drink the magic potion. He didn’t believe her promises would work for his own good.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – DEATH BECOMES HER

Answer key:

II. 2, 3, 1, 4, 5.

III.

1.The mysterious lady offered Dr. Menville a magic potion to no avail. He decided not to drink it.

2. Dr. Menville believes that not aging is no bed of roses. There are many disadvantages to living forever.

3. The magic potion reversed the effects of aging in the blink of an eye. It was amazing how fast it worked.

4. The magic potion would make anyone be alive and kicking, because they would never grow old.

5. Dr. Menville decided not to give her the benefit of the doubt and drink the magic potion. He didn’t believe her promises would work for his own good.

Oz The Great and the Powerful: Idioms

Sat, 07 Sep 2013 03:30:00 +0000

This is the first of three posts that will make students learn/practice the use of idioms and idiomatic expressions. This one is based on a movie which special effects fascinated me. I think it is crucial to have students learn idiomatic expressions to enrich their vocabulary range.

I. Match the idioms and their definition:

1. up in the air

2. catch someone by surprise

3. be in deep water

4. be in the land of the living

5. oceans of

6. under the sun

( ) In existence

( ) be awake or to be alive

( ) surprising someone without a warning

( ) to be in serious trouble.

( ) uncertain

( ) a large amount of something.

II. Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom after watching the segment.

1. Oscar Diggs’s future in Oz is still ________________________. Nobody knows what his future will be like.

2.Oz is probably the most beautiful place ____________________ .

3. When the balloon landed on the river, it was evident that Diggs was _____________. He almost died there.

4. There were ________________ beautiful pink butterflies on the trees of Oz.

5. Diggs was _______________ when he saw Theodora. It was totally unexpected for him.

6. When Diggs finally found himself safe, He seemed to be the only person _________________. There was nobody around.

Discuss the questions:

1. Describe the scene.

2. Think about the most beautiful place you have ever been too. It must not be a CITY. Tell your friend about it. Then compare both of your places to OZ. In which of them would you rather live?

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – OZ THE GREAT AND THE POWERFUL

Answer key:

I.
6, 4, 2, 3, 1, 5

II.
1. up in the air
2. under the sun
3. in deep water
4. oceans of
5. caught by surprise
6. in the land of the living

A Monster in Paris: Inversion after Negation Adverbials

Sat, 31 Aug 2013 03:30:00 +0000

This is a great, romantic animated movie. It is also perfect to talk about accepting and respecting people the way they are. I truly recommend it.

A. Watch the movie segment and rewrite the sentences, using the given adverbials.

1. Emile confessed his fears after Maud told him about her regret.

Not until Maud told him about her regret ___________

2. Parisians had never seen such an awful flood.

Never ____________________________________

3. The Eiffel Tower does not usually get flooded.

Rarely ___________________________________

4. Emile had never told Maud he was afraid of asking her out.
On no occasion _____________________________

5. Emile did not know it was a dragon until it spit fire.

Only After the dragon __________________________

Talk to a friend:

1. Tell your friend something about your life that you had never thought would happen to you. Start your sentences with NEVER.

2.Tell your friend a few predictions people have made for the future but you think won’t become true. Start your sentences with NEVER.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – A MONSTER IN PARIS

Answer Key:

1. Not until Maud told him about her regret did Emile confess his fears

2. Never had Parisians seen such an awful flood

3. Rarely does the Eiffel Tower get flooded

4. On no occasion had Emile told Maud he was afraid of asking her out.

5. Only after the dragon spit fire did Emile know it was one (a dragon).

Midnight in Paris, To Rome with Love & The Smurfs: Superlatives with Nouns

Sat, 24 Aug 2013 03:30:00 +0000

These three movies show three famous cities - Paris, Rome and New York. I used these scenes to compare cities, using nouns. I love Woody Allen – especially Midnight in Paris. I simply had to use these opening scenes. They are lovely.

I. Talk to a partner about the following questions.

1. What is your favorite city in the world? Justify your answer.

2. What must a city have to be perfect for you?

3. What is your opinion about the city you live in? What can be improved?

4. What would you change about the city you live in?

II. Watch the movie segment. Look at the items below. Write P if you think they are more evident in Paris (Midnight in Paris), R in Rome (To Rome with Love) or in NY (The Smurfs). Remember the rules:

Count Nouns	Non-count Nouns
as many ______________ as	as much ___________________ as

the most ______________ of the group	the most __________________ of the group

the fewest ______________ of the group	the least __________________ of the group

Example:

Superlatives describe a particular quality to the highest degree when compared to the same quality found elsewhere. So, we might say All the cities have a lot of cars in the streets, but I’d say New York has the most cars in the streets. OR Rome has the fewest cars in the streets. OR Paris has as many cars in the streets as New York and Rome.

( ) Cars in the street
( ) Motorcycles in the streets.
( ) Famous monuments
( ) Traffic
( ) Tourists
( ) Advertisement
( ) Taxis
( ) Pollution
( ) Cafes
( ) Entertainment

III. Write sentences, following the example. Compare the three cities shown in the segments.

1 _____________________________________
2 _____________________________________
3 _____________________________________
4 _____________________________________
5 _____________________________________
6 _____________________________________
7 _____________________________________
8 _____________________________________
9 _____________________________________
10 ____________________________________

Midnight in Paris

To Rome with Love

The Smurfs

ANSWERS WILL VARY

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – TO ROME WITH LOVE

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – THE SMURFS

The Pacifier: Sequence Words

Sat, 17 Aug 2013 03:30:00 +0000

This activity was provided by Bruno Dias. Thank you, Bruno, for your great contibution. Don’t forget to visit his blog, a great resource for English teachers. Here’s his short biodata:

My name is Bruno Dias Gonçalves and I´m a 28-year-old English teacher. I´ve been teaching for 9 years basically for adults, but recently I´ve started teaching elementary and high school students. I am also the owner of the blog http://teacherbruno1.blogspot.comwhere I post many video classes teaching grammar rules and contexts, song classes and video classes.

I´m graduated in English Language and Specialized in Apllied Linguistics on English Language.

A class by @TeacherBrunoGon

1- Work with your students the vocabulary relating sequence words.

First – Second – Right after/ before – Afterwards – Next – To finish – Then – When

2- Watch the video and complete the paragraphs.

Driving part:

____________ he fastens the seat belt, ______________ he says “go”, and ____________ she starts driving the car around the parking lot. ______________ she stops the car, he tells her to go backwards and ______________ she does it.

Girls in the garden:

_____________ he teaches the girls the basic movements, _______________ one of the girls punches him to practice. __________________ he shows three girls how to fights and _________________ all the girls practices as he watches them. ______________ he says “go” and all the girls start crawling. ________________ one of the girls kick his arm strongly.

Play Rehearsal:

_____________ the couple dance and the director observes, _____________ he advises that they have to improve their performance. ________________ the cast crawls on the floor. ___________________ he shows in a miniature stage how the actors are supposed to work and ___________________ he observes the final moves of two actors on the stage.

Answers may vary

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD – THE PACIFIER

Jack and Jill: Have You Ever…? – Present Perfect

Sat, 10 Aug 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Adam Sandler has ups and downs. He has an opportunity here to show his acting skills in the roles of twins, performing the scenes of both brother and sister. The movie itself isn’t as good as it had promised to be. This scene, though, is great and really funny. My students had a great time.

I. Watch the segment and check the actions that you saw in the segment:

1 Eat Mexican food

2 Drink tomato juice

3 Eat raw jalapeños

4 Play soccer with other girls

5 Dance break music

6 Hurt someone by accident

7 Hit a piñata

8 Swim in a river

II. Take turns asking each other questions about the items in Exercise I.
Follow the example:

S1 – Have you ever eaten Mexican food?

S2 – Yes, I have.

S1 – When did you eat Mexican food?

S2 – I ate Mexican food last week.

S1 – Have you ever eaten Mexican food?

S2 – No, I haven’t.

S2 – Would you like to eat Mexican food?

S2 – Yes, I would OR No, I wouldn’t.

WORKSHEET

Answer key:

I.

1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Marmaduke: Unrestrictive Relative Clauses

Sat, 03 Aug 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Great movie for dog lovers!

Watch the movie segment and connect the sentences about the characters, using relative clauses. Decide about whom the sentences are about.

Marmaduke
Brian
Phil
Sarah
Debbie
Barbara

1. Ex: MARMADUKE

is a 200-pound dog
hates water

Marmaduke, who is a 200-pound dog, hates water.

2. ____________________

loves to hang out with Marmaduke
is addicted to video games

_______________________________________________

3. ____________________

loves to play ball with Marmaduke
is always on the phone

_______________________________________________

4. ___________________

is Marmaduke’s main food kook up
slips Marmaduke a steak here and there

_______________________________________________

5. __________________

is Marmaduke’s biggest fan
has got a great laugh

_______________________________________________

6. __________________

is Marmaduke’s owner
is a marketing guy for the local pet food company

_______________________________________________

WORKSHEET

Answer Key:

BRIAN
Brian, who is addicted to video games, loves to hang out with Marmaduke

BARBARA
Barbara, who loves to play ball with Marmaduke, is always on the phone

DEBBIE
Debbie, who slips a steak here and there, is his main food hook up.

SARAH
Sarah, who is his biggest fan, has got a great laugh.

PHIL
Phil, who is a marketing guy for the local pet food company, is Marmaduke’s owner

The Hunger Games: 2nd Conditional

Sat, 27 Jul 2013 03:30:00 +0000

This activity was provided by Philip Rice and it was published on his awesome blog THE ESL COMMANDO. Thanks, Phil, for such a great activity.

Phil Rice is an instructor at the English Language Institute in Delaware, USA. He has taught English for the past 5 years and in the ESL field for the past 3 years. He enjoys using technology, games, and creativity to help teach students English. His blog can be found at www.eslcommando.com.

This activity uses listening and the Hunger Games to help students practice the unreal conditional in English. The “If…then” format is used, and students will love to watch the exciting clip of the Hunger Games! This activity gives practice on listening for details, writing sentences, and then writing a short paragraph. The worksheet that goes along with the video is downloadable and is below the clip.The formatting looks wrong on the example, but when downloaded into Word, it will look right.Click here to download, or look below to preview the worksheet. If you like this, please try out the NEW Man of Steel Classroom Activity!

The Hunger Games ESL Lesson:

Unreal Conditional Activity –

Watch the clip and answer the True/False Questions:

T/F: Katniss (the older girl) cares for her sister.
T/F: Katniss is chosen for the Hunger Games.
T/F: The Hunger Games are wonderful contests.
T/F: Only one person can survive the Hunger Games.
T/F: Katniss thinks the same way as the blond boy.

As you watch the clip, think of 5 feelings that you would feel if you

were in Katniss’ situation. Then write 5 sentences:

Use the form “If…. , then….”

Ex: If I were in the Hunger Games, then I would be scared.

What if you were in a survival situation like Katniss? If you had to choose 3 things to help you survive in the wilderness what would they be and why? Write a short paragraph using the unreal conditional form giving clear descriptions and reasons.

Watch clip again at:

http://eslcommando.blogspot.com/2012/04/movie-trailer-esl-grammar-activity.html

WORKSHEET

Answer Key:

T,F,F,T,F

Essay answers will vary. Focus on the verb forms that the students use.

Clip is found at:

http://eslcommando.blogspot.com/2012/04/movie-trailer-esl-grammar-activity.html

Movie News

Gambit: Intensifying Expressions – Indeed x At All (Adverbs)

Wanderlust: Idioms

Death Becomes Her: Idioms

Oz The Great and the Powerful: Idioms

A Monster in Paris: Inversion after Negation Adverbials

Midnight in Paris, To Rome with Love & The Smurfs: Superlatives with Nouns

Count Nouns

Non-count Nouns

The Pacifier: Sequence Words

Jack and Jill: Have You Ever…? – Present Perfect

Marmaduke: Unrestrictive Relative Clauses

The Hunger Games: 2nd Conditional