Hibiscus Teach · Vids
A day at the fair: Despicable Me and Charlotte’s Web
Practise asking about prices and describing a day out.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Watch each clip, then try its activities.
The films and cartoons use natural English. Focus on the task and the pictures; you do not need to understand every word. Use English captions when the source provides them. Definitions, examples and model answers are original teaching material; vocabulary may describe a scene without being spoken in it.
Useful language
Ask How much is it? about the price of one thing. Say I’d like + noun for a polite request: I’d like a ticket. Use There is for one thing and There are for more than one: There are lots of people.
Say it now: Speak for 30 seconds. Say two things you can see at a fair and one thing you would like.
Example answer
There are games and rides. There is a food stall. I’d like a ticket.
Solo: change one detail. Tutor: ask one simple question about the answer.
Despicable Me: a fluffy prize
Agnes wants a toy unicorn. Listen to how Gru asks about it.
Selected extract: 0:00 to 0:33. Press play after loading. Source: Movieclips.
Watch and check: 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- A. A toy unicorn Agnes is excited about the fluffy unicorn.
- B. The price He asks how much the unicorn costs.
- C. Win the game The man says it is not for sale. They must win it by knocking down the spaceship.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · To giving the purpose of an action
“to win it”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
To win it explains the purpose of knocking down the spaceship. A purpose tells us why someone does an action, not whether they succeed.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Ask about a toy at a fair. Then say whether you want to play the game.
Model answer
How much is the toy? Oh, it’s a prize. I’d like to play the game.
Your answer can be different.
Solo: answer as the stall worker. Tutor: Which prize would you choose?
Charlotte’s Web: a day out
Fern visits a busy fair. Focus on the place and the people in the pictures; you do not need every word.
Selected extract: 0:00 to 1:00. Press play after loading. Source: Movieclips.
Watch and check: 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- B. At a fair The fair has rides and a busy outdoor setting.
- A. Go on rides Rides are part of the fair shown in the scene.
- C. A busy outdoor place The fair is outside, with people and attractions.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Imagined activity at a past moment
“She's with a boy.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
The quote identifies her companion. For a new imagined activity in progress at a past time, use was/were + -ing. This practice does not add a new fact to the scene.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Describe a real or imaginary day at a fair. Say what is there and what you would like to do.
Model answer
There are lots of people. There are rides and games. I’d like to go on a ride.
Your answer can be different.
Solo: add a food you would like. Tutor: Do you prefer busy places or quiet places? Why?
Listen, repeat and use
Listen once, then repeat. Replace a word or name to make each sentence true for you.
How much is it?
Ask about a price.
I’d like two tickets, please.
Make a polite request.
There are lots of people.
Describe a busy place.
I’d like to play the game.
Say what you want to do.
Check what you can use
Mastery quiz: 6 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- C. How much is it? How much is it? asks for the price.
- A. is Use There is with one toy.
- B. are Use There are with plural people.
- C. I’d like a ticket, please. I’d like is a polite way to ask for something.
- A. You cannot buy it. Something not for sale is not available to buy.
- B. receive for winning You receive a prize when you win.
Final speaking challenge
Return to one speaking task. Say your answer again without reading the model. Use two useful phrases from this lesson.
Solo: record 30 to 45 seconds, then listen for the phrases you used. Tutor: ask one follow-up question and help the learner say the answer again.
1–2 minGrammar masteryB1 · Reported statements and pronoun meaning
“She's with a boy.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
In normal past-time backshift, is becomes was. With a boy expresses accompaniment, not identity.