Learn English with Abominable

More film and television lessons

Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons

Abominable

A Hungry Visitor, a Big Surprise

Describe a simple problem, offer food or help, and make a plan together.

A2 English target60-minute lesson target

A2 priority and 13+ target only; both actual cuts require evidence and language review.

Created by , British English teacher.

Comforting Everest

Yi comforts an upset creature on the roof and tries to understand what it needs.

Watch for: What helps Yi and the creature feel safer?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.

1. Where are Yi and the creature?
2. How does the creature feel at the start?
3. Who used to play music for Yi?
4. What does Yi play nearby?
5. What picture interests the creature?
6. What does Yi understand that it wants?

Useful English

Are you hungry?

You say: Ask a visitor whether they want food.

One possible response

Are you hungry?

I can help you get home.

You say: Offer to help someone find the bus stop.

One possible response

I can help you find the bus stop.

Keep talking: 3 questions

Speak before opening the help or example. With a partner, ask a follow-up. On your own, say your answer aloud.

  1. Which small action helps the creature?

    Help me start

    The… helps because…

    Show an example

    The music helps because it is upset.

  2. How can you welcome a nervous visitor?

    Help me start

    I can offer…

    Show an example

    I can offer a drink and a quiet place to sit.

  3. Ask about a need and offer help.

    Help me start

    Are you…? / I can…

    Show an example

    Are you hungry? I can bring you a sandwich.

Blueberry Bombs

The travellers are hungry, and Everest’s unusual help becomes much bigger than expected.

Watch for: Why do they stop enjoying the fruit and start running?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.

1. What do the children need at the beginning?
2. What fruit appears?
3. What does Everest do before the strange growth?
4. What is unusual about the fruit?
5. What worries Jin as things become messy?
6. Why do they run?

Useful English

There is enough for everyone.

You say: Tell three friends there are enough sandwiches.

One possible response

There are enough sandwiches for everyone.

Let’s move over there.

You say: Suggest moving under the roof.

One possible response

Let’s move under the roof.

Keep talking: 3 questions

Speak before opening the help or example. With a partner, ask a follow-up. On your own, say your answer aloud.

  1. When does the help become a problem?

    Help me start

    When the…

    Show an example

    When the fruit becomes too big and falls.

  2. What food is easy to share on a trip?

    Help me start

    We can share…

    Show an example

    We can share sandwiches and small pieces of fruit.

  3. Choose food and a place for a small picnic.

    Help me start

    Let’s take…; we can sit…

    Show an example

    Let’s take sandwiches. We can sit under the tree.

Mastery: use your English

Apply language and ideas from both clips in new situations.

Mastery: 6 questions

Use the English in a new situation. Choose one answer for each question.

1. Ask whether a visitor needs food.
2. Offer help finding a place.
3. Tell three people that four sandwiches are sufficient.
4. Rain is starting. Suggest a covered place.
5. Complete: This bag is ___. I cannot carry it alone.
6. Give a useful instruction when objects are falling.

Put it all together: speaking

Use English from both clips. Start with the two short questions, then take a private role each. On your own, practise both roles.

  1. What does each clip show about helping?

    Help me start

    First…; later…

    Show an example

    First Yi helps Everest. Later Everest tries to help the children.

  2. What should you check before planning food for a group?

    Help me start

    Ask about…

    Show an example

    Ask about the number of people and what they can eat.

  3. Can you reach a workable outcome together using the two private role cards?

    Private Role A

    You plan a picnic for four people. You have six sandwiches, but two contain cheese. One visitor cannot eat cheese. Ask your partner where to sit and what to bring.

    Private Role B

    You know a covered table by the park entrance. Rain is expected, and the grass area is closed. You can bring fruit and water. Ask about the food and the visitors.

    Open only your own role card. Share its information by speaking, without showing the card.

    Help me start

    Ask a useful question, share the missing information and agree on the next step. Use a word or phrase from each clip.

    Check your conversation

    • Complete the practical goal on both role cards.
    • Use at least one target item from each clip.
    • Ask a relevant follow-up and respond to information you did not know.
    • End with a clear agreement, next step or summary.
    Show an example

    A: We have six sandwiches for four people. B: Can everyone eat cheese? A: One visitor cannot. We have four without cheese. B: Good. I can bring fruit and water. A: Where can we sit? B: Under the roof by the entrance.

    Try again: A fifth person arrives. Work out whether everyone has food and suggest what to share.

Original teaching activities: Hibiscus Teach. Film and television clips belong to their respective owners.