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A Useful Fix: and a Broken Promise
Clarify how something works and distinguish an explanation from an excuse.
Ages 13+ target; exact footage must pass screening.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
The Slushious
Oh has modified Tip’s car, but she needs to understand what he has changed.
Watch for: Which changes help, and which create new problems?
Clip A quiz: 6 questions
Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.
Useful English
Show me how to stop it first.
You say: Ask how to switch a machine off.
One possible response
Show me how to switch it off first.
Promise you’ll help me find it.
You say: Ask for a promise to help finish the task.
One possible response
Promise you’ll help me finish the task.
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.
Which question should Tip ask before driving?
Help me start
She should ask…
Show an example
She should ask how to stop the car safely.
What information do you need before using a new device?
Help me start
I need to know…
Show an example
I need to know how to stop it and what the controls do.
Explain two controls to a newcomer.
Help me start
This one…; before…
Show an example
This one starts the machine. Before using it, check that the lid is closed.
You Lied to Me!
Oh wants Tip to escape with him, but she discovers that his plan does not include finding her mother.
Watch for: Why does Tip feel that the promise has been broken?
Clip B quiz: 6 questions
Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.
Useful English
That is not what you promised.
You say: Point out that someone promised to check first.
One possible response
That is not what you promised; you said you would check first.
Explain the choice, but don’t hide it from me.
You say: Ask someone to explain a change before making it.
One possible response
Explain the change before making it.
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.
Can a protective reason still damage trust?
Help me start
It can when…
Show an example
It can when the person hides the choice from the other person.
What should someone say when a plan must change?
Help me start
They should explain…
Show an example
They should explain what changed and what alternatives remain.
Explain a changed plan without pretending the promise was kept.
Help me start
I said…; now…
Show an example
I said I would finish today. I cannot, and I should have told you earlier.
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.
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.
What connects the car agreement and the ship disagreement?
Help me start
The promise…
Show an example
The original promise becomes the standard for judging the later plan.
What would an honest revised plan include?
Help me start
It would include…
Show an example
It would include the problem, the available choices and what remains possible.
Can you reach a workable outcome together using the two private role cards?
Private Role A
You promised to help a partner collect a display from school. The car is unavailable, but you can use a small taxi for one trip. Explain the change before making a decision.
Private Role B
The display has two boxes: one fragile, one easily carried on the bus. You need the fragile box by four. Ask what the revised plan can actually achieve.
Open only your own role card. Share its information by speaking, without showing the card.
Help me start
Discover the missing information; explain your constraint; respond to your partner; agree on a practical next step. Use language from both clips.
Check your conversation
- Complete the practical goal on both role cards.
- Use at least three target items naturally, including language 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: I promised to collect everything, but the car is unavailable. I should have told you sooner. B: What can we do? A: One taxi trip. B: The fragile box must arrive by four; I can take the other box on the bus. A: Let’s book the taxi for the fragile one.
Try again: The taxi can arrive only at half past three. Agree which box goes first and who travels with it.