Peaky Blinders: C1 English & Grammar

Before you ask everyone to follow

Tommy outlines an expansion while family members question the decision and its risks.

First watch: Which concerns are answered, and which are pushed aside?

Watch and check · 6 questions

All six questions refer to this clip. Choose one answer per question.

Listen for the evidence1. What does Polly question about the decision-making process?

A. Whether the profits have been distributed that morning.B. Whether the meeting includes a visiting accountant.C. Whether the expansion was actually agreed collectively.

Listen for the evidence2. What point does she make about the existing business?

A. It is already making money.B. Its accounts are entirely unavailable to her.C. It is losing money so quickly that expansion is the only option.

Listen for the evidence3. How does Tommy respond to the suggested link between the damaged pub and London?

A. He rejects that connection.B. He says he has not heard about any damage.C. He treats the damage as conclusive proof that London caused it.

Listen for the evidence4. What concern does Esme emphasise?

A. That she has not been offered a senior financial title.B. The effect of violent conflict on her family’s future.C. That the expansion is not ambitious enough.

Listen for the evidence5. What reassurance does Tommy give about danger?

A. He guarantees that every part of the expansion will be legal from the outset.B. He says each family member should protect only themselves.C. He says they will be safe if they remain united.

Interpret the scene6. How does his suggestion that opponents can leave affect the discussion?

A. It promises that objections will lead to a revised vote.B. It pressures people to choose between following and withdrawing.C. It makes withdrawal an entirely neutral practical choice with no judgement.

Answer key and explanations

C. Whether the expansion was actually agreed collectively. Correct. She challenges how the decision has been made.
A. It is already making money. Correct. Present success makes the case for extra risk less automatic.
A. He rejects that connection. Correct. He does not accept the bombing as proof of a London connection here.
B. The effect of violent conflict on her family’s future. Correct. Her objection is personal and practical, not merely financial.
C. He says they will be safe if they remain united. Correct. His assurance is based on sticking together.
B. It pressures people to choose between following and withdrawing. Correct. The apparent choice narrows space for continued objection.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteC1 · A finite comment attributing a proposition

“As my husband said, Shelby Company Limited is now very successful.”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

As my husband said frames the following statement as something already expressed by him. It is a comment on the proposition, not a time clause or a claim that his words caused the success.

Useful phrases

Original language for practice, not programme quotations.

Before we agree, I need to understand the risk.
Raise a concern without treating disagreement as disloyalty.

An assurance is helpful, but we still need a concrete plan.
Ask for substance rather than reassurance alone.

Speaking · 3 brief prompts

Answer aloud for 20–45 seconds. Add a reason or example. With a tutor, ask one follow-up question.

Which objection is about process rather than the plan itself?

One possible answer

Polly asks when the decision was agreed, so she is questioning participation.
What would a more open response to Esme sound like?

One possible answer

I understand why you are worried. Which part of the plan would need to change for you to support it?
Raise a professional objection to an unrealistic deadline.

One possible answer

Before we agree, I need to understand how the extra work will be covered.

An invitation is not an agreement

Tommy meets Alfie to discuss a possible alliance, but they do not agree about what the invitation means.

First watch: At the end, has an agreement been reached, or only another stage of discussion?

Original source ↗

Watch and check · 6 questions

All six questions refer to this clip. Choose one answer per question.

Listen for the evidence1. What does Tommy infer from Alfie’s message inviting him?

A. That Alfie has already accepted the proposed terms.B. That Alfie may want his help.C. That Alfie is asking to leave his own business entirely.

Listen for the evidence2. What arrangement does Tommy propose?

A. A permanent end to all business between the two groups.B. Joining forces.C. A promise that neither side will ever need the other.

Listen for the evidence3. How does Alfie initially respond to that proposal?

A. He rejects it rather than accepting immediately.B. He accepts it immediately without discussing reliability.C. He asks Tommy only to choose the date for signing.

Listen for the evidence4. What part of Tommy’s history makes Alfie question his reliability?

A. His previous betrayal of an associate.B. That Tommy has never changed an alliance before.C. That Tommy has always avoided taking any business risk.

Listen for the evidence5. What does Tommy offer as a practical resource?

A. A promise to stay completely outside the other group’s affairs.B. Only an apology for earlier misunderstandings.C. A group of armed men who could support the alliance.

Interpret the scene6. What does Alfie’s invitation to hear the plan establish at the end?

A. That Alfie has accepted every resource and condition offered.B. That Alfie has ended the discussion permanently.C. He is willing to continue the discussion, not yet bound to a final deal.

Answer key and explanations

B. That Alfie may want his help. Correct. He treats the invitation as a possible opening for cooperation.
B. Joining forces. Correct. His central proposal is cooperation.
A. He rejects it rather than accepting immediately. Correct. The conversation begins with resistance.
A. His previous betrayal of an associate. Correct. Alfie uses past behaviour to challenge trust.
C. A group of armed men who could support the alliance. Correct. Tommy offers armed men as a practical resource for a possible alliance.
C. He is willing to continue the discussion, not yet bound to a final deal. Correct. Listening is not the same as committing.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteC1 · Preparatory it and a postponed action

“it'd be entirely appropriate to do what I'm thinking in my head to you right now”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

It is preparatory: the action evaluated as appropriate comes later in to do …. The what-clause names the proposed action. Would be gives a conditional assessment, rather than asserting that the act occurred.

Useful phrases

Original language for practice, not programme quotations.

We are open to discussing it, but we have not committed yet.
Distinguish interest from agreement.

What would each side be responsible for?
Make the proposed arrangement more explicit.

Speaking · 3 brief prompts

Answer aloud for 20–45 seconds. Add a reason or example. With a tutor, ask one follow-up question.

Which parts of the exchange create uncertainty about trust?

One possible answer

The invitation is interpreted differently, and earlier conduct is used to question reliability.
What evidence would be more useful than a confident promise in a legitimate deal?

One possible answer

A clear track record, references and specific responsibilities would be more useful.
Show interest without accidentally accepting an offer.

One possible answer

We are open to discussing it, but we need to review the terms before committing.

Mastery: use what you have learnt

Mastery quiz · 6 questions

Original language and application practice using both clips’ target language. These examples are not programme dialogue. Choose one answer per question.

Original language application1. Which objection addresses a practical risk without attacking a person?

A. The deadline concerns me because we have not confirmed the staffing.B. Only an incompetent person would suggest that.C. I refuse because I enjoy stopping plans.

Original language application2. A supplier says, “Trust us; it will be fine.” Which follow-up seeks a useful assurance?

A. Can we avoid discussing all details?B. Can we agree a delivery date and what happens if it is missed?C. Can you promise that nothing unexpected will ever happen?

Original language application3. Which statement distinguishes leverage from a threat in a legitimate negotiation?

A. Accept or we will damage your property.B. The offer is good because we refuse to explain it.C. Our reliable record makes us a useful partner, so we would like a longer contract.

Original language application4. Which sentence avoids making a premature commitment?

A. We accept every possible term, including those we have not seen.B. We have signed nothing, so our words can never have consequences.C. We are interested, subject to agreeing the responsibilities and cost.

Original language application5. A decision affects four team members, but only one was consulted. What is missing?

A. A rule forbidding any change.B. An opportunity for the others to have a say.C. A guarantee that everyone will hold the same opinion.

Original language application6. Which question most directly clarifies an offer’s structure?

A. What would each side be responsible for, and by when?B. Which person sounds the most impressive?C. Can we decide the details after claiming everything is agreed?

Answer key and explanations

A. The deadline concerns me because we have not confirmed the staffing. Correct. It identifies a reason that can be examined.
B. Can we agree a delivery date and what happens if it is missed? Correct. It turns reassurance into explicit terms.
C. Our reliable record makes us a useful partner, so we would like a longer contract. Correct. It offers relevant value rather than coercion.
C. We are interested, subject to agreeing the responsibilities and cost. Correct. It makes the interest conditional.
B. An opportunity for the others to have a say. Correct. Participation has been limited.
A. What would each side be responsible for, and by when? Correct. It identifies obligations and timing.

Put it together

Final speaking · 12 minutes

A training company and a local venue are considering a legitimate partnership for weekend workshops. Negotiate an arrangement, or decline clearly if the essential conditions cannot be met.

Role A

You run the workshops. You need a quiet room, reliable internet and permission to cancel a poorly subscribed event with one week’s notice. You can offer repeat bookings, but cannot guarantee attendance.

Role B

You manage the venue. You want predictable income and payment for late cancellations. You can offer a trial price for two events, but cannot promise silence in the public café outside the room.

Practise

State your objective and one non-negotiable condition.
Ask about responsibilities, risks and evidence of reliability.
Offer a conditional proposal and answer one objection.
Summarise either the agreed trial terms or the reason for declining; retry with feedback.

On your own: Speak both roles aloud, then improve your closing response.

Success criteria

Separate an assurance from a concrete condition.
Do not confuse willingness to discuss with final agreement.
Use firm, non-threatening language throughout.

One possible conversation

Trainer: We are interested, but the room needs to be quiet enough for discussion.

Venue: The room has a door, although I cannot guarantee silence in the café.

Trainer: Could we test the room during the usual workshop hours?

Venue: Yes. We could also offer a lower rate for two trial events.

Trainer: That gives us useful evidence. What cancellation conditions would apply?

Venue: There would be a fee with less than a week’s notice.

Trainer: That fits our requirement. Let us record the trial dates and responsibilities before we commit.

Try it again

The venue cannot offer the required cancellation period. Either find a workable alternative or decline without hostility.