Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons
Shrek
That Is Not How I Imagined It
Explain an expectation, describe what actually happened and make a practical request.
Ages 13+ target; exact footage must pass screening.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
The Highest Room in the Tallest Tower
Shrek and Donkey enter a dangerous castle to find a princess.
Watch for: How do they divide the task?
Clip A quiz: 6 questions
Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · An imagined choice with an unstated obstacle
“I'd really love to stay, but”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Would love to stay presents a desired choice, followed by reasons against it. A new if-clause can express an imagined absence of an obstacle, while keeping the action unreal now.
Useful English
You check there; I’ll check here.
You say: Divide checking the kitchen and the garden.
One possible response
You check the garden; I’ll check the kitchen.
What exactly are we looking for?
You say: Ask what object the team is trying to find.
One possible response
What exactly are we looking for?
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.
Would you split up in this situation?
Help me start
I would… because…
Show an example
I would stay together because the place is unfamiliar.
When does dividing a task help?
Help me start
It helps when…
Show an example
It helps when each person knows exactly what to check.
Give your partner a clear part of a search task.
Help me start
You check…; I’ll…
Show an example
You check the entrance; I’ll check the office.
Rescuing Princess Fiona
Fiona meets her rescuer, but the encounter is not the romantic rescue she expected.
Watch for: Which of Fiona’s expectations clash with Shrek’s priorities?
Clip B quiz: 6 questions
Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB1 · An activity as a verb’s complement
“I just love receiving cards”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
Receiving cards names the activity the speaker loves. After enjoy, the same activity needs an -ing form; enjoy does not take to receive.
Useful English
I expected something different.
You say: Say you expected a shorter journey.
One possible response
I expected a shorter journey.
We can discuss that when we are safe.
You say: Delay the explanation until you are outside.
One possible response
We can discuss that when we are outside.
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 expectation seems least practical during an escape?
Help me start
The expectation that…
Show an example
The expectation of a long romantic introduction seems impractical.
Describe a harmless situation that differed from your expectations.
Help me start
I expected… but…
Show an example
I expected a formal interview, but it was a friendly conversation.
Explain why an explanation needs to wait.
Help me start
We can discuss… when…
Show an example
We can discuss the route when we are outside.
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.
How do expectations affect the two searches or meetings?
Help me start
One person expects…
Show an example
Fiona expects a ceremony, while Shrek expects to leave quickly.
What must be agreed before dividing an urgent task?
Help me start
We need the goal and…
Show an example
We need the goal, meeting point and time limit.
Can you reach a workable outcome together using the two private role cards?
Private Role A
You promised a friend a museum visit. You know the museum closes in forty minutes and the last bus leaves ten minutes later. Explain the practical limits.
Private Role B
You expected a two-hour visit and want to see three rooms. One room matters much more to you than the others. Reveal which one when asked.
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 need to explain something: the museum closes in forty minutes. B: I expected a longer visit. A: Which room matters most? B: The inventions room. A: Let’s start there and skip the others if necessary. B: All right, but please explain the bus time too.
Try again: The preferred room is closed. Agree an alternative without pretending the original plan is still possible.
1–2 minGrammar masteryB2 · Reporting an ongoing action
“What are you doing?”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Report a wh-question with statement order. Past-time backshift changes are doing to was/were doing, keeping the action ongoing.