The Hunger Games English Lesson

Preparing to be seen

At a meal, Haymitch tells Katniss and Peeta why support from viewers matters.

Watch for: Why does Haymitch want Katniss to make people like her?

Clip A quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. Where does Haymitch give Katniss and Peeta this advice?At a meal on the train.During Katniss’s televised interview.Inside the arena during the Games.

2. What does Haymitch say Katniss must do to gain sponsors?Find better shelter.Get people to like her.Win the Games before asking for help.

3. What examples of help can sponsors send?Water, a knife or matches.A new set of rules for everyone.A guaranteed victory.

4. What does Katniss do at the table before Haymitch gives his main advice?She thrusts a knife into a place mat.She leaves the train at the next station.She asks the audience to vote.

5. What does Haymitch criticise at the end of his advice?Her remaining food supplies.Her ability to repair equipment.How well she is making people like her so far.

6. Which dangers does Haymitch mention when explaining why sponsor gifts matter?Being late to a public interview.Running out of tickets.Starving or freezing in the Games.

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

I want to make a good impression without pretending.

State a balanced aim.

How might that answer come across to someone who doesn't know you?

Check the effect of a response.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

How can someone prepare for an interview without inventing a personality?
Support and one possible answer
They can…
They can choose real examples and practise expressing them clearly.
What might make a brief answer seem unfriendly unintentionally?
Support and one possible answer
It might…
It might offer no explanation or show little interest in the other person's question.
Make a short, honest introduction for a group activity.
Support and one possible answer
I enjoy…
I enjoy solving practical problems, and I would like to help the group organise its first event.

Remaining yourself

Away from the audience, Peeta and Katniss talk about what the pressure could change.

Watch for: Are they worried about exactly the same thing?

Original source

Clip B quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. Where does the private conversation take place?On the rooftop at night.Inside the arena during a fight.In front of the interview audience.

2. What does Peeta say he does not want the Games to change?The name of the city.The colour of his interview clothes.Who he is.

3. How does he describe the way he does not want to be treated?As a spectator who has chosen to attend.As merely a piece in other people's Games.As an experienced teacher.

4. How does Katniss respond to Peeta’s wish to remain himself?She says she cannot afford to think that way.She says she has exactly the same plan.She asks him to repeat it on television.

5. Is Peeta simply asking how to look more popular on television?Yes; he is rehearsing a sales advertisement.Yes; his only concern is the audience's applause.No; he is talking about the person he wants to remain.

6. How do their stated positions differ?Both focus on becoming popular on television.Peeta stresses remaining himself; Katniss says she cannot afford that view.Both say that the Games cannot change anyone.

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

I can adapt my approach, but I draw the line at that.

Separate flexibility from a boundary.

What matters to me is how I act under pressure.

Explain a personal priority.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

What is the difference between changing a habit and pretending to be someone else?
Support and one possible answer
Changing a habit…
Changing a habit can help communication without requiring a false claim about who you are.
How can a person state a boundary without attacking someone?
Support and one possible answer
They can…
They can explain the action they will not take and offer an honest alternative.
Respond to pressure to exaggerate an achievement.
Support and one possible answer
I can…
I can explain the result clearly, but I draw the line at claiming that I did the work alone.

Mastery quiz

Use language from both clips in new situations.

Mastery · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. Other people perceive your answer as confident. You ___.come across as confidentremove every doubtguarantee success

2. You persuade someone to support an idea. You ___.put the task offleave them outwin them over

3. You set a boundary on what you will do. You ___.accept every demanddraw the linechange every value

4. A person is treated as nothing more than a score. They are ___.reduced to a scoregiven a complete descriptionautomatically understood

5. Which introduction is effective without inventing experience?I cannot explain any achievement without exaggerating.I helped organise two events and learned how to coordinate a small team.I led every successful event in the city, although I did not.

6. Which reply combines flexibility with a clear boundary?I refuse all feedback, including accurate corrections.I will say anything as long as it sounds impressive.I can make the wording clearer, but I will not claim a result we did not achieve.

Put it all together — speaking

Speak first, then use the support if you need it. For the final conversation, take a role each or practise both roles alone.

How does the focus change between advice about gaining public support and the rooftop conversation?
Support and one possible answer
A… B…
A focuses on how others will respond. B focuses on what the characters want to preserve under pressure.
When can adapting a message help rather than hide who someone is?
Support and one possible answer
It can…
It can help when it makes genuine experience clearer without changing the facts.
Can you prepare an honest public introduction while resisting an unfair demand?
Support and one possible answer
Present a real contribution, respond to pressure and offer an accurate alternative.
I helped coordinate two events and improved our schedule. I can make that sound clearer, but I draw the line at claiming sole credit. Let's say exactly what I contributed and what the team achieved together.

Role A

You are preparing a short introduction for a community showcase. Your contribution was real but part of a team effort.

Role B

You want the introduction to sound impressive. Suggest exaggerating once, then work with your partner on an accurate alternative.

Check your conversation

Make a clear impression using a genuine example.
State a boundary calmly and offer an alternative.
Use language from both clips without inventing a credential or result.

Try again: Repeat the final interaction once. Improve one expression and one response to your partner.