We all watch the TV and occasionally go to the cinema. Watching TV can be a great way to expand your English vocabulary and to improve your pronunciation.
Below are four video clips in English taken from either the TV or movies. Your job is to study each clip and answer the questions below each clip. After each clip we will discuss what we have seen. So keen observation is required.
Let’s go:
First: please discuss the three questions below. If you can use an example of the present perfect tense in at least one of your sentences.
1). Discuss your favourite TV series at the moment.
2). Discuss your all time favourite movie. If you have one of course.
3). How often do you watch the TV news?
CLIP ONE (The News) Monday 26th May 2025
QUESTIONS
- Missile strike on Ukraine. What is a strike? What is another meaning of the verb to strike?
- How many people were killed last night?
- What does “far reaching” mean?
- What is an “arms race”?
- In the last sentence that James Waterhouse says, his calls are “falling on deaf ears” what does the expression, “falling on deaf ears” mean?
- Can you identify one of the two present perfect tenses in the news report?
DISCUSS
Discuss what you think president Putin’s aims are and where is the conflict going to end.
CLIP TWO: (A Movie) The Borrowers
QUESTIONS
- What does the verb, “To borrow” mean? What is the difference between the verbs to borrow and “to lend”?
- Before the woman goes out of the room she says something to the boy. What did she say?
- Where do the Borrowers live?
- What relationship is the woman to the boy. The answer is in the last sentence the boy speaks. You have to listen very carefully.
DISCUSS
Any questions you may have.
CLIP THREE: (Comedy)
QUESTIONS
- What is the girl’s problem?
- What is she looking for?
- What country is this taking place in?
- The guy on the bike says, “That’s wasted on me, I don’t understand a word you are saying”. What does the expression, “That’s wasted on me” mean?
DISCUSS
Discuss what is the point of this comedy clip. Why would British people find it funny?
CLIP ONE (British Customs) Afternoon Tea
QUESTIONS
- What is etiquette and what does it mean?
- What does the verb to stir mean?
- Discuss the important characteristics of sandwiches as described by William.
- When preparing scones what is the difference between how the Cornish people do it and the people from Devon do it? Who are the Cornish and Devonian people and where do they live?
DISCUSS
Discuss the importance of etiquette, manners and local customs.