The Time Traveler's Wife: 2nd Conditional

I had very little expectations about this movie, but it is amazingly pleasant and creative. The whole idea is very interesting and the gripping beginning is just great. I used two scenes from the movie to have students practice the 2nd conditional in an imaginative, contextualized way.

I. Work with a friend. Write down your answers to the questions:

1. Would you like to time travel? Why (not)?

I ______________________ because ______________________.

2. What would the consequences of time travel be?

If people could time travel, _________________________________.

3. Would you change anything about your past?

If I could change anything about my past, I _________________ .

4. What about history? Would you change anything? What would you do to change it?

If I could change anything in history, I ___________________-.

II. Watch the 1st segment and talk to a friend about the questions that follow.

1. What happened in the segment?

2. Why did he decide to go back in time to talk to himself as a child?

3. What do you think will happen next?

III. Watch the 2nd segment now. Then answer the questions. Write down your answers and use the 2nd conditional.

1. If you could go back in time, would you choose the person you wanted to marry and make her love you? Why (not)?

If I ______________________, I ______________________

2. Would you do what he did if you were the main character of the movie? Why (not)?

If I ______________________, I _______________________

3. Would life be better or worse if people could travel in time? Why?

If people __________________, _________________________

IV. Rank the periods that, If you could time travel, you would visit first, second, or never. Justify your answer.

1. Prehistoric Age

2. 0 BC - Jesus Christ era

3. 1800's

4. A few years ago

5. The 60's

6. 20 years in the future

7. 100 years in the future.

8. 500 years in the future.

9. Choose a time period.

V. Prepare a speech to share with the rest of the class. Follow the model below. Make sure you use the 2nd conditional.

I I could time travel across , first I ______________________________ because ____________. Second, I _____________________ because ____________, and finally I _____________________ because _____________. However, I _____________ (never) because_______________.



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movie segment download - part 1

movie segment download - part 2

Before Sunset: 3rd Conditional

This excellent activity was provided by Vera Babat, from Uruguay. Here are a few words she provided us with about herself. Thanks for your contribution.

Our institute's web is www.infusionenglish.edu.uy

I'm a psychologist with 12 years experience teaching teenagers and young adults. I love preparing lessons using authentic materials.

Love films that make students think as it's a great chance to think critically on certain issues.

Before Sunset | starring Ethan Hawk /Julie Delpy

Just listen to the Waltz and write the lyrics down. Don’t freak, it’s not that difficult. What do you think the situation is?

Now complete the lyrics with your notes and listen again in case you’ve missed anything. Then, compare your version with the subtitles! Finally you can enjoy the image!

Let me sing you a waltz

________ _____ ____________ , ______ _____ ______ _____________

Let me sing you a waltz

About this _______-______ ____________

You were, for me, that night

Everything I _____________ ______ ______ ____ ___________

But now you're gone

You are _____________ gone

_________ _______ ________ to your island of rain

It was for you just a one night thing

But you were much more to me, ___________ _____ _____ __________

I don't care what they say

I know _________ ______ _______ _____ _______ that day

I just want another try, I just want another night

Even if it ____________ __________ _

_______ ___________

You meant for me __________ ___________ ____________ anyone I’ve met before.

One single night with you, little Jesse, is ___________ ____ __________ __________ __________________

I have no bitterness, my sweet

I'll never forget this one night thing

Even tomorrow ______ ___________ ___________,

my heart ________ __________ _______

_____ ___________ ____ ______

Let me sing you a waltz, Out of nowhere, out of my blues... Let me sing you a waltz ... About this lovely one night stand

Let’s see who they are. Discuss: what do you think would have happened if they had both gone to Vienna that December?

Watch this scene on a boat; write down the sentences in which they discuss how different their lives would have been.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now, make at least four sentence

s on your own. Consider these points

her grandmother

not exchanging phone numbers

she not showing up in Vienna

his book

his wife getting pregnant

the way he thought about responsibilities

getting down of the car

to the deli on his wedding day

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Predict the ending. What do you think might happen? What would you do if you were them?

Watch the ending. Describe briefly the plot, its style and your personal opinion on the movie.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is the sequel of “Before Sunrise”. Read this extract of the review on the movie “Before Sunset” written by Peter Travers for Rolling Stone Magazine

In 1995's Before Sunrise, Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American traveling in Europe, had one night of sex and conversation in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy), the French beauty he met on a train. To some, the film was meandering and talky. To others (me included), the film was bliss, a rebel experiment by the two actors and director Richard Linklater (Slacker, School of Rock) to create life as it happens -- screw the Hollywood gloss.

Before Sunset picks up nine years later. Jesse, now a best-selling author, is giving a reading at a bookstore in Paris. Celine, now an environmental activist, walks in. The conversation continues for ninety minutes, in real time, before Jesse must catch a plane home to his wife and son. Linklater follows the lovers -- who had promised to reunite in Vienna in six months and never did -- from cafe to park to boat to Celine's apartment. Those who hungered to see more of these two will be mesmerized. There is something uniquely unforgettab

le in the way Linklater, Hawke and Delpy (equal collaborators on the script) find nuance, art and eroticism in words, spoken and unspoken. The actors shine. Hawke is funny and touching as Jesse describes the harsh truths of his seeming success. Delpy likewise shows the toll of diminished expectations on the still-luminous Celine. But in each other's presence, the two rediscover a frisky youthfulness. Delpy scores a tour de force as Celine re-creates a Nina Simone concert that leaves Jesse entranced. You will be, too. Before Sunset casts a spell only a fool would want to break.

(Posted: Jun 16, 2004)

Now, based on your short description and on the review, write for homework a review on the movie for a magazine. If you need further help, you can rent this movie as well as “Before Sunrise” and watch them with subtitles in English!

You can also visit this website for a good review on this movie and also to learn more on how it was shot. Visit: http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/spring2004/features/paris_day.php

Good luck!

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - BEFORE SUNSET

TEACHER’S

Before Sunset (starring Ethan Hawk / Julie Delpy)

AIM: IF CLAUSES, MODALS AND MODALS PERFECT. + FILM REVIEWS AND LISTENING.

SHOW FROM 1:08:30 TILL 1:12:55

PUT THE SUBTITLES OFF!

DON’T GIVE THEM THE WORKSHEET YET.

Just listen to the Waltz and write the lyrics down. Don’t freak, it’s not that difficult.

Now complete the lyrics with your notes and listen again in case you missed anything.

Compare your version with the subtitles!

Let me sing you a waltz

Out of nowhere, out of my thoughts

Let me sing you a waltz

About this one night stand

You were, for me, that night

Everything I always dreamt of in life

But now you're gone

You are far gone

All the way to your island of rain

It was for you just a one night thing

But you were much more to me, just so you know

I don't care what they say

I know what you meant for me that day

I just want another try, I just want another night

Even if it doesn't seem quite right

You meant for me much more than anyone I've met before

One single night with you, little Jesse, is worth a thousand with anybody

I have no bitterness, my sweet

I'll never forget this one night thing

Even tomorrow in other arms, my heart will stay yours until I die

Let me sing you a waltz

Out of nowhere, out of my blues

Let me sing you a waltz

About this lovely one night stand

WHY DO YOU THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE WRITTEN THAT SONG FOR HIM?

Let’s see what the situation is. PLAY FROM 0:1:40 TILL 0:12:35

ELICIT ALL KINDS OF SENTENCES USING IF CLAUSES.

WOULD YOU HAVE GONE? DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO VIENNA IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR HER GRANDMA’S DEATH? WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED?

WRITE QUESTIONS AND THEIR SENTENCES ON BOARD.

Let’s see what they think about what their lives would have been like if they had met each other in Vienna that December. Take notes on what they say!

WATCH FROM 0:46:24 TILL 0:53:17

Now, make at least four sentences on your own. Consider these points

her grandmother

not exchanging phone numbers

she not showing up in Vienna

his book

his wife getting pregnant

the way he thought about responsibilities

getting down of the car to the deli on his wedding day

WRITE THEM ON BOARD. ANALYZE STRUCTURE AND DISCUSS IF CLAUSES.

Watch the ending. WATCH FROM 1:12:55 TILL 1:16:37. What do you think might happen? What would you do if you were them? Describe briefly the plot, its style and your personal opinion on the movie.

WHAT DO YOU CALL A PIECE OF WRITING ABOUT A MOVIE THAT IS PUBLISHED ON A MAGAZINE? DISCUSS MAIN CHARACTERISTICS, LAYOUT, REGISTER, ETC.

Read this extract of the review on the movie “Before Sunset” written by Peter Travers for Rolling Stone Magazine

In 1995's Before Sunrise, Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American traveling in Europe, had one night of sex and conversation in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy), the French beauty he met on a train. To some, the film was meandering and talky. To others (me included), the film was bliss, a rebel experiment by the two actors and director Richard Linklater (Slacker, School of Rock) to create life as it happens -- screw the Hollywood gloss.

Before Sunset picks up nine years later. Jesse, now a best-selling author, is giving a reading at a bookstore in Paris. Celine, now an environmental activist, walks in. The conversation continues for ninety minutes, in real time, before Jesse must catch a plane home to his wife and son. Linklater follows the lovers -- who had promised to reunite in Vienna in six months and never did -- from cafe to park to boat to Celine's apartment. Those who hungered to see more of these two will be mesmerized. There is something uniquely unforgettable in the way Linklater, Hawke and Delpy (equal collaborators on the script) find nuance, art and eroticism in words, spoken and unspoken. The actors shine. Hawke is funny and touching as Jesse describes the harsh truths of his seeming success. Delpy likewise shows the toll of diminished expectations on the still-luminous Celine. But in each other's presence, the two rediscover a frisky youthfulness. Delpy scores a tour de force as Celine re-creates a Nina Simone concert that leaves Jesse entranced. You will be, too. Before Sunset casts a spell only a fool would want to break.

(Posted: Jun 16, 2004)

READ AND COMMENT.

Now, based on your short description and on the review, write for homework a review on the movie for a magazine. If you need further help, you can rent this movie as well as “Before Sunrise” and watch it with subtitles in English!

For advanced students: e-mail this link: http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/spring2004/features/paris_day.php for a more in-depth review and interview on this movie.

Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief: Zero Conditional

This movie is great, especially because of the references made to Greek mythology. Many teens started learning about it while watching it. This scene reveals a few characteristics of Medusa. I used it to practice the Zero Conditional because it deals with general truths about the myth.

Remember:

The structure of a zero conditional sentence

A zero conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause (In most zero conditional sentences you can use when or if and the meaning will stay the same.):



The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true — such as scientific facts and general truths:




I. Watch the movie segment and complete the condition with general truths about Medusa.

MEDUSA

1. If someone look into Medusa's eyes, .................................................................



2. If someone sees Medusa but they don't look into her eyes, ............................................



3. If someone looks at Medusa's reflex in the mirror, .............................................



4. If someone doesn't manage to keep he eyes closed when approached by Medusa, .................................


II. Think about a folklore character of your country. Write a brief description of his traits or features and write two Zero Conditional clauses saying what is true about them. Follow the example in exercise I.

Ex:

If a werewolf bites you, you become a werewolf too.


1 ...............................................

2 ...............................................


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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - PERCY JACKSON

Juno: 2nd Conditional (with Would and Should)

This is a great movie. Teenage pregnancy is dealt with in a creative, different manner. My students had a lot to say about it. I used it to practice the second conditional in a contextualized manner.

I. Watch the movie segment and answer the following questions in groups:

1. Describe what happened in the segment.

2. What was her mother's reaction?

3. What was her father's reaction?

4. What was her friend's reaction?

5. What did Juno say she was going to do? Do you like her idea? What do you think will happen next?

6. What would you do if...? Make sure you use the 2nd Conditional.

If you were Juno?

If I were Juno, I would ...........................

If you were Juno's best friend?

If you were Juno's parents?

If you were the father of the baby?

If you were the foster parents to whom Juno promised to give the baby away.

II. Now imagine the same situation Juno is facing, but consider the father's situation below. What should the father of the baby do if:


- he were under aged too

If he were under aged too, he should ...


- he were over 18


- he were over 40


- he were married


- Juno denied to reveal the father's identity


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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - JUNO

The Box: 1st & 2nd Conditionals

I love the idea of the movie and its intriguing development. The situation is unsual, perfect for 1st and 2nd conditional practice.




A. Read the passage below and complete the blanks with the verbs in parentheses, using with the first conditional. You have just received the visit of a total stranger who gives you a mysterious box with a button and makes the following offer to you:



If you _________ (push) the button, two things ________ (happen). First, someone, somewhere in the world, whom you don't know, __________ (die). Second, you ____________ (receive) a payment of one million dollars. Tax free. The payment ___________ (be) delivered by me in cash to you.


There are three restrictions:

1. You are not permitted to know any information about who's making the offer.

2. You are not permitted to discuss the details of this offer to anyone except your husband (wife).

3. You have 24 hours to make your decision.

4. Otherwise, the box will be reprogrammed and the offer will be made to someone else.

B. Now watch the first part of the segment (until the visitor leaves her house) and check your answers.

C. Now discuss the following questions with a partner. Remember that you are talking about an unreal situation, so you must use the second conditional. Then write down your answers. Start them with If...

1. What would you do if you were in her shoes?

If ...

2. How would you feel if you pushed the button?

If ...

3. How would you feel if you didn't push the button?

If ...

4. Would you push the button if you needed that money to save your son/daughter's life? Explain it.

If ...

D. Watch the second part of the segment and answer the following questions:

1. What were some of the things they considered before deciding whether to push the button?

2. What did they decide to do?

3. According to her, why did she do it?

WORKSHEET

Answer key:

A. push / will happen / will die / will receive / will be

B. Answers will vary