TEACHER’S GUIDE Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2021. For use only with license.

The Real Story of Cinco de Mayo (B2)

Preview 1
Part 1. Discussion about Mexico and Cinco de Mayo. Answers will vary.
Part 2. Discussion about the images. Answers will vary.
Part 3. Nouns (vocabulary phrases). (1) odds (2) spirits (3) dust (4) ruin (5) rocks

Preview 2
Part 1. Discussion about the vocabulary phrases. Answers may vary slightly. Teacher’s answers
for the meaning of the vocabulary terms / phrases:
(1) To enlist in the military means to officially register in the military.
(2) To fortify a military base means to make the base stronger and better protected.
(3) To conquer territory means to take control of territory, usually by military force.
Part 2. Choose the correct definition. (1) b (2) a (3) b

Viewing Activity
Part 1. Short Answers.
(1) People celebrate Cinco de Mayo by making guacamole and margaritas.
(2) There were battles because the French came to conquer Mexico after Mexico was in
financial ruin. The most notable battle was the Battle of Puebla, which the Mexicans were
expected to lose, but they ended up winning. It took place on May 5th.
(3) The random people on the street are interviewed about whether they know the history
of Cinco de Mayo. The video producer included these videos to show how little people
actually know about the history of Cinco de Mayo.
Part 2. True / False. (1) False (2) True (3) True

Post-Viewing 1
Part 1. Vocabulary context usage.
(1) retreated / enlisted (2) fortified (3) outnumbered (4) settled
Part 2. Rewriting sentences.
(1) The story of Cinco de Mayo traces back to when Benito Juarez was the Mexican
president and the country was in financial ruin.
(2) The Mexicans won the Battle of Puebla against all odds.
(3) The victory at the Battle of Puebla raised national spirits at a moment in history
when Mexico really needed it.
Part 3. Discussion topics using the vocabulary phrases. Answers will vary.

Post-Viewing 2 (next page)

TEACHER’S GUIDE Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2021. For use only with license.
The Real Story of Cinco de Mayo (B2)

Post-Viewing 2
Part 2. Sentences using as + [adjective] as.

(1) “Tex-Mex” cuisine is not as widely eaten in northern states as it is in southern states.
(2) “Sombreros” are not as widely worn in the USA as they are in Mexico.
(3) The Mexican army was not as prepared as the French army in the battle of Puebla.
(4) In my travel experience, the food I had in Mexico was not as spicy as the food I had in
India.
(5) In my travel experience, the beaches in Mexico were not as clean as they were in
California.

Post-Viewing 3
Writing Task. Answers will vary. Have students report their sentences using the as + [adjective]
+ as structure. Correct students’ mistakes. Facilitate discussion based on the students’ answers.
Role Play Conversation. Let students choose a role. If the lesson is one-to-one, take one of the
roles (Student A or B). You can give students each a few minutes to prepare.

Quiz & Review

Part 1. Questions. Refer to the Viewing Activity. Answer for number 2 (how to make a margarita):
A margarita is made using tequila, lime juice, ice, agave. Then you shake it up and serve it over
rocks.
Part 2. Vocabulary. Answers will vary for the sentences. Teacher’s answers for definitions:
(1) retreat: run from or escape an attack
(2) fortify: make stronger or better protected
(3) outnumber: exceed in number
Part 3. Vocabulary context usage (phrases used in the video).
(1) against all odds (2) the dust settled (3) raised national spirits
Part 4. Grammar. Sentences using the as + [adjective] + as structure.
Cinco de Mayo isn’t as widely celebrated in Mexico as it is in the USA.
Part 5. Grammar. Sentences using the as + [adjective] + as structure. Answers will vary.