Books and Movies

Before your class ...

In your phone class, you’ll look at some new vocabulary and then put it into practice. To give you a head start, take a look at
the key vocabulary and then do the exercises below. If you need help with the meaning, you can consult a dictionary. You
will go through the answers with your teacher during the class.

1. Match the words to the definitions.

a. cliffhanger 1. very interesting and engrossing

b. climax 2. the most exciting or important part of something
c. sci-fi 3. an exciting and unresolved ending to an episode in a
serial, leaving the audience anxious not to miss the next
episode
d. storyline 4. said of a book that is so good, you can’t stop reading it
e. twist 5. following an established pattern; not fresh or imagi-
native
f. formulaic 6. fiction based on futuristic scientific advances and
technologies
g. riveting 7. the main events of a novel, play, or film
h. tedious 8. an unexpected outcome or development
i. unputdownable 9. boring and uninteresting

2. Complete the sentences below with the key vocabulary on the other side of the sheet.

a. I can’t recommend The Remains of the Day enough. It’s absolutely reading.
b. I don’t think I want to see that film. Jane told me it’s quite hard to .
c. I like the part of The Godfather that’s in Sicily.
d. The last series ended on a . I can’t wait to see what will happen when it comes back!
e. Basically, Star Trek is people in the future who explore space.
f. I went to the cinema last night. I saw a romantic comedy. It was a bit , nothing innovative about it.
g. I love seeing action films in 3D. The special effects are .
h. I won’t spoil the film for you and tell you what happens at the end. I’ll just say that things aren’t what they seem and the
ending is a really surprising .

CEFR
A2
B1
B2
 Books and Movies

Starting point
1. What’s your favourite film / book?
2. Are you a fast reader?

to be worth reading
Key vocabulary

riveting
climax to be set in
thrilling

cliffhanger
realistic
to be about
fiction / non-fiction unputdownable
twist
tedious
mind-blowing

complex / hard to follow main character / protagonist

action / mystery / romance / sci-fi
storyline
formulaic
Key phrases
Let’s look at some key phrases which will help you express yourself in the role play.

I couldn’t put it down. The film was very slow.

I thought it accurately represented life at the time. The most exciting part was when …
I was on the edge of my seat. The novel really brings the period to life.
It was written / directed / published by … The special effects will blow you away.
It’s a page-turner. The story centres around …

Speaking
Your teacher will ask you a series of questions related to the class topic. Include the key vocabulary and phrases in your
answers.

Role play
1. You are in a book club. You have just read a book that you liked / disliked. Describe the plot and reasons why you liked
/ disliked the book to the other members of the club (your teacher).
2. Ask a friend (your teacher) to go to the cinema with you. Tell them what the movie is about and mention what the critics
have said about it.

CEFR
A2
B1
B2