🎬 Interactive video — script & questions
NARRATOR: Listen to a conversation between Tom and Sophie at an English language school.
SPEAKER 1: Hi Sophie! How are you today?
SPEAKER 2: I'm fine, thanks Tom. I'm a bit nervous because I have an exam tomorrow.
SPEAKER 1: Oh, what is the exam about?
SPEAKER 2: It's about grammar. I am worried about the verb "to be". I'm not sure about all the forms.
SPEAKER 1: Don't worry! You are a good student. The verb "to be" is easy. Look, I am Tom, you are Sophie, and he is my friend Mark. We are all students. It's simple!
SPEAKER 2: Yes, you are right. But I am confused about the negative forms. What is the negative?
SPEAKER 1: It's easy. I am not confused. You are not nervous. He is not late. We are not tired. They are not here. See? Just add "not".
SPEAKER 2: Oh, that's great! So I am ready for my exam now. I am very happy!
SPEAKER 1: You are welcome! You are smart and you are prepared. I am sure you will pass!
- What is Sophie worried about?
- a) She is worried about her job
- b) She is worried about the verb 'to be'
- c) She is worried about her friends
- d) She is worried about the time
- What does Tom say about Sophie as a student?
- a) She is a lazy student
- b) She is a bad student
- c) She is a good student
- d) She is a nervous student
- How do you form the negative with the verb 'to be'?
- a) Add 'don't' before the verb
- b) Add 'not' after the verb
- c) Change the entire word
- d) Use a different verb
- Which sentence is TRUE according to the conversation?
- a) Tom is nervous
- b) Sophie is not prepared
- c) They are students
- d) Mark is late
- How does Sophie feel at the end of the conversation?
- a) She is sad
- b) She is confused
- c) She is angry
- d) She is happy
📖 Reading
My name is Anna, and I am a student. I am not a teacher! My school is big, and it is in the city centre. My classroom is on the first floor.
In my English class, we are twenty students. We are from different countries. My friend Marco is from Italy, and he is very funny. Lena and Sofia are from Spain. They are good at grammar!
Today, we are at school, and we are happy because we have a new topic: the verb 'to be'. Our teacher is Mr Clarke. He is friendly, but he is also strict about homework. He says, 'Grammar is important for your exam.'
I am a little nervous about my exam next week, but I am ready. My books are on my desk, and my notes are in my bag. I think the exam is not too difficult if you study every day.
🗣️ Speaking — discussion
Context
- The verb 'to be' is one of the most important verbs in English, used to describe people, things, and situations.
- It has three forms in the present simple: am, is, and are, each used with different subject pronouns.
- Learning when and how to use these forms correctly is essential for building basic sentences and having conversations.
- The verb 'to be' is irregular, meaning it doesn't follow the normal pattern of English verbs, so it requires special attention and practice.
Themes
- Identity and Description — Using 'to be' to introduce yourself and describe who you are, including your name, nationality, job, and personal characteristics.
- Asking and Answering Questions — Forming questions with 'to be' and responding with correct affirmative and negative answers to questions about identity and location.
- Describing States and Conditions — Using 'to be' to describe how people feel, what things are like, and the current state or condition of people and objects.
- Practical Communication — Applying the present simple 'to be' in real-life contexts such as introductions, small talk, and everyday conversations.
Personal Response
- Tell me about yourself. What is your name? Where are you from? What is your job or what are you studying?
- What is your hobby? Is it important to you? Why or why not?
- Are you happy with your current situation? Explain your answer.
Themes & Ideas
- Why is the verb 'to be' so important in English? Give examples of when you need to use it in a conversation.
- How are the forms 'am', 'is', and 'are' different? Can you explain when to use each one?
Critical Thinking
- Is it difficult for you to use 'to be' correctly? What mistakes do you often make? How can you improve?
- Are there differences between how 'to be' works in English and in your native language? What are they?
Cultural & Social Topics
- In your culture, how important is it to introduce yourself formally? Are you formal or informal when you first meet someone?
- What are typical questions people ask when they meet someone new in your country?
🎭 Classroom activity
Identity Interview: Students work in pairs. Student A asks Student B at least five questions using 'to be' to learn about their identity (name, nationality, job, interests, feelings). Student B answers using complete sentences with 'am', 'is', or 'are'. Then they swap roles. Afterward, each student introduces their partner to the class using sentences like 'This is Maria. She is from Spain. She is a teacher.' This recycles the target grammar in a communicative, exam-style context.
✏️ Questions
- In this grammar book, a noun ___ a word for a person, place, or thing.
- Verbs ___ important words in every sentence because they show action or state.
- I ___ a student, and I study English grammar every day.
- This grammar exercise ___ not difficult; it is about the verb 'to be'.
- We ___ in an English grammar class right now, and our teacher explains the rules.
- My grammar book ___ on the table next to my notebook.
- What is Anna?
- a) A teacher
- b) A student
- c) A doctor
- d) A writer
- Where is Anna's classroom?
- a) On the first floor
- b) On the second floor
- c) Near the city centre
- d) Next to the library
- How many students are in Anna's English class?
- a) Ten
- b) Fifteen
- c) Twenty
- d) Twenty-five
- Who are Lena and Sofia?
- a) Teachers from England
- b) Students from Spain
- c) Anna's sisters
- d) Students from Italy
- In this text, what does the word 'strict' describe about Mr Clarke?
- a) He is funny with students
- b) He is serious about rules like homework
- c) He is from Spain
- d) He is a student in the class
- Why does Anna think she is ready for her exam?
- a) Because her teacher is funny
- b) Because her classroom is big
- c) Because she studies every day
- d) Because her friends are from Italy