Do you have students that enjoy a good scare? Then try this creepy video lesson for your next conversation class.

This lesson involves three short video clips from horror movies.

Please note! While these clips have been specifically chosen for their lack of explicit violence or swearing, you should preview the videos before showing them to your class to ensure that they aren’t too scary for your students.

You can download the PDF below.

Click here to see the answers at the bottom of the page.

Vocabulary Matching

Vocabulary	Definitions
1. clip	a. a movie
2. paranormal	b. a feeling of unease and discomfort
3. slasher	c. a short piece from a longer video
4. flick	d. a sudden event intended to frighten
5. creepy	e. something impossible to explain scientifically
6. jump scare	f. a scary and violent movie, usually about a serial murderer

Before watching the first video, discuss the following questions.

1. The first movie clip that we’re going to watch is from The Haunting (1963). Based on the name of the movie, what do you think it will be about?
2. Will a horror film from 1963 be different from a modern scary movie? How?
3. Do you think the clip is going to be scary? Why or why not?

Now you can watch this clip from The Haunting (1963). It features Eleanor (Nell) in her bedroom at night. Her roommate is Theodora (Theo).

While watching, answer these comprehension questions.

1. Where was Eleanor?
2. What did she hear?
3. What did Eleanor see?
4. Whose hand was she holding?
5. Where was Theodore?

Now answer the following discussion questions.

1. Was the clip creepy? Why or why not?
2. If you were in Eleanor’s place, would you have been scared? Why or why not?
3. In the movie, The Haunting, all of the characters agree to stay the night in a house that is supposed to be haunted? Would you agree to such a thing? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever seen a black and white movie before?
5. Have you ever seen an older horror movie before? If yes, what did you see, and what did you think of it? If not, would you like to? Why or why not?

Before watching the second clip, discuss the following questions.

1. The second video is from M3GAN (2022). Describe what you know about this movie. If you don’t know anything about it, take a guess from the title.
2. The title of this scene is “Megan Becoming More Dangerous.” What do you think might happen  in this scene? Why?

Now watch this scene from M3GAN (2022). In this scene, the little girl Cady is talking to a therapist about the death of her parents when they are interrupted by the AI doll, Megan. Cady’s guardian, Gemma, watches from outside the room.

While watching the video from M3GAN (2022), answer these comprehension questions.

1. Why was M3GAN annoyed with the therapist?
2. Why does the therapist think M3GAN is bad for Cady?
3. Gemma tells Cady to do two things. What two things does Gemma tell Cady to do?
4. At the end of the clip, Gemma and Cady are arguing and Gemma is pulling on Cady’s hand. How does M3GAN react?
5. Why do you think the video clip is called “Megan Becoming More Dangerous?”

Now answer the following discussion questions.

1. Was this clip creepy? Why or why not?
2. Do you find artificial intelligence frightening? Why or why not?
3. If you could have a doll like M3GAN in the future, would you choose to? Why or why not?
4. Do you think Gemma is a good caregiver to Cady? Why or why not?
5. M3GAN was hugely popular when it came out, bringing in 30 million dollars during its opening weekend. Why do you think the movie was so popular?

Before watching the third clip, answer the following discussion questions.

1. The next clip is from Happy Death Day (2017). Based on the name of the movie, what do you think the movie is about?
2. The movie clip is called “Happy Deathday Present,” so what do you think will happen in the clip?

Now watch the clip from Happy Death Day (2017). In this scene a college student named Tree is walking home alone at night when she sees something strange.

While watching the Happy Death Day (2017) scene, answer the discussion questions.

1. What did Tree see in the road?
2. What did she hear?
3. What was strange about the person that she saw?
4. What happened at the end of the clip?

Now answer these discussion questions.

1. Was the scene creepy? Why or why not?
2. If you were in Tree’s place, what would you have done?
3. What did Tree do that was smart? Why was it smart?
4. What mistakes did Tree make? Do you think those mistakes were realistic? Why or why not?
5. Why do you think Tree was safe in her bed at the end of the clip?
6. This type of movie is called a slasher flick, which means that it is about a killer or killers. These types of movies are usually violent. Do you like slasher-type movies? Why or why not?

After watching all three clips, answer these final discussion questions.

1. Both M3GAN (2022) and Happy Death Day (2017) would be considered horror comedies. What do you think of horror comedies? Why?
2. What is scarier to you, realistic horror movies (that could happen in real life) or paranormal horror movies? Why?
3. Do you like jump scares? Why or why not?
4. Do you find science fiction horror movies, such as horror movies about AI or social media, frightening? Why or why not?
5. Of the three clips, which was the creepiest? Why?
6. Would you like to watch the full movie of any of the clips we watched? Why or why not?
7. What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen? Why was it scary?

Answers

Vocabulary Matching: 1. c, 2. e, 3. f, 4. a, 5. b, 6. d

Comprehension answers for The Haunting (1963)

1. Eleanor was on the sofa in her room.
2. She heard a baby crying.
3. She saw a strange pattern in the wall that looked like a face.
4. She wasn’t holding anyone’s hand.
5. Theo was in her bed on the other side of the room.

Comprehension answers for M3GAN (2022)

1. She was annoyed because the therapist made Cady cry.
2. The therapist thinks that Cady is getting too attached to M3GAN when she should be more attached to a real person.
3. Gemma tells Cady to eat the toppings on her pizza and to go to an event for a special school.
4. M3GAN gets angry, she tells Gemma to let Cady go, and the lights begin to flicker.
5. This is because M3GAN is ignoring her programming and being overprotective of Cady.

Comprehension answers for Happy Death Day (2017)

1. She saw a music box.
2. She heard music.
3. She saw a man wearing a strange baby mask.
4. At the end of the clip, the man attacks Tree and she wakes up in bed.

If you want more conversation lessons, try Advanced Speaking Lesson about Traditions.