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Vocabulary lesson plan & materials

Circus

A B1–B2 lesson on circus vocabulary, performers and performances with reading, video comprehension, speaking, writing and grammar in context.

  • Circus
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Video
  • Speaking
  • Writing
1

Lesson overview

Circus vocabulary, reading, video comprehension and communication.

Level and focus

The source level of B1–B2 is appropriate. Students work with descriptive circus vocabulary, understand two extended texts, respond to two videos and discuss different opinions about circus entertainment.

Present Simple, Present Progressive, Past Simple, there is / there are and modal verbs are kept as grammar in context, exactly as the source metadata suggests.

2

Active Vocabulary

Core language from the source.

acrobats
clowns
ringmaster
tightrope walker
jugglers
lion tamer
to perform tricks
to entertain the crowd
big top tent
circus parade
spectacular show
enthralling performances
amazing stunts
the center ring
on the edge of one's seat
3

Grammar in Context

Forms already present in the source texts.

Present Simple

The ringmaster runs the show.
Jugglers throw and catch objects.

Present Progressive

The audience is watching the center ring.
The performers are getting ready.

Past Simple

I saw an acrobat doing flips.
The audience enjoyed the show.

There Is / Are + Modals

There are many performers.
Acrobats can perform difficult stunts.
Performers must practise carefully.
4

Reading 1 — Inside the Circus

Informative reading and source-based tasks.

Inside the Circus

B1

The circus is a place where performers do daring acts to entertain the audience. There are many different kinds of performers, such as acrobats, tightrope walkers and clowns. The ringmaster runs the show and introduces each act.

Traditional circuses have also included trained animals. Elephants, for example, were historically taught to perform tricks. Animal trainers worked with elephants and other animals to teach these routines.

Another popular circus act is juggling. Jugglers throw and catch several objects at once, such as balls or pins. It takes a lot of practice to become a good juggler.

People often use the expression big top for a circus tent. The center ring is the main area where performers do their acts. Traditional circus programmes could also include animal acts such as lion tamers.

Overall, the circus combines different kinds of performance designed to entertain an audience.

Inside the Circus — Gap-fill

Complete with words from the text.

  1. Performers do daring acts ______ the audience.
  2. Some performers are ______, tightrope walkers and clowns.
  3. The ______ runs the show.
  4. Jugglers need a lot of ______.
  5. The circus tent is often called the ______.
  6. The main performance area is the ______.

Inside the Circus — Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

  1. Who runs the show?
    • AThe ringmaster
    • BThe clown
    • CThe juggler
    • DThe audience
  2. What is juggling?
    • AThrowing and catching several objects
    • BWalking on a rope
    • CIntroducing acts
    • DTraining a horse
  3. What does it take to become a good juggler?
    • APractice
    • BLuck
    • CMoney
    • DA large audience
  4. What is another name for a circus tent?
    • AThe big top
    • BThe center stage
    • CThe parade
    • DThe side ring
  5. Where do the main acts take place?
    • AThe center ring
    • BThe ticket office
    • CThe entrance
    • DThe parade route

Inside the Circus — True or False

Choose True or False.

1. The circus includes different kinds of performers.
TrueFalse
2. The ringmaster performs every act.
TrueFalse
3. Juggling requires practice.
TrueFalse
4. The big top is another name for the circus tent.
TrueFalse
5. The center ring is the main performance area.
TrueFalse
5

Reading 2 — At the Circus

Dialogue and comprehension.

At the Circus

B1–B2

Ringmaster: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome to the circus! Are you ready for some excitement?

Audience: Yeah!

Ringmaster: We have a fantastic show tonight. Let's start with our amazing acrobats!

Cindy: I love watching the acrobats. They're so graceful.

Tom: And flexible. Look at them go!

Ringmaster: Next up is the elephant performance.

Ben: Wow, those elephants are huge!

Megan: And they can do amazing tricks too.

Ringmaster: Now let's move on to our juggling act!

Emma: That must take so much concentration.

Steven: It definitely looks harder than it seems.

Ringmaster: Finally, we have the lion tamer. Keep your eyes on the center ring!

Jack: This is intense — but I can't stop watching!

Ringmaster: Thank you all for coming tonight!

At the Circus — Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

  1. Who speaks first?
    • AThe ringmaster
    • BA clown
    • CAn acrobat
    • DA juggler
  2. What is the first act?
    • AAcrobats
    • BJuggling
    • CElephants
    • DLion tamer
  3. What does Cindy say about the acrobats?
    • AThey are graceful
    • BThey are boring
    • CThey are clumsy
    • DThey are slow
  4. What does Emma say about juggling?
    • AIt takes concentration
    • BIt looks easy
    • CIt is boring
    • DIt is quiet
  5. What is the final act?
    • AThe lion tamer
    • BThe acrobats
    • CThe juggling act
    • DThe parade

At the Circus — True or False

Choose True or False.

1. The circus has a show tonight.
TrueFalse
2. The elephant performance is the first act.
TrueFalse
3. The juggling act looks easy.
TrueFalse
4. The lion tamer is the final act.
TrueFalse
5. The audience is encouraged to come back.
TrueFalse
6

Video Comprehension

Both source videos retained.

Nighty Night Circus

Open video ↗
  1. What is the little owl doing at the beginning?
    A. Eating dinner · B. Getting ready for bed · C. Playing with toys · D. Watching TV
  2. What interrupts the bedtime routine?
    A. A loud noise · B. A phone call · C. A knock · D. A thunderstorm
  3. What does the owl see?
    A. A circus · B. A parade · C. A concert · D. A party
  4. How do the circus animals feel?
    A. Sleepy · B. Energetic · C. Hungry · D. Scared
  5. What is the overall tone?
    A. Calm and soothing · B. Energetic · C. Scary · D. Sad

Ben the Clown

Open video ↗
There are three clowns in the circus.
TrueFalse
Ludo is juggling with plates.
TrueFalse
Philo is feeling well.
TrueFalse
Ben becomes a clown to help the show.
TrueFalse
The show ends with a standing ovation.
TrueFalse
7

Four Opinions

Different views on circus entertainment.

Tom

“Circus is the best place to see amazing stunts. I remember seeing an acrobat doing flips and twirls high in the air. It was breathtaking.”

Jessica

“I'm against circuses that use wild animals for entertainment. I don't think animals should be kept and trained simply to perform for people.”

Mike

“I'm not sure how I feel. Aerial tricks can be impressive, but I don't think wild animals belong in a circus.”

Sarah

“I love going to the circus. The clowns make me laugh, and I can't believe how strong and skilled some performers are.”

Advantages

  1. Circus shows can be entertaining and fun.
  2. One show can present many different talents.
  3. A live circus can be a unique experience.
  4. Circuses create work for performers and support staff.
  5. International performers can introduce different performance traditions.

Possible Disadvantages

  1. Animal use raises ethical concerns.
  2. Loud music and bright lights may overwhelm some spectators.
  3. Tickets may be expensive.
  4. Dangerous-looking acts may give unrealistic ideas about risk without context about training and safety.
  5. Some traditional practices are controversial today.
8

Circus Facts and Quotes

Source facts cleaned where necessary.

1. The word circus comes from Latin and is connected with a ring or circular arena.
2. Philip Astley is widely associated with the birth of the modern circus in 18th-century England.
3. In 1825, Joshua Purdy Brown's use of a canvas circus pavilion helped establish the travelling tent circus in the United States.
4. Traditional circus programmes have included acrobatics, clowning, aerial acts, juggling and, historically, animal acts.
5. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey returned with a reimagined show centred on human circus performers rather than animal acts.
6. Many contemporary circuses focus on acrobatics, theatre, dance, music and comedy.

Quotes from the source

  • “The circus is the only fun you can buy that is good for you.” — attributed to Ernest Hemingway
  • “The circus is a magical place, a place of wonder and awe.” — Unknown
9

Discussion

Ten source questions, lightly cleaned.

  1. Do you ever go to the circus?
  2. What is your favourite circus act?
  3. Do you like watching acrobats?
  4. Would you like to learn how to juggle or perform another circus skill?
  5. Which circus performances are most interesting to you?
  6. How do you think circus performers train for their acts?
  7. Do you like circus clowns?
  8. What is the most impressive thing you have seen in a circus?
  9. Do you think it is ethical to use animals in circus performances?
  10. If you joined a circus, what kind of performer would you want to be?
10

Creative Writing

Personal and general topics from the source.

Personal Topics

  1. My favourite circus act and why I love it.
  2. My first visit to the circus.
  3. How I would perform if I were a circus performer.
  4. The most amazing thing at the circus.
  5. My dream circus act.

General Topics

  1. Circuses are exciting and entertaining. What do you think?
  2. Should governments ban some kinds of circus performances?
  3. Should circuses use animals for entertainment?
  4. Can the circus help people forget their problems for a while?
  5. Why is circus still popular today?
11

Answer key

Collapsed by default.

Reading 1 — Gap-fill Answers

to entertain · acrobats · ringmaster · practice · big top · center ring

Reading 1 — Multiple-choice Answers

1. A · 2. A · 3. A · 4. A · 5. A

Reading 1 — True / False Answers

1. True · 2. False · 3. True · 4. True · 5. True

Reading 2 — Multiple-choice Answers

1. A · 2. A · 3. A · 4. A · 5. A

Reading 2 — True / False Answers

1. True · 2. False · 3. False · 4. True · 5. True

Nighty Night Circus — Video Answers

1. B · 2. A · 3. A · 4. A · 5. A

Ben the Clown — Video Answers

False · False · False · True · True

Circus · Vocabulary, Reading & Video Comprehension · B1–B2 · AllEnglishStudy

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