Merlin. The Dragon's Call. Part I

Merlin is a fantasy-drama based on Arthurian Legend. 

Merlin arrives in Camelot but finds that magic is illegal here and its practice is punished by death. 

To play games, see galleries and video clips visit Merlin on BBC

Before you watch:

1. Do you believe in magic? why?

2. Do you know anyone that is a magician?
3. What do you think of wizards and witches?
4. What are your favourite fantasy, magical films and books?
5. Why are they your favourite?
6. What spells would you cast on people if you were a witch or wizard?

Merlin Part I - vocabulary

Vocabulary Definition

1. (n) enchantment magic or spell on someone

2. (n) penalty a sentence by law

3. (adj) guilty someone who has done something wrong

4. (adj) beheaded someone who has their head cut off

5. (n) revenge is often like biting a dog because the dog bit you

6. (n) punishment you’re in trouble and now you have to pay

7. (adj) impatient unable to wait

8. (adj) curious having or showing interest

9. (adj) scared you are in fear of something

10. (adj) worried feeling uneasy about a job or unsure about someone

11. (adj) bewildered you feel mixed/confused about something

12. (adj) intrigued you are interested in something

13. (adj) impossible it is hard to do

Activities

Watch video. Stop video at 07:00

Discussion questions:

1. What is Thomas guilty of?         

2. What penalty is given to Thomas?         

3. What does the King declare?

4. What is the kings name?

5. The old lady says in the clip ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ what does she   mean?

6. How does Merlin stop him from falling?

7. How does Merlin know magic?

8. Who does Merlin stay with?

What is an idiom?

An idiom is a combination of words that has a meaning that is different from the meanings of the individual words themselves. It can have a literal meaning in one situation and a different idiomatic meaning in another situation. It is a phrase which does not always follow the normal rules of meaning and grammar.

For example... ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ means same revenge and punishment.

Idioms                                                                                  Definition/meaning   

1. all ears                                   

2. all eyes                                 

3. apple of (someone’s) eye   

4. as blind as a bat    

5. my ears are burning                   

6. eyes are bigger than one’s stomach    

7. four eyes                 

8. for sure                    

9. in other words           

10. on the other hand

Check out all the Idioms, play the quiz

Listen and repeat, answer the questions in italics

1. What did you just do? Does he sound angry?
2. Urm.. Tell me. Does the old man sound impatient?
3. If anyone has seen that?  Does he sound worried?
4. No,  that, that was nothing to do with me... that was. I know what it was.  Does the boy sound a little scared?
5. I just want to know where you learnt how to do it?
6. So how is it you know magic? I don’t. Does the old man sound curious?
7. Where did you study?
8. Answer me! I don’t know I’ve never studied magic or, or been taught... Does the boy sound bewildered?
9. Are you lying to me boy? Does he believe him?
10. What do you want me to say? The truth!
11. I was born like this. That’s impossible! Does the boy sound curious as to why the old man is asking?
12. Who are you? Does the old man sound intrigued?
13. Oh, urm, I have this letter
14. I don’t have my glasses
15. Hunith's son. Yes.
16. But you’re not meant to be here until Wednesday? Does he sound confused?
17. It is Wednesday.
18. Right then, you better put your bag in there.
19. You, you won’t say anything about... urm. No.
20. Although Merlin. I should say thank you. Does he sound grateful?

Homework:

1. Learn the words here for Merlin episode 1

2. Prepare for the test in next lesson

3. To play games, see galleries and video clips visit Merlin on BBC