William Shakespeare – Teacher Answers

1. Warm-up: answers will vary.
2. Vocabulary: 1-c, 2-e, 3-f, 4-a, 5-b, 6-d.
3. Reading comprehension: 1) Stratford-upon-Avon. 2) Comedies, tragedies and history plays. 3) Any two of Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 4) Examples include love, jealousy, ambition, friendship, family conflict and power. 5) A collection of many of his plays, now known as the First Folio.
4. Grammar: 1) was born 2) wrote 3) were performed 4) was published 5) perform.
5. Listening script: “Shakespeare grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon, but much of his professional life was connected with London. He worked as an actor and playwright and became part of a successful theatre company. The Globe Theatre became closely connected with that company. Shakespeare also wrote poems and sonnets. His work is still studied because his characters, conflicts and ideas continue to speak to audiences in many different cultures.”
   Answers: 1) London. 2) The Globe Theatre. 3) Poems and sonnets. 4) Because his characters, conflicts and ideas still connect with audiences.
6. Speaking: answers will vary.
7. Something New: Suggested themes: A love/family conflict; B ambition/power; C misunderstanding/comedy.
8. Writing: answers will vary. Encourage clear organisation, examples and use of lesson vocabulary.

Puzzle/Game: answers will vary. Encourage students to use lesson vocabulary and explain their choices.

Success criteria: this is a student self-check. No single answer is required.

Teacher note: Shakespeare’s exact birth date is not known. His baptism was recorded on 26 April 1564. Background facts checked against the Folger Shakespeare Library and Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.