Curated and contributed by: Izabela Muller, TESOL, Hawaii Pacific University
Synopsis: Gru is working on his laptop when the door bell rings and Jillian announces she is outside with her friend Shannon. Gru is annoyed by her and clearly doesn't want to open the door, so he asks Agnes to tell Jillian he is not at home.
Transcript:
The door bell rings.
Jillian: [from outside] Gru! It's Jillian.
Bored, Gru pretends to shoot himself.
Jillian: [from outside] I've got good news!
(Cut to Jillian standing at Gru's front door with another woman.)
Jillian: I have my friend Shannon here with me. I was thinking, you two could get some grub. You know, tear it up, see what happens. [cracks up laughing]
(Cut back to Gru, now seeing Agnes singing.)
Gru: [whisper-jelling] Agnes, Agnes.
Agnes stops singing and looks at Gru.
Gru: Tell Jillian I'm not here!
Agnes: Gru's not here!
Jillian: Are you sure?
Agnes: Yes, he just told me.
(Gru suddenly cringes, shakes his head and wags his fingers towards Agnes, indicating her to not to.)
Agnes: I mean no. He didn't just tell me.
Jillian: [laughs] Agnes, where is Gru?
Gru approaches Agnes before making a "zip your lips" gesture.
Agnes: He's putting on lipstick.
Gru swings his arms around, convincing Agnes to stop.
Agnes: He's... swatting at flies!
Gru: No! [making a "cut it off" gesture] No!
Agnes: He's chopping his head off!
Gru covers his head and groans in frustration.
Agnes: He's [confused] pooping?
Synopsis: The busy lawyer Fletcher is working in his office when his son Max comes to see him. Fletcher congratulates his son for his birthday and give him his birthday present. However, he has no idea what is in the box because he asked his assistant to buy Max's present. Max wants to play baseball with his dad, who promises they will play later...
Transcript:
Fletcher: Hey, creepy. Happy birthday. How old are you now, 22 or 23 ?
Max: - I'm five, Dad.
Fletcher: Okay. Return the beer keg. Cancel the dancing girls.
Max: [ Giggles ]
Fletcher: I don't know what I'm gonna do. I feel completely unprepared for this.
You see, I bought you a present, but last night... I accidentally swallowed it.
Max: Dad, it's in your belly !
Fletcher: Scalpel. I hope it's not partially digested ! Ooh ! Look out !
Max: Cool ! What is it ?
Fletcher: It's-- It's a surprise. All right, it's a pony.
Just open it ! I'm gonna help, 'cause I can't stand it !
Max: Baseball stuff !
Fletcher: Baseball stuff !
Max: Cool ! Can we play ? I'll be Nomo. You can be Jose Canseco. Can we play ?
Fletcher: Absolutely.
Max: Yeah ! [ Laughs ]
Fletcher: Right after your party tonight, we'll do it. You and me. I just have to really concentrate on this right now.
Synopsis: A mystery woman who happens to be Jake's former fiancee tries to kill him for leaving her at the altar...
Transcript:
Jake: Honest.
I ran out of gas…
I had a flat tire…
I didn’t have enough money for cab fare…
My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners…
An old friend came in from outta town…
Someone stole my car…
There was an earthquake…
A terrible flood…
Locusts…
It wasn't my fault. I swear to God!
In pairs, students will answer the following questions:
When was the last time you made an excuse?
What was the situation?
After watching all three clips, discuss the following question with your partner:
What is the activity that Mr. Gru, Fletcher and Jake are trying to avoid to do?
Do you think their excuses are successful?
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In groups of three, discuss what do you think will happen in the scenes that follow each clip.
... were late for work.
... didn't wish your friend Happy Birthday.
... arrived an hour late for lunch with your girlfriend/boyfriend.
... missed an important meeting.
... didn't answer your grandma's phone call.
... didn't go to class.
Situation: you want to leave your class earlier and you need to convince your teacher to let you go.
Write a very creative excuse and tell your teacher and classmates to see if they would let you go.