General Listening Quiz

What points do you consider most when going out to see a movie (e.g., movie theme or content, ticket price, show times, theater seating and sound system, etc.)?

1. Watching movies in a theater is better than streaming at home.
2. Movie theaters are too expensive for most people.
3. 3D and IMAX movies are not worth the extra cost.
4. People should avoid theaters because they are too noisy and crowded.
5. Movie theaters should show only new releases, not older films.
6. Watching a movie alone in a theater is a waste of time.
7. Food and drinks are unnecessary in a movie theater.
8. Home streaming will eventually replace movie theaters completely.
9. Movie theaters are an important part of cultural life.
10. People spend too much time going to the movies instead of doing other activities.

“go over like a lead balloon” = fail terribly
“I told the group that I wanted to watch a western movie, but the idea went over like a lead balloon.”

“shake like a leaf” = be very scared
“She won’t admit it, but she was shaking like a leaf during parts of that horror movie.”

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:

• Mixed-Up Sentence  |  Sentence and Vocabulary Matching

Talk with a partner about your experience in going to a movie theater. Discuss the movie’s plot, how much you paid for tickets, and the movie rating, if applicable, and why it deserved the rating. Search for a review of the movie in a newspaper or on the internet and explain why you agree or disagree with the critic’s opinion.

Checking movie reviews can be a useful way to help you decide on whether to watch a movie or not. Using the internet, search for two websites that contain a review of a movie you want to see. Summarize what you learn about the movie including information about the plot, the main characters, the visual effects, and the acting.