A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
- Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
- Reading Read the main text.
- Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Review Breakdown Sort ideas from the review.
- Vocab Match Connect words to meanings.
- Discussion Builder Think about how ideas relate to each other to choose connecting expressions.
- Sentence Unscramble Reorder mixed phrases into correct sentences.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: What detail do you think is in the review?
a) The ending is exciting but a little rushed.
b) Harry goes to space with his friends.
c) The book is about a family trip.
Ask: (1) Do you like reading? Why or why not? (2) What do you know about Harry Potter's story?
VOCAB LIST
Reading
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came out in 1997, almost thirty years ago. The story is about a young boy who learns he is a wizard. He lives with his cruel aunt and uncle, but everything changes on his eleventh birthday. Harry goes to a magic school called Hogwarts and makes two best friends, Ron and Hermione. Together, they try to stop a bad wizard from returning.
Many readers love this book. The characters are interesting, and the magic world feels real and exciting. The story is easy to follow, and there are many funny moments. However, some readers think the writing is simple and the story is slow at the start. Harry is also very lucky, and some readers do not like this. The ending is exciting but a little rushed.
The book started a huge series. There are eight popular movies, many video games, and a new TV series is coming soon. These have made the story famous all over the world.
For English learners, this book is best for B2 level. The plot is not difficult, but there are long descriptions and made-up magic words like "Quidditch." A2 and B1 learners will find it too hard without help. Overall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fun book with a few small problems. It's great for readers who love magic and adventure.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: A Book Review
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: What detail do you think is in the review?
a) The ending is exciting but a little rushed.
b) Harry goes to space with his friends.
c) The book is about a family trip.
Ask: (1) Do you like reading? Why or why not? (2) What do you know about Harry Potter's story?
-
wizard (n.)
-
cruel (adj.)
-
rushed (adj.)
-
plot (n.)
-
return (v.)
-
ending (n.)
-
series (n.)
-
adventure (n.)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came out in 1997, almost thirty years ago. The story is about a young boy who learns he is a wizard. He lives with his cruel aunt and uncle, but everything changes on his eleventh birthday. Harry goes to a magic school called Hogwarts and makes two best friends, Ron and Hermione. Together, they try to stop a bad wizard from returning.
Many readers love this book. The characters are interesting, and the magic world feels real and exciting. The story is easy to follow, and there are many funny moments. However, some readers think the writing is simple and the story is slow at the start. Harry is also very lucky, and some readers do not like this. The ending is exciting but a little rushed.
The book started a huge series. There are eight popular movies, many video games, and a new TV series is coming soon. These have made the story famous all over the world.
For English learners, this book is best for B2 level. The plot is not difficult, but there are long descriptions and made-up magic words like "Quidditch." A2 and B1 learners will find it too hard without help. Overall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fun book with a few small problems. It's great for readers who love magic and adventure.
Two ways to use this audio:
- Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
- Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came out in 1997, almost thirty years ago. The story is about a young (1) who learns he is a wizard. He lives with his cruel aunt and uncle, but everything changes on his eleventh (2) . Harry goes to a magic school called Hogwarts and makes two best friends, Ron and Hermione. Together, they try to stop a bad wizard from returning.
Many readers love this book. The characters are interesting, and the magic world feels real and exciting. The story is easy to follow, and there are many (3) moments. However, some readers think the writing is simple and the story is slow at the start. Harry is also very lucky, and some readers do not like this. The ending is exciting but a little rushed.
The book started a huge (4) . There are eight popular movies, many video games, and a new TV series is coming soon. These have made the story famous all over the world.
For English learners, this book is best for B2 level. The plot is not difficult, but there are long descriptions and made-up magic words like "Quidditch." A2 and B1 learners will find it too hard without help. Overall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fun book with a few small problems. It's great for readers who love magic and (5) .
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Harry learns he is a wizard when he is eleven. TRUEFALSE True
2. Harry and his friends work together to stop a bad wizard from returning. TRUEFALSE True
3. Some readers think the story is slow at the beginning. TRUEFALSE True
4. The review says this book is best for A2 learners. TRUEFALSE False
Review Breakdown
What it is
Good / bad points
Final opinion
Not in the review
Review Breakdown
Read each statement. Write the letter in the correct group below.
- The characters are interesting.
- The magic world feels real and exciting.
- The story is slow at the start.
- It is a book about a boy who learns he is a wizard.
- The book has no funny moments.
- The review says the movies were not popular.
- Harry goes to Hogwarts and makes two best friends.
- This is a fun book for readers who love magic and adventure.
What it is:
Good / bad points:
Final opinion:
Not in the review:
What it is: d g
Good / bad points: a b c
Final opinion: h
Not in the review: e f
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. Wizard (n)e) A person with magic powers.
2. Cruel (adj)d) Very unkind.
3. Plot (n)c) The main story in a book or movie.
4. Return (v)b) To come back.
5. Ending (n)a) The last part of a story.
a) The last part of a story.
b) To come back.
c) The main story in a book or movie.
d) Very unkind.
e) A person with magic powers.
Discussion Builder
Hints: 1) Reason 2) Contrast 3) Opinion
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
-
This book is popular the magic world feels real and exciting.
because / but / so
This book is popular because the magic world feels real and exciting.
-
The start is slow, I still want to keep reading.
because / and / but
The start is slow, but I still want to keep reading.
-
this book would be hard for me in English because of the long descriptions.
But, / I think, / Also,
I think, this book would be hard for me in English because of the long descriptions.
Sentence Unscramble
Sentence Unscramble
-
A. I would like B. it could help C. to do magic D. me every day. E. because
I would like to do magic because it could help me every day.
-
A. they are easier B. I like C. the movies D. more E. because F. to follow.
I like the movies more because they are easier to follow.
Discussion Questions
- Why is this book popular?
- What kinds of stories do you like? Fantasy, mystery, action, love stories, or something else?
- Would you like to be able to do magic?
- Is it okay if a book starts slowly? Why or why not?
- Do you like reading books or seeing movies more?
- Would this book be easy or hard for you in English?
- Would you like to watch the Harry Potter TV series?
Discussion Questions
- Why is this book popular?
- What kinds of stories do you like? Fantasy, mystery, action, love stories, or something else?
- Would you like to be able to do magic?
- Is it okay if a book starts slowly? Why or why not?
- Do you like reading books or seeing movies more?
- Would this book be easy or hard for you in English?
- Would you like to watch the Harry Potter TV series?
Answers
Think Ahead: a
Listening: (1) boy, (2) birthday, (3) funny, (4) series, (5) adventure
True or False:
- True. The review says everything changes on his eleventh birthday.
- True. The review says Harry, Ron, and Hermione try to stop a bad wizard from returning.
- True. The review mentions that some readers find the story slow at the start.
- False. The review says it is best for B2 level.
Review Breakdown:
What it is: d g
Good / bad points: a b c
Final opinion: h
Not in the review: e f
Vocabulary:
- Wizard (n): A person with magic powers.
- Cruel (adj): Very unkind.
- Plot (n): The main story in a book or movie.
- Return (v): To come back.
- Ending (n): The last part of a story.
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Reason. 2) Contrast. 3) Opinion.
- because
- but
- I think,
Sentence Unscramble:
- I would like to do magic because it could help me every day.
- I like the movies more because they are easier to follow.