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You are going to watch the story The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein.

The story starts with the missing piece sitting alone.

The missing piece sat alone

waiting for someone to come along and take it somewhere

1. Why do you think the missing piece is waiting for someone to take him somewhere?
2. What kinds of shapes do you think the missing piece will meet?
3. Do you think the missing piece will find a perfect match?

Now watch the story and see if you were right. http://youtu.be/MCmZ2jrQooE

Here is a transliteration of the story. Can you complete it?

The missing piece is (1) _____________ being alone. He thinks he will be (2) ____________ if only he can
find someone else who will also need him in order to be complete. He is certain he isnt enough by
himself as his shape does not allow him to (3) _____________.

The Missing Piece Lesson - http://keepcalmandteachenglish.blogspot.gr/

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Other shapes come towards him: some (4) _____________ but cannot roll. Others roll but do not fit.
Some do not know what they are looking for or what to do with him. Many are looking for their missing
piece which will help them roll better. Some have many pieces (5) _____________; others carry too
many pieces with them. Some are hungry; others do not notice him at all.
The missing piece tries to make himself more beautiful and noticeable in order to (6) _____________
others near him. But this scares away the shy ones or draws the ones who are only interested in his
trimmings.
One day he finally meets the (7) _____________ match. Together they roll happily. But the missing piece
begins to (8) ______________, so he is not right for his partner anymore. He ends up alone for one more
time.
And then one day a different shape comes along. He is the big O. He needs (9)_____________ because
he is not missing any pieces. He is whole. The missing piece would like to roll with him. But the big O tells
the missing piece to try to roll on its (10) ______________ as shapes can change.
The missing piece decides to try. At first he only manages to move a little and with great difficulty. But as
he continues, movement becomes easier and easier. Gradually his (11)_____________ start to fade until
he becomes (12) _____________ and is able to roll freely

What kinds of missing pieces are people searching for?

missing piece

Are you searching for a missing piece?

The Missing Piece Lesson - http://keepcalmandteachenglish.blogspot.gr/

Key:
(Level B2 older teens, young adults)

Shell Silverstein (1930 1999) was an American poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and
author of children's books. The Giving Tree is his biggest seller and one of the most successful
children's books.

1. tired, unhappy
2. happy, complete
3. roll
4. fit
5. missing
6. attract
7. perfect
8. grow
9. nothing, no one
10. own
11. angles, corners
12. complete, whole

Missing pieces can be things we think we need in order to feel fullfilled: buying the latest gadget, being
thinner, finding a boy/girlfriend, passing exams, getting married etc.

The Missing Piece Lesson - http://keepcalmandteachenglish.blogspot.gr/