READING Shakespeare.

WEB

William Shakespeare
Step Three B1.2

Love in Shakespeare:
Five Stories
Summary-based Activities
 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
Romeo and Juliet
The Montague and the Capulet families of Verona were enemies and were
always fighting and disturbing the peace of the city.
Lord and Lady Montague’ son Romeo met Juliet, the daughter of his
enemies, at a ball and he immediately fell in love and confessed his love
to her when he later saw Juliet standing on her balcony. They decided to
get married secretly with the help of Friar Lawrence. A fight between
Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, and Romeo caused his exile from the city of Verona
and made Juliet very sad, especially because her parents wanted her to
marry Count Paris. Juliet asked Friar Lawrence to help her and he thought
of a very good plan: he gave Juliet a liquid to drink that would make her
sleep for 42 hours. Her parents would think she was dead and would take
her to the family vault. The friar would then send a message to Romeo
explaining the situation and then they could finally escape together. The
message never arrived to Romeo, who heard the news of Juliet’s death
and went to die next to her body. Juliet woke up and realised what had
happened: she picked up his knife and plunged it into her heart.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
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S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
1 Scrambled word cloze
Read the summary of Romeo and Juliet below.
Choose one of the words from the box to write in each space. The first
one has been done as an example.
always into never drink between to with
sad on from son
The Montague and the Capulet families of Verona were enemies and
always fighting and disturbing the peace of the city.
were (0) …....……
Lord and Lady Montague’ (1) …....…… Romeo met Juliet, the daughter
of his enemies, at a ball and he immediately fell in love and confessed
his love to her when he later saw Juliet standing (2) …....…… her
balcony. They decided to get married secretly (3) …....…… the help of
Friar Lawrence. A fight (4) …....…… Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, and Romeo
caused his exile (5) …....…… the city of Verona and made Juliet very
(6) …....……, especially because her parents wanted her to marry
Count Paris. Juliet asked Friar Lawrence to help her and he thought
of a very good plan: he gave Juliet a liquid to (7) …....…… that would
make her sleep for 42 hours. Her parents would think she was dead
and would take her to the family vault. The friar would then send a
message (8) …....…… Romeo explaining the situation and then they
could finally escape together. The message (9) …....…… arrived to
Romeo, who heard the news of Juliet’s death and went to die next to
her body. Juliet woke up and realised what had happened: she picked
up his knife and plunged it (10) …....…… her heart.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S

2 Scrambled word cloze with distractors (i) 3 Multiple choice cloze

Read the summary of Romeo and Juliet below. Read the summary of Romeo and Juliet below.
Fill each space with a word from the box. There are five words you do Choose the best word (A, B, C or D) for each space. The first one, 0, has
not need to use. The first, 0, has been done as an example. been done as an example.

usually always into never drink between by to with The Montague and the Capulet families of Verona were enemies and
in sad on from son at for always fighting and disturbing the peace of the city.
were (0) …....……
Lord and Lady Montague’ (1) …....…… Romeo met Juliet, the daughter
The Montague and the Capulet families of Verona were enemies and of his enemies, at a ball and he immediately fell in love and confessed
always fighting and disturbing the peace of the city.
were (0) …....…… his love to her when he later saw Juliet standing (2) …....…… her
Lord and Lady Montague’ (1) …....…… Romeo met Juliet, the daughter balcony. They decided to get married secretly (3) …....…… the help of
of his enemies, at a ball and he immediately fell in love and confessed Friar Lawrence. A fight (4) …....…… Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, and Romeo
his love to her when he later saw Juliet standing (2) …....…… her caused his exile (5) …....…… the city of Verona and made Juliet very
balcony. They decided to get married secretly (3) …....…… the help of (6) …....……, especially because her parents wanted her to marry
Friar Lawrence. A fight (4) …....…… Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, and Romeo Count Paris. Juliet asked Friar Lawrence to help her and he thought
caused his exile (5) …....…… the city of Verona and made Juliet very of a very good plan: he gave Juliet a liquid to (7) …....…… that would
(6) …....……, especially because her parents wanted her to marry make her sleep for 42 hours. Her parents would think she was dead
Count Paris. Juliet asked Friar Lawrence to help her and he thought and would take her to the family vault. The friar would then send a
of a very good plan: he gave Juliet a liquid to (7) …....…… that would message (8) …....…… Romeo explaining the situation and then they
make her sleep for 42 hours. Her parents would think she was dead could finally escape together. The message (9) …....…… arrived to
and would take her to the family vault. The friar would then send a Romeo, who heard the news of Juliet’s death and went to die next to
message (8) …....…… Romeo explaining the situation and then they her body. Juliet woke up and realised what had happened: she picked
could finally escape together. The message (9) …....…… arrived to up his knife and plunged it (10) …....…… her heart.
Romeo, who heard the news of Juliet’s death and went to die next to
her body. Juliet woke up and realised what had happened: she picked 0 A sometimes B always C never D usually
up his knife and plunged it (10) …....…… her heart. 1 A son B cousin C nephew D friend
2 A over B at C in D on
3 A thanks B with C by D through
4 A between B with C against D together
5 A by B from C to D away
6 A confused B worried C happy D sad
7 A pour B have C drink D buy
8 A to B at C for D from
9 A nothing B not C no D never
10 A in B at C into D to

© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London © 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London

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 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
4 Open Cloze
Complete the summary of Romeo and Juliet below.
Write ONE word for each space. The first one has been done as an
example.
The Montague and the Capulet families of Verona were enemies and
always fighting and disturbing the peace of the city.
were (0) …....……
Lord and Lady Montague’ (1) …....…… Romeo met Juliet, the daughter
of his enemies, at a ball and he immediately fell in love and confessed
his love to her when he later saw Juliet standing (2) …....…… her
balcony. They decided to get married secretly (3) …....…… the help of
Friar Lawrence. A fight (4) …....…… Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, and Romeo
caused his exile (5) …....…… the city of Verona and made Juliet very
(6) …....……, especially because her parents wanted her to marry
Count Paris. Juliet asked Friar Lawrence to help her and he thought
of a very good plan: he gave Juliet a liquid to (7) …....…… that would
make her sleep for 42 hours. Her parents would think she was dead
and would take her to the family vault. The friar would then send a
message (8) …....…… Romeo explaining the situation and then they
could finally escape together. The message (9) …....…… arrived to
Romeo, who heard the news of Juliet’s death and went to die next to
her body. Juliet woke up and realised what had happened: she picked
up his knife and plunged it (10) …....…… her heart.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
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S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
5 Put the sentences in order.
The sentences A-J of the summary of Romeo and Juliet below are in the
wrong order. Put them in the right order and number them 1-13.
A He gave Juliet a liquid to drink that would make her sleep for
42 hours.
B Her parents would think she was dead and would take her to
the family vault.
C Juliet woke up and realised what had happened: she picked up
his knife and plunged it into her heart.
D This made Juliet very sad, especially because her parents
wanted her to marry Count Paris.
E The friar would then send a message to Romeo explaining the
situation and then they could finally escape together.
F The Montague and the Capulet families of Verona were
enemies.
G The message never arrived to Romeo, who heard the news of
Juliet’s death and went to die next to her body.
H Juliet asked Friar Lawrence to help her and he thought of a
very good plan.
I A fight between Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, and Romeo caused his
exile from the city of Verona.
J They were always fighting and disturbing the peace of the city.
K They decided to get married secretly with the help of Friar
Lawrence.
L He confessed his love to her when he later saw Juliet standing
on her balcony.
M Lord and Lady Montague’ son Romeo met Juliet, the daughter
of his enemies, at a ball and he immediately fell in love.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S

6 Correct the mistakes! Keys

This is an oral activity, so do not give the students any photocopies. 1, 2, 4: 1 son, 2 on, 3 with, 4 between, 5 from, 6 sad, 7 drink, 8 t
Tell them the following instructions (or similar): “I am going to tell you 9 never, 10 into
a summary of Romeo and Juliet, but I am going to make some mistakes
3: 0 B, 1 A, 2 D, 3 B, 4 A, 5B, 6 D, 7 C, 8 A, 9 D, 10 C
in the summary. When you hear a mistake please call out the right
word or words.” As an example, in the version of the summary below 5: 1F, 2J, 3M, 4L, 5K; 6I, 7D, 8H, 9A, 10B, 11E, 12G, 13C
there are 12 mistakes to read out, all written in italics. As a quick
reminder to you, the correct version is given immediately afterwards
in brackets.

The Montague and the Capulet families of Verona were friends

(enemies) and were always partying (fighting) and disturbing the
peace of the city.
Lord and Lady Montague’ son Romeo met Juliet, the niece (daughter)
of his enemies, at a party (ball) and he immediately fell in love and
confessed his love to her when he later saw Juliet standing on her
terrace (balcony). They decided to get married secretly with the help
of Friar Lawrence. A duel (fight) between Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, and
Romeo caused his exile from the city of Venezia (Verona) and made
Juliet very happy (sad), especially because her parents wanted her
to marry Count Paris. Juliet asked Friar Lawrence to help her and he
thought of a very good solution plan: he gave Juliet a liquid to drink
that would make her sleep for 48 (42) hours. Her parents would think
she was dead and would take her to the family palace (vault). The
friar would then send a letter (message) to Romeo explaining the
situation and then they could finally escape together. The message
never arrived to Romeo, who heard the news of Juliet’s death and
went to die next to her body. Juliet woke up and realised what had
happened: she picked up his sword (knife) and plunged it into her
heart.

© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London © 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London

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 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
The Taming of the Shrew
Baptista Minola, a rich man from Padua, had two daughters, Bianca
and Katharina. Bianca was quiet and sweet, Katharina was very bad-
tempered and men were frightened of her. The father didn’t know
what to do because Bianca had two suitors and Katharina had none,
but Baptista wanted Katharina, the eldest, to marry first. A man from
Verona, Petruchio, arrived in Padua because he was looking for a wife. He
was immediately told about Katharina and her big dowry, but also about
her bad character. All this information made Petruchio very interested
in her and he decided to meet her straight away. He introduced himself
to a very surprised Baptista Minola and started courting Katharina
until he agreed with her father that they should marry. The day of their
marriage Petruchio arrived late and very badly dressed; he then took
Katharina back to Verona immediately and once there, he started taming
her by making her life very difficult. Eventually Katharina realised that
she loved Petruchio and that his rude behaviour taught her a lesson and
changed her attitude for ever.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
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S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
1 Scrambled word cloze
Read the summary of The Taming of the Shrew below.
Choose one of the words from the box to write in each space. The first
one has been done as an example.
none very what from took in for that about away to
Baptista Minola, a rich man from Padua, had two daughters, Bianca
and Katharina. Bianca was quiet and sweet, Katharina was very bad-
tempered and men were frightened of her. The father didn’t know
what to do because Bianca had two suitors and Katharina had
(0) ……….
(1) ………., but Baptista wanted Katharina, the eldest, to marry first.
A man (2) ………. Verona, Petruchio, arrived (3) ………. Padua because
he was looking (4) ………. a wife. He was immediately told (5) ……….
Katharina and her big dowry, but also about her bad character. All
this information made Petruchio (6) ………. interested in her and he
decided to meet her straight (7) ……….. . He introduced himself
(8) ……… a very surprised Baptista Minola and started courting
Katharina until he agreed with her father (9) ………. they should
marry. The day of their marriage Petruchio arrived late and very
badly dressed; he then (10) ………. Katharina back to Verona
immediately and once there, he started taming her by making her life
very difficult. Eventually Katharina realised that she loved Petruchio
and that his rude behaviour taught her a lesson and changed her
attitude for ever.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
11
 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S

2 Scrambled word cloze with distractors (i) 3 Multiple choice cloze

Read the summary of The Taming of the Shrew below. Read the summary of The Taming of the Shrew below.
Fill each space with a word from the box. There are five words you do Choose the best word (A, B, C or D) for each space. The first one, 0, has
not need to use. The first, 0, has been done as an example. been done as an example.

none very what from took in for that about away to Baptista Minola, a rich man from Padua, had two daughters, Bianca
which on much not of and Katharina. Bianca was quiet and sweet, Katharina was very bad-
tempered and men were frightened of her. The father didn’t know
Baptista Minola, a rich man from Padua, had two daughters, Bianca what to do because Bianca had two suitors and Katharina had
(0) ……….
and Katharina. Bianca was quiet and sweet, Katharina was very bad- (1) ………., but Baptista wanted Katharina, the eldest, to marry first.
tempered and men were frightened of her. The father didn’t know A man (2) ………. Verona, Petruchio, arrived (3) ………. Padua because
what to do because Bianca had two suitors and Katharina had
(0) ………. he was looking (4) ………. a wife. He was immediately told (5) ……….
(1) ………., but Baptista wanted Katharina, the eldest, to marry first. Katharina and her big dowry, but also about her bad character. All
A man (2) ………. Verona, Petruchio, arrived (3) ………. Padua because this information made Petruchio (6) ………. interested in her and he
he was looking (4) ………. a wife. He was immediately told (5) ………. decided to meet her straight (7) ……….. . He introduced himself
Katharina and her big dowry, but also about her bad character. All (8) ……… a very surprised Baptista Minola and started courting
this information made Petruchio (6) ………. interested in her and he Katharina until he agreed with her father (9) ………. they should
decided to meet her straight (7) ……….. . He introduced himself marry. The day of their marriage Petruchio arrived late and very
(8) ……… a very surprised Baptista Minola and started courting badly dressed; he then (10) ………. Katharina back to Verona
Katharina until he agreed with her father (9) ………. they should immediately and once there, he started taming her by making her life
marry. The day of their marriage Petruchio arrived late and very very difficult. Eventually Katharina realised that she loved Petruchio
badly dressed; he then (10) ………. Katharina back to Verona and that his rude behaviour taught her a lesson and changed her
immediately and once there, he started taming her by making her life attitude for ever.
very difficult. Eventually Katharina realised that she loved Petruchio
and that his rude behaviour taught her a lesson and changed her 0 A whatever B what C that D which
attitude for ever. 1 A anything B nothing C not D none
2 A from B25 of C by D in
3 A on B to C in D at
4 A before B for C at D to
5 A about B of C on D for
6 A many B much C very D lots
7 A far B off C forward D away
8 A to B at C for D on
9 A which B that C because D why
10 A took B brought C taking D takes

© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London © 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London

12 13
 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
4 Open Cloze
Complete the summary of The Taming of the Shrew below.
Write ONE word for each space. The first one has been done as an
example.
Baptista Minola, a rich man from Padua, had two daughters, Bianca
and Katharina. Bianca was quiet and sweet, Katharina was very bad-
tempered and men were frightened of her. The father didn’t know
what to do because Bianca had two suitors and Katharina had
(0) ……….
(1) ………., but Baptista wanted Katharina, the eldest, to marry first.
A man (2) ………. Verona, Petruchio, arrived (3) ………. Padua because
he was looking (4) ………. a wife. He was immediately told (5) ……….
Katharina and her big dowry, but also about her bad character. All
this information made Petruchio (6) ………. interested in her and he
decided to meet her straight (7) ……….. . He introduced himself
(8) ……… a very surprised Baptista Minola and started courting
Katharina until he agreed with her father (9) ………. they should
marry. The day of their marriage Petruchio arrived late and very
badly dressed; he then (10) ………. Katharina back to Verona
immediately and once there, he started taming her by making her life
very difficult. Eventually Katharina realised that she loved Petruchio
and that his rude behaviour taught her a lesson and changed her
attitude for ever.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
14
S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S
5 Put the sentences in order.
The sentences A-J of the summary of The Taming of the Shrew below
are in the wrong order. Put them in the right order and number them
1-11.
A The day of their marriage Petruchio arrived late and very
badly dressed.
B He introduced himself to a very surprised Baptista Minola and
started courting Katharina until he agreed with her father
that they should marry.
C He then took Katharina back to Verona immediately and once
there, he started taming her by making her life very difficult.
D Eventually Katharina realised that she loved Petruchio and
that his rude behaviour taught her a lesson and changed her
attitude for ever.
E A man from Verona, Petruchio, arrived in Padua because he
was looking for a wife.
F He was immediately told about Katharina and her big dowry,
but also about her bad character.
G All this information made Petruchio very interested in her and
he decided to meet her straight away.
H Bianca was quiet and sweet, Katharina was very bad-
tempered and men were frightened of her.
I Baptista Minola, a rich man from Padua, had two daughters,
Bianca and Katharina.
J The father didn’t know what to do because Bianca had two
suitors and Katharina had none.
K Baptista wanted Katharina, the eldest, to marry first.
© 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London
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 S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S S u m m a r y - b a s ed A C T I V I T I E S

6 Correct the mistakes! Keys:

This is an oral activity, so do not give the students any photocopies. 1, 2, 4: 1 none, 2 from, 3 in, 4 for, 5 about, 6 very, 7 away, 8 to, 9 that,
Tell them the following instructions (or similar): “I am going to tell 10 took
you a summary of The Taming of the Shrew, but I am going to make
3: 1D, 2A, 3C, 4B, 5A, 6C, 7D, 8A, 9B, 10A
some mistakes in the summary. When you hear a mistake please call
out the right word or words.” As an example, in the version of the 5: 1I, 2H, 3J, 4K, 5E, 6F, 7G, 8B, 9A, 10C, 11D.
summary below there are 12 mistakes to read out, all written in italics.
As a quick reminder to you, the correct version is given immediately
afterwards in brackets.

Baptista Minola, a poor (rich) man from Padua, had two daughters,
Bianca and Katharina. Bianca was lively (quiet) and sweet, Katharina
was very bad-tempered and men were attracted to frightened of her.
The father didn’t know what to do because Bianca had two suitors
and Katharina had lots none, but Baptista wanted Katharina, the
youngest eldest, to marry first. A man from Verona, Petruchio,
arrived in Venezia Padua because he was looking for a wife. He was
immediately told about Katharina and her big house dowry, but also
about her nice bad character. All this information made Petruchio
very interested in her and he decided to meet her straight away.
He introduced himself to a very sad surprised Baptista Minola and
started courting Katharina until he agreed with her father that
they should get engaged marry. The day of their marriage Petruchio
arrived late and very well badly dressed; he then took Katharina back
to Verona immediately and once there, he started taming her by
making her life very easy difficult. Eventually Katharina realised that
she loved Petruchio and that his gentle rude behaviour taught her a Editor: Michela Bruzzo

lesson and changed her attitude for ever. © 2011 Black Cat, Genoa, London

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