Listen&Learn: Frankenstein

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn about the story of a scientist who brought a body to life.

Pre-listening vocabulary

horror: a genre of fiction that is meant to cause fear
retreat: a trip to a quiet and isolated place
interpretation: a recreation of something, often with creative changes
relevant: important in a certain situation or to a certain group of people
misconception: an incorrect belief

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Comprehension questions

See answers below

Shelley thought of the idea for Frankenstein while
a. reading a horror novel
b. learning about human anatomy
c. telling ghost stories on a retreat
When Frankenstein was published, Shelley was
a. 18 years old
b. 20 years old
c. 25 years old
The monster’s name is
a. Frankenstein
b. Victor
c. never given in the text

Discussion/essay questions

It is easy for misconceptions to become widespread in society. Can you think of any other common misconceptions about popular books or movies?

Transcript

Frankenstein is a classic horror novel written by English author Mary Shelley. It was first published in 1818. It tells the story of a scientist named Victor Frankenstein who sews a body together and brings it to life. Frankenstein sees his creation as a monster, and it eventually turns against him. Shelley thought of the idea for the novel while telling ghost stories on a retreat with other writers. She started writing it when she was 18 years old, and published it when she was 20. Frankenstein is still relevant in popular culture, and many interpretations of Frankenstein’s monster have appeared in horror films and stories. However, it is a common misconception that Frankenstein is the monster’s name. In fact, the monster is never given a name.

Answers to comprehension questions

1c 2b 3c

5 comments

English Club Indonesia says:

The Bible is a religious scripture that people often interpret literally, leading to conflicts due to a lack of comprehension.
Rosybell says:

I think that Frankenstin thinks he a moster and he more different than others he think he doesn’t belong in this world he try to act normal just like us but he afaird he will scary us this movie is sometihng horror story i don’t think it fair to make fankenstin as a monster.
Jonas says:

This is my first “Listen&Learn”, and I love it, I understand the audio and I’m very astonished about Frankenstein name, because a thought the name is the monster, not the doctor!!
JOAO EMILIANO says:

I will use this activity with my Med Students in ESP classroom. I think, it will be good for them. They will be doctors, soon.
Richard says:

I think that a wide misconception is to believe that Frankenstein is a horror story. Movies make the story a horror one. However, the book is about the nature of the human being. About the place of the human being in the creation. The dangerous of playing the God role. The “monster” is not a monster. The “monster” is a creature like us, but he is rejected by its creator (at least at the beginning). Perhaps thinking the monster we can be as human being is fearful for most of us, but the “monster” does not make this story a horror one. The book is one of the best I ever read.
Thank you for Englishclub.
Englishclub is great!!!!