Activities for The King's Speech

Exercise 1: Order the sentences to make the synopsis of the film:

Exercise 2: Match the following words with their corresponding brief definition.

Number (1-6) Sentence

Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.

Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Rush).

Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship,

Plagued by a dreaded nervous stammer and considered unfit to be King,

The King's Speech" tells the story of the man who would become King George VI, the father of the current Queen, Elizabeth II.

After his brother abdicates, George 'Bertie' VI (Firth) reluctantly assumes the throne.

Word No. Definition Definition

Stare 1. Relating to or having the status of a king or queen or a member of

their family.

Royal

2. A plant of the thistle type as the Scottish national emblem.

Peer 3. Speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the

initial letters of words.

Crowd

4. A title given to a person of royal rank, or used in addressing them.

Bugger

5. A large number of people gathered together.

Apparatus

6. A contemptible or pitied person. Also used to express annoyance.

Stammer 7. (GB) A shilling. A coin used in the United Kingdom, worth one

twentieth of a pound, 5 new pence, or 12 old pence prior to 1971.

Drawing room

8. A long passage from which doors lead into rooms.

Highness

9. Look fixedly at someone or something with the eyes wide open.

Throat

10. The front part of the neck.

Newsreel 11. A place in a large private house in which guests can be received

and entertained.

Crown 12. The technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular

activity or purpose

Thistles

13. Look with difficulty or concentration. Be just visible.

A bob

14. Lack of imperfections

Corridor 15. A circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch as a symbol

of authority.

Exercise 3: Complete the following part of the fim script with the words given.

in up into

INT. SERVANT’S CORRIDOR/WINE CELLAR - DAY

David is hunting for a bottle of champagne for Wallis in the wine cellar.

BERTIE: And you’ve put that woman our mother’s suite?

DAVID: Mother’s not still the bed, is she?

BERTIE: That’s not funny.

David finds the bottle he was looking for.

DAVID: Wally likes the very best.

BERTIE: I don’t care what woman you carry on with at night, as long as you show for duty in

the morning!

He exits. Bertie follows.

to on up for taking mistress

INT. HALLWAY BALMORAL - DAY

DAVID: This is not just some woman I am carrying with. This is the woman I intend to

marry.

BERTIE: Excuse me?

DAVID: She’s filing a petition divorce.

BERTIE: Good God.

INT. HALLWAY/DRAWING ROOM, BALMORAL - DAY

BERTIE: Can’t you just give her a nice house and a title?

DAVID: I won’t have her as my .

BERTIE: David, the Church does not recognise divorce and you are the head of the Church.

DAVID: Haven’t I any rights?

BERTIE: Many privileges...

DAVID: Not the same thing. Your beloved Common Man may marry for love, why not me?

BERTIE: If you were the Common Man, on what basis could you possibly claim be King?!

DAVID: Sounds like you’ve studied our wretched constitution.

BERTIE: Sounds like you haven’t.

DAVID: Is that what this is all about? Is that why you’ve been elocution lessons?

BERTIE: I’m attempting t-t...

DAVID: That’s the scoop around town. Yearning for a larger audience are we, B-b-b-bertie?

BERTIE: D-don’t say such a th-

DAVID: Young brother trying to push older brother throne...Positively medieval.

BERTIE: D-

Bertie is completely locked.

David heads for Wallis, leaving his brother totally distraught. He pours her a glass of champagne. She

shows she is pleased with him.

Exercise 4: Complete the following part of the fim script choosing between the sentences given.

BERTIE: Can’t say. I can’t puh-puh-puh... (His jaw and throat muscles constrict.)

LIONEL:

BERTIE: Pardon?

LIONEL: Know any songs?

BERTIE:

LIONEL: Yes songs.

BERTIE: “Swanee River”.

LIONEL:

BERTIE:

LIONEL: Sing it then. Give me the chorus.

BERTIE: No. Certainly not. (fascinated by the plane) Always wanted to build models. Father wouldn’t

allow it. He collected stamps. I had to collect stamps.

LIONEL: You can finish that off.

Bertie eagerly reaches for some balsa.

LIONEL: If you sing. (to “Swanee River”) “When I was a boy with David...upon the Swanee River.”

BERTIE:

LIONEL:

BERTIE:

LIONEL:

BERTIE: I’m not crooning “Swanee River!”

LIONEL: :

(sings) “My brother D, he said to me, doodah doo-dah...” Continuous sound will give you flow. Does

it feel strange, now that David’s on the throne?

Exercise 5: Choose the correct answer:

1. In 1925, according to the film, King George V reigns over:

a. A quarter of the world’s population.

b. A third of the world’s population.

c. Half of the world’s population.

2. At the begining, there is a news reader in a broadcasting house that starts saying:

a. "This is the National Programme and Empire".

b. "This is the BBC National Programme and Empire".

c. "This is the ITV National Programme and Empire".

3. How many marbles does the first speech therapist ask Bertie to insert into his mouth?

a. Five.

b. Six.

c. Seven.

a) Songs?

b) Try singing it.

c) Happens to be my favorite.

d) I love that song

a) Because you’re peculiar.

b) I take that as a compliment.

c) You can with me.

d) I can’t sit here singing!

e) Try “Camptown Races” then.

4. When Elizabeth goes to meet the second speech therapist, what does the label near the elevator basement button say?

a. L. Logue, Speech Defects.

b. Dr. L. Logue, Speech Defects.

c. Mr. L. Logue, Speech Defects.

5. What do Lionel's boys make?

a. Paintings.

b. Model airplanes.

c. Hats.

6. Mr. Doolittle gets wealthy because...

a. Nothing.

b. A shilling.

c. A pound.

7. How does David arrive at the first meeting with Bertie?

a. By car.

b. By plane.

c. By light aircraft.

8. Why is David forced to abdicate?

a. Because the people is against him

b. Because he is not ready to be a King.

c. Because the King can not marry a divorced woman.

9. What happens to Sir. Prime Minister at the final part of the film?

a. He resigns.

b. He is fired.

c. He dies.

10. On which letter does Bertie stammer in the final speech?

a. On the “u”.

b. On the “p”.

c. On the “w”.

11. What did King George VI make Lionel Logue?

a. He made him a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

b. He made him Prime Minister.

c. He made him consultant.

Exercise 6: Write who said the following expressions:

KING GEORGE V QUEEN MARY BERTIE LIONEL DAVID ELIZABETH

I’m sure of anyone who wants to be cured.

If we were equal I wouldn’t be here. I’d be at home with my wife and no-one would give a damn.

I want you to release the five vowel sounds, each to last no less than 15 seconds.

She forgets Papa’s bloody clocks were always half an hour fast!

Your first war time speech. Congratulations.

He comes highly recommended. Charges substantial fees in order to help the poor.

If your father were well, tardiness would not be tolerated. None of this..unpleasantness would be tolerated.

This devilish device will change everything if you won’t. In the past all a King had to do was look respectable in uniform and not fall off his horse. Now we must invade people’s homes and ingratiate ourselves with them..