Historic Palace Theatre in London with crowds gathered for Harry Potter show.
Photo by Huy Phan on Pexels

Harry Potter stage show shortened due to rising costs

Level
a1
Topic
culture

Read this at a different level:a2b2c1

My friend Dara loves Harry Potter. Last week, she called me with big news. "Listen to this!" she said. "The Harry Potter show is changing!"

Dara told me everything. The show ran in London for ten years. It had two parts. But now the costs are very high. The producer said two parts are not possible now.

So next month, the show comes back. It is now one part. Dara wants to go and see it. "Don't wait too long," I told her. "Buy your ticket now!" She is very happy about the new show.

Highlighted sentences show the grammar focus structure.

Key Vocabulary

  • friend

    /frɛnd/

    A person you like very much and enjoy spending time with.

    My friend and I walk to school together every morning.

  • news

    /njuːz/

    New information about something that happened.

    My mother heard some exciting news on the radio today.

  • show

    /ʃoʊ/

    A performance that people watch, for example in a theatre.

    We went to a show at the theatre last Saturday.

  • ticket

    /ˈtɪkɪt/

    A small piece of paper that lets you enter a place or travel somewhere.

    She bought a ticket to ride the train to the city.

  • happy

    /ˈhæpi/

    Feeling very good and pleased about something.

    The children were happy when they saw the birthday cake.

Grammar Spotlight

Imperative

base verb (+ object/complement)

When do we use it?

  • Use the imperative to give instructions or directions, e.g. telling someone what to do.
  • Use it to make requests or suggestions in everyday conversation.
  • Use it to get someone's attention quickly, like Dara said: 'Listen to this!'

How is it formed?

base verb+object or complement (optional)

No subject needed — 'you' is understood

★Start with the verb. No 'you' needed!

See it in action

  1. Listen to the news about the Harry Potter show!

  2. Read the article about the show in London.

  3. Tell me everything about the new Harry Potter production.

  4. Don't miss the big news from your friend!

Remember this

✗You listen to this!
✓Listen to this!

In the imperative, we do not say 'you'. Just start with the verb.

✗Don't to miss the show.
✓Don't miss the show.

After 'don't', use the base verb only. Never add 'to'.

✗Listens to the news!
✓Listen to the news!

The imperative always uses the base verb. Never add -s or -es.

Discussion Questions

  1. 1.

    Do you like to watch shows or performances in your country? What kind do you enjoy?

  2. 2.

    Do you have a friend who loves a book, film, or show very much? What do they love?

  3. 3.

    In your city or town, where do people go to watch live shows or performances?

Comprehension Questions

  1. 1.

    Who called with big news?

  2. 2.

    Where did the show run for ten years?

  3. 3.

    What is different about the new show?

  4. 4.

    When does the show come back?

View answers for the comprehension questions
  1. 1.Dara called with big news. She is the writer's friend who loves Harry Potter.
  2. 2.The show ran in London for ten years.
  3. 3.The new show is now one part. Before, it had two parts.
  4. 4.The show comes back next month.

Test your knowledge

Question 1Fill-in-the-blank

She smiled because she was very ____ about her exam results.

Question 2Fill-in-the-blank

My ____ and I walk to school together every day.

Question 3Fill-in-the-blank

She bought a ____ before getting on the bus.

View answers for test your knowledge
  1. 1.happy
  2. 2.friend
  3. 3.ticket

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