David Holmes, a stuntman who worked on the Harry Potter movies, recently talked about a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He was the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, and broke his neck while practicing a stunt for the seventh film. Even though it was a devastating injury, Holmes has stayed positive and says that his close friendships, especially with Radcliffe, helped him get through the tough times. There’s a documentary about Holmes called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which shows his experiences and how important friendship and character are in his life.

Holmes looks back on his accident and talks about how it made him stronger. He knows that living with a broken neck is difficult, but he’s thankful that he still feels like himself. In the documentary, they show how Holmes’s positive attitude and the support of his friends helped him recover. He says that having people who care about you is really important, and he’s grateful for all the love and help he’s received.

The documentary has interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, including Radcliffe, who thinks Holmes is an amazing person. Radcliffe hopes that the documentary will show others how fun, funny, smart, kind, and generous Holmes is. Holmes has also used his experience to raise money for medical treatment and wants to teach younger people about stunts through a stunt school.

Holmes wants people who watch the documentary to feel hopeful. He believes that in life, you can choose to be a victim or a survivor, and he chooses to be a survivor. He encourages others to rise above challenges and embrace everything that life throws at them, both the good and the bad. Holmes’s story reminds us that it’s okay to be vulnerable and that how we deal with tough times shows our true character. The documentary will be on Sky Documentaries and aims to raise awareness and support for the NHS.

Original news source: Harry Potter stuntman: Breaking my neck made a man of me (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. One student plays the role of a news reporter, while the other is David Holmes. The reporter will ask questions about the accident, recovery, and the documentary. The student playing Holmes should answer based on the information from the article, using their own words. After a few minutes, students swap roles.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write statements related to themes from the article such as “Friendship is the most important factor in overcoming adversity” or “Documentaries about personal struggles are inspiring.” Students walk around the room and sign whether they agree or disagree with each statement on a poster. Afterward, discuss the results as a class and encourage students to explain their opinions.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Students are given a selection of keywords from the article (e.g., ‘stuntman’, ‘paralyzed’, ‘documentary’, ‘recovery’, ‘friendship’, ‘NHS’). In pairs, one student sketches a representation of the word without speaking or writing any letters, while the other guesses the word. After guessing correctly, they swap roles.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: After discussing the article, students will write down their predictions about the impact of the documentary “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived.” They should consider how it might raise awareness, change perceptions about disabilities, or inspire people who face similar challenges. Share and discuss the predictions as a class.

– Synonym Challenge
Instructions: Write down key adjectives and verbs from the article (e.g., ‘devastating’, ‘grateful’, ‘positive’, ‘encourages’, ‘reminds’). Students work in pairs or small groups to come up with as many synonyms as they can for each word within a set time limit. Discuss the synonyms as a class and talk about the nuances in meaning.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What was David Holmes’s role in the Harry Potter movies?
2. What injury did David Holmes sustain, and during which film’s preparation did it happen?
3. What has helped Holmes remain positive after his accident?
4. What is the title of the documentary about David Holmes, and what does it highlight?
5. According to the article, what does Holmes appreciate about his life after the accident?
6. Who are some of the people interviewed in the documentary, and what is Daniel Radcliffe’s opinion of Holmes?
7. What is Holmes’s message to those who watch his documentary?
8. What does Holmes hope to achieve by sharing his story through the documentary?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

David Holmes, a stuntman who worked on the Harry (1)______ movies, recently talked about a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He was the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, and broke his neck while practicing a stunt for the (2)______ film. Even though it was a devastating injury, Holmes has stayed positive and says that his close friendships, especially with Radcliffe, (3)______ him get through the tough (4)______. There’s a documentary about Holmes called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which shows his experiences and how (5)______ friendship and character are in his life.

Holmes looks back on his accident and talks about how it made him stronger. He knows that living with a broken neck is (6)______, but he’s thankful that he still feels like himself. In the documentary, they show how Holmes’s (7)______ attitude and the support of his friends helped him (8)______. He says that having people who care about you is really important, and he’s grateful for all the love and help he’s received.

The documentary has (9)______ with Holmes’s (10)______ friends, including (11)______, who thinks Holmes is an amazing person. Radcliffe hopes that the documentary will show others how fun, funny, smart, kind, and (12)______ Holmes is. Holmes has also used his experience to raise money for medical treatment and wants to teach younger people about stunts through a stunt school.

Holmes wants people who watch the (13)______ to feel hopeful. He believes that in life, you can (14)______ to be a (15)______ or a survivor, and he chooses to be a survivor. He encourages others to rise above challenges and embrace everything that life throws at them, both the good and the bad. Holmes’s story reminds us that it’s okay to be vulnerable and that how we deal with tough times (16)______ our true character. The documentary will be on Sky Documentaries and aims to raise awareness and support for the NHS.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a stuntman, and would you ever consider being one? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if a friend of yours had an accident like David Holmes?
3. Do you think having a positive attitude is important when facing a big problem? Why?
4. Can you share a story about how a friend helped you through a difficult time?
5. What does the phrase “The Boy Who Lived” mean to you, besides the title of the documentary?
6. Do you think it’s important to stay true to yourself even after a life-changing event? Why?
7. Have you ever watched a documentary? What was it about, and did you like it?
8. Why do you think Daniel Radcliffe describes David Holmes as fun, funny, smart, kind, and generous?
9. Do you know someone who has turned a bad situation into something positive? Can you tell us about them?
10. What do you think about raising money for medical treatment? Have you or would you ever contribute to such a cause?
11. Would you be interested in learning about stunts at a stunt school? Why or why not?
12. What does it mean to you to be a survivor rather than a victim?
13. Can you think of a challenge you’ve faced and how you dealt with it?
14. Why do you think it’s okay to be vulnerable sometimes?
15. Do you believe that how we handle tough times shows our true character? Can you explain?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. stuntman
2. paralyzed
3. accident
4. injury
5. friendships
6. positive
7. recover
8. documentary

Meanings:
(a) Having a good and optimistic attitude
(b) A film or TV program that shows real events
(c) Unable to move or feel part of the body
(d) Close relationships with other people
(e) Harm or damage to the body
(f) A person who performs dangerous actions for movies
(g) To get better after an illness or injury
(h) An unexpected and unfortunate event
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the stuntman who worked on the Harry Potter movies?
(a) Daniel Radcliffe
(b) Harry Potter
(c) David Radcliffe
(d) David Holmes

2. How did David Holmes become paralyzed?
(a) He injured his back while filming
(b) He broke his neck during a stunt
(c) He had a car accident
(d) He fell from a building

3. Who was David Holmes the stunt double for?
(a) Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter
(b) Emma Watson’s character, Hermione Granger
(c) Rupert Grint’s character, Ron Weasley
(d) Tom Felton’s character, Draco Malfoy

4. How did David Holmes stay positive after his accident?
(a) By seeking medical treatment abroad
(b) Through close friendships, especially with Daniel Radcliffe
(c) By focusing on his career as a stuntman
(d) By isolating himself from others

5. What is the name of the documentary about David Holmes?
(a) David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived
(b) Harry Potter and the Stuntman’s Story
(c) From Paralysis to Positivity: The David Holmes Journey
(d) The Life of a Stuntman: David Holmes’ Story

6. What does Daniel Radcliffe hope the documentary will show about David Holmes?
(a) That he is the best stuntman in the world
(b) That he is a famous actor in his own right
(c) That he is fun, funny, smart, kind, and generous
(d) That he is a victim of his accident

7. What does David Holmes want to teach younger people?
(a) About the dangers of being a stuntman
(b) About the importance of friendship
(c) About stunts through a stunt school
(d) About the challenges of living with a disability

8. What message does David Holmes want people to take away from the documentary?
(a) To avoid taking risks and stay safe
(b) To never give up in the face of adversity
(c) To rely on others for support in tough times
(d) To choose to be a survivor in life

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Despite his minor injury, Holmes has maintained a negative outlook and blames his close friendships, especially with Radcliffe, for making things worse.
2. Holmes was not the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, and broke his neck while practicing a stunt for the seventh film.
3. There is a documentary about Holmes called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which showcases his experiences and emphasizes the importance of friendship and character in his life.
4. Holmes has used his experience to raise funds for medical treatment and hopes to educate younger individuals about stunts through a stunt school.
5. Holmes reflects on his accident and believes it made him weaker, even though living with a broken neck is manageable.
6. Interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, including Radcliffe, are featured in the documentary, with Radcliffe describing Holmes as an amazing person.
7. The documentary downplays Holmes’s positive attitude and the lack of support he received from friends during his recovery.
8. David Holmes, a stuntman who worked on the Harry Potter movies, had a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What happened to David Holmes during the filming of the seventh Harry Potter movie?
2. How has David Holmes’s attitude been since his accident, and who helped him during his recovery?
3. What is the title of the documentary about David Holmes, and what are its main themes?
4. What does Daniel Radcliffe say about David Holmes in the documentary?
5. What message does Holmes want to convey to those who watch his documentary?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What was David Holmes’s role in the Harry Potter movies?
David Holmes was the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter.

2. What injury did David Holmes sustain, and during which film’s preparation did it happen?
He broke his neck while practicing a stunt for the seventh Harry Potter film.

3. What has helped Holmes remain positive after his accident?
His close friendships, especially with Daniel Radcliffe, and his positive attitude have helped him stay positive.

4. What is the title of the documentary about David Holmes, and what does it highlight?
The documentary is called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” and it highlights his experiences, the importance of friendship and character in his life.

5. According to the article, what does Holmes appreciate about his life after the accident?
He appreciates that he still feels like himself and is thankful for the love and help he’s received from others.

6. Who are some of the people interviewed in the documentary, and what is Daniel Radcliffe’s opinion of Holmes?
The documentary includes interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, including Daniel Radcliffe, who thinks Holmes is an amazing person.

7. What is Holmes’s message to those who watch his documentary?
He encourages viewers to choose to be survivors rather than victims, to rise above challenges, and to embrace all aspects of life.

8. What does Holmes hope to achieve by sharing his story through the documentary?
Holmes aims to raise awareness and support for the NHS, inspire hope, and teach younger people about stunts through a stunt school.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Potter
(2) seventh
(3) helped
(4) times
(5) important
(6) difficult
(7) positive
(8) recover
(9) interviews
(10) closest
(11) Radcliffe
(12) generous
(13) documentary
(14) choose
(15) victim
(16) shows
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. stuntman
Answer: (f) A person who performs dangerous actions for movies

2. paralyzed
Answer: (c) Unable to move or feel part of the body

3. accident
Answer: (h) An unexpected and unfortunate event

4. injury
Answer: (e) Harm or damage to the body

5. friendships
Answer: (d) Close relationships with other people

6. positive
Answer: (a) Having a good and optimistic attitude

7. recover
Answer: (g) To get better after an illness or injury

8. documentary
Answer: (b) A film or TV program that shows real events
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the stuntman who worked on the Harry Potter movies?
Answer: (d) David Holmes

2. How did David Holmes become paralyzed?
Answer: (b) He broke his neck during a stunt

3. Who was David Holmes the stunt double for?
Answer: (a) Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter

4. How did David Holmes stay positive after his accident?
Answer: (b) Through close friendships, especially with Daniel Radcliffe

5. What is the name of the documentary about David Holmes?
Answer: (a) David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived

6. What does Daniel Radcliffe hope the documentary will show about David Holmes?
Answer: (c) That he is fun, funny, smart, kind, and generous

7. What does David Holmes want to teach younger people?
Answer: (c) About stunts through a stunt school

8. What message does David Holmes want people to take away from the documentary?
Answer: (d) To choose to be a survivor in life
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Despite his minor injury, Holmes has maintained a negative outlook and blames his close friendships, especially with Radcliffe, for making things worse. (Answer: False)
2. Holmes was not the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, and broke his neck while practicing a stunt for the seventh film. (Answer: False)
3. There is a documentary about Holmes called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which showcases his experiences and emphasizes the importance of friendship and character in his life. (Answer: True)
4. Holmes has used his experience to raise funds for medical treatment and hopes to educate younger individuals about stunts through a stunt school. (Answer: True)
5. Holmes reflects on his accident and believes it made him weaker, even though living with a broken neck is manageable. (Answer: False)
6. Interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, including Radcliffe, are featured in the documentary, with Radcliffe describing Holmes as an amazing person. (Answer: True)
7. The documentary downplays Holmes’s positive attitude and the lack of support he received from friends during his recovery. (Answer: False)
8. David Holmes, a stuntman who worked on the Harry Potter movies, had a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧