David Holmes, a stuntman who worked on the Harry Potter films, has spoken about the life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the chest downwards. Holmes, who was the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, broke his neck while rehearsing a stunt for the seventh film in the series. Despite the devastating injury, Holmes has maintained a positive attitude and credits his close friendships, including his bond with Radcliffe, for helping him through the difficult times. Holmes is the subject of a documentary called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which explores his experiences and the importance of character and friendship in his life.

Holmes reflects on his accident and describes how it made him stronger. He acknowledges the challenges of living with a broken neck but is grateful that he has been able to retain his sense of self. Throughout the documentary, Holmes’s positive outlook and the support of his friends are highlighted as key factors in his recovery. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system and expresses gratitude for the love and care he has received.

The documentary features interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, including Radcliffe, who describes Holmes as an extraordinary person. Radcliffe hopes that the documentary will allow others to see the fun, funny, smart, kind, and generous person that Holmes is. Holmes has also used his experience to raise funds for medical treatment and hopes to pass on his skills and experience to younger generations through a stunt school.

Holmes wants viewers to take a hopeful message from the documentary. He believes that in life, one 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 all that life throws at them, both the good and the bad. Holmes’s story serves as a reminder that it is okay to be vulnerable and that how one deals with hardships reflects their character. The documentary will be available 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: Students work in pairs. One student is a news reporter, and the other is David Holmes. The reporter interviews Holmes about his experiences, focusing on the accident, his recovery, and the documentary. The student playing Holmes must answer using information from the article, while the reporter should ask probing questions to elicit detailed responses.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Write statements related to themes from the article (e.g., “It’s important to maintain a positive attitude after a life-changing accident,” or “Friendships are crucial for overcoming personal tragedies”). Students line up according to how strongly they agree or disagree with each statement, then discuss their positions with the class, justifying their opinions with reasons and examples.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Students discuss in small groups what they think the future holds for David Holmes and his stunt school initiative. They should base their predictions on the information provided in the article and their own opinions. Then, each group presents their predictions to the class.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Ask students to list the pros and cons of making a documentary about a personal and tragic life event. They should consider aspects such as raising awareness, emotional challenges, privacy issues, and the impact on the audience. This activity can be done individually, in pairs, or small groups, followed by a class discussion.

– Pass the Story
Instructions: Begin a story based on the article with one sentence (e.g., “David Holmes, known for his daring stunts, faced the most challenging performance of his life after his accident.”). Students then take turns adding sentences to the story, developing it collaboratively while incorporating vocabulary and themes from the article. This can be done in a circle or by passing a written story around the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What specific injury did David Holmes sustain while rehearsing a stunt for the seventh Harry Potter film?
2. How has David Holmes’s attitude been described in relation to his life-changing accident?
3. What is the title of the documentary about David Holmes, and what are its main themes?
4. What aspect of Holmes’s life does he feel grateful for, despite his injury?
5. Who are some of the people interviewed in the documentary, and how does Daniel Radcliffe describe Holmes?
6. What purpose does Holmes hope to achieve through the funds he raises?
7. What message does Holmes want to convey to viewers of the documentary?
8. Where will the documentary “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived” be available for viewing, and what cause is it aiming to support?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

David Holmes, a (1)______ who (2)______ on the Harry Potter films, has spoken about the life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the chest downwards. Holmes, who was the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, (3)______ his neck while (4)______ a stunt for the seventh film in the series. Despite the devastating injury, Holmes has maintained a positive attitude and credits his close friendships, including his bond with Radcliffe, for helping him through the difficult times. Holmes is the subject of a documentary called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which (5)______ his (6)______ and the importance of character and friendship in his life.

Holmes reflects on his accident and describes how it made him (7)______. He acknowledges the challenges of living with a broken neck but is grateful that he has been able to retain his sense of self. Throughout the documentary, Holmes’s positive outlook and the support of his friends are (8)______ as key factors in his recovery. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system and expresses gratitude for the love and care he has received.

The documentary features interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, (9)______ Radcliffe, who describes Holmes as an extraordinary person. Radcliffe (10)______ that the documentary will allow others to see the fun, funny, smart, kind, and generous person that Holmes is. Holmes has also used his (11)______ to raise funds for medical treatment and hopes to pass on his skills and experience to younger generations through a stunt (12)______.

Holmes wants (13)______ to take a hopeful message from the documentary. He believes that in life, one can choose to be a victim or a survivor, and he chooses to be a survivor. He (14)______ others to rise above challenges and embrace all that life throws at them, both the good and the bad. Holmes’s story serves as a reminder that it is okay to be vulnerable and that how one (15)______ with (16)______ reflects their character. The documentary will be available 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 do you think defines a true friendship, and why?
2. How would you feel if a close friend experienced a life-changing accident?
3. Do you believe that a positive attitude can significantly impact recovery from a serious injury? Why or why not?
4. What is your opinion on the role of documentaries in raising awareness about personal struggles and medical conditions?
5. Have you ever had to overcome a significant challenge in your life? How did your friends and family support you?
6. Do you think that having a strong support system is crucial during difficult times? Why?
7. How would you react if you were faced with a sudden, life-altering event? Would you consider yourself more of a victim or a survivor?
8. What is resilience to you, and can you share an example of when you had to be resilient?
9. Do you like the idea of turning a personal tragedy into an opportunity to help others? Can you think of any examples where this has been done effectively?
10. How important do you think it is to retain a sense of self after a traumatic experience?
11. Do you believe that humor and fun can coexist with serious challenges? Why or why not?
12. What is your perspective on the importance of character when dealing with hardships?
13. Have you or someone you know ever been inspired by a documentary or a real-life story? How did it impact your life?
14. Do you think it’s okay to be vulnerable after a major setback? How can vulnerability be a strength?
15. How do you think one can pass on valuable life skills and experiences to younger generations, as Holmes hopes to do with his stunt school?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. accident
2. paralyzed
3. documentary
4. recovery
5. support
6. experience
7. survivor
8. awareness

Meanings:
(a) The process of returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength
(b) Assistance, encouragement, or comfort given to someone in need
(c) A person who continues to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship
(d) An unexpected and unfortunate event or circumstance
(e) Knowledge or understanding of a particular situation or fact
(f) A film or television program that provides a factual record or report
(g) Knowledge or skill gained from doing or living through something
(h) Unable to move or feel all or part of the body

Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the documentary about David Holmes?
(a) The Harry Potter Stuntman
(b) David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived
(c) A Life-Changing Accident
(d) The Importance of Friendship

2. How did David Holmes become paralyzed?
(a) He broke his neck while rehearsing a stunt
(b) He was in a car accident
(c) He fell from a building
(d) He had a sports injury

3. Who did David Holmes work as a stunt double for?
(a) Emma Watson’s character, Hermione Granger
(b) Rupert Grint’s character, Ron Weasley
(c) Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter
(d) Alan Rickman’s character, Severus Snape

4. What does David Holmes credit for helping him through difficult times?
(a) His positive attitude
(b) The support of his family
(c) His physical therapy sessions
(d) His close friendships, including his bond with Daniel Radcliffe

5. What does David Holmes emphasize as key factors in his recovery?
(a) His physical strength and determination
(b) The medical treatment he received
(c) His positive outlook and the support of his friends
(d) The financial support he received

6. Who describes David Holmes as an extraordinary person in the documentary?
(a) Emma Watson
(b) Daniel Radcliffe
(c) Rupert Grint
(d) Alan Rickman

7. What does David Holmes hope to do with his experience?
(a) Raise funds for medical treatment
(b) Pass on his skills and experience to younger generations through a stunt school
(c) Make a documentary about his life
(d) Write a book about his accident

8. What message does David Holmes want viewers to take from the documentary?
(a) To always be cautious and avoid risks
(b) To never take risks in life
(c) To let hardships define their character
(d) To choose to be a survivor in life

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Holmes broke his neck while rehearsing a stunt for the seventh Harry Potter film.
2. The documentary features interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, including Radcliffe, who describes him as an extraordinary person.
3. Holmes has used his experience to raise funds for personal expenses and hopes to ignore his skills and experience to younger generations through a stunt school.
4. Holmes’s negative outlook and the lack of support from his friends are highlighted as key factors in his recovery in the documentary.
5. Holmes blames his distant friendships, including his disconnect with Radcliffe, for worsening his difficult times.
6. A documentary called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Died” explores Holmes’s experiences and the insignificance of character and friendship in his life.
7. Holmes was the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, in the film series.
8. David Holmes, a stuntman, was paralyzed from the chest downwards after a life-changing accident.
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 specific incident led to David Holmes’s paralysis, and during the filming of which Harry Potter film did it occur?
2. How does David Holmes view the impact of his accident on his personal strength and identity?
3. Who is David Holmes’s famous friend mentioned in the article, and what role does this individual play in the documentary?
4. What is the title of the documentary about David Holmes, and what are its central themes?
5. What message does David Holmes hope to convey to viewers through his documentary?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What specific injury did David Holmes sustain while rehearsing a stunt for the seventh Harry Potter film?
David Holmes broke his neck during the rehearsal.

2. How has David Holmes’s attitude been described in relation to his life-changing accident?
David Holmes has maintained a positive attitude despite his devastating injury.

3. What is the title of the documentary about David Holmes, and what are its main themes?
The title of the documentary is “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” and its main themes are his experiences, the importance of character, friendship, and his positive outlook on life.

4. What aspect of Holmes’s life does he feel grateful for, despite his injury?
Holmes feels grateful for being able to retain his sense of self and for the support system he has.

5. Who are some of the people interviewed in the documentary, and how does Daniel Radcliffe describe Holmes?
Some of the people interviewed in the documentary include Holmes’s closest friends, including Daniel Radcliffe, who describes Holmes as fun, funny, smart, kind, and generous.

6. What purpose does Holmes hope to achieve through the funds he raises?
Holmes hopes to use the funds to support medical treatment and to pass on his skills and experience to younger generations through a stunt school.

7. What message does Holmes want to convey to viewers of the documentary?
Holmes wants viewers to take a hopeful message from the documentary, encouraging them to rise above challenges and choose to be a survivor rather than a victim.

8. Where will the documentary “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived” be available for viewing, and what cause is it aiming to support?
The documentary will be available on Sky Documentaries and aims to raise awareness and support for the NHS.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) stuntman
(2) worked
(3) broke
(4) rehearsing
(5) explores
(6) experiences
(7) stronger
(8) highlighted
(9) including
(10) hopes
(11) experience
(12) school
(13) viewers
(14) encourages
(15) deals
(16) hardships
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. accident
Answer: (d) An unexpected and unfortunate event or circumstance

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

3. documentary
Answer: (f) A film or television program that provides a factual record or report

4. recovery
Answer: (a) The process of returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength

5. support
Answer: (b) Assistance, encouragement, or comfort given to someone in need

6. experience
Answer: (g) Knowledge or skill gained from doing or living through something

7. survivor
Answer: (c) A person who continues to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship

8. awareness
Answer: (e) Knowledge or understanding of a particular situation or fact
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

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

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

3. Who did David Holmes work as a stunt double for?
Answer: (c) Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter

4. What does David Holmes credit for helping him through difficult times?
Answer: (d) His close friendships, including his bond with Daniel Radcliffe

5. What does David Holmes emphasize as key factors in his recovery?
Answer: (c) His positive outlook and the support of his friends

6. Who describes David Holmes as an extraordinary person in the documentary?
Answer: (b) Daniel Radcliffe

7. What does David Holmes hope to do with his experience?
Answer: (a) Raise funds for medical treatment

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

True or False Answers:

1. Holmes broke his neck while rehearsing a stunt for the seventh Harry Potter film. (Answer: True)
2. The documentary features interviews with Holmes’s closest friends, including Radcliffe, who describes him as an extraordinary person. (Answer: True)
3. Holmes has used his experience to raise funds for personal expenses and hopes to ignore his skills and experience to younger generations through a stunt school. (Answer: False)
4. Holmes’s negative outlook and the lack of support from his friends are highlighted as key factors in his recovery in the documentary. (Answer: False)
5. Holmes blames his distant friendships, including his disconnect with Radcliffe, for worsening his difficult times. (Answer: False)
6. A documentary called “David Holmes: The Boy Who Died” explores Holmes’s experiences and the insignificance of character and friendship in his life. (Answer: False)
7. Holmes was the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, in the film series. (Answer: True)
8. David Holmes, a stuntman, was paralyzed from the chest downwards after a life-changing accident. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧