FIX YOU

Sung by Coldplay

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Pedagogic Ideas by Bibi Baxter 2006

www.musicalenglishlessons.org

THE CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE

Exercise 1: Jigsaw listening ( Please scroll to next box)
Exercise 2: Present Simple
Exercise 3: Comprehension (Matching exercise)

RELEVANT PAGES

Title: Fix You sung by Coldplay
Exercise: 1
Level: Elementary +
Activity: Jigsaw Listening
Practice: Contextual order

INSTRUCTIONS

Students enjoy the physical involvement of this exercise. Confident students should either work alone, or be teamed with weaker students.
Cut the photocopy into strips as indicated. Instruct students to scatter the pieces in front of them, so they can read them easily.
Play the song at an appropriate speed to suit students' ability.

TIP: To make the strips more user-friendly and to preserve them for future use, laminate the photocopied sheets before cutting. If making more than one set, use different coloured paper for each set.

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FIX YOU

Sung by Coldplay

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And I will try to fix you.

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And ignite your bones

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Could it be worse?

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High up above, or down below;

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If you never try you'll never know,

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What you are worth.

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Lights will guide you home

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Stuck in reverse.

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When the tears come streaming down your face,

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When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep,

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When you get what you want, but not what you need,

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When you lose something you can't replace,

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When you love someone, but it goes to waste,

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When you try your best, but you don't succeed,

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When you’re too in love to let it go,

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Pedagogic Ideas by Bibi Baxter 2006

www.musicalenglishlessons.org

Title: Fix You sung by Coldplay
Exercise: 2
Level: Elementary +
Activity: Gapped
Practice: Simple Present Tense (affirmative, negative, passive) + Simple Future

INSTRUCTIONS

This exercise can be used for presentation purposes, or as a test
Weak students should listen to the song at a suitable pace and complete the gaps.
Strong students should complete the gaps, then listen to the song to check their answers

THE MISSING VERBS

BE, COME, GET, GO, GUIDE, IGNITE, KNOW, LOSE, LOVE, NEED, SUCCEED, TRY

VERSE 1
When you ............... your best, but you ..............,
When you .............. what you want, but not what you ..............,
When you .............. so tired, but you can't sleep,
(You ..............) .............. in reverse.

VERSE 2
When the tears .............. streaming down your face,
When you .............. something you can't replace,
When you .............. someone, but it .............. to waste,
Could it be worse?

CHORUS
Lights .............. you home
And (.......).............. your bones
And I .............. to fix you.

VERSE 3
High up above, or down below;
When you’.............. too in love to let it go,
If you never .............. you'...... never ..............,
What you are worth

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Pedagogic Ideas by Bibi Baxter 2006

www.musicalenglishlessons.org

Title: Fix You sung by Coldplay
Exercise: 3
Level: Intermediate
Activity: Matching
Practice: Comprehension

INSTRUCTIONS:

Find phrases within the lyrics which carry similar meanings to the phrases shown below.

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Pedagogic Ideas by Bibi Baxter 2006

www.musicalenglishlessons.org

Phrases

Lyrics with similar meaning

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

When every effort is unsuccessful

When something’s irreplaceable

When you are crying

When you don’t really know what’s good for you

When you’re consumed with passion

When your love’s unrequited

When your nights are restless, despite your exhaustion

The Full Lyrics Answer Key

VERSE 1
When you try your best, but you don't succeed,
When you get what you want, but not what you need,
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep,
(You are) Stuck in reverse.

VERSE 2
When the tears come streaming down your face,
When you lose something you can't replace,
When you love someone, but it goes to waste,
Could it be worse?

CHORUS
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.

VERSE 3
High up above, or down below;
When you’re too in love to let it go,
If you never try you'll never know,
What you are worth.

Key to Comprehension Matching Exercise

Phrases

Lyrics with similar meaning

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

If you never try you'll never know,

When every effort is unsuccessful

When you try your best, but you don't succeed,

When something’s irreplaceable

When you lose something you can't replace,

When you are crying

When the tears come streaming down your face,

When you don’t really know what’s good for you

When you get what you want, but not what you need,

When you’re consumed with passion

When you’re too in love to let it go,

When your love’s unrequited

When you love someone, but it goes to waste,

When your nights are restless, despite your exhaustion

When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep,