Examples I'm going to go and get the shopping. Apples and oranges are my favourite fruits. I’ve been thinking and thinking but I can't decide. We went for a coffee and something to eat.
Alice finds herself at a trial. Did the Knave of Hearts steal the Queen's tarts? What does the Hatter know about it - and what's that funny feeling Alice is having?
Transcript
Narrator Hello. Alice is having lots adventures in Wonderland. Now, she's in a courtroom full of animals. Everybody is waiting for the trial to start. The Queen and King of Hearts have already arrived and they are sitting on their thrones.
Animals May I sit here? Please do. Who is on trial? What is the crime? Oh dear, I can't find my glasses. Where is the prisoner? Is it that girl? No, I don't think so…
Narrator The rest of the room was filled with birds and animals and the whole pack of playing-card people. Alice saw the White Rabbit. He was holding a trumpet in one hand and a large piece of paper in the other. The White Rabbit blew the trumpet.
White Rabbit Silence in court!
Narrator The trial started. The King was the judge and twelve animals were the jury. The King spoke first.
King Read the accusation!
White Rabbit The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, All on a summer day. The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts And took them quite away.
King Knave of Hearts, what do you say?
Knave of Hearts It wasn't me! I didn't do it!
King Silence! Call the first witness!
White Rabbit Bring in the first witness!
Narrator The first witness was the Hatter. He looked very nervous. He came into the court with a cup of tea in one shaking hand and a piece of bread and butter in the other.
King Give your evidence Hatter, and don't be nervous, or you'll lose your head!
Narrator The King's words made the Hatter even more frightened. He was so confused and that he took a large bite out of his teacup instead of his bread and butter.
Hatter I'm a poor man, your Majesty.
King You're a very poor speaker.
White Rabbit Poor Hatter. He didn't use to be mad, you know. He used to be quite normal.
Alice And I used to be taller…
Narrator Just then, Alice began to have a curious feeling.
Alice Ohh.. I'm growing again!
Narrator No-one noticed that Alice was getting taller. Everyone was watching the Hatter, who was too frightened to speak.
King You may go. Call the next witness!
Narrator The next witness was the cook.
King Cook, what are tarts made of?
Cook Pepper, mostly.
Narrator Everybody started sneezing. Nobody seemed to notice Alice growing taller and taller. By the time they stopped sneezing, the cook had disappeared.
King Never mind! Call the next witness!
Narrator Alice watched as the White Rabbit studied the piece of paper, looking for the name of the next witness. Imagine her surprise when he straightened up, took a deep breath and shouted the name of the next witness…
White Rabbit Alice!
Narrator Everybody in the courtroom turned to look at Alice. Alice felt herself grow a little taller, as she took a deep breath, and stepped forward. Next time, I'll tell you what happened when Alice gives her evidence and the White Rabbit reads a letter from the Knave of Hearts. Curiouser and curiouser… Goodbye.
Theme: The Curious Courtroom
📘 PART 1: Vocabulary in Context
Instructions: Choose the best answer based on how the word is used in the story.
What does "witness" most likely mean in this story?
a) Someone who watches television
b) Someone who saw something important and can tell about it
c) A person who writes stories
d) A person who cooks tarts
If someone “disappeared”, what happened?
a) They became invisible forever
b) They left the room or could not be seen anymore
c) They shouted very loudly
d) They turned into an animal
What is a “trial” in this story?
a) A cooking competition
b) A formal meeting to decide who gets the crown
c) A legal process to find out who did something wrong
d) A party in the Queen’s garden
The Hatter is described as “nervous”. What would someone nervous probably do?
a) Dance and sing confidently
b) Speak clearly and loudly
c) Shake, hesitate, or look afraid
d) Laugh and clap
🧩 PART 2: Grammar & Sentence Building
Instructions: Fill in the blanks or rewrite the sentence as directed.
Rewrite this sentence in the past continuous:
“The Hatter bites his teacup.”
→ _____________________________________________
Combine these two sentences using a relative clause:
“The White Rabbit blew the trumpet. He held a large piece of paper.”
→ _____________________________________________
Change this into reported speech:
Alice said, “I’m growing again!”
→ _____________________________________________
Use the correct comparative form:
The King was __________ (serious) than the Queen.
→ _____________________________________________
🗣️ PART 3: Speaking & Creative Thinking
Instructions: Choose one question from each pair and answer it in 3–5 sentences. Use examples from the story.
A.
☐ If you were the Hatter, how would you feel about being called as a witness in front of the Queen? Why?
☐ Imagine you were Alice and suddenly started growing in court. What would you do or say?
B.
☐ Do you think the Knave of Hearts stole the tarts? Why or why not? Give your theory.
☐ If you could ask the Cook one serious question about the missing tarts, what would it be and why?
C.
☐ What advice would you give Alice before she gives her evidence in court?
☐ If you had to defend the Knave of Hearts, what would you say to the King and Queen?
✅ Bonus Round: Wordplay Challenge
Make a short 4-line poem or rhyme like the accusation the White Rabbit read. It can be silly or serious, but it must tell part of a mystery.
Example:
The Queen of Spades lost all her hats,
They vanished in a blink.
Was it the cat, or was it the bats?
It’s harder than you think!