The situation

Your ship sinks in a big storm. You swim to a small island. There are no people, no shops and no houses. There are trees, a beach and the sea.

You can only take three things with you. Which three things do you choose?

Talk with your partner. You must agree on the same three things.

20 things you can choose

1. A knife
2. A big bottle of water
3. A box of matches
4. A fishing rod
5. A tent
6. A blanket
7. A torch (flashlight)
8. A first aid kit
9. A mobile phone (no signal)
10. A rope
11. A cooking pot
12. A bag of rice
13. Sunscreen
14. A map
15. A football
16. A book
17. A guitar
18. A mirror
19. A small boat with no engine
20. Your dog

Step by step

1. Read the list alone. Pick your own top 5. (3 minutes)
2. Talk with your partner. Tell your partner your top 5 and why.
3. Agree on three things together. Write them down.
4. Get ready to explain. Find one good reason for each thing.
5. Tell the class your three things and why you chose them. Each person says at least one reason.

Extra challenge: Tell the class one thing you did not choose – and why not.

Useful phrases

When you choose:

• I want to take … because …
• I think we need … because …
• … is important because …

When you talk with your partner:

• What do you think?
• I agree. / I don't agree.
• That's a good idea!
• Maybe we can take … instead.

When you tell the class:

• We chose …, … and …
• We took … because we can use it to …
• We didn't take … because …