The Lorax –
Film Study
On the following pages are a range of worksheets designed to lead students
through a film study of The Lorax as an English text.
Each worksheet could be completed as a standalone activity, or they could
be completed together as a whole film study. The film study is designed to be
completed after students watch the film, with some re-watching of significant
scenes throughout.
Typically, I use this worksheet with students in mixed ability high school classesit actually suits my Year 11 English Studies students perfectly!
Issues in The Lorax
The Lorax covers a range of real world issues. Research the
following issues, and record an explanation of what each is.
Then provide an example of it from the film.
Issue
Consumerism
Deforestation
Pollution
Air quality
Habitat
destruction
Litter/Landfill
Explanation
Example from The
Lorax
Characters
For each of the following characters, write 2-3 sentences
describing them. Then write 1-2 sentences on what motivates
them.
Character
Ted
The Once-ler
The Lorax
Audrey
O'Hare
The Once-ler’s
Family
Description: What are
they like?
Motivations
Characters
The protagonist of a film is the main character. Usually they
work to solve the challenges within a film.
1. Who do you think is the main protagonist in The Lorax? Give
reasons.
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2. The antagonist in a film is the character who opposes the
protagonist. They are the villain.
Who do you think is the main antagonist of The Lorax? Give
reasons.
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Setting
Watch the opening scene with the Thneedville Song (0.00 – 3.23 minutes).
1. Describe the city of Thneedville in three sentences.
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2. Describe the people who live in Thneedville in three
sentences.
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3. How have the people of Thneedville contributed to the
problems of the city?
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The Advertisements
Watch the two advertisements shown in The Lorax – the O’Hare Air commercial
(9.11 – 10.40 minutes) and the Thneed infomercial (39.0 - 39.44 minutes).
1. What do these 'advertisements' remind you of in real life?
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2. How do advertisements like these persuade people to
buy?
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3. In 2-3 sentences, describe how advertisements like these
contribute to the issues you write about in when we
considered the issues in The Lorax.
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How bad can I Be?
Watch the scene where the Once-ler’s family arrives (45.08 - 48.30 minutes).
1. When the Once-ler's family arrives, what is the initial
impression of them given?
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2. Why does the Lorax use the analogy of a tree leaning?
What does this mean?
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Watch the ‘How bad can I be?’ song (50.24 – 53.32 minutes).
3. How is The Once-ler conflicted before the 'Bad' song?
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4. How does he justify his bad choices during the song?
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5. How are camera shots and angles used to make the
Once-ler seem more villainous?
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6. What is the symbolism of how the Once-ler’s clothes
change?
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7. What technique is used in 'Shake that bottom line'? How
does it work?
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8. What description is given of other 'enablers' in the song?
(Think about the media, lawyers, etc.)
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9. What is the purpose of the nonsense language in the
song?
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10. Write 3-4 sentences describing how the environment
changes throughout this song and what techniques are
used to show this.
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Themes
In the table below are some of the themes shown
throughout The Lorax. For each of the following themes write
a short explanation of what it means and one example of
where we see this in the film.
Theme
The destruction
of nature
The protection
of the
environment
Greed
Forgiveness
What it means
Example from the
film
Unless
Watch the scene where the animals leave (56.25 - 58.57 minutes).
1. The Once-ler trying to give Pipsqueek one more
marshmallow could be a metaphor for what?
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2. What is the significance of the word 'Unless'?
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3. How did the Once-ler's actions lead to Ted's current
situation and lifestyle?
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4. How did O'Hare capitalise on the Once-ler's errors to make
matters even worse?
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5. Overall, does the Once’ler redeem himself? At the end, is
he really that bad?
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6. Do the townspeople of Thneedville redeem themselves
also? How do you know?
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The Target Audience
1. Who is the target audience for the film?
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2. What is the purpose of the film? What lessons can it teach?
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3. Overall, does the film achieve it purpose? Write 2-3
sentences justifying your thoughts.
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Extended Response
Over the next two pages, write an extended response in answer to this
question:
How effective is the The Lorax as a film? Refer to the themes,
characters and techniques used.
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The Lorax Word Search
Use the clues below to find the words in the word search.
W X D E F O R E S T A T
Z
I O N N P C
I W N P N L N E W W P E S G V Q O
Q P W V S E
C O U
I
H E M O D B D N B O U N
E T W D A D
N L N R E
I
F
K A W E
Y A N Y
T H
I
L O D G R O W B C G V A
J
L
S S
N G T U
Y
L
Y
U E N T R U F
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T S M P A U D R E
Y
U
I
X O Z
E W Q X
D V
L
F U
S E G Q F A T Z
W O D N V T H N E E
H N A T
T
I
L A B A J
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Y M
E C E
Z N Q C W F
I
L
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I
D S
I Q B Z D L O R A X M R
I
M
H N E E D S G N V Q U N E Q V T M
1. Who speaks for the trees?
2. What does O’Hare sell?
3. When harmful materials are
introduced to the environment.
4. What type of tree does Ted plant?
5. When all the trees and forests are
cleared from the land.
6. Who does Ted have a crush on?
7. “…… someone like you cares a
whole awful lot”
8. When people are encouraged to
buy more and more.
9. The town where Ted lives.
10. The Lorax teaches people to
protect the ……?
11. “Be careful which way you ……”
12. “Let it ……”
13. What does the Once-ler sell?
14. “That’s not just a …… any more
than you’re not just a boy”
15. “Our research shows that people
will buy …… if you put it in a plastic
bottle”
Answers for Word Search
W
X
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P A
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F
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G Q
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A
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Words in the word search:
Lorax, air, truffula, Audrey, anything, lean, grow, thneeds, seed, environment,
pollution, Thneedville, deforestation, consumerism, unless
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