Spider Man

Movie English Lesson

Civil War

Learn English through movie scenes.

Captain America: Civil War - Airport Argument Scene

The Avengers have split into two opposing factions due to a disagreement over political oversight agreements called the Sokovia Accords. Iron Man (Tony Stark) is under orders from the government to capture a rogue Captain America (Steve Rogers). They corner each other at a German airport, where Steve tries to warn Tony about a greater danger, while Tony loses his patience and calls in a secret weapon: a young Spider-Man.

Tony Stark (Iron Man): A high-tech billionaire hero attempting to legally bring his friends in before special military units intervene aggressively.

Steve Rogers (Captain America): A legendary soldier who believes the law is blinding Tony to an imminent threat involving more super soldiers.

Peter Parker (Spider-Man): A starstruck teenager wearing a brand new high-tech suit who struggles to stay professional during his first mission.

• Tony: Wow, it's so weird how you run into people at the airport. Don't you think it's weird?
  
  Rhodes: Definitely weird.
  
  Steve: Hear me out, Tony. That doctor, the psychiatrist, he's behind all of this.
  
  T'Challa: Captain.
  
  Tony: Anyway... Ross gave me 36 hours to bring you in. That was 24 hours ago. Can you help a brother out?
  
  Steve: You're after the wrong guy.
  
  Tony: Your judgment is askew. Your old war buddy killed innocent people yesterday, and there are five more super soldiers just like him. I can't let the doctor find them first, Tony. I can't.
  
  Rhodes: Steve, you know what's about to happen. Do you really want to punch your way out of this one?
  
  Tony: All right, I've run out of patience. Underoos!
  
  Tony: Nice job, kid.
  
  Peter: Thanks. Well, I could have stuck the landing a little better. It's just... the new suit. It's nothing, Mr. Stark, it's perfect! Thank you.
  
  Tony: Yeah, we don't really need to start a conversation.
  
  Peter: Okay. Cap... Captain? Big fan. Spider-Man.
  
  Tony: Yeah, we'll talk about it later.
  
  Steve: Hey, everyone.
  
  Tony: You've been busy.
  
  Steve: And you've been a complete idiot. Dragging in Clint, rescuing Wanda from a place she doesn't even want to leave, a safe place... I'm trying to keep... I'm trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart.
  
  Tony: You did that when you signed.
  
  Steve: All right, we're done. You're gonna turn Barnes over and you're gonna come with us now, because it's us or a squad of JSOC guys with no compunction about being impolite.

Listen to the scene and fill in the missing words correctly.

Leonard: We’re watching football. There’s no flu, you know. What is this “sack” statistic they put up there? All I know about Saks is my mother there.

Sheldon: “Sacks.” It’s football for when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Leonard: Huh.

Sheldon: The line of scrimmage is the imaginary line separating the offense from the defense.

Penny: Oh, Sheldon knows football apparently. I mean, Quidditch sure, but football? Sheldon, how do you this stuff?

Sheldon: I grew up in Texas. Football is in Texas. Pro football, college football, high school football, Pee-Wee football.

• Askew : Not in a straight or level position, or out of line; wrong, awry, or distorted.


• Faction : A small organized dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics or leadership.


• Compunction : A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.


• Impolite : Not having or showing good manners; rude or aggressive.

Useful Phrases

Help a brother out : A casual, friendly slang phrase used to ask someone for a favor, assistance, or a break during a difficult situation.
Example : Man, I'm just a few dollars short of buying this lunch. Can you help a brother out?

Stick the landing : Originally from gymnastics, meaning to land perfectly; used metaphorically to mean completing a difficult task or entry flawlessly.
Example : The presentation was complex, but she managed to stick the landing during the final summary.

Tearing [something] apart : To divide a group, organization, or relationship into conflicting factions due to deep disagreements.
Example : Arguments over inheritance money ended up tearing the family apart.

How much time did Ross originally give Tony Stark to bring Captain America in?

What nickname does Tony Stark shout to summon Spider-Man into the fight?

• Tony believes signing the Accords was necessary to save the team, while Steve thinks it tore them apart. Who do you think is right?
• Spider-Man is incredibly excited despite the high stakes. How does his attitude affect the tone of a tense scene?
• What does it mean to have "no compunction about being impolite" when dealing with a high-pressure deadline?