The Reflection Game is a short, eerie story (350 words) perfect for upper-intermediate students.
This short-form lesson plan includes all the usual exercises—comprehension questions, vocabulary practice, discussion prompts, and more—to develop reading, speaking, and critical thinking skills.
The Reflection Game
When I was a kid, my older cousin told me about “The Reflection Game.” You’re supposed to play it at exactly 3:33 AM. Turn off all the lights, stand in front of a mirror, and say your own name three times. Then you ask: “What don’t I see?” Supposedly, if you do it right, your reflection will smile.
Not you. Just your reflection.
I didn’t believe it, of course. But last week, I was drunk, bored, and feeling stupid enough to try. I stood in the bathroom, lit only by the streetlight outside. I looked at myself—hair a mess, eyes red—and said my name three times. Then I asked the question.
Nothing happened.
I laughed, turned to leave—
—and caught movement in the mirror.
My reflection hadn’t turned. It was still staring, eyes locked on me. And it was smiling.
I froze. It tilted its head, same as me, but not when I moved—after. Like it was mocking me. I waved. It waved back… a few seconds later. Its grin got wider. I backed away.
That’s when the bathroom light flicked on. I never touched the switch.
When I looked again, my reflection was normal. Mimicking me in real time. I chalked it up to the alcohol, swore off TikTok horror trends, and went to bed.
But ever since, things are… off.
Sometimes, I catch my reflection blinking before I do.
Sometimes, it mouths words I’m not saying.
And yesterday, I looked into the mirror and noticed a photo on the wall behind me. Only, that photo doesn’t exist in real life. I turned around—nothing. Looked back—the photo was there. A family portrait.
Not my family.
Last night, I covered all the mirrors in the apartment.
This morning, one was uncovered. I swear I didn’t touch it.
And the reflection? It’s not me anymore.
It looks like me. But older. Thinner. Eyes sunken, mouth twitching. Like it’s been waiting.
I don’t know what it wants. But I know it’s not trapped in the glass anymore.
I heard breathing behind me just now.
I live alone.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Look at all the questions below.
Try to answer all of them in connection with the story.
You can find all the answers at the end of the lesson plan.
What is “The Reflection Game”?
At what time are you supposed to play the game?
What must you say and ask while playing the game?
Why does the narrator decide to try playing the game?
What happens immediately after the narrator finishes the ritual?
What strange things does the narrator notice about the reflection afterwards?
What is unusual about how the reflection moves?
What mysterious object does the narrator see in the mirror that doesn’t exist in real life?
How does the narrator try to protect themselves after things start to feel wrong?
What disturbing changes happen to the reflection over time?
What final event suggests the reflection is no longer trapped in the mirror?
How does the story create a feeling of fear at the end?
Essential Vocabulary
reflection
chalk something up to
exist
drunk
trend
cover
bored
off
twitch
mirror
blink
trapped
mock
mouth (words)
breathe
grin
portrait
live alone
flick
Exercise
Write down all the words and phrases in your vocabulary notebook. Look in your dictionary and find the meaning of each word. Write the definition next to each word.
Then make up your own sentences using each word or phrase.
For example:
Reflection — The image of something in a mirror, water, or other shiny surface.
Exist — To be real or to be present in a place or situation.
Then write a sentence of your own that uses the new word or phrase correctly.
She saw her reflection in the shop window and adjusted her hat.
Dinosaurs no longer exist, but their fossils remain.
Do this with all the vocabulary and, over time, this will help improve all your English skills — reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Discussion Questions
What is “The Reflection Game”?
Why does the narrator try it?
What strange things start to happen?
What’s unusual about the reflection?
What does the narrator see in the mirror that isn’t real?
How does the story end?
Do you think the narrator really saw strange things, or was it all in their imagination? Why?
Would you ever try a game like this? Why or why not?
Why do you think mirrors are often used in horror stories?
How does the writer create a feeling of fear in this story?
What would you do if you saw something strange in your own reflection?
Do you believe in supernatural things like ghosts or haunted mirrors? Why or why not?
If you could change the ending of the story, how would you change it?
What advice would you give to the narrator after everything that happened?
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