The Tunnel – English Lesson Plan
Overview:
This lesson plan is based on the short suspense story The Tunnel, a mysterious tale about a man named Jacob who enters a mountain tunnel—but the further he drives, the stranger things become.
The light at the end of the tunnel never seems to get closer, and Jacob soon realizes he may be stuck in a place that defies reality.
With rich atmosphere and subtle tension, this story is perfect for developing English language skills while exploring creative storytelling.
Level:
Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate (B1–C1)
Skills Focus:
Reading comprehension
Vocabulary building (synonyms, antonyms, definitions)
Speaking and discussion
Role play and improvisation
Creative and descriptive writing
What’s Included in the Lesson Plan:
A short story broken into sections with comprehension questions
Vocabulary tables and matching exercises
Synonym and antonym activities
Gap-fill sentences using story vocabulary
A role play scenario based on the story
20 discussion questions for class speaking practice
Creative writing prompts for imaginative extension
Lesson Objectives:
Students will:
Read and understand a suspenseful short story in English
Use context to explore and remember new vocabulary
Practice speaking fluently and responding to speculative questions
Write creatively using prompts and inspiration from the story
This lesson can be used in one long session or spread over two classes.
It’s ideal for group work, pair activities, and mixed-skill classrooms where students can support each other and contribute creatively.
Have you ever driven or walked through a very long tunnel? What did it feel like?
How do you usually feel when you’re alone in a quiet or dark place? Why?
Do you believe that places (like tunnels, forests, or old buildings) can feel mysterious or strange? Why or why not?
What would you do if your phone stopped working and there was no one around to help you?
The Tunnel
Jacob had never driven through this tunnel before.
The road sign said Mountain Tunnel – 3 km, and the map showed a straight path through the hill.
Easy. Dead easy.
So he drove in.
At first, it was just like any other tunnel.
Yellow lights buzzed overhead. The air was cool. His headlights lit up the smooth concrete walls.
There wasn’t a single car in sight.
Strange, he thought. He hadn’t passed anyone in a while.
But still, up ahead, he could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It looked far, but not too far.
He turned on the radio, hoping he could pick up a local station, but it only gave out static. He tried changing the station. More static.
He glanced at the time on the dashboard. Five minutes. Then ten.
What was going on in this tunnel?
Why was the light still so far away?
Jacob took a deep breath. Exhaled.
He pressed down on the gas, thinking he must be imagining things.
But after another few minutes, the light didn’t seem any closer. In fact, it looked smaller. Fainter.
Like it was pulling away from him.
He slowed down and pulled over to the side. He stepped out of the car and looked around.
Silence. Thick silence.
Even his footsteps sounded like they were swallowed by the tunnel.
He looked behind him. Darkness.
He looked ahead. That same little dot of light, barely glowing now.
Jacob took out his phone.
No service.
He held it up. Turned in a circle. Nothing.
He shouted out. Hello?
His voice echoed along the tunnel walls. Then nothing.
He got back in his car, heart thudding. He took a deep breath and started driving again—faster this time.
Faster.
Faster.
60… 70… 90 km/h.
Still, the light moved away.
He gripped the wheel. Come on, he muttered through clenched teeth.
A feeling of unease spread through his body.
His hands were shaking now. His chest hurt from holding his breath. He tried turning on the car’s GPS.
Searching for a signal…
Nothing.
He slammed his fist on the steering wheel. The tunnel was silent again.
Cold. Endless.
He couldn’t go back.
He couldn’t go forward.
He was stuck.
The light was still there—but it wasn’t leading him out. It was leading him nowhere.
And Jacob was all alone.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Look at all the reading comprehension questions below.
Try to answer them according to the story.
You should use a full sentence every time!
What is the name of the tunnel Jacob enters?
What does the map show about the tunnel’s direction?
How does Jacob feel about driving through the tunnel at first?
What are some features of the tunnel that Jacob notices?
What does Jacob find strange early on in the tunnel?
What does Jacob try to do with the radio?
How much time passes while he’s in the tunnel?
How does Jacob react to the light staying far away?
What does he think might be happening?
What changes does Jacob notice about the light?
What does Jacob do after slowing down the car?
How is the silence described?
What does Jacob see when he looks behind him?
What is the condition of the light ahead?
What happens when Jacob checks his phone?
What is the result of Jacob shouting in the tunnel?
How does Jacob feel when he gets back into the car?
What speed does Jacob reach as he drives?
Does the light get closer as he speeds up?
What physical symptoms show Jacob’s stress?
What does Jacob try to do with the GPS?
What is the result of using the GPS?
What words are used to describe the tunnel now?
What does Jacob realise about his situation?
What is the significance of the light at the end of the tunnel?
How does the final sentence emphasise Jacob’s experience?
Essential Vocabulary
tunnel | concrete walls | headlights |
road sign | static | dashboard |
local station | exhaled | pressed down |
glanced | imagined | smaller |
fainter | pulled over | stepped out |
silence | swallowed | glowing |
no service | echoed | muttered |
clenched teeth | unease | shaking |
chest hurt | holding his breath | GPS |
signal | slammed | steering wheel |
endless | stuck | thudding |
looked behind | barely | buzzing lights |
cool air | not a single car | turned in a circle |
cold | alone | searching |
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:
Tunnel – A long, hollow passage that is dug through a hill, mountain, or under the ground, usually for cars, trains, or pedestrians to pass through.
Static – Noise or interference heard on a radio, TV, or phone signal, often caused by electricity or poor connection.
Then write a sentence of your own that uses the new word or phrase correctly.
They built a tunnel beneath the river to connect the two cities.
I couldn’t hear the caller clearly because of the static on the line.
Do this with all the vocabulary and, over time, this will help improve all your English skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Story
Who is Jacob, and what do we know about him from the story?
Why do you think Jacob went into the tunnel?
How does Jacob feel as the story continues? What changes?
What do you think the light at the end of the tunnel represents?
Why does Jacob stop the car and get out?
What is strange about the tunnel?
How does the writer build a sense of fear or tension?
Do you think this story is realistic or symbolic? Why?
What does Jacob try to do to escape the situation?
What is the final message or feeling the story gives you?
Imaginative & Reflective Questions
What would you do if you were alone in a tunnel and your phone had no signal?
Have you ever been lost or stuck somewhere? What happened?
Do you think the tunnel is a metaphor? If so, what could it mean?
What do you think happens next to Jacob?
If you could speak to Jacob, what advice would you give him?
If this story were a movie, how would you film the scene in the tunnel?
Personal Experience & Opinion
Have you ever driven through a long tunnel? How did it feel?
Do you like being in silent or dark places? Why or why not?
What makes a place feel scary, even when it’s empty?
Do you think technology (phones, GPS, etc.) makes us feel safer today? Why?
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