Learn English with Lionel Richie’s classic “Hello”! This post helps you master the Present Perfect Tense through an emotional fill-in-the-blanks quiz. You’ll practice romantic vocabulary like “longed” and “overflow”, plus heartfelt expressions such as “Is it me you’re looking for?” for real-life conversations.
After the quiz, dive into post-quiz activities: write your own love story using the song’s vocabulary, and discuss deep questions about missed connections. Finally, explore the song’s backstory and Lionel Richie’s legendary career. Let’s make English learning soulful and memorable!
Table of Contents
Quiz Overview
- Song Title: “Hello”
- Artist: Lionel Richie
- Skills: Vocabulary, Listening
- Grammar Focus: Present Perfect Tense (I’ve been, I’ve kissed)
- Quiz Type: Fill-in-the-blanks
- Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Goal: Recognize Present Perfect verbs and romantic expressions
ESL Quiz on “Hello” by Lionel Richie
Play the song below and take the Quiz. [Turn off the subtitles]
Fill in the blanks with the correct words as you listen to the song. Pause the song if you need.
Post-Quiz Activities on “Hello” by Lionel Richie
A. Extend the Story
Instructions:
The song ends with “I love you” – but what happens next? Write 7-10 sentences continuing the story using:
✔ 3 Present Perfect verbs (have/has + past participle)
✔ 5 song vocabulary words (long, care, overflow, etc.)
Teacher Tip: Play the song softly while students write their stories to inspire ideas!
Example Starter:
“After finally saying ‘hello,’ I’ve learned you love music too. We’ve talked for hours, and my heart overflows with happiness. But now I wonder – have you felt this way all along? I long to…”
B. Discussion Questions
1. Why does the singer imagine kissing someone “a thousand times”?
2. What does “my heart will overflow” really mean?
3. Is it brave or strange to say “I love you” to someone you barely know?
4. How would you respond if someone sang this song to you?
5. What’s the saddest line in the song? Why?
6. Does the music sound happy or sad? Explain.
7. Would this story work as a text message? Why/why not?
8. What advice would you give the singer?
9. How is “hello” different from a normal greeting here?
10. If you could ask Lionel Richie one question about this song, what would it be?
20 Key Vocabulary Words
1. Alone (adj.) – By yourself
“I drink coffee alone every morning.”
2. Mind (n.) – Your thoughts and feelings
“I can’t get that song out of my mind!”
3. Kissed (v.) – Touched with lips to show love
“She kissed her dog’s nose.”
4. Pass (v.) – Go by something
“We pass the bakery on our way to school.”
5. Looking for (phr.) – Searching
“Are you looking for your keys?”
6. Eyes (n.) – What you see with
“His eyes turn green in sunlight.”
7. Smile (n./v.) – Happy mouth expression
“Babies smile at funny faces.”
8. Wanted (v.) – Desired something
“I’ve always wanted a pet turtle.”
9. Long (v.) – Want very much
“I long for summer vacation.”
10. Sunlight (n.) – Light from the sun
“Sunlight makes the room glow.”
11. Care (v.) – Love/feel strongly
“I care about my friends.”
12. Overflow (v.) – Become too full
“My cup overflowed with hot chocolate.”
13. Wonder (v.) – Think/question
“I wonder if it’ll rain today.”
14. Lonely (adj.) – Sad from being alone
“The old cat looks lonely.”
15. Win (v.) – Get someone’s love
“How do you win a shy person’s heart?”
16. Clue (n.) – An idea about how
“I have no clue how to fix this!”
17. Start (v.) – Begin
“Let’s start the movie!”
18. Arms (n.) – Body parts that hug
“She held the baby in her arms.”
19. Tell (v.) – Say something
“Tell me about your day.”
20. Love (n./v.) – Deep affection
“Puppies love belly rubs.”
5 Common Expressions from “Hello”
1. “Is it me you’re looking for?”
- Meaning: Asking if someone wants/needs you romantically.
- Modern use: “Saw your text – is it me you’re looking for?” (flirty texting)
2. “All I’ve ever wanted”
- Meaning: The only thing you truly desire.
- Example: “This job is all I’ve ever wanted.”
3. “My heart will overflow”
- Meaning: Feeling so much emotion you can’t contain it.
- Example: “When she said ‘yes,’ my heart overflowed.”
4. “Haven’t got a clue”
- Meaning: Have no idea how to do something.
- Example: “I haven’t got a clue how to fix this phone!”
5. “Let me start by saying…”
- Meaning: A dramatic way to introduce important news.
- Example: “Let me start by saying… I quit my job today.”
Grammar Lessons from “Hello”
1. Present Perfect Tense (Life Experiences)
Structure:
👉 “I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times.”
👉 “I’ve been alone with you in my mind.”
What It Means:
- Shows actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
- Emphasizes experience over exact timing.
Real-Life Use:
- “I’ve visited Paris.” (Don’t say when)
- “She’s never eaten sushi.”
Song Twist:
Lionel uses it for imaginary experiences (“kissed in dreams”), blending reality and fantasy.
2. Contractions (Natural Speech)
Structure:
👉 “I’ve” (I have)
👉 “You’re” (You are)
Why It Matters:
- Makes speech fluid and emotional.
- Song Examples:
- “You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
- “I’ve just got to let you know.”
Practice Tip:
Rewrite formally: “You are all I have ever wanted.” (Notice how it loses emotion?)
3. Intensifiers for Drama
Structure:
👉 “A thousand times” (Not “many times”)
👉 “My heart will overflow* (Not “feel full”)
Why It Matters:
- Hyperbole (exaggeration) makes feelings stronger.
- Real-Life Examples:
- “I’ve told you a million times!”
- “I’m dying of embarrassment!”
4. Questions with “Wonder”
Structure:
👉 “I wonder where you are.”
👉 “I wonder what you do.”
Grammar Rule:
- Wonder + question word (where/what/how) = Polite curiosity.
- Song vs. Reality:
- Song: “I wonder if you love me.”
- Life: “I wonder if the bus is late.”
About the Song “Hello”
“Hello” is a love song full of longing. Lionel Richie sings to someone he admires from afar. The lyrics describe dreams of romance that haven’t happened yet. Many people relate to feeling too shy to express love.
Released in 1984, this ballad became instantly popular. Its slow piano melody matches the vulnerable lyrics perfectly. The repeated word “hello” represents taking that first scary step toward connection.
What makes this song special is its raw honesty. Richie doesn’t pretend to be confident. He admits “I haven’t got a clue” about love. This vulnerability is why listeners still connect with it decades later.
About Lionel Richie
Before his solo career, Richie was in the Commodores. This funk band had huge hits like “Brick House.” But his tender ballads like “Hello” showed a different side.
Richie has a unique ability to capture emotions simply. He writes lyrics that feel like conversations. His songs often explore love, regret and hope – universal human experiences.
Beyond singing, Richie co-wrote “We Are the World.” This charity single helped fight famine. His career proves music can both entertain and make the world better.
Conclusion
“Hello” teaches us that vulnerability is powerful. The song’s grammar and vocabulary help express delicate emotions. Learning English through such lyrics makes the language feel alive.
Try using phrases like “I wonder” or “I’ve dreamed” in your conversations. Notice how they soften requests and show curiosity. Music gives us these natural speech tools.
Keep exploring English through songs you love. Every lyric is a chance to learn how real people communicate feelings. Let “Hello” inspire your next conversation!
FAQs about ESL Quiz on “Hello”
1. Why use this song for English practice?
“Hello” has slow, clear lyrics perfect for listening exercises. The romantic vocabulary and repeated choruses make it ideal for beginners. Plus, students enjoy the dramatic emotion!
2. Isn’t the Present Perfect too hard for beginners?
The song uses simple forms like “I’ve been” and “I’ve kissed” – great first examples. Focus on recognizing these, not mastering all rules yet. You can also explain the difference between the present perfect and the past simple tenses.
3. How can I make the quiz easier?
Try:
- Giving the first letter of missing words (“I’ve b__n alone”)
- Reducing options to 2-3 choices per blank
- Playing the song at 0.75x speed
4. My students find “overflow” confusing. Help?
Use a visual: Pour water until it spills from a cup – that’s overflowing. Now relate it to big feelings (“My happiness overflowed when I saw my grade!”).
5. Are contractions like “I’ve” really important?
Yes! Natives use them constantly. This song shows how they make speech flow naturally (“You’re” vs. stilted “You are”).
6. How do I explain “long to see”?
Compare:
- “I want to see” = normal desire
- “I long to see” = deeper, emotional craving (like missing family)
7. Can I use this for online classes?
Absolutely! Share the lyric video screen. For the quiz, use:
- Google Forms for interactive blanks
- Padlet for story-sharing
- Breakout rooms for discussion questions
8. What if students ask about “fucking high”?
This song doesn’t include that phrase (unlike “You’re Beautiful”). If it comes up, clarify that some songs use informal language we modify for class.
9. How do I assess if students learned?
Have them:
- Write a text message using 3 song phrases
- Record themselves singing one verse (focus on pronunciation)
- Roleplay “confessing feelings” with the vocabulary
10. Where can I find more songs like this?
Try:
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (Elvis) – simple present tense
- “Just the Way You Are” (Bruno Mars) – descriptive adjectives
- “Yesterday” (The Beatles) – past tense practice
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