Australia Movie Guide Questions & Worksheet (2008)

This Australia Movie Guide Questions & Worksheet helps Grades 6 to 12 students think about belonging, courage, racism, family, and the responsibility people have to protect one another. As Sarah Ashley’s journey at Faraway Downs unfolds during a time of corruption and war, students reflect on loyalty, injustice, resilience, and the ways care and courage can create a sense of home.

This packet gives you flexible ways to teach a full-length film without losing instructional time: use the pre- and post-movie discussion prompts to build purpose before viewing, pause at key time stamps for guided writing and conversation, or assign the written guide after the film for review and deeper analysis.

Engaging questions include scene-based, time-stamped prompts, reflection questions, and a multiple-choice quiz for easy differentiation. It works well for whole-class viewing, homework, sub plans, independent practice, or guided small-group support.

Check the thumbnail images for sample questions to see if this movie guide is suitable for your students.

Film Summary:

Australia follows Sarah Ashley as she travels from England to Faraway Downs, faces corruption and wartime danger, and gradually becomes part of a family built with Drover and Nullah. The film keeps returning to land, story, racism, and protection, showing how belonging can be claimed through care and courage instead of bloodline or social rank.

Parental Guidance:

Rated PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language. See details on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455824/parentalguide/

Perfect For:

• Grades 6-12 historical adventure units
• Belonging and chosen-family discussions
• Colonial racism and injustice themes
• Courage and moral responsibility lessons
• Whole-film analysis with rich discussion opportunities

Skills Addressed:

• Reading for evidence
• Cause and effect
• Character motivation
• Compare and contrast
• Theme
• Vocabulary in context
• Evidence-based judgment

What's Included: (a zip file with)

Student Worksheet

• Google Slides/PPTX Print Version (Toner Tip! Print 2 Slides/Page)
• Google Slides/PPTX Digital Version
• Self-Graded Multiple Choice Quiz (30 Questions | Easy Language)
  • Digital Version (Google Forms)
  • Print Version (can be derived from the Answer Key not Self-Graded)

Teacher's Guide & Lesson Plan

• Pre & Post Movie Discussion Questions (themes, schema-building)
• Lesson Plan Options A, B, and C (3-day, 4-day, and 5-day pacing)
• Worksheet Answer Key + CCSS Alignment
• Multiple Choice Quiz Answer Key
• CCSS Alignment + Admin Movie Request + Parent/Guardian Permission Slip (2 Pages)
  

(Note: All files formatted for seamless upload to your Google Drive if desired.)

Time & Tech:

Runtime: 165 minutes. Use this resource before, during, or after viewing. Print the worksheet or assign the Google Slides/PPTX digital version, and use the Google Forms multiple-choice quiz when you want a self-grading differentiation option.

DISCLAIMER: This product is an independently created worksheet and question set for classroom commentary and instruction. It is not affiliated with the film's creators or distributors, and it does not include the movie itself. Teachers should preview films for local policy fit.