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The Imitation Game Movie Guide with Answer Key

Alan Turing's Enigma codebreaking and later persecution frame this guide to The Imitation Game (2014): a short biographical article, then 22 questions students answer in order while watching, plus a teacher key.
Grades
Grades 8–11, High School, Middle School
File type
Multiple File Types

Updated Oct 19, 2026

Subject
Social Studies, ELA, History, History: World
Topic
LBGTQ, Alan Turing
Resource types
Games, Activities

About this resource

What's inside this resource

The Imitation Game is a 2014 historical drama film directed by Morten Tyldum and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, and Matthew Goode. The film is based on the real-life story of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst who played a crucial role in cracking the German Enigma code during World War II. The movie is divided into three different time periods, each with its own narrative thread. The first follows Turing's early years as a socially awkward and highly intelligent young man who struggles to fit in with his peers. The second thread focuses on Turing's work during World War II, where he is recruited by the British government to help break the Nazi's secret Enigma code, which they used to encrypt all of their military communications.

Turing's team is made up of a diverse group of codebreakers, including Joan Clarke, a brilliant mathematician who becomes Turing's closest friend and confidante. Despite initial setbacks and bureaucratic interference, Turing and his team eventually succeed in cracking the Enigma code, providing the Allies with vital intelligence that helps them win the war. The third and final thread of the film takes place in 1952, several years after the war has ended, when Turing is arrested and charged with homosexuality, which was then a crime in Britain. Despite his contributions to the war effort, Turing is persecuted and forced to undergo chemical castration as punishment. The film ends tragically, with Turing ultimately taking his own life. Overall, The Imitation Game is a gripping and moving tribute to one of the 20th century's most brilliant minds, whose achievements were overshadowed by his persecution and tragic end.

This movie guide comes with a character reference guide, 22-questions, and a short introduction into the movie. This product also includes a completed teacher key. Ready to use!!

The topics for this movie include: World War II, Battle of Britain, The Engima

*** The movie also covers topics related to the LGBQT community.

Thumbnail clipart credit: By Prince Padania

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

  • Explain Alan Turing's role in breaking the German Enigma code
  • Recall key plot events of The Imitation Game in order

Teaching tips

  • The article and film address Turing's prosecution for homosexuality, chemical castration and suicide, so preview both against school guidelines before showing.

Skills covered

  • Informational reading — building background from the Turing article before viewing
  • Viewing comprehension — answering questions in film order

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