The Thinking in English Conversation Club takes place every TUESDAY and THURSDAY at 12pm, 6pm, and 9pm UK time! You can find more details on how to participate on Patreon and Discord!
This week the ‘Thinking in English’ Community is discussing games!
Board games, card games, party games, parlour games are all common activities among families and friends. Everyone has played some kind of game. Games can bring people together, but sometimes they can cause arguments too.
Playing games is as old as humans are, but modern technology has changed the way that we play. Video games are now an extremely popular way to relax, have fun with friends, and be competitive!
Here are 10 conversation questions to get you talking about games!
Conversation Questions: Fun and Games
1. What kind of games do you enjoy playing? Why?
2. Are games better when they are based on skill or on luck?
3. What are some popular board games or card games in your country, and how do you play them?
4. What are some popular video games, and what do people like about them?
5. Do you think we can learn useful information or skills from playing games?
6. How can playing games help us better understand other cultures?
7. What are some common party games that you have played with friends and family? What makes them fun?
8. Have you ever played a game that became too competitive? What happened?
9. How has technology changed the way we play games, and what do you think the future of gaming might look like?
10. “You don’t stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw.
How much do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Vocabulary List:
- Skill
- an ability to do an activity or job well, especially because you have practised it.
- Luck
- Success that happens to you by chance and not as a result of your own efforts or abilities.
- Board game
- any of many games, for example chess, in which small pieces are moved around on a board with a pattern on it.
- Card game
- any of a range of games played with cards, such as poker, whist, and bridge.
- Video game
- a game in which the player controls moving pictures on a screen by pressing buttons.
- Party game
- a game played inside a house, usually involving words or acting.
- Competitive
- wanting very much to win or be more successful than other people.
Model Answers:
B1 (Intermediate) Model Answers
Vocabulary:
- Puzzle
- a game or toy in which you have to fit separate pieces together.
- Satisfying
- making you feel pleased by providing what you need or want.
- Virtual
- created by computer technology and appearing to exist but not existing in the physical world.
- Multiplayer
- A game in which several players can play together or compete against each other.
- Silly
- not important, serious, or practical.
Q1. “Well, I really enjoy playing puzzle games. They make me think and solve problems, which I find really satisfying. It’s like exercising my brain! I also like playing racing games on my computer because they’re fast and exciting. It feels like I’m driving a real car!”
Q4.Oh, there are so many popular video games! One of them is “Minecraft.” People love it because they can build and create their own world. It’s like a virtual playground! Another popular game is “Fortnite.” It’s a multiplayer game where you can play with friends and have fun together. People like it because it’s competitive and you can show off your skills.”
Q7. “When I have a party with my friends and family, we often play games like “Charades” and “Pictionary.” In “Charades,” one person acts out a word or phrase without speaking, and others have to guess what it is. It’s so funny to see everyone trying to guess and act silly! In “Pictionary,” you have to draw something and others have to guess what it is. These games bring everyone together and create lots of laughter and fun moments.”
B2 (Upper Intermediate) Model Answers
Vocabulary:
- Strategy
- a long-range plan for achieving something or reaching a goal, or the skill of making such plans.
- Unpredictable
- likely to change suddenly and without reason and therefore not able to be predicted (= expected before it happens) or depended on.
- Charm
- a quality that makes you like or feel attracted to someone or something.
- Critical thinking
- the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you.
- Consequence
- a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient.
- Communication
- the process of sharing information, especially when this increases understanding between people or groups.
- Determined
- wanting to do something very much and not allowing anyone or any difficulties to stop you.
- Intense
- extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong.
- Tension
- a feeling of fear or anger between two groups of people who do not trust each other.
- Trade
- to buy and sell goods or services.
Q2. “I think games can be enjoyable whether they are based on skill or luck. It depends on the type of game and what you’re in the mood for. Skill-based games require practice and strategy, which can be very satisfying when you improve and win. On the other hand, luck-based games can be more unpredictable and exciting, as you never know what’s going to happen next. So, I think both types of games have their own charm and can be fun in different ways.”
Q5. “I believe that playing games can teach us many useful things. For example, strategy games can improve our critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They require us to make decisions and consider the consequences. Some educational games can also help us learn new concepts or develop specific skills, like maths or language skills. Multiplayer games can improve our teamwork and communication abilities. So, yes, games can be both entertaining and educational!”
Q8.“I remember playing a game called “Monopoly” with my friends once, and it became extremely competitive. Everyone was so determined to win and make the best deals that it got quite intense. We were all trying to outsmart each other and buy all the properties. As the game went on, tensions rose, and there were some friendly arguments over trades and strategic moves. In the end, it was all in good fun, but it taught us the importance of staying calm and enjoying the game without taking it too seriously. It was definitely an unforgettable experience!”
C1 (Advanced Level) Model Answers
Vocabulary:
- Chequered
- having a pattern of squares in two or more colours.
- Generation
- all the people of about the same age within a society or within a particular family.
- Custom
- a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time.
- Insight
- a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation.
- Diverse
- including many different types of people or things.
- Perspective
- a particular way of considering or looking at something.
- Foster
- to encourage the development or growth of ideas or feelings.
- Revolutionise
- to completely change something so that it is much better.
- Console
- a piece of electronic equipment for playing computer games.
- Immersive
- seeming to surround the audience, player, etc. so that they feel completely involved in something.
- Graphics
- pictures shown on a computer screen.
- Captivating
- holding your attention by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive.
- Prominence
- the state of being easily seen or well known.
Q3. “In my country, some popular board games are Monopoly, Scrabble, and Chess. Monopoly is a classic game where players buy and trade properties to become the richest player. Scrabble is a word game where players create words using letter tiles on a board. Chess is a strategic game played on a chequered board where players aim to capture their opponent’s king. These games have been enjoyed by many generations and are great for gatherings and family time.”
Q6. “Playing games can be a fantastic way to learn about other cultures. For instance, traditional board games from different countries often reflect the values, history, and customs of that culture. By playing these games, we can gain insights into their traditions and ways of thinking. Moreover, multiplayer online games provide opportunities to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to learn about their language, customs, and perspectives. Through gaming, we can foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.”
Q9. “Technology has revolutionised the way we play games. With smartphones, consoles, and the internet, gaming has become more accessible and immersive. Now, we can play games anytime, anywhere, and even connect with players from around the world. In the future, we might see advancements in graphics, artificial intelligence, and virtual worlds, making gaming even more realistic and captivating. Additionally, the rise of esports suggests that competitive gaming will continue to grow, with professional gamers and organised tournaments gaining more prominence. It’s an exciting time for gamers, and the future of gaming holds endless possibilities.”
See you all at this week’s conversation club!
