A man named Sir Demis Hassabis thinks playing video games is good for kids. He says it helps them think of new ideas and be creative. When he was young, he liked to play games and chess, and he made his own game. He believes kids should learn to change and try new things because the world is always changing. Sir Demis made a big company that Google bought, and he got a special award for his work.

Sir Demis also talks about AI, which is when computers can think like humans. He says AI can do a lot of good things, but some people worry it could cause problems. He went to a big meeting where he and others said we need to be careful with AI. Sir Demis wants to make sure we use AI in a good way. He learned a lot from the past and wants to make sure we don’t make big mistakes with new technology.

Original news source: AI millionaire: ‘Video games can boost creativity’ (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words related to the article (e.g. video games, creativity, AI, technology). One student from each group will act out a word or phrase without speaking, while the other group members guess what it is. The group that guesses correctly earns a point. Repeat with different students acting out the words/phrases.

– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article individually or in pairs. After they have finished reading, ask them to write a brief summary of the article in their own words. Then, have the students share their summaries with a partner. Encourage them to discuss any differences or similarities in their summaries.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g. “Playing video games is beneficial for children”, “AI will have a positive impact on society”). Have the students walk around the room and ask their classmates for their opinions on each statement. They should record the responses using a simple survey format (e.g. Yes/No/I’m not sure). After collecting data from their classmates, have the students share their findings with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into pairs. One student from each pair will choose a word and draw a picture representing that word, while their partner tries to guess what it is. Encourage the students to use gestures and facial expressions to communicate the meaning of the word. After a certain amount of time, switch roles.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a question related to the article to the class (e.g. “What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of AI?”). Give the students a few minutes to think about their answer individually. Then, have them pair up with a partner and discuss their thoughts. Finally, bring the class back together and ask a few pairs to share their ideas with the whole group.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who thinks playing video games is good for kids?
2. What did Sir Demis like to play when he was young?
3. What did Sir Demis make when he was young?
4. Why does Sir Demis think kids should learn to change and try new things?
5. What did Google do with Sir Demis’ company?
6. What is AI?
7. Why does Sir Demis want to be careful with AI?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A man (1)______ Sir Demis (2)______ thinks playing video games is good for kids. He says it helps them think of new ideas and be creative. When he was young, he liked to play games and chess, and he made his own game. He believes kids should (3)______ to change and try new things because the world is always (4)______. Sir Demis made a big company that Google bought, and he got a special award for his work.

Sir Demis also talks about AI, which is when computers can think like (5)______. He says AI can do a lot of good things, but some people worry it could cause problems. He went to a big (6)______ where he and others said we (7)______ to be (8)______ with AI. Sir Demis wants to make sure we use AI in a good way. He learned a lot from the past and wants to make sure we don’t make big mistakes with new technology.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a video game?
2. How would you feel if you could make your own game?
3. Do you like playing games? Why or why not?
4. What does Sir Demis think about playing video games?
5. How would you feel if computers could think like humans?
6. Do you think AI is a good thing? Why or why not?
7. What is a big meeting?
8. How would you feel if you could go to a big meeting?
9. Why do you think Sir Demis wants to be careful with AI?
10. What is new technology?
11. How would you feel if you could create new technology?
12. Do you think it’s important to learn from the past? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. creative
2. chess
3. technology
4. award
5. problems
6. meeting
7. learn
8. change
9. company
10. past

Meanings:
(A) A game with kings, queens, and knights on a board
(B) A group of people who work together to make or sell things
(C) Things that are hard and make you think to solve them
(D) When people come together to talk about important stuff
(E) Making new things in your mind
(F) Stuff like computers and phones
(G) When something becomes different
(H) A prize you get for doing something really well
(I) The time before now
(J) Getting new knowledge about things
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What does Sir Demis Hassabis think about playing video games?
(a) It is good for kids
(b) It is bad for kids
(c) It is boring
(d) It is dangerous

2. What did Sir Demis make when he was young?
(a) A robot
(b) His own game
(c) A book
(d) A cake

3. Why does Sir Demis think kids should learn to change and try new things?
(a) Because it is fun
(b) Because the world is always changing
(c) Because it is easy
(d) Because it is scary

4. What did Google do with Sir Demis’ company?
(a) They closed it
(b) They copied it
(c) They bought it
(d) They sold it

5. What did Sir Demis get for his work?
(a) A new car
(b) A big house
(c) A pet dog
(d) A special award

6. What is AI?
(a) When computers can fly
(b) When computers can swim
(c) When computers can think like humans
(d) When computers can dance

7. What do some people worry about with AI?
(a) It could cause problems
(b) It could make people happy
(c) It could make people rich
(d) It could make people sleepy

8. What does Sir Demis want to make sure we do with AI?
(a) Use it in a bad way
(b) Use it in a scary way
(c) Use it in a funny way
(d) Use it in a good way

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Sir Demis wants to make sure we use AI in a bad way and make big mistakes with new technology.
2. He says AI can do a lot of good things, but some people worry it could cause problems.
3. When Sir Demis was young, he disliked to play games and chess, and he never made his own game.
4. Sir Demis does not believe that kids should learn to change and try new things because the world remains constant.
5. Sir Demis made a big company that Google sold, and he got a special award for his lack of work.
6. Sir Demis went to a big meeting where he and others said we need to be careful with AI.
7. Sir Demis also talks about AI, which is when computers can think like humans.
8. Sir Demis Hassabis thinks playing video games is good for kids because it helps them be creative and think of new ideas.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who thinks playing video games is good for kids?
2. What did Sir Demis like to play when he was young?
3. Why does Sir Demis think kids should learn to change and try new things?
4. What is AI?
5. Why does Sir Demis want to be careful with AI?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who thinks playing video games is good for kids?
Sir Demis Hassabis thinks playing video games is good for kids.

2. What did Sir Demis like to play when he was young?
Sir Demis liked to play games and chess when he was young.

3. What did Sir Demis make when he was young?
Sir Demis made his own game when he was young.

4. Why does Sir Demis think kids should learn to change and try new things?
Sir Demis thinks kids should learn to change and try new things because the world is always changing.

5. What did Google do with Sir Demis’ company?
Google bought Sir Demis’ company.

6. What is AI?
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, which is when computers can think like humans.

7. Why does Sir Demis want to be careful with AI?
Sir Demis wants to be careful with AI because he wants to make sure we use it in a good way and avoid making big mistakes with new technology.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) Hassabis
(3) learn
(4) changing
(5) humans
(6) meeting
(7) need
(8) careful
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. creative
Answer: (E) Making new things in your mind

2. chess
Answer: (A) A game with kings, queens, and knights on a board

3. technology
Answer: (F) Stuff like computers and phones

4. award
Answer: (H) A prize you get for doing something really well

5. problems
Answer: (C) Things that are hard and make you think to solve them

6. meeting
Answer: (D) When people come together to talk about important stuff

7. learn
Answer: (J) Getting new knowledge about things

8. change
Answer: (G) When something becomes different

9. company
Answer: (B) A group of people who work together to make or sell things

10. past
Answer: (I) The time before now
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What does Sir Demis Hassabis think about playing video games?
Answer: (a) It is good for kids

2. What did Sir Demis make when he was young?
Answer: (b) His own game

3. Why does Sir Demis think kids should learn to change and try new things?
Answer: (b) Because the world is always changing

4. What did Google do with Sir Demis’ company?
Answer: (c) They bought it

5. What did Sir Demis get for his work?
Answer: (d) A special award

6. What is AI?
Answer: (c) When computers can think like humans

7. What do some people worry about with AI?
Answer: (a) It could cause problems

8. What does Sir Demis want to make sure we do with AI?
Answer: (d) Use it in a good way
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Sir Demis wants to make sure we use AI in a bad way and make big mistakes with new technology. (Answer: False)
2. He says AI can do a lot of good things, but some people worry it could cause problems. (Answer: True)
3. When Sir Demis was young, he disliked to play games and chess, and he never made his own game. (Answer: False)
4. Sir Demis does not believe that kids should learn to change and try new things because the world remains constant. (Answer: False)
5. Sir Demis made a big company that Google sold, and he got a special award for his lack of work. (Answer: False)
6. Sir Demis went to a big meeting where he and others said we need to be careful with AI. (Answer: True)
7. Sir Demis also talks about AI, which is when computers can think like humans. (Answer: True)
8. Sir Demis Hassabis thinks playing video games is good for kids because it helps them be creative and think of new ideas. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧