The company that owns Facebook and Instagram, called Meta, is getting ready to release a new virtual reality (VR) headset called the Quest 3. This headset is designed to help with the problem of feeling sick when using VR technology. The Quest 3 has special cameras that let you see the real world in color while you’re playing virtual games. This “mixed reality” experience helps make VR more comfortable and less likely to make you feel nauseous.

When the author tested the Quest 3, they played different games and found that the mixed reality feature helped prevent motion sickness. In one game, the walls of the room disappeared and they could see both the virtual world and the real world at the same time. Another game based on the show Stranger Things also didn’t make them feel sick. Chris Cox, who is in charge of making products at Meta, said that mixed reality makes VR much more comfortable. But the author wonders if avoiding full VR is really the best way to stop feeling sick.

The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, thinks that motion sickness can be reduced by making VR headsets have better graphics and less delay. He hopes that as the technology gets better, fewer people will have problems. But the author points out that feeling sick in VR is partly because your eyes see one thing and the rest of your body feels something else. The author tried a boxing game that was completely virtual, and even though the graphics were cool, they still felt dizzy and uncomfortable.

It’s important to remember that different people feel motion sickness in different ways, and some people might not feel sick at all. Mixed reality is still new and there aren’t many games for it yet, but it could be a good solution for people who want to play VR games but get sick. As VR technology gets better, we hope that improvements in graphics and delay will make motion sickness happen less often and make VR more fun for everyone.

Original news source: Meta: Can the firm’s new headset stop virtual reality sickness? (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and summarize the main points in a short news summary.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their news summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Instruct each pair to discuss their opinion on the use of mixed reality in VR headsets.
3. Provide a list of discussion questions related to the topic, such as “Do you think mixed reality is a good solution for reducing motion sickness in VR?” or “What other solutions do you think could help reduce motion sickness?”
4. After the discussion, have each pair share their opinions with the class and facilitate a class-wide discussion.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Prepare a list of vocabulary words from the article, such as “virtual reality,” “motion sickness,” and “mixed reality.”
2. Divide the class into small groups.
3. Assign each group a vocabulary word.
4. Instruct each group to create a quick sketch or drawing that represents the assigned word.
5. Have each group present their drawing to the class and see if the class can guess the corresponding vocabulary word.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Instruct each pair to take turns summarizing the article in one minute or less.
3. After each round, have pairs switch roles and summarize again.
4. Encourage students to focus on including the main points of the article in their speed summaries.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Instruct each group to create a list of pros and cons for using mixed reality in VR headsets.
3. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their lists with the class.
4. Facilitate a class discussion, allowing students to discuss and debate the pros and cons they identified.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the company that owns Facebook and Instagram?
2. What is the name of the new virtual reality headset that Meta is releasing?
3. How does the Quest 3 help with the problem of feeling sick when using VR technology?
4. How did the mixed reality feature in the Quest 3 prevent motion sickness for the author?
5. According to Chris Cox, why is mixed reality more comfortable for VR users?
6. What does Mark Zuckerberg believe can reduce motion sickness in VR headsets?
7. Why did the author still feel dizzy and uncomfortable while playing a completely virtual boxing game?
8. Why could mixed reality be a good solution for people who want to play VR games but get sick?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The company that owns Facebook and Instagram, called Meta, is getting ready to release a new virtual reality (VR) (1)______ called the Quest 3. This headset is (2)______ to help with the problem of feeling sick when using VR technology. The Quest 3 has special cameras that let you see the real world in color while you’re playing virtual (3)______. This “mixed reality” experience helps make VR more comfortable and less likely to make you feel (4)______.

When the author tested the Quest 3, they played different games and found that the mixed reality feature helped prevent (5)______ sickness. In one game, the walls of the room disappeared and they could see both the virtual world and the real world at the same time. Another game (6)______ on the show Stranger Things also didn’t make them feel sick. (7)______ Cox, who is in charge of (8)______ products at Meta, said that mixed reality makes VR much more comfortable. But the author wonders if avoiding full VR is really the best way to stop feeling sick.

The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, (9)______ that motion sickness can be reduced by making VR headsets have better graphics and less (10)______. He hopes that as the technology gets better, fewer (11)______ will have problems. But the author (12)______ out that feeling sick in VR is partly because your eyes see one thing and the rest of your body feels something else. The author tried a boxing game that was completely virtual, and even though the graphics were cool, they still felt dizzy and uncomfortable.

It’s (13)______ to (14)______ that different people feel motion sickness in different ways, and some people might not feel sick at all. Mixed reality is still new and there aren’t many games for it yet, but it could be a good (15)______ for people who want to play VR games but get sick. As VR technology gets better, we hope that (16)______ in graphics and delay will make motion sickness happen less often and make VR more fun for everyone.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a virtual reality headset?
2. How would you feel if you played a virtual reality game and it made you feel sick?
3. Do you like playing video games? Why or why not?
4. Do you think mixed reality is a good solution for people who feel sick when using VR? Why or why not?
5. How do you think the Quest 3 headset helps prevent motion sickness?
6. What is the difference between the virtual world and the real world?
7. Have you ever tried a virtual reality game? How did it make you feel?
8. What do you think Mark Zuckerberg means by “better graphics and less delay” in VR headsets?
9. Why do you think the author is unsure if avoiding full VR is the best way to stop feeling sick?
10. How do you think mixed reality makes VR more comfortable?
11. Do you think everyone will eventually be able to use VR without feeling sick? Why or why not?
12. What do you think the future of VR technology will be like?
13. Have you ever experienced motion sickness? How did it make you feel?
14. What other ways do you think VR technology could be improved to reduce motion sickness?
15. Why do you think it’s important to have more games for mixed reality?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Meta
2. virtual reality
3. Quest 3
4. mixed reality
5. motion sickness
6. graphics
7. delay
8. VR technology

Meanings:
(a) The name of a new VR headset
(b) The company that owns Facebook and Instagram
(c) A technology that creates a simulated environment
(d) The overall advancements in VR devices and software
(e) Feeling sick when using VR
(f) The quality of the images in VR
(g) A feature that combines the real world with the virtual world
(h) The time it takes for the VR headset to respond
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the company that owns Facebook and Instagram?
(a) Google
(b) Apple
(c) Microsoft
(d) Meta

2. What is the name of the new virtual reality headset being released by Meta?
(a) Quest 3
(b) Oculus Rift
(c) PlayStation VR
(d) HTC Vive

3. How does the Quest 3 help with the problem of feeling sick in VR?
(a) It has better graphics and less delay.
(b) It completely eliminates motion sickness.
(c) It has a built-in anti-nausea feature.
(d) It has special cameras that let you see the real world while playing virtual games.

4. What is the term used to describe the experience of seeing both the virtual world and the real world at the same time?
(a) Virtual reality
(b) Mixed reality
(c) Augmented reality
(d) Reality fusion

5. According to the author, what is one downside of using mixed reality to prevent motion sickness?
(a) It may not be the best solution for everyone.
(b) It can make the graphics of VR games less cool.
(c) It can cause delays in gameplay.
(d) It can make the VR headset more uncomfortable to wear.

6. What does Mark Zuckerberg believe can reduce motion sickness in VR headsets?
(a) Mixed reality technology
(b) Anti-nausea medication
(c) Better graphics and less delay
(d) Smaller and lighter headsets

7. According to the author, why do people feel sick in VR?
(a) Because the graphics in VR games are not realistic enough.
(b) Because their eyes see one thing and their body feels something else.
(c) Because the VR headsets are too heavy and uncomfortable to wear.
(d) Because the delay in gameplay causes dizziness.

8. What does the author hope will happen as VR technology improves?
(a) VR headsets will become cheaper and more accessible.
(b) Mixed reality will become the standard for VR gaming.
(c) Motion sickness will happen less often and VR will be more fun for everyone.
(d) VR games will become more realistic and immersive.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The Quest 3 is designed to address the issue of feeling sick while using VR technology.
2. The Quest 3 has special cameras that allow users to see the real world in color while playing virtual games, creating a “mixed reality” experience.
3. While VR technology continues to improve, the author suggests that feeling sick in VR is not partly due to the disconnect between what the eyes see and what the body feels.
4. The company Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is not preparing to release a new virtual reality headset called the Quest 3.
5. The mixed reality feature of the Quest 3 does not help prevent motion sickness, according to the author’s testing.
6. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, believes that motion sickness in VR cannot be reduced by improving graphics and reducing delay.
7. In one game, the author could see both the virtual world and the real world simultaneously, without feeling sick.
8. Chris Cox, in charge of product development at Meta, believes that mixed reality makes VR more comfortable.
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. What is the name of the new virtual reality headset that Meta is releasing?
2. How does the Quest 3 help with the problem of feeling sick when using VR technology?
3. How did the mixed reality feature of the Quest 3 help prevent motion sickness for the author?
4. According to Mark Zuckerberg, how can motion sickness in VR be reduced?
5. Why did the author still feel dizzy and uncomfortable while playing a boxing game in virtual reality?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the name of the company that owns Facebook and Instagram?
The company that owns Facebook and Instagram is called Meta.

2. What is the name of the new virtual reality headset that Meta is releasing?
The new virtual reality headset that Meta is releasing is called the Quest 3.

3. How does the Quest 3 help with the problem of feeling sick when using VR technology?
The Quest 3 has special cameras that let you see the real world in color while playing virtual games, creating a “mixed reality” experience that helps make VR more comfortable and less likely to cause motion sickness.

4. How did the mixed reality feature in the Quest 3 prevent motion sickness for the author?
The mixed reality feature in the Quest 3 allowed the author to see both the virtual world and the real world at the same time, which helped prevent motion sickness while playing different games.

5. According to Chris Cox, why is mixed reality more comfortable for VR users?
According to Chris Cox, mixed reality is more comfortable for VR users because it combines elements of the virtual world with the real world, creating a more immersive and natural experience.

6. What does Mark Zuckerberg believe can reduce motion sickness in VR headsets?
Mark Zuckerberg believes that motion sickness in VR headsets can be reduced by improving the graphics and reducing the delay in the technology.

7. Why did the author still feel dizzy and uncomfortable while playing a completely virtual boxing game?
The author still felt dizzy and uncomfortable while playing a completely virtual boxing game because their eyes were seeing one thing (the virtual world) while the rest of their body was feeling something else (no physical movement).

8. Why could mixed reality be a good solution for people who want to play VR games but get sick?
Mixed reality could be a good solution for people who want to play VR games but get sick because it allows them to see both the virtual world and the real world at the same time, which can help reduce motion sickness and make the VR experience more comfortable.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) headset
(2) designed
(3) games
(4) nauseous
(5) motion
(6) based
(7) Chris
(8) making
(9) thinks
(10) delay
(11) people
(12) points
(13) important
(14) remember
(15) solution
(16) improvements
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Meta
Answer: (b) The company that owns Facebook and Instagram

2. virtual reality
Answer: (c) A technology that creates a simulated environment

3. Quest 3
Answer: (a) The name of a new VR headset

4. mixed reality
Answer: (g) A feature that combines the real world with the virtual world

5. motion sickness
Answer: (e) Feeling sick when using VR

6. graphics
Answer: (f) The quality of the images in VR

7. delay
Answer: (h) The time it takes for the VR headset to respond

8. VR technology
Answer: (d) The overall advancements in VR devices and software
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the company that owns Facebook and Instagram?
Answer: (d) Meta

2. What is the name of the new virtual reality headset being released by Meta?
Answer: (a) Quest 3

3. How does the Quest 3 help with the problem of feeling sick in VR?
Answer: (d) It has special cameras that let you see the real world while playing virtual games.

4. What is the term used to describe the experience of seeing both the virtual world and the real world at the same time?
Answer: (b) Mixed reality

5. According to the author, what is one downside of using mixed reality to prevent motion sickness?
Answer: (a) It may not be the best solution for everyone.

6. What does Mark Zuckerberg believe can reduce motion sickness in VR headsets?
Answer: (c) Better graphics and less delay

7. According to the author, why do people feel sick in VR?
Answer: (b) Because their eyes see one thing and their body feels something else.

8. What does the author hope will happen as VR technology improves?
Answer: (c) Motion sickness will happen less often and VR will be more fun for everyone.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The Quest 3 is designed to address the issue of feeling sick while using VR technology. (Answer: True)
2. The Quest 3 has special cameras that allow users to see the real world in color while playing virtual games, creating a “mixed reality” experience. (Answer: True)
3. While VR technology continues to improve, the author suggests that feeling sick in VR is not partly due to the disconnect between what the eyes see and what the body feels. (Answer: False)
4. The company Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is not preparing to release a new virtual reality headset called the Quest 3. (Answer: False)
5. The mixed reality feature of the Quest 3 does not help prevent motion sickness, according to the author’s testing. (Answer: False)
6. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, believes that motion sickness in VR cannot be reduced by improving graphics and reducing delay. (Answer: False)
7. In one game, the author could see both the virtual world and the real world simultaneously, without feeling sick. (Answer: True)
8. Chris Cox, in charge of product development at Meta, believes that mixed reality makes VR more comfortable. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧