People who act in video games are not happy. They are worried about something called AI, which can copy their voices and faces. They want to make sure they get paid if AI is used. They are on strike, which means they are not working until the problem is fixed. Big companies like Disney and Warner Bros are involved.

The actors have a group called Sag-Aftra to help them. This group wants to make sure the actors are treated fairly. The companies say they have tried to make things better. But the actors want more protection. This strike is important because it could change how actors are treated in video games.

Original news source: Actors go on strike over video games AI threat (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out a word or phrase related to the article (e.g., “video game,” “strike,” “actor”). The other groups will guess what it is without using any words. This helps with vocabulary retention and encourages teamwork.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Ask students if they think actors should be paid when AI is used in video games. Have them raise their hands for “yes” or “no.” After the poll, let a few students share their thoughts and reasons. This encourages speaking practice and helps them express their opinions.

– SKETCH IT
Instructions: Give each student a piece of paper and ask them to draw a scene inspired by the article, such as an actor on strike or a video game character. After they finish, have them explain their drawings to a partner. This helps with comprehension and encourages creativity.

– PASS THE STORY
Instructions: Start a story based on the article by saying one sentence, like “Actors in video games are not happy.” Students will then take turns adding one sentence to the story until everyone has contributed. This activity promotes speaking and listening skills in a fun way.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Write key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., “AI,” “strike,” “actor”) on cards. Students will take turns drawing a word from the card and then drawing a picture of it on the board while others guess the word. This helps reinforce vocabulary in a visual and interactive way.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is worried about something called AI?
2. What do the actors want to make sure of if AI is used?
3. What does it mean when the actors are on strike?
4. Which big companies are mentioned in the article?
5. What is the name of the group that helps the actors?
6. Why is the strike important for the actors?
7. What do the actors want from the companies?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

People who act in video games are not happy. They are worried about something (1)______ AI, which can copy their voices and faces. They want to (2)______ sure they get paid if AI is used. They are on strike, which means they are not working until the problem is (3)______. Big companies like (4)______ and Warner Bros are involved.

The actors have a group called Sag-Aftra to (5)______ them. This group wants to make sure the actors are treated fairly. The (6)______ say they have tried to make things better. But the actors want more (7)______. This strike is (8)______ because it could change how actors are treated in video games.
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. Do you like to play video games? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if someone copied your voice?
4. What is a strike?
5. Do you think actors should get paid more? Why?
6. How would you feel if you were an actor on strike?
7. What is a company?
8. Do you think it is good to have a group to help people? Why?
9. How would you feel if your favorite game used AI?
10. Do you think actors are happy in their jobs? Why or why not?
11. What is fair treatment?
12. Do you think it is important to fix problems at work? Why?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. strike
2. actors
3. video games
4. worried
5. copy
6. voices
7. faces
8. paid
9. companies
10. protection

Meanings:
(A) Fun things you play on a screen
(B) Keeping something safe from harm
(C) The front part of your head with eyes, nose, and mouth
(D) To make something look or sound the same as another
(E) People who pretend to be someone else in a story
(F) Getting money for work you do
(G) Big groups that make things or sell things
(H) Feeling scared or nervous about something
(I) The sounds people make when they talk
(J) When people stop working to ask for something better
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What do actors in video games want?
(a) To play more games
(b) To act in movies
(c) To get paid fairly
(d) To sing songs

2. What is the name of the group that helps the actors?
(a) Disney
(b) Warner Bros
(c) Sag-Aftra
(d) Video Game Club

3. What are the actors doing to show they are unhappy?
(a) They are on strike
(b) They are playing games
(c) They are making movies
(d) They are singing songs

4. Who are the big companies mentioned in the article?
(a) McDonald’s and Burger King
(b) Disney and Warner Bros
(c) Apple and Samsung
(d) Nike and Adidas

5. What do the actors worry about?
(a) Not having enough toys
(b) AI copying their voices and faces
(c) Losing their favorite games
(d) Not having enough friends

6. Why is the strike important?
(a) It could change how actors are treated
(b) It helps them get more toys
(c) It makes them play more games
(d) It lets them sing more songs

7. What do the companies say they have done?
(a) Made new games
(b) Given actors more toys
(c) Made more movies
(d) Tried to make things better

8. How do the actors feel about AI?
(a) They are happy
(b) They are confused
(c) They are excited
(d) They are worried

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. AI can copy their voices and faces.
2. The actors want to be treated unfairly and have less protection.
3. The actors are on strike and not working.
4. Actors in video games are content right now.
5. The actors do not want to be paid if AI is used.
6. The actors have a group called Sag-Aftra to help them.
7. They are worried about something called AI.
8. Small companies like Disney and Warner Bros are involved in this issue.
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. Why are the people who act in video games not happy?
2. What does it mean when the actors are on strike?
3. What do the actors want to make sure they get?
4. What is the name of the group that helps the actors?
5. Why is the strike important for the actors?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who is worried about something called AI?
The actors in video games are worried about AI.

2. What do the actors want to make sure of if AI is used?
The actors want to make sure they get paid if AI is used.

3. What does it mean when the actors are on strike?
When the actors are on strike, it means they are not working.

4. Which big companies are mentioned in the article?
The big companies mentioned are Disney and Warner Bros.

5. What is the name of the group that helps the actors?
The group that helps the actors is called Sag-Aftra.

6. Why is the strike important for the actors?
The strike is important because it could change how actors are treated.

7. What do the actors want from the companies?
The actors want more protection from the companies.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) called
(2) make
(3) fixed
(4) Disney
(5) help
(6) companies
(7) protection
(8) important
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. strike
Answer: (J) When people stop working to ask for something better

2. actors
Answer: (E) People who pretend to be someone else in a story

3. video games
Answer: (A) Fun things you play on a screen

4. worried
Answer: (H) Feeling scared or nervous about something

5. copy
Answer: (D) To make something look or sound the same as another

6. voices
Answer: (I) The sounds people make when they talk

7. faces
Answer: (C) The front part of your head with eyes, nose, and mouth

8. paid
Answer: (F) Getting money for work you do

9. companies
Answer: (G) Big groups that make things or sell things

10. protection
Answer: (B) Keeping something safe from harm
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What do actors in video games want?
Answer: (c) To get paid fairly

2. What is the name of the group that helps the actors?
Answer: (c) Sag-Aftra

3. What are the actors doing to show they are unhappy?
Answer: (a) They are on strike

4. Who are the big companies mentioned in the article?
Answer: (b) Disney and Warner Bros

5. What do the actors worry about?
Answer: (b) AI copying their voices and faces

6. Why is the strike important?
Answer: (a) It could change how actors are treated

7. What do the companies say they have done?
Answer: (d) Tried to make things better

8. How do the actors feel about AI?
Answer: (d) They are worried
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. AI can copy their voices and faces. (Answer: True)
2. The actors want to be treated unfairly and have less protection. (Answer: False)
3. The actors are on strike and not working. (Answer: True)
4. Actors in video games are content right now. (Answer: False)
5. The actors do not want to be paid if AI is used. (Answer: False)
6. The actors have a group called Sag-Aftra to help them. (Answer: True)
7. They are worried about something called AI. (Answer: True)
8. Small companies like Disney and Warner Bros are involved in this issue. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧