Microsoft’s Xbox is starting to let people play some of their video games on different things you can watch or play games on, not just Xbox. They see that kids and other gamers like to play games on many things, not just one. The boss of Xbox, Phil, thinks that games that you can only play on one thing will not be as common soon. Sony, which makes PlayStation, thinks the same. They both want to let people play their games on lots of different screens.

Microsoft and Sony want to let more people play their games because lots of people use different things to play games, not just game consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. Last year, not as many people bought Xboxes, so many gamers couldn’t play games that are only on Xbox. They are doing this to make more money and because making their own game machines costs a lot and takes a lot of time. But, even with these changes, Microsoft still plans to make new Xboxes and keep selling them. They also have a special club called Games Pass where you can play lots of games, and they hope more people will join.

Original news source: Xbox, Nintendo or PlayStation: does it still matter? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small teams. Each team takes turns choosing a video game title from a hat and acting it out without speaking. The other teams must guess the title within a certain time limit. This activity helps students practice vocabulary and communication skills.

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article and write a short summary of the main points. Then, have them share their summaries with a partner or in small groups. This activity helps improve reading comprehension and summarizing skills.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask students to write down their opinion on whether they prefer playing video games on multiple screens or just one. Then, have them share their opinions with a partner and discuss their reasons. Finally, conduct a class poll to see which opinion is more common. This activity encourages students to express their opinions and engage in discussions.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article and divide the class into small teams. One student from each team must draw a word from the list while their teammates guess what it is. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary and encourages teamwork.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have students think about the advantages and disadvantages of playing video games on multiple screens. Then, pair them up and have them discuss their thoughts with their partner. Finally, ask a few pairs to share their ideas with the whole class. This activity promotes critical thinking and speaking skills.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are Xbox and PlayStation?
2. Why do Microsoft and Sony want to let people play their games on different screens?
3. What is the special club called where you can play lots of games?
4. Why did Microsoft and Sony decide to let people play their games on different things?
5. What does the boss of Xbox think about games that you can only play on one thing?
6. Why do Microsoft and Sony want more people to play their games?
7. Will Microsoft still make new Xboxes and sell them?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Microsoft’s Xbox is starting to let people (1)______ some of their video games on different things you can watch or play games on, not just Xbox. They see that kids and (2)______ gamers like to play games on many things, not just one. The boss of Xbox, Phil, thinks that games that you can only play on one thing will not be as (3)______ soon. Sony, which (4)______ PlayStation, thinks the same. They both want to let people play their games on lots of different screens.

Microsoft and Sony want to let more people play their games because lots of people use different things to play games, not just game consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. Last year, not as (5)______ people bought (6)______, so many gamers couldn’t play games that are only on Xbox. They are doing this to make more money and because making their own game machines costs a lot and takes a lot of time. But, even with these changes, Microsoft still plans to make new Xboxes and keep (7)______ them. They also (8)______ a special club called Games Pass where you can play lots of games, and they hope more people will join.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is Xbox?
2. How do you feel when you play games on different things?
3. Do you like playing games on many different screens? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about games that you can only play on one thing?
5. How would you feel if you couldn’t play a game because you didn’t have the right game console?
6. Do you think it’s a good idea for Microsoft and Sony to let people play their games on lots of different screens? Why or why not?
7. What do you use to play games? Do you use a game console or something else?
8. Why do you think Microsoft and Sony want more people to play their games?
9. Do you think it’s important for companies to make money? Why or why not?
10. What is Games Pass? Have you ever heard of it before?
11. Would you like to join the Games Pass club? Why or why not?
12. Do you think Microsoft should keep making new Xboxes? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. video games
2. gamers
3. consoles
4. screens
5. common
6. boss
7. changes
8. club
9. join
10. selling

Meanings:
(A) Giving something to someone else for money
(B) Games you play on a TV or computer
(C) The person who is in charge
(D) A group you can be part of
(E) Machines you use to play games
(F) Things like TVs and computers you look at to see things
(G) People who like to play games
(H) When things become different
(I) Something that happens a lot or is seen a lot
(J) To become a part of something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the company that makes Xbox?
(a) Sony
(b) Microsoft
(c) PlayStation
(d) Phil

2. Why do Microsoft and Sony want to let people play their games on different screens?
(a) Because Xbox and PlayStation are not popular anymore
(b) Because game consoles are too expensive
(c) Because they want to make less money
(d) Because lots of people use different things to play games

3. What is the name of the boss of Xbox?
(a) Microsoft
(b) Sony
(c) Phil
(d) Games Pass

4. Why are Microsoft and Sony making these changes to their games?
(a) To make more money and save time and money on making game machines
(b) To make less money and spend more time and money on making game machines
(c) To make more money and spend more time and money on making game machines
(d) To make less money and save time and money on making game machines

5. What is the name of the special club where you can play lots of games?
(a) Xbox
(b) PlayStation
(c) Microsoft
(d) Games Pass

6. What did many gamers not buy last year?
(a) PlayStation
(b) Screens
(c) Xboxes
(d) Games

7. What do Microsoft and Sony think about games that you can only play on one thing?
(a) They think they will not be as common soon
(b) They think they will be more common soon
(c) They think they are already very common
(d) They think they are not important

8. What do Microsoft and Sony hope more people will do?
(a) Stop playing games
(b) Join the Games Pass club
(c) Buy Xboxes and PlayStations
(d) Only play games on one thing

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Microsoft and Sony are making these changes to make more money and because making game machines is expensive and takes a lot of time.
2. Sony, the company that makes PlayStation, also doesn’t want people to play their games on different screens.
3. Microsoft and Sony want fewer people to play their games because few people use different things to play games.
4. Even with these similarities, Microsoft still plans to discontinue new Xboxes and stop selling them.
5. The boss of Xbox, Phil, thinks that soon games will be able to be played on many different things.
6. Microsoft has a special club called Games Pass where you can play lots of games, and they hope more people will join.
7. Last year, not many people bought Xboxes, so many gamers couldn’t play games that are only on Xbox.
8. Microsoft’s Xbox wants people to play their video games only on Xbox, not on different things.
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 are Xbox and PlayStation?
2. Why do Microsoft and Sony want more people to play their games?
3. Why couldn’t many gamers play Xbox games last year?
4. What is the Games Pass?
5. Will Microsoft still make new Xboxes?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are Xbox and PlayStation?
Xbox and PlayStation are game consoles that you can use to play video games.

2. Why do Microsoft and Sony want to let people play their games on different screens?
Microsoft and Sony want more people to play their games, so they are letting them play on different things like phones, tablets, and computers.

3. What is the special club called where you can play lots of games?
The special club is called Games Pass.

4. Why did Microsoft and Sony decide to let people play their games on different things?
They want more people to play their games and make more money. Making their own game machines costs a lot and takes a long time.

5. What does the boss of Xbox think about games that you can only play on one thing?
The boss of Xbox thinks that games that you can only play on one thing will not be as common soon.

6. Why do Microsoft and Sony want more people to play their games?
They want more people to play their games because it helps them make more money.

7. Will Microsoft still make new Xboxes and sell them?
Yes, Microsoft will still make new Xboxes and sell them.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) play
(2) other
(3) common
(4) makes
(5) many
(6) Xboxes
(7) selling
(8) have
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. video games
Answer: (B) Games you play on a TV or computer

2. gamers
Answer: (G) People who like to play games

3. consoles
Answer: (E) Machines you use to play games

4. screens
Answer: (F) Things like TVs and computers you look at to see things

5. common
Answer: (I) Something that happens a lot or is seen a lot

6. boss
Answer: (C) The person who is in charge

7. changes
Answer: (H) When things become different

8. club
Answer: (D) A group you can be part of

9. join
Answer: (J) To become a part of something

10. selling
Answer: (A) Giving something to someone else for money
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the company that makes Xbox?
Answer: (b) Microsoft

2. Why do Microsoft and Sony want to let people play their games on different screens?
Answer: (d) Because lots of people use different things to play games

3. What is the name of the boss of Xbox?
Answer: (c) Phil

4. Why are Microsoft and Sony making these changes to their games?
Answer: (a) To make more money and save time and money on making game machines

5. What is the name of the special club where you can play lots of games?
Answer: (d) Games Pass

6. What did many gamers not buy last year?
Answer: (c) Xboxes

7. What do Microsoft and Sony think about games that you can only play on one thing?
Answer: (a) They think they will not be as common soon

8. What do Microsoft and Sony hope more people will do?
Answer: (b) Join the Games Pass club
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Microsoft and Sony are making these changes to make more money and because making game machines is expensive and takes a lot of time. (Answer: True)
2. Sony, the company that makes PlayStation, also doesn’t want people to play their games on different screens. (Answer: False)
3. Microsoft and Sony want fewer people to play their games because few people use different things to play games. (Answer: False)
4. Even with these similarities, Microsoft still plans to discontinue new Xboxes and stop selling them. (Answer: False)
5. The boss of Xbox, Phil, thinks that soon games will be able to be played on many different things. (Answer: True)
6. Microsoft has a special club called Games Pass where you can play lots of games, and they hope more people will join. (Answer: True)
7. Last year, not many people bought Xboxes, so many gamers couldn’t play games that are only on Xbox. (Answer: True)
8. Microsoft’s Xbox wants people to play their video games only on Xbox, not on different things. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧