Sony made a special game controller for the PlayStation 5 that helps people with disabilities play games. This controller can be changed to fit what each person needs to play better. Sony worked with experts who know a lot about helping people with disabilities to make this controller. It has everything a player might need, so they don’t have to buy extra things to play games.

People who will use the controller helped Sony make it, and even the box it comes in is easy to open. Players can change the controller for different games or how they want to play. But, the controller is a little different because it doesn’t have one of the sticks that most controllers have. This might make it hard to play some types of games. The new controller is good, but it might not work for every game unless you use it with another controller.

Sony made this controller because people said games need to be easier for everyone to play. Making this controller shows that helping people with disabilities play games is important. Games are getting better at this too, with some games having special ways for people who can’t see or hear well to play. But, there haven’t been many special controllers for these players. Sony’s new controller is trying to fix that, so more people can have fun playing games.

Original news source: Sony debuts first PS5 controller for disabled gamers (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then write a summary of the main points. Encourage them to use their own words and keep it concise.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a list of vocabulary words from the article. One student from each group will choose a word and draw a picture to represent it, while the other students try to guess the word. The group that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Give each team a few minutes to brainstorm the pros and cons of creating a special game controller for people with disabilities. Then, have each team take turns presenting their points and discussing them as a class. Encourage students to use language like “On the one hand… On the other hand…” and “I agree/disagree because…”

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Create a line in the classroom with “Strongly Agree” on one end and “Strongly Disagree” on the other end. Read out statements related to the article (e.g. “Creating a special game controller for people with disabilities is a good idea”) and have students stand along the line to indicate their level of agreement. Give them a few minutes to discuss their viewpoints in small groups, and then have a class discussion to share and compare opinions.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Give each student a few minutes to think about and write down their answer to the question, “Why is it important to make games more accessible for people with disabilities?” Then, have students pair up and share their answers with each other. Finally, bring the class back together for a whole group discussion, where a few students can share their partner’s answer.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Sony make for the PlayStation 5 to help people with disabilities play games?
2. Who did Sony work with to make the special game controller?
3. Do players have to buy extra things to play games with this controller?
4. Did the people who will use the controller help Sony make it?
5. Can players change the controller for different games or how they want to play?
6. What is different about this controller compared to most controllers?
7. Why did Sony make this controller?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Sony made a special game controller for the PlayStation 5 that helps people with (1)______ play (2)______. This controller can be (3)______ to fit what each person needs to play better. Sony worked with experts who know a lot about helping people with disabilities to make this controller. It has everything a player might need, so they don’t have to buy extra things to play games.

People who will use the (4)______ helped Sony make it, and even the box it comes in is easy to open. Players can (5)______ the controller for (6)______ games or how they want to play. But, the controller is a little different because it doesn’t have one of the sticks that most controllers have. This might make it hard to play some types of (7)______s. The new controller is good, but it might not work for every game unless you use it with another controller.

Sony made this controller because people said games (8)______ to be easier for everyone to play. Making this controller shows that (9)______ people with disabilities play games is important. Games are getting better at this too, with some games having (10)______ ways for people who can’t see or hear well to play. But, there haven’t been many special (11)______ for these players. Sony’s new controller is (12)______ to fix that, so more people can have fun playing games.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a game controller?
2. How would you feel if you couldn’t play games because of a disability?
3. Do you like playing video games? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about Sony making a special game controller for people with disabilities?
5. How do you think the new controller can help people with disabilities play games?
6. Do you think it’s important for games to be easier for everyone to play? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever played a game that was difficult for you because of a disability?
8. How do you think the new controller can make games more accessible for people with disabilities?
9. What other ways do you think games can be made more accessible for people with disabilities?
10. Do you think it’s fair that some games are harder for people with disabilities to play? Why or why not?
11. How do you think the new controller can make gaming more inclusive for everyone?
12. Have you ever seen or used a special controller for people with disabilities before? If yes, what was it like? If no, would you like to try one?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. controller
2. disabilities
3. fit
4. experts
5. player
6. extra
7. types
8. important
9. special
10. fun
11. games
12. fix

Meanings:
(A) To be the right size or shape for something
(B) Something that is different or unique
(C) Enjoyment or amusement
(D) Someone who plays a game
(E) Not being able to do certain things because of a physical or mental condition
(F) To make something better or correct a problem
(G) Something that is very necessary or has a big impact
(H) People who know a lot about a certain topic
(I) More than what is needed or necessary
(J) A device used to play video games
(K) Activities that you play on a computer or console
(L) Different kinds or categories
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Sony make for the PlayStation 5 to help people with disabilities play games?
(a) A new video game
(b) A virtual reality headset
(c) A game console
(d) A special game controller

2. Who did Sony work with to make the special game controller?
(a) Professional gamers
(b) Computer programmers
(c) Experts who know a lot about helping people with disabilities
(d) Video game designers

3. What is special about the box that the controller comes in?
(a) It is decorated with game characters
(b) It is easy to open
(c) It is very small
(d) It is made of a special material

4. Can players change the controller for different games?
(a) No, they cannot
(b) Only for some games
(c) Only if they buy extra things
(d) Yes, they can

5. What is different about the new controller compared to most controllers?
(a) It is bigger than other controllers
(b) It doesn’t have one of the sticks
(c) It has more buttons than other controllers
(d) It is made of a different material

6. Why did Sony make this controller?
(a) Because people said games need to be easier for everyone to play
(b) Because they wanted to make more money
(c) Because they wanted to compete with other game companies
(d) Because they wanted to make games more difficult

7. What are some ways that games are getting better for people with disabilities?
(a) Some games have special ways for people who can’t see or hear well to play
(b) Some games have more levels
(c) Some games have better graphics
(d) Some games have more characters

8. What is the goal of Sony’s new controller?
(a) To make games more expensive
(b) To make games more difficult
(c) To make it easier for people with disabilities to play games
(d) To make games only for certain people

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The controller is different from others because it doesn’t have one of the sticks that most controllers have, which might make it difficult to play certain types of games.
2. Sony created a regular game controller for the PlayStation 5, which does not help people with disabilities play games.
3. People who will use the controller helped Sony in designing it, and even the box it comes in is easy to open.
4. The new controller is a step in the wrong direction, and it will not work for any game even when used in conjunction with another controller.
5. Sony worked with amateurs who know very little about helping people with disabilities to make this controller.
6. Players can customize the controller for different games or to suit their preferred style of play.
7. The controller cannot be adjusted to fit each person’s specific needs for better gameplay.
8. The controller includes everything a player might need, so they don’t have to buy extra things to play games.
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 did Sony make for the PlayStation 5 to help people with disabilities play games?
2. Who did Sony work with to make the special game controller?
3. Do players have to buy extra things to play games with this controller?
4. What is different about this controller compared to other controllers?
5. Why did Sony make this controller for people with disabilities?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Sony made a special game controller for the PlayStation 5 to help people with disabilities play games.
2. Sony worked with experts who know a lot about helping people with disabilities to make the special game controller.
3. No, players don’t have to buy extra things to play games with this controller.
4. Yes, the people who will use the controller helped Sony make it.
5. Yes, players can change the controller for different games or how they want to play.
6. The special game controller doesn’t have one of the sticks that most controllers have.
7. Sony made this controller because they wanted to make games easier for everyone to play, especially people with disabilities.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) disabilities
(2) games
(3) changed
(4) controller
(5) change
(6) different
(7) game
(8) need
(9) helping
(10) special
(11) controllers
(12) trying
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. controller
Answer: (J) A device used to play video games

2. disabilities
Answer: (E) Not being able to do certain things because of a physical or mental condition

3. fit
Answer: (A) To be the right size or shape for something

4. experts
Answer: (H) People who know a lot about a certain topic

5. player
Answer: (D) Someone who plays a game

6. extra
Answer: (I) More than what is needed or necessary

7. types
Answer: (L) Different kinds or categories

8. important
Answer: (G) Something that is very necessary or has a big impact

9. special
Answer: (B) Something that is different or unique

10. fun
Answer: (C) Enjoyment or amusement

11. games
Answer: (K) Activities that you play on a computer or console

12. fix
Answer: (F) To make something better or correct a problem
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Sony make for the PlayStation 5 to help people with disabilities play games?
Answer: (d) A special game controller

2. Who did Sony work with to make the special game controller?
Answer: (c) Experts who know a lot about helping people with disabilities

3. What is special about the box that the controller comes in?
Answer: (b) It is easy to open

4. Can players change the controller for different games?
Answer: (d) Yes, they can

5. What is different about the new controller compared to most controllers?
Answer: (b) It doesn’t have one of the sticks

6. Why did Sony make this controller?
Answer: (a) Because people said games need to be easier for everyone to play

7. What are some ways that games are getting better for people with disabilities?
Answer: (a) Some games have special ways for people who can’t see or hear well to play

8. What is the goal of Sony’s new controller?
Answer: (c) To make it easier for people with disabilities to play games
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The controller is different from others because it doesn’t have one of the sticks that most controllers have, which might make it difficult to play certain types of games. (Answer: True)
2. Sony created a regular game controller for the PlayStation 5, which does not help people with disabilities play games. (Answer: False)
3. People who will use the controller helped Sony in designing it, and even the box it comes in is easy to open. (Answer: True)
4. The new controller is a step in the wrong direction, and it will not work for any game even when used in conjunction with another controller. (Answer: False)
5. Sony worked with amateurs who know very little about helping people with disabilities to make this controller. (Answer: False)
6. Players can customize the controller for different games or to suit their preferred style of play. (Answer: True)
7. The controller cannot be adjusted to fit each person’s specific needs for better gameplay. (Answer: False)
8. The controller includes everything a player might need, so they don’t have to buy extra things to play games. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧