Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

English Newsroom

Learn English through news articles - complete lesson plans, including articles, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

Fortnite and Lego Partner for Block-Building Survival Mode

Fortnite and Lego have teamed up to create a new survival game mode, combining the popular block-building elements of Minecraft with Fortnite's gameplay, in an effort to attract a wider range of players.
   

        Try this article at a different level? 
        Level 1 
        Level 2
        Level 4
   

 

The popular game Fortnite has teamed up with Lego to create a new game mode. It’s kind of like Minecraft, where you can build things with blocks. Fortnite is usually known for its battle royale mode, but this collaboration brings back the building and crafting elements that Minecraft is famous for.

In the new Fortnite Lego mode, you can see changes to the game world that are based on Lego products. You can build fences, grow vegetables, and chop down trees for materials, just like in Minecraft. Fortnite has done cool things in the past, like having concerts in the game with real musicians. This collaboration is another way for Fortnite to appeal to different types of players.

Fortnite is rated for kids aged 12 and up, but they have made sure to include safety features for younger players. The new Lego mode is rated for kids aged 10 and up, so it’s more suitable for younger audiences. It’s important for parents to know that there are controls in place to make sure the game is safe for their kids to play.

Some people have criticized Fortnite in the past, saying it’s addictive. But that’s something people say about a lot of video games. It’s up to each person to decide what games they want to play. Lego and Fortnite are both excited about this collaboration and have big plans for the future. They’re working on updates and new games for Fortnite, so there’s a lot to look forward to.

Original news source: Lego Fortnite: Gaming giant launches Minecraft rival (BBC)

Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

Vocabulary:

1collaborationWorking together with someone to create something
2elementsDifferent parts or aspects of something
3modeA way of playing a game with specific rules or objectives
4featuresCharacteristics or qualities of something
5addictiveCausing a strong desire to keep playing
6criticizedReceived negative comments or disapproval
7controlsRules or settings that help keep something safe or under control
8suitableAppropriate or right for a particular purpose or situation
9audienceThe people who a particular product or event is intended for
10plansIdeas or intentions for the future
11updatesNew or improved versions of something
12forwardLooking ahead to something with excitement or anticipation
13popularLiked or enjoyed by many people
14concertA live performance by musicians or bands
15musiciansPeople who play musical instruments or sing

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. Give each team a list of words related to the article (e.g. Fortnite, Lego, Minecraft, game mode, building, crafting, safety features, collaboration, updates). One person from each team will act out a word without speaking, and their team members have to guess the word within a time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will take turns summarizing the main points of the article to each other. They should include key details and important information while keeping their summary concise. After each summary, the listeners can ask questions for clarification. Encourage students to use their own words and avoid reading directly from the article.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g. Fortnite, Lego, Minecraft, collaboration, addictive). One person from each group will choose a word and draw a visual representation of it on the board or a piece of paper. Their group members have to guess the word based on the drawing within a time limit. Rotate roles until all words have been drawn.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask students to discuss and list the pros and cons of the collaboration between Fortnite and Lego. They should consider factors such as appeal to different players, safety features, and future plans. After the discussion, groups can share their lists with the class and engage in a whole-class discussion about the topic.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of the collaboration between Fortnite and Lego. They should consider factors such as updates, new games, and potential impact on the gaming industry. Students can take turns sharing their predictions with the class, and encourage them to support their predictions with reasons and evidence from the article.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the new game mode in Fortnite called?
2. How is the new Fortnite Lego mode similar to Minecraft?
3. What changes can you see in the game world in the new Lego mode?
4. What are some activities you can do in the new Lego mode?
5. Why is the collaboration with Lego important for Fortnite?
6. What age group is Fortnite rated for?
7. How have the creators of Fortnite made sure the game is safe for younger players?
8. What are Lego and Fortnite working on for the future?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The popular game Fortnite has teamed up with Lego to create a new game mode. It’s kind of like (1)______, where you can build things with blocks. Fortnite is usually (2)______ for its battle (3)______ mode, but this collaboration brings back the building and crafting elements that Minecraft is (4)______ for.

In the new Fortnite Lego mode, you can see changes to the game world that are based on Lego (5)______. You can build fences, grow vegetables, and chop down trees for materials, just like in Minecraft. Fortnite has done cool things in the past, like (6)______ concerts in the game with real musicians. This (7)______ is another way for Fortnite to appeal to different (8)______ of players.

Fortnite is rated for kids aged 12 and up, but they have made sure to (9)______ safety (10)______ for (11)______ players. The new Lego mode is (12)______ for kids aged 10 and up, so it’s more suitable for younger audiences. It’s important for parents to know that there are controls in place to make sure the game is safe for their kids to play.

Some people have criticized Fortnite in the past, saying it’s (13)______. But that’s something (14)______ say about a lot of video games. It’s up to each (15)______ to decide what games they want to play. Lego and (16)______ are both excited about this collaboration and have big plans for the future. They’re working on updates and new games for Fortnite, so there’s a lot to look forward to.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is Fortnite and what is it usually known for?
2. How would you feel if you could build things with blocks in Fortnite?
3. Do you like playing games like Minecraft? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about Fortnite teaming up with Lego?
5. How do you think the new Lego mode will appeal to different types of players?
6. Do you think it’s important for video games to have safety features for younger players? Why or why not?
7. What are some controls that parents should know about to make sure the game is safe for their kids to play?
8. What do you think about people who say video games like Fortnite are addictive?
9. Why do you think it’s up to each person to decide what games they want to play?
10. How do you feel about the collaboration between Lego and Fortnite?
11. What updates and new games do you think Lego and Fortnite could be working on?
12. How would you feel if you could attend a virtual concert in a video game?
13. Do you think it’s important for video games to appeal to different age groups? Why or why not?
14. What other collaborations between games and toys do you think would be interesting?
15. Why do you think Lego and Fortnite are excited about this collaboration?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. collaboration
2. elements
3. mode
4. features
5. addictive
6. criticized
7. controls
8. suitable
9. audience
10. plans
11. updates
12. forward
13. popular
14. concert
15. musicians

Meanings:
(A) Causing a strong desire to keep playing
(B) Characteristics or qualities of something
(C) The people who a particular product or event is intended for
(D) Appropriate or right for a particular purpose or situation
(E) Different parts or aspects of something
(F) Received negative comments or disapproval
(G) Rules or settings that help keep something safe or under control
(H) New or improved versions of something
(I) A live performance by musicians or bands
(J) People who play musical instruments or sing
(K) Looking ahead to something with excitement or anticipation
(L) Working together with someone to create something
(M) Ideas or intentions for the future
(N) Liked or enjoyed by many people
(O) A way of playing a game with specific rules or objectives
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the new game mode in Fortnite called?
(a) Fortnite Lego mode
(b) Battle royale mode
(c) Minecraft mode
(d) Building and crafting mode

2. What can you do in the new Fortnite Lego mode?
(a) Build fences, grow vegetables, and chop down trees
(b) Fight against other players in a battle royale
(c) Explore a virtual world with real musicians
(d) Play with Lego blocks and create your own structures

3. What age group is the new Lego mode suitable for?
(a) Kids aged 12 and up
(b) Adults aged 18 and up
(c) Kids of any age
(d) Kids aged 10 and up

4. What safety features are included in the new Lego mode?
(a) No safety features are included
(b) Controls to make sure the game is safe for kids to play
(c) All players are required to wear helmets
(d) Parents have to play the game with their kids

5. What have some people criticized Fortnite for in the past?
(a) Having too many bugs
(b) Being too easy to play
(c) Being addictive
(d) Having bad graphics

6. What is the purpose of the collaboration between Lego and Fortnite?
(a) To create a new battle royale mode
(b) To have more concerts in the game
(c) To make the game more addictive
(d) To appeal to different types of players

7. What are Lego and Fortnite working on for the future?
(a) Building a real-life version of the game
(b) Making a movie based on the collaboration
(c) Updates and new games for Fortnite
(d) Creating a new Lego video game

8. Who gets to decide what games people want to play?
(a) Parents of the players
(b) Each person individually
(c) The government
(d) The creators of the games

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Lego and Fortnite are excited about their collaboration and have plans for updates and new games in the future.
2. In the new Fortnite Lego mode, players can build fences, grow vegetables, and chop down trees for materials.
3. Safety features have not been included in the Lego mode to ensure the game is safe for kids to play.
4. Some people have praised Fortnite for being addictive, but this is a common praise for many video games.
5. Fortnite has partnered with Lego to create a new game mode that involves building things with blocks, similar to Minecraft.
6. The collaboration eliminates the building and crafting elements that Minecraft is famous for.
7. The new Lego mode in Fortnite is not rated for kids aged 10 and up, making it unsuitable for younger audiences.
8. Fortnite has previously hosted concerts in the game with real musicians, showcasing its ability to appeal to different types of players.
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 new game mode that Fortnite has created with Lego?
2. How is the new Fortnite Lego mode similar to Minecraft?
3. Who is the new Fortnite Lego mode rated for?
4. Why is it important for parents to know about the safety features in the game?
5. What are Lego and Fortnite planning for the future?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the new game mode in Fortnite called?
The new game mode in Fortnite is called the Fortnite Lego mode.

2. How is the new Fortnite Lego mode similar to Minecraft?
The new Fortnite Lego mode is similar to Minecraft because players can build things with blocks, just like in Minecraft.

3. What changes can you see in the game world in the new Lego mode?
In the new Lego mode, you can see changes to the game world that are based on Lego products.

4. What are some activities you can do in the new Lego mode?
In the new Lego mode, you can build fences, grow vegetables, and chop down trees for materials.

5. Why is the collaboration with Lego important for Fortnite?
The collaboration with Lego is important for Fortnite because it allows them to appeal to different types of players and expand their audience.

6. What age group is Fortnite rated for?
Fortnite is rated for kids aged 12 and up.

7. How have the creators of Fortnite made sure the game is safe for younger players?
The creators of Fortnite have made sure the game is safe for younger players by including safety features and controls for parents to monitor their kids’ gameplay.

8. What are Lego and Fortnite working on for the future?
Lego and Fortnite are working on updates and new games for the future.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Minecraft
(2) known
(3) royale
(4) famous
(5) products
(6) having
(7) collaboration
(8) types
(9) include
(10) features
(11) younger
(12) rated
(13) addictive
(14) people
(15) person
(16) Fortnite
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. collaboration
Answer: (L) Working together with someone to create something

2. elements
Answer: (E) Different parts or aspects of something

3. mode
Answer: (O) A way of playing a game with specific rules or objectives

4. features
Answer: (B) Characteristics or qualities of something

5. addictive
Answer: (A) Causing a strong desire to keep playing

6. criticized
Answer: (F) Received negative comments or disapproval

7. controls
Answer: (G) Rules or settings that help keep something safe or under control

8. suitable
Answer: (D) Appropriate or right for a particular purpose or situation

9. audience
Answer: (C) The people who a particular product or event is intended for

10. plans
Answer: (M) Ideas or intentions for the future

11. updates
Answer: (H) New or improved versions of something

12. forward
Answer: (K) Looking ahead to something with excitement or anticipation

13. popular
Answer: (N) Liked or enjoyed by many people

14. concert
Answer: (I) A live performance by musicians or bands

15. musicians
Answer: (J) People who play musical instruments or sing
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the new game mode in Fortnite called?
Answer: (a) Fortnite Lego mode

2. What can you do in the new Fortnite Lego mode?
Answer: (a) Build fences, grow vegetables, and chop down trees

3. What age group is the new Lego mode suitable for?
Answer: (d) Kids aged 10 and up

4. What safety features are included in the new Lego mode?
Answer: (b) Controls to make sure the game is safe for kids to play

5. What have some people criticized Fortnite for in the past?
Answer: (c) Being addictive

6. What is the purpose of the collaboration between Lego and Fortnite?
Answer: (d) To appeal to different types of players

7. What are Lego and Fortnite working on for the future?
Answer: (c) Updates and new games for Fortnite

8. Who gets to decide what games people want to play?
Answer: (b) Each person individually
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Lego and Fortnite are excited about their collaboration and have plans for updates and new games in the future. (Answer: True)
2. In the new Fortnite Lego mode, players can build fences, grow vegetables, and chop down trees for materials. (Answer: True)
3. Safety features have not been included in the Lego mode to ensure the game is safe for kids to play. (Answer: False)
4. Some people have praised Fortnite for being addictive, but this is a common praise for many video games. (Answer: False)
5. Fortnite has partnered with Lego to create a new game mode that involves building things with blocks, similar to Minecraft. (Answer: True)
6. The collaboration eliminates the building and crafting elements that Minecraft is famous for. (Answer: False)
7. The new Lego mode in Fortnite is not rated for kids aged 10 and up, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. (Answer: False)
8. Fortnite has previously hosted concerts in the game with real musicians, showcasing its ability to appeal to different types of players. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

How about these other Level 3 articles?

COP28 highlights concrete solutions to combat climate change, including reducing fossil fuel burning, increasing renewable energy use, switching to electric vehicles, and capturing carbon from the atmosphere.

Concrete Solutions to Combat Climate Change at COP28

COP28 highlights concrete solutions to combat climate change, including reducing fossil fuel burning, increasing renewable energy use, switching to electric vehicles, and capturing carbon from the atmosphere.

Feedback