Tamagotchi, the famous virtual pet toy from the 90s, is making a big comeback. Its sales have doubled globally from 2022 to 2023. The company that owns Tamagotchi, Bandai Namco, has opened its first store in the UK in London. The new Tamagotchi has cool features like connecting with friends, playing on Wi-Fi, and downloading items, which make it popular with both young and old players.

Since Tamagotchi came back to the UK in 2019, it has attracted a diverse audience, including kids who are trying it for the first time. Even though there are other virtual pet toys like Bitzee and Punirunes, Tamagotchi is still a top choice for fans who want to feel nostalgic. The idea that only boys or girls should play with certain toys is fading away, with both genders enjoying virtual pet toys like Digimon, another 90s classic now owned by Bandai Namco.

Fans of Tamagotchi, such as Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon, love remembering their childhood memories of playing with the toy. Emmalution, a YouTuber, shares her journey of rediscovering Tamagotchi and collecting modern versions. Lost in Translationmon talks about the nostalgia and sense of community that virtual pet toys bring, offering a break from the busy world. Taking care of a virtual pet brings comfort to many in today’s fast-paced life.

The return of Tamagotchi shows a trend of bringing back classic toys that remind people of simpler times. The new Tamagotchi mixes old charm with new features, attracting a new group of players while keeping the original essence. As virtual pet toys keep getting better and winning over fans worldwide, Tamagotchi’s lasting popularity shows how caring for a digital pet can bring joy that never gets old.

Original news source: A Tamagotchi comeback? Toy gets first UK store as global sales double (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Ask students to create a catchy headline that summarizes the main idea of the article about the comeback of Tamagotchi. Encourage them to be creative and concise in their headline creation.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group in favor of the return of Tamagotchi and the other against it. Have students stand on a spectrum line in the classroom based on how strongly they agree or disagree with the statement “Tamagotchi’s comeback is a positive trend.” Encourage students to discuss their opinions and reasons with each other.

– Synonym Challenge
Instructions: Provide a list of key vocabulary words from the article and ask students to come up with as many synonyms as they can for each word. Encourage them to work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm synonyms. Then, discuss the different synonyms students came up with as a class.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about a toy or game they enjoyed as a child and briefly share their memories with a partner. Then, have pairs share their childhood toy choices with the rest of the class. Encourage students to listen actively and ask follow-up questions to their classmates.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the future of virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi. They can consider aspects such as technology advancements, user preferences, and potential new features. After the discussion, each group presents their predictions to the class, and a group discussion follows.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are some of the cool features of the new Tamagotchi that make it popular?
2. Why do you think Tamagotchi is still a top choice for fans, even with other virtual pet toys available?
3. How has the audience for Tamagotchi changed since it came back to the UK in 2019?
4. Why do you think both boys and girls are enjoying virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi and Digimon?
5. How do fans like Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon feel about rediscovering Tamagotchi?
6. Why do you think virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi offer comfort to many people in today’s fast-paced world?
7. What trend does the return of Tamagotchi show in the toy industry?
8. How does the new Tamagotchi appeal to both new players and fans of the original toy?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Tamagotchi, the famous virtual pet toy from the 90s, is (1)______ a big comeback. Its sales have doubled globally from 2022 to 2023. The company that owns Tamagotchi, Bandai Namco, has opened its first (2)______ in the UK in London. The new Tamagotchi has cool features like connecting with friends, playing on Wi-Fi, and downloading (3)______, which make it popular with both (4)______ and old players.

Since Tamagotchi came back to the UK in 2019, it has attracted a diverse audience, (5)______ kids who are (6)______ it for the first time. Even though there are other virtual pet toys like Bitzee and Punirunes, Tamagotchi is still a top choice for fans who want to feel (7)______. The idea that only boys or girls should play with certain toys is fading away, with both genders enjoying virtual pet toys like Digimon, another 90s classic now (8)______ by Bandai Namco.

Fans of Tamagotchi, such as Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon, love remembering their childhood memories of playing with the toy. Emmalution, a YouTuber, (9)______ her (10)______ of rediscovering Tamagotchi and collecting modern versions. Lost in Translationmon talks about the nostalgia and sense of community that virtual pet toys bring, offering a break from the busy world. (11)______ care of a virtual pet (12)______ comfort to many in today’s fast-paced life.

The return of (13)______ (14)______ a trend of (15)______ back classic toys that remind people of simpler times. The new Tamagotchi mixes old charm with new features, attracting a new group of (16)______ while keeping the original essence. As virtual pet toys keep getting better and winning over fans worldwide, Tamagotchi’s lasting popularity shows how caring for a digital pet can bring joy that never gets old.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a Tamagotchi and why do you think it became so popular in the 90s?
2. How would you feel if you had a virtual pet like Tamagotchi to take care of? Do you think it would be fun or stressful?
3. Do you like the idea of connecting with friends through virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the trend of bringing back classic toys like Tamagotchi? Why do you think people enjoy nostalgia?
5. Do you think virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi can help people relax and take a break from their busy lives? Why or why not?
6. How do you think virtual pet toys have changed over the years to attract new players while keeping the original essence?
7. Have you ever played with a virtual pet toy before? If so, what was your experience like?
8. Why do you think both young and old players are enjoying the new features of Tamagotchi, like playing on Wi-Fi and downloading items?
9. What other classic toys from the past would you like to see make a comeback? Why?
10. How do you think playing with virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi can bring people together and create a sense of community?
11. Do you think virtual pet toys are a good way to remember childhood memories? Why or why not?
12. Would you prefer to play with a virtual pet toy like Tamagotchi or a real pet like a dog or cat? Why?
13. How important do you think it is for companies to update classic toys like Tamagotchi with new features to stay popular?
14. What do you think the future holds for virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi? Will they continue to be popular?
15. If you could create your own virtual pet toy, what features would it have and why?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. comeback
2. globally
3. features
4. diverse
5. nostalgic
6. fading
7. genders
8. rediscovering
9. community
10. comfort
11. trend
12. charm
13. essence
14. popularity
15. joy

Meanings:
(A) The most important quality or aspect of something
(B) Categories of male and female
(C) A general direction in which something is developing or changing
(D) Finding again or experiencing something anew
(E) Gradually disappearing or becoming less noticeable
(F) A return to success or popularity
(G) Longing for the past or remembering it fondly
(H) A pleasing or attractive quality
(I) Involving the whole world
(J) Showing a lot of variety or differences
(K) Distinctive parts or aspects of something
(L) A group of people with a common interest or connection
(M) The state of being liked or supported by many people
(N) A feeling of ease and relaxation
(O) A feeling of great happiness or delight
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What company owns Tamagotchi?
(a) Bandai Namco
(b) Nintendo
(c) Hasbro
(d) Mattel

2. What cool features does the new Tamagotchi have?
(a) Playing music, making phone calls, and taking photos
(b) Connecting with friends, playing on Wi-Fi, and downloading items
(c) Sending emails, watching videos, and browsing the internet
(d) Playing games, watching movies, and ordering food

3. When did Tamagotchi make a comeback to the UK?
(a) 2020
(b) 2021
(c) 2022
(d) 2019

4. What is another virtual pet toy mentioned in the article?
(a) Bitzee
(b) Furbie
(c) Robopet
(d) Hatchimals

5. Who are fans of Tamagotchi mentioned in the article?
(a) Pikachu and Mario
(b) Barbie and Ken
(c) Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon
(d) SpongeBob and Patrick

6. What does Emmalution do related to Tamagotchi?
(a) Designs new virtual pet toys
(b) Writes articles for a magazine
(c) Shares her journey of rediscovering Tamagotchi on YouTube
(d) Creates video games

7. What trend does the return of Tamagotchi show?
(a) Introducing high-tech gadgets to children
(b) Bringing back classic toys that remind people of simpler times
(c) Phasing out virtual pet toys
(d) Focusing on outdoor activities only

8. What does the article say about the popularity of virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi?
(a) They are losing popularity due to new trends
(b) They are only enjoyed by a specific age group
(c) They are too expensive for most people
(d) They keep getting better and winning over fans worldwide

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Since its return to the UK in 2019, Tamagotchi has failed to attract a diverse audience, including kids trying it for the first time.
2. The return of Tamagotchi reflects a trend of bringing back classic toys that remind people of simpler times, with the new version attracting a new group of players while maintaining its original essence.
3. Tamagotchi, the virtual pet toy from the 90s, is becoming popular again with its sales doubling globally from 2022 to 2023.
4. Tamagotchi has lost its appeal for fans who want to feel nostalgic, despite other virtual pet toys like Bitzee and Punirunes being available.
5. The company that owns Tamagotchi, Bandai Namco, has recently opened its first store in the UK in London.
6. Both boys and girls are not enjoying virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi and Digimon, another 90s classic now owned by Bandai Namco.
7. The new Tamagotchi does not have cool features like connecting with friends, playing on Wi-Fi, and downloading items, making it unpopular with both young and old players.
8. Fans of Tamagotchi, such as YouTuber Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon, love reminiscing about their childhood memories of playing with the toy.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. Why has Tamagotchi become popular again in recent years?
2. What are some of the new features of the latest Tamagotchi that make it appealing to players of all ages?
3. How has the audience for Tamagotchi changed since it came back to the UK in 2019?
4. Why do fans like Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon enjoy playing with Tamagotchi?
5. What does the return of Tamagotchi show about the trend of classic toys making a comeback?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are some of the cool features of the new Tamagotchi that make it popular?
The new Tamagotchi has features like connecting with friends, playing on Wi-Fi, and downloading items.

2. Why do you think Tamagotchi is still a top choice for fans, even with other virtual pet toys available?
Tamagotchi is a top choice for fans because it brings back nostalgic memories and mixes old charm with new features.

3. How has the audience for Tamagotchi changed since it came back to the UK in 2019?
The audience for Tamagotchi has become more diverse, attracting both new players and fans who remember playing with it in the 90s.

4. Why do you think both boys and girls are enjoying virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi and Digimon?
Both boys and girls are enjoying virtual pet toys because the idea that certain toys are only for one gender is fading away, allowing everyone to enjoy them.

5. How do fans like Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon feel about rediscovering Tamagotchi?
Fans like Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon feel nostalgic and happy about rediscovering Tamagotchi, sharing their experiences and memories with others.

6. Why do you think virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi offer comfort to many people in today’s fast-paced world?
Virtual pet toys offer comfort because they provide a sense of community, nostalgia, and a break from the busy world, allowing people to relax and have fun.

7. What trend does the return of Tamagotchi show in the toy industry?
The return of Tamagotchi shows a trend of bringing back classic toys that remind people of simpler times, appealing to both old fans and new players.

8. How does the new Tamagotchi appeal to both new players and fans of the original toy?
The new Tamagotchi appeals to both new players with its modern features like connecting with friends and Wi-Fi play, while also keeping the original essence that fans love, creating a mix of old and new that attracts a wide audience.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) making
(2) store
(3) items
(4) young
(5) including
(6) trying
(7) nostalgic
(8) owned
(9) shares
(10) journey
(11) Taking
(12) brings
(13) Tamagotchi
(14) shows
(15) bringing
(16) players
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. comeback
Answer: (F) A return to success or popularity

2. globally
Answer: (I) Involving the whole world

3. features
Answer: (K) Distinctive parts or aspects of something

4. diverse
Answer: (J) Showing a lot of variety or differences

5. nostalgic
Answer: (G) Longing for the past or remembering it fondly

6. fading
Answer: (E) Gradually disappearing or becoming less noticeable

7. genders
Answer: (B) Categories of male and female

8. rediscovering
Answer: (D) Finding again or experiencing something anew

9. community
Answer: (L) A group of people with a common interest or connection

10. comfort
Answer: (N) A feeling of ease and relaxation

11. trend
Answer: (C) A general direction in which something is developing or changing

12. charm
Answer: (H) A pleasing or attractive quality

13. essence
Answer: (A) The most important quality or aspect of something

14. popularity
Answer: (M) The state of being liked or supported by many people

15. joy
Answer: (O) A feeling of great happiness or delight
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What company owns Tamagotchi?
Answer: (a) Bandai Namco

2. What cool features does the new Tamagotchi have?
Answer: (b) Connecting with friends, playing on Wi-Fi, and downloading items

3. When did Tamagotchi make a comeback to the UK?
Answer: (d) 2019

4. What is another virtual pet toy mentioned in the article?
Answer: (a) Bitzee

5. Who are fans of Tamagotchi mentioned in the article?
Answer: (c) Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon

6. What does Emmalution do related to Tamagotchi?
Answer: (c) Shares her journey of rediscovering Tamagotchi on YouTube

7. What trend does the return of Tamagotchi show?
Answer: (b) Bringing back classic toys that remind people of simpler times

8. What does the article say about the popularity of virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi?
Answer: (d) They keep getting better and winning over fans worldwide
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Since its return to the UK in 2019, Tamagotchi has failed to attract a diverse audience, including kids trying it for the first time. (Answer: False)
2. The return of Tamagotchi reflects a trend of bringing back classic toys that remind people of simpler times, with the new version attracting a new group of players while maintaining its original essence. (Answer: True)
3. Tamagotchi, the virtual pet toy from the 90s, is becoming popular again with its sales doubling globally from 2022 to 2023. (Answer: True)
4. Tamagotchi has lost its appeal for fans who want to feel nostalgic, despite other virtual pet toys like Bitzee and Punirunes being available. (Answer: False)
5. The company that owns Tamagotchi, Bandai Namco, has recently opened its first store in the UK in London. (Answer: True)
6. Both boys and girls are not enjoying virtual pet toys like Tamagotchi and Digimon, another 90s classic now owned by Bandai Namco. (Answer: False)
7. The new Tamagotchi does not have cool features like connecting with friends, playing on Wi-Fi, and downloading items, making it unpopular with both young and old players. (Answer: False)
8. Fans of Tamagotchi, such as YouTuber Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon, love reminiscing about their childhood memories of playing with the toy. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧