Xbox One has technical problems on day one (26th November, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Microsoft's new games console, the Xbox One, sold more than one million consoles within 24 hours of its release. It has sold out in most of the 13 countries that were selling it. Many people waited outside stores overnight to buy it. Company executives said it was an exciting product and the best console they have ever made. Microsoft spokesman Yusuf Mehdi said: "Seeing thousands of excited fans lined up to get their Xbox One, and their love for gaming, was truly a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team." He added: "We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles and look forward to fulfilling holiday gift wishes this season."

Many Xbox One customers were disappointed after buying the console. They saw error messages soon after they switched the machine on and uploaded an update. The update caused the machine to "brick". This is a gaming word, which means to become useless. Microsoft explained to Britain's Sky News what users needed to do. It said: "If a user is experiencing a stall for more than 10 minutes…they should contact Xbox customer support and we will work with them to troubleshoot and get them up and running." Microsoft needs to act quickly because its big rival Sony also has a new console – the PlayStation 4. It is $80 cheaper than the Xbox One and gamers are calling it a "pure gaming machine".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://news.sky.com/story/1172702/xbox-one-million-consoles-sold-in-24-hours
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/22/xbox-one-microsoft-websites-problems-launch

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. GAMES CONSOLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about games consoles. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

games console / 24 hours / overnight / executives / fans / gaming / working hard / disappointed / error messages / updates / useless / customer support / big rival

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. GAMES: Which is good and bad about these games? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good points	Bad points
Computer games
Fruit / Slot machines
Card games
Board games
Games on mobile phones
Quiz games

4. GAMING: Students A strongly believe gaming does more harm than good; Students B strongly believe gaming does more good than harm. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. GAME TYPES: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best games at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• shooting games

• driving games

• rescue someone games

• build something games

• business games

• fantasy games

• sports games

• management games

6. GAMES: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "games". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Microsoft sold two million consoles worldwide in 24 hours.	T / F
b.	In many countries all of the consoles in were sold.	T / F
c.	Microsoft officials said it was one of the best consoles they have made.	T / F
d.	Microsoft is putting in more effort to produce more consoles.	T / F
e.	Many customers could not use their console after they bought it.	T / F
f.	The gaming word "brick" means to build things quickly.	T / F
g.	Microsoft's advice was to contact the store they got the console from.	T / F
h.	Sony's new games console is $80 cheaper than the Xbox One.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	within	a.	queued
2.	buy	b.	freeze
3.	lined	c.	present
4.	truly	d.	upset
5.	gift	e.	fix
6.	disappointed	f.	inside
7.	update	g.	purchase
8.	stall	h.	competitor
9.	troubleshoot	i.	genuinely
10.	rival	j.	upgrade

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	within 24 hours	a.	overnight to buy it
2.	It has sold	b.	support
3.	people waited outside stores	c.	holiday gift wishes
4.	thousands of excited fans lined	d.	messages
5.	look forward to fulfilling	e.	of its release
6.	error	f.	to troubleshoot
7.	they switched the machine on	g.	up to get their Xbox One
8.	contact Xbox customer	h.	and running
9.	we will work with them	i.	out
10.	get them up	j.	and uploaded an update

GAP FILL

Microsoft's new games console, the Xbox One, sold more than one million consoles within 24 hours of its (1) ____________. It has sold out in most of the 13 countries that were selling it. Many people waited outside stores (2) ____________ to buy it. Company executives said it was an exciting (3) ____________ and the best console they have ever made. Microsoft spokesman Yusuf Mehdi said: "Seeing thousands of excited fans (4) ____________ up to get their Xbox One, and their love for gaming, was (5) ____________ a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team." He added: "We are working (6) ____________ to create more Xbox One consoles and look forward to (7) ____________ holiday gift wishes this (8) ____________."

fulfilling
overnight
hard
lined
release
season
product
truly

Many Xbox One customers were (9) ____________ after buying the console. They saw error (10) ____________ soon after they switched the machine on and uploaded an (11) ____________. The update caused the machine to "brick". This is a gaming word, which means to become useless. Microsoft explained to Britain's Sky News what users needed to do. It said: "If a user is (12) ____________ a stall for more than 10 minutes…they should (13) ____________ Xbox customer support and we will work with them to troubleshoot and get them up and (14) ____________." Microsoft needs to act quickly because its big (15) ____________ Sony also has a new console – the PlayStation 4. It is $80 cheaper than the Xbox One and gamers are calling it a "(16) ____________ gaming machine".

update
rival
pure
disappointed
contact
messages
experiencing
running

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	sold more than one million consoles within 24 hours ______
	a. of its releases b. of its release c. of its released d. of its releasing
2)	It has sold out in most of the 13 countries that ______
	a. were sealing it b. were sailing it c. were sell in it d. were selling it
3)	Many people waited outside stores ______
	a. over the night to buy it b. over a night to buy it c. overnight to buy it d. oh the night to buy it
4)	fans lined up to get their Xbox One, and their love for gaming, was truly ______
	a. a special moment b. a specialist moment c. a specialised moment d. a specially moment
5)	look forward to fulfilling holiday gift ______
	a. wish is this season b. wishes this season c. wish its this season d. wishers this season
6)	They saw error messages soon after they switched the machine on and ______
	a. uploaded an updated b. uploaded an updates c. uploaded an updater d. uploaded an update
7)	If a user is experiencing ______ than 10 minutes
	a. a stall for more b. a stale for more c. a steal for more d. a store for more
8)	they should contact Xbox customer support and we will work with ______
	a. them to troubleshooting b. them to trouble shot c. them to troubles shoot d. them to troubleshoot
9)	Microsoft needs to act quickly because ______ Sony also has a new console
	a. its big rival b. its big libel c. its big rivalry d. its big ribald
10)	gamers are calling it a "______"
	a. purity gaming machine b. purely gaming machine c. purist gaming machine d. pure gaming machine

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Microsoft's new games console, the Xbox One, (1) ___________________ million consoles (2) ___________________ its release. It has sold out in most of the 13 countries that were selling it. Many people waited outside stores (3) ___________________ it. Company executives said it was an exciting product and the best console they have ever made. Microsoft spokesman Yusuf Mehdi said: "Seeing (4) ___________________ fans lined up to get their Xbox One, and their (5) ___________________, was truly a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team." He added: "We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles and look forward to fulfilling holiday (6) ___________________ season."

Many Xbox One customers (7) ___________________ buying the console. They saw error messages soon after they switched the machine on and (8) ___________________. The update caused the machine to "brick". This is a gaming word, which means to become useless. Microsoft explained to Britain's Sky News (9) ___________________ to do. It said: "If a user is experiencing a stall for more than 10 minutes…they should contact Xbox customer support and we will work with them (10) ___________________ get them up and running." Microsoft (11) ___________________ because its big rival Sony also has a new console – the PlayStation 4. It is $80 cheaper than the Xbox One and gamers are calling it a "(12) ___________________".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many consoles did Microsoft sell on the first day of sale?
2.	In how many countries was the Xbox One on sale?
3.	Who is Yusuf Mehdi?
4.	What did thousands of excited fans do to get their Xbox One?
5.	What is Microsoft working hard to do?
6.	What did many disappointed Microsoft customers see on their console?
7.	What does the gaming word "brick" mean?
8.	Who should users contact if their game freezes?
9.	Why does Microsoft need to act quickly?
10.	How much cheaper is the PlayStation 4?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How many consoles did Microsoft sell on the first day of sale?	6.	What did many disappointed Microsoft customers see on their console?
	a) more than 1,000,000 b) less than 100,000 c) between 100,000 and 1,000,000 d) exactly one million		a) a brick b) the face of Bill Gates c) a giant "x" d) an error message
2.	In how many countries was the Xbox One on sale?	7.	What does the gaming word "brick" mean?
	a) 11 b) 12 c) 13 d) 14		a) to hit someone with a brick b) build a wall c) become useless d) restart
3.	Who is Yusuf Mehdi?	8.	Who should users contact if their game freezes?
	a) the first person to buy an Xbox One b) a game character c) a game developer d) a Microsoft spokesman		a) the shop b) customer support c) a users' blog d) Microsoft's CEO
4.	What did thousands of excited fans do to get their Xbox One?	9.	Why does Microsoft need to act quickly?
	a) take a ticket b) line up c) log in to a website d) fight		a) it might troubleshoot b) it doesn't like bricks c) because of PlayStation 4 d) pure gaming
5.	What is Microsoft working hard to do?	10.	How much cheaper is the PlayStation 4?
	a) make more consoles b) make a best-selling game c) make holiday gift wishes d) love gaming		a) $88 b) $80 c) $89 d) $18.99

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Shooting Games

You think shooting games are the best computer games. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these games (and why): driving games, fantasy games or sports games.

Role B – Driving Games

You think driving games are the best computer games. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these games (and why): shooting games, fantasy games or sports games.

Role C – Fantasy Games

You think fantasy games are the best computer games. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these games (and why): driving games, shooting games or sports games.

Role D – Sports Games

You think sports games are the best computer games. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these games (and why): driving games, fantasy games or shooting games.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'error' and 'message'.

error

message

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

24
13
best
line
special
gift

error
brick
explained
contact
act
80

GAMES CONSOLES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about games consoles in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

GAMES CONSOLES DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'game'?
c)	Do you like gaming?
d)	Which are best – video games, board games or running-around games?
e)	What do you think of Xbox?
f)	What is your favourite games console (and why)?
g)	What would people play if there were no computers?
h)	What would you wait outside a store for overnight to buy?
i)	What is your favourite game?
j)	What would you like as a gift?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Has an electronic product ever disappointed you?
c)	What do you do when you see an error message?
d)	Why is it important to update your software?
e)	What do you do when your computer or game freezes or crashes?
f)	Why did gamers choose the word "brick" to mean become useless?
g)	Do you have good experiences of telephoning customer support?
h)	Are you good at troubleshooting when there is a technical problem?
i)	Which is better, Microsoft's Xbox or Sony's PlayStation?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Microsoft's CEO?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Microsoft's new games console, the Xbox One, sold (1) ____ than one million consoles within 24 hours of its (2) ____. It has sold out in most of the 13 countries that were selling it. Many people waited outside stores (3) ____ to buy it. Company executives said it was an exciting product and the best console they have ever made. Microsoft spokesman Yusuf Mehdi said: "(4) ____ thousands of excited fans lined up to get their Xbox One, and their love for gaming, was (5) ____ a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team." He added: "We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles and look (6) ____ to fulfilling holiday gift wishes this season."

Many Xbox One customers were disappointed after (7) ____ the console. They saw error messages soon after they switched the machine on and uploaded an update. The update (8) ____ the machine to "brick". This is a gaming word, which means to become useless. Microsoft explained to Britain's Sky News what users needed to do. It said: "If a user is (9) ____ a stall for more than 10 minutes…they should contact Xbox customer support and we will work with them to (10) ____ and get them up and running." Microsoft needs to act quickly because its big (11) ____ Sony also has a new console – the PlayStation 4. It is $80 cheaper than the Xbox One and gamers are calling it a "(12) ____ gaming machine".

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	more	(b)	plus	(c)	over	(d)	larger
2.	(a)	download	(b)	upload	(c)	free	(d)	release
3.	(a)	undercover	(b)	overnight	(c)	underground	(d)	overcrowded
4.	(a)	Seen	(b)	Saw	(c)	Seeing	(d)	Sees
5.	(a)	truly	(b)	truth	(c)	true	(d)	truest
6.	(a)	forward	(b)	sideways	(c)	backward	(d)	diagonally
7.	(a)	buyer	(b)	buy	(c)	bought	(d)	buying
8.	(a)	caused	(b)	resulted	(c)	made	(d)	applied
9.	(a)	experience	(b)	experiencing	(c)	experiences	(d)	experiential
10.	(a)	offshoot	(b)	overshoot	(c)	troubleshoot	(d)	undershoot
11.	(a)	contest	(b)	challenge	(c)	rival	(d)	company
12.	(a)	cure	(b)	pure	(c)	lure	(d)	azure

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	games eoosnlc
2.	within 24 hours of its aselree
3.	people waited outside stores tinhrevgo
4.	thousands of dexitec fans
5.	ulrty a special moment
6.	holiday gift wishes this nssoae
Paragraph 2
7.	customers were iappodeindst
8.	They saw error ssagmees
9.	uoepldad an update
10.	become lseesus
11.	customer orptusp
12.	its big avlri Sony

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	messages soon after they switched the machine on and uploaded an update. The update caused the machine to
( )	overnight to buy it. Company executives said it was an exciting product and the best console they have ever
( )	and running." Microsoft needs to act quickly because its big rival Sony also has a new console – the PlayStation 4. It is
( )	up to get their Xbox One, and their love for gaming, was truly a special moment for
( )	everyone on the Xbox team." He added: "We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles
( )	and look forward to fulfilling holiday gift wishes this season."
( )	$80 cheaper than the Xbox One and gamers are calling it a "pure gaming machine".
( )	needed to do. It said: "If a user is experiencing a stall for more than 10 minutes…they should
( 1 )	Microsoft's new games console, the Xbox One, sold more than one million consoles within 24 hours
( )	Many Xbox One customers were disappointed after buying the console. They saw error
( )	made. Microsoft spokesman Yusuf Mehdi said: "Seeing thousands of excited fans lined
( )	contact Xbox customer support and we will work with them to troubleshoot and get them up
( )	of its release. It has sold out in most of the 13 countries that were selling it. Many people waited outside stores
( )	"brick". This is a gaming word, which means to become useless. Microsoft explained to Britain's Sky News what users

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

within million than 24 consoles Sold hours one more.

13 countries It has sold out in most of the.

outside people to stores waited buy overnight Many it.

fans excited of Thousands One Xbox their get to up lined.

Xbox a for the Truly moment on team special everyone.

the buying after disappointed were Customers console.

switched uploaded on the an and They update machine.

means which , word gaming a is This useless become to.

up them get and Troubleshoot running and.

a Its also console rival Sony new big has.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Microsoft's new games console, the Xbox One, sold more / over than one million consoles within / insides 24 hours of its release. It has sold up / out in most of the 13 countries that were selling it. Many people waited outside stores overnight / underground to buy it. Company executives / executive said it was an exciting product and the best console they have even / ever made. Microsoft spokesman Yusuf Mehdi said: "Seeing / Seen thousands of excited fans lined down / up to get their Xbox One, and their love for gaming, was truly / truth a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team." He added: "We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles and look forward to fulfilling holiday gift wishful / wishes this season."

Many Xbox One customers were disappointed / disappointment after buying the console. They saw error message / messages soon after they switched the machine on and uploaded in / an update. The update caused the machine to "brick". This is a / the gaming word, which means to become useless / useful. Microsoft explained to Britain's Sky News what users needed to do. It said: "If a usage / user is experiencing a stall for more than 10 minutes…they should contract / contact Xbox customer support and we will work with them to troubleshoot and get them up / out and running." Microsoft needs to act quickly because its big rival / rivalry Sony also has a new console – the PlayStation 4. It is $80 cheaper than the Xbox One and gamers are calling it a "pure / cure gaming machine".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

M_cr_s_ft's n_w g_m_s c_ns_l_, th_ Xb_x _n_, s_ld m_r_ th_n _n_ m_ll__n c_ns_l_s w_th_n 24 h__rs _f _ts r_l__s_. _t h_s s_ld __t _n m_st _f th_ 13 c__ntr__s th_t w_r_ s_ll_ng _t. M_ny p__pl_ w__t_d __ts_d_ st_r_s _v_rn_ght t_ b_y _t. C_mp_ny _x_c_t_v_s s__d _t w_s _n _xc_t_ng pr_d_ct _nd th_ b_st c_ns_l_ th_y h_v_ _v_r m_d_. M_cr_s_ft sp_k_sm_n Y_s_f M_hd_ s__d: "S___ng th__s_nds _f _xc_t_d f_ns l_n_d _p t_ g_t th__r Xb_x _n_, _nd th__r l_v_ f_r g_m_ng, w_s tr_ly _ sp_c__l m_m_nt f_r _v_ry_n_ _n th_ Xb_x t__m." H_ _dd_d: "W_ _r_ w_rk_ng h_rd t_ cr__t_ m_r_ Xb_x _n_ c_ns_l_s _nd l__k f_rw_rd t_ f_lf_ll_ng h_l_d_y g_ft w_sh_s th_s s__s_n."

M_ny Xb_x _n_ c_st_m_rs w_r_ d_s_pp__nt_d _ft_r b_y_ng th_ c_ns_l_. Th_y s_w _rr_r m_ss_g_s s__n _ft_r th_y sw_tch_d th_ m_ch_n_ _n _nd _pl__d_d _n _pd_t_. Th_ _pd_t_ c__s_d th_ m_ch_n_ t_ "br_ck". Th_s _s _ g_m_ng w_rd, wh_ch m__ns t_ b_c_m_ _s_l_ss. M_cr_s_ft _xpl__n_d t_ Br_t__n's Sky N_ws wh_t _s_rs n__d_d t_ d_. _t s__d: "_f _ _s_r _s _xp_r__nc_ng _ st_ll f_r m_r_ th_n 10 m_n_t_s…th_y sh__ld c_nt_ct Xb_x c_st_m_r s_pp_rt _nd w_ w_ll w_rk w_th th_m t_ tr__bl_sh__t _nd g_t th_m _p _nd r_nn_ng." M_cr_s_ft n__ds t_ _ct q__ckly b_c__s_ _ts b_g r_v_l S_ny _ls_ h_s _ n_w c_ns_l_ – th_ Pl_ySt_t__n 4. _t _s $80 ch__p_r th_n th_ Xb_x _n_ _nd g_m_rs _r_ c_ll_ng _t _ "p_r_ g_m_ng m_ch_n_".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

microsoft's new games console the xbox one sold more than one million consoles within 24 hours of its release it has sold out in most of the 13 countries that were selling it many people waited outside stores overnight to buy it company executives said it was an exciting product and the best console they have ever made microsoft spokesman yusuf mehdi said "seeing thousands of excited fans lined up to get their xbox one and their love for gaming was truly a special moment for everyone on the xbox team" he added "we are working hard to create more xbox one consoles and look forward to fulfilling holiday gift wishes this season"

many xbox one customers were disappointed after buying the console they saw error messages soon after they switched the machine on and uploaded an update the update caused the machine to "brick" this is a gaming word which means to become useless microsoft explained to britain's sky news what users needed to do it said "if a user is experiencing a stall for more than 10 minutes…they should contact xbox customer support and we will work with them to troubleshoot and get them up and running" microsoft needs to act quickly because its big rival sony also has a new console – the playstation 4 it is $80 cheaper than the xbox one and gamers are calling it a "pure gaming machine"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Microsoft'snewgamesconsole,theXboxOne,soldmorethanonemillio
nconsoleswithin24hoursofitsrelease.Ithassoldoutinmostofthe13co
untriesthatweresellingit.Manypeoplewaitedoutsidestoresovernigh
ttobuyit.Companyexecutivessaiditwasanexcitingproductandthebe
stconsoletheyhaveevermade.MicrosoftspokesmanYusufMehdisaid
:"SeeingthousandsofexcitedfanslineduptogettheirXboxOne,andth
eirloveforgaming,wastrulyaspecialmomentforeveryoneontheXbox
team."Headded:"WeareworkinghardtocreatemoreXboxOneconsol
esandlookforwardtofulfillingholidaygiftwishesthisseason."ManyXb
oxOnecustomersweredisappointedafterbuyingtheconsole.Theysa
werrormessagessoonaftertheyswitchedthemachineonanduploade
danupdate.Theupdatecausedthemachineto"brick".Thisisagaming
word,whichmeanstobecomeuseless.MicrosoftexplainedtoBritain's
SkyNewswhatusersneededtodo.Itsaid:"Ifauserisexperiencingastal
lformorethan10minutes…theyshouldcontactXboxcustomersupport
andwewillworkwiththemtotroubleshootandgetthemupandrunning.
"MicrosoftneedstoactquicklybecauseitsbigrivalSonyalsohasanewc
onsole–thePlayStation4.Itis$80cheaperthantheXboxOneandga
mersarecallingita"puregamingmachine".

FREE WRITING

Write about games consoles for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Computer games are better for people than board games and card games. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about Microsoft's Xbox One. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. GAMES CONSOLES: Make a poster about games consoles. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. RIVALS: Write a magazine article about Sony and Microsoft being rivals. Include imaginary interviews with people who prefer Sony and people who prefer Microsoft.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a gaming expert. Ask him/her three questions about games consoles. Give him/her three ideas on how to make them better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	within	a.	inside
2.	buy	b.	purchase
3.	lined	c.	queued
4.	truly	d.	genuinely
5.	gift	e.	present
6.	disappointed	f.	upset
7.	update	g.	upgrade
8.	stall	h.	freeze
9.	troubleshoot	i.	fix
10.	rival	j.	competitor

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Over 1,000,000
2.	13
3.	A Microsoft spokesman
4.	Line up
5.	Make more consoles
6.	Error messages
7.	To become useless
8.	Customer support
9.	Its rival Sony has a new console
10.	$80

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

d

7.

c

8.

b

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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