//Games Conversation Book 3

1 - Warm up
Discuss these questions in pairs:
-What were your favorite things to do when you were a kid?
-What games did you use to play when you were younger?
-How do you think playing has contributed to your personal development?
-Do you still play today? What games do you play nowadays?
-What makes for a good game, in your opinion?

2 - Vocabulary
There are many kinds of games in the world. How many types of games can you think of?
Your teacher has hidden some cards around the classroom that contain the names of different types of games. Their
definitions are below. In pairs or small groups, look around the room and find the cards. Then, match the words on the
cards with their definitions, and come up with some examples for each of them.

Type of game: ______________________________ Type of game: ______________________________

Examples: _________________________________ Examples: _________________________________
Definition: A diverse category of video Definition: Games that are played at social
games designed to closely simulate real-world gatherings to facilitate interaction and provide
activities. These games attempt to copy entertainment and recreation.
various activities from real life in the form of a game.
Type of game: ______________________________
Type of game: ______________________________
Examples: _________________________________
Examples: _________________________________
Definition: Games in which the competitors are
Definition: Games of strategy or chance played on a
asked questions about interesting but unimportant
specially designed board; they often involve two or
facts in many subjects.
more opponents moving pieces and using dice or
cards. Type of game: ______________________________
Examples: _________________________________
Type of game: ______________________________
Definition: Games played by electronically
Examples: _________________________________
manipulating images produced by a computer
Definition: Spoken or board games often
program on a screen.
designed to test ability with language.
Type of game: ______________________________
Type of game: ______________________________
Examples: _________________________________
Examples: _________________________________
Definition: Games, problems or toys that test a
Definition: Games played by using cards.
person’s ingenuity or knowledge.

3 - Conversation
-What are the advantages of playing games?
-What is your opinion about the use of games in education?
-What types of games can be used in school? Which ones are the most beneficial?
-Did your teachers use to use games in the classroom?
-How about video games, do you think they have more advantages or disadvantages? Explain.

4 - Reading
4.1 You are going to read a text about the potential benefits of playing video games. First, take a look at the
underlined words in the text. Can you match them to their definitions below?

_____________________. Abilities.
_____________________. To make better; to develop or increase in capacity.
_____________________. To do something, perform, conduct.
_____________________. The way in which a person acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus.
_____________________. The professional who performs surgeries/operations on people.
 Video games can be good for you

For years, video games have been criticized for making people more antisocial and overweight. But now researchers
are finding that games can actually change us for the better, and improve our bodies and minds.
Games can help to develop physical skills. A study of surgeons found that those who played video games worked 27
per cent faster, and made 37 per cent fewer errors, than those who didn’t. Their vision was also better.
Games also benefit a variety of brain functions, including decision-making. People who play action-based games make
decisions 25 per cent faster than others.
There is also evidence that gaming can help with psychological problems. In New Zealand, researchers asked 94
young people diagnosed with depression to play a 3D fantasy game called SPARX; in many cases, the game reduced
symptoms of depression more than conventional treatment.
The effects are not always so positive, however. Indiana University researchers carried out numerous brain scans on
young men and found evidence that violent games can alter brain function after as little as one week of play, affecting
regions in the brain associated with emotional control and causing more aggressive behavior in the player.

4.2 Look at the statements below and decide if they are true (T) or false (F):
a) Video games are producing better surgeons. ( )
b) Video games could improve your vision. ( )
c) Video games can help improve your decision-making skills. ( )
d) Video games can help you make new social connections. ( )
e) Video games can reduce stress. ( )

4.3 Now read the following paragraphs and match them to the statements in Exercise 4.2.
( ) Scientists are discovering that playing games in moderation may actually improve your vision. In one study, 10
weeks of play was associated with a greater ability to discern between different shades of grey.
( ) Gamers are often considered anti-social, but the opposite is actually true. The popularity of multi-player
experiences online has given way to a new form of socializing in which players work together to solve problems.
Studies have shown that games can also be the reason for friends to meet in person: 70% of all players play with
friends sometimes.
( ) Because new information is constantly being shown during a game, players are forced to adapt quickly. In one
study, players who were immersed in fast-paced games were 25% faster in reacting to questions about an image
they had just seen.
( ) A study of laparoscopic (small incision) specialists found that those who played for more than 3 hours per
week made 32% fewer errors during practice procedures compared to surgeons that did not play.
( ) A major study that tracked players over six months and measured their heart rate found that certain titles
reduced their adrenaline response by over 50%.

4.4 Discuss the following questions with your classmates.

-How can video games help people in their professional life?
-What are other benefits of playing video games besides the ones mentioned in the text?
-When was the last time you played video games?
-How do you feel playing video games?

CAUTION: The following game is only to be played by the most avid gamers!

5 - Game
Let’s play!
The teacher is going to have you play a trivia game about video games. Get together in pairs or groups of three. You
will receive a board and a marker, and for each question you’ll have 30 seconds to write the answer on the board.

6 - Composition
What is your opinion about video games? Are they good or bad for you, or maybe both? Why?