English for Beginners: Playing Games
Dialogue
Alice: Hi Bob, what are you doing?
Bob: Oh, hi Alice! I’m trying to beat this level in my new game. It’s super hard!
Alice: Really? What game is it? Is it one of those monster-fighting games?
Bob: Kind of! It’s ‘Dragon Slayer 3’. The dragon just ate my magic boots again!
Alice: Haha, sounds painful for your boots! Can I watch? Maybe I can give you some ‘expert’ advice.
Bob: You? Expert advice? Last time you played, you walked your character into a wall for five minutes!
Alice: That was strategy! I was checking the wall for secret passages! And it was a long time ago.
Bob: Sure, ‘strategy’. Anyway, come here. See? This big red dragon, Sparky, keeps breathing fire.
Alice: Sparky? That’s a cute name for a fire-breathing beast!
Bob: Don’t let the name fool you. He’s terrible! Look, I need to get the golden sword.
Alice: Ah, the golden sword! Is it hidden in that giant mushroom?
Bob: No, that’s just a regular, bouncy mushroom. The sword is usually near the ‘Beware of Gnomes’ sign.
Alice: Of course! Everywhere there are gnomes, there is treasure. Classic game logic.
Bob: Exactly! Now, if only Sparky would take a nap…
Alice: Or if you could bribe him with a shiny coin?
Bob: Hmm, worth a try! If I had any shiny coins left after buying these magic boots he ate!
Current Situation
Playing games is a very popular hobby for many people around the world. There are many different types of games. Some people like video games on computers or consoles, like PlayStation or Xbox. Others enjoy mobile games on their phones or tablets. Board games, like Chess or Monopoly, are also popular. Playing games can be a fun way to relax, challenge your mind, or spend time with friends and family, even if they are far away. Many games now allow people to play together online.
Key Phrases
- beat this level: I need to beat this level to finish the game.
- super hard: This puzzle is super hard!
- monster-fighting games: Do you like monster-fighting games or puzzle games?
- breathing fire: The dragon is breathing fire!
- give you some advice: Can I give you some advice for your homework?
- secret passages: Look for secret passages in the old castle.
- don’t let the name fool you: She looks small, but don’t let the name fool you, she’s very strong.
- classic game logic: Collect 10 coins? That’s classic game logic!
- take a nap: My cat loves to take a nap on the sofa.
- bribe him with: Maybe we can bribe him with a cookie.
Grammar Points
1. Present Continuous
We use the Present Continuous to talk about actions happening right now or around now.
- Form: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
- Examples from dialogue:
- “What are you doing?”
- “I‘m trying to beat this level.”
- “This big red dragon, Sparky, keeps breathing fire.” (Implies a continuous, repeated action)
- More examples:
- She is reading a book.
- They are eating dinner.
2. Simple Present
We use the Simple Present to talk about habits, facts, or things that are generally true.
- Form: subject + base verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)
- Examples from dialogue:
- “The sword is usually near the ‘Beware of Gnomes’ sign.” (A general truth in the game)
- “Everywhere there are gnomes, there is treasure.” (A general fact)
- “Don’t let the name fool you.” (Imperative form, uses base verb)
- More examples:
- I play games every day.
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
3. Can / Can’t (Ability & Permission)
We use can to talk about ability (what someone is able to do) or to ask for/give permission. We use can’t for negative ability or refusal of permission.
- Form: subject + can/can’t + base verb
- Examples from dialogue:
- “Can I watch?” (Asking for permission)
- “Maybe I can give you some ‘expert’ advice.” (Expressing possibility/ability)
- More examples:
- A bird can fly.
- I can’t swim very well.
4. Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns (people, places, things). They tell us more about the noun’s quality, size, color, etc.
- Position: Adjectives usually come before the noun they describe.
- Examples from dialogue:
- “super hard level”
- “big red dragon”
- “magic boots”
- “cute name”
- “golden sword”
- “giant mushroom”
- “regular, bouncy mushroom”
- “shiny coin”
- More examples:
- a happy cat
- a tall building
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the correct word (Present Continuous / Simple Present)
- I ____ (play / am playing) a game right now.
- She often ____ (watches / is watching) me play.
- He ____ (don’t like / doesn’t like) monster games.
- Look! The dragon ____ (breathes / is breathing) fire!
Exercise 2: Match the phrase with its meaning.
- beat this level
- super hard
- take a nap
- give some advice
- a. very difficult
- b. help someone with an idea
- c. win a part of a game
- d. sleep for a short time
Exercise 3: Complete the sentences using ‘can’ or ‘can’t’.
- I ____ play this game. It’s too difficult! (negative)
- ____ you help me? (question)
- Yes, I ____. I know this game! (positive)
- He ____ find the secret passage. (negative)
Exercise 4: Create a simple sentence using these words (Adjectives).
- (cute) cat
- (big) house
- (golden) coin
- I have a cute cat.
- They live in a big house.
- He found a golden coin.
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