IELTS Topic: Games and gaming
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
Gamer: (noun)
A person who plays video games
The gamer was playing a new game.
Gaming console:(noun)
A video game console is a computer device that outputs a video signal or visual image to a TV screen.
I just bought a new Playstation 5 gaming console.
Remote control: (noun)
control of a machine or apparatus from a distance by means of radio or infrared signals transmitted from a device.
I have to buy a new remote control for my gaming console as the old one is broken.
Pause the game:(verb phrase)
A phrase that means a temporary stop or rest. To pause is defined as to stop for a brief period.
I had to pause the game to do a few things for my mother, I then resumed playing the game when I returned.
Virtual reality: (noun)
the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
Virtual reality will continue to grow in popularity in the future.
Click: (verb)
to make or cause a short, sharp sound as of a switch being operated or of two hard objects coming smartly into contact.
He clicked the mouse button to make the changes to the document.
Graphics: (noun)
the products of the graphic arts, especially commercial design or illustration
The new graphics on the console are of the best quality.
esports: (noun)
a multiplayer video game played competitively for spectators, typically by professional gamers.
Millions of people enjoy watching esports.
Playstation: (noun)
The Playstation is a video game console developed by Sony.
I just bought the new PlayStation 5 gaming Console.
Pixels: (noun / plural noun)
a minute area of illumination on a display screen, one of many from which an image is composed.
The camera scans photographs and encodes the image into pixels.
RPG games:(noun)
Role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game; abbreviated RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting.
RPG games have become very popular over the last three years.
Strategy games:(noun)
A strategy game or strategic game is a game (e.g. a board game) in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous, decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome.
I often play Strategy games online with other players.
Online games:(noun)
An online game is a video game that is either partially or primarily played through the Internet or any other computer network.
Fortnite is one of my favorite online games.
Offline games:(noun)
Offline games are video games that can run/be played without an Internet connection.
I often enjoy playing offline games when I am not able to connect to the internet.
Game over: (Informal phrase)
Said when a situation is regarded as hopeless or irreversible.
They say that once your customer loyalty vanishes it's game over for your business.
PART 1 QUESTIONS
Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the first part, the examiner will ask you a number of general questions
Topic
Do you play any games?
What games are popular in your country?
How do people learn to play games in your country?
Do you think it's important for people to play games?
How has technology changed the way we play games?
How can playing games help children in a positive way?
What are the negative aspects of games on kids?
Can digital games be helpful in the classroom?
How have the games changed over the past few decades
Do you think that gaming will still be popular in the future
Have you ever attended an esport game event?
Are esport games popular in your country?
PART 2 QUESTIONS
Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
You will have 1 minute to prepare to speak, and then you will talk for 2 minutes, during which the examiner will not speak.
Part 2 – sample task card
Sample A
Describe an interesting and exciting game you have played.
You should say:
what game it was
when you played it
what the game was about and how you play it
and explain how much you enjoyed playing this game.
Sample B
Describe the most difficult game you have ever played.
You should say:
What the game was
Who you played this game with
What made this game so difficult
And what your thoughts are about this game and if you will be playing it again in the future.
Sample C
Describe a technical problem you have experienced while playing games.
You should say:
What was the problem
What game you were playing at the time
Who was playing the game with you
How you solved the problem and how you felt about this experience
PART 3 QUESTIONS
Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the last part, you will talk with the examiner about issues related to the topic on the card.
So, let’s talk more about games.
Do you think video games or other electronic games are an important part of society?
Do you think that playing computer games has an advantage for children? Explain why?
Do you think computer games make children more or less violent? Why?
What type of computer games digital or physical are popular in your country? Why?
Can computer games be integrated as a part of our education and learning? How?
Are computer games becoming more popular? What is better in your view: virtual or physical communication? Why?
What changes have you noticed between computer games in the last decade and these days?
So, can video games have a negative side?
What do you think about the future of video games, and what difficulties might we face?
