That’s English!Collective Tutorial

By Caroline WrightTeaching Unit – “Games of Chance”

Discussion Questions

• Do you play the lottery? How many people do you think play the lottery?

• Does the lottery encourage gambling?

• How many forms of gambling can you think of?

• Why do you think games of chance can become addictive?

• Does gender influence gambling habits?

• Is there an age limit for gambling?

• Are games of chance all about luck? Is there any skill involved?

Spinners

Agony Aunt - Take it in turns to be the Agony Aunt on a radio phone-in show. Give advice to your callers who find themselves in the following situations:

Caller 1:Spent all his savings betting on the horse races. The horse won and the caller invested his money further buying the horse. How does he tell his wife he has spent on all their life savings on a horse?Caller 2:Wants to go on holiday to Las Vegas. He would like to visit some casinos but is worried about getting addicted to gambling and spending too much money? Is it possible to visit a casino and not spend too much money?Caller 3:Has got the winning lottery ticket but can’t find it! She has got no idea where she has left it. What should she do?Caller 4:Thinks they are addicted to online poker. Every time he turns on the computer he feels the need to play. What should he do? Should he stop playing completely?

What must have happened? Mary has just won the lottery. Can you hypothesize over what might have happened?The first one has been done for you. Think of as many reasons as possible.

Mary studied like crazy for the exam. ? She failed the exam. She must have left school now she has won the lottery.

Mary was away from home on holiday. ? She got an incredibly high phone bill.

Mary said she would come to

the party no matter what. ? She didn’t show up at all.

Mary was planning to get

married next month. ? Now she is broken hearted.

Mary was very excited about

her trip to Greece. ? She has decided to stay at home instead.

Taken from Games for Grammar Practice, page 69/70

What must have happened? John has just gambled away all his money. Can you hypothesize over what might have happened?The first one has been done for you. Think of as many reasons as possible.

John went for a job interview. ? He was turned down for. The company must have found out about job his gambling addiction.

John was a gifted piano player. ? He became an engineer.

John left his home 4 hours

before the flight was supposed to ? He missed his flight. take off

John moved to his own apartment ? Now he is back with his mother. Less than a month ago.

Taken from Games for Grammar Practice, page 69/70.

Rules for playing “Games of Chance”Suggest some rules for the following games.

• Playing the lotteryE.g. You must not lose your ticket. You should only play once a week. You don’t have to use the same numbers every week.

• Going to a casino

• Betting on horses/dogs

• Playing poker

• Playing fruit machines

• Losing a lot of money

• Winning the jackpot

References

• Zaorob, M. L. and Chin, E. (2001), “Games for Grammar Practice”, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.