B1CEFRVocabulary20 min

Gaming and Esports Vocabulary and Shadowing

Gaming and esports

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Quick Guide

🎮 How to use this lesson

For the teacher

Spend about 20 minutes guiding learners through the word table and letting them solve the 16 practice tasks at their own speed.

Check the answers together using the instant feedback checks before having students record their voices in the shadowing section.

For the learner

First, read the word table and the quick memory tips to understand the meaning and shapes of all 10 words.

Next, complete the 16 practice challenges below and practice speaking each item aloud in the shadowing section.

Vocabulary Core

Word table

10 target words across 3 gaming themes

1. Playing games

Word Meaning Common collocations Word forms Example sentence Memory tip
console an electronic machine used for playing video games on a screen games console, next-gen console, turn on a console – He bought a new console to play games with his friends. Picture: Imagine a sleek shiny box connected right under your TV.
controller a handheld device with buttons used to operate a game wireless controller, hold a controller, game controller control (v, n) Pass me the other controller so we can play together. Word part: You hold it in your hands to control your character.
opponent a person or team that you play against in a game beat an opponent, face an opponent, tough opponent oppose (v) She shook hands with her opponent after the match. Contrast: Your opponent sits on the opposite side of the table.
level a stage or difficulty step in a video game reach a level, next level, bonus level – I cannot finish this level because the boss is too fast. Picture: Think of climbing a tall staircase one level at a time.

2. Online play

Word Meaning Common collocations Word forms Example sentence Memory tip
multiplayer a game mode where several people play together or against each other multiplayer mode, multiplayer game, online multiplayer – This game has a fun multiplayer mode for up to four players. Word part: Multi means many, so many players are in the game.
commentator a person who talks about the game live as it happens esports commentator, live commentator, match commentator comment (n, v), commentary (n) The commentator explained every move during the final round. Sound: A commentator speaks loud comments into a microphone.
tournament a competition with many players or teams playing matches to find a winner esports tournament, enter a tournament, win a tournament – Over fifty teams entered the weekend gaming tournament. Picture: Picture a big trophy cup at the center of an arena.

3. Describing games

Word Meaning Common collocations Word forms Example sentence Memory tip
intense very strong, serious, or exciting with fast action intense match, intense battle, intense feeling intensity (n), intensely (adv) The last five minutes of the match were really intense. Sound: When nerves are tense, the game feels intense.
competitive wanting very much to win, or involving tough competition competitive gaming, highly competitive, competitive scene compete (v), competition (n) He loves competitive matches because everyone tries their best. Sound: Picture players who compete in a big race.
realistic seeming like real life rather than something imaginary realistic graphics, look realistic, realistic sound real (adj), realism (n) The water effects in this driving game look so realistic. Word part: Starts with real, so it looks like the real world.
Interactive Tasks

Practice

16 challenges: collocations, gap-fills, choose-the-word & word forms

Part 1: Collocations

Match each gaming verb with the natural partner noun.

1. Match the verb face to its partner noun:

Verb
an opponent
a level
a tournament
a controller
face
____an opponent ____a level ____a tournament ____a controller

2. Match the verb reach to its partner noun:

Verb
an opponent
a level
a tournament
a controller
reach
____an opponent ____a level ____a tournament ____a controller

3. Match the verb enter to its partner noun:

Verb
an opponent
a level
a tournament
a controller
enter
____an opponent ____a level ____a tournament ____a controller

4. Match the verb pick up to its partner noun:

Verb
an opponent
a level
a tournament
a controller
pick up
____an opponent ____a level ____a tournament ____a controller

Part 2: Complete the dialogs

Choose words from the word bank to fill in each blank.

Word bank: multiplayer console intense commentator

5. Leo: "Do you want to play alone or join the online ____ mode together?"

6. Emma: "Make sure you connect the new games ____ to the TV before dinner."

7. Sam: "That final round was so ____ that my hands were shaking!"

8. Mia: "The match ____ shouted with excitement during the last minute."

Part 3: Choose the word

Pick the only word that makes sensible meaning in the sentence.

9. He picked up the wireless _____ to start steering his car.

____ a. controller ____ b. console ____ c. opponent

10. The game graphics look so _____ that the ocean water seems real.

____ a. competitive ____ b. realistic ____ c. intense

11. She practiced for three days to complete the hardest _____ in the story.

____ a. level ____ b. console ____ c. tournament

12. After finishing the match, he shook hands with his _____.

____ a. controller ____ b. commentator ____ c. opponent

Part 4: Word forms

Use the correct related form of the word in brackets.

13. Ten international teams will ____ for the trophy this weekend. (competitive)

14. The players focused ____ during the final game of the series. (intense)

15. Modern gaming screens show every scene with stunning ____ and color. (realistic)

16. Two rival clubs will ____ each other in the championship match. (opponent)

Pronunciation Lab

Shadowing

12 speaking prompts: listen first, then record your voice

Collocations (Items 1-4)

1. Collocation

beat an opponent

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

2. Collocation

reach a level

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

3. Collocation

wireless controller

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

4. Collocation

online multiplayer

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Everyday Sentences (Items 5-10)

5. Sentence (6 words)

Pass me the other controller now.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

6. Sentence (6 words)

This multiplayer match is very fast.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

7. Sentence (6 words)

The commentator spoke with great energy.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

8. Sentence (7 words)

I just reached the final level today.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

9. Sentence (6 words)

The game graphics look very realistic.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

10. Sentence (7 words)

We had an intense game last night.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Challenge Words (Items 11-12)

11. Challenge word

4 syllables
competitive

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

12. Challenge word

3 syllables
tournament

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

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