Lingoda Group Class Notes 16
Topic: Talking about games Relatedskill: Communication
Date: 11 June 2024 Teacher: Angela(South Africa)
What I've learned
Idioms
Don't be such a sore loser! - Meaning: a sore loser is someone who gets upset when they lose a game - Example: Ah, c’mon. It’s just a game. Don’t be such a sore loser!
Vocabularies & Phrases
| V&P | Definiation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| board game | 桌上游戏 | My favourite board game to play as a child was Risk. |
| game of chance | 博弈游戏 | I like games of chance because I don't have to think too much about strategy. |
| strategy game | 策略游戏 | Chess is a strategy game because you have to think about each move. |
| bluff | v. 虚张声势，唬人；假装做; n. 虚张声势的举动， | My uncle is good at bluffing. No one can tell if he's lying! |
| hand-eye coordination | 手眼协调能力 | It's helpful to have good hand-eye coordination when playing video games. |
| risk-taker | 冒险者 | I'm not much of a risk-taker. I don't like getting involved with danger or risk. |
| cool-headed | adj. 沉着的，头脑冷静的 | My mother is very cool-headed. She's always very calm under a lot of pressure. |
| think on one's feet | 迅速思考 | He makes quick decisions. He's good at thinking on his feet. |
Expressions
There are several constructions and collocations which English speakers use when explaining the rules of a game to someone, or telling them how best to play it.
The ... is to + infinitive
This is how we phrase the aim of a game. Take a look at these examples: - The aim of the game is to score as many points as possible. - The goal is for you to try and get your pieces to the other side of the board. - The point of the game is for the players to get to know each other.
Note: the verb is always in the infinitive((动词的)不定式) - even if persons are introduced (e.g. 'for you' or'for the players').
Sequencers + present tense
When describing the steps players take in a game, sentences are often started with sequencers like first, next, and finally. The verb is always in the simple present.
- First, you have to roll the dice. Then you pass the dice to the next player.
- Next, you move your piece.
- Finally, you reach the end of the board.
Constructions with by + gerundive
To talk about how to score points, achieve your aims, or win a game, constructions with by + gerundive (动名词) (-ing form) are common.
- By building on your properties, you increase your income.
- You can get another turn by rolling two sixes.
- By getting all your pieces to the end of the board, you win the game.
Note: when describing an option or a strategy,by +ing is often used with can.You can bluff by pretending tohave better cards in your hand than your really do.
Emphasising important points
Often, when explaining games - especially goals and rules - you need to place emphasis on important points. You do this by using the ...is to + infinitive construction. Here are some examples.
- The most important thing is to not forget your turn!
- What you can never do is to move the pawn backwards.
- A key strategy is to buy early and cheap.
As you can see, the first part of the sentence can start with an article (冠词) like the or a as well as what followed by a verb.
Another construction for emphasis is ...is that + present. This is used to describe the facts of the game, not the goals you are pursuing.
- What you will notice is that other players often miss opportunities.
- The thing to remember is that resources on the board are limited.
- A really important point is that other players can see the card, too.
Additional materials
Review
4/5
Same teacher possibility: 30%
This is my second time with Angela. My second Lingoda class is also with Angela. However, that class was almost a month ago, so I've forgotten her teaching style. The timing of her class today is convenient for me, so I booked another session with her today.
Angela is a patient teacher. The biggest difference between her and my other teachers is that she always let us practice writing, even in a communication class. I like this aspect of her teaching. However, I prefer teachers who always give detailed feedback, which is slightly different from Angela's approach.