VOA慢速英语2020--Grammar Games at Home: Jeopardy

 

Hi, everyone!

You might be reading or listening to this Everyday Grammar program from your living room or bedroom. In fact, you might be even wearing pajamas¹, no matter the time of day.

If you are like us here in Washington, D.C. and many other places, health officials have asked you to stay at home for now.

And with so many people at home for long periods, people are looking for activities to keep their minds occupied. Too much time on social media can be a problem. Even binge-watching movies and television shows loses its appeal after a while.

With this in mind, we will be offering ideas for games that you can play with your family or housemates in the coming weeks to practice your English.

What is Jeopardy²?

On today's program we will talk about Jeopardy, a favorite game of English learning³ classrooms.

The idea comes from the American television game show in which players give their answers in the form of a question. You may have even seen the show in your country.

In Jeopardy, players choose from categories and try to win money, like this:

(Player) I'll take Countries for $100.

(Host) This Asian country is famous for its high-quality motorcycles

(Player) What is Japan?

(Host) That is correct!

Notice that the answer came in the form of a question: "What is Japan?"

You will also note the host read a fact in statement form. We will call those facts clues.

Playing Jeopardy at home is a good way to get experience forming questions in English. It also can improve your speaking and listening skills, and help expand your vocabulary.

Now, let's talk about how to play the game. You will need three or more English learners – one person to serve as host and the others to play.*

There are two ways to play the game: the traditional way (with answers in question form) and the easier way, which you can find on our website at www.51voa.com.

How to play - traditional

Here is how to play the traditional way.

The first step is to decide who the host will be. His or her job is to gather clues for the game. The host also reads clues to the players, and keeps a record of points won.

To play the game, you will need five separate categories. For example, you might choose: Countries, Animals, Foods, Sports and Actors. For each category, choose six clues, from easy ($100) to difficult ($600).

The host will need to keep the clues on a computer screen or write or print them on a small piece of paper.

To set up the game, you will need a board or large piece of paper. (If using paper, put it on a wall for all the players to see.) On the large paper or board, make a grid⁴ like the simple design shown on our website.

Write the categories on the left of the grid and the money amounts across the top.

For the full directions on how to play the game, to see how to make the grid, and for links to clues that are already prepared, go to our website.

And join us again soon for more grammar games you can play at home.

I'm Alice Bryant.

Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

For Jeopardy game directions, click here.

*If you are the only English speaker in your home, you can play the game in your native language.

Jeopardy Clues

Click the links below for Jeopardy clues that have already been prepared. The host can print them or write them on pieces of paper.

Jeopardy Cards, Set 1

Jeopardy Cards, Set 2

Jeopardy Cards, Set 3

Jeopardy Cards, Set 4

Jeopardy Cards, Set 5

Jeopardy Cards, Idioms

Words in This Story

pajamas – n. clothing that people wear in bed or while relaxing at home

binge-watching – n. watch multiple⁵ episodes⁶ of (a television program) in rapid succession⁷, typically by means of DVDs or digital streaming

housemate – n. a person who lives in the same house with another person but is not a part of that person's family

practice – v. to do something again and again in order to get better at it

category – n. a group of things that are similar in some way

host – n. a person who talks to players on a game show

clue – n. something that helps a person find an answer to something

vocabulary – n. all of the words known and used by a person

board – n. a large, flat surface attached to a wall or supported on an easel and used for writing on with chalk or markers, especially by teachers in classrooms

1 pajamas   

n.睡衣裤

参考例句：

• At bedtime,I take off my clothes and put on my pajamas.睡觉时，我脱去衣服，换上睡衣。
• He was wearing striped pajamas.他穿着带条纹的睡衣裤。

2 jeopardy   

n.危险；危难

参考例句：

• His foolish behaviour may put his whole future in jeopardy.他愚蠢的行为可能毁了他一生的前程。
• It is precisely at this juncture that the boss finds himself in double jeopardy.恰恰在这个关键时刻，上司发现自己处于进退两难的境地。

3 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

4 grid   

n.高压输电线路网；地图坐标方格；格栅

参考例句：

• In this application,the carrier is used to encapsulate the grid.在这种情况下，要用载体把格栅密封起来。
• Modern gauges consist of metal foil in the form of a grid.现代应变仪则由网格形式的金属片组成。

5 multiple   

adj.多个(或多项、多种)的；n.（数）倍数

参考例句：

• The number 8 is a multiple of 4.八是四的倍数。
• The most common multiple births are twins,two babies born at the same time.最常见的多胎是双胞胎，两个婴儿同时出生。

6 episodes   

插曲，片断( episode的名词复数 )； 一集

参考例句：

• The novel deals with the romantic episodes of her early life. 小说叙述了她早期生活的浪漫插曲。
• Three episodes have been telescoped into a single programme. 把叁集的内容压缩成了一个节目。

7 succession   

n.连续，一连串，一系列；v.接替，继任

参考例句：

• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
• His succession as headmaster was not in any doubt.他继任校长是确定无疑的。