Getting Paid to Play
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
the ARTICLE (for teachers)
Getting Paid to Play
David Storey of Australia purchased a private island for $26,500. The price may sound very
cheap. However, the island cannot be reached by any boat or plane because it's virtual. In
other words, the place doesn't exist in the real world. It's part of a computer program for an
online role-playing game.
You now may wonder if Storey is a little crazy. However, the twenty-seven year old graduate
student currently earns more than $100,000 per year from the game. He is able to mix
recreation and work. He runs the island like a rare game preserve, where hunters are taxed
to use the land. He then exchanges the virtual money for real cash. There are similar
businesses online, like an asteroid space resort and a space station. If either of these
properties were sold, they could earn hundreds of thousands of dollars!
A lot of people may see the whole concept as silly. However, David Storey and others like
him don't just live from paycheck to paycheck. These gamers are making a lot of money.
They are getting paid to play.
Teacher's Notes:
* Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson.
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Getting Paid to Play
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
the Article (for students)
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
wonder
similar
recreation
preserve
exist
hundreds
purchased
program
concept
earns
Getting Paid to Play
David Storey of Australia (a. _______________) a private island for $26,500. The price
may sound very cheap. However, the island cannot be reached by any boat or plane
because it's virtual. In other words, the place doesn't (b. _______________) in the real
world. It's part of a computer (c. _______________) for an online role-playing game.
You now may (d. _______________) if Storey is a little crazy. However, the twentyseven year old graduate student currently (e. _______________) more than $100,000
per year from the game. He is able to mix (f. _______________) and work. He runs the
island like a rare game (g. _______________), where hunters are taxed to use the land.
He then exchanges the virtual money for real cash. There are (h. _______________)
businesses online, like an asteroid space resort and a space station. If either of these
properties were sold, they could earn (i. _______________) of thousands of dollars!
A lot of people may see the whole (j. _______________) as silly. However, David Storey
and others like him don't just live from paycheck to paycheck. These gamers are making
a lot of money. They are getting paid to play.
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Getting Paid to Play
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
STEP ONE
Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner words and ideas for "role playing game" for two
minutes. Next, talk about the words and ideas for five minutes.
STEP TWO
Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the
article) with the best choice in column B.
a. purchase
b. exist
u. ask yourself
c. wonder
d. recreation
w. be
e. similar
f. concept
y.
v.
same
x. buy
idea
z. fun
STEP THREE
Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.
wonder
recreation
purchased
concept
a. David Storey of Australia (
b. the place doesn't (
c. You now may (
d. He is able to mix (
e. There are (
f.
similar
exist
) a private island for $26,500.
) in the real world.
) if Storey is a little crazy.
) and work.
) businesses online, like an asteroid space resort.
A lot of people may see the whole
) as silly.
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Getting Paid to Play
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
STEP FOUR
The Article: 1) Read the article, but don't worry about the missing words. 2) Fill in the
blanks with today's vocabulary, followed by all the other words. 3) Read the article again,
and circle any unknown words/phrases. In pairs/groups, use your dictionaries to understand
the words or phrases you circled. 4) Answer the questions to check your comprehension.
a. What did David Storey buy? How much did it cost
b. How much does Storey earn per year?
c. How does Storey earn money?
d. What does "living paycheck to paycheck" mean?
e. What is meant by "getting paid to play?"
STEP FIVE
Discuss: Write down three vocabulary words from today's article that you want to use.
a.
b.
c.
Now talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Every time you use a vocabulary
word, place a check next to it. Try to use today's vocabulary as much as possible.
a. Did you like this article? Why/not?
b. Would you want to get paid for playing a video game? Why/not?
c. What realistic change would you like to make to your current job to enjoy it more?
d. If someone you knew wanted to make money online, what advice would you give?
Score yourself:
7-10 times, or more: Fantastic! Be sure to review the words at home.
4-6 times:
Pretty good! You're on your way to acquiring today's vocabulary. Try
writing your own sentences at home for more practice.
3 or less times:
Try harder next time! To acquire new vocabulary, you need to use the
new words as much as possible.
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