Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 16 September 2014
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
Microsoft Acquires Minecraft
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- acquire: to take ownership of; to buy
- console: an electronic system used for playing video games
- demographic: a sector of the population
- enthusiast: a person who really likes something
- architect: a person who designs buildings
- restriction: limit or rule
Comprehension Questions
- What business deal occurred this month?
- Why does this report mention Windows phones?
- Why are many gamers opposed to this deal?
Discussion Questions: Do you think users will eventually get bored with Minecraft, or does this game have staying power to make it worth 2.5 billion?
show Answershide Answers
Microsoft Acquires Minecraft
Microsoft has acquired Mojang, the maker of Minecraft, one of the world’s best-selling video games. The Swedish firm, which currently employs 40 people, was purchased for 2.5 billion dollars. Mojang’s Lego-like video game allows users to build their own virtual worlds. It has approximately 100 million users and is a top-selling app across many devices and consoles. Analysts believe that Microsoft will try to use this deal to promote its Windows phones to a young demographic. The makers behind Minecraft will join the team responsible for other Microsoft video games, such as Halo. Many Minecraft enthusiasts are opposed to the acquisition. These virtual architects fear that their creative community will be forced to deal with new restrictions when Microsoft takes over.
- Microsoft bought Mojang, the maker of a popular video game called Minecraft.
- This report mentions Windows phones because some analysts believe Microsoft’s purpose of buying Minecraft is to promote its Windows phones to young people.
- Many gamers are opposed to this deal because they fear that Microsoft will put restrictions on the creative gaming community.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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