tamagotchi effect

Index

Reading

01

A short text about the Tamagotchi Effect

Grammar

02

Infinitive structures

Speaking

03

07

Agreeing and disagreeing

Do you think it's possible to become emotionally attached to a computer or machine?Can you think of any movies where this has happened?

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Pre-Reading

Vocabulary and Pronunciation

Before reading, preview some of the words from the text.

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Pre-reading task

Match the words to their meaning in the table.

Pre-reading task

pronounce the words correctly.

Read the beginning of an article about the Tamagotchi Effect.

What are the positive and negative effects?

Read the rest of the article.

Compare your ideas

+ Info

Grammar

Grammar

find an example of each infinitive structure in the reading text and match it to the rule.

Rule5

Rule2

Rule3

Rule1

Rule4

Rule6

Note: Each of the infinitive structures can be: a) active or passive, e.g. You need to look after it. = It needs to be looked after. b) simple, perfect or continuous, e.g. to play, to have played, to be playing.

Grammar

Complete the sentences with the correct positive or negative infinitives (active or passive) of the verbs in brackets.

1) I've never had the opportunity to play with a virtual pet. 2) Robotic companies, _________ (leave out), are also keen on developing the idea of virtual friends. 3) He simply refused _________ (interrupt) while playing with his new friend. 4) I was surprised _________ (find out) that I couldn't stop playing. 5) A cute baby dinosaur is probably the best creature _________ (look after) by a novice carer. 6) _________(have) a pet of any kind is to deprive a child of early emotional development.

+ Info

Complete the sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the second sentences in each box.

Use between 3 and 6 words including the word in all caps.

02

03

01

04

QUICKEST

TEND

THRILLED

TRIED

1. Humans _______________ attached to things which do not have any emotions.

1. I'm always the _____________ the latest gadgets.

1. Game designers __have tried to make__ the experience of owning virtual pets as realistic as possible.

1. I'd _______________ my own virtual friend.

2. To have my own virtual friend would be thrilling.

2. I always get the latest gadgets before everybody else.

2. Humans often become attached to things which do not have any emotions.

2. Making the experience of owning virtual pets as realistic as possible is the goal of game designers.

How much do you agree or disagree with the statments?