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About these games
All these games, except for 'Mastermind', are intended as supplementary classroom activities for teachers with access to question sheets from the ESL board game Word Up™. If you don't have access to these, you can still use the games by printing out the free sample question sets on this website. Mastermind
LevelLower intermediate to advanced. Preparation 1. Print out one of the Mastermind question sets (lower intermediate, intermediate, upper intermediate or advanced), or write your own set of questions. These should be in four general knowledge categories, such as science, geography, sports, music, etc. 2. Set up a 'stage' at the front of the classroom with chairs for three contestants. Write the four categories on the board and then draw a scoring table, like this: How it Works 1. Ask for one student to act as quiz master and give him or her the set of questions. Then ask for three students to act as contestants. The rest of the students make up the 'audience'. The quiz master then writes the contestants' names along the top of the scoring table. 2. The quiz master asks three rounds of questions, with one question for each contestant per round. To begin, the quiz master asks the first contestant ('stage right') which category he or she would like to answer a question from. The quiz master then reads the first question from this category. If the contestant answers correctly, the quiz master marks the contestant's box with a tick. If the answer is not correct, the quiz master asks if a member of the 'audience' can answer the question. If no-one can, the quiz master reads out the correct answer. 3. The game continues with the second contestant choosing a category and answering a question, and then the third. Then round two is played, and so on. If, after three rounds, one player has earned more points than the others, this player wins. If two or all three are tied, another round is played. If, after this round, a winner has still not emerged, 'joint-winners' are announced. 4. For the next game, ask for three new students to act as contestants. The quiz master continues asking questions from where he or she left off in the first game. If the questions for one or more categories run out, contestants choose from among the remaining categories. Note: - For a class of more than seven students, it might be best to divide them into groups of three or four with each group drawing up its own scoring table on a piece of paper. One member of each group acts as quiz master and is given a copy of the questions while the other members act as contestants. This allows all students to play an active role.  Print 'Mastermind' hereTeam QuizLevelAny level except for absolute beginners. Preparation 1. Take a 'Word Up' question sheet from a level of difficulty suitable for your class (or print one out here). 2. Draw a scoring table on the board, like this:
How it Works Quiz Show
LevelAny level except for absolute beginners. Preparation 1. Take two 'Word Up' question sheets from a level of difficulty suitable for your class (or print two sample sets here). 2. For a class of up to eleven students, set up a 'stage' at the front of the classroom with chairs for three to five contestants (you'll be able to figure out exactly how many after reading 'How it Works'). For a larger class, see below. 3. Draw a scoring table on the board with a column for each contestant. A scoring table for three would look like this: How it Works 1. Ask for one student to act as quiz master and give him or her the question and answer sets. For a class of up to six, ask all the other students to act as contestants. For a class of between seven and eleven, ask for around half the students to act as contestants, with the rest acting as the 'audience' for the first game and then contestants in the second. The contestants then take their places on the 'stage' and the quiz master writes their names along the top of the scoring table. 2. To begin, the quiz master asks the first contestant ('stage right') which category he or she would like to answer a question from. The quiz master then reads the first question from this category, repeating it if necessary (more on how the questions should be asked here). The contestant has up to one minute to answer (you should act as timekeeper). If the contestant answers correctly, the quiz master ticks the box for that category in the contestant's column (the 'audience' should applaud at this point). If the answer is not correct, the quiz master asks if a member of the audience knows the answer. If no-one does, the quiz master reads out the answer(s). Then the next contestant chooses a category, and so on. 3. The game continues until one of the contestants has correctly answered a question from each of the four categories. The students then exchange roles for the second game. The quiz master continues asking questions from wherever he or she left off in the first game. When all the questions for a particular category in the first set have been asked, the quiz master begins asking questions for this category from the second set. For a larger class: If you have a class of more than eleven students, it would be best to have them form groups of four or five with each group drawing up its own scoring table on a piece of paper. One member of each group acts as quiz master and is given a copy of the question and answer sets while the other members act as contestants. Each group can play either one or two games. For a general knowledge version: Print a suitable 'Mastermind' question set (see below), or write a similar set of questions yourself, and play as above with general knowledge categories instead of the 'Word Up' categories. Print 'Quiz Show' hereHeads or TailsLevelLower intermediate to upper intermediate. Preparation 1. For a lower intermediate class, photocopy two 'Word Up' question sheets (front and back) from level 1 and and two from level 3 . For an intermediate class, photocopy two sets from level 2 and and two sets from level 4. For an upper intermediate class, photocopy two sets from level 3 and and two from level 5. You will need one copy of each of the four sets for every two students. (If you don't have a copy of 'Word Up', print sample sets here) 2. Collect a number of coins. You will need one coin for every two students. 3. Ask each student to draw a scoring table on a sheet of paper, like this: How it Works 1. Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a coin. Then give each student one question and answer set from the lower level and another from the higher level (the students in a particular pair must have different sets). 2. Players toss the coin to decide who plays first. 3. The first player then tosses the coin again. If he or she throws 'heads', the other player asks the first question from the first category ('Missing Word') in his or her higher-level set. If it is 'tails', the player asks the first 'Missing Word' question in his or her lower-level set. If the first player answers correctly, he or she ticks the 'Missing Word' box under 'Game 1' on his or her scoring table. If the answer is not correct, the other player reads out the correct answer(s). The second player then throws the coin and answers either a higher-level or a lower-level 'Missing Word' question. Then each player answers a 'Crossword Clues' question in the same way. They continue through the various question categories, returning to 'Missing Word' again after 'Spelling'. 4. Play continues with each player answering questions only from those categories they have yet to correctly answer a question from. For example, if a player has already correctly answered a 'Missing Word' question, he or she skips this category when it next comes around and answers a question from the next category instead. Play continues until one of the players has correctly answered a question from each of the four categories and has four ticks under 'Game 1'. 5. Each pair may then play another game, continuing with the same question sheets from where they left off in the first game. There should be enough questions for at least three games. Note: - If your class has an uneven number of students, form one group of three with the rest in pairs. In the group of three, one member watches the first game and then plays the winner in the second. The player watching the second game plays the winner in the third. Print 'Heads or Tails' here Quick QuizLevelSuitable for any level. Preparation 1. Photocopy the front of a 'Word Up' question set from a level of difficulty suitable for your class (this page contains questions from the first three 'Word Up' categories only). If you don't have a copy of 'Word Up', print out a sample question set here. You will need one copy for every two students, plus a copy of the answers. How it Works 1. Divide the class into pairs and place one copy of the question sheet face down in front of each pair. 2. Explain that the members of each pair must work together to answer as many questions as they can within ten minutes. They should write their answers on their question sheet and may answer the questions in any order they wish. If they can think of more than one answer for a particular question, they should write this also. (If correct, these 'extra' answers are included in the pair's score.) 3. Check your watch and then say "Go!". Each pair then turns over their question sheet and begins writing their answers. You might like to give a 'two-minute' and then a 'one-minute' warning as time runs out. Stop the quiz after exactly ten minutes. 4. After the quiz, read each question and elicit answers from your class. If no-one can answer a question correctly, give the correct answer(s). Each pair notes the number of correct answers they have written (including any 'extra' answers). The pair with the highest number wins. Notes: - If your class has an uneven number of students, have them form one group of three with the rest in pairs. - If you would like your students to do two quizzes, print out copies of another set of questions from either the same level of difficulty or from a higher level to make the second quiz more challenging. Print 'Quick Quiz' hereTwo-step QuizLevelAny level except for absolute beginners. About this game As the name suggests, this game involves two steps, as follows: Step 1 is a variation on the traditional 'Twenty Questions'. The focus of this step can be any suitable topic, such as T.V. shows, popular singers or bands, countries, animals, etc. (see 'Match of the Day' for a more elaborate version using sports as the focus). The topic could even be the members of the class themselves, with teams asking questions such as 'Is he tall?' or 'Does she wear glasses?'. Step 2 is played after a team wins step one. This team earns one point for winning step one and the chance to earn a bonus point by correctly answering a 'Word Up' question. Preparation 1. Take one 'Word Up' question sheet from a level of difficulty suitable for your class (or print one out here). 2. Arrange two groups of two to four chairs facing each other across the front of the classroom, then draw a scoring table on the board, as follows:
How it Works 1. Ask for one student to act as 'quiz master'. Have other students form two teams of two to four members each, with each team choosing a name. (The rest of the students make up the 'audience' for the first game.) Give the 'Word Up' question set to the quiz master and have him or her write each team's name on the scoring table. 2. Set a target number of points needed to win the game (just 3 or 4 points is probably best as this keeps the game short and should allow time for students to exchange roles and play another game if they wish). 3. Decide with the class what the topic for the game will be. Then ask each 'audience member' to write on a piece of paper something appropriate to the topic. The quiz master then asks for an audience member to volunteer to come forward and stand between the two teams with his or her piece of paper. 4. Play begins with any member of the team 'stage right' asking a 'Yes or No' question. If the focus is T.V. shows, this could be a question such as 'Is it a game show?' or 'Is it on every day?'. (If the audience member is not sure of the answer, the team may ask another question instead.) 5. After the audience member has answered either 'Yes' or 'No', the team which asked the question has the chance to guess what the audience member has written. If the team doesn't guess correctly, a member of the other team asks a question and then his or her team tries to guess, and so on. (If neither team has guessed correctly after asking five questions each, the quiz master stops play and asks if a member of the audience can guess the answer. If no-one can, the quiz master takes the piece of paper and reads out the answer.) 6. When a team does finally guess correctly, they earn a point and also the right to answer a question from whichever 'Word Up' category they choose. The quiz master then asks a question from this category and the team has one minute to decide their answer. If the team answers correctly, they score a bonus point. If the team doesn't answer correctly, the quiz master gives the 'audience' a chance to answer the question. If no-one can answer correctly, the quiz master reads the answer. 7. The quiz master then asks for another audience member to come forward and answer questions (teams take turns asking the first question). Play continues until one team reaches the target number of points. If your students wish to play another game, new teams are formed. The class should then decide on a different topic for the second game. The quiz master keeps his or her role and continues asking questions as required from wherever he or she left off in the first game. Notes: - The quiz master should ask the 'Word Up' questions in the order in which they are written on the question sheet. - If all seven 'Word Up' questions for a particular category have already been asked, the quiz master asks the team to choose another category instead. - If all the audience members have had a turn answering 'Yes or No' questions before the game is over, ask each to write something else appropriate to the topic and continue as before. Print 'Two-step Quiz' hereMatch of the DayAbout this gameThis game is a variation on the 'Two-step Quiz' explained above, and is suitable for a class of students sharing an interest in a particular sporting competition. This could be English Premier League football (or any other football competition), American or Japanese baseball, international cricket or rugby, etc. The game is explained below using English Premier League football as the focus. Level Any level except for absolute beginners. Preparation 1. Take one 'Word Up' question sheet from a level of difficulty suitable for your class (or print one out here). 2. Arrange two groups of two to four chairs facing each other across the front of the classroom, then draw a scoring table on the board, like this:
How it Works 1. Two teams of two to four members each are formed, with each team naming itself after an English Premier League football club (e.g. Manchester United). Ask for another student to act as 'referee' and give him or her the 'Word Up' question and answer set. The referee then writes each team's name on the scoring table. The rest of the students act as 'spectators'. 2. The game is played over two halves of either ten or fifteen minutes, plus a 'penalty shoot-out' if necessary. You should act as timekeeper. 3. Ask each spectator to write on a piece of paper the name of an English Premier League club or player they know quite a bit about. Then the referee asks for a spectator to come forward. The spectator stands between the two teams and states either 'club' or 'player'. 4. The referee tosses a coin to decide which team 'kicks off'. Then a member of this team begins play by asking the spectator a question about the club or player, such as 'Does David Beckham play for this club?', 'Did this club win the last F.A. Cup?' or 'Does he play for Liverpool?', etc. (The questions must require a 'Yes' or 'No' answer. If the spectator is not sure of the answer, the team may ask another question instead.) 5. After the spectator has answered either 'Yes' or 'No', the team which asked the question tries to guess the name of the club or player. If the team doesn't guess correctly, a member of the other team asks a question and then his or her team tries to guess the name of the club or player, and so on. (If neither team has guessed correctly after asking five questions each, the referee stops play and asks if any of the spectators can guess correctly. If none can, the referee states the club or player and then asks for another spectator to come forward and answer questions for the next 'passage of play', again tossing the coin to decide which team asks first.) 6. When a team does guess correctly, they have earned the right to 'shoot for goal' by answering a question from whichever 'Word Up' question category they choose. The referee then asks a question from this category. The team has one minute in which to 'huddle' and consider their answer. If the team answers correctly, they 'score a goal' and the referee records it on the scoring table. (Note that teams only score by correctly answering a 'Word Up' question, not by guessing the name of the club or player.) 7. The game continues with the referee asking for another spectator to come forward. If a team has just 'scored a goal', they ask the first question. If they have 'missed', the other team asks the first question. Play continues until time has run out for the first half. Then the second half begins with the team asking second in the first half now asking first. 8. If the teams are tied at the end of play, they have a 'penalty shoot-out'. The referee asks each team a different Word Up question, starting with 'Missing Word' questions. If both teams answer their question correctly, or both teams answer incorrectly, the referee asks each team another question, this time from 'Crossword Clues'. This continues through the question categories until one team answers correctly and the other team doesn't. The team answering correctly has won the game. Notes: - The referee should ask the Word Up questions in the order in which they are written on the question sheet. - If all the questions for a particular category have already been asked, the team chooses another category instead. - If all the spectators have answered questions about a club or player before the game is over, ask each to write another club or player and then continue as before. Print 'Match of the Day' here |    Word Up™ Classroom Packs available now! - special edition for teachers and schools - for up to 12 players or teams in 2 games CLICK FOR PRICES AND ORDER DETAILS |
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