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7 Sept 2026
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Xbox Adds Monthly Time Limits to Cloud Gaming
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Xbox is changing rules for playing online games.
b) Xbox is giving away free video games to everyone.
c) Xbox is making a new games console for children.
Ask:
(1) Do you like playing video games on a tablet or computer?
(2) How many hours do you play games every week?
VOCABULARY
cloud (/klaʊd/, noun)
Meaning: A way to play games over the internet without downloading them.
Example: I play games in the cloud on my tablet.
limit (/ˈlɪm.ɪt/, noun)
Meaning: The highest amount of time or things that is allowed.
Example: There is a time limit on the computer today.
player (/ˈpleɪ.ər/, noun)
Meaning: A person who plays a game.
Example: The young player wins the fun game.
rule (/ruːl/, noun)
Meaning: Something that tells you what you can or cannot do.
Example: Following the game rule is important.
stream (/striːm/, verb)
Meaning: To play video or games directly from the internet.
Example: We stream fun video games on the internet.
extra (/ˈek.strə/, adjective)
Meaning: More than the usual amount.
Example: She wants extra time to finish the game.
Many children love video games. Xbox is a big company for games. People play Xbox games on televisions, phones, and tablets. They can stream games over the internet. This is called cloud gaming. Players do not download the games to a console. It is easy and fast.
Now, Xbox has a new rule. The company sets a monthly time limit for cloud gaming. In November, players get fifteen hours of cloud play every month. Fifteen hours is about thirty minutes every day. If players want more hours, they must buy extra time. Xbox says running servers costs a lot of money. The company needs money to keep the service fast and reliable. Many game players are unhappy. They want to play for more hours each month. Some players say fifteen hours is not enough. Xbox hopes the new plan helps the service work well for everyone.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) Do you play video games on a phone or tablet?
(2) Is thirty minutes a day enough time to play games?
(3) Why do people like streaming games over the internet?
(4) What do you do when your gaming time is finished?
(5) Do you think games company rules are fair?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: cloud, extra, limit, stream
Many children love video games. Xbox is a big company for games. People play Xbox games on televisions, phones, and tablets. They can _______(1) games over the internet. This is called _______(2) gaming. Players do not download the games to a console. It is easy and fast.
Now, Xbox has a new rule. The company sets a monthly time _______(3) for cloud gaming. In November, players get fifteen hours of cloud play every month. Fifteen hours is about thirty minutes every day. If players want more hours, they must buy _______(4) time. Xbox says running servers costs a lot of money. The company needs money to keep the service fast and reliable. Many game players are unhappy. They want to play for more hours each month. Some players say fifteen hours is not enough. Xbox hopes the new plan helps the service work well for everyone.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of the story?
a) Xbox is making all games free for tablets.
b) Xbox is setting a time limit on cloud gaming.
c) Xbox is stopping people from playing video games.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
(1) Players download cloud games to a console. T/F
(2) The new Xbox rule starts in November. T/F
(3) Xbox gives players fifty hours of cloud play every month. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in order (1-3):
( ) Players must buy extra time if they want more hours.
( ) People play games over the internet without downloading them.
( ) Xbox creates a new fifteen-hour monthly time limit.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
(1) cloud
(2) limit
(3) player
(4) rule
(5) stream
a) a person who plays a game
b) playing games over the internet directly
c) an instruction about what you can do
d) playing internet games without downloading
e) the highest amount that is allowed
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) I want to _______ games on my new phone.
a) stream
b) limit
(2) My mother gives me an _______ hour to play.
a) extra
b) cloud
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) Unscramble these words:
A) games
B) Xbox
C) streams
D) online
E) picture
(2) Unscramble these words:
A) players
B) limit
C) have
D) a
E) time
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a
Section 1 Answers: (1) stream, (2) cloud, (3) limit, (4) extra
Section 2 Answer: b
Section 3 Answers: (1) False (F), (2) True (T), (3) False (F)
Section 4 Answers: 3, 1, 2
Section 5 Answers: (1)-d, (2)-e, (3)-a, (4)-c, (5)-b
Section 6 Answers: (1) a, (2) a
Section 7 Answers: (1) Xbox streams online games picture. (B-C-D-A-E), (2) Players have a time limit. (A-C-D-E-B)
Section 8 Sample Answers: (1) Yes, I play games on my tablet. (2) Yes, thirty minutes is fine for me. (3) Because it is fast and easy. (4) I do my school homework. (5) Yes, I think they are fair.
Thank you for your feedback!