Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Explaining the Rules of a Game
Explain a simple word game, check what happens on each turn and describe how the game ends.
Your speaking goal
Explain turn order, scoring and the ending of a simple game, then answer a question about a rule.
Before you start: The practice game below needs no equipment. Players take turns naming animals, with three turns each. ‘Pass’ means choose not to give an answer on that turn; a ‘draw’ means a tied result.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: New player and Host
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
New player: What do we have to do in this word game?
Host: We take turns naming animals. Say one animal on each turn.
New player: Can I use an animal someone has already said?
Host: No. Each animal can only be used once.
New player: How do we score points?
Host: One point for a new animal. If you repeat an animal or pass, you get no point.
New player: What if I can’t think of one?
Host: Just say ‘pass’, and it becomes the next person’s turn.
New player: When does the game finish?
Host: After each player has had three turns. Whoever has the most points wins.
New player: And if we have the same number of points?
Host: Then it’s a draw. Shall we try a practice turn?
Useful phrases and what they do
- We take turns naming animals. — Explain that players speak one after another.
- Can I use an animal someone has already said? — Check whether repetition is allowed.
- What if I can’t think of one? — Ask what happens in a particular situation.
- Then it’s a draw. — Explain that players with equal scores share a tied result.
Say it clearly
Give one rule at a time: ‘ONE animal / on EACH turn.’ Emphasise the limit: ‘THREE turns each.’ Pause before asking, ‘Would you like to try a practice turn?’
Build your own replies
We take turns ___. You get one point for ___. The game ends when ___. → What happens if ___?
Ask and check
Does passing count as one of my three turns? → Yes. Your turn ends, and you get no point for it.
Common mistakes and alternatives
‘It’s your turn’ means it is your opportunity to play. ‘Take turns’ and British ‘take it in turns’ are both natural. A ‘draw’ here is a tied result, not a picture; ‘It’s a tie’ is also natural. These rules belong to this practice game, not to every word game.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
How does a player earn a point in this game?
Show answer 1 and explanation
By naming an animal that has not already been used. Repeating an animal or passing earns no point.
Question 2
Does passing give you an extra turn later?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. Passing uses one of your three turns and play moves to the next person. Each player still has three turns in total.
Question 3
What happens if the players finish with equal scores?
Show answer 3 and explanation
It is a draw, or a tie. Neither player has more points, so there is no single winner in that result.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Explain this imaginary word game in your own words: what to say, how to score, how many turns each player has and what happens if scores are equal.
Role B
Ask about one rule, such as repetition or passing. Repeat the rule in your own words to check that you have understood.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: Change the category from animals to fruit and give each player four turns. Explain both changes clearly and confirm that the other scoring rules stay the same.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can explain what to do on a turn.
- I can explain how to score and when the game ends.
- I can ask about a rule and check my understanding.