节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-01-31
难易度:Medium
关…
节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-01-31
难易度:Medium
关键字:economic, bankrupt, compact, content, dice
Since Monopoly was first invented, it has changed drastically.
In 1935, for example, it did not ship with any tokens for players to use.
Instead, people were encouraged to use common household items like buttons or
thimbles.
Then in 1937, they decided to ship tokens with the game.
But they did not want to change tradition, so they formed metal tokens in the
shape of thimbles, irons, purses and a top hat.
Since then, the game has continued to change.
Let's see how it has on line 12.
(Music).
The History of Monopoly.
Since its invention, Monopoly has seen a variety of changes in design.
Now players can buy the game with a particular theme, such as specific movies,
sports, animals or geography.
A few years ago, Monopoly introduced a version with a pretend debit card to
replace its colorful paper money.
There's a Monopoly card game, a compact Monopoly for travel, Monopoly video
games and Monopoly apps for smartphones.
With so many new ways to play, it's clear Monopoly isn't content to stay behind
the times.
(Music).
Well, now that we know how to play Monopoly, let's find out exactly how Monopoly
has changed over the years.
That's right.
Since its invention, Monopoly has seen a variety of changes in design.
So originally, it was called The Landlord's Game.
And then it changed into Monopoly.
But that's not where the changes stopped.
Exactly. Even after it was called Monopoly, there have been a variety of
changes,
which means there have been several different kinds of changes in its design.
Now players can buy the game with a particular theme, such as specific movies,
sports, animals or geography.
Yeah. Actually, Kaylah, one of the best-sold-themed Monopolies is I Love Lucy
Monopoly, which is themed after an American TV show.
Did you ever own a Monopoly board that had a theme?
Oh, yeah. We had Star Wars Monopoly in my house.
That was a very popular one as well as a Monopoly that was themed after our
local city.
Well, that's exciting.
I owned one that was themed after Hong Kong.
My aunt and uncle lived in Hong Kong when I was a little kid.
So they wanted us to know where they lived, so we had one.
It was really fun because all of the little pieces had to do with Hong Kong.
And one of them was the boats, the junk boats; and it was so cute.
Oh. Well, yeah, they change the pieces, they change the names of the streets on
the game board in order to match that theme.
I think it's a great idea because you get to play kind of two things.
You're playing Monopoly, but you're also enjoying something else as well.
Right, so that is a very fun change that they've made over the years.
But another change, just a few years ago, Monopoly introduced a version with a
pretend debit card to replace its colorful paper money.
OK. So let's decide what is a debit card.
Right. A debit card is a card that you use to take money out of the bank.
It's not like a credit card, though, Kaylah.
How is that?
Well, a credit card means that you will pay the money back later.
A debit card is taking the money from a bank account that you already have money
in.
Exactly. So this is basically like using cash, except you are just swiping a
card instead.
And of course, we use that in real life; but now they added it to Monopoly.
Which is great because you think about how society is progressing, how we are
changing, in a lot of places, we don't use paper money as much anymore.
I know in America I use my debit card, which is like using cash, but I don't
have to carry the cash all the time.
So it helps you still learn how to use money correctly and to plan for it
correctly but using modern technology.
Yeah. Now Kaylah, you remember what we were talking about, about how people can
learn from playing this game.
And in fact, we had an article a few months ago about how people spend
differently when they're using a debit card.
And so people can now learn how to properly spend with a debit card by playing
this game.
I think, though, I... I like still playing with paper money; it reminds me of
being a kid.
But I also would encourage young children to play with real... the paper money
as well because it helps you with your math and keeps you thinking.
You don't get to use a calculator.
You have to actually think about the math that you are doing.
That's right. Now we've been talking about the Monopoly board game for a while
now,
but there has also been a Monopoly card game, a compact Monopoly for travel and
Monopoly video games as well as Monopoly apps for smartphones.
It looks like Monopoly has a monopoly on the game market here using so many
different ways to play the game.
We see that one way is to play on a compact Monopoly to play while you're
traveling.
Now "compact" means it is smaller.
It is... the pieces fit together well and it's easy to travel with.
This board, the regular Monopoly board is not small.
So you need a compact, smaller one for that.
Exactly. Well, with so many new ways to play this game, it's clear Monopoly
isn't content to stay behind the times.
"Content" means you are happy with or pleased with the situation you are in.
That means you don't need to work for something better in the future.
Here it says Monopoly is not content because they keep progressing to keep up
with the times.
Well, I'm not content to lose this game of Monopoly to Ryan, so you watch
today's skit while I try to beat him.
OK, it's my turn to roll the dice, Ryan.
Huh. Well, I'm still in the lead.
You're still in jail.
Oh.
I do love Monopoly, but...
But playing Monopoly is far from simple.
Right. It has complex economic strategies and rules.
It does! Monopoly has been confusing players for decades.
And playing Monopoly takes a long time.
I know. Games can last hours or even days!
I love the tiny game pieces: the hat, the dog, the shoe...
And don't forget the mini houses and hotels, the dice and all the colorful
money.
I love buying real estate and I love making other players go bankrupt.
And I love owning everything and winning.
Everything is mine, mine, mine!
That's why it's called Monopoly.
And now Monopoly has different themes.
You can choose games about movies, sports, animals and geography.
And if you want, you can replace the colorful money with a debit card.
Play with a debit card?
Yes. And that's not all.
There's a Monopoly card game and a Monopoly travel game.
Oh, and a Monopoly video game.
Don't forget about Monopoly apps for smartphones.
Monopoly isn't content to stay behind the times.
That's right.
There are many new ways to play Monopoly.
Yeah.
Lucky for you, you have a monopoly on Monopoly.
Lucky for me, I'm Mr. Monopoly.
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
And I hope you're content with our Language Tips today.
Goodbye and take care.
Thank you, Michelle.
One of the latest versions of Monopoly is the Here and Now: World Edition.
Instead of street names from Atlantic City, New Jersey, the game uses select
cities from around the world.
And they were decided on, by you, using Internet voting.
Six million votes, to be exact.
Boardwalk, the most expensive and most desirable piece of property in the game,
has been replaced with the great Canadian city of... Vancouver?
No.
Toronto?
Nope.
Montreal!
The World Edition is printed in 37 languages and sold in 50 countries.
So you see, even though it's an old game, Monopoly is as popular as ever.
OK, friends, I hope you have a great day.
Bye-bye.