F2F Class Notes (Nemo)

A new hotel in Taiwan has opened to cater to the needs of gamers. Those who want to indulge in their favourite games while on business or vacation can now do so at the iHotel, near Taiwan’s capital Taipei. Rooms at the hotel are fully equipped with two state-of-the-art gaming computers with 32-inch screens, plush DXRacer gaming chairs, and ambient lighting to create the perfect mood for getting behind the joystick. The gaming computers are side-by-side to ensure gaming with your partner has a more competitive edge. The rooms are also furnished with a 46-inch TV for guests to chill out after a hard session gaming. And if that’s not enough, the hotel’s lobby features a large gaming arena for larger groups.
Putting gaming consoles in hotel rooms may lead to positive benefits besides relaxing and getting away from it all. One study analysed data from over 12,000 high school students in Australia. Researchers found that students who played online games almost every day scored 15 points above average in maths and reading tests and 17 points above average in science. A Columbia University study indicated that gaming by 6-to-11-year-olds greatly increased their chance of “high intellectual functioning and overall school competence”. However, critics of gaming warn of the harmful effects of gaming because of depictions of violence, sexual themes, alcohol, tobacco, drugs and profanity.

Vocabulary

indulge (v): 1- to allow yourself or another person to have something enjoyable, especially more than is good for you:
E.g.: The soccer fans indulged their patriotism, waving flags and singing songs.
E.g.: I love champagne but I don’t often indulge myself.

plush (adj): expensive, comfortable, and of high quality:
E.g.: He took me out to a really plush restaurant.

profanity (n): 1- an offensive or obscene word or phrase: 2- showing no respect for a god or a religion, especially through language.
E.g.: It was the song’s opening line, a series of profanities, that caused the record to be banned on the radio station.

state-of-the-art (adj): very modern and using the most recent ideas and methods:
E.g.: a state-of-the-art computer
E.g.: The control panel uses all the newest technology and is considered state-of-the-art.

furnish (v): 1-to put furniture in something:
E.g.: They’ve furnished the room very simply.

furnished (adj): containing furniture or containing furniture of a particular type:
E.g.: She’s looking for a furnished flat/apartment.
E.g.: Their house is expensively furnished.

chill out-to relax completely, or not allow things to upset you:
E.g.: I’m just chilling out in front of the TV.
E.g.: Chill out, Dad. The train doesn’t leave for another hour!

arena (n): a large, flat area surrounded by seats used for sports or entertainment:
E.g.: an Olympic/a sports arena

monument (n): 1-a structure or building that is built to honor a special person or event:
E.g.: In the square in front of the hotel stands a monument to all the people killed in the war.

monumental (adj): 1-very big:
E.g.:a monumental task
E.g.: a monumental waste of time