When It All Changed: A Story Game
Players move around a 24-space board, telling stories of unexpected moments from their own lives or from the lives of people they admire. Each prompt invites narrative speech using past continuous and connected tenses, anchored to real communicative gaps where players genuinely want to know each other's stories.
A free Board Game for Teens at CEFR B2 level. Topic: PAST SIMPLE , PAST CONTINUOUS.
Speaking prompts on the board
- Ask your partner what they were doing when they heard surprising news, and why it shocked them.
- Describe a moment when you were studying or working and something unexpected interrupted you.
- Your team must agree on one famous person whose life changed because of an unexpected event. Explain what happened.
- Act out what you were doing right before your most memorable surprise. Your team guesses the situation.
- Ask your partner about a time when they were helping someone and something went wrong. What did they do?
- You have 60 seconds to present a story about a distinguished figure who faced an unexpected challenge and overcame it.
- Explain what you were doing when you realized you had made a significant mistake. How did you feel?
- Stand up and mime an activity you were doing when something surprising happened. Your group describes what they see.
- Discuss with your group: which unexpected event from history do you think changed society the most? Why?
- Ask your partner about a time they were with friends when something funny or embarrassing occurred. What was the outcome?
- Compare two unexpected moments from your life: one that turned out well and one that was difficult.
- Describe what a person you admire was doing when they made an important discovery or achieved something remarkable.
- You have 30 seconds to convince your team that one particular unexpected event changed your life for the better.
- Act out yourself working or relaxing when you received unexpected good news. Show your reaction without speaking.
- Explain how your plans changed because of something unexpected that happened last month. What did you do instead?
- Ask your partner what they were doing when they learned about a major world event. How did they respond?
- Your team must agree: what qualities do you think people need to handle unexpected situations well?
- Describe a situation where you were busy with one task when you had to suddenly switch to something completely different.
- Stand up and show with your hands and body what you were doing at the exact moment an important personal event occurred.
- Compare how you would have acted in an unexpected situation five years ago versus how you would act today.
- You have 60 seconds to present the story of someone whose life you admire because they handled adversity with courage.
- Discuss with your group: do you think unexpected events are more likely to make people stronger or more cautious?
- Explain what you learned about yourself from an unexpected turn of events. How did it affect your choices afterward?
- Ask your partner what unexpected moment from their childhood they still remember clearly, and why it stayed with them.