Everyday English You’ll Actually Use
What is she doing?
She is playing with the claw machine. She is holding the joystick to control the claw. She is focused on the game so I think she will grab the price.
1. Warm-up
a. Have you ever won a prize from a claw machine?
b. Do you think claw machines are rigged sometimes?
c. What kind of prizes would tempt you to try a claw machine?
d. Is it worth it to spend $10 trying to grab a toy you could just buy?
2. My experience
I was hanging out with my girlfriend last weekend when we decided to hit up the local arcade.
As soon as we walked in, she spotted this adorable squishy dolphin plush in a claw machine. She turned to me and said, “I really want that one!”
Now, I’d never tried a claw machine before, but I confidently said, “Don’t worry—I’ll get it for you.” First, I got the hang of the joystick and the timing of the button press. I dropped a token (the ones I bought from the token dispenser) into the slot and gave it a go.
– First attempt: The claw grabbed the dolphin but it slipped away.
– Second attempt: Total bust again.
– More than ten tries later: I kept at it, dropping nearly $15 in tokens.
Finally, that stupid claw grabbed the dolphin tight and gently dropped it into the prize chute. Yeah…finally! She was happy so I was happy.
A few days later, I saw the same plush online for just under five bucks. So… was it really worth it?
3. Test Yourself
a. I was out with my roommates when we decided to _____ the new coffee shop.
b. As soon as I walked into the mall, I ___ a flashy neon sign in the photo booth corner.
c. After a few tries, I ____ the rhythm of the game and started doing better.
d. I dropped a ____ into the slot and my very first attempt was a ____.
e. Even after two failures, I ______ and finally won that tiny plush toy.
f. The claw clamped down and released the prize right into the ______.
Answers
a. hit up
b. spotted
c. got the hang of
d. token ; total bust
e. kept at it
f. prize chute