【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. roll out (something) / roʊl aʊt / (idiom) – to launch a new product to the public
Example: The company rolled out its new line of smartphones during the event.
2. breakout / ˈbreɪkˌaʊt / (adj.) – successful and popular
Example: The young director’s debut was the breakout movie of the year.
3. roam / roʊm / (v.) – to walk around
Example: We roamed around the park before the concert.
4. pinpoint / ˈpɪnˌpɔɪnt / (v.) – to find where something is
Example: The tourist used the map to pinpoint her exact location in the city.
5. business-minded / ˈbɪz nɪs ˈmaɪn dɪd / (adj.) – having a strong interest in business-related matters
Example: Many business-minded people attended the marketing conference.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Smartphone users in selected countries can now officially download and play Pokémon Go.
Pokémon Go is a mobile game that was announced in September last year. The game has been officially rolled out in over 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Since its release on July 6, an estimated 9.5 million people in the United States have been playing the breakout game. It easily became one of the most downloaded mobile applications in the world.
In Pokémon Go, players roam places to find and catch Pokémon, which are reflected as though they are in the real world through the phone’s camera. Pokémon, or pocket monsters, are creatures that come in different sizes and forms.
The game uses the phone’s Global Positioning System (GPS) to pinpoint where the player is. Depending on the player's physical location and the time, many different types of Pokémon will appear. For example, Water Pokémon appear near bodies of water and fountains, while Grass Pokémon appear in parks. The main objective of the game is to encourage players to walk around in search of Pokémon.
Due to the success of Pokémon Go, some business-minded people have used the game’s popularity to their advantage. Some people have started offering services like driving Pokémon players around a certain area. For $20-$25 per hour, they will drive players around in search of the creatures.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Aside from offering driving services, how else can Pokémon Go be used to earn money?
· If you were to create a creature for Pokémon Go, what would you make?
Discussion B
· What mobile application would you make if you knew how to develop one?
· What is the most popular mobile app in your country? Why is it popular?
