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Taboo Game: A Great Way to Practice English Speaking Skills



Taboo Game in English: How to Play and Learn Vocabulary




Do you want to have fun while improving your English vocabulary? Do you enjoy playing games with your friends or classmates? If you answered yes, then you should try playing Taboo, a popular word game that will test your communication skills and creativity. In this article, you will learn what Taboo is, how to play it online or offline, and some tips and tricks to make the most of it.




taboo game in english




What is Taboo?




Taboo is a game where you have to describe a word to your teammates without using certain forbidden words. For example, if the word is "apple", you cannot say "fruit", "red", "green", "tree", or "pie". You have to use other words or phrases to make your teammates guess the word, such as "it grows on a branch", "it has a core and seeds", "it is crunchy and juicy", or "Snow White ate one".


The rules of Taboo




The game is usually played in teams of two or more players. One player from each team takes turns to be the clue-giver, while the others are the guessers. The clue-giver draws a card with a word and five taboo words on it. He or she has a limited time (usually one minute) to make his or her team guess the word without saying any of the taboo words. If the clue-giver says a taboo word, breaks a rule, or passes on a card, the other team gets a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.


The benefits of Taboo for ESL learners




Taboo is not only a fun game, but also a great way to learn new vocabulary and practice your speaking skills. By playing Taboo, you can:


  • Expand your vocabulary by learning synonyms, antonyms, definitions, and examples of different words.



  • Improve your fluency by speaking quickly and spontaneously without hesitating or translating.



  • Enhance your communication skills by using clear and concise language, gestures, and body language.



  • Boost your confidence by overcoming your fear of making mistakes or sounding silly.



  • Have fun and relax by laughing and bonding with your teammates.



How to play Taboo online




If you don't have access to the physical board game or cards, don't worry. You can still play Taboo online with your friends or classmates. There are many free online Taboo games that you can use on your computer or smartphone. Here are some of them:


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Free online Taboo games




Lingolex




Lingolex is a website that offers a free online version of Taboo. You can choose from different categories of words, such as animals, food, sports, etc. You can also adjust the level of difficulty and the time limit. You can play alone or with other players online.


ESL Games




ESL Games is another website that provides a free online version of Taboo. You can select from various topics of words, such as hobbies, jobs, movies, etc. You can also customize the number of taboo words and the time limit. You can play solo or with other players online.


How to create your own Taboo cards




your own interests or needs, you can do so easily. There are two ways to create your own Taboo cards: printing them or generating them online.


Printable Taboo cards




If you prefer to have physical cards that you can hold and shuffle, you can print them from various websites that offer free printable Taboo cards. You can download them as PDF files and print them on paper or cardstock. You can also laminate them for durability. Some of the websites that offer printable Taboo cards are:


  • ESL Printables



  • ISL Collective



  • Teachers Pay Teachers



Online Taboo card generator




If you don't have a printer or you want to save paper, you can create your own Taboo cards online using a free online Taboo card generator. You can enter your own words and taboo words, or choose from a list of predefined words. You can also adjust the font size, color, and layout of the cards. You can then save them as images or PDF files, or share them with others via email or social media. Some of the websites that offer online Taboo card generators are:


  • Taboo Cards



  • Taboo Generator



  • Taboo Maker



Tips and tricks for playing Taboo




Now that you know how to play Taboo and where to find or create your own Taboo cards, you might want to know some tips and tricks to improve your performance and enjoy the game more. Here are some of them:


How to describe words without using taboo words




One of the main challenges of playing Taboo is to describe words without using the most obvious or common words associated with them. To do this, you need to think creatively and use different strategies, such as:


  • Using synonyms or antonyms: For example, if the word is "happy", you can say "joyful" or "not sad".



  • Using definitions or examples: For example, if the word is "carrot", you can say "a vegetable that is orange and crunchy" or "Bugs Bunny likes to eat this".



  • Using categories or subcategories: For example, if the word is "dog", you can say "an animal that barks" or "a type of pet".



  • Using associations or opposites: For example, if the word is "night", you can say "when it is dark" or "the opposite of day".



  • Using sounds or gestures: For example, if the word is "clock", you can make a ticking sound or point to your wrist.



How to guess words from clues




The other challenge of playing Taboo is to guess words from the clues given by your teammate. To do this, you need to listen carefully and use different strategies, such as:


  • Asking questions: For example, if the clue is "a place where you can buy things", you can ask "Is it a store?" or "What kind of things?".



  • Narrowing down options: For example, if the clue is "a type of fruit", you can eliminate some options by saying "Is it red?" or "Is it big?".



  • Making connections: For example, if the clue is "a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio", you can think of other movies he starred in or other actors he worked with.



  • Using logic: For example, if the clue is "a word that rhymes with cat", you can think of words that have the same sound pattern.



  • Using intuition: For example, if the clue is "something that makes you happy", you can guess based on your own feelings or experiences.



How to make the game more fun and challenging




If you want to spice up the game and make it more fun and challenging, you can try some variations or modifications, such as:


  • Changing the time limit: You can make the game faster by reducing the time limit (e.g., 30 seconds) or slower by increasing it (e.g., 2 minutes).



  • Changing the number of taboo words: You can make the game easier by reducing the number of taboo words (e.g., 3) or harder by increasing it (e.g., 7).



  • Changing the scoring system: You can make the game more competitive by giving more points for harder words (e.g., 2 points) or less points for easier words (e.g., 1 point).



  • Adding penalties or bonuses: You can make the game more exciting by adding penalties for breaking rules (e.g., losing a point) or bonuses for achieving goals (e.g., gaining an extra card).



  • Using different themes or topics: You can make the game more interesting by using different themes or topics for the words, such as movies, music, sports, etc.



Conclusion




Taboo is a fun and educational game that can help you improve your English vocabulary and communication skills. You can play it online or offline, with your friends or classmates, and with your own Taboo cards or online Taboo card generators. You can also try some tips and tricks to make the game more fun and challenging. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Taboo cards and start playing!


FAQs




Here are some frequently asked questions about Taboo:



  • How many players can play Taboo?



There is no limit to the number of players who can play Taboo, as long as they are divided into two or more teams. However, the ideal number of players is between four and eight.


  • How long does a game of Taboo last?



The duration of a game of Taboo depends on the number of cards, the time limit, and the scoring system. A typical game of Taboo lasts about 20 to 30 minutes.


  • What are some other games similar to Taboo?



Some other games that are similar to Taboo are Charades, Pictionary, Catchphrase, and Scattergories.


  • What are some words that are hard to describe in Taboo?



Some words that are hard to describe in Taboo are abstract nouns (e.g., love, freedom, justice), homonyms (e.g., bat, bank, date), and slang terms (e.g., selfie, ghosting, lit).


  • What are some words that are easy to describe in Taboo?



Some words that are easy to describe in Taboo are concrete nouns (e.g., chair, dog, book), verbs (e.g., run, eat, sleep), and adjectives (e.g., big, blue, happy).


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