Are you looking for a simple, fun ice breaker for your adult students who are learning English? Perfect. Then you’ll need to keep on reading for all the details you need to know about Cosmo Quiz, a fun ESL icebreaker that your students will love. Have some fun with Cosmo Quizzes in your TEFL classes.
Cosmo Quizzes: An ESL Icebreaker Activity
Best of all, it’ll help the students in your class get to know each other, and you as well. Keep on reading to find out the full instructions on how to use Cosmo quizzes in your English classes.
Cosmo Quiz ESL Icebreaker Activity
Skills: Speaking/listening/reading
Materials Required: A Cosmo quiz or Cosmo-type quiz
If you are a guy, you may not be familiar with the quiz in each month’s edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. These generally predict something about your relationship style, finances, etc. In other words, they are quiz-style horoscopes. They are pretty fun to do as a group, because they are not meant to be taken seriously. However, they can tell you a little something about the quiz-taker.
The classes that Cosmo quizzes work best with are full of young women. A bunch of teenage guys probably won’t love this one! Same with older men.
Prep could not be easier. Simply find a few old issues of Cosmo and copy the quizzes. Some of them are a bit risqué, so decide for yourself if you want to edit them a bit. I’ve had all-female classes, and kept it a little racy, but all the students were about my age. This is also a nice, simple activity for mixed-level classes.
In class, begin with a brief discussion of personality quizzes: has anyone ever taken one, etc. Divide students into pairs or small groups of 3-4 and give them one or two quizzes with the results on a different page. Have them read the questions and discuss the answers, keeping track of their answers, if they want.
You can wrap up with a survey of results and questions of how students feel about the Cosmo quizzes. Are they accurate, fun, or a waste of time?
ESL Ice Breaker and Warm-Up for Adults
Teaching Tips for Cosmo Quiz ESL Activity:
You can find quizzes on their website: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/content/quizzes/, but the questions are given one at a time, so if you can get your hands on print quizzes, it will make your life easier.
If you think they are inappropriate for your class, you can always just make up a quiz in the same Cosmo style: ten multiple choice personality questions with points assigned to each answer. There are usually results for three point ranges.
You can either give everyone one quiz and each group reads and answers the questions together, or you can have students alternate asking and answering. You can extend the activity by having students change partners and taking a different quiz.
Procedure for Cosmo Quizzes:
- In advance, gather several different issues of Cosmo magazine and copy the quizzes. You may need to edit the questions or leave some out.
- Begin class by asking if anyone has ever taken a personality quiz and how they feel about them.
- Divide students into pairs or small groups of 3-4 and give them one or two quizzes with the results on a separate page.
- Have them read the questions and discuss the answers, keeping track of their answers, if they want.
- Optionally, extend the activity by having groups change partners and take a new quiz.
Do you Like this Idea for Using Cosmo Quizzes in TEFL Classes?
If you found this ESL icebreaker activity useful, then you’re going to love this book. Cosmo Quiz is from 39 ESL Icebreakers: For Teenagers and Adults.
If you’re looking to start the semester off well, you’ll need this book! It contains over three dozen activities that are guaranteed to get your students talking and getting to know each other as well as you. It’s lesson planning made easy so you can spend more time doing what you love, not sitting inside at your desk!
Head on over to Amazon to check it our for yourself today. It’s available in both digital and print formats. The (cheaper!) digital copy can be read on any device by downloading the free Kindle reading app.
Keep a copy on the bookshelf in your office for an easy reference guide when you’re planning for the beginning of the semester. Or, take a copy with you on your phone or tablet for lesson plans at your favourite coffee shop. It’s ESL made awesome.
“Some quick icebreakers that are ideal for ESL classes, or any kind of classes for that matter. Some of them are short and easy, while others are longer and suitable almost for an entire class. Highly recommended!”
Top-quality ESL icebreakers at your fingertips anywhere you go? Love it! Click the button below to learn more about the book on Amazon:
Check out More Ideas for TEFL Classes
Here are some more of our top picks for ESL icebreakers. Cosmo quizzes are ideal for adults, but the following ones are ideal for kids too:
Have your Say about Using Cosmo Quizzes in ESL Classes
What are your thoughts about this fun ESL icebreaker for your adult students who are learning English? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think about it.
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Last update on 2025-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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