Board game using homographs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a word game in which a game surface, a plurality of game pieces, and a plurality of word cards are provided for use in games involving homographs. In the preferred embodiment, the game surface comprises a plurality of ladders having starts, finishes and various spaces. The word cards have homographs printed on one side and pronunciations and usages on the other, with a particular pronunciation and word usage selected as being correct for purposes of an individual word card. Game pieces advance one space along a ladder if a team is able to announce a sentence that uses the correct pronunciation and usage of the selected homograph; game pieces retreat one space for an incorrect answer. Play may be passed between teams. Bonus spaces permit game pieces to advance two spaces if the word card is answered correctly.

1 . A method of playing a word game between a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a kit comprising: 
 a game playing surface having a plurality of ladders, wherein an individual ladder is comprised of spaces and has a start and a finish;  
 a plurality of game pieces; and  
 a plurality of word cards, wherein the word cards are comprised of homographs and pronunciations and usages, wherein each word card has a single homograph and a correct pronunciation and usage consistent with one use of the single homograph;  
   b) positioning a first player game piece at a first space on a first ladder;    c) positioning a second player game piece at a second space on a second ladder;    d) drawing a first word card having a first homograph;    e) announcing a sentence that contains the first homograph, the sentence having a context consistent with one use of the first homograph;    f) determining when the context of the sentence matches the correct pronunciation and usage of the first homograph.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing a kit further comprises a die useful for determining which of a first player and a second player goes first in a game.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising making a movement selected from the group consisting of: (1) moving the first player game piece to a third space on the first ladder; and (2) moving the second player game piece to a fourth space on the second ladder.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein making a movement is selected from the group consisting of: (1) moving the first player game piece forward one space when the context of the sentence matches the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph and play is with the first player; (2) moving the second player game piece forward one space when the context of the sentence matches the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph and play is with the second player; (3) moving the first player game piece backward one space when the context of the sentence does not match the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph and play is with the first player; (4) moving the second player game piece backward one space when the context of the sentence does not match the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph and play is with the second player.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising passing the first word card to the second player when play is with the first player.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 second player performing steps (e), and (f).    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein making a movement is selected from the group consisting of: (1) moving the second player game piece forward two spaces, moving the first player game piece backward one space, and turning play over to the second player when the context of the sentence matches the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph; and (2) moving the second player game piece backward one space and resuming play with the first player when the context of the sentence does not match the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein providing a kit further comprises a bonus space.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein making a movement is selected from the group consisting of: (1) moving the first player game piece forward two spaces when the context of the sentence matches the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph, when the first player game piece is on the bonus space, and when play is with the first player; (2) moving the second player game piece forward two spaces when the context of the sentence matches the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph, when the second player game piece is on the bonus space, and when play is with the second player; (3) moving the first player game piece backward one space when the context of the sentence does not match the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph and play is with the first player; and (4) moving the second player game piece backward one space when the context of the sentence does not match the correct pronunciations and usages of the first homograph and play is with the second player.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the single homograph is on a first side of the each word card and the correct pronunciation is on a second side of the each word card.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the single homograph is on a first side of the word card and the correct usage is on a second side of the each word card.  
   
   
       12 . A word game comprising: 
 a game playing surface having a plurality of ladders, wherein an individual ladder is comprised of spaces and has a start and a finish;    a plurality of game pieces; and    a plurality of word cards, wherein the word cards are comprised of homographs and pronunciations and usages, wherein each word card has only one homograph and a correct pronunciation and usage consistent with the only one homograph.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the only one homograph is on a first side of the each word card and the correct pronunciation is on a second side of the each word card.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the only one homograph is on a first side of the each word card and the correct usage is on a second side of the each word card.