Vocabulary Guide
- alarming /u-LAHR-ming/
- initiative /ih-NISH-ee-uh-tiv/
- renovation /REN-un-vey-shun/
- sustain /suh-STEYN/
- newcomer /NYOO-kuhm-er/
[adjective] – causing fear or worry
[noun] – a plan or project aiming to solve a problem
[noun] – the process of fixing and improving something
[verb] – to maintain or to continue
[noun] – something or someone has recently arrived in a place or activity
Vocabulary Check
Fill in the blanks with the correct words. Choose the correct answer in the box.
- sustain
- population
- initiative
- alarming
- newcomer
- renovation
- The house of the Watsons family is under __________ .
- She is a ________ in the village.
- The town leader is unable to ________ the crowd.
- It is _________ to know that many houses are being abandoned in just few years.
- The government’s __________ to give houses for free is becoming effective.
Article Reading
Read the passage and take note of the highlighted words in the vocabulary guide.
Giving away houses for free may sound deceiving and suspicious for some, but in Japan, it is a common yet an alarming situation. By having these initiatives, the Japanese government hopes to lessen the number of vacant houses particularly in rural areas to prevent at least 900 towns and villages from disappearing by 2040. For interested occupants, they should not be older than 40 years old and/or should live with his/her partner/spouse with at least one child no older than 18 years old to acquire free renovation assistance.
However, giving away free houses are not enough since rural areas must have an active and firm economic growth to sustain its habitants and to attract newcomers. Also, many Japanese prefer to live in new houses since cities have a lot to offer. Architecture Professor Jeffrey Hou at Washington University stated that if Japan wants abandoned houses in rural areas to be lived in, it should focus on improving its economy by having active business opportunities.
However, giving away free houses are not enough since rural areas must have an active and firm economic growth to sustain its habitants and to attract newcomers. Also, many Japanese prefer to live in new houses since cities have a lot to offer. Architecture Professor Jeffrey Hou at Washington University stated that if Japan wants abandoned houses in rural areas to be lived in, it should focus on improving its economy by having active business opportunities.
Comprehension Questions
Choose the correct answer based on the passage you read.
- What should the Japanese government do to attract occupants to buy and live in abandoned houses?
- A. build more houses
- B. improve the economy in rural areas
- C. build lots of malls
- What is the name of the Architecture professor?
- A. Jeffrey Hou
- B. Allison Dee
- C. Max Evans
- What is the age requirement for interested occupants if they want to acquire a free renovation assistance?
- A. Over 40 years old
- B. 41 years old
- C. under 40 years old
Conversation Questions
Answer the questions in complete sentences. You can also ask me questions.
- Do you think it’s okay if foreigners will buy and live in abandoned houses in Japan for free?
- Would you encourage your family and friends to buy an abandoned house/s for free? Why? Why not?
- What other suggestion/s do you have in mind to lessen abandoned houses in rural areas of Japan?
- If you were to live in an abandoned house, how would you design it?
- Is it okay if there are ghosts in your house? Why? Why not?