Vocabulary Guide
- critical /KRIT-i-KUHL/
- abandon /uh-BAN-duhn/
- rural /ROOR-uhl/
- vanish /VAN-ish/
[adjective] – someone or something is in bad situation
[verb] – to completely leave a place or someone
[adjective] – countryside; located outside cities
[verb] – to disappear
Vocabulary Check
Fill in the blanks with the correct words. Choose the correct answer in the box.
- rural
- vacant
- vanish
- critical
- abandoned
- The couple’s house is in _______ condition.
- The house in front of ours has been _________ for years.
- Her grandparents live in one of the _______ places of our country.
- After selling her house, she just _________ and never came back.
Article Reading
Read the passage and take note of the highlighted words in the Vocabulary Guide.
Japan is facing a critical problem as numbers of abandoned houses also known as “Akiya”, especially in the rural areas continue to increase. Two of the many reasons why homeowners leave the countryside is because there are more opportunities in cities especially for young professionals whereas more older people prefer to live in retirements homes.
If this problem is not solved by 2040, approximately 900 towns and villages will vanish. To avoid this from happening, an online website, Akiya Bank was established to attract interested home buyers.
If this problem is not solved by 2040, approximately 900 towns and villages will vanish. To avoid this from happening, an online website, Akiya Bank was established to attract interested home buyers.
Comprehension Questions
Choose the correct answer based on the passage you read.
- Where are abandoned houses mostly located in Japan?
- A. in urban areas
- B. in rural areas
- C. in towns
- What is the approximate number of houses that will vanish by the year 2040?
- A. 900
- B. 960
- C. 990
- What is the name of the online website that attracts interest home buyers?
- A. Bank Ankiya
- B. Alisa Bank
- C. Akiya Bank
Conversation Questions
Answer the questions in complete sentences. You can also ask me questions.
- Would you buy an abandoned house in Japan? Why? Why not?
- Would you sell your house for free? Why? Why not?
- Do you think it’s safe to buy and then live in an abandoned house?
- If given the chance, what business would you like to run if you buy an abandoned house?