Photo by © Koji Fujii / Nacasa and Partners Inc. via
Spoon & Tamago
Pre-reading questions:
- Do you like the color green?
- Are there many plants and trees from where you live?
Vocabulary:
- company /KUHM-puh-nee/
[noun] an organization that sells goods or services in order to make money
My father owns a company in Shinjuku.
- reduce /ri-DOOS/
[verb] to become or to make something become smaller in size, amount, etc.
What’s a good way to reduce weight?
- applicant /AP-li-kuhnt/
[noun] someone who has applied for a job
Only two out of twenty applicants passed the interview.
- area /AIR-ee-uh/
[noun] a particular part of a place or piece of land
My sister already cleaned the dining area.
- agree /uh-GREE/
[verb] to accept a suggestion or idea
Sarah doesn’t agree with Hannah’s suggestion.
Many Japanese companies are adding plants and trees in their offices to reduce the stress of their employees. They also think of it as a way to attract applicants towards their businesses. According to Kahori Genjo, a professor at Nagasaki University’s Graduate School of Engineering, plants and trees help make the employees feel less tired. Since December 2015, Japanese companies have been paying more attention to their work areas to check for illnesses caused by stress. Many companies agree with the idea of putting plants and trees inside their offices to keep their employees active.
True or False:
- Kahori Genjo is a professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology.
- Japanese companies have been focusing on their workplaces since December 2015.
- According to the professor, plants make employees feel less tired.
- Few companies are adding plants inside their offices.
- Companies believe that trees and plants can attract more applicants.
Vocabulary Check:
[noun] an organization that sells goods or services in order to make money
My father owns a company in Shinjuku.
[verb] to become or to make something become smaller in size, amount, etc.
What’s a good way to reduce weight?
[noun] someone who has applied for a job
Only two out of twenty applicants passed the interview.
[noun] a particular part of a place or piece of land
My sister already cleaned the dining area.
[verb] to accept a suggestion or idea
Sarah doesn’t agree with Hannah’s suggestion.
Complete the sentences by using the words in the box.
| applicant | company | agree | area | reduce |
- Jin thinks we should _______ the price.
- We all _______ to leave soon.
- I live around this _______.
- The manager needs 10 _______ by next week.
- I want to have my own _______ someday.