Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- conservative /kuhn-SUR-vuh-tiv/
- housing /HOU-zing/
- openly /OH-puhn-lee/
- superior /suh-PEER-ee-er/
- extinct /ik-STINGKT/
[adjective] – not usually liking or trusting change, especially sudden change
Older people tend to be more conservative and a bit suspicious of anything new.
[noun] – buildings for people to live in
There’s a shortage of cheap housing in the region.
[adverb] – in an open manner, visibly
Sarah talked openly about her problems.
[adjective] – better than average or better than other people or things of the same type
This is clearly the work of a superior artist.
[adjective] – no longer existing
There is concern that the giant panda will soon become extinct.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Just the word “Japan” can make you think of manga, maid cafes, and bright neon lights. But Maan Limburg, a Dutch photographer, sees Japan as a bunch of empty conservative housing in the countryside.
Her pictures of these places, including houses that were openly destroyed by natural disasters and closed theaters where the lights were still on, are now in a book called “The Lost World,” which came out in May. One in every 1,500 people in Japan is over the age of 100, making it one of the superior countries with the oldest people. As more young individuals move to cities to find jobs, it’s getting harder to keep up with the countryside. And that’s not the only big thing that changed the way Japan looks. Events like earthquakes, typhoons, and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima have also caused a lot of damage or forced people to leave their homes. This is where akiya, or ghost houses, come in. In 2014, the government released a report that said if things keep going the way they are, about 900 villages and towns in Japan will “go extinct.” There are so many empty homes that some places are even giving them away for free. But even free houses aren’t always the answer to the problem of akiya in Japan. Even though other countries with aging populations have given or sold very cheap houses to foreigners, they often come with a visa or permit to live there.
The country has always been a great place to live in. And its events being recorded in a book is a thing to remember.
Her pictures of these places, including houses that were openly destroyed by natural disasters and closed theaters where the lights were still on, are now in a book called “The Lost World,” which came out in May. One in every 1,500 people in Japan is over the age of 100, making it one of the superior countries with the oldest people. As more young individuals move to cities to find jobs, it’s getting harder to keep up with the countryside. And that’s not the only big thing that changed the way Japan looks. Events like earthquakes, typhoons, and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima have also caused a lot of damage or forced people to leave their homes. This is where akiya, or ghost houses, come in. In 2014, the government released a report that said if things keep going the way they are, about 900 villages and towns in Japan will “go extinct.” There are so many empty homes that some places are even giving them away for free. But even free houses aren’t always the answer to the problem of akiya in Japan. Even though other countries with aging populations have given or sold very cheap houses to foreigners, they often come with a visa or permit to live there.
The country has always been a great place to live in. And its events being recorded in a book is a thing to remember.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever moved out of town? If so, what is the reason? If not, what made you stay in your place?
- Have you been to an “akiya,” or ghost house? If so, how was the experience? If not, what would be your reasons for visiting it soon?
- If you are Japan’s Prime Minister, how will you manage ghost houses?
- Do you think it is necessary to change houses?
- How will you explain to people about “akiya”, or ghost houses in Japan?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- disaster
- earthquakes
- nuclear
- events
- foreigners