Senior breakdancing takes center stage in Japan ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics

admin 2024年7月3日

Beginner

Japan News, japan news - beginner

©REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Are you familiar with breakdancing?
Have you ever considered watching the Olympics in person?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

track /trak/

[noun] – the rails and roadbed that trains run on
The maintenance crew worked tirelessly to repair the track after the storm washed out a section of it.

fitness /FIT-nis/

[noun] – the condition of being physically strong and healthy
Regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining good fitness throughout life.

routine /roo-TEEN/

[noun] – a set sequence of movements or actions performed as part of a performance or activity
Her morning routine includes yoga, meditation, and a healthy breakfast.

delight /dih-LAHYT/

[verb] – to have caused great pleasure, satisfaction, or enjoyment to someone
The chef’s exquisite dessert delighted the guests, who were delighted and couldn’t stop complimenting its flavors and presentation.

festival /FES-tuh-vuhl/

[noun] – a special occasion of celebration, often involving performances, events, or gatherings
The town’s annual summer festival attracts visitors from all over with its music, food, and games.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Saruwaka Kiyoshie, aged 74, is well-known for her skills in surfing and traditional Japanese dance. Recently, she has discovered a new passion: breakdancing. This interest was sparked when she learned that breakdancing would be included in the 2024 Paris Games. Saruwaka recalled watching young breakdancers near train tracks long ago and dreaming of joining them. She began her dance journey at the age of five with Nihonbuyo, a traditional Japanese dance. Breakdancing was not something she ever expected to pursue later in life, but its energy and excitement drew her in. Saruwaka is now part of Ara Style Senior, a Japanese club where older adults learn breakdancing. Started by 71-year-old Tokyo official Reiko Maruyama, the club aims to bring enjoyable physical activities to the community. With guidance from former national breaking champion Yusuke Arai, they introduced breakdancing to seniors, inspired by its upcoming Olympic debut. Arai, known for mentoring top breakdancers, believes this initiative can reshape views on age and fitness. Despite not performing Olympic-level routines, Saruwaka and her group recently delighted audiences at a local festival. For Saruwaka, breakdancing is a fun way to stay fit and take a break from teaching classical dance, and she plans to keep dancing in the future.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Saruwaka Kiyoshie, aged 74, is well-known for her skills in traditional Japanese dance.
Saruwaka began her dance journey at the age of five with Nihonbuyo, a traditional Japanese dance.
Recently, Saruwaka discovered a new passion for breakdancing, sparked by its inclusion in the 2024 Paris Games.
Saruwaka and her group have performed Olympic-level routines at a local festival.
Saruwaka is mentored by former national breaking champion Yusuke Arai.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

track

fitness

routine

delighted

festival

After months of training, she noticed significant improvements in her cardiovascular __________ and stamina.
The high-speed train glided smoothly along the __________, reaching its destination ahead of schedule.
The harvest __________ in the rural community is a time for farmers to come together and share their bounty.
The unexpected gift ___________ her immensely.
The magician rehearsed his card trick ___________ until every move was flawless and seamless.