116-year-old Japanese woman officially named world’s oldest living person by Guinness

admin 2024年8月31日

Beginner

world news, world news - beginner

©(City of Ashiya via AP)

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。

Have you ever heard of the Guinness World Records?
Can you give me one thing you want to do or still plan to do even as you grow older?

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。

title /TAHYT-l/

[noun] – a designation or honor granted to someone, often based on an achievement or distinction
She won the title of Employee of the Month for her hard work.

research /ri-SURCH/

[noun] – a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding
The scientist conducted research on renewable energy sources.

volleyball /VOL-ee-bawl/

[noun] – a team sport in which two teams of six players each try to score points by hitting a ball over a net and onto the opponent’s court
We played volleyball at the beach during our summer vacation.

alone /uh-LOHN/

[adverb] – without other people; by oneself
He prefers to work alone in his office to avoid distractions.

climb /klahym/

[verb] – to go up, or to go towards the top of something
They decided to climb the mountain despite the challenging weather conditions.

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。

Tomiko Itooka, a 116-year-old woman from Japan, is now the world’s oldest living person, according to Guinness World Records. She got this title after Maria Branyas Morera from Spain, who was 117, passed away. The Gerontology Research Group, which checks the ages of people over 110, confirmed that Itooka was born on May 23, 1908. She lives in a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Guinness confirmed her title on August 22, 2024. Itooka has had a remarkable life. She was born in Osaka and played volleyball in high school. She married at 20 and had four children—two daughters and two sons. During World War II, she helped run her husband’s textile factory office. After her husband died in 1979, she lived alone in Nara before moving to a nursing home. Even in her old age, Itooka stayed active. She climbed Japan’s Mount Ontake twice and enjoyed hiking even after turning 100. For her 116th birthday, she got flowers, a cake, and a card from the mayor. Every day, she enjoys Calpis, a yogurt-flavored drink, and bananas—simple things she has loved all her life.

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。

Tomiko Itooka was born on May 23, 1908.
Tomiko Itooka played volleyball in high school.
Tomiko Itooka was born in Tokyo.
Tomiko Itooka enjoys Calpis and bananas every day.
The mayor sent her a gift basket for her 116th birthday.

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。

title

research

volleyball

alone

climb

She walked home __________ after the party because her friends had left early.
Her __________ on climate change provided valuable insights into global warming trends.
After winning the championship, he earned the __________ of the best player in the league.
She had to ___________ the ladder to reach the top shelf in the garage.
She enjoys playing __________ at the beach with her friends on weekends.