Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- indigenous /in-DIJ-uh-nuhs/
- mark /mahrk/
- surge /surj/
- transaction /tran-SAK-shuhn/
- fetch /fech/
[adjective] – used to refer to plants and animals that grow or live naturally in a place, and have not been brought there from somewhere else
This dish is made of indigenous herbs and spices.
[verb] – to show respect for or commemorate
Today marks the 12th anniversary of our store.
[verb] – to increase suddenly and strongly
House prices in the UK have surged this month.
[noun] – an occasion when someone buys or sells something, or when money is exchanged or the activity of buying or selling something
This week’s furniture transactions were smooth and successful.
[verb] – to be sold for a particular amount of money
Mr. Sheen’s paintings fetched nearly $3 million at the event.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A 1-kilogram (kg) batch of Japanese green tea leaves sold for a record-breaking ¥1.96 million on April 18, 2022. A product of Shizuoka prefecture, Samidori leaves are indigenous green tea leaves that were grown in Fujinomiya and sold at the city’s annual Tea Market auction, to mark the start of the harvest season. According to the market’s president Yasuhide Uchino, the market “is working hard to ensure it provides delicious tea at fair prices” despite surging fuel and raw materials prices. The market officials said that although this year’s tea grew slower than usual, its quality remains unchanged.
Many tea merchants and customers arrived early before the transactions started at 7:00 a.m. “We were able to acquire tea of good color and shape,” said Natsuki Wada, a 35-year-old processed-tea wholesaler from Shizuoka city. Teas from Kagoshima and Okinawa were also sold at the event. Based on a report by the Shizuoka Japanese Tea Market, Samidori green tea garnered a trading volume of 1,732 kg by 8:10 a.m. with the average per kilogram priced at 5,027 yen. The end of April is expected to be the peak of tea-hand rolling work in Japan. In 2019, a 1kg batch of hand-rolled Saemidori tea leaves fetched 1.39m yen at a tea auction.
Many tea merchants and customers arrived early before the transactions started at 7:00 a.m. “We were able to acquire tea of good color and shape,” said Natsuki Wada, a 35-year-old processed-tea wholesaler from Shizuoka city. Teas from Kagoshima and Okinawa were also sold at the event. Based on a report by the Shizuoka Japanese Tea Market, Samidori green tea garnered a trading volume of 1,732 kg by 8:10 a.m. with the average per kilogram priced at 5,027 yen. The end of April is expected to be the peak of tea-hand rolling work in Japan. In 2019, a 1kg batch of hand-rolled Saemidori tea leaves fetched 1.39m yen at a tea auction.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Describe the tea culture in your country.
- When was the last time you had tea? How did you prepare it?
- Recommend a type of tea from your city. Describe its color, taste, and aroma.
- Do you think the batch of hand-rolled tea leaves was worth the price it was sold?
- In your opinion, is loose leaf tea better than using tea bags? Please explain your answer.
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.
- annual
- auction
- fair
- acquire
- peak