Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- anemic /uh-NEE-mik/
[adjective] – very weak or without energy
The company reported anemic sales despite heavy advertising. - annualized /AN-yuh-wuh-lahyz-d/
[adjective] – calculated over a period of one year
The report showed annualized growth for the last quarter. - landslide /LAND-slahyd/
[noun] – an election victory in which the winner gets a very large majority of votes
The candidate won by a landslide in the local election. - contraction /kuhn-TRAK-shuhn/
[noun] – a reduction in the size, amount, or number of something
The factory closed after a long contraction in demand. - technical recession /TEK-ni-kuhl ri-SES-shuhn/
[noun] – a situation in which an economy shrinks for two consecutive quarters
Analysts warned that the country was close to a technical recession.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Japan’s economy expanded at an anemic 0.2 percent annualized pace in the October to December quarter, according to government data released Monday in Tokyo, as export weakness offset modest domestic demand and left full-year 2025 growth at 1.1 percent. Private consumption increased 0.4 percent during the quarter, but exports declined 1.1 percent amid global trade tensions and new tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who secured a landslide victory in a recent general election, signaled plans to introduce stimulus measures, including higher public spending and a suspension of the sales tax on food, in an effort to bolster confidence and prevent further contraction.
The Cabinet Office reported that gross domestic product rose 0.1 percent quarter on quarter after shrinking 0.7 percent from July to September, allowing the country to narrowly avoid a technical recession defined by two consecutive quarters of decline. Growth earlier in April to June had reached 0.5 percent before weakening. The 1.1 percent expansion marked the fastest pace since 2022, when recovery followed pandemic disruptions, yet the government projects average growth of about 0.6 percent in the near term. Economists say sustained export recovery and stable consumption remain critical for longer-term stability.
The Cabinet Office reported that gross domestic product rose 0.1 percent quarter on quarter after shrinking 0.7 percent from July to September, allowing the country to narrowly avoid a technical recession defined by two consecutive quarters of decline. Growth earlier in April to June had reached 0.5 percent before weakening. The 1.1 percent expansion marked the fastest pace since 2022, when recovery followed pandemic disruptions, yet the government projects average growth of about 0.6 percent in the near term. Economists say sustained export recovery and stable consumption remain critical for longer-term stability.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever followed news about economic growth rates? If so, what did that information influence? If not, why has it not been a focus?
- Have you ever experienced rising prices that affected spending decisions? If so, how was spending adjusted? If not, what might cause change?
- Do you agree that government spending can help prevent economic decline?
- What policies should leaders prioritize during slow growth?
- How might global trade tensions affect long-term economic stability?
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.
- government
- victory
- suspension
- quarter
- decline