Beginner

Heisei era gives new meaning of ‘Japanese’

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like to learn about the culture of other countries? Do you like to meet foreign people? Vocabulary: labor /LEY-bor/ [noun] practical work that involves physical effort He can still do physical labor even though he is old. member /MEM-ber/ [noun] a person, animal, or thing that is part of a group She is a member of a very strong volleyball team. system /SIS-tuhm/ [noun] a way of doing things; a method A successful country usually has a good government system. accept /ak-SEPT/ [verb] to agree to take something She accepts the fact that he is gone. multiracial /muhl-tee-REY-shuhl/ [adjective] involving people of several different races I…
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Volkswagen changes charging system for electric vehicles

Volkswagen new stategy for electric vehicles

Pre-reading questions: Do you like cars? What is your favorite car brand? Vocabulary: public /PUHB-lik/ [noun] all people in general Fake news caused confusion to the public. charge /chahrj/ [verb] to put electricity into an electrical device That smartphone needs to be charged for two hours only vehicle /VEE-i-kuhl/ [noun] a machine that people ride to go from one place to another Sam doesn’t like riding public vehicles. unit /YOO-nit/ [noun] a machine or item that is part of a set The company released new television units this month. batch /bach/ [noun] a group of people or things A new batch of students are looking for summer jobs. Volkswagen shares…
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Breath test to detect cancers begins trial in UK

Breath test to detect various cancers begins trial in UK

Pre-reading questions: Do you think technology can help people cure their diseases? What should people do to stay healthy? Vocabulary: healthy /HEL-thee/ [adjective] strong and well She has a healthy daughter. tool /tool/ [noun] a piece of equipment that you use with your hands to make or repair something They will buy agricultural tools. patient /PEY-shuhnt/ [noun] a person who is receiving medical care The patient had a heart surgery. disease /dih-ZEEZ/ [noun] illness of people, animals, plants, etc., caused by infection Mila has to get treatment for her disease. report /ri-PAWRT/ [verb] to make a public statement about something The manager reported a decrease in milk production. Cancer Research…
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Esports event to be held in Tokyo, Japan

Esports event to be held in Tokyo, Japan

Pre-reading questions: Are you familiar with esports? Do you like computer games? Vocabulary: announce /uh-NOUNS/ [verb] tell people about something officially The principal announced yesterday that there will be no class today. activity /ak-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] an organized event She was so excited to start the school activity. support /suh-POHRT/ [verb] to give encouragement or approval of someone or something to succeed My parents support me in pursuing my dreams. popular /POP-yuh-ler/ [adjective] liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people Korean music is popular nowadays. match /mach/ [noun] a sports competition or event in which two people or teams compete against each other I will watch the football match on television….
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Zora: A robot with a heart

Zora a robot with a heart

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like robots? What is the most popular robot in your country? Vocabulary: caregiver /KAIR-giv-er/ [noun] someone who takes care of a person who is young, old, or sick The caregiver of his sick mother is very kind. patient /PEY-shuhnt/ [noun] a person who is receiving medical care, esp. in a hospital They visited the patient in the hospital. hug /huhg/ [noun] the act of holding someone or something close to your body with your arms She always gives me a big hug whenever I come home. cost /kawst/ [verb] if something costs an amount of money, you must pay that amount to buy or do it;…
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Hyogo holds exhibition in honor of Osamu Tezuka

Hyogo holds enhibitionin honor of Osamu Tezuka

Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching animated movies? Do you know Osamu Tezuka? Vocabulary: show /shoh/ [noun] a public event where people can view a collection of things The show in our town will start at 10 AM. well-known /WEL-nohn/ [adjective] famous or known by many people Sarah wants to be a well-known ballerina someday. Western /WES-tern/ [adjective] connected to countries in the west part of the world Sakumo is interested in Western culture. display /dih-SPLEY/ [verb] to show something for people to see She was not allowed to display her work at school. society /suh-SAHY-i-tee/ [noun] culture or community We live in a modern society. A special show about…
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Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

Pre-reading questions: What is the name of your favorite place? Do you like to invite other people to your house? Vocabulary: hospitality /hos-pi-tal-i-tee/ [noun] kindness and friendly behavior, esp. to guests Her family is known because of their hospitality. invest /in-vest/ [verb] to put money or effort into something to make a profit or achieve a result Maki’s parents invest their savings to their family business. automatic /aw-tuh-mat-ik/ [adjective] able to operate independently without human control Automatic technologies are expensive. selfless /self-lis/ [adjective] caring more about other people’s needs and interests than about your own The selfless mother gives her food to her children. maintain /meyn-teyn/ [verb] to continue to…
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Japan’s ministry plans to use a speech translation application

Japan's ministry plans to use a speech translation application

Pre-reading questions: Do you always use your phone? What apps do you find useful? Vocabulary: translation /trans-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] the activity of changing the words of one language into the words in another language that have the same meaning Many tourists use a translation device when they travel abroad. guide /gahyd/ [noun] a book, website, etc. that gives you the most important information about a particular subject We brought a travel guide in our trip last month. select /si-LEKT/ [verb] to choose something, or to make a choice The chef selects the best ingredients for his dish. announce /uh-NOUNS/ [verb] to make something known or tell people about something officially They…
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Japan’s celebration for the new emperor

Japan's celebration for the new emperor

Pre-reading questions: Do you like celebrations? What events do you like to attend? Vocabulary: emperor /EM-per-er/ [noun] a male ruler He said he wanted to be the emperor of China someday. retire /re-TAHYUHR/ [verb] to leave your job or position and stop working I don’t have any plans to retire yet. well-known /WEL-nohn/ [adjective] popular or recognized by people She was introduced to me as a well-known author. role /rohl/ [noun] a position that something or someone has in a situation, organization, etc. My friend’s role in the wedding is very important. adviser /ad-VAHY-zer/ [noun] someone who gives advice about something My adviser told me not to spend too much…
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Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama (2)

Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching “asadora” (morning dramas)? Who is your favorite actor/actress? Vocabulary: difficult /DIF-i-kuhl/ [adjective] not easy to deal with The teacher helped her students in answering a difficult question. base /beys/ [verb] to use a story or painting on something The movie is based on the popular romance novel. inventor /in-VEN-ter/ [noun] a person who makes a new system or machine A young inventor developed television in 1920. challenging /CHAL-in-jing/ [adjective] difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination Playing volleyball is challenging but fun. heroine /HER-oh-in / [noun] the main female character in a story Fukuko Imai is the heroine of “Manpuku”. Sakura…
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