Beginner

Naganuma for Olympics 2020

2016年12月16日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite sports? Do you watch Olympics?   Four parties that are assigned in Olympics are now deciding its final plan about the venue for rowing and canoe competitions during Tokyo Olympics 2020. Miyagi Naganuma has the advantage since the costs of construction will be down to ¥15 billion from ¥20 billion. The location also can be a symbol of the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, Naganuma plan will split the Olympic village and sports associations are against it. Some committee say that the plan in Naganuma is not possible.   Vocabulary: competition – [noun] a contest advantage – [noun] something that helps to make…
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Beginner

University officials say undocumented students studying abroad should go home

2016年12月16日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you want to study in another country? Have you met a student from another country?   Colleges in the United States want students without proper documents to go home before Donald Trump becomes President. Donald Trump plans to throw out 2 to 3 million foreigners. California State University want their students who are studying in another country to come back. 200 more colleges want their students to study further in a foreign country.   Vocabulary: college – [noun] higher education documents – [noun] paper president – [noun] leader of a country foreign – [noun] another country further – [adverb] more   True or False: Colleges in…
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Beginner

The 90th annual Macy’s thanksgiving day parade

2016年12月16日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your country? How do you celebrate Thanksgiving Day?   Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held last Thursday, November 24, 2016. It took place in Manhattan, New York City. It started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 12:00 p.m. The Parade was watched by more than 3.5 million people. It was televised worldwide on NBC. This is the biggest and most beloved parade.   Vocabulary: Thanksgiving Day – [noun] a yearly parade by the US-based department store chain Macy’s parade – [noun] a public procession, especially one celebrating a special day or event, and including marching bands and floats televise – [verb] transmit…
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Beginner

Pastry Kitchen in Beijing boost hopes to PWD

2016年12月16日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like breads and pastries? How many are you in your family?   A bakery in China, named Bakery of Life is now hiring persons with disabilities. Many disabled persons in China are left by their parents in orphanages. The Bread of Life Bakery give them a chance to work and get their fist job. The bakery are owned by American couple Keith and Cheryl Wyse. They started the bakery last 2008.   Vocabulary: disability – [noun] lack of strength or physical or mental ability. orphanage – [noun] an institution for housing orphans. chance – [noun] opportunity own – [adjective] belong to Couple – [noun] pair…
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Beginner

Students refuse going to school

2016年12月16日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to school? / Did you like going to school? Why should children go to school?   A number of students nowadays are not interested to go to school anymore. A lot of reasons are being considered by teachers and administrators. Some students just want to go to school once or twice a week. The principal have known a clear cause and it’s the mother who always says OK when the student doesn’t want to go. Schools said that it is difficult for them to deal with the situation.   Vocabulary: consider – [verb] to think about carefully twice – [abverb] two times difficult…
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Beginner

Fake stories might affect Facebook’s earnings

2016年12月14日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you know Facebook? Do you have an account on Facebook?   Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made new plans to remove fake news on their site. Facebook would have a system that will identify if the news is true or not. It would be easier for users to report fake news. It would also make changes to its advertisement system. Many people thought that fake stories affected the U.S. Presidential election. Business analysts are worried because Facebook’s plans might affect their earnings. Some advertisers said that Facebook’s records were incorrect. Analysts thought these factors would affect the company’s earnings.   Vocabulary: CEO – 社長[noun] Chief Executive Officer;…
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Beginner

Man dies in a speed-eating contest

2016年12月14日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like onigiri? Have you ever participated on any festival in your country?   A man fainted in an onigiri speed-eating contest in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. He fainted because of a large onigiri in his throat. He was brought to the hospital right away, but he died 3 days after. The speed-eating was done to celebrate Friendship Festival in their region. Organizers felt sorry about the incident. The event happened last November 13.   Vocabulary: faint – 気が遠くなって[adjective] to lose consciousness. contest – コンテスト[noun] a race or competition. region – 地域[noun] a district or division. organizer – 主催者[noun] a person or group who organize things, events,…
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Beginner

Times University Ranking

2016年12月9日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever experienced studying abroad? What do you think is the best university in Japan?   The University of Tokyo ranked fourth in best university in Asia. National University of Singapore took the Asian crown. Tsinghua University in China also moved up. The University of Tokyo, was beaten again by Peking University. The rankings set standard for teaching. World university rankings are now in their 13th year.   Vocabulary: rank – ランク[noun] give (someone or something) a rank or place; list; group Asia – アジア[noun] Earth’s largest and most populous continent move up – 初級する[verb] move upward; go up beaten – 負かす[verb] having been defeated standard…
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Beginner

World’s First Bollywood Theme Park Opens in Dubai

2016年12月6日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to parks? What do you usually do in the park?   People going to Dubai are lucky. A new theme park opened last November 17. The theme park is inspired by famous Indian movies. The name of the park is Bollywood Parks Dubai because Indian movies are called Bollywood movies. There will be many attractions in Bollywood Parks Dubai.   Vocabulary: Dubai – ドバイ[proper noun] a city in United Arab Emirates (UAE) lucky – 幸運な[adjective] good luck; fortune inspired – 感化されて[adjective] come from famous – 有名な[adjective] known by many people attractions – アトラクション[noun] something people want to see   True or False: The…
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Beginner

HIV Test on a USB Stick

2016年11月28日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Do you always get sick? Have you heard of HIV?   Scientists found a new way to test HIV by using a USB stick. It was developed by scientists from Imperial College London and the US firm DNA Electronics. It uses a drop of blood on a USB stick to detect the virus. It will give signals to computers or mobile devices. It can give fast and good results. This is the same with monitoring blood sugar levels on diabetic patients.   Vocabulary: HIV – HIV[noun] a virus that causes AIDS USB – USB[noun] a device that stores data virus – ウイルス[noun] something that causes disease mobile…
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Beginner