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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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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Ali Baba breaks sales record on Singles’ Day

2016年11月28日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you always use your computer? Where do you shop?   The Chinese online company called Ali Baba has sold several products on Singles Day. They have earned 121 billion yuan ($18 billion) that day. It is 12 percent higher than what they earned last year. They said 82 percent of the customers have bought a new smartphone, but some people wonder if it’s true. Also, others say some online sellers sell fake products. Still, analysts think online shopping is a good business because even the people in rural areas have smartphones so they can shop online now.   Vocabulary: Singles’ Day – シングルズ・デイ[noun] November 11, a…
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Beginner

Earthquake strikes New Zealand

2016年11月28日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Where is the best place to go during an earthquake?   The impact of magnitude 7.8 earthquake is still not clear. Officials say at least 2 people died. Small towns were inaccessible and roads were blocked by landslides. About 600 people were trapped in Kaikoura, but the government already gave help to the townspeople.   Vocabulary: magnitude – [noun] the great size inaccessible – [adjective] unable to be reached block – [noun] difficult; impossible landslide – [noun] rockslide; mudslide trapped – [verb] cannot move   True or False: The impact of magnitude 8 earthquake is still not clear. Officials say at…
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Beginner

Airport Wi-Fi

2016年11月28日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you think Wi-Fi is useful for everyone? How important is Wi-Fi to you?   A new list of Wi-Fi speed in airports was issued this year. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport USA is the first one on the list. These five Asian countries are added: Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Six airports from Thailand are also on the list this year.   Vocabulary: list – 一覧表[noun] a number of connected items or written names speed – スピード[noun] a rate of movement or action airport – 空港[noun] a place where airplanes can land or take off issued – 発する[verb] provided; given national – 国の[adjective] a…
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Beginner

Overworking Issue

2016年11月24日

Japan - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: What is your dream job? What are the most popular companies in your country? In Japan, working conditions are too strict and sometimes they cause employees to commit suicide. An employee from Dentsu Inc. was reported to have committed suicide due to overworking. Overworking can cause depression according to the health office. Now, authorities are inspecting the company and its branches because of the situation. They are also going to have on-site inspections to almost all companies in Japan. Vocabulary: strict – 厳しい[adjective] used to describe a rule or command that must be obeyed employee – 従業員[noun] a person who works for another person or a company for…
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Beginner

Daytime students in night schools

2016年11月18日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: How long do you study at night? Would you like to go to night school?   Around 97,000 junior high school students don’t go to school. The government asked the students to attend night schools. These night schools use the same textbooks as regular schools. At Kyoto’s Rakuyu Junior High School, they study with older students. The ministry said that this will help them attend classes, yet students must be careful when traveling at night.   Vocabulary: night school – 夜学校 [noun] a school that gives evening classes. textbook – 教科書 [noun] a book used for the study of a particular subject regular – 普通の [adjective] ordinary…
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Beginner

Researchers Announced the Countries with Tallest Man and Woman

2016年11月18日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: How tall are you? Do you think Japanese people are tall?   A research by Imperial College of London found out that the tallest men in the world are from Netherlands, and the tallest women are from Latvia. More than 800 scientists joined the research. Other scientists believed that people grow because of their genes. The Imperial College of London says that nutrition is also important. Scientists say that people in Netherlands are the tallest because they eat protein-rich food like milk and cheese.   Vocabulary: research – 研究 [noun] a study about a subject found out – 発見した [verb] a result nutrition – 栄養 [noun] can…
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Beginner