Intermediate

Heisei era gives new meaning of ‘Japanese’

2019年3月6日

Pre-Reading Questions: What do you like about your culture? Why? What do you think is special about your country? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: term /turm/ [noun] a word used in relation to a particular subject Studious is a term used for people who love studying. descent /dih-SENT/ [noun] the origin of people in your family background My neighbor is of American-Irish descent. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] the information gathered by asking people the same questions The survey shows that many businessmen skip their meal. political /puh-LIT-i-kuhl/ [adjective] relating to politics and government Education is one of the major political issues these days. aspect /AS-pekt/ [noun] a particular feature of our…
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Intermediate

Volkswagen changes charging system for electric vehicles

2019年3月4日

Volkswagen new stategy for electric vehicles

Pre-reading questions: Do you own a car? If yes, kindly describe it. If no, what car brand do you want to buy? What car brand is famous in Japan? Vocabulary: strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] a detailed plan to achieve something or reach a goal The basketball team coach’s strategy won them the game. mobile /MOH-buhl/ [adjective] something that can be easily moved The old lady sits on a mobile chair every morning. exploit /EK-sploit/ [verb] to use something in a way to help someone or oneself People must exploit every opportunity to learn more and new things. accommodate /uh-KOM-uh-deyt/ [verb] to give what is needed to something or someone The new…
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Intermediate

Breath test to detect cancers begins trial in UK

2019年2月27日

Breath test to detect various cancers begins trial in UK

Pre-reading questions: How many kinds of cancers do you know? Elaborate your answer. Do you think cheap and effective cure for cancer will be invented? Why or why not? Vocabulary: presence /PREZ-uhns/ [noun] the fact that someone or something is in a place The tests showed the presence of toxin in the body. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] a single person or thing You are the kindest individual I have ever met. breathe /breeth/ [verb] to move air into and out of the lungs She cannot breathe due to lack of oxygen. express /ik-SPRES/ [verb] to show a feeling, opinion, or fact Johnny expressed interest in joining the soccer club. stage /steyj/…
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Intermediate

Esports event to be held in Tokyo, Japan

2019年2月26日

Esports event to be held in Tokyo, Japan

Pre-reading questions: Do you like playing any mobile games? Why or why not? Do you think playing computer games is fun? Why or why not? Vocabulary: intend /in-TEND/ [verb] to have as a plan or purpose She intends to use the money for her school supplies. affair /uh-FAIR/ [noun] an event She did not go to the social affair at her school because of her dress. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something My friends promote eating healthy food everyday. popularity /pop-yuh-LAR-i-tee/ [noun] the fact that something or someone is liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people After the trending video about organic…
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Intermediate

Zora: A robot with a heart

2019年2月20日

Zora a robot with a heart

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you want to have a caregiver when you get old? Why or why not? Which do you like, a talking robot or a flying robot? Vocabulary: companion /kuhm-PAN-yuhn/ [noun] a person you spend a lot of time with Her high school best friend has been her companion whenever she travels abroad. affection /uh-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] a feeling of liking for a person or place John didn’t feel any affection when he saw his biological father for the first time. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] important or noticeable There are significant changes in the new management after the replacement of the president. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] to make someone more likely to…
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Intermediate

Hyogo holds exhibition in honor of Osamu Tezuka

2019年2月18日

Hyogo holds enhibitionin honor of Osamu Tezuka

Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching animated movies? Why or why not? Which do you like more, reading manga or watching anime? Why? Vocabulary: hit /hit/ [noun] something or someone that is popular or famous Musicals are a bit hit in my country. aforementioned /uh-FAWR-men-shuhnd/ [adjective] mentioned earlier The aforementioned general secretary is in a room now for a press conference. distinguished /dih-STING-gwisht/ [adjective] someone who is admired and respected Mr. Lee is a distinguished leader and a politician. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [verb] to affect how someone or something develops My grandfather had a strong influence on my childhood. evolution /ev-uh-LOO-shuhn/ [noun] a step-by-step process or development My father has seen…
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Intermediate

Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

2019年2月13日

Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

Pre-reading questions: What is your dream job? Why? Where do you usually go with your family? Tell me more about it. Vocabulary: service industry /SUR-vis in-duh-stree/ [noun] an industry that provides a service for people but does not result in the production of goods Most of the businesses in this city are in the service industry like hotels and restaurants. automated /AW-tuh-meyt-uhd/ [adjective] made to operate by machines or computers in order to reduce the work done by humans Human labor decreases because of automated machines. define /dih-fahyn/ [verb] to describe the meaning of something Please help me define these difficult words for my report next week. shortage /SHAWR-tij/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

Japan’s ministry plans to use a speech translation application

2019年2月11日

Japan's ministry plans to use a speech translation application

Pre-reading questions: What are the languages that you know? Do you want to learn a foreign language? Why or why not? Vocabulary: application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] a computer program that is designed for a particular purpose Anyone can download applications on their phone. database /DEY-tuh-beys/ [noun] a large amount of information stored in a computer system They put a password to ensure the security of the database. provide /pruh-VAHYD/ [verb] to give someone something that they need The people provided relief goods for the people. translate /trans-LEYT/ [verb] to change words into a different language They used internet to translate all the words in English. quality /KWOL-i-tee/ [noun] a characteristic of…
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Intermediate

Japan’s celebration for the new emperor

2019年2月6日

Japan's celebration for the new emperor

Pre-reading questions: Do you like attending ceremonies? Why or why not? What kind of ceremonies have you attended? If none, what kind of ceremony would you like to attend? Vocabulary: enthrone /en-THROHN/ [verb] to put a king, queen, etc. on a throne to mark the beginning of their rule The king was enthroned when he was 55 years old. sovereignty /SOV-rin-tee/ [noun] the power or authority to rule He said that the contract would be a violation of American sovereignty. dignitary /DIG-ni-ter-ee/ [noun] a person in an important position in a society Candance was nervous with her meetings with the dignitaries. meanwhile /MEEN-wahyl/ [adverb] at the same time with something…
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Intermediate

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama

2019年1月30日

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama (2)

Pre-reading questions: Do you watch morning dramas? Please explain your answer. What do you usually look for in a story? Vocabulary: airing /AIR/ [noun] a radio or television broadcast A new drama starring my favorite actor will air this season. twisted /TWIST-ed/ [adjective] mentally or emotionally disturbed The story is about a twisted character who does bad things to his neighbors. struggle /STRUGH-uhl/ [verb] to work hard to do something Mako has been struggling with her entrance exams. model /MOD-/ [verb] to create something by basing its form or appearance on something else The novel is modeled after the author’s personal experiences. founder /FOUN-der/ [noun] someone who establishes an organization…
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Intermediate