Intermediate

A guide to Children’s Day in Japan

2022年5月5日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually do on May 5 every year? What toys did you play with as a child? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. growth /grohth/ [noun] – The growth of a person, animal, or plant is its process of increasing in size. Robbie’s sisters were proud to witness his growth. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – a sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else The four-leaf clover is a symbol of luck. power /POU-er/ [noun] – strength Everyone looked up to Julian for his power and kindness….
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Intermediate

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Get in touch with nature on Greenery Day

2022年5月4日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like tea? Why? Do you like gardening? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reputation /rep-yuh-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the general opinion that people have about someone or something His work in Congress earned him a reputation for being dependable and hardworking. harvest /HAHR-vist / [verb] – to pick and collect crops, or to collect plants, animals, or fish to eat Winter wheat is harvested in the early summer in the United States. gardening /GAHRD-ning/ [noun] – the job or activity of working in a garden, growing and taking care…
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Intermediate

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A day to experience history

2022年5月3日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the Constitution Memorial Day usually celebrated in Japan? What do you know about Japan’s constitution? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sovereignty /SOV-rin-tee/ [noun] – the power of a country to control its own government The question of who should have sovereignty over the island is being debated. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – something that is used to represent a quality or idea Water is a symbol of life. state /steyt / [noun] – a country or its government The drought is particularly severe in the state. human rights /HYOO-muhn…
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Intermediate

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The Golden Week

2022年5月2日

a house-shaped blackboard with the text golden week written in it and a flag of japan, against a pale green rustic wooden background

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What holidays do you always look forward to? Please tell me more about them. What do you think is the most important holiday in your country and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. date back /deyt bak/ [phrasal verb] – to have existed for a particular length of time or since a particular time Washington’s official snowfall records date back to 1884. honor /ON-er/ [verb] – to show great respect for someone, esp. in public Mother’s Day is a special day to honor motherhood. entrance /EN-truhns/ [noun] – the right…
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Intermediate

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DOLE opens 12,000 jobs for Filipinos on Labor Day 2022

2022年5月1日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some popular job-hunting websites in your country? In which of these industries are you most interested to work, electronics, fishing, or tourism? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nationwide /NEY-shuhn-WIDE/ [adverb] – existing or happening in all parts of a particular country The clothing store offers delivery service nationwide. overseas /OH-ver-SEEZ/ [adjective] – in, from, or to other countries The overseas students will arrive in the city at 8:00 a.m. demand /dih-MAND/ [verb] – to ask for something forcefully, in a way that shows that you do not…
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Intermediate

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Argentines rely on cryptocurrency for their basic needs

2022年4月30日

bitcoin

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How important is it to invest? In what kind of things would you like to invest? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. repeat /ri-PEET/ [noun] – a situation in which something happens or is done more than once There will be a repeat of this event next year. debit card /DEB-it kahrd/ [noun] – a small plastic card that can be used as a method of payment, the money being taken from your bank account automatically I would like to pay with my debit card, please. affordable /uh-FAWR-duh-buhl/ [adjective] – not…
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Intermediate

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Japanese Era to reminisce

2022年4月29日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you usually celebrate a holiday? What were the moments in your life that you want to reminisce about? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. unlike /uhn-LAHYK/ [preposition] – different from Unlike his father, Dan is a very pleasant person. reflect /ri-FLEKT / [verb] – to think carefully, especially about possibilities and opinions The boss demanded time to reflect on what to do. debate /dih-BEYT/ [noun] – (a) serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part Education is the current focus of the debate. look back /look…
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Intermediate

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Japanese researchers create electric chopsticks to boost salty tastes

2022年4月28日

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©Issei kato via Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat salty food? Do you use metal chopsticks? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heighten /HAHYT-n/ [verb] – to increase or make something increase, especially an emotion or effect TV commercials heightened the interest in food products. sense /sens/ [noun] – an ability to understand, recognize, value, or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel Mina lost her sense of smell after catching a cold. intake /IN-teyk/ [noun] –…
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Intermediate

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Four ways to be a sustainable fashionista

2022年4月27日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How would you describe your fashion sense? How often do you go shopping for clothes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. minor /MAHY-ner/ [adjective] – having little importance, influence, or effect, especially when compared with other things of the same type There were some minor changes to the schedule. fashionista /fash-uh-NEE-stuh/ [noun] – a devoted follower of fashion She is known as the stylish fashionista of the group. outfit /OUT-fit/ [noun] – a set of clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity Alice went out to buy a new outfit…
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Intermediate

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MPs worry that a labor shortage in agriculture could lead to an increase in prices

2022年4月26日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Does your country prioritize agriculture? Please elaborate on your answer. Why does labor shortage happen? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lead to /leed too/ [phrasal verb] – if an action or event leads to something, it causes that thing to happen or exist Reducing speed limits should lead to fewer accidents on the road. imported /im-PAWRT-id/ [adjective] – (of goods or services) brought into a country from abroad for sale The imported cigarettes were bought by my dad. seasonal /SEE-zuh-nl/ [adjective] – relating to or happening during a particular period…
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Intermediate

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