Tag Archive: Japan News – Intermediate

The Emperor’s Birthday: A Celebration of Tradition and Unity

holiday

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited Japan during a public holiday? Which holiday was it, and what was your experience like? Which public holiday in Japan do you think is the most important? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] – a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time, or all of these beliefs, etc. in a particular society or group We have a tradition of baking gingerbread cookies together every holiday season. current /KUR-uhnt/…
Read more

Labor Thanksgiving Day

handyman-3094035_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite holiday? Have you already written a thank you letter? If so, could you tell me about it? If not, to whom would you like to write a letter? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aware /uh-WAIR/ [adjective] – knowing that something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing Were you aware that something was wrong? originally /uh-RIJ-uh-nl-ee/ [adverb] – first of all The idea originally emanated from his brother. harvest /HAHR-vist / [noun] – the time of year when crops are cut and…
Read more

Japan to lift its limits on foreign visitors

sensoji-temple-6314306_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How effective are travel restrictions? Which country would you like to visit? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] – relating to a person’s own country Domestic fuel bills are set to rise again in the autumn. scheme /skeem/ [noun] – an organized plan for doing something, especially something dishonest or illegal that will bring a good result for you They hope to get government funding for the scheme. amusement park /uh-MYOOZ-muhnt pahrk/ [noun] – a theme park The amusement park is open from May through October. strengthen…
Read more

The purrfect cheesecakes

cheesecake

© PR Times via Live Japan Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat sweets? What dessert is popular in your country? Please describe it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eager /EE-ger/ [adjective] – wanting very much to do or have something, especially something interesting or enjoyable The students in the class seem eager to learn. property /PROP-er-tee/ [noun] – a quality in a substance or material, especially one that means that it can be used in a particular way The medicinal properties of these herbs are still unknown. packaging /PAK-uh-jing/ [noun] –…
Read more

A guide to Children’s Day in Japan

carp-streamer-g428e0589a_1920

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….
Read more

Get in touch with nature on Greenery Day

azalea-5120368_1280 (1)

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…
Read more

A day to experience history

club-2492013_1280

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…
Read more

Japanese Era to reminisce

tori-gba243a559_1280

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…
Read more

Japanese researchers create electric chopsticks to boost salty tastes

http___cdn.cnn.com_cnnnext_dam_assets_220419011644-03-electric-chopsticks

©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] –…
Read more

Japanese green tea leaves sell for nearly 2 million yen

tea-g836f932f4_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you prefer green tea to black tea? Why or why not? Where do you buy tea? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ensure /en-SHOOR/ [verb] – to make something certain to happen We need to ensure that all attendees are at the venue by 7:00 p.m. provide /pruh-VAYD/ [verb] – to give someone something that they need Our company’s goal is to provide useful products for everyone. fair /fair/ [adjective] – If something is fair, it is reasonable and is what you expect or deserve The athletes would like a…
Read more