Tag Archive: japan news – intermediate

Japanese offices increase greenery to lessen stress

green

Photo by © Koji Fujii / Nacasa and Partners Inc. via Spoon & Tamago Pre-reading questions: What usually stresses you out? Explain your answer. How do you relieve stress? Vocabulary: promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something A good way to promote our business is through social media. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [adjective] possible when the necessary conditions exist I met another potential buyer for our old house. fatigue /fuh-TEEG/ [noun] the condition of being extremely tired Playing video games is James’ way to relieve fatigue. requirement /ri-KWAHYUHR-muhnt/ [noun] something that you must do, or something you need Could you tell me the actual requirements…
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Former Red Sox pitcher Koji Uehara retires

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Photo by © KYODO via The Mainichi Pre-reading questions: Do you like baseball? Why or why not? What kind of sport do you like the least and why? Vocabulary: professional /pruh-FESH-uh-nl/ [adjective] used to describe someone who does a job that people usually do as a hobby Kisenosato Yutaka was a professional sumo wrestler. pitch /pich/ [verb] in baseball, to throw a ball towards the player with the bat in order for them to try to hit it Shohei Otani pitched for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for three years. outstanding /out-STAN-ding/ [adjective] clearly very much better than what is usual My best friend has always been an outstanding student since grade…
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Wasao becomes the new stationmaster

wasao

Photo by © KYODO via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you think dogs are the best pet? Please explain your answer. Do you have any pets? Why or why not? Vocabulary: in charge /in chahrj/ [idiom] responsible for something or someone He is in charge of doing the laundry. ceremony /SER-uh-moh-nee/ [verb] a formal occasion especially to recognize an important event Their wedding ceremony will take place on March 25th this year. partner /PAHRT-ner/ [noun] the person you are married to or living with as if married to them His partner will give birth next month. representative /rep-ri-ZEN-tuh-tiv/ [noun] a person who represents another person or a group a…
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Tokyo’s Bunkitsu: A gallery-like bookstore

bunkitsu

Photo by © LIBRO PLUS via The Japan Times Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like reading books and magazines? If yes, what kind of books and magazines do you like? If no, can you tell why? Do you like going to art galleries? If yes, please tell me more. If no, why not? Vocabulary: confuse /kuhn-FYOOZ/ [verb] to mix up two separate things or people in your mind, imagining that they are one It’s easy to confuse his song with other songwriters. district /DIS-trikt/ [noun] an area of a country, state, or city that has been given fixed borders for official purposes Someone was responsible for the measures of public health…
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Cherry blossoms attract more foreign tourists

cherry blossom

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite season and why? Where do you usually watch cherry blossoms bloom? Vocabulary: cherished /CHER-ishd/ [adjective] bringing the pleasure of love or caring about someone or something that is important to you The love letters in the old box are her most cherished possessions. attract /uh-TRAKT/ [verb] to pull or draw someone or something towards them, by the qualities they have, especially good ones The idols’ concerts attract a lot of female fans and audiences. management /MAN-ij-muhnt/ [noun] the group of people who control a company or organization The mall’s management allows its customers to bring their pets inside the stores. feature /FEE-cher/ [verb] to…
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Japanese company produces high-tech wheelchairs

wheelchairs

Photo by © AFP via The Straits Times Pre-reading questions: Do you like sports? Why or why not? Are you interested to watch a Paralympic game? Why or Why not? Vocabulary: create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to make something new I have created a recipe that you will surely like. achieve /UH-cheev/ [verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim A lot of my friends achieved a degree in Computer science. leading /LEE-ding/ [adjective] first or most important Uniliver is still the leading brand in the Philippines. perfectly /PUR-fikt-lee/ [adverb] in a satisfying or entirely no mistakes way My sister’s room was perfectly organized. unknown /uhn-NOHN/ [adjective] not familiar Some…
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Nagano attempts to keep traditional insect dishes

nagano

Photo by © Kyodo via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite food? Why? What unusual food do you want to eat? Why? Vocabulary: order /AWR-der/ [noun] with the aim of achieving something She studies every night in order to pass the entrance examination. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions The art exhibit we attended yesterday reminded me how important our tradition is. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] to keep something from decaying, destroyed or dying I truly believe that we should preserve our natural resources. culture /KUHL-cher/ [noun] the way of life of a particular group of people at a particular time She was…
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A box of delight: Shiba Inu marshmallows

shiba inu

Photo by © Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 via Japan Today Pre-Reading Questions: What is your favorite snack? Please tell me more. Do you like eating desserts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: complement /kom-pluh-mehnt/ [verb] to make something else better when combining it with another Her red scarf complements her outfit. identical /ahy-den-ti-kuhl/ [adjective] exactly the same, or very similar William’s coat looks identical to mine. mixture /miks-cher/ [noun] a combination of different things The mixture of drinks made my brother ill. goods /guds/ [noun] items for sale The new shop sells goods at cheap prices. contain /kuhn-teyn/ [verb] to have something inside The victim’s suitcase contains only his clothes and wallet….
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Survey shows Japanese youth spend three hours online each day

online

Pre-reading questions: Do you use the Internet for fun or learning? Explain your answer. How often do you use the internet? Vocabulary: study /stuhd-ee/ [noun] the activity of examining a subject in detail to discover new information The previous study showed how people choose to spend their free time. spend /spend/ [verb] to use time doing something or being somewhere She spent a lot of time finishing her homework. search /surch/ [verb] to look for information on the internet Searching the internet helps students do their homework. government /guhv-ern-muhnt/ [noun] the group of people who officially control a country The government is planning to help the needy. data /dey-tuh/ [noun]…
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Rising tennis star Naomi Osaka bags more sponsors

naomii

Photo by © The Mainichi via The Mainichi Business Pre-reading questions: What is the most interesting sport for you? Please explain your answer. What is your opinion about extreme sports? Vocabulary: compete /kuhm-peet/ [verb] to do an activity with others and try to do better than they do Rina competes with Pete in an essay writing activity. ambassador /am-BAS-uh-DAWR/ [noun] a person who represents, speaks or advertises a particular organization, group of people, activity, or brand The new Ambassador to the United States was appointed by the President. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] a strong effect or influence on a situation or person The new advertisement has made quite an impact on…
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