Three Sentences （１５９）

Three example sentences of my own composition

　　　　　　　　～するつもりはありませんが　：I don't mean to do, but SV

① I don't mean to boast, but my daughter is by far the prettiest.

② I don't mean to disturb you, but can I use your dictionary?

③ I don't mean to be rude, but I disagree with you.

FREE CONVERSATION（７０）

What's your New Year's resolution?


Well, my New Year's resolution is to do walking three times a week
and a long-distance walking once a year.
In fact, I walked from my workplace near Subway Iwatsuka Staion
to JR Kuwana Station during the Golden Week holiday period this year.
I'd like to keep my walking habit especially to prevent low back pain.

Today's Writing （２６５）

To make flourished right kinds of cultures by printed word
is the way to break down barbaric violence.

INTERVIEW（８）

What is your favorite day of the year?
Use reasons to support your answer.


My favorite day of the year is the day of the Cherry Blossom Festival,
which is held along the Yamazakigawa riverside in Nagoya.
There are two reasons for this.
Firstly, on the day, I can feel that spring has finally come and I don't have to
shiver from winter cold any more.
That sense of relief makes me happy.
Secondly, I can enjoy the incomparable beauty of cherry blossoms.
The Yamazaki River is lined by hundreds of cherry trees for more than one
kilometer and designated as one of Japan's 100 best cherry blossom spots.
Their beauty is exactly stunning and they always cleanse my soul.

FREE CONVERSATION（６９）

Suppose your plane is arriving at the airport shortly and you cannot find
your carry-on bag which you surely put in the overhead compartment.
Tell a flight attendant.


Excuse me, but I've lost my carry-on bag.
I'm sure I put it in the overhead compartment but it's missing.
It's a brown backpack.
Maybe someone took it somewhere by mistake.
Could you check other compartments?

FREE CONVERSATION（６８）

Please give me some tips for studying for tests.

Well, it depends on subjects, but basically, I have two tips.
One is to read the material the test will cover in order to get a full picture.
The other is to pretend that you are explaining the material
to someone else in your own words.

Three Sentences （１５８）

Three example sentences of my own composition

　　　　　　　　現状のままで　：as is

① He is going to sell his car as is.

② That store is offering a refrigerator at half price because it is sold as is.

③ This laptop computer is provided for use as is without warranty of any kind.

FREE CONVERSATION（６７）

Suppose you have a friend who is very shy and nervous around people.
Try advising him/her on how to overcome shyness.


See, I can tell you that you have only to smile when you feel shy around new people.
I guess you feel nervous about the attention on you, so at first,
it's OK to stay among people, looking down without saying anything.
After you get used to the situation, then you can start trying to say Hi.

Today's Writing （２６４）

We have unlimited potential to grow and develop.
It is one's own weak heart that determines one's limitations.

INTERVIEW（７）

What is the most important holiday in your country?
Explain reasons including specific examples and details in your response.


I think the most important holiday in Japan is New Year's Day for two reasons.
Firstly, January 1 is the special day when people are vividly aware of the beginning
of a new chapter of their lives.
They make fresh resolutions and try to make an auspicious start to the year.
Secondly, New Year's Day is full of Japanese traditions and cultures.
For example, people decorate homes and entrance gates with special ornaments
and various kinds of special dishes called Osechi are served.
Children also play special games such as Karuta and Fukuwarai.
And these traditional cultures are only seen during this time of year.