Lesson 8: Community News
All items in good condition.

I can read and understand a classified ad.

INTRODUCE

Classified ads are a popular way for people to sell houses, furniture, and secondhand items.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. An item in good condition is undamaged.

     

    I think I can sell my car for a good price because it’s still in good condition.

     

     

    2. A non-smoking household refers to a smoke-free home.

     

    I bought this secondhand sofa from a non-smoking household.

     

     

    3. Something that is free to a good home means that any buyer who agrees to take good care of it can have it.

     

    I’m leaving the country next week and need to clean out my apartment quickly, so I’m listing all of my things as free to a good home.

     

    II. Which expressions can you use to describe the photo below?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When a word ends in -tion, the io is usually pronounced as /uh/.
Phrase Example

condition

/ kuh n-dish-uh n /

It’s in good / kuh n-dish-uh n /.

UNDERSTAND

READING

Yuko needs to buy furniture for her new office, so she’s reading some classified ads.

HOUSEHOLD/FURNITURE

Wardrobe with mirror

20K

Leaving for Canada in a week. Interested buyers contact me ASAP.

Linens/bedsheets

Selling white bedsheets and curtains.

Used one month. In good condition. From a non-smoking household. Contact via e-mail at jbower@jmail.com.

European style dining room set

Includes glass table, 3-seater sofa, 1-seater sofa, Moroccan carpet, center table, side table, glass chandelier all free to a good home.

Sale closes on 9/24. Contact me ASAP at +81-427-84-8320

OFFICE SPACE 

Shibuya office

50-sq m office space for rent in Shibuya area. 180K/mo.

OFFICE FURNITURE

CLOSING SALE!!!

HTOP Ginza Office closing. All items must go!

30 steel filing cabinets … 3K/ea

25 swivel chairs … 500/ea

30 wooden desks … 5K/ea

 

All items in good condition.

Shipping cost to be covered by buyer.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

HELP WANTED!

In need of private English teacher. E-mail at kaorishita@…

TRIVIA

In English, the letter K is often used in prices to mean 1,000. It’s actually a shortening of the Greek word kilo, which you see in many measurements such as kilometer (one thousand meters) and kilogram (one thousand grams).

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Match the sentences to the correct classified ad expressions. Some expressions may be used more than once.

  1. No need to pay if you will care for it.
  2. I only used it once.
  3. We don’t use tobacco at home.
  4. I took very good care of it.
  5. I won’t ask for payment if you promise to take care of it.
  6. We used it a bit, but it doesn’t have any damage.

STEP B EXERCISE

Read the classified ads below. Then, choose T for true and F for false. If F, give the correct answer.

  1. The oak cabinet is in good condition. ( T / F )
  2. The laptop bag is only 3,000 yen. ( T / F )
  3. The blue sedan is in good condition. ( T / F )
  4. The bed frame smells like smoke. ( T / F )

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your foreign friend just moved to Japan. You want to help him/her get settled. Read the online classified ads section. Then, share what you read with your friend.

Today's Expressions

  • in good condition
  • a non-smoking household
  • free to a good home

REAL ESTATE

Sale

10M for 1 BR APT in Chiba.

Close to station, restaurants, and shops. In good condition.

For Rent

Studio apt. in Tsuboihigashi. 70K/month.

FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES

Secondhand Kitchen Appliances Sale

  • Microwave only 3K
  • 2-door fridge only 9K
  • Electric kettle free to a good home

 

For pick up only near Chiba Station. Order form here.

Sale

Living room set including 2 sofas, 2 side tables, 1 coffee table, and 2 modern lamps. All wood from a non-smoking household. Get all for 17K or pay 5K per item. Rugs free to a good home. Shipping covered by buyer. Order form here.

Furniture Sale

I’m a Brazilian leaving Japan in April. Selling all my things including a queen-size bed, pillows, lamps, tables, refrigerator, TV, computer, bike. All steel and modern designs. All in good condition and prices negotiable. Linens free to a good home. Contact me directly at rdrigo@shuzz.br. Everything must go! Please buy all ASAP!

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

HELP WANTED! …

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

CLASSIFIED ADS
2

BUYING FROM CLASSIFIED ADS
3

POSTING ADS
1

CLASSIFIED ADS

  1. Are classified ads popular in Japan?
  2. If you were looking for an item, would you prefer to use online or print classified ads?
  3. Do you think classified ads are easy to understand?
  4. What was the most unusual classified ad you’ve seen?

2BUYING FROM CLASSIFIED ADS

  1. Do you sometimes buy things advertised in classified ads?
  2. Is it easy to buy things advertised in classified ads?
  3. Do you trust the quality of items advertised in classified ads?
  4. Are you willing to go to someone’s home to pick up an item?

3POSTING ADS

  1. If you were selling your bike, how would you describe it in a classified ad?
  2. If you were selling your furniture, how would you describe it in a classified ad?
  3. What things would you give free to a good home?
  4. Would you consider posting a classified ad for a date?

FEEDBACK

I can read and understand a classified ad.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK