Your foreign friend just arrived in Japan for a vacation.

Give your friend a taste of modern life in Japan.

IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL

1. Tell your friend about the shinkansen.
2. Listen to your friend talk about his/her experience in Japan so far.
3. Help your friend choose some small appliances to take home.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Match the expressions with their meanings.

1. outdated

 

2. in a pinch

 

3. spotless

 

4. blow someone’s mind

 

5. give someone the creeps

a. extremely clean

 

b. in an emergency or other desperate situation

 

c. to really shock or amaze someone

 

d. to make someone feel nervous or frightened

 

e. old and no longer widely used

STEP B EXERCISE

Rephrase the sentences using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

first come, first served
do away with something
get a kick out of something
on the dot
a squat toilet

1. I was delighted to see the therapy robots they were developing.

2. I only use a traditional Japanese toilet if I’m in a pinch.

3. The show starts at exactly 7:00, so it’s better to arrive at the venue early.

4. I don’t think phone companies should stop making flip phones.

5. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations – it has a policy to serve customers in the order that they come.

MISSION

Challenge 1

You just met your foreign friend at the airport. The two of you have plans to travel around Japan together. Tell your friend about the shinkansen.

Remember?

  • first come, first served
  • on the dot
  • spotless
  • get a kick out of something
  • blow someone’s mind

Challenge 2

It’s one week later. You’ve visited several different cities with your friend and are now relaxing at a café with him/her. Listen to your friend talk about his/her experience in Japan so far.

Remember?

  • get a kick out of something
  • blow someone’s mind
  • give someone the creeps

Challenge 3

Your friend is leaving Japan tomorrow. He/She wants to take home some small appliances, so you met at an electronics store to go shopping. Talk about Japanese appliances.

Remember?

  • give someone the creeps
  • get a kick out of something
  • blow someone’s mind
  • have a lifetime warranty
  • energy-efficient

FEEDBACK

Give your friend a taste of modern life in Japan.

MISSION 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