My name is Kumiko Takahashi. I was born on May 22, and I'm 19 years old now. I like reading all kinds of books, listening to music, watching movies, and dancing. Some of my treasures are my family and my friends. I want to travel all around the world in the future. It's one of my dreams.
My name is Kazuki Nishiyama. I'm 20 years old.
I like listening to music, singing songs and playing beat box. I was a member of an a cappella vocal group, and I played beat box there in Japan.
I listen to all kinds of music, but I like Japanese-pops the best. Japanese lyrics can express delicate emotions.
I like reading magazines of apparel to keep me updated on new fashions.
My name is Kana Ito. I'm from Japan. I'm 24 years old. I like playing basketball. My favorite foods are Chocolate, ice cream, and coffee. I want to read comic books because I like comedy.
I'm Takaaki Niikura (Nick). I'm 24 years old and from Japan. I like many kinds of sports, for instance, baseball, soccer, volleyball and basketball. Now I'm a smoker, but I want to be a non-smoker. Everyone please cheer me up. I've had a variety of experiences since I've been in America. I want more and more.Paragraph 1:
language: the use of words to communicate, to express thoughts or feelings
(A language can be a body of words used and understood by one community; for example, English is a language; Japanese is a language.)
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strange: unfamiliar, different, unknown or foreign
stuff: material out of which something is made or formed
nevertheless: yet, still, even so (a connecting word) Another way to express the same meaning as the second and third sentences would be this: “Although music is clearly different from language, people can still use music to communicate things …”
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distinct: not the same as something else, individual, marked out
brain: mass of nerve tissue inside the skull (what is inside your head)
(note: plural form, brains = intelligence, understanding, intellect)
evidence: anything that helps to prove something
suggests: calls to mind, makes one think that something may be true
(Can you explain the difference between prove and suggest?)
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processing: acting or operating on something for a specific purpose
process (noun) = any phenomenon that shows a continuous change in time
stroke: a sudden change in the blood supply to a part of the brain, which can result in a loss of mental or physical abilities, or death
independently: without influence or control by another person, event or thing – by itself or by oneself
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fitness: suitability for something
(physical fitness: a healthy state or condition of the body that allows a person to be physically active)
in top condition: physically fit, in the best physical condition or state
show off: do something to attract attention to yourself
(Sometimes this has a slightly critical meaning, for example: “He’s just a show-off!” indicates the person is a bit conceited or egotistical in trying to attract attention.)
Vocabulary: “Louis Armstrong,” p. 4.
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Give an example of showing respect for someone.
influence: – authority or merit because of a person’s reputation for accomplishing something, doing something new or important, etc. An effect on others because of this authority or power. (Can be verb as well as a noun.) Louis Armstrong influenced (verb) other musicians. He had an influence (noun) on the world of music.
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toughest: roughest – describes a place where you have to defend yourself on the street; possibly violent
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early teens: probably between ages 13 and 15
minor: not very important
offense: a crime
boys’ home: a special home or school for juvenile delinquents (young offenders) who are too young to go to a jail or prison. Sometimes it is called a reformatory or reform school.
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defined: known for, famous for
equal: a person who is as important as someone else (=)
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genius: a person with very great natural ability or skill
(Einstein is considered a genius in mathematics. Mozart was a genius in music.)
tale: a story or report, especially one that is difficult to believe
celebrated: famous for a special quality or ability
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humanity: understanding and kindness toward other people
all over: completely
newspapers (or Internet news), magazines
fiction (novels, short stories) -- imaginary, not true (includes fantasy, science fiction, detective novels, etc.)
nonfiction (true stories) -- about events that really happened; essays; scientific writing
poetry history (facts about the past)
letters from friends and family
love letters from ….
