Newspaper Article Discussion
“Remote Island to get 1st doctor in 25yrs.” The Daily Yomiuri 3 July 2008
Written Summary:
According to this article, in Atatajima Island in Otake, Hiroshima, 64-year old former director of a Kyoto hospital will open a clinic. For 25 years, there had been no doctor in Hiroshima. Until today, fisherman of there island transported patients to a main hospital, which is 10 kilometers away. The former director in Kyoto looked for an area which is in need of full-time doctor and he was introduced to Atatajima Island by the prefectural government of Hiroshima. The population of the island is 320 and one-thirds of them are 65 or more. They had to go to the mainland by only ferry. By this opening new clinic, people in the island could be relieved for the first time in 25 years.
Opinion Statement:
I didn’t know about this matter, so I was really amazed. Although it’s great to have new clinic, 25 years is too long…
Discussion Questions:
1. If you were alone and in bad condition, but there were no doctor, what would you do?
2. Do you think the condition of Japanese hospital good or bad? Why?
3. If you were asked to be a doctor, because of the shortage of doctors, would you become a doctor and help people?
2008年12月9日火曜日
News paper article vol.2
“3,400 private school students in tuition arrears”
Summary: According to this article, parents of over 3400 private middle and high school students have not paid their tuition fees, because of the economical difficulties. Therefore, private schools pressure parents to pay the fees or children are forced to quit the school. In the survey, 3208 high school students and 208 middle school students had failed to pay tuition fees. The union said the number of parents who can’t pay tuition fees will increase because of the financial crisis and lower incomes.
Questions:
l Do you think Japanese school tuition fees expensive?
l If you were in financial crisis situation and asked to quit college, what would you do?
l What should private schools do to decrease these students?
Words:
l Tuition: the money you pay for being taught at a school or college.
l Arrear: money that you owe someone because regular payments such as rent have not been paid at the right time.
l Nationwide: happening or existing in every part of the country.
l Withdraw: to stop taking part in an activity, belonging to an organization etc... or to make someone stop doing this.
l Crisis: a very bad or dangerous situation that might get worse, especially in politics or economics.
Summary: According to this article, parents of over 3400 private middle and high school students have not paid their tuition fees, because of the economical difficulties. Therefore, private schools pressure parents to pay the fees or children are forced to quit the school. In the survey, 3208 high school students and 208 middle school students had failed to pay tuition fees. The union said the number of parents who can’t pay tuition fees will increase because of the financial crisis and lower incomes.
Questions:
l Do you think Japanese school tuition fees expensive?
l If you were in financial crisis situation and asked to quit college, what would you do?
l What should private schools do to decrease these students?
Words:
l Tuition: the money you pay for being taught at a school or college.
l Arrear: money that you owe someone because regular payments such as rent have not been paid at the right time.
l Nationwide: happening or existing in every part of the country.
l Withdraw: to stop taking part in an activity, belonging to an organization etc... or to make someone stop doing this.
l Crisis: a very bad or dangerous situation that might get worse, especially in politics or economics.
IE2 Book Report
Book Report
Desmond Bagley, The Enemy, Oxford; Oxford University Press, 104 pages, 1994.
Summary:
Malcolm Jaggard is an economist. However, his real job is industrial espionage counter-intelligence. He fell in love with Penelope Ashton, an intelligent biologist and they got engaged. One day, her sister, Gillian was thrown acid by someone. After that, her father, George Ashton suddenly disappeared. Therefore, Malcolm began to observe and protect him, and realized that his information was top secret in intelligence. Then, Malcolm went to Sweden where George and his servant, Benson ran away. However, George was killed by Benson. Later on, Malcolm found that George had been previously a Russian scientist who had been told to work on the development of the atomic bomb for Russia, and a man called Lord Cregar who was the head of the department Malcolm worked for was responsible for the death of George, because he told his man, Benson to kill George if he tries to go back to Russians. Cregar just wanted to know George’s secret knowledge of science to keep his power. At last, Malcolm fought against Cregar who was about to extort his love, Penelope Ashton.
Setting: Marlow, a small town in England.
Point of View: This story is told from the third person.
Conflict: Malcolm versus himself.
Although he was doing the job as espionage of George, he didn’t like what he was doing, because George was really kind to him and he didn’t want to become like his bosses who keep important information only to give them power.
Climax: The climax of this story is not happy. When Malcolm was fighting against Cregar in the secret laboratory, the new bacteria was spread, because they broke protective glass box of that by accident. While Penelope and Gillian recovered from the accident, Malcolm and Cregar got cancer. Malcolm went to Ireland with Penelope to live rest of his life happily. Finally, he died leaving quotation of great person: ‘We have met the enemy, and he is us.’
Symbol: The model railway. It was not a toy but a computer, where Ashton had been hiding all his original thinking. It stands for his intelligence and his hope to keep them away from men like Cregar and the Minister who use his thinking only to keep his power.
Irony: All of the people searching George thought that Mayberry who had thrown the acid in the face of Gillian must have something to do with George’s escape. However, he had no connection with George. Actually, he had grudge for Penelope, because he was the strong flock of Christ. He thought that biologists were breaking the laws of God. However, ironically, he mistook her sister for Penelope.
Theme: Theme of this book is that how difficult it is to overcome his own enemy. We have to fight with own enemy to progress to next step.
Evaluation: This story was simple detective story, but it was really interesting. Although I could grasp the story substantially, there were some questions. For example, the writer didn’t make mentions of the details of George’s secret like model railway. However, I think it makes this story more mysterious.
I was made to think deeply by this story. No matter what period it is, there are men like Cregar who thinks only his good. I think these people have been increasing, because there are much more terrible affairs, crimes and scandals than ever. I want many people to read this story and find the solution of this matter.
Desmond Bagley, The Enemy, Oxford; Oxford University Press, 104 pages, 1994.
Summary:
Malcolm Jaggard is an economist. However, his real job is industrial espionage counter-intelligence. He fell in love with Penelope Ashton, an intelligent biologist and they got engaged. One day, her sister, Gillian was thrown acid by someone. After that, her father, George Ashton suddenly disappeared. Therefore, Malcolm began to observe and protect him, and realized that his information was top secret in intelligence. Then, Malcolm went to Sweden where George and his servant, Benson ran away. However, George was killed by Benson. Later on, Malcolm found that George had been previously a Russian scientist who had been told to work on the development of the atomic bomb for Russia, and a man called Lord Cregar who was the head of the department Malcolm worked for was responsible for the death of George, because he told his man, Benson to kill George if he tries to go back to Russians. Cregar just wanted to know George’s secret knowledge of science to keep his power. At last, Malcolm fought against Cregar who was about to extort his love, Penelope Ashton.
Setting: Marlow, a small town in England.
Point of View: This story is told from the third person.
Conflict: Malcolm versus himself.
Although he was doing the job as espionage of George, he didn’t like what he was doing, because George was really kind to him and he didn’t want to become like his bosses who keep important information only to give them power.
Climax: The climax of this story is not happy. When Malcolm was fighting against Cregar in the secret laboratory, the new bacteria was spread, because they broke protective glass box of that by accident. While Penelope and Gillian recovered from the accident, Malcolm and Cregar got cancer. Malcolm went to Ireland with Penelope to live rest of his life happily. Finally, he died leaving quotation of great person: ‘We have met the enemy, and he is us.’
Symbol: The model railway. It was not a toy but a computer, where Ashton had been hiding all his original thinking. It stands for his intelligence and his hope to keep them away from men like Cregar and the Minister who use his thinking only to keep his power.
Irony: All of the people searching George thought that Mayberry who had thrown the acid in the face of Gillian must have something to do with George’s escape. However, he had no connection with George. Actually, he had grudge for Penelope, because he was the strong flock of Christ. He thought that biologists were breaking the laws of God. However, ironically, he mistook her sister for Penelope.
Theme: Theme of this book is that how difficult it is to overcome his own enemy. We have to fight with own enemy to progress to next step.
Evaluation: This story was simple detective story, but it was really interesting. Although I could grasp the story substantially, there were some questions. For example, the writer didn’t make mentions of the details of George’s secret like model railway. However, I think it makes this story more mysterious.
I was made to think deeply by this story. No matter what period it is, there are men like Cregar who thinks only his good. I think these people have been increasing, because there are much more terrible affairs, crimes and scandals than ever. I want many people to read this story and find the solution of this matter.
IE2 Book Report
Book Report
Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie, New York: Anchor Books, 188 pages, 1997.
Summary:
About twenty years ago, Mitch Albom was a college student whose professor was Morrie Schwerts. Mitch always respected Morrie, because he was always challenging no matter how old he was. They often chatted with each other. After the graduation, Mitch became a columnist of sports article, and he was terribly busy in interviewing famous sports players or writing articles and so on. Although he had a girlfriend, his job never allowed him to spend time with his girlfriend. He was tired of such life.
One day, Mitch happened to see his teacher, Morrie in TV news show. The content of the news was that he was suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and his life would be ended within half a year. By watching this news, Mitch visited Morrie for the first time in sixteen years. Then Mitch and Morrie began to talk about the “meaning of life” every Tuesday, because when Mitch was a student of college, Morrie’s class was on Tuesday. Although Morrie was suffered from bad disease, he looked always happy. Mitch wanted his advice to live happily. Then, Morrie began to tell him about important things in human life: family, society, marriage, forgiveness, aging, a meaningful life and so on. Mitch learned from Morrie many things that he had forgot a long time ago.
Setting: Massachusetts, USA
Point of view: This story is told from the first person.
Conflict: Mitch was in conflict with himself and his environment. Although he had a girlfriend, his life was full of job. He struggles to find meaning with his life and to change the person he has become in the sixteen years since he had last seen Morrie.
Climax: In the end, thanks to the Morrie’s advice, Mitch realized the importance of love and married his girlfriend. However, Morrie’s illness got worse, and Mitch visited him again. Morrie hardly talk with Mitch, so they hugged each other as Mitch cried. Next week, Morrie died. The funeral was held, and his cemetery was indeed a lovely spot, trees and grass and a sloping hill. Mitch thanked him again and again. Then as he was about to return, he saw his watch and realized why. It was Tuesday.
Symbol: “Pink hibiscus plant”: As Morrie’s body deteriorates, so does the condition of the hibiscus plant. The plant’s pink petals wither and fall as Morrie grows increasingly dependent on oxygen. As his death approaches, so does the death of the plant. It is continually used as a metaphor for Morrie’s life. Like the plant, humans, Morrie in particular, experience a natural life cycle, which inevitably ends in death. Morrie must accept this inevitable fate, as must Mitch.
Irony: Most people are terrified of death, and it is hard to deal with it, especially when you do not know when it is going to occur. However, Morrie knew death was approaching soon and he did not show fear. He continued to live his life as any other person would....
Theme: The theme of this book is about an old dying man who teaches his young student about the true things that matter in life. Morrie shared a lot of wisdom with Mitch regarding a lot of subjects. It was important for Morrie to let the world know that it was okay to cry and mourn for one another. Then he said, "The most important thing about life is to learn how to give out love and to let it come in." Morrie found it absolutely imperative to be able to let yourself forgive, love, etc. Morrie had also made it clear that although the disease was decaying his body, he would not allow it to decay his spirit
Evaluation: This story was easy to read, but each word had deep meaning. For example Morrie sometimes said, "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." Few people know that how precious a day is. We can’t know when we die. If Mitch didn’t go to meet Morrie, his life would be filled with job forever. He was lucky to have such a wonderful teacher. When I finished reading, I was really moved. If you read this story, you may feel the value of everything, even living itself!
Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie, New York: Anchor Books, 188 pages, 1997.
Summary:
About twenty years ago, Mitch Albom was a college student whose professor was Morrie Schwerts. Mitch always respected Morrie, because he was always challenging no matter how old he was. They often chatted with each other. After the graduation, Mitch became a columnist of sports article, and he was terribly busy in interviewing famous sports players or writing articles and so on. Although he had a girlfriend, his job never allowed him to spend time with his girlfriend. He was tired of such life.
One day, Mitch happened to see his teacher, Morrie in TV news show. The content of the news was that he was suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and his life would be ended within half a year. By watching this news, Mitch visited Morrie for the first time in sixteen years. Then Mitch and Morrie began to talk about the “meaning of life” every Tuesday, because when Mitch was a student of college, Morrie’s class was on Tuesday. Although Morrie was suffered from bad disease, he looked always happy. Mitch wanted his advice to live happily. Then, Morrie began to tell him about important things in human life: family, society, marriage, forgiveness, aging, a meaningful life and so on. Mitch learned from Morrie many things that he had forgot a long time ago.
Setting: Massachusetts, USA
Point of view: This story is told from the first person.
Conflict: Mitch was in conflict with himself and his environment. Although he had a girlfriend, his life was full of job. He struggles to find meaning with his life and to change the person he has become in the sixteen years since he had last seen Morrie.
Climax: In the end, thanks to the Morrie’s advice, Mitch realized the importance of love and married his girlfriend. However, Morrie’s illness got worse, and Mitch visited him again. Morrie hardly talk with Mitch, so they hugged each other as Mitch cried. Next week, Morrie died. The funeral was held, and his cemetery was indeed a lovely spot, trees and grass and a sloping hill. Mitch thanked him again and again. Then as he was about to return, he saw his watch and realized why. It was Tuesday.
Symbol: “Pink hibiscus plant”: As Morrie’s body deteriorates, so does the condition of the hibiscus plant. The plant’s pink petals wither and fall as Morrie grows increasingly dependent on oxygen. As his death approaches, so does the death of the plant. It is continually used as a metaphor for Morrie’s life. Like the plant, humans, Morrie in particular, experience a natural life cycle, which inevitably ends in death. Morrie must accept this inevitable fate, as must Mitch.
Irony: Most people are terrified of death, and it is hard to deal with it, especially when you do not know when it is going to occur. However, Morrie knew death was approaching soon and he did not show fear. He continued to live his life as any other person would....
Theme: The theme of this book is about an old dying man who teaches his young student about the true things that matter in life. Morrie shared a lot of wisdom with Mitch regarding a lot of subjects. It was important for Morrie to let the world know that it was okay to cry and mourn for one another. Then he said, "The most important thing about life is to learn how to give out love and to let it come in." Morrie found it absolutely imperative to be able to let yourself forgive, love, etc. Morrie had also made it clear that although the disease was decaying his body, he would not allow it to decay his spirit
Evaluation: This story was easy to read, but each word had deep meaning. For example Morrie sometimes said, "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." Few people know that how precious a day is. We can’t know when we die. If Mitch didn’t go to meet Morrie, his life would be filled with job forever. He was lucky to have such a wonderful teacher. When I finished reading, I was really moved. If you read this story, you may feel the value of everything, even living itself!
News paper article vol.1
Arson suspect in poor health ‘wants to die’
Summary:
According to this article, in Osaka, a man was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson. One day, he went to video-viewing establishment and set fire. By this accident, 15 people were killed. He had a wife and children, but he got divorced. According to the police, he said that he got heart disease this year and his debts were several million yen. This is the reason he did this terrible murder. He noticed that he had done a terrible thing, but it’s too late. However, there is another factor that caused this murder. That is fire alarm. After the fire broke out, the alarm stopped immediately, because its battery ran out. If the alarm worked normally, 15 victims could have run away.
Question:
l Have you ever seen fire broke out?
l If you were in these locked rooms and noticed the fire, what would you do?
l If you couldn’t get the last train, where would you stay?
Words:
l Diagnose: to find out what illness a person has or what is wrong with something.
l Snowball: if a plan, problem, business snowballs, it grows bigger at a faster and faster rate.
l Fetch: to go and get something and bring it back.
l Casualty: someone who is hurt or killed in an accident or battle.
l Ventilate: to let fresh air into a room, building and so on.
Summary:
According to this article, in Osaka, a man was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson. One day, he went to video-viewing establishment and set fire. By this accident, 15 people were killed. He had a wife and children, but he got divorced. According to the police, he said that he got heart disease this year and his debts were several million yen. This is the reason he did this terrible murder. He noticed that he had done a terrible thing, but it’s too late. However, there is another factor that caused this murder. That is fire alarm. After the fire broke out, the alarm stopped immediately, because its battery ran out. If the alarm worked normally, 15 victims could have run away.
Question:
l Have you ever seen fire broke out?
l If you were in these locked rooms and noticed the fire, what would you do?
l If you couldn’t get the last train, where would you stay?
Words:
l Diagnose: to find out what illness a person has or what is wrong with something.
l Snowball: if a plan, problem, business snowballs, it grows bigger at a faster and faster rate.
l Fetch: to go and get something and bring it back.
l Casualty: someone who is hurt or killed in an accident or battle.
l Ventilate: to let fresh air into a room, building and so on.
2008年12月3日水曜日
got a cold.......
It's a nice sunny day isn't it?! I really wanna go shopping! but I can't.....because I had a cold.....and not feel like going somewhere..... I rarely get a cold, but recent sudden nip made me sick!! What should I do with my part time job today........ oh, I have no idea.Anyway I took a picture of my dog, Cookie again! She was basking in the sun shine in garden comfortably. I am rally healed by Cookie★ so............ I'm going to sleep again........!
MOTOMACHI
Motomachi is one of my favorite cities. The shops or restaurants are not change so much compared some years ago. Therefore, although there are not kind of special or extraordinary stores, many people come here and window-shop. Also Motomachi is next to China town! so it's one of the reasons too! If you have a chance to ride the train of Minatomirai line you should drop in here★
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