English Care

Dragon Boat Competition Hare Itoman

Men, as representatives of their villages, jump into small boats and then compete, each rowing to be the champion. The purpose of this activity called Hare is a desire to catch much fish and to be safe in the sea. The fishing community in Okinawa holds a local competition that becomes a summer festival for fishermen. The most wonderful competition is in Itoman City. It is said that Okinawa’s rainy season ends when the bell rings to mark the beginning of this festival.

How to ask for help or permission, how to grant, and how to refuse

Situation 1
A - I’m very thirsty. I’d like some more mineral water. *Could I please have another bottle? (*or, “Is it OK for me to take another bottle?”)
B - Sure. You can also have some fruit! J

Situation 2
Gea comes to her class late. She asks her teacher for permission to enter. The teacher permits her to come into the class.
Gea: I’m sorry, Sir, for coming late. May I come in?
Teacher: Yes, certainly. But, why are you coming late?
Gea: I went to bed late last night, so I woke up late, also. L
Teacher: Ok. Never mind!

Situation 3
Zizou wants Veronique to lend him her new pen. Veronique does not let him borrow it because she is using it at the moment.
Zizou: Hi, Veronique. May I use your new pen?
Veronique: Mm… I’m sorry, Zizou, I’m using it right now.
Zizou: That’s ok. Maybe next time. Will you mind?
Veronique: No… No problem…

Situation 4
Totti wants to watch a TV program but the TV set is still off. He needs his mother’s permission, but his mother does not allow him to do so because he has school homework.
Totti: Mom… May I watch TV now? Sounds of Change is on.
Mom: I’m sorry. You’re not allowed before you’ve finished your homework.
Totti: Ok!

Now build a conversation using phrases to ask for permission, to grant, and to refuse. Ask your friends to do so, also!

Predicting Seasons through Coral Reef

Ring markings on a tree trunk can suggest how long the tree has been alive. Markings on coral reef can also give information about the weather or climate, when the coral reef was formed.
The scientists lead by Nerilie Abraham from Australian National University conducted diving in the Indonesian waters. They researched the coral reef on the bottom of the sea. As a result, they found the relationship between the change of sea temperature, the of season, and wind direction.
All of the changes were recorded on the surface of coral reef. Based on the markings of the coral reef, the researchers can also predict that the change of climate on Asian Continent will be more various than in the past.

A Bat, the Most Efficient Aviator

Look at a flying bat! It is not as beautiful as looking at a flying bird. However, a bat is actually the most efficient aviator in this universe, more efficient than birds and insects. The bat’s secret is its wings. They are supported by more than twenty four joints. Each of them is connected to skin membrane. The membrane is very elastic and able to seize the wind. Their wing structure produces a flexible motion system for lifting, pushing, or doing a maneuver. Birds and insects do not have this ability because their wings are usually stiff or rigid by comparison. Tests of flying of bats, birds, and insects were carried out by a research team from Brown University in Providence RI United States. The research finding was reported via Journal of Bio Inspiration and Biomimetics, December edition, last year.

IDIOM OF THE DAY
“Hats off to you!” (Congratulations!)
Keep this under your hat. (Don’t tell this secret. Keep it hidden.)

Source: Terban, Marvin. 1987. Mad as a Wet Hen! And Other Funny Idioms. New York: Clarion Books