Advanced Conversation Material #16 Modern vs. Traditional Exercise 1: Read Aloud A. Read the article below. (3-4 minutes) 次の文章を読んでください ( 所要時間目安 :3~4 分 ) This is my first time riding a carriage. Me, too! I didn t know they still had carriages here. P a g e 1
There is no doubt that the passing of time guarantees change. What might have been the best option in the past may no longer be relevant in the present. For instance, people in the olden days considered carriages an efficient mode of transportation. Today, hardly anyone would choose to ride those horse-driven vehicles on their way to school or to the office. Another example is our mode of communication. A few decades ago, snail mail was our only way of communicating with other people. Nowadays, we send and receive instant messages through various electronic devices. Fashion has also undergone great changes throughout the ages. Every few years, new trends in fashion emerge. Depending on your point of view, the changes that happen through time can either be good or bad. But change is inevitable our part is to make the most out of it. B. Quick Q&A (2-3 minutes) 1. Are you interested in the latest technology? Why or why not? 2. Are you interested in antiques and vintage items? Why or why not? 3. Can you name one popular superstition in your culture? 4. What s the latest advancement in transportation in your country? 5. What traditions from the past do you still observe in your country today? P a g e 2
Exercise 2: Say It! (3 minutes) Read each word and sample sentence below. Next, use the word in your own sentence. 次の単語と例文を読んでから それぞれの単語を使って自分でも文を作ってみましょう Sample Sentence Your Own Sentence modernize 近代化する great leap 飛躍 obsolete 旧式の old-fashioned 古めかしい antique shop 骨董品店 The school started to modernize their educational system by allowing students to use electronic devices in taking down notes. その学校は生徒が電子機器を使ってノートを取ることを認め 教育システムの近代化に乗り出した Medicine has made a great leap from traditional to modern treatment of diseases. 医学は旧態から最新の疾病治療へと大躍進を遂げた Our manager decided to dispose of all obsolete machineries. マネージャーは旧式の機械をすべて廃棄する決定をした My mother still keeps her old-fashioned clothes and accessories. 母は流行遅れの衣類やアクセサリーをいまでも取ってある We ve seen a lot of old ceramics in the antique shop. 骨董品店に古い陶磁器がたくさんあった P a g e 3
Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue (5 minutes) Complete the dialogue using your own answers. You can use any of the new vocabulary words and expressions, if possible. 好きな言葉を入れて会話を完成させましょう 今日学習した単語や表現を使っても構いません I ve seen a lot of electronic books online. They re becoming more and more popular. Do you think paper-based books will eventually become obsolete? (tell your tutor that paper-based books won t eventually become obsolete then tell him/her the reason why) Is that so? But digital books are more accessible than paper-based books nowadays. (politely rebut your tutor s opinion by telling him/her the advantages of using paper-based books) Well, you have a point. But don t you find it easier to bring a gadget loaded with e-books than carry heavy paperbacks in your bag? (agree with your tutor then tell him/her one possible setback of using digital books) Yeah, you re right. Well, I think both of them can be effectively used depending on the situation. (tell your tutor when paper-based and digital books can be used effectively) P a g e 4
Exercise 4: Defend Yourself! (5 minutes) Pick your stand on each of the following items. Explain your choice. Your tutor will be asking follow-up questions. Make sure you can convince him/her! 次のテーマについて あなたの意見に合う考えを選択肢から選び その理由を説明してください それについて講師が質問するので 納得させられるように答えてください OPTION A OPTION B Print vs. Digital E-books should be supported for being more efficient and environment-friendly than paper-based books. Paper-based books are a little inconvenient but still the best way to enjoy reading. Adapt or Eliminate Traditions should make use of technology to keep up with the times. Traditions should be preserved in their original form. Evolution of Language People should try to observe the formal rules of a language, even when using email or text messaging. It s all right to use abbreviations, slang and informal terms in everyday conversations. P a g e 5
Exercise 5: Conversation Starter (5 minutes) Pick one of the four scenarios below, and start a conversation with your tutor. 次の 4 つのシナリオから好きなものを選んで講師と会話を始めましょう Think of one tradition in your country that you appreciate. Tell your tutor why you think this tradition is worth preserving. What tradition has your country lost that you would like to bring back to life again? Tell your tutor what the society can sacrifice from the past to achieve modernization. Think of one aspect of your country s political system that you think is no longer applicable today. Defend how it hinders progress. P a g e 6