Yuko's Notes - Reading and Listening

Several passengers on a train in Japan look at papers, cell phones, or listen to music.

In this lesson, you will speculate on the relation between Japan’s technological cultural traits and the specific features of Japan – geography, history, and national characters. We will also be exploring how Japan faces challenges (日本のチャレンジ), such as:

新幹線(しんかんせん)：Bullet Train (shinkansen)
リニアカー：Linear Car
救命(きゅうめい)ロボット：Rescue Robots

Yuko heard that Daigo was excited about his research topic – Japan’s Vending Machines. Let’s see how Yuko is doing with her own research paper.

Start a new page for this new content and call it "Yuko's Notes". Take notes as you go over the new material. Clarify any questions you might have by contacting your instructor.

Always start by checking what you already know. You will need a notebook and a pen/pencil.

Exercise 1: Yuko's Notes - Reading and Listening Activity

Directions:

見(み)て、よみましょう。Look at Yuko's writing and read it aloud.
聞(き)きましょう。Listen to the recorded sounds for tone, intonation, stress, pace, and repeat aloud several times.
書(か)きましょう。In your notebook, jot down what Yuko wrote about, including as many details as you can. In a separate column, list the words and phrases you are unsure of or have questions about.

Download an annotated copy of the Yuko's Notes text and use the additional notes to help build your understanding of the passage. Words and phrases in bold below are highlighted with additional explanation in the annotated handout. It may be helpful to have the handout's notes open while reading the passage.

Note: for this passage, furigana will be repeated even when the same kanji are used multiple times.

大吾君(だいごくん)のテーマは自動販売機(じどうはんばいき)にきまりましたが、ゆう子さんはどうでしょうか。

夏休(なつやす)みに新幹線(しんかんせん)で青森(あおもり)に行(い)ったゆう子さんは、どんなテーマにするのでしょう。ちょっと、ゆう子さんのノートを見(み)てみましょう。

シート－ベルトは飛行機(ひこうき)にあります。
新幹線(しんかんせん)は揺(ゆ)れません。
電車(でんしゃ)の窓(まど)を開(あ)けてもいいです。
飛行機(ひこうき)と新幹線(しんかんせん)の窓(まど)は、開(あ)きません。だから開(あ)けることはできません。
飛行機(ひこうき)と新幹線(しんかんせん)のシートにはテーブルがあります。便利(べんり)ですね。
飛行機(ひこうき)の中で、タバコをすってもいいですか。いいえ、だめです。いけません。
飛行機(ひこうき)と新幹線(しんかんせん)の中で、食事(しょくじ)ができます。
リクライニングシートは、飛行機(ひこうき)にあります。新幹線(しんかんせん)にもあります。
新幹線(しんかんせん)と電車(でんしゃ)にシートベルトはありません。
トイレは、新幹線(しんかんせん)と飛行機(ひこうき)にだけ、あります。
電車(でんしゃ)のシートにテーブルはありません。

メモ：電車(でんしゃ)には、つりかわがあります。電車(でんしゃ)はゆれるから、立(た)っている人は、つりかわにつかまります。飛行機(ひこうき)には、シートの数(かず)だけ乗客(じょうきゃく)が乗(の)ることができます。　電車(でんしゃ)は、すし詰(づ)めになるときもあります。新幹線(しんかんせん)と電車(でんしゃ)では、タバコをすう人とすわない人は別々(べつべつ)に乗(の)ります。新幹線(しんかんせん)の中で、お弁当を売っています。新幹線(しんかんせん)と飛行機(ひこうき)は、どちらがいいですか。私はハローキティちゃんの新幹線(しんかんせん)に乗(の)ってみたいです。（すごくかわいい！）

Practice Activity: Yuko's Notes

Below is a table that Yuko created when researching different modes of mass transport. Fill out the chart based on Yuko's notes from above, then complete the practice activity based on your completed table. Place a 0 in a cell where the feature is available/allowed. Place an X in a cell where the feature is unavailable/not allowed.

**Features of Different Types of Transportation**
Feature	Commuter Train (30-90 kph)	Shinkansen (200-300 kph)	Airplane (300-900 kph)
Meals
Restroom
Opening a Window
Seat belt
Table

Yuko's Notes: First Impressions and Next Steps

Based on what you read in Yuko's notes, how would you answer the following questions? Turn to the next page for answers.

Reading Questions

What does Yuko say about smoking in a commuter train, Shinkansen, and airplane?
What does Yuko say she wants to do?

Reflection

Now that we've done a first reading and listened to the passage, we will look at the details together and learn new vocabulary, expressions, and grammar points. This exploration should answer any remaining questions.

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