Week13

Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic:“Teacher outfoxes board, exposes bid to fleece JETs”
Comments: Because there were many strange words, it was very difficult sentence for me.
Time spent doing activity: 1h40m


Key words learned:
1.embroil 
【v】to involve someone or something in a difficult situation
=involve

2.rudimentary   
【adj】a rudimentary knowledge or understanding of a subject is very simple and basic
 =basic, undeveloped

3.demeanor
【n】the way someone behaves, dresses, speaks etc that shows what their character is like
=behavior

4.adamant  
【adj】determined not to change your opinion or a decision that you have made
=inflexible

5.mumble  
【v】to say something too quietly or not clearly enough, so that other people cannot understand you
=murmur

Week12

Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic:“Life up in the treetops”
Comments: I bacame to be able to read more smoothly than I had done.
Time spent doing activity: 1h40m

Key words learned:
1.enthuse
【v1】to talk about something in a very interested or excited way  about/over
【v2】to make someone interested in something or excited by it by/with something
=excite, talk

2.scout
【v】to look for something in a particular area
=observe

3.adjacent
【adj】a room, building, piece of land etc that is adjacent to something is next to it
=close

4.advertise  
【v1】to tell the public about a product or service in order to persuade them to buy it
【v2】to make an announcement, for example in a newspaper or on a poster, that a job is available, an event is going to happen etc
=promote, announce

5.akin
【adj】very similar to something
=similar

Week11

Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic:“Being in the doghouse is not always a bad thing”
Comments: I was surprised that "skirt" have verb.
Time spent doing activity: 40m
 
Key words learned:
1.poignant
【v】making you feel sad or full of pity
=painful

2.somber
【adj1】sad and serious
【adj2】dark and without any bright colours
=colorless, uncheerful

3.discourse
【v】to make a long formal speech about something, or to discuss something seriously
=discuss

  4.ventilate
【v1】to let fresh air into a room, building etc
【v2】to express your opinions or feelings about something
=refresh, express

5.skirt
【v】to avoid talking about an important subject, especially because it is difficult or embarrassing
=avoid, elude, fudge

Week10

I. Activity one
Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic:“Lower House passes bill to double sales tax”
Comments: I think political or economical vocabulary was difficult to memory.
Time spent doing activity: 1h20m

Key words learned:
1.bolt
【v】to suddenly run somewhere very quickly, especially in order to escape or because you are frightened
＝leave

2.elaborate
【v】to give more details or new information about something
★elaborate on
＝clarify

3.rebel
【v】to oppose or fight against someone in authority or against an idea or situation which you do not agree withrebel against
★rebel against
＝protest,resist,dissent

4.punitive
【adj1】intended to punish someone(action/measures)
【adj2】increases etctaxes etc that are so high that it is difficult for people to pay them(taxes/price)
＝correctional,penal

5.plenary
【adj1】involving all the members of a committee, organization etc
【adj2】plenary powers are complete powers with no limit
＝comprehensive

Week9

I. Activity one
Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic:“Book is behind bullying of mixed-race children”
Comments: I had a very good time that was to my advantage.
Time spent doing activity: 1h20m

Key words learned:
1.bully
【v1】to threaten to hurt someone or frighten them, especially someone smaller or weaker
【v2】to put pressure on someone in order to make them do what you want
★bully somebody into (doing) something
＝intimidate

2.culprit
【n】the person who is guilty of a crime or doing something wrong
＝criminal

3.unfold
【v1】if a story unfolds, or if someone unfolds it, it is told
【v2】if a series of events unfold, they happen
＝develop, open

4.taunt
【v】to try to make someone angry or upset by saying unkind things to them
＝mock, bait

5.revise
【v1】to change something because of new information or ideas
【v2】to change a piece of writing by adding new information, making improvements, or correcting mistakes
＝rewrite, amend

Week8

I. Activity one
Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic:“Yes, I can use chopsticks: the everyday 'microaggressions' that grind us down”
Comments: I became to be conscious of my poor vocablary.
Time spent doing activity: 1h20m

Key words learned:
1.dominant
【adj1】 more powerful, important, or noticeable than other people or things
【adj2】controlling or trying to control other people or things - used to show disapproval
⇔ subordinate
＝ascendant, preponderant

2.overt
【adj】overt actions are done publicly, without trying to hide anything
⇔covert
＝open, visible

3.futile
【adj】actions that are futile are useless because they have no chance of being successful
⇔useful
＝useless, uneffectual

4.perpetual
【adj1】 continuing all the time without changing or stopping
【adj2】 repeated many times in a way that annoys you
＝permanent, continuous

5.quantify
【v】to calculate the value of something and express it as a number or an amount
＝measure

Week7

I. Activity one
Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic: “Chinese consumers get 'Cool Japan' exposure”, “Yes, I can use chopsticks: the everyday 'microaggressions' that grind us down”
Comments: I could'nt read smoothly because of a lot of strange word.
Time spent doing activity: 45m 

Key words learned:
1.exemplify
【v1】to be a very typical example of something
【v2】to give an example of something
=illustrate, embody, instantiate

2.surge
【v1】to suddenly move very quickly in a particular
【v2】to suddenly increase
★surge forward/through
  =inflate, rise

3.odd
【adj】different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way that you disapprove of or cannot understand
  =unusual, strange

4.denigrate
【v】to say things to make someone or something seem less important or good
  =minimize

5.cues
【v】 to give someone a sign that it is the right moment for them to speak or do something, especially during a performance
=prompt, remind

Week6

I. Activity one
Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic: “Savings for average Japanese family top ¥16 million”, “DoCoMo targets 50% stake in smartphones”and“Parents, please keep your kids away from me at feeding time”
Comments: Thanks to this class's study time, I become to read sentenses more rapidly.
Time spent doing activity: 1h20m

Key words learned:
1.bemoaned
【v】to complain or say that you are disappointed about something
＝complain, deplore, lament

2.moribund
【adj1】a moribund organization, industry, etc is no longer active or effective and may be coming to an end
【adj2】slowly dying
＝stagnant, undynamic, dying

3.unveil
【v1】to show or tell people about a new product or plan for the first time
【v2】to remove the cover from something, especially as part of a formal ceremony
＝uncover, expose

4.enthral
【v】to make someone very interested and excited, so that they listen or watch something very carefully
★be enthralled by/with somebody/something
＝enchant, delight

5.entice
【v】to persuade someone to do something or go somewhere, usually by offering them something that they want
＝tempt, stimulate

Week5

I. Activity one
Site: The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)
Topic: “Sony, Panasonic eye OEL TV tieup to weather rivalries”and“Abolishing 'kosei nenkin kikin' an option”
Comments: I think it was very effective study time!
Time spent doing activity: 1h20m

Key words learned:
1.interim
【adj】intended to be used or accepted for a short time only, until something or someone final can be made or found
★in the interimin：the period of time between two events
＝temporary, impermanent

2.entrust
【v】to make someone responsible for doing something important, or for taking care of someone
★entrust something/somebody to somebody
★be entrusted with something/somebody
=confide

3.sluggish
【adj】moving or reacting more slowly than normal
=slow, dull

4.consolidate
【v1】to strengthen the position of power or success that you have, so that it becomes more effective or continues for longer
【v2】to combine things in order to make them more effective or easier to deal with
=strengthen,unite

5.dampened
【v1】to make something slightly wet
【v2】to make something such as a feeling or activity less strong
=moisten weaken

Week4

I. Activity one
Site: EnglishClub.com(http://www.englishclub.com/esl-exams/ets-toeic-practice.htm )
Topic: TOIEC Practice(Listening,Reading)
Your score: L:13/22 R:17/20
Comments: Listening voice's speed is too rapid for me to understand.
Time spent doing activity: 1h20m

Key words learned:
1.homonym
【n】a word that is spelt the same and sounds the same as another, but is different in meaning or origin.
★example:noun 'bear' and the verb 'bear'

2.valid
【adj】a valid ticket, document, or agreement is legally or officially acceptable
＝legitimate

3.distract
【v】to take someone's attention away from something by making them look at or listen to something else.
★distract somebody/something from somethig
＝deflect

4.mythology
【n1】set of ancient myths
【n2】ideas or opinions that many people have, but that are wrong or not true

5.probation
【n1】a system that allows some criminals not to go to prison or to leave prison,
if they behave well and see a probation officer regularly, for a particular period of time
【n2】a period of time, during which an employer can see if a new worker is suitable
★on probation

Week3

I. Activity one
 Site:The Japan Times ONLINE:(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20120502a4.html)
 Topic:Three megabanks strengthening business in emerging economies
 Comments: effective
 Time spent doing activity:1h20m

Key words learned:

 1.infrastructure
 【n】the basic systems and structures that a country or organization needs in order to work properly
★example：roads, railways, banks etc

 2.syndicate
 【n】a group of people or companies who join together in order to achieve a particular aim
【v】 to arrange for written work, photographs etc to be sold to a number of different newspapers, magazines etc
→syndication (n)
＝connect,link,unite

3.thermal
 【adj】relating to or caused by heat
 【n】 a rising current of warm air used by birds
 →therm (n)
 ＝hot

 4.affiliate
 【n】a company, organization etc that is connected with or controlled by a larger one
【v】to join or become connected with a larger group or organization
 ★affiliate to/with～
＝associate,join,get together

 5.foothold
【n1】a small hole or crack where you can safely put your foot when climbing a steep rock
 【n2】 a position from which you can start to make progress and achieve your aims
★gain/establish a foothold

Week2

1.obsess (v) =concern
 【1】to think about only one thing
 ★be obsessed by／with

2.implore (v) =beg
【1】to ask for something in an emotional way 
★implore somebody to do something

3.bolster (v) =support, make stronger
【1】to help someone to feel better and more positive 
【2】to improve something

4.reinforce (v) =strengthen
 【1】to give support to an opinion, idea, or feeling, and make it stronger
【2】to make part of a building, structure, piece of clothing etc stronger
【3】 to make a group of people, especially an army, stronger by adding people, equipment etc

 5.internalize (v)
 【1】to incorporate within oneself; if you internalize a particular belief, attitude, behaviour etc, it becomes part of your character

Week1

1. to work with using English

2. I certainly need to study business English. So I aim to get high score in TOEIC and Eiken.

3. I think my strengths are grammar and reading. And my weeknesses are most of all…in certain, listening and speaking.

4. 1,3,9,12,13,39,42,45,54

5. I'm going to touch a lot of words and learn by heart in class. Anyway, I want to expand my vocabulary. Out of class, I'm planning to study hard for TOEIC.