composition 02

大部分を変更。っていうか時間的にまずいな。
明日から授業が始まるというのに…

Do you want to know about vending machines? That’s great! It’s because the vending machines have enhancement right now. So, I'll tell you all about them from general description to advanced example for the future, in order to understand them deeply and why they have enhancement.
Generally speaking to a feature and appearance, a vending machine is an automated machine where we can buy various goods such as drinks and foods. The machine is fully automated, and is thus unmanned. It’s as big as a refrigerator and has three parts. One is a slot part where we can insert coins and bills. Another is a selection part which has a display and buttons for showing and choosing the goods. The Other is a covered area where we can collect the goods.
Next, let’s move on how to use vending machines. It’s quite simple to use them. There are only two steps to buy goods from a vending machine. First, insert the appropriate amount of money into the slots, and then choose the goods by using buttons on the display. That’s all! After making a selection, the goods will drop into the covered area, so you’re able to take the goods out of the vending machine. It’s quite simple, isn’t it? Up until now, most vending machines functioned in this manner around the world. However, that’s the general description just until now. There is a new generation of vending machines in some parts of the world. I mean that there are possibilities that the description of vending machine will be added. As an example, I’ll tell you two unique functions which the latest vending machines in Japan have.
The functions are electronic money and a wireless LAN functions. These functions are expanding two possibilities of a traditional vending machine. Those are on the points that more users friendly and multi-functional. One, the new machine is users friendly in that we can purchase goods with electronic money such as a prepaid card. So, we need only to tap the panel with the prepaid card. The other, with the having wireless LAN application built-in, the new machine can be used in various ways. For example, in Japan, there are some vending machines that we can access the Internet via using our own computer. Other, some machines can show information such as advertisements or a weather forecast like a television. In addition, some new machines can also provide food and drinks for free in the event of a natural disaster. They all examples are based on the reason why manufactures can manipulate the machines using the wireless LAN.
These are the unique functions. The functions mean the new vending machines are expanding possibilities. Additionally, if the new vending machines are set up everywhere, the new vending machines will become an essential tool of the ubiquitous society and reserve supply for the natural disaster.
Hence, the vending machine is enhancing right now. If you are interested in the vending machine, you should come to Japan, and feel that on your eyes. That’s all. Thank you for your listening!

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composition 01

Draft ver 0.01

インパクト重視で書いてしまった。だが反省はｓ(ry
正直、シリアスで堅い文章が求められてたら間違いなくorz



[QUESTION]
Now, a Vending Machine is so popular in Japan that we can say it as a Japanese culture. So, explain it FREELY to the foreigner who doesn’t know it, as UNIQUE as you can.

[COMPOSITION]
You wanna know about a vending machine? OK, I'll explain to you what it is.
In the general meaning, a vending machine is the machine for vending various goods such as food and drink automatically. So there is nobody to vend without the machine. The size of it is as big as a fridge, and there are some objects on it for a costumer to buy goods. Generally, those are three slots, buttons, and a display.
The two slots are fit on for dropping into a coin and paper currency. The other one is fit on a bottom part of a vending machine for taking goods. Addition to it, a display and buttons are also necessary for showing and choosing goods.

But it’s quite simple to use it. If you want to buy goods from a vending machine, you have only to take two steps. First, drop enough money to buy goods into the slots, and then choose the goods on a display by using buttons on it. That’s all. After choosing goods, it drops a bottom slot, so you’re able to take the goods from a vending machine. It’s simple, isn’t it? Anyway, that’s the general way to buy goods from a vending machine.

But, that’s the just general expression what a vending machine is, until now. A vending machine in particular place has changed for next-generation. Guess what? Recently, as improving IT, a vending machine is going to progress. For example, a vending machine in Japan is so popular and unique in the world that we can say it as one of Japanese cultures. It’s just because it has unique functions. So, let me extra explain about what it is.

Some vending machine in Japan has an electric money function and wireless LAN application built-in, and it makes Japanese circumstance better on three points. Those points are friendly, serviceable, and safe.
At the friendly point, the vending machine has a terminal to pay electric money by using a prepaid card. It means that it’s no time to buy goods. So, we have only to touch a prepaid card to the terminal. So to speak, Japanese circumstance will become friendly.
At the serviceable point, having wireless LAN application built-in, we’re able to have the access zone to connect a personal computer to the web. In addition, if it also has the display like a TV, it can show information such as advertisement and forecast. Therefore, we’re able to get information conveniently from the vending machine.
At the safe point, drinks or foods in the vending machine can be essential goods when natural disaster happens. It means that goods in can be retrieved from the vending machine in disaster area for free. It’s because a maker of the vending machine can switch the mode of the vending machine, by using the wireless LAN.

That’s the expression of the vending machine in Japan. How do you think about that? I think a vending machine has more possibility to progress than the Japan case. Don’t you think so?

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About cultural transition between JOMON and YAYOI period etc.

1st essay

The partial summary of “Finding Japan” 2008/02/28
Chapter1: A short history of Japan and its periods
Topic: About Cultural transition between JOMON and YAYOI in Japan

After correcting

It is said that the period of JOMON began at 8,000 B.C.E. BC. and continued until around 300 to 200 BC. In this period, native Japanese lived with same species together as a tribe and learned started to develop their cultural action. For example they cultivated paddy to grow rice, they made stone tools or, clay pottery, and they began to hunt animals and fishes. But, they hadn’t had developed social class yet in this period.

After that Later, in the new period called “YAYOI Period”, which continued around the 3rd century BC. Personally, I think the specific differences between JOMON and YAYOI are whether they have social stratification or not and whether they touch other region or not. In this period, there was a queen called “Himiko”. and It is said that she sent envoys to China and they brought China’s culture to Japan. So, written Japanese language today has similar Chinese characters such as known as 'Kanji'.
today Japan has the Japanese written language that is similar to Chinese one such as “Kanji”.


!!Pay attention!!
B.C.= before Christ
B.C.E.= Before the Common Era (infrequently-used term?)

"begin" is the verb focusing on beginning of sth
"start" is the verb focusing on process of sth

The most meaning of this essay tell facts, so you shouldn't mention your own idea so that the essay will develop.
Think at the appropriate writing type in each essay.



2nd essay
29 February 2008
Topic: The answer of 'Internet Task' at chapter 1 in level 5 on BerlitzEnglish.com

1. Choose two events that you think are interesting. Which events did you choose?
I chose these two of events below. the following events / the events below.
Volleyball and BBQ Saturday, July 16, 2005
Recycling Committee Monday, August 01, 2005

2. Why did you choose these events?
The reason why I chose the former event is that I'm a (big) fan of playing sports using a ball such as futsal, basketball, volleyball and also I really like to do outdoor activities such as BBQ, trekking, and snowboarding.
And The reason why I chose the latter one is that I'm interested in making a sustainable society in order to make the best use of limited resources in the on earth. I heard from a Prof at my univ that it's very important for us to change the our mass-consumption society into the a sustainable society / one that is sustainable, therefore I chose this event.

3. What kind of people would you meet at these events?
At the former one name, I would meet the people who are interested in volleyball and like enjoy outside outdoor activities.
And at The latter one, I would meet the people who are familiar with the social problem at Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce and are interested in these problems.

4. Describe the last event you attended. What was it like? Where was it?
I attended my a futsal club activity to play a game at Asagaya in Tokyo in Japan. It was very entertaining enjoyable and exciting, so I was exhausted after the game. Therefore, I got a had muscle aches / (I was sore~~) in the next day.

5. Did you meet any new people?
Yes, I did. At the game, I met a lot of new people. Of course, I didn't know opposing team member meet anybody from the other team, but also there was were new people in on my team. This is because some of my futsal team members often turn over the team members are constantly being replaced changing such as one of the members invites his friend to we often invite our friends to join my futsal club. Therefore, I could was able to talk with a lot of new people through at this game.


!!Pay attention!!
Shouldn't put 'And' at the begging of sentence

In particular situation, you should choose 'was able to', not 'could' because 'could' has two meanings, but 'was able to' has just one meaning.

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Assessment

Tutorからの評価シートが帰ってきて、それなりに良い評価だったけどConfidenceだけAverageでした。

元々英語圏での在住暦がない分、自分のPronunciationが糞なのは分かっていたつもり、ではあったけど

流石に、Chapter1のconsonant soundsがようやく全部終わって、 その後新しいTutorがＣｈａｐｔｅｒ1のReviewしたら、
「お前の発音イミフｗｗｗもう一回やり直しｗｗｗ」
っていわれたり、


自分が発音した単語をネイティブが聞き取って当てるゲームをやったときの
相手の予想以上の困惑具合を見たら、

Confidenceなんて粉々になるわwww

orz



ネイティブレベルのPronunciationは求めてないけど(土台無理だけど)、
kin / Kim / king とか
vest / best とか
think / sink / (shink) とか
lush / lash / (lersh) とか
wrong / long とか
最低限の区別は出来るようになりたいもんです。

目指せ、分別の女王。もとい、宇都宮ラッパー。

ploddinglyに頑張っていきます。


Before correction
Subject: With regard to correct my sentence

To Berlitz

I always appreciate your business.
I'm writing to ask you to correct this sentence below.

TOPIC: How to remember new English vocabulary for me
I take a two-step approach to remember new English vocabulary.
First step is to write and to say the word to remember the vocabulary. It’s because it is so simple and shortest way to remember the vocabulary.

And second step is to relate the vocabulary to the similar one or similar meaning phrase as much as possible. It’s because it is difficult to forget the remembered vocabulary in this way. It means I should make a network of English vocabularies. It’s because if I make the network larger and larger, I’m difficult to forget the vocabulary and I remind it easier if I forget it. So it is so simple way to remind it if I forget it because I have only to follow the network.

Therefore, I can remember the vocabulary in any way, and if I forget it, I can remind it in any way. So, when I remember new English vocabulary, I’m not conscious of remembering individually, but I’m conscious of relating it to another vocabulary and broadening my English vocabulary network.

Sincerely


After correction
Subject: (Regarding) Corrections
To Berlitz

(I always appreciate your business. )
Thank you for your help.
Could I please have the following sentences corrected?

TOPIC: How to learn new English vocabulary

I take a two-step approach to learn new English vocabulary.

The first step is to write and say the word.
This is the simplest and fastest way to remember the vocabulary.

The second step is to link the vocabulary to a similar word or a phrase with similar meaning as much as possible. This is because it is difficult to forget the new vocabulary in this way. This means we should make a network of English vocabulary.

By building this network, it’s difficult to forget the vocabulary and in the event that I do forget, I can remember the word more easily. Therefore it is a simple way to remember words if I forget because I have only to follow the network.

Therefore, I can remember the vocabulary in any way, and if I forget it, I can remember it in any way. So, when I learn new English vocabulary, I don't consciously memorize the words individually, but I pay attention to relating it to another word and thereby broadening my English vocabulary network.

Sincerely


[Tips]
"Could I please have the following sentences corrected"
"May I please have something to drink? "
"Can I please have this endive salad with watercress and oranges, for appetizer? And, um, risotto. "


[Confirm the meaning of each word]
"So"
1. used to show the reason/result/purpose of sth:
◇It was still painful so I went to see a doctor.

2. used to introduce the next part of a story:
◇So after shouting and screaming for an hour she walked out in tears.

"Therefore"
used to introduce the logical result of sth that has just been mentioned:
◇He’s only 17 and therefore not eligible to vote.
◇There is still much to discuss. We shall, therefore, return to this item at our next meeting.

"Thereby"
used to introduce the result of the action or situation mentioned: Regular exercise strengthens the heart, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack.

---------------------------------------------------
"remember"
to have or keep an image in your memory of an event, a person, a place, etc. from the past
◇As far as I can remember, this is the third time we’ve met.

"remind"
to help sb remember sth, especially sth important that they must do:
◇’Don’t remind me (= I don’t want to think about it).’

"memorize"
to learn sth carefully so that you can remember it exactly
◇to memorize a poem.

"learn"
to gain knowledge/skill by studying, from experience/being taught/etc.

---------------------------------------------------
"relate"
show or make a connection between two or more things

"involve"
if a situation, an event or an activity involves sth,
that thing is an important/necessary part or result of it
[SYN] "entail"= to involve sth that cannot be avoided

"link"
to make a physical/electronic connection between one object, machine, place, etc. and another.
[SYN] "connect"= to join together two or more things; to be joined together:

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Why is the culture of Japan unique?

Before correction
In my opinion, I think one of the reasons why Japan has unique culture in the world is involved with the fact that Japan has never been conquered by any other country so far.

This fact is due to the location where Japan is in the world and some historical accidents that are the closed nation called SAKOKU and the failure to invade Japan by Kublai Khan because of sudden storm and so on.

For that, the culture of Japan has rarely been affected by any other country, and it had grown gradually, and finally it became unique.


After correction
In my opinion, I think one of the reasons why Japan has such a unique culture is related to the fact that Japan has never been conquered by any other country.

This is due to the geographical location of Japan and some historical events such as SAKOKU when Japan cut off all ties with the outside world and Kublai Khan's failed attempt to invade Japan.

For these reasons, Japanese culture has received little influence by other countries, and has developed gradually into its unique identity today.


【CAUTION】
1. ”such a” is correct, not “such an”
2. “so far” in 2nd line in 1st paragraph before collecting, implies that there is a possibility in the future.

【Idiom】
cut off ties with ~

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