Traveling the World: Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Tokyo, its capital, is well known for its modern city life. Japanese culture blends ancient Shinto traditions with modern influences, making it unique. Beautiful Shinto shrines are found throughout the country. Visitors from around the world come to enjoy these historic sites. Japanese cuisine, like sushi and ramen, is enjoyed globally. Many tourists visit Japan just to enjoy the food. Traveling beyond Tokyo, rural areas offer a different experience. Traditional Japanese art and crafts draw many visitors to these regions. Sightseeing tours often include trips to famous landmarks and scenic spots. Anime has become a global phenomenon, attracting many fans to Japan.
During a trip to Japan, language can be a challenge. However, many signs are written in English to help tourists. Tokyo is full of modern attractions, while Kyoto is rich in traditional culture. The country has a mix of bustling cities and peaceful countryside. Ocean views are common on many islands, providing stunning scenery. Japan has both historical and modern attractions, making it a great place to visit. Tourism in Japan continues to grow, and new facilities are constantly being developed to accommodate visitors.
Work-life balance in Japan can be demanding, with long working hours being common. Many people have reported experiencing stress due to job pressures. However, efforts are being made to improve working conditions. Rural areas offer a slower pace of life compared to the busy cities. Jobs in the cities often involve high levels of dedication and commitment. Conversely, rural areas are known for their relaxed lifestyle and close-knit communities. Traveling between rural and urban areas offers a comprehensive view of Japanese life. Exploring both can give a better understanding of the country’s diverse culture and environment.
Art in Japan includes both traditional and modern forms, each valued highly. Cultural preservation is a priority, with many initiatives being done to protect heritage sites. Notably, efforts are being made to keep traditional crafts alive. Visiting a traditional art museum can provide insight into Japan’s rich history. While there, observing craftsmen at work is an engaging experience.
In conclusion, Japan offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Each visitor’s experience can be quite different, depending on what they choose to explore.
Text Analysis
General Level: B1.7
Vocabulary: B2.0
Verb Form: B1.6
Clause: A2.3
Wordlist
blend NOUN C1 1
Definition (En):
- an occurrence of thorough mixing
n. a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings
n. the act of blending components together thoroughly
v. combine into one
close-knit ADJ C1 1
Definition (En):
- held together as by social or cultural ties
craftsman NOUN C1 1
Definition (En):
- a professional whose work is consistently of high quality
n. a creator of great skill in the manual arts
n. a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
dedication NOUN C1 1
Definition (En):
- complete and wholehearted fidelity
n. a ceremony in which something (as a building) is dedicated to some goal or purpose
n. a short message (as in a book or musical work or on a photograph) dedicating it to someone or something
heritage NOUN C1 1
Definition (En):
- practices that are handed down from the past by tradition
notably ADV C1 1
Definition (En):
- especially; in particular
preservation NOUN C1 1
Definition (En):
- the activity of protecting something from loss or danger
n. the condition of being (well or ill) preserved
n. a process that saves organic substances from decay
scenic ADJ C1 1
Definition (En):
- used of locations; having beautiful natural scenery
a. of or relating to the stage or stage scenery
shrine NOUN C1 1
Definition (En):
- a place of worship hallowed by association with some sacred thing or person
Phrases and Idioms
Lemma | Sentences |
make it (something) | · Japanese culture blends ancient Shinto traditions with modern influences, making it unique. · Japan has both historical and modern attractions, making it a great place to visit. |
art museum | · Visiting a traditional art museum can provide insight into Japan’s rich history. |
at work | · While there, observing craftsmen at work is an engaging experience. |
be full of | · Tokyo is full of modern attractions, while Kyoto is rich in traditional culture. |
rich in (something) | · Tokyo is full of modern attractions, while Kyoto is rich in traditional culture. |
Reading Comprehension Exercises
True / False / Not Given
- Tokyo is known for its serene and peaceful countryside.
- Japanese education system incorporates traditional arts into the curriculum.
- International tourists in Japan are required to learn Japanese language.
- Kyoto is famous for maintaining Japan’s traditional culture.
- Japan’s economy benefits from tourism, especially from people interested in anime.
- English signs in Japan are mainly found in rural areas.
- Japan’s rural areas have been modernized to match the cities.
- Tourists visiting Japan are often interested in its historical landmarks.
- Japan has implemented many initiatives to promote contemporary art over traditional crafts.
- Visitors can experience both the past and present culture of Japan.
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Short Answer Questions
- What aspects make Japanese culture unique?
- Why do many tourists visit Japan?
- What can be challenging during a trip to Japan?
- What does Tokyo offer compared to Kyoto?
- How are Japanese rural areas described?
- What type of lifestyle is common in Japanese cities?
- What is a major cultural priority in Japan?
- How is visiting a traditional art museum in Japan described?
- What attracts many fans to Japan?
- Why is Japan considered a great place to visit?
Answer Key
True / False / Not Given Answers
1.
Answer: False
Explanation: The text describes Tokyo as a modern city, not a serene countryside.
Answer location: “Tokyo, its capital, is well known for its modern city life.”
2.
Answer: Not Given
Explanation: The text does not discuss the Japanese education system or its curriculum.
Answer location: “N/A”
3.
Answer: Not Given
Explanation: The text states that many signs are written in English to help tourists, but it does not say that tourists are required to learn Japanese.
Answer location: “N/A”
4.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text explicitly mentions that Kyoto is rich in traditional culture.
Answer location: “Tokyo is full of modern attractions, while Kyoto is rich in traditional culture.”
5.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text indicates that anime attracts many fans to Japan, implying a positive impact on tourism.
Answer location: “Anime has become a global phenomenon, attracting many fans to Japan.”
6.
Answer: False
Explanation: The text does not specify that English signs are mainly in rural areas. It implies they are present to help tourists, likely more in urban areas.
Answer location: “However, many signs are written in English to help tourists.”
7.
Answer: Not Given
Explanation: The text contrasts the slow pace of life in rural areas with the busy city life, but does not mention whether rural areas have been modernized to match cities.
Answer location: “N/A”
8.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text mentions that sightseeing tours often include trips to famous landmarks, indicating historical interest.
Answer location: “Many tourists visit Japan just to enjoy the food. Traveling beyond Tokyo, rural areas offer a different experience. Traditional Japanese art and crafts draw many visitors to these regions. Sightseeing tours often include trips to famous landmarks and scenic spots.”
9.
Answer: False
Explanation: The text states that efforts are being made to keep traditional crafts alive, rather than promoting contemporary art over traditional crafts.
Answer location: “Cultural preservation is a priority, with many initiatives being done to protect heritage sites. Notably, efforts are being made to keep traditional crafts alive.”
10.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text concludes by highlighting the unique blend of tradition and modernity that Japan offers to its visitors.
Answer location: “In conclusion, Japan offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Each visitor’s experience can be quite different, depending on what they choose to explore.”
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Short Answer Answers
1.
Answer: Blends ancient Shinto traditions with modern influences.
Explanation: The uniqueness of Japanese culture is attributed to the blend of ancient Shinto traditions and modern influences.
Answer location: “Japanese culture blends ancient Shinto traditions with modern influences, making it unique.”
2.
Answer: To enjoy the food.
Explanation: Japanese cuisine, like sushi and ramen, attracts many tourists.
Answer location: “Many tourists visit Japan just to enjoy the food.”
3.
Answer: Language.
Explanation: The Japanese language can pose difficulties for tourists.
Answer location: “During a trip to Japan, language can be a challenge.”
4.
Answer: Modern attractions.
Explanation: Tokyo is described as having modern attractions, while Kyoto is rich in traditional culture.
Answer location: “Tokyo is full of modern attractions, while Kyoto is rich in traditional culture.”
5.
Answer: Slower pace of life.
Explanation: Rural areas are characterized by a more relaxed and slower lifestyle.
Answer location: “Rural areas offer a slower pace of life compared to the busy cities.”
6.
Answer: High levels of dedication and commitment.
Explanation: The urban jobs demand high levels of dedication and commitment.
Answer location: “Jobs in the cities often involve high levels of dedication and commitment.”
7.
Answer: Cultural preservation.
Explanation: Japan prioritizes cultural preservation and takes initiatives to protect heritage sites.
Answer location: “Cultural preservation is a priority, with many initiatives being done to protect heritage sites.”
8.
Answer: Provides insight into Japan’s rich history.
Explanation: Traditional art museums offer a glimpse into Japan’s historical and cultural richness.
Answer location: “Visiting a traditional art museum can provide insight into Japan’s rich history.”
9.
Answer: Anime.
Explanation: The popularity of anime draws a large number of fans.
Answer location: “Anime has become a global phenomenon, attracting many fans to Japan.”
10.
Answer: Has both historical and modern attractions.
Explanation: The combination of historical and modern attractions makes Japan an appealing destination.
Answer location: “Japan has both historical and modern attractions, making it a great place to visit.”
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