listening lab 2021
LISTENING LAB 1221
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. Where is the last ban’ei racetrack located?
2. How heavy can draft horses be?
3. When did ban’ei racing become a public sport?
4. What was the name of the most famous draft horse imported by Japan?
5. Have online gambling sales increased or decreased since 2020?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Pulling a Different Kind of Sleigh
by Claire Gorant
Reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, but if you go to Hokkaido, you’ll see a different animal pulling sleighs. At the Obihiro Racetrack, a traditional style of horse racing called ban’ei racing uses draft horses, huge breeds that can weigh over 1,000 kg, to pull equally heavy sleighs along a straight track with two hills. The winner isn’t decided by which horse gets their nose over the finish line first — instead, the first one to pull their sleigh completely over the finish line gets the gold.
Ban’ei racing started in the late 1800s when local farmers set up tug-of-war competitions between their horses. At the time, Hokkaido was being settled by Japanese from the mainland, and they needed stronger horses and heavier equipment that could work in the heavy snow. Sleighs designed for large animals and difficult winters were imported from Russia. Draft horses came from a number of countries, but the most famous was one of three imported from France. This stallion was called “Irene,” and a statue of him still stands in Obihiro to this day.
These competitions evolved into the style of racing that we see today, officially becoming a public sport in 1946. At its peak, there were four ban’ei racetracks across Hokkaido, but after the economic bubble burst in the early 1990s, ban’ei racing began to fall into the red. By 2007, only the track at Obihiro was left. However, since COVID struck, horse racing of all kinds has seen unexpected success. Online betting has made this kind of gambling much easier to access, and since 2020, online ban’ei race gambling has increased considerably.
*draft[draught] horse =輓馬
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. Where is the last ban’ei racetrack located?
It's in Obihiro.
2. How heavy can draft horses be?
They can weight up to 1,000 kg.
3. When did ban’ei racing become a public sport?
It became a public sport in 1946.
4. What was the name of the most famous draft horse imported by Japan?
Its name was Irene.
5. Have online gambling sales increased or decreased since 2020?
They have increased.
LISTENING LAB 1121
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. What do security guards usually stop homeless people from doing?
2. Does the IHS want security guards to tell homeless people to go away?
3. What kind of information are the security guards given?
4. If a homeless person won’t take a security guard’s help, what can the guard do?
5. Who benefits from this program?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Helping the Homeless
Security guards see a lot of homeless people, and these guards are the ones who are usually charged with making sure the homeless don't sleep in doorways or alleyways*. They don't want to be the bad guy, but they are being paid to protect the buildings.
Now a nonprofit organization called the Institute for Human Services (IHS) is trying to get security guards to work for them, too. The idea is that instead of simply telling homeless people to go away, these guards are in the perfect position to tell the homeless people where to go for help.
How does it work? Security guards who work at large buildings and hotels are trained by IHS. They learn what to do when they come across people sleeping or loitering* on the property they're protecting. They are taught how to interact with the homeless people, and they are given information about homeless shelters, soup kitchens, etc. If the person they encounter resists* their help, they are also able to call a specialist who will come out and assist the individual in need.
The building owners are happy with the program because it works. The guards are eager to join the program because they don't have to be the bad guy anymore. And the homeless people benefit from programs that they otherwise might not know existed. It's a win-win-win situation.
*alleyway=路地
*loiter=ぶらぶらする
*resist=反対する
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. What do security guards usually stop homeless people from doing?
They stop them from sleeping near the buildings they guard.
2. Does the IHS want security guards to tell homeless people to go away?
No, they don't.
3. What kind of information are the security guards given?
They are given information about homeless shelters, soup kitchens, etc.
4. If a homeless person won’t take a security guard’s help, what can the guard do?
The guard can call a specialist for help.
5. Who benefits from this program?
The building owners, the homeless people and the guards all benefit.
LISTENING LAB 1021
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. When did the Halloween holiday originate?
2. What was Marie Tussaud’s exhibition of wax figures called?
3. Who revolutionized* the haunted house business?
4. Why have haunted houses become scarier and scarier?
5. What was the haunted house at Fuji-Q Highland inspired by*?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Haunted Houses
by Claire Gorant
Halloween is just around the corner! And no Halloween would be complete without a trip through a haunted house. Haunted houses are as much a part of Halloween as grinning pumpkins and colorful costumes, but it hasn’t always been that way. Halloween itself originated around 2,000 years ago, but haunted houses only date back to the early 19th century.
In London in 1802, an artist named Marie Tussaud set up an exhibition of realistic wax sculptures of murderers and other infamous figures called the “Chamber of Horrors.” In 1915, an English fairground debuted one of the first “ghost houses.” Later, in America in the 1930s, true Halloween-themed haunted houses emerged. These early versions were often set up in a family’s basement for neighborhood children to visit for free.
Haunted houses gained in popularity throughout the mid-20th century, but finally became a mainstay in 1969 when Walt Disney opened Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. It was modeled after the Winchester Mystery House, a famous mansion in California with a long history of supernatural incidents, and it revolutionized the haunted house business. Disney introduced a number of new technologies and special effects, such as complicated illusions that made ghosts dance and twirl across a 30-meter-long ballroom. The attraction was very popular, soon receiving over 82,000 visitors a day.
The haunted house industry later benefited from the rise of Hollywood’s horror and slasher movies, with audiences demanding bigger and scarier experiences. In the past two decades, the number of commercial haunted houses has skyrocketed. To keep up with the demand for more frightening attractions, haunted houses have begun creating more extreme attractions, such as escape rooms and zombie runs. Some houses even warn people with heart problems not to buy tickets!
Here in Japan, there are lots of places you can visit. The haunted house at Fuji-Q Highland, inspired by an actual haunted hospital near Mt. Fuji, is considered one of the best haunted attractions in the country. Or if you’re interested in seeing the real thing, spend the night at the Akasaka Weekly Mansion, a hotel in Tokyo, where guests have reported more than a few ghostly interactions. No matter what kind of thrill you’re looking for, with a quick Google search, you will find the right kind of scare for your Halloween.
*revolutionize=大変革をもたらす
*inspired by=着想を得る
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. When did the Halloween holiday originate?
It originated around 2,000 years ago.
2. What was Marie Tussaud’s exhibition of wax figures called?
It was called the "Chamber of Horrors."
3. Who revolutionized* the haunted house business?
Walt Disney did.
4. Why have haunted houses become scarier and scarier?
They've become scarier and scarier because people are used to seeing scary Hollywood movies, so they demand scarier haunted houses.
5. What was the haunted house at Fuji-Q Highland inspired by*?
It was inspired by an actual haunted hospital near Mt. Fuji.
LISTENING LAB 0921
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. When was bubble tea first introduced to Japan?
2. Where is the maritozzo originally from?
3. What kind of dough are maritozzi made with?
4. What do traditional maritozzi have mixed into the cream?
5. How many kinds of maritozzi did the Nippon TV program compare?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
The Maritozzo
by Claire Gorant
Bubble tea, where did you go? Six months ago, you couldn’t walk two blocks without seeing a convenience store or cafe brightly advertising their bubble tea flavors—green tea, brown sugar, even fruit-flavored bubble tea was everywhere you looked! But as with any fad, it wasn’t meant to last forever. Sold in Japan since the 1990s, bubble tea spiked in popularity in 2019. But over the last few months, it has begun to disappear from shelves, replaced by the newest trend in sweets: the maritozzo.
The maritozzo is a sweet cream-filled bun from Italy. It differs from the typical Japanese cream bread in two significant ways. First, while Japanese cream bread uses a standard bread dough, the maritozzo is made from a richer brioche dough. Second, just look at the amount of cream filling! The maritozzo practically overflows —you’ll definitely need a napkin.
As with all fad foods, stores have been quick to put their own spin on the maritozzo. The traditional Roman maritozzo has candied fruit or pine nuts, but most shops in Japan are taking the fresh route, adding strawberries, mangos, or grapes. The convenience store 7/11 has its own version that can be found in the bread section, which lets you know that it’s already become mainstream. Bakeries are adding their own personal touch with chocolate chips, powdered sugar, or hand-drawn decorations, some of which have gone viral on Instagram and Twitter. The trendy sweet has even appeared on TV, when in June, Nippon TV held a taste test of 20 locally made maritozzi (the plural of maritozzo) on one of their programs. The bun that took first place used orange peel in its cream, while a bun with a mix of whipped and custard cream took fourth.
The maritozzo hasn’t yet made the same impact that bubble tea did, but that could be just a matter of time. Keep an eye out for these fluffy desserts the next time you’re at the store because they might not be here for long.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. When was bubble tea first introduced to Japan?
It was introduced to Japan in the 1990s.
2. Where is the maritozzo originally from?
It's from Italy.
3. What kind of dough are maritozzi made with?
It's made from a brioche dough.
4. What do traditional maritozzi have mixed into the cream?
They have candied fruit or pine nuts mixed in.
5. How many kinds of maritozzi did the Nippon TV program compare?
They compared 20 kinds.
LISTENING LAB 0821
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. Which city was closer to the nuclear reactor, Chernobyl or Pripyat?
2. Which city has people living in it now, Chernobyl or Pripyat?
3. What did residents leave behind when they were forced to leave Pripyat?
4. When was the area called the Chernobyl Exclusion opened for tourism?
5. When are visitors tested for radiation contamination?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Chernobyl
In 1986, the Chernobyl Power Plant was the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster. The nuclear fallout at Chernobyl was 400 times higher than that of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The surrounding area was evacuated. That included the nearest cities of Chernobyl, which was 4 km from the reactor, and Pripyat, which was just 3 km from the reactor.
Today there are a few people living in Chernobyl. Around 500-700 people have returned to the city that used to be home to around 14,000. Pripyat, however, remains empty. All of the nearly 50,000 residents had to evacuate and leave all of their belongings behind, so it is like a city frozen in time.
If you are curious about what life was like in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, you can go there and visit. The Chernobyl Exclusion, as the area is called, opened for tourism in 2002, and tour companies offer tours to Pripyat. Before you can enter this area, however, you must obtain a pass from the government. These passes can be obtained through one of several tour agencies.
Because the area is still radioactive, all visitors must follow strict safety measures. These include rules about what to wear, where visitors may go, what visitors can touch, etc. When leaving the exclusion zone, all visitors must be tested for radiation. If radiation levels are too high, personal items will have to be decontaminated.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. Which city was closer to the nuclear reactor, Chernobyl or Pripyat?
Pripyat was.
2. Which city has people living in it now, Chernobyl or Pripyat?
Chernobyl does.
3. What did residents leave behind when they were forced to leave Pripyat?
They left all of their belongings behind.
4. When was the area called the Chernobyl Exclusion opened for tourism?
It was opened for tourism in 2002.
5. When are visitors tested for radiation contamination?
They are tested for radiation contamination when leaving the exclusion zone.
LISTENING LAB 0721
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. What does Juneteenth commemorate?
2. Where was Granger when he announced that all slaves were free?
3. Where does the name "Juneteenth" come from?
4. When was the last time a new national holiday was created?
5. What day of the week did Juneteenth fall on this year?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Juneteenth
by Claire Gorant
For the first time in decades, America has a new national holiday. Last month, on June 17th, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. This law created a new holiday, called Juneteenth, which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.
To find the inspiration for the name, we have to look back more than 150 years. In Galveston, Texas, on June 19th, 1865, General Granger delivered the message that the enslaved African-Americans there were free. That day became known as Juneteenth, a name that came from combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.”
Most states were already celebrating Juneteenth. In fact, 49 states, as well as Washington D.C., had already formally recognized Juneteenth as a state or ceremonial holiday. The only holdout was South Dakota. In addition, many companies, including Nike, Uber and Twitter, had announced that they were giving their employees a paid day off for Juneteenth. But attempts to make it a holiday across the country had never succeeded before now. This time, however, the bill passed with hardly any resistance, and Juneteenth is now the first new national holiday since 1983.
This year, Juneteenth fell on a Saturday, but most federal employees were given Friday off. Public schools were also closed. So what did people do with their surprise day off? There’s no single answer. Over the years, people have come to celebrate in a wide variety of ways. In some states there are parades and concerts; in others, there are public readings and church services. But one thing the celebrations have in common is food. Barbecues are quite popular, and the most famous dish is the Marcus Garvey salad, which is named after a famous black activist and made with red, green, and black beans.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. What does Juneteenth commemorate?
It commemorates the end of slavery in the US.
2. Where was Granger when he announced that all slaves were free?
He was in Galveston, Texas.
3. Where does the name "Juneteenth" come from?
It's a combination of the words "June" and "nineteenth."
4. When was the last time a new national holiday was created?
It was in 1983.
5. What day of the week did Juneteenth fall on this year?
It fell on a Saturday.
LISTENING LAB 0621
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. What was the original name of the factory?
2. What can visitors do in a workshop?
3. What can visitors do outside?
4. Where can visitors eat a formal dinner?
5. Where can people buy souvenirs?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Noritake Garden
Noritake is a world-famous tableware brand. The company was originally established in 1904 as Nippon Toki Kaisha, Ltd. The first factory was built in a town near Nagoya called Noritake. That area is now part of Nagoya City, and it is called Noritake-Shinmachi. The company didn't officially become Noritake Co., Limited until 1981, when the name was changed. Now there are many Noritake factories, and the old factory grounds have been turned into Noritake Garden.
On the grounds of Noritake no Mori, as it is called in Japanese, there are various showrooms in which visitors can observe and learn about the craftsmanship and traditions that are involved in the production of fine china. They can even participate in a workshop and paint a piece of china to take home. There is also a museum where visitors can get a close-up view of various Noritake pieces, including current products and those from the "Nippon" era.
As the name suggests, Noritake Garden is also a nice place to go to relax. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and the trees, greenery and flowers are lovely no matter the season. Visitors can relax on a bench or take a long stroll and forget that they are in the heart of the city! Or they can have coffee in Cafe Diamond Days or dine in the more formal Kiln Restaurant.
Noritake Garden also has a shop on the grounds. Noritake Square Nagoya is quite popular because it offers a wide selection of products at great prices. It's perfect for visitors who want to take home a souvenir.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. What was the original name of the factory?
It was Nippon Toki Kaisha, Ltd.
2. What can visitors do in a workshop?
They can paint a piece of china.
3. What can visitors do outside?
They can relax on a bench or take a stroll,
and they can enjoy the beautiful flowers.
4. Where can visitors eat a formal dinner?
They can eat a formal dinner at the Kiln.
5. Where can people buy souvenirs?
They can buy souvenirs at Noritake Square Nagoya.
LISTENING LAB 0521
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. Why are the Paris sewers famous?
2. How many kilometers of tunnels are there?
3. What is it like inside the museum?
4. What languages are the tours given in?
5. What will you need to take if you want to find the museum?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Paris Sewer Museum
If you like quirky tourist attractions, you might be interested in the Paris Sewer Museum. Why would anyone want to visit a sewer museum? Because the Paris sewers are famous! They have been mentioned in great literary works, including Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. Also, the sewer system has a long history dating back to 1370 when it was first developed. Of course, it has been expanded and modernized ever since. Today, its maze-like network of over 2400 km of tunnels offers a unique view of the city from below ground.
The museum is a great place to cool off if you happen to be in Paris in the summer because it's dark, quiet and damp, just as you'd expect. However, the sewer tunnels are a lot wider and more spacious than you might imagine. This is because the tunnels were built to accommodate really big machinery. Throughout the tunnels, there are several museum-like attractions that teach visitors about the history and construction of the sewer system. You can explore the sewers on your own or take a free guided tour. Most of the tours are in French, but English is available during summertime.
So, if you're interested in the history of engineering or just want to enjoy the slightly spooky atmosphere of the place, put the Paris Sewer Museum on your list of places to see. It is conveniently located near the Eiffel Tower, but it's a little hard to find because it's underground and there's just a small, white ticket booth at the entrance, so you'll probably want to take a map with you. Oh, and you might want to leave your good shoes at the hotel.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. Why are the Paris sewers famous?
They're famous because they've been mentioned in famous literary works.
2. How many kilometers of tunnels are there?
There are over 2,400 kilometers of tunnels.
3. What is it like inside the museum?
It's dark, damp and quiet.
4. What languages are the tours given in?
They're usually given in French.
5. What will you need to take if you want to find the museum?
You'll need to take a map with you.
LISTENING LAB 0421
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. Does the Seattle Barkery truck serve dogs or cats?
2. Where can the Seattle Barkery truck be found?
3. Is the Doggie Ice-cream Sundae the second or third most popular menu item?
4. Does this food truck sell anything humans might order?
5. Who do the owners donate the tips to?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
The Seattle Barkery
People in Seattle love their food trucks. There are trucks that specialize in bread, ice cream, smoothies, cupcakes and more. In addition to snacks and sweets, you can find good meals, too, including Cajun, Indonesian, Mexican, Hawaiian, and fusion fare. But food trucks aren't just for humans anymore. Now, Seattle's canine residents have a truck that caters to them, too.
The truck, nicknamed "Buster" by owners Dawn and Ben Ford, is home to the Seattle Barkery, a bakery that specializes in treats for canines. Buster is easy to spot. He's a 1968 Chevrolet step-van that has been painted bright turquoise with red accents. Buster can be found at dog parks, at farmers’ markets, at private parties and in various neighborhoods that have requested their services.
The main menu consists of treats made with doggy favorites, like peanut butter, pumpkin, carrot, turkey and beef. The treats are all made fresh daily with human-grade ingredients. The most popular item on the menu is the Bacon Pupcake, which sells for $2.50. That is followed by the Mini Cheezy Donuts, which cost $2 for four. The third most popular item is the Doggie Ice-Cream Sundae, which is served in an edible bowl topped with bacon sprinkles and goes for $3 for a single scoop and $4 for a double.
Since humans always accompany their customers, the Seattle Barkery serves up coffee and a few treats for them as well. And like most restaurants in the US, tips are welcome. But the tips at the Seattle Barkery don't go to the waitstaff. All tips in the tip jar go to the Old Dog Haven, a small nonprofit group that provides homes for abandoned senior dogs.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. Does the Seattle Barkery truck serve dogs or cats?
They serve dogs.
2. Where can the Seattle Barkery truck be found?
It can be found at dog parks, at farmer's markets, at private parties, and in neighborhoods that have requested their services.
3. Is the Doggie Ice-cream Sundae the second or third most popular menu item?
It's the third most popular menu item.
4. Does this food truck sell anything humans might order?
Yes, it does. It sells coffee and a few treats.
5. Who do the owners donate the tips to?
They donate the tips to the Old Dog Haven, which is a small nonprofit group that provides abandoned senior dogs.
LISTENING LAB 0321
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. What do geologists and biologists think of Palau?
2. What kind of water is in a marine lake?
3. Is it OK to snorkel or scuba dive in Jellyfish Lake?
4. How much does it cost for a pass to go to Jellyfish Lake?
5. Are the jellyfish in the lake dangerous to humans or not?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
Jellyfish Lake
Palau is located in the North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Philippines. It is made up of over two hundred tiny, green islands that were created at the end of the last ice age. Divers are attracted to Palau because it is gorgeous, and geologists and biologists consider it one of the most fascinating places on earth.
One of Palau's unique features is Jellyfish Lake. The lake is about 12,000 years old and is hidden in the woods. It's a marine lake, which means it is fed not just with rainwater but also with seawater through cracks and tunnels in the rocks. And it is the only marine lake in Palau that is open to tourists. But there are rules. For one, tourists can snorkel there, but they can't scuba dive. And to access Jellyfish Lake, each tourist must obtain a special pass, which costs $100 and is good for ten days. Several tour operators offer tours to the lake.
But why do tourists pay to visit this particular lake when they can swim in the sea for free? Because of the golden jellyfish that inhabit the lake. That sounds dangerous, but these jellyfish are unique. Their stinging cells pose virtually no risk to humans. The reason for this is that they have no predators in the lake, so they don't need to defend themselves, and they have evolved to have weak stingers. And since no other creatures hunt them, they multiply easily. It is estimated that there are around 20 million golden jellyfish in the lake. As you can imagine, swimming among them in Jellyfish Lake is a magical experience.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. What do geologists and biologists think of Palau?
They think it's one of the most fascinating places on earth.
2. What kind of water is in a marine lake?
There is a mixture of rainwater and seawater in the lake.
3. Is it OK to snorkel or scuba dive in Jellyfish Lake?
It's OK to snorkel.
4. How much does it cost for a pass to go to Jellyfish Lake?
It costs $100.
5. Are the jellyfish in the lake dangerous to humans or not?
No, they aren't.
LISTENING LAB 0221
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. How many people visit the zoo each year?
2. What animals came to the zoo in 1984?
3. What is popular with photographers and artists?
4. Who would like the amusement park, little kids or teenagers?
5. Where can you go to get a view of the whole park?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens was established in 1937. It is the second most popular zoo in Japan after Ueno Zoo, and it welcomes more than two million guests per year. That's twice as many visitors as Nagoya Castle gets!
The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens covers a rather large area and includes the zoo, botanical gardens and a small amusement park. The zoo is home to all kinds of animals — reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and more than 125 species of mammals. In 1984, the Higashiyama Zoo became the first to house koalas in Japan, and its koalas are still very popular. The zoo also has a new celebrity, Shabani. He's known around the world now as "the handsome gorilla."
The botanical gardens are quite extensive. One of the popular spots there is the Gassho-style house that was moved there from the Shirakawa-go area. The pond near that house is also quite popular. Photographers go there to take pictures, and artist go there to sketch or paint.
The amusement park is small, so it's not for teens who seek thrills on huge roller coasters. It's perfect for families with small kids. You often see grandparents with little ones on the rides. It's a lovely, old-fashioned way to spend the afternoon.
Finally, just outside the park is the Higashiyama Sky Tower. It is 134 meters high and has an observation deck 100 meters above the ground. The view of the city is especially nice at night, but if you go up to the top before you go to the zoo, you can easily see the whole layout and plan your day.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. How many people visit the zoo each year?
More than two million people do.
2. What animals came to the zoo in 1984?
Koalas did.
3. What is popular with photographers and artists?
The pond (near the Gassho-style house) is.
4. Who would like the amusement park, little kids or teenagers?
Little kids would.
5. Where can you go to get a view of the whole park?
You can g to the top of the HIgashiyama Tower.
LISTENING LAB 0121
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. Where are the Gum Wall and Bob's Java Jive?
2. What does the Mystery Coke Machine look like?
3. Why is it odd for Coke and Pepsi to be sold in the same machine?
4. What do you get when you push one of the "mystery" buttons?
5. What do the people at the locksmith shop say about the machine?
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
The Mystery Coke Machine
Seattle has some unusual attractions, like the Gum Wall, which is a wall covered in chewed gum, and Bob’s Java Jive, which is a bar and restaurant shaped like a giant coffee pot. But there is a much smaller spot that has attracted locals and visitors alike for years. It's the Mystery Coke Machine.
This famous Coke machine sits in front of a locksmith shop on the corner of John Street and 10th Avenue East. It looks like it has been there since the 1970s; it is old and rusting, the buttons are faded, and the price is set at just 75¢. The buttons offer Coke, Mountain Dew, and Pepsi. That's odd in itself because Coke and Pepsi are rivals. But adding to the puzzle are two buttons that say only "mystery." When you insert your coins and push one of the "mystery" buttons, you never know what kind of soda pop you're going to get. It might be Fanta Grape, Barq's Root Beer, or Cherry Coke, but it is never one of the labeled drinks. In fact, sometimes it's Hawaiian Punch or some other non-Coke product.
No one seems to know exactly when the machine arrived, who installed it, who owns it, who refills it or who collects the money. The people who run the locksmith shop deny having anything to do with it. Some people say it's haunted. But that doesn't stop people from stopping to try the Mystery Coke Machine. And it happily accepts their coins and never seems to run out of pop.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. Where are the Gum Wall and Bob's Java Jive?
They are in Seattle.
2. What does the Mystery Coke Machine look like?
It is old and rusting, and the buttons are faded.
3. Why is it odd for Coke and Pepsi to be sold in the same machine?
Because those companies are rivals.
4. What do you get when you push one of the "mystery" buttons?
It's a surprise. It might be Fanta Grape, Barq's Root Beer, or Cherry Coke.
5. What do the people at the locksmith shop say about the machine?
They say they have nothing to do with the machine