Lesson02
yLesson 2z
How to find out whether some has experienced doing something or not
How to describe your hometown briefly
Key Expressions for Lesson 2
Have you ever `?
My hometown is famous for `.
My hometown is known for / as `.
Todayfs Tip: Icebreakers for conversation
One of todayfs key expressions gHave you ever `?h could be an icebreaker for conversation.
For example, you could ask gHave you ever been to Paris?h gHave you ever been to Akihabara electric town?h gHave you ever tried sushi?h gHave you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?h gHave you ever been locked out of your car?h etc.
The key is in knowing how to casually toss out a question without making it seem like an interrogation.
Giving a little information about yourself, letfs say, about your hometown, also could be a great help to get conversational balls bouncing about.
Letfs try the following exercises.
Q: What would you say when you ask someone whether he/she has ever seen giant pandas in Ueno zoo?
A: Have you ever seen giant pandas in Ueno zoo?
Q: What would you say when you ask someone whether he/she has ever eaten tempura?
A: Have you ever eaten tempura?
Q: What would you say when you ask someone whether he/she has ever been to the Tsukiji fish market?
A: Have you ever been to the Tsukiji fish market?
Q: What would you say when you ask someone whether he/she has ever watched Kabuki?
A: Have you ever watched Kabuki?
Q: What would you say when you ask someone whether he/she has ever tried scuba diving?
A: Have you ever tried scuba diving?
Q: Imagine you are from Asakusa in Tokyo. Please describe your hometown.
A: Asakusa is the center of Tokyofs shitamachi, which have preserved a certain atmosphere of the old Tokyo. Itfs famous for Sensonji, a popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century.
Q: Imagine you are from the Ogasawara Islands in Tokyo. Please describe your hometown.
A: The Ogasawara Islands is a habitat of rare animals and plants. Rich in natural assets, itfs known as the gGalapagos of the Orient.h The archipelago was added to UNESCOfs list of World Natural Heritage sites.
Q: Imagine you are from Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture. Please describe your hometown.
A: Attracting many tourists, Hakata is famous for two big festivals: the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival and the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. Hakata is also famous for open-air food stalls lined up along the river on Nakasu Island.
Q: Imagine you are from Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture. Please describe your hometown.
A: Kobe is famous for its Kobe beef and Arima hot spring resort. It is also well known for the night view of the city from mountains such as Mount Rokko and Mount Maya.
Q: Imagine you are from Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture. Please describe your hometown.
A: Hirosaki is famous for the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Hirosaki Park. Also, it is known for its extravagant Neputa Festival, which features colorful illuminated floats and accompanying dancers.