2021/02/27(土)SMC
Hi everyone !
Let me report the minutes of the online meeting held on Feb. 27.
For the opening remarks, the President took up a novel of a love story between a shy boy and a pretty blind girl. The love story features “compassion”, he said. The title of the book is “Black Sunday”. He strongly recommended us to read the book.
SM K. Narisawa and SM Kaneko served as the Coordinator and the Lecturer respectively.
Lecturer
Question (The first letter and length of underline are hints.)
definition by Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5th Edition
examples from the same source above
confiscate
to officially take private property away from someone, usually as a punishment
Miss Williams confiscated all our sweets.
Many opposition supporters had their goods confiscated.
usurp
formal
to take someone else’s power, position, job etc when you do not have the right to
There were a couple of attempts to usurp the young king.
forfeit
to lose a right, position, possession etc or have it taken away from you because you have
broken a law or rule
By being absent from the trial, he forfeited the right to appeal.
She was fined ￡3,000 and ordered to forfeit her car.
counterfeit
to copy something exactly in order to deceive people SYNONYM fake
They admitted counterfeiting documents.
smuggle
1 to take something or someone illegally from one country to another
The guns were smuggled across the border.
Illegal immigrants are smuggled into the country by boat.
2 informal
to take something or someone secretly to a place where they are not allowed to be
He smuggled his notes into the exam.
sponge
informal
to get money, free meals etc from other people, without doing anything for them – used
to show disapproval
These people are just sponging off the taxpayers.
rip off
1 to charge someone too much money for something SYNONYM overcharge
The agency really ripped us off.
2 to steal something
Somebody had come in and ripped off the TV and stereo.
3 to take words, ideas etc from someone else’s work and use them in your own work as if they were your own ideas SYNONYM plagiarize
swear in [usually passive]
if someone with a new public job or position is sworn in, they make an official promise to do their duty well
The new governor will be sworn in next week.
The jury have not yet been sworn in.
prevail
if a person, idea, or principle prevails in a fight, argument etc, they are successful in the end
Justice will prevail.
He considered lying, but then common sense prevailed.
Your inner strength will enable you to prevail over life’s obstacles.
Table Topic Speech
“If I could grant you one wish what would you wish for?” (Yu. Narisawa)
The speaker said that he would wish for having a Docodemo Door, or Anywhere Door. One needs to say where they want to go going, then they can open the door and go through it to reach their destination.(From the internet)
In this connection, the Coordinator supported his idea by using the idiom “speak volumes”. The minister’s expression spoke volumes for the toughness of the negotiations. (Genius Dictionary)
SM Takahata recalled her memories about her farther who passed way recently. SM Yamazaki mentioned similar sentimental feelings about his mother who passed away when he was 13 years old, saying that he would have good pleasant conversations with her.
“When you close your eyes, what do you see?”(Yo. Narisawa)
The speaker talked about her students at the elementary school that she works for. In her speech she brought up her desire to teach every single student with different natural abilities more efficiently so that they can be motivated accordingly. SM Noro said that what was on his mind at that moment was a happy dinner. He habitually takes two meals a day, skipping lunch.
"When was the last time you tried something new?" (SM Takahata)
The speaker said that she has started playing golf as she was invited by her husband. The Coordinator said that starting something new means something like exploring unknown territory.
“What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?” (SM Kaneko)
The speaker said that good news such as the Olympic hopeful of Ms. Ikee Rikako’s comeback after overcoming leukemia. The Coordinator quoted an idiom of “down in the dumps”.
“down in the dumps”: (informal) very sad and without much interest in life.
She’s feeling a bit down in the dumps. If you're feeling down in the dumps, come over and have a chat.(From the internet)
“Why do we idolize sports players?”(SM. Noro)
The speaker said that in his view sports players are idolized by the people who support specific sports players sharing information about the players and their relevant issues. In response, the Coordinator raised a question that some people might voice an opinion that sports players can become idolized with strong admiration or respect because of their gifted abilities.
SM Yu. Narisawa raised another viewpoints, saying that the media are likely to be enthusiastic about praising hopeful athletes sky high (maybe for business reasons).
“Have you done anything lately worth remembering?”(K. Narisawa)
The speaker said in a humble way that he did nothing worth remembering.
Looking back past his days, he raised YouTube contents that were very entertaining, instrumental and educational. He also mentioned that for pleasure seekers, YouTube provides us tremendous enjoyment. In connection with the concept, SM Noro mentioned that good qualities determine the quality of life.
What is your biggest pet peeve? (Yu. Narisawa)
The speaker mentioned the relationship with someone close to him.
His desire is just to live peacefully, he said in a joking way.
“When you are 80 years old, what will matter to you the most?” (SM Yamazaki)
The speaker mentioned someone close to him, saying that for him the person can be described as a negative example of a person in one’s 80s. He said that living itself in a miracle from the viewpoints of science. He said he wishes for having a desire to live with a mindset of appreciation for just living.
His desire for the future at around the age of 80 years old is to have a perception of staying far away from being materialistic.
Next meeting
Mar.13 (Sat.)
Oyama Community Center
Coordinator: SM Yamazaki, Lecturer: SM Yo. Narisawa
The meeting is scheduled to be held at Oyama Community Center. However, the venue might still be closed due to the pandemic. In that case, Zoom meeting is to be held. So please pay attention to the notice in advance. Regarding the meeting in person at Oyama Community Center, be sure to make preparations for “Prepared Speech”.
Reported by YAMAZAKI