2023/9/9(土)☆SMC

President's Remark: SM Kei Narisawa

He pressed the point of how important to use English to communicate not only with native English speakers but people of different nationalities. How wonderful it is to get connected to people from aboard by using a global language, English! This is the gist of what he talked.

Word of the Day: SM Yoko Narisawa

[ care ]

1. < verb > meanings and example sentences

A) to feel interested in something or worried about it

* She cares a lot about her appearance.

* All he cares about is money.

B) I don’t care ~

used to say that something is not at all important to me

* I don’t care a bit what other people say.

* I don’t care either way.

C) to be concerned about what happens to someone, because you like or love them

* I only worry about him because I care about him.

D) Would you care for something?

used to ask if someone would like to have something

* Would you care for more coffee?

E) Would you care to do something?

to ask someone politely whether they want to do something

* Would you care to join me?

* If you care to come, you will be welcome.

[ idiomatic expressions ]

< Who cares ? >

used to emphasize that you don’t think something is important

* It’s rather old and scruffy, but who cares?

< couldn’t care less >

to say that someone does not feel interested in something at all

* You couldn’t care less about my problems.

< for all someone cares >

to say that someone does not feel interested in something at all

* We could be starving for all they care.

2. < noun > meanings and example sentences

A)

* Drive with care. = carefully

* See you soon, Bob --- take care!

=used when saying goodbye to someone

* My parents take care of my dog while we’re away. = to be responsible for protecting

* Take care not to break it. = pay attention in order to avoid problems

* She forgot all her cares. = something that worries her

B) to look after someone

* The patient requires constant care.

* She is under the care of Dr. May.

[ idiomatic expressions ]

< care of A > ( c / o )

used when sending letters to someone at someone else’s address

Mr. A c / o Mr. B

* Send me the letter care of my uncle.

< take care >

used when saying goodbye to family and friends

* Take care! See you next week!

to be careful

* Take care when driving in icy conditions.

< take care of A >

to look after someone or something

* Take good care of yourself.

to deal with all the necessary work, arrangements etc

* Her secretary always took care of the details.

to pay for something --- to offer to handle the payment of something

* We’ll take care of the fees.

Lecture: SM Noro

Inversion and conditionals

Do you know how to use inversion in conditional sentences? Test what you know with the following exercises and read the explanation to help you. Look at these examples to see how we can create conditionals with inversion.

l Should you have any questions, I will be happy to help. Were they to sell their house today, they would make a huge profit on it. I would've taken you out for lunch had I known you were in town.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first sentence, using 'should', 'had' or 'were'. Use two or three words in each gap.

1. If you need any assistance, please contact me.

( ) need any assistance, please contact me.

2. Our prices are already very competitive. If we lowered them any further, we would not make a profit. Our prices are already very competitive. ( ) lower them any further, we would not make a profit.

3. If I had realized the consequences, I would never have taken that decision.

( ) realized the consequences, I would never have taken that decision.

4. If we hadn't helped each other, we wouldn't have finished the work in time.

( ) helped each other, we wouldn't have finished the work in time.

5. The helpline operates 24 hours a day if anyone requires technical support.

The helpline operates 24 hours a day, ( ) technical support.

6. If I am accepted into the training program, I will study extremely hard.

( ) accepted into the training program, I will study extremely hard.

7. What would Leonardo da Vinci think about modern technology if he were alive right now?

What would Leonardo da Vinci think about modern technology ( ) alive right now?

8. I had no idea it was your birthday! I would have got you something if I'd known.

I had no idea it was your birthday! I would have got you something ( ) known.

Grammar explanation

We use conditionals to describe the result of a condition. Often, we use if to introduce the condition (e.g.If you feel hot,) and the main clause to give the result (...feel free to switch on the aircon).

Conditional sentences can also be created without if, using inversion. Inversion means reversing (inverting) the normal subject–verb word order in a sentence. This makes the sentence more formal.

Three types of conditionals can be formed using inversion: first, second and third conditionals.

First conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about future situations we believe are possible.

l Marker pens are in the cupboard if you ever need one. If a customer wishes to cancel their booking, they should notify us within seven days.

To invert first conditional sentences, we replace if with the auxiliary verb should and change the verb into the infinitive. This makes the situation seem a little less likely. It is often used to make a polite request or offer.

l Marker pens are in the cupboard should you ever need one. Should a customer wish to cancel their booking, they should notify us within seven days.

Second conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about situations that we consider unlikely or impossible in reality.

l How would the environment be affected if everyone reduced their meat consumption? If the Sun disappeared, Earth would no longer be able to support life.

To invert second conditional sentences, we replace if with were and change the verb form to to + infinitive.

l How would the environment be affected were everyone to reduce their meat consumption? Were the Sun to disappear, Earth would no longer be able to support life.

Note that if a second conditional sentence uses the verb be, we don't need the infinitive for the inverted version. We just replace the existing form of be with were, and invert the subject and verb.

l If California were a country, it would be one of the world's largest economies. Were California a country, it would be one of the world's largest economies.

Third conditional

The third conditional is used to imagine a change in a past situation and how things would have been different in the past as a result.

l If we had lost that match, it would've been a disaster. We would have fixed that problem by now if we'd known about it earlier.

To invert third conditional sentences, we remove if and invert the subject and the auxiliary verb had

l Had we lost that match, it would've been a disaster. We would have fixed that problem by now had we known about it earlier.

Negative inverted conditionals

To make negative inverted conditionals, we put not after the subject.

l Should you not consent to sharing this information, you may inform our company at any time. (= If you don't consent …) Were I not good at maths, I'd find this homework very challenging. (= If I wasn't good at maths …) Had I not been busy this morning, I would have attended the meeting. (= If I hadn't been busy …)

(The rest is omitted)

Table Topic Speech

1) The worst chores at home

2) Three things I'd change if I ruled the world

3) When was the last time you tried soemthing new?

4) What is your faborite animal

5) If you could live one day of your life over again, what day would you choose?

6) What makes you smile?

7) Why sports are important?

Prepared Speech

1) I love you: SM Kei Narisawa

He talked about how difficult to convey your words of love even to your wife or son, the closest people to you. He cited two episodes that actually happened to him. We better not refrain from using a three-word phrase, 'I love you', if we don't want to repent not saying that phrase.

2) Manufacturing and Craftsmanship Festival 2023: SM Kakisu

The purpose of the Festival was showcase the appeal of traditional craftsmanship and their skills and techniques. This year, it was held at the Tokyo International Forum for three days on August 4th, 5th and 6th. JESO exhibited at this event for the first time.

At the 5m x 5m exhibition booth allocated to JESO, we exhibited and sold newly developed “karakuri”,contraptions, learning materials, centering on the experience of assembling a robot hand.

Since the venue was a one minute walk from Yurakucho Station and was during summer vacation, many people, including families and foreigners, visited the event every day. At our booth, children enjoyed the experience of assembling a robot hand. There was also a great deal of interest in the display of karakuri learning materials. It was a very busy three days, but I would like to report that it was a meaningful and valuable experience for the person in charge.

Due to space limitations, the "robot hand assembly" experience was limited to 16 people at a time, and we prepared materials for a total of 96 people over three days, in the morning and afternoon each. Half of the participants made reservations in advance using the Internet, and the remaining half were accepted on the day. However, since the advance reservation reached the capacity early, there was a long line at the reception on the day. We sold a variety of robot hand craft kits to those who could not experience the hands-on experience and those who wanted to make their own at home.

More people than expected came to the event. By showing the robot hands, robobirds, and karakuri clocks in front of the booth, we were able to get them more interested.

I could tell that both children and adults were very interested in the biological movements of these contraptions. Also, there were many people who wanted to try making trial kits at home, but we were unable to prepare enough kits. After the festival ended, we received several inquiries from people asking if they would like to have a similar experience in their local area. It was impressive to see everyone completing the experience and taking it home with smiles on their faces. As an exhibitor, I was so tired from standing all day, but I was even more energized by seeing the children's joy and it was a fulfilling time. I hope this experience will help me make the next year's exhibition much better if I have another opportunity.

3) My first try to use smartphone payment: SM Takahata

The speaker talked about the story about how she started to use smartphone payment. She had hesitated to use it for a long time because of security concerns, such as loss and fraudulent use. However, the Kanagawa Pay Campaign provided by Kanagawa Prefecture, an attractive point-back campaign, made her mind change. She said that once she tried it, she found smartphone payment is indeed convenient. She really felt that we no longer live in an era where we need to carry a heavy wallet with cash and cards.

Meeting Schedule

In-person: 9:30 AM on Sep. 23 at Oyama Community Center (tea room)

Coordinator: SM Yoko Narisawa, Word of the Day: SM Kei Narisawa, Lecturer: SM Takahata)

Zoom: 7:30 PM on Sep.11, 18, 25