2024/10/26(土)SMC
Word of the Day: SM Takahata
“beat”
[verb]
[vt]
(1) to get the most points, votes etc. in a game, race or competition
- The Dodgers beat the Mets for NL pennant, will meet the Yankees in World Series.
(2) to be much better or more enjoyable than other activities or
experiences
-You can’t beat a cold beer on a hot afternoon.
(3) to hit repeatedly
-They saw him beating his dog with his stick.
(4) to mix food with a fast circular motion
-Lightly beat a raw egg in a bowl, and season it with soy sauce.
[vi]
(5) to make a regular movement or sound
- My heart is beating weakly.
[adjective]
(1) extremely tired
-You’ve been working too hard – you look dead beat.
[noun]
(1) a regular movement or sound, especially that made by your heart
- I could hear my heart beat clearly in the silent room.
(2) the main rhythm that a piece of music or a poem has
- a song with a beat that you can dance to
(3) an area for which someone, such as a police officer, has
responsibility as part of their job
-Bob has worked as an officer on this particular beat for 20 years.
[Idioms, phrasal verbs and slang]
(1) I’m going to beat you up.
= to (h ) you badly by hitting or kicking repeatedly
(2) It beats me.
= I don’t (k ).
(3) This movie is beat. Let’s go out of here.
= (b )
(4) Stop bothering me. Beat it!
= ( ) out of here.
(5) Multilingual people who can switch languages without (m ) a beat are impressive.
= without any mistakes or failures
(6) Don’t beat around the (b ). Go to the point.
= to avoid talking about what is important
(7) He keeps trying to get it published but I think he is beating a dead (h ).
= to waste effort on something when there’s no chance of succeeding
Answer: (1) hurt (2) know (3) boring (4) Get (5) missing (6) bush (7) horse
Lecture: SM Yoko Narisawa
Fill in the blank with a word that describes a part of the body.
1. It’s none of your business, so just keep your ( ) out of it.
It’s none of your business, so don’t become involved in it.
2. She didn’t want to go to the party, but her friends twisted her ( ).
Her friends persuaded or forced her to go to the party against her initial will.
3. He’s really wet behind the ( ) when it comes to managing a team.
He is inexperienced or naive when it comes to managing a team.
4. They closed their ( ) to the mistakes he made during the presentation.
They intentionally ignored or overlooked his mistakes.
5. She got cold ( ) and canceled the wedding at the last minute.
She got nervous or afraid and backed out of the wedding just before it happened.
6. It’s important to put your best ( ) forward during a job interview.
It’s important to make a great first impression and show your best qualities during a job interview.
7. He’s always sticking his ( ) out for his colleagues.
He’s always taking risks or going out of his way to help his colleagues.
8. I didn’t mean it! I just made a slip of the ( ).
I didn’t mean it! I just said it by mistake.
9. If we put our ( ) to the wheel, we’ll be able to finish the job soon.
If we start to work hard, we’ll be able to finish the job soon.
10 He needs to get something off his ( ), or the stress will overwhelm him.
He needs to talk about something that’s bothering him, or it will continue to weigh on him emotionally.
11 They’re really getting under my ( ) with their constant complaints.
Their constant complaints are starting to annoy or bother me a lot.
12 The manager kept an ( ) to the ground for any updates on the situation.
The manager remained alert and listened carefully for any news or developments.
13 You took the words right out of my ( ).
You said something that I was just about to say or was thinking.
14 She was determined to keep a stiff upper ( ) throughout the difficult time.
She remained brave and stoic, not showing her emotions during a tough situation.
15 The house has changed ( ) three times in the last two years.
The house has belonged to someone else three times in the last two years.
16 He just watches TV and never lifts a ( ) to help with the dishes.
He just watches TV and never makes any effort to help with the dishes.
< Answer >
1. nose 2. arm 3. ears 4. eyes 5. feet 6. foot 7. neck 8. tongue
9. shoulders 10. chest 11. skin 12. ear 13. mouth 14. lip 15. hands
16. finger
Table Topic Speech
(1) When you look into the past, what do you miss the moment?
(2) What's your greatest challenge?
(3) My biggest concern for the future is...
(4) What is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?
(5) If we were an animal, I would be...
(6) Have you ever regretted something you did not say or do?
(7) What's your earliest childhood memory?
Prepared Speech
(1) Do you know about ICAN?: SM Koizui
ICAN stands for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. They won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, and this year, a Japanese group called Hidankyo also won it. Congratulations to them!
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo for their work against nuclear weapons. The chair of the Nobel Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, said the prize is important because the "taboo against nuclear weapons is being challenged." The award ceremony will be in Oslo, Norway, on December 10.
Beatrice Fihn, who was the leader of ICAN when they won the Nobel Prize, said she felt very emotional about Hidankyo winning. "We are partners in this fight," she said. The survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki understand nuclear weapons better than anyone, knowing what it feels like, looks like, and even smells like when a city is destroyed by a nuclear bomb.
I want to tell you how powerful nuclear energy is. According to Einstein’s equation E = mc², a very small amount of mass can create a huge amount of energy. Only 0.7 grams was enough to cause the destruction in Hiroshima. Nuclear power is beyond what we can imagine.
This year’s prize was awarded while terrible wars are happening in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. I can’t do anything big for the Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, but I can say this: "I wish for a world of peace without nuclear weapons or war."
(2) Book that have touched my heart recently -Tuesdays with Morrie -: SM Kakisu
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is a memoir about the author’s reconnection with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is terminally ill with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). After seeing Morrie on a television interview, Mitch decides to visit him, and they begin meeting every Tuesday, just as they did during Mitch’s college years.Each Tuesday, they discuss important life topics such as love, work, family, aging, forgiveness, and death. Morrie, facing his own mortality, shares his wisdom and reflections on life, encouraging Mitch to rethink his own values and priorities.Through their conversations, Mitch learns valuable lessons on how to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life, and the memoir emphasizes the importance of human connection, love, and the acceptance of life’s impermanence. It’s a touching exploration of what really matters in life, told through the lens of a mentor-student relationship.
(3) My Junior High Days: SM Kaneko
While gardening recently, I heard the school song from my junior high, located about 300 meters away. Hearing it for the first time in over 50 years, along with radio gymnastic music, made me recall those days. I was on the handball team, which I chose for its blend of soccer and basketball. However, I'm unsure if I fully enjoyed it.
Musically, I got into The Beatles in 1970 when they disbanded. A friend of my brother’s introduced their records, and I became a fan, especially of songs like Help! and Yesterday. I also enjoyed Simon & Garfunkel's hits like The Sound of Silence.
I often cycled to the Sagami River to fish near Takadabashi or Showabashi bridges, aiming for the beautiful Oikawa or Yamabe. Seeing those fish, especially while swimming in my elementary years, left a vivid impression. My mom grilled the fish with salt, and they tasted delicious!
(4) The Worldship Orchestra: SM Ishimura
The Worldship Orchestra is a musical organization composed primarily of young musicians, such as university students, many of whom are studying or have completed studies in music. The orchestra is known for its performances both in Japan and internationally, focusing on creating cultural connections and sharing music across borders. Their activities often include concerts in traditional venues as well as in more unique or underserved locations, such as schools and hospitals, reaching a diverse audience.
In addition to regular performances, the orchestra participates in international tours. The members, usually young and passionate musicians, are not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to contributing to society and spreading the joy of music to people from all walks of life. The Worldship Orchestra fosters a spirit of collaboration and communication through music, encouraging its members to grow both as performers and global citizens.
My granddaughter, a senior at a university in Kobe, is a member of the Worldship Orchestra and plays wind instr:uments. The Worldship Orchestra believes that many children around the world are still unfamiliar with names like Beethoven or the shape of a violin. Yet, the power of listening to and learning music can greatly enrich a person's life. As ambassadors of musical inspiration, they aim to create opportunities for as many children as possible to participate in orchestral education.
Recently, the Tokyo performance of the Worldship Orchestra was held in Chofu, and my spouse and I were invited by our granddaughter to enjoy their wonderful performance. This year, the orchestra also performed overseas in Cambodia. Through this, I have come to understand that there are many ways to contribute to underprivileged children around the world.
(5) Mr. Kashima, the most peculiar but outstanding English teacher ever: SM Kei Narisawa
Mr. Kashima was an extraordinary English teacher at Kunitachi High School before becoming a college professor after retirement. Though I initially didn’t think much of him, a chance encounter at a Speechcraft event changed my view. He encouraged me to participate, and through my involvement, I realized he was an outstanding English speaker and teacher.
Mr. Kashima’s teaching style was unique—he gave his first lessons entirely in English to emphasize its importance. His humor also stood out, once jokingly pronouncing “rika” (science) with an English accent to teach pronunciation.
He was a lifelong learner, earning a Fulbright Scholarship to study in America, where he gained an authentic American accent. Always curious, he stayed up-to-date with new trends, embodying the spirit of a true scholar.
Meeting Schedule
In-person: 9:30 AM on Nov. 9 at Seishin Community Center (tea room)
(Coordinator: SM Takahata, Word of the Day: SM Kei Narisawa, Lecturer: SM Eda)
Zoom: 7:30 PM on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4
