2025/4/12(土)*SMC*

Word of the Day: SM Noro

Good luck/ Good job/ Good call 

Let's learn about the following three common phrases at once.

Because they are often used with a gerund or preposition with.

1       Good luck　（頑張って、幸運を祈る）

1.1      Meaning: You say this to someone before they do something difficult or important.

1.2      Sample sentences

l   Good luck + with something -> Good luck with the test. Good luck with the interview.

l   Good luck + gerund -> Good luck meeting the deadline. Good luck getting along with her. Good luck not falling asleep.

l   We were lucky getting a table at the popular Japanese restaurant.I was lucky with the timing. You were lucky not getting selected. I have no luck with the weather.

2       Good job　（良くやったね、いい仕事したね）

2.1      Meaning: You say this to praise someone for doing something well.

2.2      Sample sentences

l   Good job + with something -> Good job with the presentation.

l   Good job + gerund -> Good job losing weight. Good job finishing the report on time. Good job remembering everyone’s name. Good job explaining your point clearly. Good job not getting lost.

l   You did a really good job getting the big contract. You did a good job getting all your answers right.

3       Good call　（いい判断だね、ナイス判断）

3.1      Meaning: You say this when someone makes a smart or helpful decision.

3.2      Sample sentences

l   Good call + with something -> Good call with the restaurant choice. Good call with the break suggestion during the meeting.

l   Good call + gerund -> Good call bringing an umbrella. Good call not invest in that company. Good call evacuating not using a car.

l   It was a good call leaving early. It was a good call not going to the beach.

Practice

1. (A) _______ organizing the conference last week. Everything ran so smoothly.

(B) _______ with the new partnership—hope it works out well.

2. (A) _______ not reacting emotionally during the meeting.

(B) _______ delivering your points so clearly.

3. (A) _______ with your interview tomorrow!

(B) _______ preparing those detailed notes in advance.

4. (A) _______ spotting that error in the contract.

(B) _______ walking away before signing it.

5. (A) _______ quitting when you felt it wasn’t right anymore.

(B) _______ finding something better so quickly.

6. (A) _______ not choosing that vendor—they turned out to be unreliable.

(B) _______ getting everything done in time anyway.

7. (A) _______ with your presentation today—everyone was impressed.

(B) _______ handling the Q&A with such confidence.

8. (A) _______ trusting your instincts about the situation.

(B) _______ gathering the facts before jumping to conclusions.

9. (A) _______ sticking to the deadline despite all the setbacks.

(B) _______ catching that mistake in the budget file.

10. (A) _______ starting your own business—it’s a bold step.

(B) _______ planning everything so thoroughly.

解答例と解説：

1. (A) Good job（成果） / (B) Good luck（未来への成功を祈る）

2. (A) Good call（冷静な判断） / (B) Good job（明確な説明）

3. (A) Good luck（これから行うこと） / (B) Good job（準備の努力）

4. (A) Good job（エラー発見） / (B) Good call（契約しなかった判断）

5. (A) Good call（辞める判断） / (B) Good job（次を見つけた成果）

6. (A) Good call（※ここは not choosing と逆にすると意味が通ります） / (B) Good job（締切を守った努力）

7. (A) Good job（プレゼンの成果） / (B) Good job（Q&Aの対応力）

8. (A) Good call（直感への信頼） / (B) Good job（情報収集の努力）

9. (A) Good job（期限厳守） / (B) Good job（ミスを見つけたこと）

10. (A) Good luck（新しい挑戦） / (B) Good job（準備の努力）

Lecture: SM Kaneko

Phrasal Verbs 1 

Questions

1 It was nice c   u  w  you! (reconnecting or updating on recent events or news)

2 Let's h  o  again. (spend time together for leisure)

3 She c  a  a  a sincere person. (seemed or appeared to be)

4 She c  o  rude and arrogant. (seemed or appeared in a certain way)

5 No one can f  her o . (understand or comprehend someone's behavior or personality)

6 I'm f  i  f  Lisa today. (substituting or temporarily replacing someone)

7 Can you f me i ? (inform or give details about something that was missed)

8 Your baby is starting to f  o . (gain weight or become fuller in terms of body shape or size)

9 My parents f  o  when they saw my tattoo. (become very upset or reacted emotionally with shock, fear, or anger)

10 I'll g  b  t  you on that. (respond or reply at a later time)

11 Everybody g  u  o  him except his parents. (abandoned or lost hope in someone)

12 How long have you guys been g  o ? (dating or seeing each other romantically)

13 If I were you, I'd g  w  the blue one. (choose or select something)

14 You make a good point. But I have to g  w  her on this one. (agree with or support someone's opinion or decision)

15 G  u , I was quiet and shy. (during one's childhood or as a child while developing into an adult)

16 I p  u some English when I was in L.A. (learned or acquired a skill or language, usually informally)

17 See if you can p  me o  in this picture. (identify or recognize someone or something from a group or image)

18 You should p  o some sunscreen. (apply or wear something, like sunscreen or clothing)

19 I p  o a little weight over the holidays. (gain weight or something that adds to one's body or appearance)

20 Her YouTube channel is really t  o . (becoming successful or gaining popularity rapidly)

Answers

1 It was nice catching up with you! (reconnecting or updating on recent events or news)

2 Let's hang out again. (spend time together for leisure)

3 She came across as a sincere person. (seemed or appeared to be)

4 She came off rude and arrogant. (seemed or appeared in a certain way)

5 No one can figure her out. (understand or comprehend someone's behavior or personality)

6 I'm filling in for Lisa today. (substituting or temporarily replacing someone)

7 Can you fill me in? (inform or give details about something that was missed)

8 Your baby is starting to fill out. (gain weight or become fuller in terms of body shape or size)

9 My parents freaked out when they saw my tattoo. (become very upset or reacted emotionally with shock, fear, or anger)

10 I'll get back to you on that. (respond or reply at a later time)

11 Everybody gave up on him except his parents. (abandoned or lost hope in someone)

12 How long have you guys been going out? (dating or seeing each other romantically)

13 If I were you, I'd go with the blue one. (choose or select something)

14 You make a good point. But I have to go with her on this one. (agree with or support someone's opinion or decision)

15 Growing up, I was quiet and shy. (during one's childhood or as a child while developing into an adult)

16 I picked up some English when I was in L.A. (learned or acquired a skill or language, usually informally)

17 See if you can pick me out in this picture. (identify or recognize someone or something from a group or image)

18 You should put on some sunscreen. (apply or wear something, like sunscreen or clothing)

19 I put on a little weight over the holidays. (gain weight or something that adds to one's body or appearance)

20 Her YouTube channel is really taking off. (becoming successful or gaining popularity rapidly)

参考：『万能英会話フレーズ101』ジュン・セニサック著・アルク刊、ChatGPT

Table Topic Speech

1. What is the most recent dream you remember having while sleeping?

2. What do you love most about yourself?

3. What is your biggest phobia?

4. My favorite world capital city.

5. When was the last time you tried something new?

Prepared Speech

(1) Abraham Lincoln's Early Life: SM Ishimura

Today, I would like to share with you the early life of Abraham Lincoln, a man I deeply respect. His childhood was filled with hardships, but these experiences shaped him into the great leader he became.

Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in a small log house in Kentucky. His family was poor, and life was difficult. His mother, Nancy Lincoln, was a kind and gentle woman who taught him to be honest and good. However, when Lincoln was just nine years old, his mother became ill. Unfortunately, there were no doctors or medicine nearby, and she passed away. This was a devastating moment for young Lincoln.

During his darkest days, his stepmother, Sarah Johnston, played an important role in his life. She was kind and supportive. She saw that Lincoln was different from other children—he had a great passion for reading and learning. She encouraged him to study, even though books were not easy to find.

Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, was a strong and hardworking man. He taught his son the value of perseverance. Since books were scarce in their home, Lincoln often walked long distances to borrow books so he could continue his education. He loved reading and learning, despite the challenges he faced.

These early experiences shaped Lincoln into a determined and intelligent man. His love for knowledge and his strong values helped him become one of the greatest leaders in American

Lincoln is most remembered for his leadership during the Civil War and his fight to end slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Lincoln in 1863, declared that all slaves in Confederate states were free. This was a significant step towards justice and equality, and it showed Lincoln's strong commitment to human rights.

One of his most famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address, is a symbol of his vision for a united nation. In just 272 words, Lincoln emphasized the principles of democracy and the importance of preserving the nation "of the people, by the people, for the people."

Sadly, Lincoln's life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1865. However, his legacy lives on. He is remembered not only for his political achievements but also for his honesty, humility, and dedication to justice.

Abraham Lincoln's life teaches us valuable lessons: the power of perseverance, the importance of justice, and the courage to lead in difficult times. He inspires us to strive for a better world.

(2) An annual reunion: SM Yoko Narisawa

 I went to my hometown in Ibaraki Prefecture on April 1st to take part in あじさい会, which consists of 6 members including myself. The six of us went to the same school from elementary through high school. We are very old friends. We named our group “ あじさい会 ”, which started 27 years ago. Since then, we have held あじさい会 without fail. We’ve taken trips to many places such as Karuizawa, Kanazawa, and Atami. We take turns being in charge of organizing the gathering. This time, the member in charge invited us to her house to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in her garden. All of us gladly agreed.

 Four of us live in Ibaraki and the remaining two live in Chiba and Kanagawa. We met at the station near her house. Before heading there, we had lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. The owner was very friendly, and the place had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We fully enjoyed the creative cuisine at a reasonable price.

 After that, we went to her house. Her husband welcomed us warmly. He is one year older than us and all of us know him because we went to the same elementary and junior high schools. However I hadn’t seen him since their wedding ceremony. He looked like a mature adult - it made me realize just how much time had passed. He said, “ please take your time,” and returned to his room.

 In her garden, there is a cherry tree which was planted 27 years ago, along with various kinds of flowers. It is a very large garden, and it is lovingly maintained. Unfortunately, it was rainy on April 1st. But we were still able to enjoy the cherry blossoms through the window of her room. The view from the window was like a beautiful painting.

 Our conversation was also in full bloom. Time flew by as we reminisced about our childhood, past trips and shared updates about our lives. We had a wonderful time.

 あじさい会 started 27 years ago on a whim, at my suggestion. None of us imagined it would last this long. Now it has become an indispensable event. We are planning to go to Kamakura next year.

 On the way back, I stayed at my daughter’s apartment in Tokyo. I showed her a picture of us from 22 years ago, alongside one from the other day. She said she could feel the history through photos. It was exactly as she said. In the older photo, everyone looked so young, and all of us had black hair. But even now, we are still young at heart.

 I hope our reunion continues for many more years to come.

(3) Forbidden and Forgotten: SM Eda

Meeting Schedule

In-person: 9:30 AM on Apr. 26 at Oyama Community Center (small conference room)

(Coordinator:SM. Eda, Word of the Day:SM. Koizumi, Lecturer:SM. Ishimura)

Zoom: 7:30 PM on Apr. 14 and 21