2025/8/23(土)*SMC*

Lecture

(1) IDIOMS: SM Noro

1. ‘Was Helen pleased about getting that job?’ ‘Pleased? She was _____________!’

2. The deal with the house fell through so I'm afraid we're __________________.

3. The teacher suspected that there had been some _____________ going on while she was out of the room.

4. All the drinks were __________________, which was lucky because I was broke.

5. Can you untangle this thread for me? I'm ______________ today.

6. ______________________! Your car isn't even scratched!

7. Marcia has taught her children to _______________ when it comes to cleaning up after meals.

8. I'm ______________ - tell us what they had to say.

9. He didn't want to get into a fight, so he decided to ____________________.

10. He never spoke about his son's disappearance and friends said that he died of ___________________.

11. I'm meeting her parents tonight, and I have a bad case of _______________________.

12. I'd love to buy a Porsche, but they ______________________.

13. The exam was not hard at all, it was a __________________.

14. His youngest daughter was the ___________________.

15. So who __________________ about her affair with David?

16. Sylvia had passed her exams _________________.

17. My flat-mate is _____________________ when he is listening to bad music loudly.

18. If you have _____________________, you’re good at making plants grow.

19. Dad will ________________ when he finds out I dented the car.

20. The name _________________ but I couldn't remember where I had heard it before.

21. I was __________________ to be invited to Noah’s party. Coldplay will play.

22. Don't forget to take your umbrella - it's ________________________ out there.

23. This bike is __________________ but it's still in good condition.

apple of his eye/  on the house /  on cloud nine/  butterflies in my stomach

back to square one/  all thumbs/  all ears/  hit the roof

cost an arm and a leg/  a green thumb/  keep your shirt on/  a broken heart

a piece of cake/  with flying colors/  rang a bell/  tickled pink

raining cats and dogs/  second-hand/  monkey business/  lend a hand

button his lip/  spilled the beans/  driving me up the wall

Answers

1. "Was Helen pleased about getting that job?" "Pleased? She was on cloud nine!"

2. The deal with the house fell through so I'm afraid we're back to square one.

3. The teacher suspected that there had been some monkey business going on while she was out of the

room.

4. All the drinks were on the house.

5. Can you untangle this thread for me? I'm all thumbs today.

6. Keep your shirt on! Your car isn't even scratched!

7. Marcia has taught her children to lend a hand when it comes to cleaning up after meals.

8. I'm all ears - tell us what they had to say.

9. He didn't want to get into a fight, so he decided to button his lip.

10. He never spoke about his son's disappearance and friends said that he died of a broken heart.

11. I'm meeting her parents tonight, and I have a bad case of butterflies in my stomach.

12. I'd love to buy a Porsche, but they cost an arm and a leg.

13. The exam was a piece of cake.

14. His youngest daughter was the apple of his eye.

15. So who spilled the beans about her affair with David?

16. Sylvia had passed her exams with flying colors.

17. My flat-mate is driving me up the wall when he is listening to bad music loudly.

18. If you have a green thumb, you’re good at making plants grow.

19. Dad will hit the roof when he finds out I dented the car.

20. The name rang a bell but I couldn't remember where I had heard it before.

21. I was tickled pink to be invited.

22. Don't forget to take your umbrella - it's raining cats and dogs out there.

23. This bike is second-hand but it's still in good condition.

(2) Fill-in-the-blank question: SM Takahata

(1) A: Hey, you look really ^*1 (w    ) out. Is everything OK?

B: Not exactly. I’ve been pressed with work these days.

A: If you ever need a ^*2 (s        ) to lean on, I’m here for you. 

*1: = to be very tired

    =（疲れ切っている）

*2: = someone you can always talk to about your problems = (悩みを聞いてくれる人)

(2) A: The governor ^*1 took a (b     ) in the press again. That’s because of the fallout from the election scandal.

B: He is ² (double-f    d), ³ talking out of both sides of his (m     ). 

*1:= to get harsh criticism

 = (たたかれる)

*2:= unfaithful = (偽善的な、不誠実な)

*3:= to give completely different advice or opinions about something in different situations = (二枚舌を使う)

(3) A: I’m so tired. My legs ^*1 feel like (l    ).

B: Me, too. Are you hungry?

A: Yes. I’m starving. Want to ^*2 grab some (g   ) before heading home?

B: I suggest pizza.

A: ^*3 I’ll (s      ) that.

 *1: = My legs are exhausted.

= (足が疲れて棒のようだ)

*2: = to go for a bite = (軽く食べる)

*3: = I agree with you. = (賛成です)

(4)A: I’m eager to work overseas, but I’m not sure if I can ^*1 get the (n  ).

B: ^*2 Don’t (s      ) it! Your excellent command of English is sure to ^*3 tip the (s     s) in your favor.

*1: = to receive permission from someone to start something

 = (承認される)

*2: = Take it easy. = (心配するな)

*3: = to give an advantage to you = (有利に働く)

(5)My 70-year-old grandfather didn’t ¹ (t    ) up tennis until he was 55, but he ² (c      ) on fairly and quickly and has won a lot of senior tournaments.

 *1:= to start = (始める)

*2: = to understand and realize something= (呑み込みが早い)

(6) When a passenger got on the bus and handed over a large bill to buy a ticket, the driver said,

“^*1 (      ) fare, please.”

*1: = Please have (e    ) change ready. = (お釣り無しでお願いします)

(7) Serving expensive French cuisine to these children is like ^*1 casting (p     ) before swine.

*1: = wasting good things on those who can’t appreciate them

= (猫に小判)

(8) My father started learning the ukulele about a year ago. Since then, he has ^*1 made a lot of (h      ) and now he can play some Hawaiian songs. 

*1: = to make progress

  = (前進する、はかどる)

Answer

(1) *1 worn *2 shoulder (2) *1 beating *2 double-faced *3 mouth

(3) *1 lead *2 grub *3 second (4) *1 nod *2 sweat *3 scales

(5) *1 take *2 caught (6) *1 Exact (7) *1 pearls (8) *1 headway

Table Topic Speech

(1) When does scilence convey more meaning than words?

(2) What is the number one solution to healing the worl?

(3) When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?

(4) If a doctor gave five years to live, what would you try to accomplish?

(5) What do you want most?

(6) When you help someone do you ever think, "What is in it for me?"

(7) What do you love to do?

(8) What do you do to deliberately impress others?

Prepared Speech

(1) Anpan: SM Eda

(2) Tea Room or Cooking Practice Room

Good afternoon, everyone. Today, I’d like to make a short announcement about our room arrangements at Oyama Public Hall.

As you know, we usually follow a priority order when choosing rooms:First, the Small Conference Room, second, the Medium Conference Room, and third, the Tea Room.

For our meeting on September 27th, after the next one on September 13th, I originally thought only the Tea Room was available. However, while checking the Sagamihara Network System, I found that the Cooking Practice Room was also free.

I considered this carefully. The Tea Room requires us to sit on the tatami floor, which can be uncomfortable for some members, even with a cushion. In contrast, the Cooking Practice Room has stools—without backrests, but still easier for sitting.

So, I suggested that we use the Cooking Practice Room on September 27th, and we have decided to do so.

Whether in the Tea Room or the Cooking Practice Room, one thing remains the same—we will enjoy practicing English together.

Thank you very much.

(3) Mottainai: SM Kei Narisawa

The Japanese word mottainai is considered one of the most difficult words to translate into English. The

reason is clear: there is no single English word that conveys exactly the same meaning. You might say 

waste is the closest. Yes, indeed. But strictly speaking, mottainai carries the sense of throwing away things that could still be used, whereas waste refers to the end result. It doesn’t imply whether the items were 

still usable or not. Let me give you some examples.

There are two types of disposable lighters. One is the traditional lighter with a flint, and the other is an 

electronic lighter. Each has its merits and drawbacks. In the case of the flint lighter, the flint often gets 

used up before the gas. On the other hand, in electronic lighters, the gas tends to run out even though the spark still works. Now, what if you combine the two? One lighter that no longer has a flint and another 

that no longer has gas. With a little ingenuity, you can put those two lighters back to use. (demonstration) This is mottainai in action. And then, of course, smoking itself is a glaring waste of money, isn’t it?

You probably also have several AC adapters at home that you no longer use radio adapters, computer 

adapters, adapters for various electric appliances. The radios may be broken, or the appliances 

themselves discarded, but the adapters remain. People are often tempted to use an adapter for a 

different appliance but hesitate because of compatibility issues. It may not cause harm, but who can 

guarantee it won’t lead to a fire?

Finally, let me talk about the untapped resources we have at hand. You may be satisfied with your 

personal growth. Every day you feel happy when you communicate in English. But if you use your English ability in a different setting, such as a cultural center, it will take you to a whole new level. Make use of 

your ability. Make use of the untapped resources of older people. How mottainai it is to use your English 

ability only within the four walls of the Oyama Community Center!

(4) Peace: SM Koizumi

This year marks the 80th peace ceremony since the end of World War II.　Until recently, I hadn’t thought seriously about peace. But by watching the ceremonies in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Tokyo, I began to reflect more deeply.　I was born after the war and had no experience of it. My father, born in 1919, lived through it, but he never told me his story. Now I regret not asking him.

 So, what is peace?　Peace is not only the absence of war but also the presence of dignity, safety, and respect among people.

   On a personal level, peace is calm inside.

On a community level, it is solving problems with dialogue.

On a global level, it is nations choosing cooperation over violence.

 Among these, global peace is the most important.

 This year, I was moved by voices at the peace ceremonies:

Children said, “We will build peace by carrying on the will of the hibakusha.”

The Hiroshima Mayor said, “A world without nuclear weapons demands our never-give-up spirit.”

The Nagasaki Mayor said, “No more Hiroshima. No more Nagasaki. No more War.”

 I was also touched when the rebuilt bell of Urakami Cathedral, gifted by American Catholics, rang together with its twin bell. It symbolized peace and reconciliation.

I also remember how important dotoku (moral education) was in my childhood for shaping people’s common sense in Japan. I regret and worry that dotoku was removed from elementary school education. Now, I believe that peace education—like that practiced in Hiroshima’s elementary schools—is vitally important for children everywhere.

I believe peace education is one of the strongest foundations for building lasting global peace.

One for Peace.   Peace for One.

(5) My Journey with English: A Lifelong Adventure: SM Ishimura

It’s a pleasure to stand before you today. My name is Ishimura, and I’m 82 years old. Some people may think that learning a new language at my age is unusual—but for me, English is not just a language. It’s a bridge to the world, a key to history, and a way to keep my mind and heart young.

I joined this English club because I wanted to continue learning—not only vocabulary and grammar, but also the stories and wisdom behind the words. Through English, I’ve discovered new perspectives on world history, culture, and even daily life. Every phrase I learn feels like opening a small window to another part of the world.

At my age, people often ask me, “What keeps you going?” My answer is simple: curiosity and connection. I want to live to be 100—not just for myself, but so I can continue sharing moments like this, learning together, and hopefully never becoming a burden to others. I believe that staying active, both physically and mentally, is the secret to a long and meaningful life.

I also find joy in small routines—watering my plants, going shopping, playing mahjong with friends. These everyday moments become even more special when I try to describe them in English. It’s like turning ordinary life into poetry.

Sometimes, I think of a proverb: “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”

(6) Laughter helps the brain relax: SM Yoko Narisawa

 When do you feel relaxed? I feel good and relaxed when I laugh at funny videos or TV comedy shows. I watch a TV program called 笑点 every Sunday. I often burst out laughing at the ridiculous answers on Ogiri. After laughing out loud, I feel peaceful and happy.

 Laughter helps the brain relax. It’s often said that “a joke a day keeps the doctor away” and “laughter is the best medicine”. Do you tell or listen to jokes every day? When laughter is shared, it brings people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. It strengthens our immune system, boosts our energy, reduces pain, and protects us from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

 Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more reliably to bring our mind and body back into balance than a good laughter. Humor lightens our burdens, inspires hopes, and connects us to others.

 An essential ingredient for developing our sense of humor is to learn not to take ourselves too seriously -- and to laugh at our own mistakes and weaknesses. It may be important for us to find at least one thing every day that makes us laugh.

 I’ll tell you three jokes here. If you laugh at them, that’ll be three days’ worth of laughter!

1. Why doesn’t it hurt if someone throws a can of Coke at your head?

   Because it’s a soft drink.

2. Mini skirts have a tendency to make men polite.

   Have you ever seen a man get on a bus ahead of one?

3. A man walked into a bank and asked to borrow $2000 for a month.

The loan officier asked what collateral he had.

He replied, “I’ve got a Rolls-Royce. Keep it until the loan is paid off. Here is the key.”

So the loan officer arranged for the car to be stored in the bank’s underground parking for safekeeping and gave the man the $2000.

A month later, the man returned to the bank, repaid the $2000 loan plus $10 interest, and reclaimed his Rolls-Royce.

The loan officer was mystified. “ Tell me, sir,” he said, “ why would someone who drives a Rolls-Royce need to borrow $2000?’

The man replied: ‘ I had to go abroad for a month, and where else could I store a Rolls-Royce safely for that long for just $10?

 Laughter keeps ourselves healthy and young. Let’s find fun things every day!

Meeting Schedule

In-person: 9:30 AM on Sep. 13 at Oyama Community Center (small conference room)

(Coordinator: SM Ishimura)