▲

Topic 23 Sickness

Tapescript(Carol asks Katie)

1. When was the last time you were sick?

About two weeks ago. I had the stomach flu.
How long were you sick?
About a day and a half, two days.
You got over it okay?
Yeah.
2. How often do you get a cold?
Um...not that often. About once or twice a year.
3. What do you do to get better?
Get a lot of rest, drink fluids... that’s pretty much it.
Do you ever eat chicken soup?
Yeah. Yeah.
It really works!
4. How often do you get a headache?
Just about every day. From work—it’s a little stressful at times with the phone ringing
off the hook and customers. Dealing with people sometimes can get a little stressful.
5. Do you usually take painkillers?
No, not usually. I usually go with...um...natural remedies like tea or lavendar, jasmine.
Do you ever meditate?
I have a couple of times. Not usually, though.
6. Do you have any allergies?
No, I’m not allergic to anything.
Ugh! I’m allergic to penicillin, sulpha, tetracycline, caffeine, and chocolate!
Oh, my gosh! I would die if I was allergic to chocolate!
7. Have you [ever] been in the hospital and if so for what?
Yeah, I was in the hospital. I had a kidney infection.
Oh, how long ago?
Um...about a year and a half.
Were you in long?
No, I was just in for about eight hours.
Oh, so one day?
Yeah. They put water into my system and I was fine.
8. When was the last time you went to the doctor?
Actually, I just went just a few days ago. I had a bug bite and I was itching, so I went to
the doctor and they gave me a shot to stop the itch.
Did it work?
Yeah, it worked really well.
Did they say what the cause was?
Um...just probably a mosquito bite or something. It was [a] really big, swollen bite,though.
9. What’s the highest temperature you’ve ever had?
Highest temperature? Probably a hundred and two, I would say.
TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE66

I had a hundred and six when I was ten.

Oh, my goodness! For what?
I found out I was allergic to penicillin.
Oh, okay.
10. Have you ever had a really bad sunburn?
Yes.
Where?
I was at the Colorado River last Labor Day weekend and...um...was out in the sun for twodays straight and didn’t really realize how red I was getting.
Where on your body, though?
All over.
Oh, your entire body. Ugh—that must have hurt!
Yes.
11. Have you ever had a hangover?
Yeah.
A lot?
No.
No?
12. Have you ever broken a bone?
Yes, I have. I broke my arm.
When? I mean, recently or when you were younger?
No, when I was younger. It was riding dirt bikes. I fell.
Yeah, I guess that would hurt!
13. How many days of school do you miss a year because of sickness?
Two or three.
That’s all?
Not that many. Yeah. I’m not really sick that often.
Good.

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TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE▲Topic 23 Sickness

Key Vocabulary

Extra Vocabulary

a couple of (=2)
a few (=3 or 4)
actually (jissai; jitsuwa)
all over (zenbu; subete)
be allergic to (something)(...ni taishite arerugii ga aru)
bug bite (mushisasare)fluid(s) (ekitai; suibun)
I would say... (=I think...)kidney infection (jinzoo no kansenshoo)
not that many (sorehodo ooku nai)
not that often (sorehodo hinpan dewa nai)
not usually (taitei wa...nai)
rarely (mettani...nai)
rest (seiyoo; kyuuyoo)
That’s all? (Sore dake?)
That’s pretty much it. (Sore kurai desu.)
though (...dakedo)
102° F (=38.9° C)
106° F (=41.1° C)

at times (=sometimes)
cause (gen’in)deal with (someone) (...to sessuru)
entire (subete; zenbu)
fall (fell) (korobu)
find out (something) (wakaru; kigatsuku)
For what?
(Nani ga gen’in de?; Nan no tame ni?)go with (something) (=use; try)
get over (something)(...kara kaifuku suru; ...ga naoru)
I guess that would hurt. (Itakatta desho.)I mean... (Tsumari...)
I would die if... (Moshi...nara watashi dattara
shindeshimau deshoo.)itch (kayui {verb}; kayumi {noun})like (tea) (=for example)
meditate (meisoo suru)
mosquito (ka)Oh, my goodness! (Ee!; Oya maa!)
Oh, my gosh! (Ee!; Oya maa!)
probably (tabun)
realize (something) (hakkiri rikai suru)
recently (saikin)
remedy (chiryoohoo)ring(ing) off the hook(denwa ga naritsuzukeru)(a) shot (chuusha)(two days) straight (zutto; renzokushite)(my) system (karada)swollen (hareagatta; fukureta)
That must have hurt!
(Sore wa sazo itakatta deshoo!)
Ugh! (Wa!; Ma!)um... (eeto...)(it) worked (kusuri ya chiryoo ga kiku)

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▲

Topic 24 Holidays

Tapescript(Cee asks Carol)

1. What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas because I feel it’s the only time of the year when the world becomes a family.
Um...that’s beautiful.
It’s true.
Yes.
Everybody’s nice at Christmas time.
Yes.
2. What was the last holiday you celebrated? What did you do?
The last holiday that I celebrated was Mother’s Day, and I sent my mother flowers, and I
sent my grandmother flowers, and I send my sisters flowers.
That’s beautiful.
Every mother that I knew, pretty much, I sent everybody flowers.
Um.
I think it’s great to be a mother.
3. What are the most important holidays in your country?
The most important holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day. I thinkthey’re the most important ones.
Yeah, I’d agree.
4. What do you usually do for Christmas?
For Christmas I always get a real, natural tree; I decorate my house, and I also help serve
food to the homeless.
Oh—nice.
It’s my one thing I can give...
Yes.
...other people.
5. How many presents do you usually buy?
Well, it can be anywhere from twelve to fourteen presents depending on the ages of
my nieces and nephews.
Oh. So you usually get them for the little kids?
Yes.
Nice.
And just close ones—for like my father and mother.
Nice.
Um–huh.
6. What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever gotten?
The best Christmas present I ever got was the one I gave myself, which was a trip to
Ireland for a year.
Oh, wonderful! You were in...
It was fantastic!
...a whole year?
A whole year. I spent a whole year in Ireland.
7. What do you usually do on Halloween?
On Halloween I always make a haunted house out of my apartment or house, wherever
69

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDEI’m living, every year traditionally.
Nice. Do friends come and visit you?
Absolutely. And I always have the neighborhood children come around so they have aplace—a safe place—to go.
Oh, nice.
Yeah.
8. Do you ever buy chocolate or flowers on Valentine’s Day?
I personally don’t buy chocolates, but I have bought flowers in the past. Yes.
Hm. Flowers for...?
Friends and for family.
Oh, nice. You include everybody.
Absolutely.
Beautiful.
9. Did you get any valentine’s last year?
Yes, I did. I got a valentine’s from two of my nieces, my one nephew, and of course myboyfriend.
Oh, lovely!
Yeah.
10. How do you usually spend New Year’s Eve?
I usually try to spend it at home with a few close friends.
Um.
It’s just warmer. We cook a nice dinner, we watch a movie, and we enjoy the dropping of
the ball from New York.
11. What did you do last year?
Last year I spent New Year’s Eve on the beach with a group of people watching
fireworks.
Oh, that sounds like fun!
It was fun.
Did you bring a picnic?
No. We did bring some drinks, and a li...a few little snacks...but it was fun.
12. How do you usually spend New Year’s Day?
New Year’s Day I usually st...I like to watch the Macy’s Parade and usually I just kind ofstay home and just rest and enjoy the new year.
Oh.
13. What did you do this year?
This year I went to a homeless shelter to help the homeless people who had drinking
problems.
And what did you do there?
Well, I would sit and try to counsel some of them to find out why they were drinking somuch, whether it was, you know, alcoholism as the disease, or whether it was a family
issue.
Um.
And I helped [work out]... I actually helped two people.
Good.
Yeah.

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

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▲

Topic 24 Holidays

Key Vocabulary

Extra Vocabulary

anywhere from (12) to (14)
(12—14 no aida no doreka)
close friend (shitashii tomodachi)
decorate (kazaru)
drink (=drink alcohol)
Easter (fukkatsusai)
fireworks (hanabi)hang out (informal =jikan o sugosu)
haunted house (yuurei yashiki)
homeless shelter(‘homeless’ no hogoshisetsu)
Independence Day (dokuritsu kinenbi)
nephew (oi)niece (mei)nothing special (betsu ni nanimo shinai)(I) personally (Watashi jishin wa)
serve (shokuji o dasu)
trip (ryokoo)

absolutely (mochiron; sonotoori)actually (jissai; jitsu no tokoro)
alcoholism (arukooru chuudoku)
counsel (=give advice)‘depending on the ages of’(... no toshi ni yotte ; ... no toshi shidai de)disease (byooki)
fantastic (subarashii)
I’d agree.
(Boku mo soo omoimasu. ; Dooi shimasu.)
include (... mo fukumu)
lovely (subarashii)neighborhood (kinjo)
pretty much (hotondo)
traditionally (dentooteki ni)
um-huh (=yes, yeah)
Well... (Eeto...)whether it was...or...
(...de arooto...de arooto)

71

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE▲Topic 25 Fears

Tapescript(Cee asks Carol)

1. When you were a child what things were you afraid of?

I guess my biggest fear was being afraid of the dark. The unknown.
Did you sleep with the light on?
Always. I had a nightlight, yeah.
Hm.
2. What animal scares you the most?
I guess I would have to say the black bear. It is a huge, scary animal. I just don’t want to...
Argh!
3. Which insects are you the most afraid of?
I don’t think I’m really afraid of any insect. I don’t particularly like bees or mosquitos.
Hm.
But I’m not really afraid of any of them.
Good.
4. Are you afraid of flying?
Yes, very much so.
Wow! Does it stop you from traveling?
No, it doesn’t stop me from traveling but it makes it miserable for the flight.
Um.
5. Are you afraid of roller coasters or heights?
I was afraid of heights when I was a child, but I love roller coasters. And I love other highrides, fast rides at amusement parks.
Neat.
Yeah.
6. Are you afraid of going to the dentist?
Not at all! I have no problems going to the dentist. I enjoy and look forward to it, andknow that I have clean, healthy teeth.
You get along well with your dentist?
Very much so.
Oh, that’s good.
7. What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?
I think it was Stephen’[s] King’s ‘Gerald’s Game.’ That was a scary movie!
Um.
It really [did]. Stephen King can write scary movies.
Yeah. Did you watch the whole thing?
Oh, yeah.
Wow!
But I had nightmares afterwards.
Wow!
8. What’s a scary experience you’ve had?
I guess the scariest experience I ever had was when I was a child, I was in a plane crash.
Not deadly but...
Yeah? What happened?
TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE72

...it was scary. Uh...it...two engines...both engines went out and we landed in the Pacific
Ocean.
Woo!
Yeah. And I got separated from my family for a while.
Oh!
Yeah.
But you found them later?
Yes.
Happy ending?
We were reunited.
Oh, that’s good.
Yeah.
9. Have you ever seen a ghost?
I don’t believe I’ve seen a ghost, but I do believe I may have seen an apparition. Yes.
An apparition?
Yes.
Oh–interesting.
10. What things make you nervous?
Nervous people make me nervous. That’s exactly what it is. Nervous people make me
nervous.
Yeah. Yeah.
And that’s...that’s it—nothing else.
Do...[is] there any people like that in your family?
No, not in my family.
Oh, that’s good.
No.
11. Are you afraid of giving a speech in public?
I have absolutely no problem speaking to the public because I use my mind to forget
where I’m at and just focus on the speech.
Oh, that’s good.
Yeah.
Do you...do you ever speak in public?
Yes, I have.
Nice.
12. What things are you worried about recently?
I worry about my health.
Um.
I worry about my future, but I’m...I’m confident enough that I will succeed and be happy
and healthy.
Good!
Yeah.
13. Is there anyone you’re afraid of?
No. I fear no one.
No one at all?
Not at all.

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TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE▲Topic 25Fears

Key Vocabulary

Extra Vocabulary

apparition (kikaina genshoo)at all (zenzen)
cockroach (gokiburi)fear (osore; osoreru)
huge (kyodaina)
I don’t believe... (=I don’t think...)nightlight (=a small room light)nightmare (akumu)
pigeon (hato)
plane crash (hikooki tsuiraku)
rat (dobunezumi)
ride (yuuenchi no norimono)
the dark (kurayami)
the unknown (michi no sekai)

absolutely (mattaku; kanzen ni)
afterwards (ato de)bee (hachi)
confident (kakushin shiteru; jishin ga aru)
deadly (inochi ni kakawaru)
don’t particularly like (sukina wake dewa nai)exactly (masashiku; choodo)
for a while (shibaraku no aida)
get along well with (someone)(...to nakayoku suru; ...to umaku yatte iku)
get separated from (someone)(...kara hikihanasareru)
I guess (=I think)
I would have to say... (=I think...)land (chakusui suru; chakuchi suru)
look forward to (something)(... o tanoshimi ni suru)
miserable (hisanna; iyana)mosquito (ka)nothing else (hokaniwa nanimo nai)reunited (saikaishita)
succeed (seikoo suru)
That’s it. (Soredake.)uh... (eeto...)(engines) went out (teishishita)

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE74

▲

Topic 26 Dating

Tapescript(Matt asks Trevor)

1. Where’s a good place to go on a date?

I like going on dates to the beach because it’s cheap and...um...I like to watch thesunset.
Nice.
2. Where did you go on your first date?
My first date...um...I was young so I actually took my date to McDonald’s.
Alright!
The allowance wasn’t big back then.
You got a Happy Meal for...
Yeah.
Yeah.
3. Are you dating somebody now?
Yes, actually I’m dating...uh...my girlfriend is actually from Japan.
Oh.
Osaka. Yes.
How long have you dated her?
Uh...we actually started dating at the beginning of the semester. So about six months.
Good for you.
4. Would you rather go to a movie and dinner or to an amusement park for a date?
I would rather go to the amusement park...
Uh–huh.
...because...uh...I mean if the date is boring then, you know, you can...you can have fun.
Right.
And win...win a stuffed animal or something, you know.
Yeah. Okay.
5. Do you prefer girls with short or long hair?
I like girls with long hair.
Um–hm.
I like...yeah, I like girls with long hair. I don’t...I don’t really care for the short hair...
Um–hm.
...look, yeah.
6. What does your ideal date look like?
Wow...um...I guess like everybody else’s—beautiful. Long hair.
Yeah. Okay.
Um...nice smile. I really like smiles. And...uh...I really like...uh...light eye color.
Uh–huh.
That’s nice, too.
Sounds nice!
7. What are two qualities you would want your date to have?
I would have to say nice personality and a nice smile.
Okay.
I think those are the two things I really really...that are really important to me.
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TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDEOne over the other, or about equal?

Um...I’d like, you know, she doesn’t have to have a real nice smile. I...I’d rather havethe personality.
Okay.
Yeah.
8. How old do you want your date to be?
Um...a...about my age would be nice. Yeah. I don’t yo...too young or too old...not...
yeah, I would like it to...uh...I’d like them to be about my age.
Right.
Uh...maybe two or three year’s difference.
Okay. Either way, older or younger?
Either way, yeah. Two or three year’s difference.
I see.
9. Do you think it’s okay to kiss someone on the first date?
If they allow you to—yes.
Right!
If they don’t want you to, then it’s not such a good idea.
(If you have to force...) Good. Good.
10. Do you think it’s okay for girls to ask guys out?
Actually, I totally agree with that...
Um–hm.
...I would...um...it takes a lot of the pressure off guys, you know.
It’s true.
Uh...it’s stressful being a guy and having to ask that girl out...
Yeah.
...that you’ve...uh...been looking at for the past three weeks. You don’t have the guts to
do anything about it.
Uh–huh. Yeah.
11. Do you feel comfortable holding hands in public?
Yeah I...I feel comfortable holding hands in public. I think it’s a nice gesture—shows
everybody, kind of, you know, you’re not afraid to, you know, admit that you...you guys
are going out or seeing each other. I think it’s nice.
Good.
12. Would you ever go on a blind date?
I have been on a blind date...
Oh.
...and I’ll never go on one again!
Oh.
It was...it was awful! Uh...yeah...friends...uh...set me up so...
Yeah, those are tough.
Yeah!
13. Would you ever try using a matchmaker to find a partner?
Um...uh...I’m not sure if I would try using a matchmaker...uh...simply because...uh...people can lie about...
Right.
...you know, what...what they’re into, or what their personality is like. I would muchrather meet the person first.
It’s hard to trust a stranger.
Ex..exactly.
TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE76

Yeah.

I mean, yeah.

▲

Topic 26 Dating

Key Vocabulary

Extra Vocabulary

actually (jissai; jitsuwa)
admit (something) (... o mitomeru)
allow (.... o yurusu)
awful (hidoi; totemo warui)
be into (something) (...ni kanshin ga aru)
boring (taikutsu)
difference (sa; chigai)
don’t care for (something) (suki dewa nai)either way (dochira demo)
gesture (shigusa; taido)
I mean... (Tsumari...)
I would have to say... (=I think...)It doesn’t matter. (Kankei nai.)lie (uso o tsuku)
not such a good idea
(amari ii kangae dewa nai)
not usually (futsuu wa yokunai)
personality (seikaku)
seeing each other (=dating)stuffed animal (nuigurumi)take (a lot of) pressure off(‘pressure’ o toru)
totally agree with (something)(kanzen ni sansei suru)
win (shoohin de ataru)
you guys (= ‘you’ plural)

allowance (okozukai)back then (sono koro wa)
equal (onaji kurai; hitoshiku)
everybody else’s (sonohoka no minna no)exactly (sonotoori)
force (muriyari suru)
Good for you. (Yokatta ne.)guts (yuuki)
I guess... (=I think...)I see. (Naruhodo.)
one over the other(dochiraka ga moo ippoo yori ue)
semester (gakki)set (someone) up(ozendate suru; tehazu o totonoeru)
simply (because) (tada; tanni)
stranger (tanin; mishiranu hito)
tough (=difficult)trust (someone) (shinyoo suru)
uh-huh/um-hm (=‘yeah’ when listening)um.../uh... (eeto...)77

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE▲Topic 27 Marriage

Tapescript(Jessica asks Leilani)

1. At what age do you want to get married?

I would like to get married around 24, 25. But definitely no later than 28.
2. How old were your parents when they got married?
Well, my parents...my mother was 27 and my father was 39. Pretty old but...
3. How long do you think couples should know each other before getting married?
A long time...um...I’d probably say at least 3 or 4 years. Sometimes longer. Definitely
not shorter though.
How long would you like to know your husband before you marry him?
Hm...at least 3 years. Then you get to fully know each other.
4. Would you marry someone 10 years older than you?
I don't think so. I might if he swept me off my feet and gave me everything that I
wanted emotionally. But, as a whole, probably not.
Would you marry someone 5 years younger than you?
Younger? Maybe. Not right now, actually, because then he would only be about 16. But
maybe in the future. But probably not—no.
5. Would you marry someone from a different country?
Definitely. I don't see anything wrong with that.
6. Would you live with someone before getting married?
In my beliefs—no...I...I might, but I would try not to.
Do you think it's wrong to live with someone before...?
Um...yes, in ways I do think it’s wrong. Although I have done it, I probably wouldn’t
make that mistake again. I...it would...it would be more special to wait till it's married.
7. What are 3 qualities you want your future spouse to have?
Well, I would definitely want him to be religious. Religious...religion is important to me, so
the number one quality I would like him to have is to be religious. Number two: probably
romantic because I’m a very romantic person. Number three: I’d like him to be devoted‘cause that’s definitely important for a relationship.
8. Do you want to have children?
Yes, most definitely. I’m excited to have children actually.
How many children would you like to have?
Ideally I’d like to have three. I definitely don’t want to have one. Two or three would benice, but definitely not one.
9. What style of wedding do you want to have?
I want to have a very traditional, classy, happy...just the traditional type of wedding, youknow, with the...lots of bridesmaids...the tuxedo and gown and the reception. Just thetraditional nice wedding.
10. How many guests will you invite to your ceremony?
Probably about a hundred. I mean, I can’t say right now. I don’t want it to be huge, yet I
don’t want it to be small. So probably a hun...about a hundred is in the middle there.
Do you have a lot of relatives to invite?
Oh, I have many relatives. So most of them will probably be my relatives.
11. Where do you want to go for your honeymoon?
I would love to go to Tahiti for my honeymoon. I went there once before, and I love it somuch I would definitely...would have to go back there with my future husband.
TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE78

12. Are your parents happily married?

Very happily married. Happily married for 25 years now, and they’re going to be
together forever. And I hope to be exactly like them.
13. Would you ever get divorced?
No, I don’t want to get divorced, but if he was abusing me or I was terribly unhappy,
then I would. But, as a whole, no I don’t think I would ever get a divorce.

▲

Topic 27 Marriage

Key Vocabulary

Extra Vocabulary

abuse (someone) (gyakutai suru)
at least (sukunakutomo)
definitely (zettai ni)
devoted (kenshintekina; fukaku aishiteru)
huge (hijoo ni ookina)
I don’t think so. (Soo wa omowanai.)
I’m not sure yet. (Mada wakaranai.)No, I wouldn’t. (Shinai.)no later than (osokutomo)
probably not (osoraku...nai)
reception (hirooen)
relationship (kankei)
relatives (shinseki; shinrui)
religious (shinkoo no atsuii; shinjin bukai)
so so (maa maa)
swept me off my feet(tachimachi muchuu ni saseru)

actually (jissai)
although (...dakeredomo)
as a whole (zentai to shite wa)
beliefs (shinnen)
bridesmaids (hanayome no tsukisoi no josei)
classy (kookyuuna kanji no)
emotionally (kanjooteki ni)
exactly (like them) (masa ni karera no yooni)
get to fully know each other (otagai ni juubun
ni shiriau)
hope (to be) (...de aritai)
I can’t say right now. (Ima wa nantomo ienai.)
I don’t see anything wrong with that.
(Futsugoona koto wa nani mo miataranai.)I mean... (Tsumari...)
ideally (risoo wa)(I) might (kamoshirenai)
religion (shuukyoo)
terribly (unhappy) (hidoku fushiawase)though (...dakedo)
type of (keishiki no...)yet (dakedo)

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TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE▲Topic 28 BeliefsTapescript(Joanne asks Kodi)

1. Do you believe in God?

I believe there is a Higher Power, but I wouldn’t say that I believe in God.
2. Do you believe in life after death?
Yes, I do.
Where do you think you’ll go after you die?
I think I will stay here on earth.
Do you think you’ll come back as an animal?
Probably.
3. Do you believe in UFOs?
Yes, I do.
Why?
Because people have seen too many to not believe in UFOs.
4. Do you believe in horoscopes?
Yes, I believe in horoscopes.
Do you believe that yours is true?
Yes, I do.
Yes.
5. Do you believe in love at first sight?
No, I don’t believe in love at first sight.
Why not?
Because you have to get to know someone and see if you’re compatible before you cansay that you love them. You can’t just see them and judge them on their looks.
6. Do you think there’s life on other planets?
Yes.
Which planets?
Mars.
7. Did you use to believe in Santa Claus?
Yes, I did.
Do you still?
No.
Why not?
Because he’s at every mall in America at the same time!
8. Do you believe blood types can tell a person’s personality?
No.
Why not?
I don’t think your blood has anything to do with the way you act or your manner.
9. What’s your blood type?
O.
O negative or O positive?
I really don’t know.
You don’t know?

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10. Does your blood type match your personality?

I don’t think so.
11. What’s a common superstition about bad luck?
If you break a mirror, you have seven years of bad luck.
Do you believe that?
No.
No? Why not?
Because I haven’t broken any mirrors to find out.
12. Do you think dreams can give us useful information?
Yes.
How so?
Dreams mean something, and if you follow up and study about your dreams, then you
will find that it connects with your life and what’s going on in your life.
13. Which is more important to you, family or friends?
Friends.
Why?
Because my family isn’t really close-knit and they don’t worry about me.
Do you have a lot of good friends?
No, only a few.
And that’s important to you?
Yes.

▲

Topic 28 Beliefs

Key Vocabulary

Extra Vocabulary

Higher Power (chooetsutekina chikara)
I wouldn’t say... (=I don’t really think...)imaginary (=not real)
It’s possible, but probably not.
(Kanoo dakedo, tabun nai.)probably (tabun)close-knit (shinmitsu)
compatible (aishoo ga ii)“connects with your life”(anata no jinsei to kankei ga aru)
find out (something) (mitsukedasu)
follow-up (oimotomeru)“going on in your life” (=happening)(X) has nothing to do with (Y).
(X wa Y towa kankei nai.)
How so? (Donna fuu ni?)judge (someone) (handan suru)
looks (gaiken)manner (taido)
Mars (kasei)“the way you act” (anata no okonai)

81

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE▲Topic 29 Crime

Tapescript(Cee asks Carol)

1. Do you think your country is safe? Why or why not?

Yes, I believe my country is safe because our government is in good shape and thePresident is on top of things.
Good.
2. What kind of crimes are increasing?
I feel drug crimes are increasing the most.
Drug crimes?
Yes.
Do...do you see that...
Drug-related crimes.
...on the streets? Yeah.
Yes.
3. Have you ever witnessed a crime?
Yes, I...uh...witnessed a hit and run car accident...
Wow.
...in California.
Wow—that must have been scary.
Very.
Yeah.
4. What country are you...are you afraid to go to because it’s dangerous?
Israel. I would not even think about going to Israel right now because of so much war.
Yeah.
5. Have you ever had anything stolen?
Yes, somebody stole my emerald birthstone ring.
Oh. Did you ever get it back?
No, unfortunately I didn’t and it took me many years to replace it.
6. Have you ever stolen anything?
Never in my entire life, nor will I ever even think about doing something like that.
Nice.
7. Have you ever done any illegal thing?
Never in my life and I never plan to. No—I’m a very honest person.
Even driving?
Always.
Good.
8. Has your house ever been burglarized?
Yes, once when I was a child it was burglarized and I almost walked in on them...
Oh, my gosh!
...on the burglars. And twice for two apartments that I have had in big cities.
Wow.
Yeah.
9. What would you do if you heard a burglar in your house while you were sleeping?
The first thing I would do is grab the phone, hide, and call 911.
TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE82

Yeah.

That’s exactly what I would do.
That’s the smart thing to do.
10. What would you do if you saw a woman being molested on the train?
I would try to see if I could find a man to help, or get a security man from the train. Or,
and again, call 911.
Yeah. Would you ever intervene yourself?
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
11. What things do you do to protect yourself from crime?
I’m cautious. I’m alert. And I have good locks on my house and a burglar alarm.
12. What’s a crime that was in the news recently?
Recently a man had driven his car into an airport and set it on fire.
Woo!
Yeah—he was just [a] crazy man; it wasn’t [a] terrorist.
Um.
He was just crazy.
13. Are you for or against the death penalty. Why?
I’m for the death penalty. I think if somebody commits a serious enough crime and aheinous crime, that yes, they should be punished by death.

▲

Topic 29 Crime

Key Vocabulary

Extra Vocabulary

alarm (keihooki)
alert (yoojinbukai)
cautious (shinchoona)
commit (a crime) (tsumi o okasu)
government (seifu)
grab (the phone) (denwa o hittsukamu)
hide (kakureru)
hit and run accident (hikinige jiko)in good shape (yoi jootai ni aru)
murder (satsujin jiken)
on top of things (me o hikaraseteiru)
pretend (furi o suru)
punished (basserareru)
related (kankei no aru)set (something) on fire (hooka suru)
underage (miseinen no)

absolutely (sonotoori)birthstone ring (tanjooseki no yubiwa)
burglar (gootoo)
entire (life) (zenbu no)exactly (masashiku)
heinous (crime) (gokuakuna)
intervene (aida ni hairu)(I) never plan to... (tsumori mo nai)
‘nor will I ever even think about...’(kangaeta koto mo nai)
Oh, my gosh! (Sore wa taihen!)recently (tsui saikin)
replace (kawari o mitsukeru)
scary (osoroshii)
took many years (nannen mo kakatta)
uh... (eeto...)unfortunately (unwaruku)
walk in on (someone) (ukkari...no jama o suru)
war (sensoo)

83

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE▲Topic 30 Opinions

Tapescript(Nick asks Jerome)

1. What do you think of smoking?

I think smoking is a bad habit.
Do you smoke?
Yes, I do.
How long have you smoked for?
Oh, man I’ve been smoking since I was fifteen and I’m twenty-six now.
Wow—what kind of cigarettes do you smoke?
Marlboro Reds. Cowboy killers!
2. What’s your opinion of gambling?
I...I enjoy gambling.
Do you gamble often?
Yes, I do. Uh...once, twice a week. Poker.
3. What do you think of this school?
Uh...I love this school. I love the people. Um...a lot of hot chicks.
Do you plan on graduating from here?
Yes, I do. No, I’m going to drop out now!
4. Do you think your teachers give you too much homework?
Uh...no. They can give us less, though. Always can give less.
Yeah, definitely.
5. Do you think people should be allowed to use cell phones on the train or bus?
I don’t see why not. It’s not a...messing with the driver at all. It’s not going to cause an
accident.
So it doesn’t bother you when people are using their cell phones on the train or bus?
No. I don’t know. No. No.
No.
6. How do you feel about the American right to own a gun?
I think it’s a good right but it should be limited to certain people...should not be allowed
to own guns.
Do you have a gun?
No, I do not.
Do you think you should be allowed to own a gun?
I’m...I’m not...I’m perfectly sane. Of course! I should be allowed to ow...own a gun. I’mnot...I’m not sure about you!
7. What do you think of your country’s leader?
I think leading this country is a very difficult thing to do and you are going to be judged
on your actions no matter what. Um...I’m not going to vote for him next time.
So do you approve or disapprove of his leadership?
Di...I disapprove.
8. Do you think the government should let more foreigners live in your country?
Oo...um...yes and no. Uh...yes because, you know, our...my...my mom came over here.
She’s from a foreign...foreign country. But...I would have to say...yes. Yes.
Yes.
Yes. Yes.
TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE84

9. Do you think people should feed stray cats?

No, I do not.
Why?
I think stray cats are...they spread disease. Uh...I think the SPCA should come and roundthem all up...set traps.
Do you have any cats?
No, I don’t. I don’t...I’m not a cat person. I can’t stand cats.
10. What do you think of Thai food?
Never had it. Never had it.
11. Who do you think is a better actor, Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio?
Uh...I think Brad Pitt’s a better actor because I...I’ve enjoyed some of his movies.
Uh...Leonardo DiCaprio—I think he was in Titanic or something.
How many posters of him do you have in your room?
I don’t have any posters of him in my room!
12. Who do you think is funnier, Jim Carrey or Eddie Murphy?
Oh, I don’t know. They’re [pretty both]...they’re...both of them are very talented.
Um...Jim Carrey. I think Jim Carrey is a funnier person.
What’s your favorite movie he’s in?
Jim Carrey...uh...what was that last one? Bruce Almighty.
Yeah, with Jennifer Aniston. I saw it.
Oh, you know what—Ace Ventura, too.
Yeah.
I and II. It was pretty funny.
13. What do you think is the most important thing in life?
The most important thing in life is happiness.

▲

Topic 30 Opinions

Key Vocabulary
accident (jiko)approve(sansei suru; konomashii to omou)
at all (zenzen)
bad habit (warui shuukan)bother (someone) (komaraseru)
cause (hiki okosu)
can’t stand (gaman dekinai)
disapprove (sansei dewa nai; konomashikuomowanai)
I don’t see why not.
(Warui riyuu ga mitsukaranai.)
vote (toohyoo o suru)

Extra Vocabulary
allowed to (yurusareru)“be judged on your actions”(katsudoo o hihyoo sareru)
cat person (nekozuki)
chicks (=slang for “girls”)
85

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

definitely (zettai ni)
drop out (taigaku suru; yameru)
less (homework) (motto sukunaku)“limited to certain people”(aru tokutei no hito ni seigen sareru)
mess with (someone) (...no jama o suru)
no matter what (nani o shitemo)
perfectly sane (kanzen ni seijoona; matomonahandan ga dekiru)“plan on graduating”(sotsugyoo suru yotei de iru)
pretty funny (kekkoo okashii)“round them up” (yoseatsumeru; hokaku suru)
set a trap (wana o shikakeru)
SPCA (doobutsu aigo kyookai)
talented (sainoo no aru)
though (...dakedo)

EXTRA QUESTIONS▲Topic 1 Family
Extra Questions

1

How many people are there in your family?

2

What’s your father like?

3

Does your father work very hard?

4What’s your mother like?

5

Do you eat dinner together with your family?

6

Do your parents give you advice often?

7

Do you get along with your brother(s) (and)sister(s)?

8What chores do your parents make you do?

9

Who will take care of your parents when they
get old?

10

Do you think that the elderly should live inretirement homes?

Answers

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Topic 2 Food
Extra Questions

87

1

Do you like natto?

2

What kind of foods have you tried but didn’t like?

3

Who do you usually eat dinner with?

4

What kind of meat do you eat most often?

5

What kind of food do your parents like?

6

What’s your favorite picnic food?

7

What’s your favorite drink?

8

What’s your favorite kind of sushi?

9What’s your mother’s best dish?

10

Do you drink coffee or tea?

11

Do you eat a lot of sweets?

12

How often do you eat bread? What about rice?

13

How often do you eat meat?

14

Could you ever be a vegetarian?

15

Which grocery store do you usually go to?

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

Answers▲Topic 3 Time
Extra Questions

1

What time is it now?

2

What time did you get up today?

3

What time did you go to bed last night?

4

What time are you going to get up tomorrow?

5

What time do you usually take a shower or bath?

6

What time is your first class on Fridays?

7

Are you a morning person?

8

How much time do you usually spend eating
lunch?

9

How much time do you usually spend travelingto school?

10

Have you ever been really late for a meeting?

11

If you had a job interview at 3:00, what time
would you arrive?

12

If you were invited to a 7:00 party, what time
would you arrive?

Answers

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE88▲

Topic 4 House & Home
Extra Questions

89

1

Where are you from?

2

Did you grow up there?

3

What’s your favorite room in your house? Why?

4

What kind of housework do you help with?

5

Which housework do you hate doing the most?

6

How old is your house/apartment?

7

Do you have a yard?

8

What floor do you live on? / How many stories
is your house?

9

Is your neighborhood quiet?

10

Do you have a parking space for a car?

11

How many TVs/phones/computers do you haveat home?

12

Would you rather live in a large luxury
condominium or in a house?

13

Where do you want to live in the future?

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

Answers▲Topic 5 Music
Extra Questions

1

Do you like jazz/heavy metal/classical/etc.?

2

Do you like (name of singer/group)?

3

Do you prefer Japanese or foreign music?

4

Which famous singer would you like to meetthe most?

5

Do you like dancing?

6

Do you sing in the shower or bath?

7

Do you know how to play the piano?

8

Do you listen to music when you study?

9

How important is music to you?

10

Which is more important to you, the beat or the
lyrics of the music?

11

Where do you usually go to sing karaoke?

12

What English songs do you sing when you sing
karaoke?

13

Which musical instrument would you most want
to play well?

14

What kind of music do your parents like?

15

Have you ever written a song?

Answers

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE90▲

Topic 6 Transportation
Extra Questions

91

1

How often do you take the train or bus?

2

Which do you prefer, trains or buses? Why?

3

Do you ever take a taxi?

4

How many times have you taken the bullet train?

5

Does your mother have a driver’s license?

6

Have you ever been in an accident?

7

Do you like flying?

8

How many times have you flown on an airplane
before?

9

How much money do you spend per month ontransportation?

10

What can you do to save money ontransportation?

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

Answers▲Topic 7 Sports
Extra Questions

1

Can you ski/play tennis/etc.?

2What’s your favorite sports team?

3

Do you ever go bowling? What’s your best score?

4

Which sport do you think is the most dangerous?

5

When you were a child did you ever want to bea pro athlete?

6

What’s the most you would pay for a ticket to
the Olympics?

7

What’s the most exciting game you’ve ever seen?

8Who, in your opinion, is the best soccer player
in Japan?

9Which soccer team do you like the best?

10

Which sports are most popular now?

11

Are you in good shape?

12

Who do you think is the best athlete in Japan?

13

If you could be great at any sport, which sport
would you be great at?

14

Do you think pro athletes are overpaid?

Answers

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

92▲

Topic 8 Numbers
Extra Questions

93

1

Do you have a lucky number?

2

What’s your postal code?

3

What is the yen-dollar exchange rate now?

4

What’s the most money you’ve made in one day?

5

How many pieces of sushi can you eat?

6

How tall is your mother/father?

7

How much did this book cost you?

8

How far can you run without stopping?

9

How much does it cost to have dinner for two
at a family restaurant?

10

How much money do you have in the bank?

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

Answers▲Topic 9 Best Friends
Extra Questions

1

How old is s/he?

2

What does s/he do?

3

When is his/her birthday?

4What school does s/he go to?

5

What do you usually do together?

6

Do you give each other birthday presents?

7

How often do you talk to each other on thephone?

8

How long do you usually talk?

9

When was the last time you called him/her?

10

What’s an interesting experience you’ve
had together?

Answers

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

94▲

Topic 10 TV
Extra Questions

95

1

Have you seen (name of show)?

2

Which do you prefer, dramas or variety shows?

3

What’s your favorite variety show?

4

Are you watching any dramas now?

5

Do you ever watch cooking shows?

6

Do you ever watch any programs for learning
English?

7

What kind of sports do you usually watch on TV?

8What kind of programs does your family liketo watch?

9

What kind of TV do you have?

10

How many TVs does your family have?

11

When do you usually watch TV?

12Have you seen any movies on TV recently?

13

What’s an interesting documentary you’veseen before?

14

What’s a really strange commercial you’ve seen
before?

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

Answers▲Topic 11 Work
Extra Questions

1

Do you think women should work when theirchildren are still young?

2

Would you rather be a pilot or a flight attendant?

3

Which high paying job would you most like to
have?

4

Would you rather work at McDonald’s or at a
karaoke place?

5

Do you like your job? Why or why not?

6

How much money do you make? (ask only forpart-time jobs!)

7

What days do you work?

8

What time do you start work?

9

What time do you finish work?

10

How many hours a week do you work?

11

When is your break time?

12

Do you ever work overtime?

13

Do you have to wear a uniform?

14

Is your job tiring?

15

Do you like your boss?

Answers

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

96▲

Topic 12 Vacation
Extra Questions

97

1

How was your vacation?

2

What kind of pictures did you take?

3

How many pictures did you take?

4

What kind of hotel did you stay in?

5

How was the food?

6

Did you gain weight?

7

Did you spend more money than you had
planned?

8

Did you meet any interesting people?

9

Do you want to go to (name of place) again?

10

Where are you planning to go for your next
vacation?

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

Answers▲Topic 13 School
Extra Questions

1

Do you like this school? Why or why not?

2

Do you get good grades?

3

Do you ever sleep in class?

4

Do you have a boy/girlfriend at this school?

5

Where’s your favorite place on campus?

6

Where do you usually eat lunch?

7

Which teacher gives the most homework?

8

Is there a problem with bullying at your school?

9

Are you studying any other foreign language?

10

Do your parents pay for your tuition?

11

What do you think of school uniforms?

12

Have you ever gone to cram school?

13

Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?

14

Would you want to be a teacher?

Answers

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE98▲

Topic 14 Movies
Extra Questions

99

1

Have you seen (name of movie)?

2

Do you like (name of actor/actress)?

3

What’s a good movie that’s showing now?

4

What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

5

What’s the best Japanese movie you’ve seen?

6

Who do you usually go to the movies with?

7

Have you ever gone to the movies on a first date?

8

Have you ever seen a movie that was better
than the book?

9

What do you usually eat or drink at the movie
theater?

10

How much do you usually spend for a movie
ticket?

TOPIC TALK TEACHER’S GUIDE

Answers▲Topic 15 Money
Extra Questions

1

Which bank do you keep your money in?

2

Are you good at saving money?

3

Have you ever stolen any money?

4

Have you ever won any money?

5

What’s the most money you’ve found before?

6

Do you ever buy secondhand items?

7

Do you ever borrow money from your parents?

8

Would you ever buy stocks? Why or why not?

9

Are you stingy or generous?

10

Would you give money to a beggar if they
asked you?

Answers

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100