CROSSROAD
CROSSROA D S Language StudioÊs Newsletter January,January , 2020
20 20
They are also very sociable,
affectionate and friendly
and form strong bonds withtheir cage buddies, even
Like most of us, you are probably horrified
their human keepers. Theyby rats and mice, right...? and, to somewill take care of any sickextent, with good reason! Wild rats and micemembers in their group andcause serious damage to property, steal ourthey’re known to get lonely
food, attack our pets and even small
and depressed if they arechildren. They frighten us when they
unexpectedly scurry out of concealed places separated from their friends or theirand, of course, they spread diseases. Utterly human keepers for too long.
They are very easy to take care ofdisgusting critters, right?
Well, as we are now entering the Year of compared to other pets, and as they are
The Rat, it’s time to set the records straight very quiet and take up very little space,
for these most maligned and misunderstood your landlord would never know you had a“forbidden” pet in your apartment!
little critters.
Rats and mice are
You might be surprised to learn that miceand rats have been kept as pets by humans also very mischievous,
for thousands of years. The first written playful and very
records of this go back in China to 1100BC intelligent. They will
and there are ancient Egyptian artifacts laugh their heads off
when you tickle them
depicting colored domesticated mice too.
In the 1700’s breeding mice for their color and they love to learn newvariations became all the rage in Japan, tricks. They can remember
much as breeding carp is today. By the early their names and recognize
Ella1800’s, colored mice found their way
into their human keepers as
European homes as pets and as show distinct from other humans
animals. The term “Fancy Mice” was coined that may visit them.
And, they are very romantic
Janistowards
the end of the 19th century by thetoo. Male rats have been
British. It refers to mice and rats speciallyobserved “singing” after
bread as show animals or as pets.
matingwiththeir
These days there are
significant other!
many fancy rats and mice
kept as pets by people all So, how can you not love them knowing all this?
over the world. Somecelebrities are known to be
rat-lovers, “tough guy” Clint
Eastwood among them.
“Come on...” you may say. “What could be soNET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
appealing about rats!” Well, for one thing, they
are extremely clean. “What?” It’s true, pet rats …. Try our lessons on the net!
Form pets to Gods in an Indian rat temple here:
and mice are even more fastidious about https://www.boredpanda.com/20-000-rats-temple-incleaning and grooming themselves than cats!
india-karni-mata-temple/

Joshua Says: We’re at a new beginning again. Not only is it a new year, but wealso have a new teacher joining us. As you know, Kevin left us last month totake up a teaching position in China. Marek will take over teaching ourstudents from this year. Marek is originally from Poland but has been living
in England many years where he also graduated. We welcome Marek and lookforward to an interesting and productive time together
Junko Says: We’re entering the Year of the Mouse, one of the 12 signs of the Chinesezodiac. The Chinese sign of the mouse implies “reproduction.” Although 12 animals areused as symbols of the zodiac now, the traditional Chinese zodiac originally expressed
the life cycle of plants. And the first sign symbolized the beginning of life with a seed.
The year of the mouse, then, symbolizes a new start. It is a good year to start, or restart,that which you want to achieve, including becoming a good speaker of English.
Marek Says: Greetings! My name is Marek and I am your new
English teacher! I was born in 1980 in Poland and, in 2004, Imoved to the UK. I love fishing, hiking, and cycling. I like reading
about science, history and politics. I am fascinated about Japan, its
culture and traditions. I’m very happy to be here, and I’ll do mybest to give you a great learning experience!
Darrin Says: Happy New Year to you all. I hope that 2020 brings you all thebest of health and happiness. I really feel like twenty twenty has a positive
ring to it and with the upcoming Olympics coming to Japan, it’s an exciting
chance for this country to really shine. How about you? What are you excitedabout for the upcoming year?
Mandcy dit: Quelle surprise ce dimanche en allumant la télévision.
Monsieur Carlos Ghosn s'est échappé. On dirait un film d'action! Il s'est cachédans une valise et il est parti au Liban. Voilà qui est choquant, mais en mêmetemps très divertissant!! Je vous souhaite donc à tous une tres bonne année
2020. Mes vœux de bonheur à tous!! J'attends avec impatience d'entendre vosrésolutions!!
ACROSS
2 made up
3 attractive or favorable
5 man made objects (often ancient)
3
8 completely9 strong connections
10 unfavorably spoken about
11 special or important
12 annoyingly playful
813 giving a neat appearance to14 easily recognizable
10DOWN
1 tamed
2 not seen
4 shocked and revolted
6 giving careful attention to detail
7 seen11 rushing about hurriedly (print version here)

12

4

5

6

7
9

11

12
13

14

A few rat and mice idioms for the new year
Below is a story about a fictitious character, “Ratty,” who just loves idioms!
My friend Ratty opted out of thea long time ago. He used to work in a very large investment company

but it wasn’t long after he started there that he began towell,. It seems that management was very lax and,. He noticed some serious irregularities in the accounts department. This became so severethat he finally decided toon those responsible. While the investigation proceeded he continued to workfor the company but, as the main whistleblower, he had to remainduring that time. Finally the company

was reprimanded and had to pay a huge penalty. But as a result of his intervention, Ratty had to finally leave
the company and he hasn’t had a normal job ever since. To see him now, you’d think he wasworn the same raggedy clothes for years and he
But the truth is he’s been

. He hasmost of the time even on days when the weather’s fine.

with everyone. I couldn’t quite figure out how he was surviving day to day

so I asked him if he needed any help getting by. He laughed and told me he was fine. He has now become quite arunning his own investment company from his home computer.
* Can you match the idioms below with the images in the text above?
1) when the cat’s away, the mice will play – when the person in charge is not watching or
absent, others start to misbehave or get into trouble2) as quiet as a mouse – very quiet and shy3) as poor as a church mouse – very poor
4) rat race – a modern life-style where people constantly compete for power and money5) looks like a drowned rat - to look untidy, disorganized6) smell a rat – to feel suspicious about something or someone7) playing cat and mouse – to trick or fool someone by changing behavior or habits8) rat on – report someone’s bad behavior
9) mouse potato – someone who spend an enormous amount of time using a computerS
N A U G H T YEWFMAO
A B S E N C E
LCKF A K E
EHCYLXRIEC O I N C I D E ST I N S E L
RRVCTD E C E A S E DE
HRT
G L I T T E R I N GIL
DCNE
IGR
T O S SF E S T I V EY

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
DOWN
ACROSS
1 grows out of or from2 bad behavior
3 foolish, strange
5 not being there
4 unwritten stories, proverbs of a
7 not genuine, not realculture11 go or happens with
6 strange, unconventional behavior
12 valueless decoration
8 discharging bodily waste matter
13 no longer living
9 get married
14 flashing, shining
15 throw in a casual, careless manner 10 people celebrating in a noisy
party
16 offering fun and gaiety

Don’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.