CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter November,November , 202
20 2 1

Earlier this year in a large area of Eastern
U.S.A., an extraordinary event occurred;something that is only witnessed once every
17 years.
There are numerous species of cicadas
living on our planet, but only seven areclassified as “periodical” cicadas and allseven can be found only in the U.S.A.
Periodical cicadas emerge from theirunderground hibernation every 13 or 17years to find a mate, reproduce and die after
a comparatively very short period of time
above ground – barely a week or two!. That’s
a long wait for such a short fling. The species
that emerged this year after 17 years
underground is called the “Blood X Cicadas.”While underground,these insects sucksustenance from treeroots and the like.
Once the temperaturein early spring hits
18 degrees Celsius
Ellathey emerge to live
out the last shortphase of their lives
Janis sun. But why
in thedoes this only happen
once every 17 years?
Some estimations suggest that they
emerge from their burrows in their trillions,incredibly within a few weeks of each other.
This phenomenon was first witnessed in theUS in 1634 by the Puritan immigrants of
Massachusetts. Not knowing any better,they likened the event to the pestilence
referred to in the Old Testament – “locusts.”
Unlike locusts, however, cicadas are totallyharmless to the environment – apart fromthe males making a lot of noise, that is.

But why? Why do they waitso long before venturing outof their isolated, undergroundburrows to frantically find amate, reproduce and thenquickly die?
Scientists have consideredseveral theories in an attempt to explain
this phenomenon. One theory suggeststhat cicadas have an innate grasp of math...sort of. You see, 13 and 17 (the lengths ofthe periodical cicadas’ life cycles in years)
are what are called “prime numbers” bymathematicians. These are numbers that can
only be divided by themselves or by one. No
other division is possible. So....
So, this means that when cicadas emerge inthese prime year cycles, they rarely overlap
with predator population cycles that occur
at shorter intervals. For example, if cicadas
were to emerge every 10 years, they'd besusceptible to predators that have
population booms in cycles of one, two, fiveor 10 years. If they came out every 12years, they'd be vulnerable to any predator
on a cycle of one, two, three, four, six or 12years. But 13 or 17 year cycles don’t fit on
most predator menus so easily.
The idea that these cicadas have workedout
howtoavoid
predators
bysynchronizing their life cycles to prime
number is, so far, only speculation. But iftrue... well, who was it that said “God must
be a mathematician...”

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
For more on Prime Numbers in nature, check this site out:
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-14305667

Joshua Says: It’s been said many times that “change is the only constant.”
To add to that sentiment, change is also exciting! “Exciting”, that is, if you
embrace change as a natural condition of life, and isn’t life exciting? As you
must all know by now, we’re moving our school to a new location very near ourpresent building. I have been working on the design of the interior and I think(hope) you are going to be pleased with the result – we’ll see soon.....
Junko Says: From January 2022 after our holiday break, your lessons will
be held in our new school building. Lessons will continue in our present
location until the 30th of December. This means we will be staying open later
than usual this year, so if you are on holidays in late December and havesome free time, why not drop in for a coffee and a chat? We will be reopening
in the new building (just around the corner) in the first week of January 2022.
Marek Says: When I lived in the UK, my idea of a mikan, a mandarin,
was a very simple one: cheap, borderline tasteless and easy to peel, apoor man’s version of an orange. Fast forward into 2 years of living inEhime and it is no longer so cut and dry. I have “graduated” and now
I’m looking forward to eating delicious HAREHIME and PONKAN, andlater BLOOD ORANGES. I cannot wait!
Mandcy dit: Le beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!! Chaque année, le troisième jeudi dumois, c'est la sortie officielle et internationale du Beaujolais Nouveau. Saviez-vous quele Japon est le premier pays du monde a pouvoir le déguster??? En effet, le Japon est lepays le plus à l'Est du Monde. Mais cette année, la récolte du raisin a été trèsmauvaise. C'est triste. Il a gelé et 70% des récoltes sont mortes. Cette année sera unmauvais millésime mais je vais quand même acheter plusieurs bouteilles afin de soutenir
les producteurs. On appelle le mauvais vin *la piquette* parce que " aïe, ça pique! "12ACROSS
1 extend over or cover part of
6 approximate calculations of
10 a remarkable happening
15 holes made by animals
16 very short or little
17 happening at the same time
19 in an uncontrolled manner
20 described as similar

3

4

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

15

DOWN
2 come to the surface
3 get the meaning
4 in a weak position, defenseless
5 a period of inactivity
7 going forward despite of risk
8 at risk
9 in a relative manner
11 what needs to be eaten tomaintain life
12 grow vigorously
13 an epidemic disease
14 a brief indulgence of a desire
18 natural or instinctive, notconditioned by learning

516

17

18

1920

(print version here)

14

Homophones cause a lot of trouble for writers (especially forbad spellers...). They are words that have the same sound but
are spelt differently and have different meanings. See if you
can select the correct word in the following sentences.
1. She put on some soothing music to (lessen or lesson) the stress in theoffice.
2. He was booked into the hotel’s most expensive (sweet or suit) during theconference.
3. He was (board or bored) so left the party early.
4. The speaker became (horse or hoarse) after speaking for more than 2hours.
5. The leaders of both countries have been discussing a (peace or piece)
agreement.
6. The actor missed his (cue or queue) and the audience began to laugh.
7. You aren’t (allowed or aloud) to smoke in the office.
8. I can’t decide (weather or whether) to go to Hawaii or Okinawa on myholiday.
9. The (road or rode) to Damascus is very long.
10. The (hair or hare) ran too fast for the fox to catch it.
E P O N Y M O U SXTECRI N F A M O U SIEFPMMIIPD E S C E N D I N GO
PS A V O R
SYUACODDPD E S E R T
T
U N I Q U E
A
CETF
GVPROPIUHEE
B A V A N I A NCLLRNDFRUYSDIITLIINNEATI N D U L G E
EDRF R O T H YGDLast Month’s Puzzle Solution
DOWN
ACROSS
1 furthest or highest degree
1 relating to a name derived
2 a representation of a personfrom a person
4 famous for the wrong reasons 3 large in number or quantity
6 coming or moving downward 5 having a large or significant effect
7 unique or specific
8 enjoy the taste of
9 approximately
13 leave behind, abandon
10 having many or various aspects
14 distinct
11 determined by conditions
16 from a state in southern
12 walking in a manner to attract
Germanyattention
17 enjoy to excess
13 someone who is no longer alive18 emitting or filled with
15 restricted in scope or area
bubbles

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.