Unit 1-1

You will read about Julie, an American woman working as a computer programmer in Japan.
What do you think she will say about living in Japan? Write one word in each space.

1. In Japan, she can learn more about ______________.

2. Japanese people are always very ______________.
3. She really likes the food. She loves fresh ______________ and ______________.
4. She has bought Japanese ______________ and will send it back to the U.S. by ship.
5. It’s ______________ to learn Japanese.
6. She misses American ______________.

Skimming And Scanning

Read the text quickly and write Julie’s answers (A–F) in the spaces in the text.

A. People are very polite

B. I would love to just sit and watch a good show
C. I’ll stay here for the rest of my life
D. I have photos of my family and my friends
E. I think that Japan is a fantastic place
F. The language is very difficult

Reading NEW LIVES

JULIE –
A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER IN TOKYO

Why did you come to Japan?

I came to Tokyo because my company offered me a position here. There are a lot of Japanese computer
programmers, but the bosses feel that there should be some American people working here, too.
to learn more about technology.

How long do you plan to stay?

When I arrived, I planned to stay for a year, but that was two years ago. I’ve made some very good Japanese
friends, so I have no plans to go home. At the same time, I don’t think __.

What do you like about life in Japan?

There are a lot of things. Of course, I love all the technology. __ and show more respect than they do in the
U.S. The food is fantastic. It isn’t expensive to eat fresh fish and seafood, and the Japanese don’t cook
everything in oil. I love Japanese furniture. I have bought a table, some chairs, and a bed, so I will have to send
them back by ship if I do go home.

Is there anything you are not so happy about?

__ for westerners to learn.
I can speak a bit of Japanese now, but I find it hard to read and it’s almost impossible to write well. When I go
shopping, I can’t understand the labels on the products, so I often buy the wrong thing.

What do you miss most about the U.S.?

My favorite TV programs, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. __ and be able to understand everything.

What was the most important thing you brought with you from the U.S.?
I’m pleased that __.
They are very important if I’m ever feeling lonely or homesick.

Reading For Detail

Read again more slowly and underline the correct phrases.

For example:
Julie came to Japan to learn Japanese / for her job.
1. Julie arrived in Japan a year ago / two years ago.
2. She knows some / doesn’t know any Japanese people.
3. Julie knows / doesn’t know when she is going home.
4. Julie thinks that speaking Japanese / writing Japanese is more difficult.
5. Shopping is very easy / sometimes a problem.
6. Julie has got some / hasn’t got any photos with her in Japan.

NEW LIVES
Inferring
Decide if the sentences are probably True (T) or probably False (F).

Underline the part of the text that

1. In technology, the U.S. is ahead of Japan.
2. Julie is quite unhappy in Japan.
3. Julie eats fish and seafood quite a lot.
4. Americans often cook food in oil.
5. Julie thinks that all American people are very polite.
6. Julie doesn’t understand much on TV in Japan.