Zoom英会話クラス(火)
Lesson Notes August 26, 2025 (TUESDAY ZOOM)
Words & Phrases
My grandson is now taller than me.
He’s overtaken me in height.
Grove (noun) = a small group or cluster of trees, often planted or naturally growing close together
There’s a bamboo grove near Komae station.
A small grove of cherry trees bloomed beautifully in the spring.
She started attending nursery school when she was three years old.
Parents often visit nursery school to meet the teachers and see their children’s progress.
Croak (verb) = to make a deep, hoarse sound, often used to describe a frog or a person with a rough voice; can also mean to die (informal)
The frogs croaked loudly by the pond at night.
He croaked out a few words before losing his voice completely.
In the story, the villain croaked mysteriously at the end of the tale.
Succulent (noun) ˈsʌk.jʊ.lənt / SUC-cu-lent = a plant with thick, fleshy leaves or stems that store water (Synonyms: cactus, aloe, water-storing plant)
He keeps several succulents on his windowsill because they are easy to care for.
Succulents thrive in sunny, dry conditions.
Good rice should feel moist when cooked, not dry.
Shrinkflation (noun) = the practice of reducing the size or quantity of a product while keeping its price the same, effectively increasing its cost per unit
Many consumers noticed shrinkflation when their favourite chocolate bars got smaller but stayed the same price.
Supermarkets sometimes rely on shrinkflation to maintain profits without raising prices outright.
Appropriate Language
Nursery School = a school for very young children, usually ages 2 to 4, before they start formal education. Focus is mostly on play, social skills, and basic learning.
Kindergarten = a school for children around ages 4 to 6, just before primary/elementary school. Focus is on preparing children for formal education, learning letters, numbers, and basic social skills.
Pharmacy = a place where you get prescription medicine and sometimes advice from a pharmacist. Focus is on health care.
Drugstore = a shop that sells medicine, but also everyday items like snacks, drinks, toiletries, and cosmetics. It’s more like a general store with health products.
