Zoom英会話クラス(金)

Lesson Notes May 30, 2025 (FRIDAY ZOOM)

Words & Phrases

• It’s a little (chilly / cold) today, isn’t it?

• There were few people at the supermarket this morning. I only saw two or three customers.

• “Few” (without a) means not many or almost none and often implies a lack or shortage.

• There were a few people standing in line at the bank to use the ATMs.

• This means some people were there — not many, but enough to be noticeable.

• The OX at my station is much smaller. (Here “much” is used to add emphasis.)

• “Much” can emphasize comparative adjectives like smaller, better, worse, etc.

• This bag is much heavier than I expected.

• The new version is much faster.

• It’s much more expensive in Tokyo.

• The tomb probably belonged to a (high-status individual / person of high status) but researchers aren’t certain. (‘High-class individual’ is understandable but not common)

• The tombs are not open to the public often. They are kept closed to protect them.

• When you buy rice, how much do you usually get?

• How much rice do you usually buy?

Grammar

“The government minister tried to eat the rice.”

• Form: tried to + verb (infinitive)

• Meaning: He attempted to eat the rice, but we don’t know if he succeeded or not.

• Implication: The focus is on effort or intention.

“The government minister tried eating the rice.”

• Form: tried + -ing verb (gerund)

• Meaning: He experimented with eating the rice, perhaps to see how it tasted or if it suited him.

• Implication: The focus is on testing or experiencing something.

“The government minister tried the rice.”

• Form: tried + object

• Meaning: He tasted the rice.

• Implication: This is a simple sentence — he just had a small amount to sample the flavour.

Pronunciation

• Tomb (noun) ( tuːm ) TOMB; the ‘b’ is silent, and it rhymes with gloom, room, and doom.

Appropriate Language

• ‘Foreign’ is usually used to describe objects, products, or things rather than people. When referring to people, it’s often more appropriate to use ‘international.’

• I enjoy watching foreign films, especially those from Europe.

• She studied several foreign languages at university.

• We import most of our electronics from foreign countries.

• The university has a large international student population.

• He works for an international company based in London.

• We watched the international news to see how other countries are reacting.

• “Foreign” can sound impersonal or even negative when used to describe people.

• foreign people, foreign tourists, foreign students (can sound distancing or outdated)

• “International” sounds more neutral and respectful in modern English

• international students, international tourists, international visitors