2012年6月1日「モバイル英語学習」第156号(エッセイ ): Ghost Town

Notes:
ghost town: 幽霊の町;
national news 全国ニュース;
scare 恐怖;
torch 懐中電灯;
creepy 気味の悪い;
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Matsue is popular for many reasons; its natural beauty, its history and local traditions. However, recently Matsue hit national news because of a new attraction – ghosts. According to the Japan Times, a ghost tour has become a popular attraction for people looking for some adventure and scares. The tour has participants carry torches and visit graveyards in the middle of the night. The tour visits places referred to in horror stories from the Meiji novelist Yakumo Koizumi. Leading it is his great-grandson who seems to share his great-grandfather’s interest in creepy places. (by Prof. Simon Smith)
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2012年5月25日「モバイル英語学習」第154号(エッセイ ): Chocolate “may help keep people slim”

Notes:
quote …を引用する;
blood pressure 血圧;
gain weight 体重が増える;
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A BBC news report quoted a study conducted on 1,000 people that showed that eating chocolate may keep you thin. It said that those who regularly ate chocolate were more likely to be thinner than those who occasionally eat it. Other studies have also shown how chocolate may improve people’s health such as heart condition and blood pressure. Such studies seem to go against common-sense which would indicate that eating more chocolate would make you fatter! Indeed we all know people who seem to eat anything and everything and never get fat. But we also have friends who merely look at chocolate and gain weight. Which one are you?
(by Prof. Simon Smith)
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