Lesson 21 Soccer
Topic Question: “What are some achievements of the Japanese national soccer team?”
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Consider the milestones and achievements the Japanese national soccer team has accomplished over the years. These could include victories in international tournaments, remarkable performances in World Cups, or any other significant successes.
▮ Sample Answer
“The Japanese national soccer team has won the AFC Asian Cup four times and reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup. They’re known for teamwork and technical skills.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
－Pronounce the Words Correctly (Pronunciation Training) + Make Sentences Using the Words Instantly
- Achievements (達成): Things done successfully with effort, skill, or courage.
- AFC Asian Cup (AFCアジアカップ): A men’s soccer tournament among Asian nations.
- Knockout stage (ノックアウトステージ): A phase in a tournament where teams are eliminated when they lose a match.
- FIFA World Cup (FIFAワールドカップ): An international football competition contested by the men’s national teams of the member associations of FIFA.
- Teamwork (チームワーク): The combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s Questions Based on the Sample Answer
- How many times has the Japanese national soccer team won the AFC Asian Cup?
- What stage has the Japanese team reached in the FIFA World Cup?
- What are the Japanese national soccer team known for?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
I’ve lost my key. I lost my key last week.
(present perfect and simple past 3)
A: Sometimes you can use the present perfect (I have lost / he has gone, etc.) or the simple past (I lost/ he went, etc.).
● “Is Peter here?” “No, he’s gone home.” or “No, he went home.”
But with a finished time (yesterday / last week, etc.), we use only the simple past (not the present perfect).
Do not use the present perfect (have arrived / have done I have been, etc.) with a finished time:
● I saw Paula yesterday. (not I have seen)
● Where were you on Sunday afternoon? (not Where have you been)
Use the simple past to ask When… ? or What time… ?
● When did you buy your computer? (11or When have you bought?)
● What time did Andy go out? (not What time has Andy gone out?)
B: Compare :
Example Sentences:
- The Japanese national soccer team has become known for its strong teamwork. (No specific time given, general statement up to the present.)
- When did the team start being recognized for their teamwork? They started to gain recognition after their performance in the early 2000s.
- Japan won the AFC Asian Cup last in 2011. (Specific time in the past, so simple past is used.)
- Have they won the AFC Asian Cup recently? No, the last time they won was in 2011.
- The team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup multiple times. (Action in the past with relevance to the present.)
- When did Japan first qualify for the World Cup? They first qualified in 1998.”
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
