Lesson 24 Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Viewing
Topic Question: “How do Japanese people enjoy cherry blossom season?”
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Consider the various customs and activities that are part of enjoying cherry blossom (sakura) season in Japan. These might include outdoor activities, special foods, or traditional events.
▮ Sample Answer
“Japanese people enjoy cherry blossom season by having picnics under the trees. They gather in parks with family and friends to eat, drink, and enjoy the beautiful sakura. It’s called ‘hanami.'”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
－Pronounce the Words Correctly (Pronunciation Training) + Make Sentences Using the Words Instantly
- Cherry blossom (桜): The flower of the cherry tree, known for its beauty and significance in Japanese culture.
- Picnics (ピクニック): Outdoor meals where food is eaten in a scenic or informal setting.
- Parks (公園): Public areas of land, usually in cities, for recreational use.
- Hanami (花見): The traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers, typically cherry blossoms.
- Sakura (桜): The Japanese term for cherry blossom.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s Questions Based on the Sample Answer
- What activity do Japanese people commonly do to enjoy cherry blossom season?
- Where do these activities typically take place?
- What is the term for enjoying the cherry blossom view?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
be/have/do in present and past tenses
A: Be (= am/is/are/was/were) + -ing (cleaning/working, etc.)
● It isn’t raining right now.
● What are you doing tonight?
● I was working when she arrived.
● It wasn’t raining, so we didn’t need an umbrella.
B: Be + past participle (cleaned/made/ eaten, etc.)
● I’m never invited to parties.
● Butter is made from milk.
● The office was cleaned yesterday.
● These houses were built 100 years ago
C: Have/has + past participle (cleaned/lost/eaten/been, etc.)
● I’ve lived in chis house for 10 years.
● Tom has never ridden a horse.
D: Do/does/did + base form (clean/like/eat/go, etc.)
● I like coffee, but I don’t like tea.
● Chris doesn’t go out very often.
● I didn’t watch TV yesterday.
● It didn’t rain last week
Example Sentences:
1. People are gathering in the parks now for hanami.
2. The cherry trees were planted decades ago.
3. I’ve attended hanami every year since moving to Japan.
4. We didn’t go to the park last year.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
