Lesson 60 Lost wallets return
Topic Question: Why do lost wallets return to their owners in Japan?
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Consider the cultural and societal factors in Japan that contribute to lost wallets often being returned to their rightful owners.
▮ Sample Answer
“In Japan, lost wallets often return to their owners because of the country’s strong culture of honesty and respect for others’ belongings. Additionally, the efficient police reporting system and community spirit play a significant role in ensuring lost items find their way back.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
Pronounce the Words Correctly (Pronunciation Training) + Make Sentences Using the Words Instantly
- Honesty (正直): The quality of being honest; truthfulness.
- Respect (尊敬): Admiration felt or shown for someone or something that you believe has good ideas or qualities.
- Belongings (所持品): Things that you own.
- Efficient (効率的な): Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
- Community spirit (地域社会の精神): A feeling of involvement in and concern for one’s local community.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
- What cultural trait helps in returning lost wallets in Japan?
- How does the police reporting system contribute to returning lost items?
- Why is community spirit important in this process?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
(a) little (a) few
(a) little + uncountable noun:
(a) little water
(a) little time
(a) little money
(a) little soup
(a) few + plural noun:
(a) few books
(a) few questions
(a) few people
(a) few days
a little = some but not much
● She didn’t eat anything, but she drank a little water.
● I speak a little Spanish. (= some Spanish but not much)
a few = some but not many
● Excuse me, I have to make a few phone calls.
● We’re going away for a few days.
● I speak a few words of Spanish.
little (without a) = almost no or almost nothing
● There was little food in the fridge. It was almost empty.
few (without a) = almost no
● There were few people in the theater.
It was almost empty.
little and a little
A little is a positive idea:
● They have a little money, so they’re not poor. (= they have some money)
Little (or very little) is a negative idea:
● They have (very) little money. They are very poor. (= almost no money)
few and a few
A few is a positive idea:
● I have a few friends, so I’m not lonely. (= I have some friends)
Few (or very few) is a negative idea:
● I’m sad and I’m lonely. I have (very) few friends. (= almost no friends)
3 Example Sentences Based on the Sample Answer and Grammar Practice:
- In Japan, there is a little more hope of getting your lost belongings back.
- Only a few people would keep a wallet they found, thanks to the strong sense of community.
- There’s very little chance of not finding the owner of a lost wallet in Japan, due to efficient systems and honest citizens.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
