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1. There are many famous landmarks in America, name one. Tell me two things you know about the landmark.
2. There are many famous movie stars who live and work in America, name one. Tell me three things you know about the him/her.
3. There are many famous companies that started in America, name one. Have you ever bought a product that was produced by this company? If yes, how was it? Why? If no, why not?
4. Have you ever been to America? If yes, how was it? Why? If no, which state, city or region would you most like to visit? Why?
5. Lifestyles in America can be different to lifestyles in Japan. Tell me one aspect of American life that you envy?
6. Lifestyles in America can be different to lifestyles in Japan. Tell me one aspect of American life you are glad is common over there and not so common over here?

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Question 1

Niagara Falls. It straddles the border between the USA and Canada, specifically the state of New York and the province of Ontario. Niagara Falls is actually three different waterfalls coming together as one: Horseshoe Falls, America Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Question 2

Angelina Jolie. She is the daughter of Hollywood film stars Jon Voight and Marcia Lynne Bertrand. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie "Girl, Interrupted". She adopted her first child in 2002 from an orphanage in Cambodia and went on to adopt a number of other children from around the world.

Question 3

The Coca-Cola Company, manufacturer of many beverages, most famously Coca-Cola better known as "Coke". Coke traces its origins back to 1885, when it was known as "Pemberton's French Wine Coca" and was sold for five cents a glass. I have had Coke many times throughout my life but I have to say I prefer Pepsi.

Question 4

I have never been to the continental United States but I have been to Guam, which is an America territory. I proposed to my wife while we were there. We stayed in a nice hotel near the beach. We ate at a lot of fancy restaurants. We snorkeled, went parasailing, and did a reef walk. It was a nice little three-day vacation although it was a bit hot for my tastes.

Question 5

Buy-in-bulk discounts do not exist in Japan. If you buy a six-pack of Asahi Super Dry, it costs about the same as six individual cans. If I'm not mistaken, I think it's actually a little more; you end up paying for the cardboard carry case! In Australia, you save a little money by buying a larger amount of something. In the US, you can also save money by buying more, but the available sizes are so much bigger than anything we have in Australia.

Question 6

Gun-related violence. I'm not glad it's over there, certainly not. I'm just happy laws concerning firearms are so much more strict elsewhere in the world. It seems like in America it's far too easy for anyone to get a gun if they want one. People should be able to go to school and attend church without worrying about if they might get shot.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
straddle	またがる
province	州
orphanage	孤児院
beverage	飲み物
trace ones origins	トレースの起源
continental	大陸の
territory	地域
buy-in-bulk discount	一括購入割引
if I'm not mistaken	誤解していなければ
violence	暴力
firearm	銃器
elsewhere	他の場所で