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1. When is your birthday? What star sign are you? What characteristics does that star sign have?
2. Do you have those characteristics? Why do you think that?
3. How often do you read your horoscope? Why?
4. What superstitions do you have? For example, what do you own, carry or do that brings you luck? Do you visit shrines or temples? How and when?
5. Are birthdays a big thing in your country? How did you celebrate your birthday as a child? How do you celebrate your birthday now?
6. In Japan, superstitions exist about blood type, star sign, Chinese zodiac birth year, palm or fingerprint patterns, marriage date, the kanji in your name and birth order. Have any of the predictions of your life or character been true? Which have been patently untrue?

 

Aries March 21 - April 19

Strengths: courageous, determined, confident, enthusiastic, optimistic, honest, passionate
Weaknesses: impatient, moody, short-tempered, impulsive, aggressive

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Strengths: reliable, patient, practical, devoted, responsible, stable
Weaknesses: stubborn, possessive, uncompromising

Gemini May 21 - June 20

Strengths: gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas
Weaknesses: nervous, inconsistent, indecisive

Cancer June 21 - July 22

Strengths: tenacious, highly imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, persuasive
Weaknesses: moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative, insecure

Leo July 23 - August 22

Strengths: creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous
Weaknesses: arrogant, stubborn, self-centered, lazy, inflexible

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Strengths: loyal, analytical, kind, hardworking, practical
Weaknesses: shyness, worry, overly critical of self and others, all work and no play

Libra September 23 - October 22

Strengths: cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social
Weaknesses: indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, self-pity

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Strengths: resourceful, brave, passionate, stubborn, a true friend
Weaknesses: distrusting, jealous, secretive, violent

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Strengths: generous, idealistic, great sense of humor
Weaknesses: promises more than can deliver, very impatient, will say anything no matter how undiplomatic

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Strengths: responsible, disciplined, self-control, good managers
Weaknesses: know-it-all, unforgiving, condescending, expecting the worst

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Strengths: Progressive, original, independent, humanitarian
Weaknesses: Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Strengths: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical
Weaknesses: Fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality, can be a victim or a martyr

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Question 1

My birthday is February 11th. I am an Aquarius.Though their natural intelligence, fair mindedness and (great) wit often wins them a wide circle of eclectic friends, ultimately Aquarius stands alone. They will not compromise their ideals, morals or need for freedom and independence for anyone.

Question 2

I think that it is true that I won't compromise my ideals and morals. Maybe I can be a bit stubborn. I do have many eclectic friends. In high school I was friends with all of the cliques.

Question 3

Never. I don't believe in them being real. Some people relate things to their horoscopes even when they aren't relevant.

Question 4

I don't have any superstitions or good-luck charms. I remember when we were kids walking down the street. We used to say "step on a crack, break your mother's back" "step on a line, break your father's spine".

Question 5

I think birthdays in America are a big thing for children. We would have our birthdays at arcades, game centers, bowling alleys, rollerskating. My birthday is in the winter, so we often spent it skiing at the mountain. Now, I don't do anything on my birthday. I want to forget that I'm an old man.

Question 6

I don't believe in superstition, so it's hard for me to think of an example. I do think that I never could have predicted that I would be living in Japan and teaching English.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
eclectic	せっちゅう (折衷)
ideals	りそう (理想)
morals	どうとく (道徳)
compromise	だきょう (妥協)
superstitions	めいしん (迷信)
clique	は (派)