Basic English 3a: Plans for the Weekend

Characters:

  • Yumi: A university student
  • Kenji: Yumi’s older brother
  • Mika: Yumi’s best friend

[Scene: Yumi and Kenji are sitting in the living room, talking about the weekend. Mika arrives shortly after.]

Yumi: What are you going to do this weekend, Kenji? Are you working again?

Kenji: No, I’m not going to work this weekend. I’m going to visit a friend in Osaka. He just moved there, and I haven’t seen his new apartment yet.

Yumi: Oh, that sounds fun! How are you going to get there?

Kenji: I’m going to take the train. It’s faster than driving.

[The doorbell rings. Yumi opens the door, and Mika walks in.]

Mika: Hi, Yumi! Hi, Kenji!

Yumi: Hi, Mika! We’re just talking about weekend plans. What about you? What are you going to do?

Mika: I’m not sure yet. I want to go hiking, but I heard it might rain on Sunday.

Kenji: Really? I didn’t know that. Do you think it will rain the whole day?

Mika: The weather app says it’s going to rain in the afternoon. I guess I could go hiking in the morning.

Yumi: That’s a good idea. Or you could come with me to the library. I’m going to study for my English exam.

Mika: Study? On the weekend?

Yumi: Well, I need to. If I don’t study, I’ll fail the test!

Kenji: You’ll be fine, Yumi. You always do well on your exams.

Mika: What about Saturday evening? Are you free?

Yumi: I think so. Why?

Mika: Let’s go to that new Italian restaurant near the station. I heard it’s really good!

Kenji: Oh, I heard about that place, too. If you go, try the pizza. Everyone says it’s amazing.

Yumi: That sounds great! I’ll text you later to confirm.

Mika: Perfect. See you then!

Comprehension Exercises

Set 1: True/False

  1. Kenji is going to visit a friend in Osaka this weekend. (True)
  2. Yumi suggests that Mika join her at the library. (True)
  3. Kenji thinks driving is faster than taking the train. (False)
  4. Mika is going hiking on Saturday morning. (False)
  5. Mika says the weather app predicts rain on Sunday afternoon. (True)
  6. Kenji has already visited his friend’s new apartment. (False)
  7. Yumi and Mika plan to eat at a new Italian restaurant on Saturday evening. (True)

Set 2: Yes/No Questions

  1. Is Kenji working this weekend? (No)
  2. Does Kenji think the train is faster than driving? (Yes)
  3. Is Mika sure about her weekend plans? (No)
  4. Will it rain all day on Sunday, according to Mika? (No)
  5. Does Yumi say she needs to study for her English exam? (Yes)
  6. Does Kenji suggest that Mika try the pizza at the restaurant? (Yes)
  7. Is the new Italian restaurant far from the station? (No)

Set 3: Either/Or Questions

  1. Is Kenji visiting a friend or going to work this weekend? (Visiting a friend)
  2. Is Kenji traveling to Osaka by car or by train? (By train)
  3. Does Mika think it will rain in the morning or afternoon on Sunday? (Afternoon)
  4. Is Yumi planning to study at home or at the library? (At the library)
  5. Does Yumi suggest studying or hiking to Mika? (Studying)
  6. Is the new restaurant Mika mentions Japanese or Italian? (Italian)
  7. Does Kenji recommend trying pizza or sushi at the restaurant? (Pizza)

Set 4: Open Questions

  1. Where is Kenji going this weekend? (To Osaka)
  2. How is Kenji going to travel to Osaka? (By train)
  3. What does Mika want to do on Sunday? (Go hiking)
  4. Why does Yumi plan to study at the library? (Because she has an English exam.)
  5. What does the weather app say about Sunday? (It says it will rain in the afternoon.)
  6. What kind of restaurant does Mika suggest for Saturday evening? (A new Italian restaurant)
  7. What food does Kenji recommend at the Italian restaurant? (Pizza)

Set 5: Ask Me

  1. Ask me
    (a) if Kenji is going to Osaka this weekend.
    (b) why Kenji is going to Osaka.
  2. Ask me
    (a) if Kenji is going to drive to Osaka.
    (b) how Kenji is going to travel to Osaka.
  3. Ask me
    (a) if Mika wants to go hiking on Sunday.
    (b) when Mika is planning to go hiking.
  4. Ask me
    (a) if it will rain on Sunday.
    (b) what time it will rain on Sunday.
  5. Ask me
    (a) if Yumi is going to study at the library.
    (b) why Yumi is going to the library.
  6. Ask me
    (a) if Mika suggests going to an Italian restaurant.
    (b) what Mika suggests they do on Saturday evening.
  7. Ask me
    (a) if Kenji recommends trying the pizza at the Italian restaurant.
    (b) what Kenji recommends at the restaurant.

Translation

Characters:

  • Yumi: 大学生
  • Kenji: ユミの兄
  • Mika: ユミの親友

[場面: ユミとケンジがリビングで週末の予定について話しています。そこにミカがやって来ます。]

ユミ: ケンジ、お兄ちゃんは週末何をするつもり?また仕事?

ケンジ: いや、今週末は仕事しないよ。大阪の友達を訪ねるつもりなんだ。彼が引っ越したばかりで、新しいアパートをまだ見ていないんだよ。

ユミ: それは楽しそう!どうやって行くの?

ケンジ: 電車で行くつもりだよ。車で行くより早いからね。

[ドアベルが鳴る。ユミがドアを開けるとミカが入ってくる。]

ミカ: やっほー、ユミ!こんにちは、ケンジさん!

ユミ: こんにちは、ミカ!ちょうど週末の予定について話してたの。ミカはどうする予定?

ミカ: まだ決めてないんだ。ハイキングに行きたいけど、日曜日は雨が降るかもしれないって聞いたよ。

ケンジ: えっ、そうなの?一日中降ると思う?

ミカ: 天気予報では午後に雨が降るって。だから午前中にハイキングに行こうかな。

ユミ: それはいい考えだね。もしくは私と一緒に図書館に来る?私は英語の試験の勉強をするつもりだよ。

ミカ: 週末に勉強?

ユミ: うん、勉強しなかったら試験に落ちちゃうもん!

ケンジ: 大丈夫だよ、ユミ。君はいつも試験でいい点取るじゃないか。

ミカ: 土曜の夜はどう?空いてる?

ユミ: たぶん空いてるよ。どうして?

ミカ: 駅の近くに新しいイタリアンレストランができたんだけど、一緒に行こうよ。すごく美味しいって聞いたんだ!

ケンジ: あ、その店のこと聞いたことあるよ。もし行くなら、ピザを試してみて。みんなすごく美味しいって言ってるよ。

ユミ: いいね!後で確認してから連絡するね。

ミカ: 完璧!じゃあまたね!