Japanese turn on to Chinese chic

1. Japanese turn on to Chinese chic 2004 - UE – Section C Gapped Summary

2. Japanese turn on to Chinese chic • What do you think is the most stylish city in Asia? • Why do you think the Japanese have suddenly taken an interest in Chinese things? • Will this interest last?

3. Japanese turn on to Chinese chic

4. Nowadays in Tokyo, the new place to look for (45) to follow is China.

5. Paragraph 1 Line 1: “All of a sudden, China is trendy.” What is the passage about? “look for …” – need a noun. Common collocation with “follow”. Speaking generally – need plural. (45) trends Nowadays in Tokyo, the new place to look for (45) to follow is China.

6. Only a few years ago, anything from China was perceived as poor (46) and without (47)

7. Paragraph 1. Line 3: “To think that just five years ago, China was a metaphor for everything cheap and tasteless.” If something is cheap, it is of poor … “Poor” is an adjective so we need a noun. (46) quality If something is tasteless, it is without … (47) taste Only a few years ago, anything from China was perceived as poor (46) and without (47).

8. Now, young people in Tokyo favour cities like Shanghai more than Paris. This is reflected in the fact that (48) is a popular pastime in the city.

9. Paragraph 1 Line 5: “… now Tokyo youth are talking about Shanghai in tones that they used to use for Paris. Mandarin conversation classes have cropped up all over the city, …” Many people are taking Mandarin classes. We need a subject for “is a popular pastime”. We need 2 words. (48) learning/ studying Mandarin Now, young people in Tokyo favour cities like Shanghai more than Paris. This is reflected in the fact that (48) is a popular pastime in the city.

10. These days, as marrying someone from a different (49) becomes more common, fashionable Tokyoites are increasingly likely to have Chinese (50).

11. Paragraph 1 Line 8: “…and the No. 1 partner of choice in the ever-increasing trend of mixed marriages carries the PRC passport.” Mixed marriages involve people from different … “a” – need singular (49) country/culture If a person from Tokyo marries someone from China, they will have a Chinese … Speaking generally - need plural. (50) spouses/partners These days, as marrying someone from a different (49) becomes more common, fashionable Tokyoites are increasingly likely to have Chinese (50).

12. America does not (51) young Japanese any more.

13. Paragraph 3 Line 9: “They still believe in the American dream. But after 9-11 and everything that followed, the US doesn’t seem that exciting any more.” The US doesn’t seem exciting. We need a verb because of “does not…” (51) interest/attract America does not (51) young Japanese any more.

14. Instead, China has become the place to go to make (52).

15. Paragraph 3 Line 12: “China, on the other hand, is full of anticipation. It’s where anyone with a product to sell can strike gold, and that’s what we all want.” To “strike gold” is to become rich. To become rich, you need to “make” … (52) money Instead, China has become the place to go to make (52).

16. Hiromi Morishita, …, says her family expressed their (53) when she moved to China because it was a Communist country.

17. Last paragraph Line 3: “My parents were concerned at first that I was going to go and work in a Communist country…” Her family was concerned. You express something. “Their” is used in front of a … Noun. (53) concern Hiromi Morishita, …, says her family expressed their (53) when she moved to China because it was a Communist country.

18. However, whenever she (54) to Japan these days, she finds that her native land feels more Communist than her new home.

19. Last sentence. “Now when I come back, it’s Japan that feels Communist.” She lives in China, so she has to “come back” to Japan. Need 1 word. She (third person singular). (54) returns However, whenever she (54) to Japan these days, she finds that her native land feels more Communist than her new home.

20. Her friends in Japan are always asking her to have (55) for them in the Chinese style.

21. Paragraph 2 Line 4: “She says that she is always getting requests from her friends back in Tokyo for tailor-made Chinese dresses, …” Need two words. What do they want? Dresses. Passive with have - e.g. “have my hair cut”. They have the dresses … made (55) dresses made Her friends in Japan are always asking her to have (55) for them in the Chinese style.

22. The Japanese (56) viewed Chinese style as rather traditional and conservative; now it is typically perceived as very glamorous.

23. Paragraph 2 Line 8: “Indeed, the key word for the new China trend is ‘glamour’, very different from the traditional Mao collar look that had always defined Chinese fashion in the Japanese mind.” We are comparing the new perception of Chinese style with the old perception. We need an adverb to modify “viewed”. The adverb should let us know that this is the old way of viewing Chinese style. (56) traditionally The Japanese (56) viewed Chinese style as rather traditional and conservative; now it is typically perceived as very glamorous.

24. The new designs are (57) and (58) than in the past.

25. Paragraph 2 Last line: “The designs are bold and sexy.” We need 2 adjectives describing the new Chinese designs. The use of “than” tells us that we need to use the “-er” form. (57) (58) bolder / sexier The new designs are (57) and (58) than in the past.

26. Trends do not start in Japan any more, but (59).

27. Only an overall understanding of the passage is needed. The passage is about how trendy Chinese things are in Japan. (59) in China Trends do not start in Japan any more, but (59).

28. They (Chinese models) are popular because they have long (60), are (61), and come with an “attitude”.

29. Paragraph 4 Last 2 sentences: “Long-limbed Chinese girls are in high demand. They come with an attitude and a confidence that Japanese models just don’t have.” They have long … We need a plural noun. If someone is long-limbed, they have long … (60) limbs (arms and legs) A person has confidence (noun) but they are … (adjective) (61) confident They (Chinese models) are popular because they have long (60), are (61), and come with an “attitude”.

30. He says that the Japanese have become very good at choosing what to copy and what to (62).

31. Paragraph 4 Line 5: “But I think we’ve become very skilful at dealing with that, and imitate some things while discarding others.” Imitate = copy We are comparing what they copy and what they choose not to copy. Because of “what to …” we need the infinitive. (62) discard He says that the Japanese have become very good at choosing what to copy and what to (62).

32. In (Gen Motohashi’s) his opinion, Chinese style is less (63) and (64) than that of his own country.

33. Paragraph 4 Line 7: “Japanese fashion and design has more individuality and sensitivity than Chinese.” “has more …” + noun “is less …” + adjective Individual: considered separately from other people. Individualistic: possessing the quality that makes something different from all other things. (63) (64) individualistic/ sensitive In (Gen Motohashi’s) his opinion, Chinese style is less (63) and (64) than that of his own country.