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Vocabulary
Bestselling/ ベストセラーの（形容詞）– selling more copies than other books
The bestselling book this year surprised many people.
今年のベストセラー本は多くの人を驚かせました。
Ranked/ ランク付けされた（動詞・形容詞）– put in order based on level or importance
The book ranked everyday problems from small troubles to big crises.
その本は日常の問題を小さな悩みから大きな危機までランク付けしました。
Carelessness/ 不注意（名詞）– not paying attention; causing accidents
Not listening in class scores high on the carelessness meter.
授業を聞かないことは、不注意度が高いとされています。
Exhibition/ 展示（名詞） – a public display, usually in a museum
Children visited an exhibition where they could act out common mistakes.
子どもたちは、よくある失敗を体験できる展示を見学しました。
Article
A Book About Making Mistakes Becomes Japan’s Bestseller
This year, the bestselling book in Japan was not about heroes or mysteries. Instead, it was about children making mistakes. The book is called Dai Pinchi Zukan 3 by Noritake Suzuki. It is part of a popular illustrated series about a clumsy schoolboy who often finds himself in small troubles, called “big pinches.”
In the book, everyday problems are ranked like product reviews. Small troubles include breaking disposable chopsticks unevenly or forgetting a water bottle at school. Bigger problems include an umbrella turning inside out or a cat following you home. Each problem is given a “pinch level” and a score showing how likely it is to happen.
Earlier books in the series used fun charts to show emotions like embarrassment, anxiety, and irritation. The newest book adds a “carelessness meter,” which shows how much the problem is your fault. For example, being called the wrong name is not your fault, but not listening in class is.
The books are very popular, selling 2.7 million copies in four years. They are also supported by TV commercials, card games, and even a museum exhibition where children can act out mistakes.
These books are not meant to make fun of children. Instead, they teach an important lesson: problems that seem very serious at first are often not so bad. Many mistakes happen to everyone, and children are not alone. Adults enjoy the books too, because they remind them of their own childhood mistakes — and even their adult ones.
Source: Japan Times
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions following the article in English.
- What is Dai Pinchi Zukan 3 about?
- How does the book describe children’s problems?
- What is the “carelessness meter”?
- Why do adults also enjoy reading the books?
Summary
In your own words, attempt to summarise the article in 4 sentences or less.
Discussion
Discuss these topics with your tutor, and support your answers with examples or experience.
- What small mistakes do you remember from your childhood?
- Do you think ranking problems helps children worry less? Why or why not?
- What everyday problem would you include in this book? How serious would it be?
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