My Time in Japan

Reading and Use of English | Part 5

Practice for Part 5 of the Reading and Use of English paper by

reading this extract from an article about someone’s experience
of living in Japan. They discuss challenges, learning about
Japanese traditions and language, and how it influenced their
view of the world.

Read the text and then go through questions 1 – 6 below and

choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D which you thinks fits
best according to the text.
Living in Japan for a cultural exchange program showed me a
world that was very different from mine. When I first got to
Tokyo, the capital city, I was surprised to see how old traditions
and modern ways of living were combined together so effortlessly.
The city was a blend of ancient temples and towering skyscrapers,
each telling a unique story of Japan’s rich history and rapid
modernization.

My host family, the Tanakas, were incredibly welcoming. They

were eager to share their culture with me, and I was just as eager
to learn. Mrs. Tanaka, in particular, played a big role in my cultural
education. She taught ikebana, which is the traditional Japanese
way of arranging flowers. At first, I thought ikebana was quite
complicated, but Mrs. Tanaka helped me understand and
appreciate the deeper meaning behind each flower arrangement.
Ikebana wasn’t just about making things look pretty;it was a way
to express harmony and balance, key aspects of Japanese
philosophy.

Talking in Japanese was one of my biggest challenges. I knew a bit

of the language before I got there, but I wasn’t ready for how
difficult everyday conversations would be. My host family was
very patient, and the kids at school were kind and helped me a lot.
This supportive environment helped me improve my language
skills much faster. Besides going to school, I also helped out at a
nearby community centre, helping teach English to kids. This
experience was not only rewarding but also a great opportunity to
see firsthand how language can connect people from different
backgrounds.

One experience that stands out in my memory is attending a

traditional Japanese festival, or matsuri. The festival was full of
bright colours, loud sounds, and a lot of excitement with everyone
participating in dances and celebrations. Being there, I really
understood how significant cultural traditions are in Japan. The
feeling of community and shared history was strong and made me
value the cultural beliefs that bring the people in Japan together.

Towards the end of my stay in Japan, I visited Kyoto, the historical

heart of Japan. Kyoto was incredibly beautiful, with old temples,
shrines and gardens. Everywhere I went in the city was full of
history and traditions. I remember spending a quiet afternoon in
the Ryoan-ji temple garden, admiring the carefully placed rocks
and raked gravel. This peaceful time was so different from my
busy life at home. It was then that I realised how much my
perspective on life and culture had expanded during my time in
Japan.

Adjusting to how people behave and what they expect in Japan

was sometimes hard. For example, maintaining ‘wa’ or harmony is
a crucial aspect of Japanese culture. This often means avoiding
direct confrontation and finding more appropriate ways to
express disagreement. This way of communicating was very
different from what I was used to in my own country. It took
patience and an open mind to adapt to these cultural differences.

Returning home was a mix of emotions. I was excited to reunite

with my family and friends, but I was also really sad to leave
Japan, which had started to feel like a second home. The
experience taught me invaluable lessons on how to adapt,
understand others better, and see life from different points of
view.

My cultural exchange experience in Japan was more than just an

overseas adventure. It changed the way I understand the world.
My time in Japan was a major moment in my life, showing me how
important it is to connect with people from different cultures,
especially in our world today where everything is so connected.
(1)
What was the author’s initial impression upon arriving in Tokyo?
• They were impressed by the mix of old and new
• They were surprised by the size of the buildings
• They were disappointed at the number of modern
buildings
• They were impressed by the amount traditional
temples
(2)
What did the author learn by doing ikebana?
• How difficult flower arranging was
• The significance of precision and detail in
traditional arts
• How it can affect other aspects of people’s lives
• The importance of learning about different
cultures
(3)
What challenge did the author face with the Japanese language?
• Keeping up with the speed people talk
• Understanding the other children at school
• Difficulty in participating in general
conversations
• Lack of interest in learning Japanese
(4)
What did the author learn from attending a matsuri?
• The importance of participating in traditional
Japanese dance
• The importance of traditions in Japanese culture
• The importance of learning about Japanese
history
• The importance of being part of a community
(5)
How did the author feel about adapting to Japanese social
behaviours?
• They found it mostly easy and straightforward
• They didn’t like the normal social behaviours in
Japan
• They struggled with the concept of ‘wa’
• They preferred the way people behave in Japan
compared to their country
(6)
What was the impact of the author’s cultural exchange experience
in Japan?
• It led to a career in teaching English
• It caused them to feel disconnected from their
own culture
• It made them decide to experience other
countries and cultures
• It changed their perspective on life and culture