Notes:
make the cut　< 米俗>登録選手枠に残る;
academy（特別）専門学校;
I bet　きっと～だと思う（=I am sure）;
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You can’t just be tall to be an NBA star. There have been more than a few very tall players who didn’t make the cut. Talent is important. So what’s all the excitement about Satnam Singh Bhamara? Well, India isn’t known for its basketball players, so that makes people excited. But it’s not just that. The 14-year-old is 7 feet tall. According to the director of a basketball academy, he has already developed some very good skills. He has a lot of potential, but he also has to keep working. By the way, he wears a size-22 basketball shoe. I bet he can’t find shoes in Japan! (by Prof. Carmella Lieske)
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Notes:
efficient 能率的である，効率が良い;
return ticket (英)往復キップ（アメリカ英語では「round trip ticket」）;
less hassle 問題が少ない;
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There are many cultural differences between England and Japan, and as a foreigner living abroad I cannot but help make comparisons. Without a doubt Japanese trains and buses are much more efficient than England’s. There is, however, one big difference – the ability to buy a return ticket. Whilst it is possible to buy a return ticket on the Shinkansen, it is impossible for most other forms of transport. In the UK, for example, one can get a single ticket from my home town Orpington to London for ￡5 pounds or a return for ￡5.40! The benefits of a return ticket are obvious – it is both cheaper, and less hassle. This is good for the customer and encourages more people to travel on public transport. (by Prof. Simon Smith)
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