The cat in the garden

The idea

Follow the clues in order: The cat meows softly. “Tama” is written on the cat’s red ribbon. The topic marker は and polite verb endings such as ます help you follow who does what.

Read the text

Examples

• 朝あさ、ユイさんの庭にわに猫ねこがいます。In the morning, there is a cat in Yui’s garden.
• 猫ねこは小ちいさい声こえで鳴なきます。The cat meows softly.
• ユイさんは猫ねこに水みずをあげます。Yui gives the cat water.
• 猫ねこの赤あかいリボンに「タマ」と書かいてあります。“Tama” is written on the cat’s red ribbon.
• 隣となりの人ひとが「タマ」と呼よびます。The neighbour calls “Tama.”
• 猫ねこは隣となりの家いえへ帰かえります。The cat goes back to the house next door.

Watch out

Do not assume the first situation is the ending. Check the names, places and numbers in the final sentences.

Try it yourself

1. Use the story to fill the gap: ユイさんは猫ねこに＿をあげます。（水みず／お茶ちゃ）

   Show answer or example answer

   水 / みず

   The relevant sentence says: Yui gives the cat water.

2. Use the story to fill the gap: 猫ねこの＿リボンに「タマ」と書かいてあります。（青あおい／赤あかい）

   Show answer or example answer

   赤い / あかい

   The relevant sentence says: “Tama” is written on the cat’s red ribbon.

3. Use the story to fill the gap: 猫ねこは＿へ帰かえります。（隣となりの家いえ／学校がっこう）

   Show answer or example answer

   隣の家 / となりのいえ

   The relevant sentence says: The cat goes back to the house next door.

Use it today

Retell the problem, the clues and the ending in your own words, using some Japanese phrases.