Finding the first train

The idea

Follow the clues in order: She will meet a friend at the town station at seven. The first train leaves at six. The topic marker は and polite verb endings such as ます help you follow who does what.

Read the text

Examples

• 明日あした、リナさんは電車でんしゃで町まちへ行いきます。Tomorrow Rina will go to town by train.
• 友達ともだちと七時しちじに町まちの駅えきで会あいます。She will meet a friend at the town station at seven.
• 駅えきで時刻表じこくひょうを見みます。At the station, she looks at the timetable.
• 最初さいしょの電車でんしゃは六時ろくじに出でます。The first train leaves at six.
• 次つぎの電車でんしゃは七時しちじに出でます。The next train leaves at seven.
• リナさんは六時ろくじの電車でんしゃに乗のります。Rina takes the six o’clock train.
• 六時半ろくじはんに町まちの駅えきに着つきます。She arrives at the town station at half past six.
• 七時しちじに友達ともだちと会あいます。At seven she meets her friend.

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: 最初さいしょの電車でんしゃは＿に出でます。（六時ろくじ／七時しちじ）

   Show answer or example answer

   六時 / ろくじ

   The relevant sentence says: The first train leaves at six.

2. Use the story to fill the gap: ＿に町まちの駅えきに着つきます。（七時半しちじはん／六時半ろくじはん）

   Show answer or example answer

   六時半 / ろくじはん

   The relevant sentence says: She arrives at the town station at half past six.

3. Use the story to fill the gap: ＿に友達ともだちと会あいます。（七時しちじ／六時ろくじ）

   Show answer or example answer

   七時 / しちじ

   The relevant sentence says: At seven she meets her friend.

Use it today

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