JAPAN AND BLOOD TYPES: DOES IT DETERMINE PERSONALITY?

JAPAN AND BLOOD TYPES: DOES IT DETERMINE PERSONALITY?

By:  Ruth Evans

Published: BBC News; Magazine; November5, 2012;http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20170787

Level of Difficulty: *

Note to the Student: Take notes as you read of the main points in the text
NOW WATCH THE VIDEO
  Blood types’ personalities comics  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62w-uR9-6po

QUESTIONS

1.       Why do Japanese people frequently inquire about a person’s blood group?

2.       What proof can you offer of the widely held belief in the connection between blood groups and personality?

3.       Why can scientists not seem to be able to dispel the belief in blood groups?

4.       For what purposes did two military powers use the information concerning blood types?

5.       The fact that Masaiko Nomi and his son’s books were so widely acclaimed comes as a little bit of a surprise because …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6.       Why exactly did Ryu Matsumoto resign?

7.       What completely unique form of prejudice and discrimination can be observed in Japan?

8.       What personal question banned in Japan would be perfectly acceptable anywhere else in the world?

9.       The fact that many people in Turkey have a blood group of B disproves the idea that………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

10.   What is the function of the last sentence of the text? Explain and justify your answer.

JAPAN AND BLOOD TYPES: DOES IT DETERMINE PERSONALITY?

This another easy yet interesting little gem. As text, it lends itself very nicely to summary practice as there are a lot of specific examples that should be left out and some generalizations that should be included. When first writing summaries, it is hard to decide what to include so this reading task might be a good place to start. Alternatively, you could ditch the summary and give them 30 minutes to complete the questions. In either case, it is a riveting topic. It certainly woke me up at two in the morning while I was browsing.

1. Because a person’s blood group is popularly believed to determine temperament and personality.
2. The four books sold more than5 million copies; morning television shows, newspapers and magazines…
3. Because Japanese people enjoy finding little differences that distinguish people. OR: Linking blood groups to personality (it) provides a simple framework to divide people up into easily recognizable groups.
4. To further ideas of racial supremacy; to train better soldiers (respectively)
5. They had no medical background.
6. Because a bad tempered encounter with local officials was televised. He didn’t’ resign because of his blood group; that was the excuse he made.
7. Bura-hara or blood type harassment. Blood type craze won't do because the question requires something negative.
8. What is your blood type?
9. B types are more prone to polytheism.
10. The concluding statement. It goes beyond the text. It is much more genral.