English conversation school
to catch 'the stupid' (e.g. from talking to stupid people, watching mindless TV, etc.)
academic meritocracy; education-conscious society; society that places (excessive) emphasis on academic records
unsuccessful candidate; rejected person
depiction; including in a picture; delineation
passing university entrance exams in the last year of high school (instead of failing then taking gap year(s))
guidelines; guiding principle; dictates
one place; (all in) the same place; one spot; one location; one part; one passage
big chance; big opportunity
to be in sight (e.g. a resolution); to have a clear idea; to have bright prospects
ratio of successful applicants; (examination) pass rate
imitation; copy; make-believe; doing something in a way that only superficially resembles the real thing
sushi; anything made with vinegared rice (may also contain vegetables, spices, fish, or other delicacies)
first year of junior high school; first-year junior high school student
fundamental form; basic form; basic pattern; basic model; basic type; prototype
hooray; yay; whee; yowzer; whoopee; yes
getting nauseated; getting angry
teacher's license (licence) (required to teach in preschool, elementary or secondary schools)
past (exam) question collection
rubbish; trash; garbage; refuse
spelling; orthography; patching; binding
head-hunting; recruiting professionals from other companies
to base something on; to make something the basis
one's frame of mind; way one looks at things
good at playing along; up for anything; carefree; uplifting; upbeat
written description of one's thoughts
university graduate; having graduated from university