question and answer session
to cultivate a better understanding
outside (e.g. of a building); exterior; outside (of a group, company, etc.); outside world
to raise one's hand; to surrender; to raise one's hand to someone (as a threat to strike); to become better (at something); to improve; to throw one's hat in the ring
to be outdone (by); to be in inferior (to); to compare unfavorably (with); to be behind
pure; genuine; trueborn; natural-born
viewing and treating as one; regarding as the same; equating one thing with another; identification
to arrive (at one's destination); to reach; to come to a head; to reach a conclusion; to culminate (in)
(outward) appearance; (proper) format (e.g. of an essay); form; appearances; decency; lip-service
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
graduation; completion (of a course); moving on (from); outgrowing (something); leaving (a group, company, etc.)
unshapely; ill-formed; misshapen; awkward; clumsy
recommendation; putting in a good word for someone
to shut; to close; to block (a street, entrance, etc.); to shut in (with snow, ice, etc.); to shut off; to consume (with negative feelings)
selfish; egoist; (arch.) self-indulgent; (arch.) wilful; (arch.) willful
financially scraping by; meagre existence (meager); hand to mouth existence; living one's life without plan; living life day-by-day; taking life one day at a time
office worker; company employee; company man; salaryman (stereotypical Japanese office worker)
to study; to complete (a course); to order (one's life); to repair (a fault one has committed)
breadwinner; biggest earner
decider; person who decides; deciding factor; clincher; trump card
schoolgirl; female student
to be a point of honor; to affect someone's good name
understanding; comprehension; grasp; perception; appreciation; mastery (of an art or skill)
homework; assignment; pending issue; unresolved problem; open question
clever; shrewd; canny; smart; quick; prompt
recess; break time; break between classes; free period; recess time; recreation hour
chime; bell (e.g. doorbell)
taking a seat; sitting down (in one's seat)
title; subject; problem (on a test); question; counter for questions (on a test)
group; party; team; squad; section
hidden reserves of strength; latent energy; potentiality; real strength
reliability; trustworthiness; dependability
announcement; publication; presenting; statement; communique; making known
washing; cleansing; cleaning; cleansing (one's mind and body)