to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
to wake up; to rouse out of bed; to knock on the door and wake someone
useless; no future in it; doesn't make sense; having no point
to catch (someone's words); to make out; to follow; to ask about (a situation, circumstances, etc.); to inquire
paper patch; paper backing; poster; sticker; label
consultation on career, university, etc. choices
not mince matters; not mince one's words
more than most people; more than other people; compared with other people; more than others
school of one's (first, second) choice
one or two; a few; small number
to dominate; to prevail; to be superior to; to get ahead of; to get the upper hand
to make a success in life
greed; craving; desire; appetite; hunger; avarice
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
shrine; palace; imperial residence; Imperial prince; Imperial princess; headboard with built-in shelves, drawers, etc.
noted family; noble family; prestigious school, organization, business, etc.
to have a lot on one's shoulders; to bear a lot of responsibility
alma mater clique; old school tie
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
repayment; reimbursement; refund; redemption
payment; provision; benefit; performance
scholarship; stipend; bursary; student loan
(earning or paying) no interest
type 1; category 1; first class
to meet someone's requirements; to meet expectations; to go along with what somebody wants
the point of ...; the place where ...; a place called ...; places known as ...; I would say ...; ... is how I'd put it
to reverberate; to resound; to echo; to have one's fame spread; to be renowned
whispering; murmuring; subdued
place near the mountains; hilly section of a city (e.g. Tokyo, Kobe, Yokohama)
circumference; perimeter; work outside the office; outer tracks (in a loop or curve)
highway (esp. one existing from the Edo period); main road; highway (e.g. to success); path (to becoming ...); subdistrict (in China)
to be erected; to be built
tree; shrub; bush; wood; timber
attached; belonging (to); included; enclosed; affiliated; annexed