Preparing for Disasters Japan has many natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rain. Because of this, it is important for people to prepare for emergencies. Some local governments send disaster information to people’s smartphones, and by doing so they help people take action quickly. People are also encouraged to keep enough food and water at home.
カードの最初の文：One day, Mr. and Mrs. Kato were talking about an emergency kit.
No.1 パッセージの質問 According to the passage, how do some local governments help people take action quickly? 答えの例：By sending disaster information to people’s smartphones.（人々のスマートフォンに災害の情報を送ることによってです。）
No.2 3コマの説明 Now, please look at the pictures and describe the situation. You have 20 seconds to prepare. Your story should begin with the sentence on the card. 答えの例：One day, Mr. and Mrs. Kato were talking about an emergency kit. Mrs. Kato said that they should buy one. At a store, Mr. Kato found an emergency kit. It cost 8,000 yen, and he decided to buy it. That night, there was heavy rain. Mr. Kato was checking disaster information on his smartphone.（ある日、加藤さん夫妻は防災セットについて話していました。妻は買うべきだと言いました。店で、加藤さんは防災セットを見つけました。8,000円で、買うことにしました。その夜、大雨がふりました。加藤さんはスマートフォンで災害の情報を確かめていました。）
No.3 意見の質問 Some people say that schools should hold more disaster drills. What do you think about that? 答えの例：I agree.（賛成です。） I agree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Students need to know what to do when a disaster happens. Practicing many times helps them stay calm in a real emergency.（災害が起きたときに何をすべきか知る必要があります。何度も練習すれば、本当の緊急時に落ち着いて行動できます。） I disagree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Schools already hold drills several times a year. Students should learn about disasters at home with their families, too.（学校はすでに年に数回訓練をしています。家でも家族と災害について学ぶべきです。）
No.4 意見の質問 Do you think people today depend too much on the Internet? 答えの例：Yes.（はい。） Yes の場合 → Why? 答えの例：Many people cannot find their way or buy things without the Internet. If the Internet stops working, they will have serious problems.（インターネットなしでは道もわからず買い物もできない人が多いからです。止まると大きな問題になります。） No の場合 → Why not? 答えの例：The Internet is just a useful tool. People use it to save time and get information quickly.（インターネットは便利な道具にすぎないからです。時間を節約し、情報をはやく得るために使っています。）
カード2「Working from Home」の英文・質問・答えの例（文字で見る）
Working from Home More and more companies allow their workers to work from home. Workers can save time because they do not have to travel to the office. Some companies hold online meetings regularly, and by doing so they help workers communicate with each other. However, some people feel lonely when they work at home for a long time.
No.1 パッセージの質問 According to the passage, how do some companies help workers communicate with each other? 答えの例：By holding online meetings regularly.（オンライン会議を定期的に開くことによってです。）
No.2 3コマの説明 Now, please look at the pictures and describe the situation. You have 20 seconds to prepare. Your story should begin with the sentence on the card. 答えの例：One day, Ms. Ito was working at home. She was having an online meeting with her coworkers. A few minutes later, her son started playing the guitar in the same room. Ms. Ito could not hear the meeting well. The next day, Ms. Ito was wearing headphones during the meeting.（ある日、伊藤さんは家で働いていました。同僚とオンライン会議をしていました。数分後、息子が同じ部屋でギターをひき始めました。伊藤さんは会議がよく聞こえませんでした。次の日、伊藤さんは会議中にヘッドホンをつけていました。）
No.3 意見の質問 Some people say that working from home is better than working in an office. What do you think about that? 答えの例：I agree.（賛成です。） I agree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Workers do not need to spend time on crowded trains. They can use that time for their families or hobbies.（満員電車に時間を使わなくてすみます。その時間を家族や趣味に使えます。） I disagree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：It is easier to share ideas when people meet face to face. Some workers also find it hard to concentrate at home.（顔を合わせたほうが考えを伝えやすいです。家では集中しにくい人もいます。）
No.4 意見の質問 Do you think it is a good idea for high school students to have part-time jobs? 答えの例：Yes.（はい。） Yes の場合 → Why? 答えの例：They can learn how hard it is to earn money. They can also learn how to work with adults.（お金をかせぐ大変さを学べるからです。大人と働くことも学べます。） No の場合 → Why not? 答えの例：High school students should spend their time on studying. Working may make them too tired.（高校生は勉強に時間を使うべきだからです。働くとつかれすぎるかもしれません。）
カード3「Helping Foreign Visitors」の英文・質問・答えの例（文字で見る）
Helping Foreign Visitors The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has been increasing. Many of them enjoy traditional culture and local food. Some towns provide information in several languages, and by doing so they make it easier for visitors to travel around. On the other hand, some popular places have become too crowded.
カードの最初の文：One day, Kenji was walking to the station.
No.1 パッセージの質問 According to the passage, how do some towns make it easier for visitors to travel around? 答えの例：By providing information in several languages.（いくつかの言語で情報を出すことによってです。）
No.2 3コマの説明 Now, please look at the pictures and describe the situation. You have 20 seconds to prepare. Your story should begin with the sentence on the card. 答えの例：One day, Kenji was walking to the station. A man was looking at a map, and he seemed to be lost. A few minutes later, Kenji was showing the man the way to the station. The man looked very happy. That evening, Kenji was studying English at home because he wanted to help more visitors.（ある日、ケンジは駅へ歩いていました。男の人が地図を見ていて、道に迷っているようでした。数分後、ケンジはその男の人に駅への道を教えていました。男の人はとてもうれしそうでした。その晩、もっと多くの旅行者を助けたいと思い、ケンジは家で英語を勉強していました。）
No.3 意見の質問 Some people say that more signs in Japan should be written in foreign languages. What do you think about that? 答えの例：I agree.（賛成です。） I agree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Many visitors cannot read Japanese. Signs in other languages will help them travel safely.（多くの旅行者は日本語が読めません。ほかの言語の案内があれば安全に旅行できます。） I disagree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Visitors can use translation apps on their smartphones. Too many signs may make streets confusing.（旅行者はスマートフォンの翻訳アプリを使えます。案内が多すぎると町がわかりにくくなるかもしれません。）
No.4 意見の質問 Do you think it is important for people to learn about other cultures? 答えの例：Yes.（はい。） Yes の場合 → Why? 答えの例：The world is becoming more connected. Understanding other cultures helps us work with people from different countries.（世界はますますつながっているからです。ほかの文化を知れば、ちがう国の人と協力しやすくなります。） No の場合 → Why not? 答えの例：People should first learn about their own culture well.（まず自分の国の文化をよく学ぶべきだからです。）
カード4「Exercise and Health」の英文・質問・答えの例（文字で見る）
Exercise and Health Exercise is important for staying healthy. However, many people say that they are too busy to exercise. Some companies have started giving workers time to exercise during working hours, and by doing so they help workers stay healthy. Walking or cycling to work instead of driving is another easy way to get more exercise.
No.1 パッセージの質問 According to the passage, how do some companies help workers stay healthy? 答えの例：By giving workers time to exercise during working hours.（勤務時間中に運動の時間をあたえることによってです。）
No.2 3コマの説明 Now, please look at the pictures and describe the situation. You have 20 seconds to prepare. Your story should begin with the sentence on the card. 答えの例：One day, Mr. Mori was driving to work. He was stuck in a traffic jam. That evening, Mr. Mori’s wife suggested that he ride a bicycle to work. She thought it would be good for his health. The next week, Mr. Mori was riding a bicycle to his office.（ある日、森さんは車で仕事に向かっていました。渋滞にはまっていました。その晩、森さんの妻は自転車で通勤したらどうかと言いました。健康によいと思ったのです。次の週、森さんは自転車で会社に向かっていました。）
No.3 意見の質問 Some people say that companies should give workers more time to exercise. What do you think about that? 答えの例：I agree.（賛成です。） I agree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Healthy workers can work better. Companies will also save money if fewer workers get sick.（健康な人のほうがよく働けます。病気になる人が減れば、会社もお金を節約できます。） I disagree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Workers should exercise in their own free time. Companies need workers to focus on their jobs during working hours.（運動は自分の自由な時間にするべきです。勤務時間中は仕事に集中してほしいからです。）
No.4 意見の質問 Do you think people today eat too much fast food? 答えの例：Yes.（はい。） Yes の場合 → Why? 答えの例：Many people are busy, so they choose quick meals. Eating fast food too often is bad for their health.（忙しい人が多く、はやく食べられる食事を選ぶからです。ファストフードを食べすぎるのは健康によくありません。） No の場合 → Why not? 答えの例：Many people now care about their health. They try to cook healthy meals at home.（今は健康に気をつける人が多いからです。家で健康的な料理をしようとしています。）
カード5「Electronic Books」の英文・質問・答えの例（文字で見る）
Electronic Books Electronic books are becoming more common. Readers can carry many books in one small device. Some public libraries have started lending electronic books, and by doing so they allow people to borrow books without visiting the library. However, many people still prefer paper books because they are easier on the eyes.
カードの最初の文：One day, Sayaka was reading a book at home.
No.1 パッセージの質問 According to the passage, how do some public libraries allow people to borrow books without visiting the library? 答えの例：By lending electronic books.（電子書籍を貸し出すことによってです。）
No.2 3コマの説明 Now, please look at the pictures and describe the situation. You have 20 seconds to prepare. Your story should begin with the sentence on the card. 答えの例：One day, Sayaka was reading a book at home. She wanted to read the next book in the series. At the library, Sayaka found that it was closed. She was disappointed. That night, Sayaka was borrowing an electronic book from the library’s website.（ある日、サヤカは家で本を読んでいました。シリーズの次の本を読みたいと思いました。図書館に行くと、閉まっていることがわかりました。がっかりしました。その夜、サヤカは図書館のウェブサイトで電子書籍を借りていました。）
No.3 意見の質問 Some people say that paper books will disappear in the future. What do you think about that? 答えの例：I disagree.（反対です。） I agree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Electronic books are cheaper and easier to carry. Young people are used to reading on screens.（電子書籍のほうが安く持ち運びやすいです。若い人は画面で読むことに慣れています。） I disagree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Many people like the feeling of turning pages. Paper books are also easier on the eyes.（ページをめくる感じが好きな人は多いです。紙の本は目にもやさしいです。）
No.4 意見の質問 Do you think students should read newspapers more often? 答えの例：Yes.（はい。） Yes の場合 → Why? 答えの例：Newspapers give them reliable information about society. They can also learn many new words.（社会についての信頼できる情報が得られるからです。新しい言葉もたくさん学べます。） No の場合 → Why not? 答えの例：Students can get the news more quickly on the Internet.（インターネットのほうがはやくニュースが得られるからです。）
カード6「Clean Beaches」の英文・質問・答えの例（文字で見る）
Clean Beaches Plastic waste in the ocean is a serious problem. It harms sea animals and makes beaches dirty. Some beach towns hold cleanup events with local people, and by doing so they keep their beaches clean. Many companies are also developing new materials that can be used instead of plastic.
カードの最初の文：One day, Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura went to the beach with their daughter.
No.1 パッセージの質問 According to the passage, how do some beach towns keep their beaches clean? 答えの例：By holding cleanup events with local people.（地元の人たちとそうじのイベントを開くことによってです。）
No.2 3コマの説明 Now, please look at the pictures and describe the situation. You have 20 seconds to prepare. Your story should begin with the sentence on the card. 答えの例：One day, Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura went to the beach with their daughter. There was a lot of trash on the beach. A few weeks later, they joined a beach cleanup event. Their daughter was picking up plastic bottles. The next summer, the beach was clean, and their daughter was swimming in the sea.（ある日、中村さん夫妻は娘と海に行きました。浜辺にはたくさんごみがありました。数週間後、3人は浜辺のそうじのイベントに参加しました。娘はペットボトルを拾っていました。次の夏、浜辺はきれいになっていて、娘は海で泳いでいました。）
No.3 意見の質問 Some people say that stores should stop selling drinks in plastic bottles. What do you think about that? 答えの例：I agree.（賛成です。） I agree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Plastic bottles often end up in the ocean. People can carry their own water bottles instead.（ペットボトルは海に流れ着くことが多いです。かわりに自分の水筒を持ち歩けます。） I disagree. の場合 → 理由を続けます 答えの例：Plastic bottles are useful when people go out or when a disaster happens. It is more important to recycle them.（ペットボトルは外出時や災害時に便利です。リサイクルすることのほうが大切です。）
No.4 意見の質問 Do you think people should spend more time on volunteer activities? 答えの例：Yes.（はい。） Yes の場合 → Why? 答えの例：Volunteer activities help people in the community. People can also meet others and learn new things.（ボランティアは地域の人を助けるからです。人と出会い、新しいことも学べます。） No の場合 → Why not? 答えの例：Many people are too busy with work and family. They should not feel forced to join.（仕事や家族のことで忙しい人が多いからです。むりに参加させられるべきではありません。）