【2008年度第二回 筆記試験問題 90分】
1. 最も適切なものを1~4から選びなさい。
| 問題文 | 解説 |
| (1) 動詞
A: Excuse me. I understand your restaurant has a private room. Could you tell me how many people it can ( )? 1 appropriate 2 discriminate 3 accommodate 4 dislocate |
ap・pro・pri・ate [ əpróʊprièɪt] 充当する、着服する Parliament appropriated two million pounds for flood control.
dis・crim・i・nate [dɪskrímənèɪt] 区別する、差別待遇する (自動詞) discriminate against women employees ac・com・mo・date [əkάmədèɪt] 収容する This hotel can accommodate more than 500 guests. dis・lo・cate [dísloʊkèɪt] …を混乱させる, …を脱臼させる He fell and dislocated his shoulder. 彼はころんで肩の骨をはずした |
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(2) 動詞 “ I ( ) your efforts to improve community relations, “ the mayor told local religious leaders. “Thanks to the meetings we’ve held, we all understand each other better now.” 1 applaud 2 formalize 3 dispute 4 retain |
ap・plaud [əplˈɔːd] 拍手かっさいする The audience applauded loudly. 聴衆は熱狂的に拍手かっさいした。
for・mal・ize [fɔɚməlὰɪz] …に一定の形を与える dis・pute [dɪspjúːt] 論争する We disputed with them about the subject for hours. 彼らとその問題について数時間議論をした。 re・tain [rɪtéɪn] …を保つ China dishes retain heat well. 磁器製の皿は熱を長もちさせる。 |
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(3) 名詞 Health experts have warned that the continual movement of people, animals, and birds across borders has increased the risk of worldwide ( ). 1 proceeding 2 epidemics 3 ejections 4 disclosures |
pro・céed・ing [proˈsidɪŋ] 成り行き、一連の出来事
ep・i・dem・ic [èpɪdémɪk] 流行[伝染]病の発生。さらに広がるとpandemicになる an epidemic of influenza インフルエンザの流行 e・jec・tion [ɪdʒékʃən] 噴出物、追いたて an ejection movement 排斥運動 in・jec・tionは「注射」 dis・clo・sure [dɪsklóʊʒɚ] 暴露、発表 disclosure of official information 情報公開 |
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(4) 形容詞 The presidents of the two companies have reached a ( ) agreement to work together, but nothing has been put in writing yet. 1 contractual 2 suggestive 3 verbal 4 legible |
con・trac・tu・al [kənˈtræk.tʃu.əl] 契約(上)の verbal [ˈvɜː.bəl] 言葉の
leg・i・ble [lédʒəbl] 読みやすい
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(5) 動詞 Most scientists believe that humans ( ) from an ape-like ancestor. However, some still argue that there is a luck of hard evidence for the theory. 1 endeavored 2 exterminated 3 enhanced 4 evolved |
endeavor [ɪndévɚ] 努力する (try が一般的)
ex・ter・mi・nate [ɪkstˈɚːmənèɪt] …を根絶する en・hance [ɪnhˈæns] 高めるto enhance the absorption of iron. 鉄分の吸収を増進する e・volve [ɪvάlv] 進化する |
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(6) 副詞 When the security guard forgot to lock the back gate last night, he ( ) allowed the thieves to enter the building complex unnoticed. 1 luxuriously 2 unwittingly 3 reasonably 4 aggressively |
lux･u･ri･ous･ly [lʌgʒʊ́(ə)riəsli] 豪華に
ùn・wít・ting・ly [ʌnˈwɪtɪŋli] 知らず知らず rea・son・a・bly [ríːz(ə)nəbli] 合理的に ag・grés・sive・ly [ʌˈgrɛsɪvli] 攻撃的に |
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(7) 名詞 Heavy snow caused widespread ( ) to the city’s rail system, and many commuters found themselves unable to get to work. 1 disruption 2 distinction 3 deduction 4 detention |
dis・rup・tion [dɪsrˈʌpʃən] in disruption 混乱して dis・tinc・tion [dɪstíŋ(k)ʃən] 卓越, 特徴 the distinction between a tiger and a leopardトラとヒョウの差異without distinction 無差別に de・duc・tion [dɪdˈʌkʃən] a deduction of ￥10,000 for health insurance 健康保険料 1 万円の差し引き. de・ten・tion [dɪténʃən] hold a person in detention 人を拘留する. |
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(8) 名詞 The management’s announcement that salaries would be cut added to the feeling of ( ) that had already spread throughout the struggling company. 1 vitality 2 privilege 3 esteem 4 discontent |
vi・tal・i・ty [vɑɪtˈæləṭi] 生命力
priv・i・lege [prív(ə)lɪdʒ] a breach of privilege 特権濫用 es・teem [estíːm] respectより硬い表現で、尊敬するという意味に加え、高く評価するというニュアンス dis・con・tent [dìskəntént] 不平⇒ compliant |
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(9) The ( ) of the opinion poll about the war was questioned when it was discovered that only people who had served in the military had been contacted. 1 persistence 2 validity 3 likelihood 4 temperament |
per・sis・tence [pɚsístəns] 粘り強さ
va・lid・i・ty [vəlídəṭi] 有効性 like・li・hood [lάɪklih`ʊd] 見込み What is the likelihood of winning the game. tem・per・a・ment [témp(ə)rəmənt] 気質 |
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(10) 名詞 A: just bagel and salad for lunch, Leonard? Have you given up meat? B: For now, I’m having problems with my ( ), so my doctor told me to eat food that is easy on my stomach. 1 digestion 2 elaboration 3 compression 4 emigration |
di・ges・tion [dɑɪdʒéstʃən] 消化作用
e・lab・o・ra・tion [ɪl`æbəréɪʃən] 入念, 労作 com・pres・sion [kəmpréʃən] 圧縮 em・i・gra・tion [èməgréɪʃən] 移民 |
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(11) 名詞 Sally teaches a computer course for ( ) at the local prison. She hopes it will improve their employment prospects after they have completed their sentences. 1 inmates 2 occupiers 3 hostages 4 refugees |
ín・màte [ɪˌnmet] 在院者、収容者
óc・cu・pì・er [ˈɑkjʌˌpaɪɝ] 占有者、借家人 hos・tage [hάstɪdʒ] 人質 ref・u・gee [rèfjʊdʒíː] 難民、亡命者 |
| (12) 形容詞
Because climbing Mt. Everest is so ( ), even experiences mountaineers can get seriously injured or lose their lives trying to reach the summit. 1 eloquent 2 perilous 3 vulgar 4 decisive |
el・o・quent [éləkwənt] 雄弁な
per・il・ous [pérələs] 危険な vul・gar [vˈʌlgɚ] 俗悪な、卑猥な de・ci・sive [dɪsάɪsɪv] 決定的な、明白な |
| (13) 形容詞
In Germany, wearing seatbelts in cars is ( ), so you can be fined by the police for not using one. 1 splendid 2 monotonous 3 radical 4 mandatory |
splen・did [spléndɪd] 華麗な
mo・not・o・nous [mənάṭənəs] 単調な rad・i・cal [rˈædɪk(ə)l] 急進的な man・da・to・ry [mˈændət`ɔːri] 義務的な |
| (14) 過去分詞
A: Thanks for helping me with my essay, Professor Littleton, I’m really ( ) to you. B: Don’t mention it, Gina. I’m glad I could help out. 1 obsessed 2 demoted 3 intoxicated 4 indebted |
ob・sess [əbsés] 取りついて悩ます She was obsessed by [with] fear of death. 彼女は死の恐怖に取りつかれていた。
de・mote [dɪmóʊt] …に 降職する demote a person to a lower rank or position ⇒ promote in・tox・i・cate [ɪntάksəkèɪt] 夢中にさせる They were intoxicated with victory [by success] 彼らは勝利[成功]に酔いしれた。 indebt 債務を負わせる |
| (15) 名詞
After the president completed his term, he retired to write his ( ) about his years in office. He was confident the book would be bestseller. 1 recitals 2 scenarios 3 memoirs 4 anthems |
re・cit・al [rɪsάɪṭl] 独奏会
sce・na・ri・o [səné(ə)riòʊ] 脚本 mem・oir [mémwɑɚ] 回顧録 an・them 聖歌 |
| (16) 過去分詞
The diver accidentally became ( ) in a fishing net. Fortunately, he was able to cut himself free with his knife. 1 entangled 2 revived 3 disguised 4 duplicated |
en・tan・gle [ɪntˈæŋgl] …にからまる He entangled himself in the rope as he payed it out. 彼は自分が繰り出していた縄にからまった。 re・vive [rɪvάɪv] よみがえる、よみがえらせる She revived him with artificial respiration( rèspəréɪʃən 呼吸). 彼女は人工呼吸を施して彼を蘇生させた。 du・pli・cate [d(j)úːplɪkət] …を複製する duplicate key 合鍵をつくる |
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(17) 形容詞 A: How was my history report, Professor Southwick? B: Actually, it was rather confusing. You have to write about the events in ( ) order so we can follow the timeline of when things happened. 1 incidental 2 coincidental 3 botanical 4 chronological |
in・ci・den・tal [ìnsədénṭl] 付随的な, 偶発の
co・in・ci・den・tal [koʊìnsədénṭl] 符合する, 同時に起こる Incident= an single event bo・tan・i・cal [bətˈænɪk(ə)l] 植物の chron・o・log・i・cal [krὰnəlάdʒɪk(ə)l] 年代順の ⇒ chronicle ～を年代記として記録する |
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(18) A: People sometimes say that England suffers from bad weather and bad cooking. B: I’ll ( ) the point about weather but not about the food. London now has some of the world’s finest restaurants. 1 compile 2 concede 3 reassign 4 retrace |
com・pile [kəmpάɪl] 編集する
con・cede [kənsíːd] しぶしぶ認める reassign [ˌriʌˈsaɪn] 割り当て直す I got them to reassign me from night to day duty. 夜勤を日勤に替えてもらった. re・trace [rɪːtréɪs] あと戻りする
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(19) 名詞 Russell is a successful inventor with more than 30 ( ) to his name. Several of them are for products commonly used in the home. 1 captions 2 principles 3 patents 4 tariffs |
cap・tion [kˈæpʃən] 表題
prin・ci・ple [prínsəpl] Archimedes’ principle アルキメデスの原理. pat・ent [pˈætnt] 特許 tar・iff [tˈærɪf] 税率表, 運賃表 |
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(20) 形容詞 Local residents were surprised to here that David Jones, the wealthiest man in town, had become ( ), mainly as a result of failed business investments. 1 bankrupt 2 random 3 arrogant 4 brisk |
bank・rupt [bˈæŋkrʌpt] 破産した, (名詞で) 破産者
ran・dom [rˈændəm] 手当たり次第の ar・ro・gant [ˈærəg(ə)nt] 横柄な brisk [brísk] 活発な |
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(21) 現在分詞 A: Don’t worry about your test score, Will. You’ll do better next time. B: I guess so, but it’s still ( ). I studied really hard. 1 exaggerating 2 discouraging 3 forthcoming 4 flattering |
ex・ag・ger・ate [ɪgzˈædʒərèɪt] 誇張する
dis・cour・age [dɪskˈɚːrɪdʒ] 落胆させる it が主語になっていることに注意 forthcome 現れる flat・ter [flˈæṭɚ] おべっかを使う flatter one’s boss ボスにへつらう.
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(22) 熟語 Police say the theft of four cars from the showroom was probably gang-related. However, they have not ( ) the possibility that employees of the car dealership were involved. 1 rubbed down 2 rushed into 3 stuck to 4 ruled out |
rub down 摩擦する rush into なだれ込むstick to ひっつくruled out …を除外する |
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(23) 熟語 Teachers believe that the rapid decline of math ability in children ( ) the fact that math classes have been cut by 30 percent over the past five years. 1 opts for 2 takes after 3 stems from 4 brushes off |
opt for …を選ぶ
take after …に似る stem [stém スキーのシュテムと同語] from …に由来する brush off …を無視する |
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(24) 熟語 A: These old jeans are getting tight. I must’ve put on some weight. B: Well, why don’t you come jogging with me in the evenings? It’ll help you ( ) some calories. 1 burn off 2 stand over 3 lead into 4 fall in |
burn off 焼き切る
stand over 注意して見ている lead into 導き入れる fall in 落ち込む |
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(25) 熟語 A: Philip’s running late, and he’s supposed to give the party’s opening speech. Can you ( ) him until he arrives? B: OK. I’ll tell a few jokes to try and warm up the audience. 1 rise above 2 cover for 3 merge into 4 seize upon |
be supposed to ～することになっている。過去形は「〜をするはずだった(のにしなかった)」
rise above ～を克服する cover for 代わりを務める merge into 溶け込む The companies were all merged into one giant conglomerate. 会社は全部併合されて巨大な複合企業になった. seize [síːz] upon 飛びつくThe child seized his father’s arm in terror. 怖くなって子供は父親の腕をぎゅっとつかんだ. |
確認しておくべき箇所は、タイトル、一番最初の結論、各段落の最初と最後、一番最後のコンクルージョンです。
これらは話の主題を掴む上でとても分かりやすい目印です。
話の主題が何か、どの段落でどんな主張がされているのか、結論の根拠はどこにあるのか、等はこれらの箇所をチェックするだけで理解できますし、推測もできます。
TOEICには一個の長文からなる問題（single passage）とふたつの文章からなる問題(double passage)があります。
僕は文章構造は把握しやすいダブルパッセージの方が好きです。
例えば文章と、メールがセットになっている問題ですね。
一見読むのが大変そうですけど、構造が簡単なので僕はこちらを好んでいます。
自分の得意な方、好きな方から解き始める事をおすすめします。
長文読解をするうえでは、「英単語」「英文法」「構文把握」の3つをまず完璧にしていることが不可欠！ただがむしゃらに長文問題の練習をするのではなく、しっかり基礎を固めたうえで長文問題を解くようにしてください
いちいち頭の中で和訳していては時間が足りませんし、自分の英語の理解のスピードも成長しないのです。
ディスコースマーカーとは、簡単に言ってしまえば、文章の流れを表す言葉のこと。例えば、butやon the other handといった接続詞や副詞句などがそれにあてはまります。
“ I partly agree with your idea, however, in my opinion, the better plan is.. ”
という文ならhoweverがディスコースマーカーです。
Howeverの意味は「しかし」。逆接の接続詞です。
つまりディスコースマーカーが出てきたら「話が切り替わったり、大事な内容が次に来たりする」と思ってください。逆接（but, howeverなど）にはこの記号」「順接（after all , thusなど）にはこの記号」というように意味ごとに記号を決める、といった自分のルールを作ってみると文章が読みやすくなりますよ。
長文の語句空所補充
Online Gaming in Korea
| 問題文 | 解説 |
| In South Korea, online gaming is huge. Seventeen million of the country’s 48 million people play online games regularly. In many countries, a stereotypical online gamer may be a socially awkward teenager playing alone in their room. Not so in South Korea: the most popular places to play online games are Internet cafes where people get together and let off steam. | |
| Interestingly, it was as Asia-wide financial crisis in 1997 that ( 26 ) the online gaming trend. After receiving $65 billion from international Monettary Fund, the South Korean government invested heavily in the development of a nationwide high-speed broadband network making access to the internet extremely easy and cheap. Not surprisingly, then, South Korea’s online gamers ( 27 ). A survey by the South Korean Ministry of Information and communication reveals that 64 percent of 5-year-olds play games, and that 93 percent of small children identified online games as the reason they use the Internet. | re・veal [rɪvíːl] …を明らかにする。目的語にthat節をとる。(…ということを明らかにする)。語源はラテン語「ベールをはぐ」の意
i・den・ti・fy [ɑɪdénṭəfὰɪ] …を …に相違ないと確認する、…だと身元を明らかにする /He identified himself as a close friend of Jim’s. 彼はジムの親友だと名乗った.
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| South Korea’s latest national pastime has given rise to professional leagues and corporations, are truly world-class. ( 28 ), South Koreans often perform well in international tournaments. At the 2006 world Cyber Games, a sort of Olympics competetion was firece, South Korea was the Grand Champion. In 2007, however, it was beaten by its main rival, Team USA. Whether the South Koreans can regain the top spot remains to be seen, but the popularity of online games continues nonetheless. | pas・time [pˈæstὰɪm] 娯楽
none・the・less [n`ʌnðəlés] それでもなお |
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(26) 1 made a profit from 2 caused a slowdown of 3 led to the beginning of 4 reduced funding for |
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(27) 1 get started early 2 fall behind at school 3 lose all their money 4 become bored quickly |
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(28) 1 Ironically 2 On the other hand 3 Despite this 4 In fact |
The Life of a Child Prodigy
| 問題文 | 解説 |
| In 1985, Ruth Lawrence graduated from Oxford University at the tender age of 13. She was a celebrated child prodigy – someone who, at an early age, shows extraordinary ability in one or more skills. Lawrence has since gone on to have a successful career in mathematics, getting a teaching position at Harvard. Parents hoping to have someone like Lawrence in their family, however, may want to consider ( 29 ) a prodigy. Prossesing extraordinary ability may not necessarily mean prodigies are on the fast track to a successful life. | prod・i・gy [prάdədʒi ] 神童 |
| At school, if regular subjects are no challenge to a child, inadequate stimulation ay lead to behavioral problems and a lack of motivation. What’s more, prodigies are often viewed as strange b others, and can therefore find it difficult to ( 30 ). This is because mastering certain skills may completely dominate their lives and effectively separete them from children theire own age. Their desire to engage in “normal” children’s activite, such as playing other children, may be put aside for the sake of their studies | in・ad・e・quate [ìnˈædɪkwət] 不十分な
stim・u・la・tion [stìmjʊléɪʃən] 刺激 for the sake sake [séɪk] of …のために |
| As these talented children mature, things may ( 31 ). In their adult lives, prodigies can experience not only burnout but also, perhaps surprisingly, low self-confidece. It can come as a shock to former prodigies when they find that other adults are equally or more knowlegeable than themselves. This realization, as Professor of Psychology at Boston College Ellen Winner explains, is difficult to deal with. “It can be very wondering,” she says, “because suddenly they’re not so special.” | |
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(29) 1 the financial aspects of raising 2 what it is like to be 3 why the child became 4 if the child really is |
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(30) 1 be independent 2 cope with falure 3 relate to pees 4 avoid other children |
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(31) 1 not get any easier 2 settle down 3 not turn out badly 4 improve slowly |
3. 長文の内容一致選択
A look at Ideal Workout Times
| 問題文 | 解説 |
| Many people begin their day by exercising. The wisdom of doing early workouts, however, is being questioned in some scientific circles. “The best time to work out is late in the afternoon. ” says neurologist Dr. Phyllis Zee, because “your muscle strength is at its highest. Your less likely to injure yourself. It’s also a time when people are most awake and alert.” Zee believes that circadian rhythms, which regulate body functions such as temperature control, support her argument. | |
| Zee claims that body temperature is the most important factor in the quality of a workout. Body temperature usually peaks between 2 and 4 p.m. After 4 p.m., it gradually declines, reaching its lowest point just before dawn. With increased body temperature, muscles are more flexible, exertion is less, reactions are quicker, and heart rate and blood pressure are lower. All these factors reduce the risk of injury. | ex・er・tion [ɪgzˈɚːʃən] 尽力, ほねおり effort より強意的 |
| Despite circadian rhythms, some scientists claim that morning workout may be beneficial for different reasons. Muscle control may actually be better in the morning, leading to improved performance. Furthermore, there is some evidence that morning exercise promotes more fat-burning than other times of the day. This is because the level of cortisol, a hormone in the body that increases energy production, is higher in the morning | cir・ca・di・an [sɚkéɪdiən] 24 時間周期の
fur・ther・more [fˈɚːðɚm`ɔɚ] そのうえ pro・mote [prəmóʊt] …に昇進させる, 興業を主催する cortisol [ˈkɔrtɪˌsɔl(] コルチゾール |
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It is also notewothy that people who work out in the morning are often more successful at making a workout part of their daily routine, possibly because as the day goes on, people find excuses not to exercise. On the other hand, people who can work out in the afternoon may be more in tune with their natural body clock. Ultimately, the best time of day to exercise may come down to personal preference. Regardless of the time of day that you do it, most experts agree that the key to any successful exercise program is consistency. |
pref・er・ence [préf(ə)rəns] 好み
con・sis・ten・cy [kənsístənsi] 一貫性 |
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(32) What does Dr. phyllis Zee imply about early morning workouts? 1 They are superior because most people are more alert at that time. 2 They are better because the body is at its strongest and freshest then. 3 They are more likely to result in injury than afternoon workouts. 4 They are thought not to negatively affect body functions. |
im・ply [ɪmplάɪ] …を暗示する
3 They are more likely to result in injury than afternoon workouts. |
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(33) What efect do circadian ryhthms have o the body? 1 They decrease the need for sleep as well as help to improve workout. 2 They warm up the body, so it is more effcient to exercise early in the morning. 3 They prevent variations in heart rate and blood pressure by controllng body temperature. 4 They improve the body’s flexibility and speed up reactions at certain times of the day. |
4 They improve the body’s flexibility and speed up reactions at certain times of the day.
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(34) One reason that some scientists believe morning workouts might be beneficial is that 1 they are thught to keep the bodys hormone levels more constant. 2 they let people reset their natural body clock, which improves performance. 3 they help build muscle by reducing the amount of cortisol released. 4 they may stimulate the body to convert more into energy. |
4 they may stimulate the body to convert more into energy. |
Carbon offsets
| 問題文 | 解説 |
| In an effort to reverse the damage that modern life is causing to the environment, many companies have begun offering so-called carbon offsets in addition to their regular business activities. As a way to increase profits and help consumers feel less guilty about their purchases, some of these companies offer to offset pollution and reduce global warming by planting trees on behalf of customers. The idea is that the trees will absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that the companies’ regular services generate. For example, one computer then uses these funds to plant trees that will absorb an amount of CO2 equal to that produced during each traveler’s flight. | off・set [ɔːfsèt] 相殺する
be・half [bɪhˈæf] 代理として
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| Some scientists now say we should take a closer look at this equation. While it is true that trees absorb CO2, forests tend to be darker than surrounding areas such as pastures and grasslands, so they hold more heat from the sun. In high northern and southern latitudes, the extra heat trapped by newly planted trees may actually generate an an overall increase in global warming. Ken Caldeira, of the Carnegie Institution of Washington in Stanford, California, found that only if trees are planted within the thin band of tropical climates – between 20 degrees north and 20 degrees south of the equator – could an overall cooling effect be achieved. Only in this region can trees cool the global absorbing CO2 while also creating an additional cooling effect by increasing regional cloud cover. Outside this limited area, planting efforts are useless. “The idea that you can go out and plant a tree and help reverse global warming is an appealing, feel-good thing.” said Calderia. “but to try to reduce climate change by planting forests outside of the tropics is a waste of time” | pas・ture [pˈæstʃɚ] 牧草地 meadow [médoʊ] は.干し草を作るための牧草地
o・ver・all [òʊvɚrˈɔːl] 総体的な ??can の後ろに動詞ではなくtrees がきている??? |
| The market for carbon-offsetting services offered by companies is expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars in the years ahead, with much of this coming in the from of tree-planting programs. Critics say these services falsely give consumers a clear conscience about the pollution they are cousing. Ultimately, a revolution in the way people and businesses think may be more effective. Rather than simply buying carbon offsets to counter the effects of plane and car pollution, people could choose to take vacations locally and use public transportation. For thier part, businesses should consider switching to cleaner technologies. | con・science [kάnʃəns] a man of conscience 良心的な人. |
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(35) What is one reason some companies have started offering carbon offsets? 1 Because profits from their regular services have been dropping as a result of customers’ concerns about CO2 emissions. 2 Because they have found new ways to reduce the amount of CO2 produced during the manufacture of their products. 3 So that customers can feel better about the negative environmental effects of the services and products they buy. 4 So that the companies can reduce the number of people traveling by air and thereby help protect the planet. |
3 So that customers can feel better about the negative environmental effects of the services and products they buy. |
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(36) Scientists such as Ken Caldeira believe that tree-planting efforts 1 may actually end up having the opposite of their intended effect. 2 will only work if they are applied on a dramatically larger scale. 3 show that companies are finally taking responsibility for the pollution they cause. 4 are likely to be effective because they are directly linked to levels of CO2 emissions. |
難問だった。木を植えるという、良い行動だと一般的には信じ込まれていることが、地域によっては無意味だという主張を読み取ること。逆説の接続詞がないので、Outside this limited area, planting efforts are useless. という文から読み取るしかない。
1 may actually end up having the opposite of their intended effect. |
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(37) What does the author of the passage conclude about carbon-offsetting services? 1 Consumers should continue to support offsetting services as they help decrease damage to the environment. 2 People would be better off considering the damage their lifestyle choices cause rather than depending on offsetting services. 3 Scientists who do not currently support offsetting services should take a more in-depth look at the advantages they provide. 4 Companies would be better off focusing on established measures such as recycling instead of offsetting services. |
2 People would be better off considering the damage their lifestyle choices cause rather than depending on offsetting services. |
The hole in the Wall
| 問題文 | 解説 |
| India’s economy has made huge progress over tha last decade, but the country remains a place of financial extrmes. Great wealth appears alongside severe poverty, and highly educated professionals coexist with half a billion illiterate people. These extremes are very evident in Kalkaji, a suburb of New Delhi. Here, a two-meter-high wall separates the ultramodern offices of NIIT, a software and training company, from the slums of the poor nearby. | a・long・side [əl`ɔːŋsάɪd] 一緒に
pov・er・ty [pάvɚṭi] 貧困 coexist [cò・exís] 共存する il・lit・er・ate [ì(l)líṭərət] 読み書きのできない ev・i・dent [évədnt] (証拠があって外から見ても)明らかな |
| In 1999, Dr. Sugata Mitra, the chief scientist at NIIT, embarked on a unique experiment aimed at connecting these two worlds. In what became known as the Hole-in-the-Wall experiment. Dr. Mitra simply placed a Pentium computer with a mouse and an Internet connection in a wall for the people of the Kalkaji slums to use without restrictions. Curious about what would happen, he installed a video camera and connected the computer to one in his office to monitor how it was being used. He found that local children immediately became fascinated with the machine. Within hours, without any formal instruction, they had learned the basics of computer literacy and could use the mouse drag, drop, and copy. They had also begun to browse the Internet. Within a week, the children aquired these skills by experimentation and learning from one another, without being limited by factors such as previous education, socio-economic background, ethnicity, or gender. | em・bark [ɪmbάɚk] (新しいこと・難事業に)乗り出す，乗船する Many people embark at Dover for the Continent. 他動詞としても使う。
Pentium 米 Intel社のマイクロプロセッサ（CPU/MPU）製品 lit・er・a・cy [líṭərəsi] 読み書きの能力 |
| Since the project’s inception in Kalkaji, NIIT has expanded it to over 100 locations across India to see if these results could be replicated elsewhere. The results have been encouraging. Over a nine- month period, children involved in these projects not only gained computer literacy skills and scored well on practical computer tests, but also showed marked improvements in school test scores for English, mathematics, and science. | in・cep・tion [ɪnsépʃən] 発端
rep・li・cate [répləkèɪt] …を模写する prac・ti・cal [prˈæktɪk(ə)l] 実践的な |
| What can be learned from this experiment? Dr. Mitra believes it shows that a “hands-off” approach to education for children can both successful and cost-effective. He says that this method, which he calls Minimally Invasive Education, or MIE, uses an environment associated with play to encourage children to learn with minimal instruction by teachers. He believes that if MIE were introduced throughout the country, India’s children could acquire skills essential for the nation’s developing economy. Dr. Mitra estimates that it would only cost $2 billion over five years to educate 500million children with this method- about half the cost of more traditional methods of education. | ac・quire [əkwάɪɚ] ～を習得する inquire は「…を尋ねる」
es・sen・tial [esénʃəl] 欠くことのできない ??essentialはsがないことからも形容詞と思われるが、限定用法でskillsの前に付かないのはなぜ??
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| Despite receiving widespread praise, however, the nationwide introduction of MIE has yet to find favor with the Indian government. Such a revolutionary plan, which does away with the need for large numbers of teachers and schools, is being met with skepticism by most people, including those involved in creating educational policy. However, if even a part of Dr. Mitra’s vision does become reality, it could mean that India’s future prosperity will be driven less by the highly educated and more by computer-literate children growing up in the poverty of India’s urban slums and poor rural regions. | skep・ti・cism [sképtəsìzm] 懐疑 |
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(38) What was one purpose of the initial Hole-in-the-Wall experiment? 1 To see what children from poor background could do with unlimited computer access. 2 To offer individualized instruction in computer skills to Kalkaji’s slum children. 3 To test Dr.Mitra’s theory about learning differences among poor urban children. 4 To improve communication between the children of Kalkaji’s and better-educated children. |
1 To see what children from poor background could do with unlimited computer access.
実験の結果や、そこから期待される効果にまで目を向けずに、単純に実験の目的を考えること。 |
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(39) NIIT’s nationwide project found that children 1 were more likely to improve their computer skills if they were allowed to access online music. 2 with previous computer training reached higher levels of proficiency than those without such training. 3 from ethnically mixed areas were better able to use what they had learned to help them pass school tests. 4 were able to teach themselves how to use computers, which helped them do better in other subjects. |
éth・ni・cal・ly [éθnɪkəli] 民族(学)的に ethnic minorities 少数民族.
4 were able to teach themselves how to use computers, which helped them do better in other subjects. |
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(40) How does MIE compare to India’s traditional educational system? 1 MIE requires greater expenditure, but the government is convinced it is more effective than traditional schooling. 2 Traditional education in schools is more expensive than MIE but currently seems to be preferred by administrations. 3 Traditional education does not require teachers to be as highly trained and educated as MIE does. 4 MIE emphasizes children ‘s language skills and previous educational background more than traditional schooling does. |
ex・pen・di・ture [ɪkspéndɪtʃɚ] 支出
con・vince [kənvíns] He tried to convince me of his innocence. 彼は自分の無罪を私に納得させようと努めた (that 節も可能) pre・fer [prɪfˈɚː] …のほうを好む Many people prefer living in the country to living in a city. 都会に住むよりもいなかに住みたいと思っている人が多い. 2 Traditional education in schools is more expensive than MIE but currently seems to be preferred by administrations. |
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(41) According to the author of the passage, how could MIE benefit India in the future? 1 MIE could offer an alternative form of training for teachers that helps them reach poor children. 2 MIE could contribute to increased computer literacy and educational standards at new schools. 3 MIE could make it possible for more Indians to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy. 4 MIE could allow corporations to become more involved in helping children in poor areas. |
3 MIE could make it possible for more Indians to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy. |
Read the e-mail below. imagine that you are Nao. Write an appropriate response to Dan in the space provided on Side B or your answer sheet. Your response should be around 100 words in length.
Dear Nao,
How are you? I’d like to ask you some questions for an essay I’m doing on transportation.
In Australia, the price of gasoline is very high now. That’s problem because most people need cars to get to work every day. Do must people in Japan rely on cars, too?
My town has introduced a bus that runs on solar energy. Do you think such vehicles will become popular in the future?
The other day, my sister got her driver’s license. She’s only 16. In your opinion, do you think 16 is too young for people to get a driver’s license?
I look forward to your answers.
Dan