V. Read the statement below and write a paragraph giving at least two reasons why you agree or disagree with it. Write your answer in English in the space provided on your written answer sheet.
‘A law should be passed in Japan establishing a minimum percentage of woman in key positions in the government and major corporations’
【解答例１】
I agree with the statement. In Japan, many of the key positions in the government and major corporations are men and a percentage of female in key positions is the lowest in the world. This is because historically, Japanese society has been a men-dominated society. For a gender equal society, setting a minimum percentage could be the first step. Another reason is having a minimum percentage of women in key positions can lead to fair decision making for both men and women. Government policies are often in favor of men and women’s voice are difficult to be reflected to policies as people who are making decisions are mostly men. Having women and men at high positions can result in fair policies in a government or corporations.
（114語）
I disagree with the statement. First, the law should not be favorable to any group of people in society. Making a law for males to forbid any gender discrimination toward females is acceptable. However, making a law to set a minimum percentage of woman in key positions in the government and major corporations for women should not be acceptable in terms of fairness and equality. Second, the high positions of government and corporations should be chosen by the ability of each person and not by the gender. If a male in the government or a corporation has more ability than female, it is normal that the male with more ability to be chosen to the key positions.
(109語)
V. Read the statement below and write a paragraph giving at least two reasons why you agree or disagree with it. Write your answer in English in the space provided on your written answer sheet.
‘Gay marriage should be made legal in Japan’
【解答例１】
I agree with the statement that gay marriage should be made legal in Japan. First, getting married to their lovers is one of the fundamental human rights recognized in the Japanese constitution. This means no one should entrench on it no matter which sex they are getting married with. Second, to make gay marriage legal will not cause any negative effects on Japanese society at all. Since it is considered that DNA is linked to being gay, no matter legalizing gay marriage or not, it will not cause any changes of population of the society. Allowing people with all types of genders will lead to more happiness in the society.
（111語）
I am against the statement that gay marriage should be made legal in Japan. There are two reasons that I disagree with the statement. First, marriage is to swear to love their wives or husbands, which should be male and female. Legalizing gay marriage means that marriage is no longer a pious event. Second, gay marriage is not allowed by most of the main religions in the world, such as Judaism and Christianity. Legalizing gay marriage means that it denies those religious faiths. Since freedom of faith is recognized by the Japanese Constitution, the government should not make a decision which offends those religious faiths. (105語)
No.7 Some people think school uniforms are not necessary. Others think otherwise. What do you think of school uniforms?
POINTS: a sense of belonging to their school / cost / seasonal change
No.8 Should high school students be allowed to have part-time jobs?
POINTS: job responsibility / potential career path / juvenile delinquency
No.9 Should exceptionally good students be allowed to skip grades?
POINTS: learning effectiveness / contribution to society / social experience
No.10 Will all printed media (books, newspapers, magazines) be replaced by electronic media?
POINTS: eco-friendly / health risk / aesthetic value
解答解説
No.７ Some people think school uniforms are not necessary. Others think otherwise. What do you think of school uniforms?
No.７解答例
I do not think school uniforms should be mandatory. I have two reasons for this view. Firstly, school uniforms, which are designed to develop students’ conformity, undermine their individuality and creativity. In a sense, clothes is a simple way to express themselves, but school uniforms disturb such expression. Secondly, school uniforms are not adaptable to seasonal changes in temperatures than casual clothes, thus causing great discomfort to students. Absurdly, some schools does not allow students to wear anything but the school uniform regardless of the uncomfortable climate. As I have stated above, I disagree with the idea that school uniforms should be compulsory.
No.８ Should high school students be allowed to have part-time jobs?
No.８解答例
I think high school students should be allowed to have part-time jobs. I have two reasons for this view. First of all, nobody can restrict others’ right to work. It is true that the duty of a student is to study, but this does not mean that student must not work after school. Prohibition of part-time jobs is nothing but the arrogation. Originally, teachers do not have such authority. Second, doing part-time jobs helps students learn about the value of money. Through work experience, they will come to know the difficulty of earning money and stop wasting their money. For the reasons above, I believe high school student may do part-time jobs.
No.９Should exceptionally good students be allowed to skip grades?
No.９解答例
I think exceptionally good students should be allowed to skip grade. I have two reasons for this view. For one thing, grade-skipping will maximize the potential of gifted students by enhancing their learning effectiveness through study in the upper grades. By skipping grade, they can satisfy their intellectual curiosity which regular classes cannot meet. Moreover, gifted grade-skippers will become great scientists, inventors, and artists, who make a great contribution to society. For example, Neil Armstrong, who is the first astronaut to walk on the Moon experienced grade-skipping. For the reasons above, I believe child prodigies should skip grades.
No.１０Will all printed media (books, newspapers, magazines) be replaced by electronic media?
No.１０解答例
I think printed media will be replaced by electronic media in the future. I have two reasons for this view. First of all, electronic media meet the growing needs of information-oriented society. These media provide audiovisual information such as moving images and store much more information than books. From the point of view of utility, they are superior to printed media. Second, electronic media are eco-friendly because of no use of paper, transportation and space. At present, deforestation is progressing in the world and paper making is one of the main factors of this problem. For the reasons above, I believe someday, electronic media will replace printed media.
No.5 Will renewable energy sources eventually replace fossil fuels?
POINTS: environmentally-friendly energy / supply of electricity / unstable
No.6 Should we ban the keeping of animals in the zoos?
POINTS: food chain / ecosystem / shelter
解答解説
No.４ Some people think children should not play video games. Others think otherwise. What is your opinion?
No.４ 解答例
I do not think children should stop playing video games. Although video games have bad aspects, but they also have many good aspects at the same time. For one thing, certain types of video games cultivate children’sability. For example, adventure, riddle and puzzle games can improve problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and analytical abilities. Furthermore, even violent games have a merit, for they give adolescents a chance to release their frustration by allowing them to engage in aggressive behavior without causing physical harm. In any case, I believe children do not have to abstain from playing video games as long as they are healthy.
No.５ Will renewable energy sources eventually replace fossil fuels?
No.５ 解答例
Though there are some difficulties at present, I think renewable energy sources will eventually replace fossil fuels. Mainly I have two reasons for this view. To begin with, the reserves of fossil fuels on earth are limited, which necessitates the use of renewable energy. According to the research, it is said that petroleum will be used up within this century. Additionally, the threat of global warming requires the use of environmentally-friendly energy for both industrial and private uses. At this rate, various environmental problems will get much worse. Human beings cannot continue to depend on fossil fuels. In short, I believe renewable energy sources will be principally used in the future.
No.6 Should we ban the keeping of animals in the zoos?
No.６ 解答例
I do not agree with the idea that we should ban the keeping of animals in the zoos. I have two reasons for this view. To start with, it will protect endangered animals from extinction by providing them with shelters. In the natural world, threatened species cannot survive by themselves. In order to maintain the ecosystem, breeding animals in the zoos is necessary. Next, it provides a chance to research animals’ lives and bodily functions. This will contribute to animals’ well-being. In summary, I think keeping animals in the zoos should not be prohibited.
No.1 Hosting the Olympics has a lot of pros and cons. Write your opinion about this.
POINTS：infrastructure / economy / terrorism
No.2 Japan should increase the number of hydroelectric power generations. Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
POINTS: environment / stability /ecosystem
No3. Electric vehicles should be promoted. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
POINTS: fossil fuels / quiet electric motors / unaffordable
解答解説
No.1 Hosting the Olympics has a lot of pros and cons. Write your opinion about this.
No.1 解答例
I think hosting the Olympics is rather a good idea. I have two reasons for this view. First of all, the Olympics can boost the domestic economy. For example, there are a lot of financial benefits such as revenue from ticket sales, profit from tourism, job creation and so on. Besides, the Olympics will enhance the quality of life of the local people. Thanks to support from various organizations such as JOC, the host cities will improve infrastructures and citizens can use these facilities after the Olympics. In conclusion, for these reasons, I believe the Olympics should be held.
No.2 Japan should increase the number of hydroelectric power generations. Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
No.2 解答例
I agree with the idea that Japan should construct more hydroelectric power stations. Mainly I have two reasons for this view. In the first place, Hydroelectric power generation is environmentally friendly. It does not burn anything and prevent progress of global warming caused by greenhouse gases. Second, Hydroelectric power generation is rather stable. It eliminates the destabilizing factors of thermal power generation such as scarce reserves of fossil fuels. Considering these factors, I think Japan should promote hydroelectric power generation.
No.３ Electric vehicle should be promoted. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
No.３ 解答例
I agree with the idea that electric vehicle should be promoted. I have two reasons for this view. First, electric vehicles are environmentally friendly. Unlike gasoline counterparts, electric vehicles with no combustion engine do not emit CO2 or pollutants into the air. Second, electric vehicles, which run on non-fossil fuels, rule out concerns about oil depletion. At this rate, we will not be able to use gasoline‐powered vehicle within this century, but we can use electric counterparts after exhaustion of petroleum. For the reasons above, I think electric vehicles should be spread as soon as possible.
-I insisted that he is innocent. (私は、彼が無罪であると主張した）
-He insists on freedom to express his opinions. (彼は発言の自由を主張する）
Claim
自分の意見を確固たる根拠なしに述べること
-She claimed that the manager had lied to her. (彼女は,その経営者が彼女に嘘をついたと主張した）
-He claimed that his answer was correct.(彼は、その答えは正しかったと主張した）
State
Insistのような強い主張の仕方とは違って,単に強く主張することなく何かを述べることです。
-He states that he knew nothing about the accident. (彼は、その事件について何も知らないと述べた）
-They stated their views. (彼らは、自分たちの意見をのべた）
Mention
これは言及するという意味を持ちますが、使い方には注意が必要です。
Mention には言及するという意味の中に簡潔に、手短に述べるという意味が含まれており、詳細を語るときにはmentionは使いません。また、insistのような強い主張とはまた違った表現になります.
-Tom mentioned the incedent to Mary. (トムはその出来事をメアリーに話した）
-I think that you mentioned that last week.(君その話、先週話してたと思うんだけど）
be used to 名詞で〜に慣れている。この表現はused to(かつては〜だった) という表現と勘違いしやすいので、注意しましょう。
attribute A to B で,Aの原因をBと考えるという意味になります。 因果関係を生む動詞は文章を読む上で非常に大事です。なぜなら、これだけで理由を説明するBecauseや、結果を表すthereforeと同じ意味になるのです。こうした語彙であれば、多くの人が注意している場合が多いですが、動詞の因果関係は見逃しがちです。パラフレーズを見抜くのであれば、確実に覚えておきたい表現でしょう。
文法の問題。副詞のenoughの使い方がわかるかどうかが鍵となります。副詞のenoughは形容詞を後ろから説明して、enoughの値がどれくらい十分なのかを説明しています。ここではyoung peopleがどれだけold(=mature)なのかということをto不定詞以降で表しています。
young people old enough to
下線部のstatistical illusionというのは、trueからの文章をさしています。このことから答えは3になります。
1が違う理由は、関係ないように見えて関係しているとは言っていません。むしろここでの論理は逆ですね。関係しているように見せて実際は関係ない事柄ということです。
2が違う理由はat a glanceだと関係しているように見えるので逆ですね。
4については、similar trendsというのが間違っています。simlar trendだとどっちかが上がった時に、どっちかも上がるという傾向でないとおかしいです。
設問4
これは文法問題です。 ought to have + vppという形がわからないと答えを導き出せません。すべきだったのにしなかったという意味になります。否定形と同じ扱いですね。それ以外の選択肢は実際に教訓を得たことになり現在法律が変わってないのと矛盾するのでバツになります。
設問5
これは知識問題ですので、日頃単語を覚える時に覚えてください。
設問6
this phenomenon(お酒を一つの場で過剰に摂取すること(以後A)) と the current laws(20歳から飲酒可,(以後B))の関係が [clear(誰がみても100%) のrelation なのか,以後①], [at least(最低限)のconnectedなのか,以後②]と言うのが問題になりますね。
まず空欄の前の方は、attribute (A) directly to (B) ではないといっていますので、at leastの方の選択肢が入ります。
①In july one of Taiwan’s top newspapers, United Daily News, published a story based on supposedly leaked minutes from a secret government meeting. ②America had asked Taiwan to manufacture biological weapons at a lab run by the island’s defence ministry, the report claimed. ③Taiwanese and American officials quickly denied it. ④The allegedly leaked minutes, it transpired, were not written in the usual style of Taiwanese government records. ⑤They were filled with official-sounding phrases used in mainland China, but not Taiwan. ⑥This was likely Chinese disinformation, Taiwanese officials said. ⑦Yet the story spread to Taiwanese talk shows and influencers. ⑧Within weeks it had evolved into a wilder claim: ⑧Taiwan was going to collect 150,000 samples of Taiwanese blood and hand them over to the Americans, so that they could develop a virus to kill Chinese people. 出典：”China is flooding Taiwan with disinformation”From The Economist
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