Although many may argue it possible, I myself do not believe that humans will ever live on other planets.
Firstly, for humans to live on other planets is impossible for a biological reason. Each planet has its own unique environments. The earth has its own unique attributes, such as air, mild temperature, water, etc. to which humans have been adapted over time. I believe their existence relies on the environments only found on the earth.
Secondly, even if there is any planet existing in the universe whose environment is friendly enough for humans to live, the long distance between the earth and such planet is prohibitive. Humans have a life span of only 100 years while it takes many light years to travel the long distance. Technologically, it is impossible to migrate.
For these reasons, I believe that humans to live on other planets is only a dream.
(148 words)
平成30年1月21日実施公開テストリーディング解答についての解説
単語・語句問題
4番の問題では、文章の流れから3のfurious を選んだ人も多いと思いますが、問題の文章が could not remain ( ) と否定になっているので、逆または逆に近い意味の単語を選ばなければなりません。選択肢の中ではindifferent(無関心の)だけが文脈にあう形容詞になります。notを読み落とす、よく読まずに答えると間違えやすいトリッキーな問題です。
長文読解問題
級にかかわらず英検の長文問題全体にいえることですが、パッセージは読み物としてそれ自体興味深い内容のものが多く、一般教養を広げる効果もあり、勉強の題材として非常にためになり楽しいものが多いです。今回は3D Printing in Healthfareのパッセージが特に興味深いと思いました。このパッセージの中ではPluronic Incなど受験者の誰も知っているはずのない特殊なインクの名称などが出てきますが、もちろんこれらの単語は問題を解くうえで知っている必要はありません。
I support the idea that Japanese companies need to improve their treatment of female workers.
Firstly, women have needs relatively unique to them compared to those of men. Children, particularly when they are infants, tend to require constant care from their mothers. I heard that many female workers quit their job to devote their time to child care at home. I believe that companies have a social responsibility to support their employees to allow them to raise a family.
Secondly, I believe that by improving work conditions for women, they may continue to work longer than otherwise. There are many talented women and ensuring that they can work longer should be beneficial to the employers as well. It is my opinion that keeping capable female workers in a company may be the key to their success.
In conclusion, I believe that Japanese companies should do more to improve the work environment for female workers. (154 words)
級にかかわらず英検の長文問題全体にいえることですが、パッセージは読み物としてそれ自体興味深い内容のものが多く、一般教養を広げる効果もあり、勉強の題材として非常にためになり楽しいものが多いです。今回はThe Gut Microbiomeのパッセージが特に興味深いと思いました。このパッセージの中では生物体の学術名などが出てきますが、もちろんこれらの単語は問題を解くうえで知っている必要はありません。
I do not agree that the number of young people who continue to live with their parents after they finish their education will increase in the future.
Firstly, living alone gives young people more personal freedom. When you live with your parents, you may need to abide by the house rules which can, at times, be bothersome for the young. I certainly would prefer to live alone when I grow up.
Secondly, there are more jobs available in modern societies. With more opportunities to earn money for the young, it will be increasingly more affordable for young people to live alone as they make their own livings. It is possible that in the past many people lived with their parents because of concerns about the cost of living.
To conclude, I think more young people will live alone separately from their parents after graduating college because of the reasons above.
(150 words)
平成28年6月12日実施公開テストリーディング解答についての解説
単語問題
単語の問題では2番のwitherは少し難しい問題と思います。21番のbe conditional on という語句は~を条件としてというよく使用される表現で、覚えておくと作文するときにも便利です。
仮に、英検準1級の作文問題に次のような問題がでたとしましょう。
英検準1級英作文新形式(2016年度6月以降)予想問題:
● Write an essay on the given TOPIC.
● Use TWO of the POINTS below to support your answer.
● Structure: Introduction, main body, and conclusion
● Suggested length: 120–150 words
TOPIC
Agree or disagree:
High school students should wear a school uniform.
POINTS
● Cost
● Educational effects
● Fashion
● Individualism
英検準1級ライティング新形式問題の解答例
サンプル解答
賛成の立場のエッセイ解答例
I agree with the idea that uniforms should be compulsory for high school students, and I have two reasons for this opinion.
Firstly, wearing a uniform can encourage students to study harder and behave well in school. They can feel like they are really part of the school. Wearing normal clothes can be distracting during class. It also helps prepare them for their future jobs, when they will have to keep to a dress code.
Secondly, though students may not be able to express their individuality through their clothing, having a uniform can help stop bullying based on what students wear. Students don’t need to worry what they wear to school every day.
For these reasons, I believe it is best for high school students to wear a school uniform.
131 words
反対の立場のエッセイ解答例
I disagree with the idea that uniforms should be compulsory for high school students, and I have two reasons to back up my opinion.
Firstly, school uniforms are usually very expensive. Not everyone can afford to pay for these uniforms. Students’ families may struggle to pay for the uniform but they have to buy them as they are a requirement for the school. If there is damage to the uniform, or the student grows out of it, the family then has to pay for a new uniform.
Secondly, having all students wear the same uniform limits their individuality. High school students should have more freedom to express themselves. Giving them the freedom to choose what they wear to school can encourage them to show their personalities and be unique.
For these reasons, I believe it is better for high school students to choose what they want to wear to school.
イントロダクションでは、簡潔に自分の立場を述べます。すなわち、与えられた命題について自分は賛成するか反対または別の意見であるかを述べます。このとき、問題に述べられている英文をそのまま100%書き写すのではなく、少し書き換えができると効果的です。これをパラフレージングまたはリフレージングといい、英検準1級のライティング問題に限らず、各種の英語試験の英作文でも共通して用いられるべき、きわめて重要なライティング技術です。この例では、賛成の立場の作文では「uniforms should be compulsory for high school students」と出題の英文と同じ内容ですが表現を少し換えた形で述べています。 イントロダクションでは、これから展開するエッセイの「トピック」を明白に述べることが肝要です。
In the writing section, assignments will be given as homework and then discussed in class. Teachers will check for mistakes and give advice about the overall structure and content of the essay. Becoming used to the required format of the essay is essential, so teachers will explain how to plan your essay and follow the task appropriately. Teachers also provide sample answers to show you some possible approaches to the essay topics.
As the essay requires you to write your own opinion, teachers will also encourage you to express your views on topics in conversation as well. This gives you a chance to practise expressing your own ideas and forming structured arguments to support them.
Since writing and speaking are the active skills of learning a language, they are often the areas where students can struggle the most. Having a native speaking teacher offers great advantages here. In terms of writing, a native speaker at Myer English School can correct and explain mistakes you make in your English writings so that you will be a more fluent and effective writer. Teachers also encourage you to speak as much as possible without worrying about making mistakes. Overall you can improve your active English skills, become more proficient in the language and pass the eiken pre 1st exam.
Classes are of course adapted to suit your abilities, assuming your level of English is already above Eiken 2nd. Teachers are of course happy to answer your questions and help with any areas of the exam that you are struggling with in particular.
We are looking to hire a person to carry out the duties described below at our company while our Translation Administrator is working overseas from July (2016).
We would like to employ the chosen candidate under a fixed-term contract of employment (on a full-time or part-time basis) for a period of just over one (1) year (from May 2016 to August 2017).
Job Duties:
1. Preparing English to Japanese and Japanese to English translations and draft translations.
2. Consulting with clients and translators on commissioned translations and handling estimates and delivery of completed translations.
3. Handling telephone inquiries from clients and customers, etc.
Required Skills and Qualifications, etc.
1. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required
2. Effective communication skills in Japanese and English
(English speaking candidates) Professional fluency adequate to handle telephone inquiries in Japanese from Japanese clients and customers is required
(Japanese speaking candidates) Professional fluency adequate to handle telephone inquiries in English from foreign clients and customers is required
3. Computer literacy and word processing skills required for writing e-mails, creating documents and managing our Facebook page and blog
4. Working experience in Excel (required), PowerPoint (required) and Adobe Illustrator and other DTP (preferred) as well as html files, wordpress, etc. (preferred)
5. High commitment to work
Working Times and Days
Times: 9:00a.m. – 18:00p.m.
Work Days: Monday to Friday (Weekends and national holidays off)