Is the concept of universal basic income a viable solution to address economic inequality?
回答
Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a potentially viable solution to address economic inequality, but its effectiveness depends on implementation and context.
Reasons: Reduces Poverty: UBI provides a guaranteed income floor, helping individuals meet basic needs and reducing poverty. Simplifies Welfare Systems: By replacing complex welfare programs, UBI reduces bureaucracy and ensures equal access. Challenges: Funding a UBI program requires significant resources, and it may not address structural issues like job access or education disparities. Economic Impact: UBI could stimulate economic activity but risks inflation or disincentivizing work in some cases. Careful design and integration with existing systems are essential for UBI to effectively reduce inequality.
予想問題２
Explore the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a universal basic income.
回答
Implementing a universal basic income (UBI) offers potential benefits but also presents significant challenges.
Reasons: Benefits:
Reduces Poverty: UBI ensures a financial safety net for all, alleviating poverty and promoting financial stability. Encourages Innovation: With basic needs met, individuals may pursue education, entrepreneurship, or creative endeavors. Simplifies Welfare: UBI streamlines welfare systems, reducing administrative costs and inefficiencies. Challenges:
Cost of Implementation: Funding UBI requires substantial resources, potentially leading to higher taxes or reallocation of public funds. Work Disincentives: Critics argue UBI might reduce motivation to work, though evidence varies. Inflation Risks: Increased purchasing power could drive up prices, diminishing the real value of the income. A successful UBI program requires careful planning to balance its economic and social impacts.
In a small, austere laboratory located in the outskirts of the city, a team of scientists worked surreptitiously on a dormant species of plant thought to be extinct for centuries. The project was highly classified, as it involved rigorous genetic experiments to create a hybrid plant that could withstand toxic environments. The researchers believed that reviving the species could offer a solution to chronic respiratory issues caused by pollution, which were tantamount to a public health crisis.
The process required stringent protocols to ensure no genetic contamination occurred. Using genetically modified techniques, they aimed to create an equivalent ecosystem to the plant’s original habitat. However, there were ulterior motives behind the project, as some members of the team saw financial potential in marketing the hybrid species. Despite the challenges, the team’s meticulous efforts might soon revive a piece of Earth’s lost history.
The ●●● design of the ancient temple was so minimal that even the statues looked bored. 古代の寺院の質素なデザインはあまりにシンプルで、像でさえ退屈しているように見えた。
His ●●● habit of talking to his plants made them the most informed greenery in town. 植物に話しかける彼の慢性的な習慣は、それらを街で最も情報通の緑にしてしまった。
She claimed her cookie recipe was ●●●, but it turned out to be the one on the back of the chocolate chip bag. 彼女はクッキーのレシピが機密だと言ったが、結局それはチョコチップの袋の裏に載っているものだった。
The volcano was ●●● for so long that people started building coffee shops on its slopes. 火山が長い間休眠状態だったので、人々はその斜面にコーヒーショップを建て始めた。
He said his paper airplane was the ●●● of a real jet, and then it promptly crashed into his coffee. 彼は紙飛行機が本物のジェット機と同等だと言い、すぐにコーヒーに墜落した。
He declared that his ability to keep secrets was ●●● after accidentally sharing everyone’s surprise party details. 彼はみんなのサプライズパーティーの詳細をうっかり共有した後、秘密を守る能力が絶滅したと宣言した。
●●● speaking, the cat and its owner shared one trait: an intense love for naps. 遺伝的に言えば、その猫と飼い主は一つの特徴を共有していた。それは昼寝への強い愛だ。
I rode a ●●● unicorn-dragon to my hybrid solar-powered underwater office this morning! 今朝はハイブリッドのユニコーンドラゴンに乗って、ハイブリッドの太陽光発電式・水中オフィスに出勤したよ！
His ●●● pizza-tasting routine was more scientific than NASA’s testing for new rockets. 彼の厳格なピザテイスティングのルーチンは、NASAの新型ロケットの試験よりも科学的だった。
The ●●● rules of her book club included mandatory snacks and no spoilers, ever. 彼女の読書クラブの厳しいルールには、必須のおやつと絶対にネタバレ禁止が含まれていた。
He ●●● ate the last cookie, but the crumbs on his shirt gave him away. 彼はこっそり最後のクッキーを食べたが、シャツについたクズでバレてしまった。
His ●●● mask was so advanced that it looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie. 彼の呼吸用マスクはあまりに高度で、SF映画に出てきそうだった。
Forgetting her birthday was ●●● to starting World War III in their household. 彼女の誕生日を忘れることは、彼らの家庭で第三次世界大戦を始めるのに等しかった。
The ●●● relationship between the two rival squirrels over the best tree became legendary in the park. 最高の木を巡る2匹のライバルリスの有毒な関係は、公園で伝説となった。
His ●●● motive for hosting the party was to eat all the leftovers himself. パーティーを主催した彼の隠れた目的は、自分ですべての残り物を食べることだった。
熟語例文穴埋め問題
After drinking ten cups of coffee, she talked a ●●● streak about her conspiracy theories involving squirrels taking over the world. コーヒーを10杯飲んだ後、彼女はリスが世界を支配するという陰謀論について早口で延々と話し続けました。
Surprisingly, he ●●● to eating pineapple on pizza after insisting for years that it was an unforgivable crime. 驚いたことに、彼は何年もパイナップルをピザに乗せるのは許されない罪だと言い張った後、突然それを気に入るようになりました。
The cat ●●●ed up a story about the dog stealing its food, even though it had eaten it all by itself. その猫は、犬が自分の餌を盗んだという話を捏造しましたが、実際には自分で全部食べていました。
During the heated debate about climate change, he ●●● in a random comment about how much he loves tacos. 気候変動についての白熱した議論の中で、彼はタコスがどれだけ好きかという無関係なコメントを差し挟みました。
To save money, the billionaire decided to ●●● down his yacht collection from 20 to 19. 節約のために、その億万長者はヨットのコレクションを20隻から19隻に削減することにしました。
Bionic (バイオニック、生体工学による) Mnemonic: Think of BIONIc as “BIO + NIC” where “BIO” represents biology and “NIC” reminds you of high-tech enhancements. Association: Imagine a bionic arm that turns a regular person into a superhero.
Bleak (陰鬱な、わびしい) Mnemonic: BLEAK sounds like “BLEH!” when you’re feeling gloomy. Association: Picture a barren, gray landscape with no trees or life—completely bleak.
Covert (隠された、秘密の) Mnemonic: Think of “cover” in covert as something hidden or covered. Association: A spy wearing a trench coat, moving undercover.
Clandestine (秘密の、内密の) Mnemonic: “Clan + Destine(d)”—a secret meeting of a clan destined for secrecy. Association: Imagine a group meeting in the shadows to plan something forbidden.
Contemporary (現代の、同時代の) Mnemonic: “Contem” sounds like “current,” meaning modern or of the same time. Association: Think of contemporary art that reflects modern life.
Extrinsic (外的な、非本質的な) Mnemonic: EX-TRIN-SIC → “EXternal things (EX)” are extrinsic. Association: Picture a car’s shiny paint job—attractive but not essential to driving.
Inherent (本来の、内在する) Mnemonic: “In-HERE-nt” → Something that is inherently here, within. Association: A bird’s ability to fly is inherent to its nature.
Indigenous (固有の、先住の) Mnemonic: “Indi-genous” → Indigenous to India or any native land. Association: Think of kangaroos as indigenous to Australia.
Intrinsic (本質的な、内在する) Mnemonic: IN-TRIN-SIC → “INternal things (IN)” are intrinsic. Association: Imagine kindness as intrinsic to a good person’s character.
Latent (潜在的な) Mnemonic: LATENT → Think of “LAYING dormant.” Association: Imagine a volcano with latent energy waiting to erupt.
Medieval (中世の) Mnemonic: MEDIEVAL → MEDI (Middle) + EVIL (Dark Ages). Association: Picture knights, castles, and dark times.
Marginally (わずかに) Mnemonic: “MARGIN” means edge → barely or slightly there. Association: Imagine a thermometer rising marginally in winter.
Outright (完全に、徹底的に) Mnemonic: OUTRIGHT → OUT + RIGHT = completely out in the open. Association: A winner who outright dominates the competition.
Stagnant (停滞した) Mnemonic: “StagNANT” → Like a stagnant pond that doesn’t move. Association: Picture water turning green because it’s stagnant.
Sluggish (のろい、鈍い) Mnemonic: SLUGgish → Think of a slow-moving slug. Association: Imagine traffic moving sluggishly during a storm.
The bleak winter morning began with a sense of despair. In a hidden covert deep within the forest, a group of researchers was conducting clandestine experiments on bionic limbs. These scientists were a mix of contemporary innovators and traditionalists, exploring how extrinsic technologies could harmonize with the inherent abilities of the human body. Among them was Dr. Elena, who had studied the indigenous tribes of the Amazon to learn their intrinsic understanding of nature.
Their experiments revealed latent potential in combining human biology with robotics, something unthinkable in the medieval period. The team faced challenges, however, as funding was only marginally sufficient, and progress often felt stagnant. Days when the results were sluggish brought frustration, but breakthroughs were celebrated outright with cheers. Despite the hurdles, they believed their work would change the course of human history, proving that even in the most bleak times, innovation could shine.
Aesthetically (審美的に) Mnemonic: “Aesthetic” has “art” in it, reminding you of beauty and design. Association: Imagine walking into an art gallery that focuses solely on aesthetic beauty. Contextual Usage: The building was aesthetically pleasing, with clean lines and natural materials. (その建物は審美的に心地よく、洗練された線と自然素材で構成されていた。)
Circumstantial (状況的な) Mnemonic: “Circum” (around) and “stance” (position)—decisions influenced by surrounding conditions. Association: Picture a detective piecing together circumstantial evidence at a crime scene. Contextual Usage: The suspect’s guilt was based solely on circumstantial evidence. (容疑者の有罪は状況証拠のみに基づいていた。)
Commensurate (比例した) Mnemonic: “Comm” (together) and “measure”—measured equally. Association: Envision a scale balancing pay that is commensurate with your skills. Contextual Usage: Her salary was commensurate with her experience and qualifications. (彼女の給料は彼女の経験と資格に比例していた。)
Conspicuous (目立つ) Mnemonic: Think of “con” (with) and “spicuous” (see)—easy to see. Association: Imagine a bright red umbrella in a sea of black ones—it’s conspicuous. Contextual Usage: The error was conspicuous and immediately noticed by everyone. (そのミスは目立っており、すぐにみんなに気づかれた。)
Exemplary (模範的な) Mnemonic: “Example” is embedded in the word—it sets an example. Association: Picture a student being awarded for their exemplary behavior. Contextual Usage: Her performance was exemplary, earning her employee of the month. (彼女の業績は模範的で、月間優秀社員に選ばれた。)
Exploratory (探検的な) Mnemonic: “Explore” is part of the word—focused on discovery. Association: Imagine astronauts on an exploratory mission to Mars. Contextual Usage: The company is in an exploratory phase, researching new markets. (その会社は新しい市場を調査する探検的な段階にある。)
Demographic (人口統計の) Mnemonic: “Demo” (people) + “graphic” (writing)—writing about people’s statistics. Association: Visualize a pie chart showing the demographic breakdown of a city. Contextual Usage: The report focused on the demographic changes in urban areas. (その報告書は都市部の人口統計の変化に焦点を当てていた。)
Manifest (明らかな) Mnemonic: “Mani” (hand) and “fest” (visible)—something easily visible or clear. Association: Imagine a magician making a rabbit manifest from an empty hat. Contextual Usage: His anger was manifest in his clenched fists and raised voice. (彼の怒りは握り締めた拳と上がった声に明らかだった。)
Hypothetical (仮定の) Mnemonic: “Hypo” (under) + “thetical” (idea)—an idea under consideration. Association: Envision a scientist discussing a hypothetical scenario. Contextual Usage: Let’s consider a hypothetical situation where all resources are unlimited. (すべての資源が無制限である仮定の状況を考えてみよう。)
Ostensible (表向きの) Mnemonic: “Ostens” (to show)—something that’s shown but not real. Association: Imagine a politician making ostensible promises to gain votes. Contextual Usage: His ostensible reason for leaving was health, but he had other motives. (彼の表向きの退職理由は健康だったが、他に理由があった。)
Occidental (西洋の) Mnemonic: Think “Occident” (the West) versus “Orient” (the East). Association: Picture Western-style architecture to represent Occidental culture. Contextual Usage: The museum showcased both Oriental and Occidental art styles. (その博物館は東洋と西洋の両方の美術様式を展示していた。)
Overdue (期限が過ぎた) Mnemonic: “Over” + “due”—beyond the due date. Association: Imagine a library book stamped with overdue fees. Contextual Usage: The payment is long overdue and must be settled immediately. (その支払いは期限が過ぎており、直ちに支払わなければならない。)
Tentative (仮の) Mnemonic: “Tent” suggests temporary—like a tentative arrangement. Association: Picture a tentative meeting schedule subject to change. Contextual Usage: The dates are tentative and may change depending on circumstances. (日程は仮のもので、状況によって変更される可能性がある。)
Transient (一時的な) Mnemonic: “Trans” (across) + “ient” (go)—something that moves across quickly. Association: Imagine a transient rainbow that vanishes within minutes. Contextual Usage: His happiness was transient, fading as soon as the moment passed. (彼の幸福は一時的で、その瞬間が過ぎるとすぐに消えた。)
Ubiquitous (遍在する) Mnemonic: Think “ubi” (everywhere)—present all around. Association: Visualize smartphones being ubiquitous in today’s society. Contextual Usage: Fast food chains are ubiquitous, found in nearly every corner of the world. (ファーストフード店は遍在しており、ほぼ世界のどこにでも見られる。)
自分が荷物を背負うイメージを持つと、「責任」や「性質」を持つ状況が連想されます。 例文: The project will take on greater significance next year. (そのプロジェクトは来年、より重要性を帯びるだろう。) 日本語説明: 「take（取る）」+「on（自分のものにする）」＝「何かを自分に帯びる」というイメージ。仕事や役割を引き受ける感覚を思い浮かべる。
Tack on X to Y: XをYに上乗せする 連想法: 「カーペットを『タック（押し留める）』で付け足すイメージ」
カーペットやポスターにピンを追加で留める場面を思い浮かべる。これが「上乗せする」感覚につながります。 例文: They tacked on a late fee to the bill. (彼らは請求書に遅延料金を上乗せした。) 日本語説明: 「tack（留める）」のイメージから、「既存のものに後から付け足す」という感覚を連想。
Take it out on: に当たり散らす 連想法: 「感情を『外（out）』に向けて発散するイメージ」
イライラしたときに、枕や壁に怒りをぶつける場面を想像。これが「他人に当たり散らす」にリンクします。 例文: Don’t take it out on me just because you’re stressed. (ストレスがあるからって、私に当たり散らさないで。) 日本語説明: 「take（取る）」+「it out（それを外に出す）」＝「怒りやフラストレーションを他者にぶつける」という意味を覚えやすく。
Tear down: を取り壊す 連想法: 「紙や壁を『tear（破る）』するイメージ」
ビルや壁をハンマーで壊していく工事現場の様子を想像することで「取り壊す」という意味に直結。 例文: They plan to tear down the old stadium next year. (彼らは来年、その古いスタジアムを取り壊す予定だ。) 日本語説明: 「tear（引き裂く）」＋「down（下に崩す）」＝物理的に建物や構造物を取り壊すイメージ。
船が荒波を超えて航海を続けるシーンを想像すると、「困難を乗り越える」という意味につながる。 例文: The small loan helped him tide over his financial difficulties. (その小額の融資が、彼の財政的困難を乗り越える助けになった。) 日本語説明: 「tide（潮）」＋「over（乗り越える）」＝「困難の波を超える」というイメージで覚える。
①Write an essay on the given TOPIC. ②Give three reasons to support your answer. ③Structure: introduction, main body, and conclusion ④Suggested length: 200-240 words
予想問題
Is it the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to make essential medicines more affordable globally? (Agree or Disagree)
回答
Introduction:
It is undeniable that access to essential medicines is a fundamental aspect of global health. Therefore, the question arises: should pharmaceutical companies be held responsible for making these medicines more affordable worldwide? I firmly agree that it is indeed their responsibility, and here are three reasons why.
Main Body:（３つ）
First, pharmaceutical companies are in a unique position to affect global health due to their ability to research, develop, and distribute medicines. The vast majority of essential medications are produced by a limited number of multinational pharmaceutical corporations. These companies have the resources and capacity to scale up production and reduce prices. By choosing to do so, they could make life-saving treatments accessible to millions in low-income countries, where the cost of healthcare is a significant barrier.
Second, there is an ethical obligation for these companies to prioritize human health over profits, especially when it comes to essential medicines that can save lives. Many pharmaceutical companies have profited immensely from their patents and research, making it reasonable to expect them to share some of this wealth by reducing the prices of critical drugs. Access to basic healthcare should not be determined by financial capacity but by the basic right to life.
Finally, making essential medicines more affordable could lead to long-term benefits for both pharmaceutical companies and society at large. Improved health outcomes can result in stronger, more productive communities, ultimately creating a larger market for pharmaceuticals. This approach aligns with a sustainable business model, where social responsibility is intertwined with profitability.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, pharmaceutical companies have a significant role and responsibility in ensuring that essential medicines are affordable and accessible globally. By acting with compassion and prioritizing public health, these companies can contribute to a healthier, more equitable world, benefiting both their long-term interests and the well-being of millions.
３つのポイント（覚えて口に出して練習）
３つのポイントとその理由をスピーキング対策にもなるので覚えておきましょう。
①Ability to Influence Global Health 理由：
Pharmaceutical companies have the resources to scale up production and reduce prices, making life-saving treatments accessible to millions in low-income countries.
②Ethical Responsibility 理由：
These companies should prioritize human health over profits, especially for essential medicines. Reducing prices aligns with the basic right to life and fairness.
③Long-term Benefits for Society and Business 理由：
Affordable medicines lead to healthier communities, which create larger markets and stronger economies. This benefits both public health and the companies’ long-term success.
In the demographic study of urban areas, researchers often find that the changes in population patterns are not always manifest. While some trends, such as the increasing migration to cities, are conspicuous, others are more circumstantial and require deeper analysis. For instance, the tentative conclusion of a recent study suggested that transient populations, like migrant workers, contribute significantly to the economy.
Moreover, the aesthetically designed public spaces in these cities have an impact on well-being, though this effect is often viewed as hypothetical rather than proven. City planners conduct exploratory research to determine how infrastructure can cater to these populations in ways that are commensurate with their needs.
In one particular case, the integration of occidental and traditional architecture became an exemplary model of urban harmony. However, the project was criticized for being overdue and overly focused on its ostensible goals, such as increasing tourism, rather than addressing practical issues.
As cities become more ubiquitous hubs of activity, balancing short-term transient needs with long-term planning remains a significant challenge.
the cream of the crop: ●●● toy with: ●●● tower over: ●●● take in: ●●● trip over: ●●●
例文穴埋め問題
The artist painted the walls so ●●● that even the mice moved in to admire the beauty. 壁があまりにも美的に塗られたため、ネズミさえその美しさを賞賛するために住み着きました。
The detective blamed the crime on ●●● evidence, which turned out to be his neighbor’s cat. 探偵はその犯罪を状況次第の証拠に基づいて近所の猫のせいにしました。
The salary he received was barely ●●● with the number of emails he had to reply to daily. 彼が受け取った給料は、毎日返信しなければならないメールの量に比例していませんでした。
His neon-green suit made him incredibly ●●● at the black-tie event. 彼のネオングリーンのスーツは、フォーマルなイベントで非常に目立っていました。
The robot’s behavior was so ●●● that the humans felt ashamed of themselves. ロボットの行動があまりにも模範的だったため、人間は自分たちを恥じました。
The treasure map led them on an ●●● journey to the candy store instead of the pirate island. 宝の地図は彼らを海賊の島ではなく、キャンディー店への探査的な旅に導きました。
The town’s ●●● graph showed an unexpected spike in the population of ninjas. 町の人口統計グラフでは、忍者の人口が予想外に急増していることが示されました。
The UFO sighting was so ●●● that even the cows stopped grazing to look up. UFOの目撃情報があまりにも明らかだったため、牛さえも草を食べるのをやめて見上げました。
His theory that chickens secretly ruled the world was purely ●●●—or so we thought. 鶏が密かに世界を支配しているという彼の理論は完全に仮説的でした—少なくともそう思われていました。
Her ●●● reason for the trip was business, but her suitcase was full of swimsuits. 彼女の旅行の見せかけの理由は仕事でしたが、スーツケースは水着でいっぱいでした。
The bakery featured ●●● bread, but customers kept asking for sushi-flavored pastries. ベーカリーは西洋風のパンを提供していましたが、客は寿司風味のペストリーを求め続けました。
The ●●● library book had traveled the world before finally returning home. 遅れた図書館の本は世界を旅した後、ようやく家に戻りました。
The deal was so ●●● that even the contract was written in pencil. その取引はあまりにも仮のもので、契約書さえ鉛筆で書かれていました。
The party was filled with ●●● guests who left before the cake was served. パーティーは一時的なゲストでいっぱいで、ケーキが出される前にみんな帰ってしまいました。
Smartphones are so ●●● that even squirrels have started using them to post on social media. スマートフォンがあまりにも至る所にあるため、リスでさえソーシャルメディアに投稿するのに使い始めました。
熟語例文穴埋め問題
The ●●● of the crop in the talent show turned out to be a dog that could juggle flaming swords. 才能ショーでの最高の人材は、燃える剣をジャグリングできる犬でした。
He decided to ●●● with his brother’s science project by adding glitter and calling it “Stardust 3000.” 彼は弟の科学プロジェクトをいい加減に扱い、ラメを加えて「スターダスト3000」と名付けることにしました。
The new skyscraper seemed to ●●● over the city so much that the clouds started renting rooms there. 新しい超高層ビルは街をあまりにもはるかに超えていて、雲がそこに部屋を借り始めました。
The magician’s disappearing act was so good that he managed to ●●● in himself and forgot where he went. マジシャンの消える芸があまりにも上手すぎて、自分自身をだまし、どこに行ったかを忘れてしまいました。
I always ●●● over the invisible line my cat draws to show me who’s boss. 私はいつも、猫が自分がボスだと示すために描く見えない線につまずきます。
Abruptly Mnemonic: Imagine someone slamming a door shut without warning. The action is sudden and unexpected. Association: The word “abrupt” sounds like the word “abrupt,” which means “sudden.” Context: “The meeting ended abruptly when the CEO received an urgent call.”
Clumsy Mnemonic: Picture a character in a cartoon who always trips over their own feet and spills things everywhere. Association: “Clumsy” rhymes with “bumpy,” reminding you of someone who moves in an uncoordinated way. Context: “She was so clumsy that she knocked over the vase while trying to reach the shelf.”
Contiguous Mnemonic: Think of a line of houses on the same street; they share a common border. Association: “Contiguous” has “con-” (together) and “tiguous” (touching), meaning things that are touching or continuous. Context: “The states of California and Oregon are contiguous, sharing a long border.”
Crude Mnemonic: Imagine someone digging into the earth and finding raw, unprocessed oil. Association: “Crude” can be associated with “uncooked” or “raw,” implying something rough and unrefined. Context: “His crude jokes often made people feel uncomfortable.”
Confidential Mnemonic: Picture someone whispering a secret into your ear and sealing it with an imaginary lock. Association: “Confidential” has the word “confide,” meaning to trust someone with a secret. Context: “The documents were marked as confidential, so only authorized personnel could view them.”
Defunct Mnemonic: Imagine an old machine with cobwebs on it, no longer working. Association: “De-” (not) + “funct” (functioning) means no longer functioning or obsolete. Context: “The defunct factory was left to decay after the company shut down.”
Discernible Mnemonic: Think of a detective carefully observing clues to solve a mystery. Association: “Discern” means to notice or detect, and “ible” means capable of. So, “discernible” means capable of being noticed. Context: “The subtle changes in her voice were discernible to those who knew her well.”
Indispensable Mnemonic: Picture an employee who is so crucial to the team that the company can’t function without them. Association: “In” (not) + “dispensable” (able to be spared), so “indispensable” means not able to be spared. Context: “The manager is indispensable because of her expertise in handling critical projects.”
Futile Mnemonic: Picture someone trying to plug a hole in a sinking boat with a piece of paper—it just doesn’t work. Association: “Futile” rhymes with “brutal,” which can remind you that trying is harsh when it yields no result. Context: “Trying to persuade him was futile, as he had already made up his mind.”
Lucrative Mnemonic: Picture someone receiving a large paycheck for work they enjoy—lots of money, lots of joy. Association: “Lucre” means profit, so “lucrative” means profitable. Context: “The tech startup proved to be a lucrative venture for its founders.”
Inscrutable Mnemonic: Picture a puzzle that nobody can solve, no matter how hard they try. Association: “In” (not) + “scrutable” (able to be understood), so “inscrutable” means impossible to understand. Context: “Her expression was inscrutable, leaving everyone wondering what she was thinking.”
Prolific Mnemonic: Picture a tree producing an abundant amount of fruit every season. Association: “Prolific” shares a root with “produce,” indicating high production or abundance. Context: “The prolific author published more than ten books in a single year.”
Potential Mnemonic: Imagine an unlit spark that has the potential to start a fire. Association: “Potent” means powerful, so “potential” refers to latent power. Context: “The young athlete showed great potential but needed more training.”
Replicate Mnemonic: Picture a scientist using a microscope to duplicate a tiny cell. Association: “Replicate” sounds like “duplicate,” meaning to copy. Context: “The artist tried to replicate the famous painting, but it didn’t turn out the same.”
Spontaneous Mnemonic: Picture someone breaking out into a dance at a party without any planning. Association: “Spontaneous” comes from “spontaneity,” which means acting without premeditation. Context: “The spontaneous decision to go on a road trip turned out to be the best decision of the summer.”
The researcher’s study was abruptly interrupted when the power outage plunged the laboratory into darkness. His clumsy assistant stumbled over the equipment, creating a crude mess of wires on the floor. The two scientists, working in contiguous rooms, shared a confidential conversation about their findings, which they believed were both lucrative and indispensable for future technology. Despite their prolific work, their attempts to replicate certain results had proven futile. The inscrutable results of their experiments hinted at a potential breakthrough, but they couldn’t discern a clear pattern. Exhausted yet hopeful, they relied on spontaneous ideas to guide their next steps. They couldn’t afford for their project to become defunct like so many others in their field.
abruptly: ●●● clumsy: ●●● contiguous: ●●● crude: ●●● confidential: ●●● defunct: ●●● discernible: ●●● indispensable: ●●● futile: ●●● lucrative: ●●● inscrutable: ●●● prolific: ●●● potential: ●●● replicate: ●●● spontaneous: ●●● soak up: ●●● stick around: ●●● sound X out on Y: ●●● stand up for: を守る[/memorizer]
例文穴埋め問題
The penguin ●●● started singing opera, causing the entire zoo to panic and run for cover. ペンギンが突然オペラを歌い始め、動物園全体がパニックになり、隠れるために走り回った。
The ●●● giraffe tried to play basketball but kept tripping over its own legs and dunking the ball in the wrong hoop. 不器用なキリンがバスケットボールをしようとしたが、自分の足に何度もつまずいて、ボールを間違ったリングにダンクしてしまった。
The two spaghetti strands were ●●●, forming an unbreakable bond as they both plunged into the boiling pot like a heroic rescue mission. 2本のスパゲティが隣接しており、まるで英雄的な救助ミッションのように、共に沸騰した鍋に突入し、切れない絆を作り上げた。
The ●●● scientist mixed bubble gum and pickles to create a new form of fuel, which exploded on the spot and turned the lab into a giant marshmallow. 粗雑な科学者はガムとピクルスを混ぜて新しい燃料を作り、それがその場で爆発して実験室を巨大なマシュマロに変えてしまった。
The squirrel had a ●●● meeting with the neighborhood raccoons, discussing secret plans to steal all the birdseed in the park. リスは近所のアライグマたちと機密会議を開き、公園の鳥の餌をすべて盗む秘密計画を話し合った。
The ●●● time machine, which could only travel to the year 2000, was now used as a coffee table in the scientist’s living room. 2000年にしか行けなかった廃れたタイムマシンは、今や科学者のリビングルームでコーヒーテーブルとして使われていた。
The magician’s hat was so full of rabbits that the only ●●● shape was a fuzzy white tail sticking out every few seconds. 魔法使いの帽子はウサギでいっぱいで、数秒おきにフワフワした白い尾が見えるだけだった。
The talking pencil became ●●● in the office after it started solving all the workers’ problems by scribbling motivational quotes on the walls. 話す鉛筆は、壁にモチベーションを高める名言を書きながら、すべての従業員の問題を解決し始めた後、オフィスで不可欠な存在となった。
Trying to teach the hamster to play chess was ●●●, especially after it started eating the pieces instead of moving them. ハムスターにチェスを教えようとするのは無駄だった。特に、それが駒を動かす代わりに食べ始めた後は。
The ●●● business of selling invisible shoes became a global phenomenon, and soon, people were walking around in air while paying thousands for the privilege. 見えない靴を売る儲かるビジネスは世界的な現象となり、すぐに人々は空気の中を歩き回り、その特権のために何千円も支払っていた。
The ●●● dance moves of the flamingo at the talent show left the audience in awe, though no one could explain what was actually happening. タレントショーでフラミンゴの不可解なダンスムーブは観客を驚かせたが、誰も実際に何が起こっているのか説明できなかった。
The ●●● cloud in the sky churned out popcorn every minute, but only when no one was looking. 空にある多産な雲は毎分ポップコーンを作り出したが、誰も見ていないときだけだった。
The ●●● alien living in my fridge keeps rearranging the vegetables alphabetically every night. 冷蔵庫に住んでる潜在的な宇宙人が、毎晩野菜をアルファベット順に並べ替えているんだ。
The scientist proudly wore a ●●● moon suit to the supermarket, claiming he needed it to avoid “earth germs.” その科学者は「地球のバイ菌を防ぐためだ」と言って、再現された宇宙服を着てスーパーに堂々と現れた。
The ●●● flash mob of flamingos in tuxedos took over the street, performing synchronized dances that made everyone forget their grocery lists. タキシードを着たフラミンゴの自発的なフラッシュモブが街を占拠し、皆が買い物リストを忘れるほどのシンクロダンスを披露した。
熟語例文穴埋め問題
I decided to ●●● up the sunshine by sitting on a giant inflatable pizza in the middle of a lake, while eating ice cream. 湖の真ん中にある巨大なインフレータブルピザの上に座りながらアイスクリームを食べて、太陽の光を楽しむことにした。
The invisible man decided to ●●● around at the party just to watch everyone dance, even though nobody knew he was there. 見えない男は、誰も自分がそこにいることに気づいていないのに、皆がダンスするのを見て楽しむためにパーティーに近くで待つことにした。
I had to ●●● my pet turtle out on whether he was interested in joining the circus, but he just nodded off in his shell. サーカスに参加することに興味があるかどうか、ペットのカメに打診しなければならなかったが、彼はただ甲羅の中でうとうとしていた。
The brave cat ●●● up for her right to nap wherever she pleased, even if that meant taking over the dog’s bed. 勇敢な猫は、自分の好きな場所で昼寝する権利を守るため、犬のベッドを占領してでも立ち上がった。
