問題 1

The government has pledged to ( ) emissions by 50% over the next decade to combat climate change.

  1. alleviate
  2. curtail
  3. perpetuate
  4. circumvent

正解

2. curtail（削減する、制限する）

解説：curtail は「削減する・制限する」という意味の動詞。emissions（排出量）を削減するという文脈に最適です。

alleviate（和らげる）、perpetuate（永続させる）、circumvent（回避する）はいずれも文脈に合いません。

問題 2

( ) working together, we cannot solve this global challenge effectively.

  1. Although
  2. Only by
  3. Never
  4. Despite

正解

2. Only by（〜することによってのみ）

解説：「Only by + 動名詞」で「〜することによってのみ」という強調の倒置構文です。Only by working together, can we ... という倒置になります。

この問題の文は「力を合わせることによってのみ、この世界的な課題を効果的に解決できる」という意味になります。

問題 3

The new policy runs ( ) our organization's commitment to sustainability.

  1. counter to
  2. in lieu of
  3. conducive to
  4. in the wake of

正解

1. counter to（〜に反する）

解説：run counter to は「〜に反する、〜と矛盾する」という熟語。「新しい政策は私たちの組織の持続可能性への取り組みに反する」という意味になります。

in lieu of（〜の代わりに）、be conducive to（〜に有益な）、in the wake of（〜の後を受けて）はいずれも文脈に合いません。

問題 4

( ) hard the exam may be, she is determined to pass it.

  1. Whatever
  2. Whoever
  3. However
  4. Wherever

正解

3. However（どれほど〜でも）

解説：「However + 形容詞/副詞 + S + V」で「どれほど〜でも」という意味の複合関係副詞。「試験がどれほど難しくても、彼女は合格する決意だ」という意味になります。

問題 5

It was ( ) that the project ultimately failed.

  1. for the lack of funding
  2. because of the lack of funding
  3. the lack of funding
  4. from the lack of funding

正解

3. the lack of funding（強調構文の中身）

解説：強調構文「It was ～ that ...」では、強調したい要素をそのまま that の前に置きます。「It was the lack of funding that the project ultimately failed（プロジェクトが最終的に失敗したのは資金不足が原因だった）」

次の英文を読み、問いに答えなさい。

The concept of a "circular economy" has gained considerable traction as an alternative to the traditional linear model of "take, make, dispose." In a circular economy, resources are kept in use for as long as possible, and waste is minimized by recovering and regenerating materials at the end of their service life. This model stands in stark contrast to our current consumption-driven economy, which has led to significant environmental degradation and resource depletion.

Proponents of the circular economy argue that it offers a viable path toward sustainable development. By designing products for longevity and recyclability, and by encouraging sharing and leasing rather than outright ownership, businesses can reduce their reliance on virgin materials while simultaneously generating new revenue streams. Furthermore, a circular economy has the potential to create new jobs in sectors such as repair, refurbishment, and recycling.

However, transitioning to a circular economy is not without its challenges. Consumer behavior, deeply ingrained habits of convenience and disposability, must fundamentally change. Additionally, businesses require significant upfront investment in new technologies and processes. Critics also argue that without clear regulatory frameworks and government incentives, the circular economy will remain a niche concept rather than a mainstream economic model.

問題 1

What does the author say about the circular economy model?

  1. It is identical to the linear model of production.
  2. It aims to minimize waste by keeping resources in use as long as possible.
  3. It relies primarily on government subsidies to function.
  4. It has already replaced traditional economic models in most countries.

正解

2. It aims to minimize waste by keeping resources in use as long as possible.

解説：第1段落に "resources are kept in use for as long as possible, and waste is minimized" と書かれています。これを言い換えたのが選択肢2です。

問題 2

According to the passage, what is one challenge of transitioning to a circular economy?

  1. Circular economies create fewer jobs than linear economies.
  2. Governments are universally opposed to circular economy policies.
  3. Consumer habits of convenience and disposability need to change fundamentally.
  4. Companies have no financial incentive to adopt circular models.

正解

3. Consumer habits of convenience and disposability need to change fundamentally.

解説：第3段落に "Consumer behavior, deeply ingrained habits of convenience and disposability, must fundamentally change" とあります。これを言い換えたのが選択肢3です。

問題 1

TOPIC

Agree or disagree: Artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on employment in the long run.

POINTS:

  • Job creation in new industries
  • Automation of routine tasks
  • Skills development

解答例（138語）

I believe that artificial intelligence will ultimately have a positive effect on employment. There are two compelling reasons for this position.

First, while AI may automate many routine tasks, it simultaneously creates new industries and job categories. The rise of AI has already generated demand for AI engineers, data scientists, and ethics specialists — roles that simply did not exist a decade ago.

Second, AI frees workers from repetitive, low-skill tasks, allowing them to focus on creative and interpersonal work that machines cannot replicate. This shift encourages ongoing skills development and lifelong learning, ultimately making the workforce more adaptable and productive.

In conclusion, provided that adequate retraining programs are in place, AI should create more opportunities than it eliminates in the long term.

語数チェック：138語 ✓（120〜150語の範囲内）

問題 2

TOPIC

Agree or disagree: Social media does more harm than good to modern society.

POINTS:

  • Mental health
  • Misinformation
  • Global connectivity

解答例（143語）

I am firmly convinced that social media causes more harm than good to contemporary society. My position is supported by two key arguments.

First, there is growing evidence that excessive social media use contributes to deteriorating mental health, particularly among young people. Studies have consistently linked heavy social media consumption with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Second, social media has become a major vehicle for the spread of misinformation. False news can go viral within hours, influencing public opinion and potentially destabilizing democratic processes. The 2020 pandemic demonstrated how quickly dangerous misinformation could proliferate on these platforms.

In conclusion, while social media offers undeniable benefits for global connectivity, its negative impacts on mental health and information integrity far outweigh its advantages.

リスニング練習の使い方

「音声を再生」ボタンでスクリプトを音声再生できます（Web Speech APIを使用）。選択肢を先に読んでから音声を再生して、本番に近い練習をしてみましょう。

問題 1 ─ 第1部（会話）

会話を聴いて、質問に答えなさい。
Question: What is the woman's main concern?

  1. The cost of the new project
  2. The tight deadline for submission
  3. The quality of the team members
  4. The lack of communication from management
SCRIPT

Man: How is the merger project going? I heard things have been quite hectic lately.

Woman: To be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed. We have to submit the final report by Friday, and we still have two major sections to complete.

Man: That does sound stressful. Have you talked to the project manager about extending the deadline?

Woman: I tried, but apparently the board meeting is scheduled for Monday, and the report is needed before that. So there's no flexibility.

Man: I see. Well, maybe we could divide the remaining sections among the team members and work in parallel?

Woman: That might work. I just hope everyone can manage the extra workload on top of their regular responsibilities.

正解

2. The tight deadline for submission

解説：女性は「金曜日までに最終報告書を提出しなければならない」と述べており、締め切りが迫っていることを主な懸念として表明しています。「We have to submit the final report by Friday」が直接の根拠です。

問題 2 ─ 第2部（ナレーション）

ナレーションを聴いて、質問に答えなさい。
Question: What is one benefit of community gardens mentioned in the passage?

  1. They significantly reduce city temperatures.
  2. They allow residents to access fresh produce affordably.
  3. They replace the need for commercial farming entirely.
  4. They are primarily intended for professional gardeners.
NARRATION SCRIPT

Narrator: Community gardens have emerged as a popular urban initiative in many cities worldwide. These shared green spaces allow residents to grow their own vegetables and fruits, often at minimal cost. Particularly in low-income neighborhoods, where access to fresh, affordable produce is limited, community gardens can play a crucial role in improving nutritional health.

Narrator: Beyond their nutritional benefits, community gardens serve important social functions. They bring together residents from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and social cohesion. Research has shown that neighborhoods with active community gardens tend to have lower crime rates and higher levels of civic engagement.

Narrator: However, maintaining community gardens requires sustained commitment from volunteers and ongoing funding support. Without adequate resources, these green spaces can quickly fall into disrepair, undermining their potential benefits.

正解

2. They allow residents to access fresh produce affordably.

解説：第1段落に "allow residents to grow their own vegetables and fruits, often at minimal cost" とあります。「minimal cost（最小コスト）」が選択肢の「affordably（手頃な価格で）」に言い換えられています。