Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。
- Would you prefer drinking water with or without added minerals?
- Have you ever noticed a difference in the taste of water from different places?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。
- decrease /DEE-krees/
- personal /PUR-suh-nl/
- opinion /uh-PIN-yuhn/
- warning /WAR-ning/
- similar /SIM-uh-lur/
[noun] – a reduction in size, amount, or number of something
There was a decrease in the number of visitors today.
[adjective] – relating to one person instead of a group or organization
His personal opinion is different from his friend’s view.
[noun] – a thought or belief about something or someone
His opinion on the movie was very positive.
[noun] – something that tells people about danger or problems
The teacher gave a warning about the hard test.
[adjective] – almost the same, but not exactly
His new phone looks similar to the old one.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。
Utah will become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, with Governor Spencer Cox confirming plans to approve the bill, preventing local governments from deciding on fluoridation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities, with studies showing a 25 percent decrease in tooth decay due to fluoridation. However, Utah lawmakers argue that fluoridation is costly and should remain optional. Representative Stephanie Gricius, the bill’s sponsor, acknowledges fluoride’s benefits but believes it should be a personal choice. The decision has sparked strong opinions, with dental experts, including the American Dental Association, warning of increased cavities, especially in children. Predictions suggest a rise in dental problems in fluoride-free areas, and CDC data shows Utah ranks 44th in fluoridation, with only 66 of 484 water systems using fluoride in 2024. Public health officials caution that the ban may affect low-income populations the most, while the National Institutes of Health confirms that controlled fluoridation presents minimal risks. Utah’s decision may influence other states considering similar policies.
True or False:
Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.
文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。
- Governor Spencer Cox decided to allow cities to choose whether to fluoridate water.
- Studies show that fluoridation increases the risk of tooth decay by 25 percent.
- Utah lawmakers believe that adding fluoride to water is too expensive.
- Representative Stephanie Gricius argues that fluoridation must be required in all cities.
- Experts believe the ban may have a greater impact on low-income communities.
Fill in the blanks:
Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.
適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。
| decrease | personal | opinion | warning | similar |
- The dark clouds are a ______ of heavy rain coming soon.
- In his ______, soccer is the most exciting sport to watch.
- This book is ______ to the one I read last week.
- His ______ bag has his name printed on the front.
- There was a ______ in noise after the baby fell asleep.