
©AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
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。
- Do people buy fewer things in shops when they spend less money?
- Does a country have problems when there are fewer workers?
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。
- decline /dih-KLAHYN/
[verb] – to become less, worse, or lower in value
Sales may decline when many people stop buying clothes. - stability /stuh-BIL-i-tee/
[noun] – a situation without big changes or problems
Families need stability to feel safe and live peacefully. - forecast /FAWR-kast/
[noun] – a statement about what will happen in the future
The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow morning. - expand /ik-SPAND/
[verb] – to become larger in size, number, or amount
The company will expand and open more shops next year. - predict /pri-DIKT/
[verb] – to say what will happen in the future
Teachers predict that students will finish the project early.
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。
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office said on September 12, 2025, that national economic growth will decline in 2025. The report showed that the gross domestic product is expected to fall from 2.5 percent in 2024 to 1.4 percent in 2025, lower than the earlier estimate of 1.9 percent. The slowdown is linked to weaker consumer spending, reduced workforce numbers, and higher tariffs. These tariffs may raise costs for households and businesses. Immigration rules are also expected to reduce the number of workers. Analysts stated that these conditions may affect economic stability, although future years may show some recovery in growth.
The official forecast explained how the economy may change in the coming years. Growth could rise to 2.2 percent in 2026 and then stabilize at 1.8 percent in 2027 and 2028. Unemployment may reach 4.5 percent in 2025 before improving, while inflation is expected to be 3.1 percent in 2025 before dropping to 2.4 percent in 2026. Population may shrink, and about 320,000 people are expected to leave in ten years. The population could be 4.5 million lower by 2035. White House officials argued that tax cuts and energy projects would expand opportunities. Experts predict that the outcome will include both risks and long-term stability.
The official forecast explained how the economy may change in the coming years. Growth could rise to 2.2 percent in 2026 and then stabilize at 1.8 percent in 2027 and 2028. Unemployment may reach 4.5 percent in 2025 before improving, while inflation is expected to be 3.1 percent in 2025 before dropping to 2.4 percent in 2026. Population may shrink, and about 320,000 people are expected to leave in ten years. The population could be 4.5 million lower by 2035. White House officials argued that tax cuts and energy projects would expand opportunities. Experts predict that the outcome will include both risks and long-term stability.
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。
- The U.S. budget office said growth will decline in 2025.
- The GDP in 2025 will be higher than in 2024.
- Tariffs may increase costs for families and businesses.
- Immigration rules will bring more workers into the country.
- The forecast said growth will stay the same every year.
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。
| decline | stability | forecast | expand | predict |
- Doctors ______ faster recovery if patients follow medicine rules.
- My vocabulary will ______ if I study new words daily.
- A financial ______ showed higher sales in the next season.
- A strong bridge shows ______, even during a heavy storm.
- Old houses ______ in value if no one takes care of them.