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 countries trade goods with other countries?
- Can taxes change prices?
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。
- economy /ih-KON-uh-mee/
[noun] – the system of trade and industry in a country
The economy is growing slowly this year. - growth /grohth/
[noun] – an increase in size or amount
The country hopes for growth next year. - export /EK-spawrt/
[noun] – a product that a country sells to another country
Cars are an important export for the country. - government /GUHV-ern-muhnt/
[noun] – the group of people who control and make decisions for a country
The government announced a new plan. - tax /taks/
[noun] – money paid to the government
People pay tax when they buy food.
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。
Japan’s economy grew only 0.2 percent in the last quarter of the year, the government said on Monday in Tokyo. Total growth for 2025 was 1.1 percent. Spending by families increased a little, but export sales fell. Trade problems and new tariffs from the United States affected business. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi promised new plans after winning a general election. The government plans to spend more money and stop the food tax for some time.
In the previous quarter, the economy became smaller by 0.7 percent. In the last quarter, it grew 0.1 percent, so the country avoided two straight quarters of decline. Growth was stronger in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials expect slow growth of about 0.6 percent in the near future as trade and spending remain important.
In the previous quarter, the economy became smaller by 0.7 percent. In the last quarter, it grew 0.1 percent, so the country avoided two straight quarters of decline. Growth was stronger in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials expect slow growth of about 0.6 percent in the near future as trade and spending remain important.
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。
- Japan’s economy grew 2 percent in the last quarter.
- Exports increased in the last quarter.
- The government may stop the food tax.
- The economy became smaller in the previous quarter.
- Officials expect very fast growth soon.
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。
| economy | growth | export | government | tax |
- The country’s ______ is improving after a difficult year.
- The company reported strong ______ in sales this quarter.
- Rice is an important ______ for the country.
- The ______ introduced a new education policy.
- Citizens must pay ______ on certain goods and services.