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。
- Have you ever thought about how long you might work before retiring?
- What is the retirement age in your country?
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。
- announce /uh-NOUNS/
- gradually /GRAJ-oo-uh-lee/
- retire /ri-TIRE/
- system /SIS-tuhm/
- run out /RUHN-out/
[verb] – to make something known or tell people about something officially
The company announced a new product launch next month.
[adverb] – slowly or steadily over a period of time
The company is gradually improving its customer service.
[verb] – to stop working after reaching a certain age
He plans to retire next year after working for 40 years.
[noun] – a set of connected things or parts working together as a whole
The school has a new grading system for students.
[phrasal verb] – to use up or consume something so that there is none left
The team is running out of time to finish the project.
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。
China has announced plans to gradually increase the retirement age, which is currently among the lowest in the world. This change is being made to help ease the pressure on pension funds that are running low in many regions. The retirement age needs to be raised because people in China are living longer, with life expectancy reaching 78 years in 2021, which is higher than in the United States. The new policy, announced on Sunday, also aims to tackle the problems of a decreasing birth rate and an aging population. The retirement age reforms are expected to be finished by 2029. At present, men retire at 60, women in office jobs retire at 55, and women in factory jobs retire at 50. The new rules will allow people to work longer. By 2035, the aging population is expected to grow significantly. Michael Herrmann from the United Nations Development Population Fund emphasized the need for flexible options like part-time or remote work. China’s pension system, dependent on a shrinking workforce, is unsustainable, with eleven provinces already facing shortages and funds possibly running out by 2035, making reform urgent.
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 retirement age in China is one of the highest in the world.
- Life expectancy in China is lower than in the United States.
- The new policy aims to address the problems of a decreasing birth rate and an aging population.
- The retirement age reforms are expected to be completed by 2025.
- China’s pension system is considered sustainable and not in need of reform.
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。
| announced | gradually | retired | system | running out |
- The temperature __________ increased throughout the day.
- She __________ from teaching and started a new hobby.
- The transportation __________ in the city is very efficient.
- The store is __________ of the popular new toy.
- The government __________ changes to the tax laws.