©Takuto Kaneko/Kyodo News via AP
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 read about Japan’s economy before?
- Do you know any country that depends on exports?
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。
- notable /NOH-tuh-buhl/
[adjective] – important, interesting, or unusual enough to be noticed or mentioned
The city built a notable bridge across the river. - adverse /ad-VURS/
[adjective] – having a negative or harmful effect on something
The storm had an adverse effect on travel plans. - prosperous /PROS-per-uhs/
[adjective] – successful, usually by earning a lot of money
The prosperous town opened a new library. - prudent /PROOD-nt/
[adjective] – careful and avoiding risks; wise in making decisions.
It is prudent to wear a helmet when cycling. - considerable /kuhn-SID-er-uh-buhl/
[adjective] – large or important enough to be noticed
The project needed a considerable amount of time.
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 faster in the first quarter of 2025, according to government data released on September 8. Real gross domestic product (GDP), the value of goods and services, rose by 2.2% from April to June. The earlier estimate was only 1.0%. The increase came from strong consumer spending and higher stocks of goods. Quarter-on-quarter growth stood at 0.5%, compared to 0.3% before. This was seen as notable because Japan relies heavily on exports, especially cars, while the United States raised tariffs on imports. At the same time, changes in the business environment also affected the outlook.
Experts reported that private consumption rose by 0.4%, showing better domestic demand. The Nikkei stock index also climbed as markets viewed the change positively. Analysts said trade disputes and political shifts may bring adverse effects. However, strong demand created a prosperous base for growth. Economists advised a prudent approach, while observers noted that leadership will have a considerable impact on stability.
Experts reported that private consumption rose by 0.4%, showing better domestic demand. The Nikkei stock index also climbed as markets viewed the change positively. Analysts said trade disputes and political shifts may bring adverse effects. However, strong demand created a prosperous base for growth. Economists advised a prudent approach, while observers noted that leadership will have a considerable impact on 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。
- Japan’s economy grew faster in the first quarter of 2025.
- The earlier estimate showed 1.0% growth.
- Real GDP increased by 2.2% according to the new report.
- The earlier estimate showed 3.0% growth.
- The growth came only from export sales of cars.
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。
| notable | adverse | prosperous | prudent | considerable |
- He paid a ______ price for the book.
- She won a ______ prize at school yesterday.
- ______ weather delayed the outdoor concert.
- Farmers had a ______ year with many crops.
- She made a ______ choice to study more.