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ついにインフレ - 英国 The Economist 誌を読むブログ
新しい勉強法として ChatGPT4（に限らず AGI 全般）に Reading の課題を出してもらうようにしています。 TOEFL スタイル 10 問と GMAT スタイル 5 問（この記事にも貼り付けておきます）。
それから、徹底に不明語彙を潰します。これも基本は自分で辞書を引く癖を付けていますが、最近は AGI に聞いてしまうことが多いです。（こちらも不明語彙一覧をこの記事に貼り付けておきます。）
一つ一つの理解を丁寧にすることを優先していきたいと思います。
では以下ご参考までに。
Reading Questions
- Main Idea: What is the central theme of the passage?
a) The decline of Japan's economy.
b) Global investors' renewed interest in Japan.
c) The history of Japan's political changes.
d) The impact of corporate governance in Japan. - Detail: According to the passage, what significant action did Warren Buffett take in Japan?
a) Invested in Japan's technology sector.
b) Made his first visit to Tokyo in over a decade.
c) Became the CEO of a major Japanese company.
d) Announced retirement from investment in Japan. - Vocabulary: What does the term "false dawn" in the second paragraph most likely mean?
a) A misleading sign of improvement or success.
b) The beginning of a successful period.
c) A literal dawn that occurs unexpectedly.
d) A new government policy in Japan. - Inference: Why might foreign investors have been repeatedly disappointed in Japan?
a) Due to political instability in the country.
b) Because of consistent economic growth.
c) Owing to initial optimism not leading to long-term success.
d) Due to Japan's isolationist foreign policies. - Detail: What is one of the external shocks affecting the Japanese economy mentioned in the passage?
a) A decline in technological innovation.
b) Rising inflation due to global supply issues.
c) An increase in domestic consumer demand.
d) Decrease in corporate governance reforms. - Purpose: Why does the author mention the war in Ukraine and the stand-off between America and China?
a) To highlight Japan's role in global politics.
b) As examples of geopolitical shocks impacting Japan.
c) To criticize Japan's foreign policy.
d) To compare them with Japan's economic situation. - Detail: What change in corporate governance is discussed in the passage?
a) The removal of all foreign investors from Japan.
b) The implementation of stricter environmental policies.
c) The entrenchment and advancement of reforms initiated by Abe Shinzo.
d) A decrease in the influence of Japanese institutional investors. - Inference: What impact might the generational change in businesses have on Japan?
a) It could lead to a return to traditional business methods.
b) It might foster the creation of a new business culture.
c) It will likely cause a decline in entrepreneurship.
d) It could reduce the influence of international investors. - Detail: What challenge is mentioned regarding the Bank of Japan (boj)?
a) To continue with its current monetary policies indefinitely.
b) To introduce more foreign currencies into the market.
c) To manage the unwinding of unorthodox monetary policies.
d) To completely eliminate inflation in the economy. - Inference: What can be inferred about Mr. Kishida's economic package?
a) It is aimed at long-term structural changes.
b) It is primarily focused on immediate tax cuts and stimulus measures.
c) It includes significant support for foreign investment.
d) It prioritizes technological innovation above all else. - Critical Reasoning: Based on the passage, which of the following best describes the attitude of the author towards Japan's economic prospects?
a) Unreservedly optimistic.
b) Cautiously hopeful with reservations.
c) Indifferent and neutral.
d) Pessimistic and critical. - Logical Structure: The passage primarily:
a) Contrasts the past economic failures of Japan with its current potential for success.
b) Provides a chronological account of Japan's economic history.
c) Argues in favor of a specific economic policy for Japan.
d) Describes various external factors influencing Japan’s economy. - Evaluate the Argument: If the argument that "Japan's economy is on the verge of a significant turnaround" is true, which of the following, if also true, would most strengthen this argument?
a) The Japanese government has announced plans to introduce new fiscal policies.
b) Foreign investors have shown increased interest in long-term investments in Japan.
c) There has been a recent decline in global economic trends.
d) New companies in Japan are experiencing similar challenges as established firms. - Inference: What can be inferred about the relationship between corporate governance reforms and the current state of the Japanese economy?
a) Reforms in corporate governance have had a limited impact on Japan’s economic growth.
b) The success of Japan's economy is solely dependent on the effectiveness of corporate governance reforms.
c) Improved corporate governance is one of several factors contributing to a potentially brighter economic future for Japan.
d) Corporate governance reforms have been entirely ineffective and are unrelated to economic changes. - Application of Information: How might the geopolitical situation, as described in the passage, affect Japan's economic strategy?
a) It may lead Japan to become more isolationist in its economic policies.
b) Japan could take advantage of the situation to strengthen its role in global supply chains.
c) The geopolitical situation will likely have no impact on Japan's economic decisions.
d) Japan will focus solely on domestic issues, ignoring international developments.
答えはこちら*1をご確認ください。（解説は長くなるので載せませんが、AGI に不明点を聞くと明瞭に回答してもらえます。）
Vocabulary
-
Giddy
- Meaning in Context: Excited to the point of disorientation.
- Example Sentences: "She was giddy with joy after hearing the good news." / "His giddy laughter was contagious."
- Synonyms: Dizzy, elated, light-headed.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: Not applicable.
-
Pilgrimage
- Meaning in Context: A journey to a place of particular interest or significance.
- Example Sentences: "Many fans make a pilgrimage to their favorite singer's hometown." / "The pilgrimage to the historic site was a profound experience."
- Synonyms: Journey, trek, quest.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: While originally religious, it's used metaphorically here to describe a journey undertaken with a specific, often respectful purpose.
-
The sun peeping over the horizon
- Meaning in Context: This phrase is metaphorical, suggesting the beginning of something new or the start of a promising development.
- Example Sentences: "With the new project approved, it was like the sun peeping over the horizon for the team." / "Her first successful experiment was the sun peeping over the horizon in her research career."
- Synonyms: Dawn of a new day, start of something new.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: It's a metaphor describing the early stages of a potentially positive or hopeful situation.
-
Flood back
- Meaning in Context: To return in large numbers or amounts.
- Example Sentences: "Memories of her childhood flooded back when she visited her old school." / "Investors began to flood back into the market as confidence grew."
- Synonyms: Rush back, return in abundance.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: A metaphorical phrase suggesting a sudden and overwhelming return or influx.
-
Palpable
- Meaning in Context: So intense as to seem almost tangible or physical.
- Example Sentences: "The excitement in the room was palpable." / "There was a palpable sense of relief when the results were announced."
- Synonyms: Tangible, noticeable, perceptible.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: Not applicable.
-
- Meaning in Context: Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
- Example Sentences: "The company's audacious new marketing strategy paid off." / "His audacious decision to invest in an untested technology surprised everyone."
- Synonyms: Bold, daring, fearless.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: Not applicable.
-
No less important
- Meaning in Context: Equally important as other things mentioned.
- Example Sentences: "Their support was no less important than the funding we received." / "The role of the community is no less important in this initiative."
- Synonyms: Equally important, just as significant.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: This phrase is used to emphasize that the subsequent point should not be considered less significant than previous ones.
-
Entrenched
- Meaning in Context: Firmly established and difficult to change.
- Example Sentences: "Entrenched habits can be hard to break." / "The company has an entrenched position in the industry."
- Synonyms: Established, rooted, ingrained.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: Not applicable.
-
The nascent inflation
- Meaning in Context: Inflation that is just beginning to emerge or develop.
- Example Sentences: "The nascent inflation in the economy was starting to concern policymakers." / "Analysts are closely monitoring the nascent inflation trends."
- Synonyms: Emerging, developing, incipient.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: "Nascent" refers to something in its early stages of development.
-
Well versed
- Meaning in Context: Having a good knowledge or understanding of something.
- Example Sentences: "She is well versed in classical music." / "The team was well versed in the complexities of the project."
- Synonyms: Knowledgeable, experienced, skilled.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: Not applicable.
-
Hoarding
- Meaning in Context: Accumulating and keeping something, often in large quantities.
- Example Sentences: "The company has been hoarding cash for potential acquisitions." / "He was known for hoarding rare books."
- Synonyms: Stockpiling, accumulating, stashing.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: Not applicable.
-
Trumpet the need
- Meaning in Context: To publicly and loudly proclaim or declare a requirement or necessity.
- Example Sentences: "The activist trumpeted the need for environmental reform." / "The government is trumpeting the need for more investment in education."
- Synonyms: Announce, proclaim, declare.
- Idiom/Phrase Explanation: This phrase uses "trumpet" metaphorically to mean making a bold, attention-grabbing statement about something considered necessary or important.
*1:1. b 2. b 3. a 4. c 5. b 6. b 7. c 8. b 9. c 10. b 11. b 12. a 13. b 14. c 15. b
