Day 11｜内容不一致の選択肢を素早く消去する
【メイン課題】
以下の英文を 3分〜4分以内 に読みましょう。
英文：
The concept of universal basic income, or UBI, has gained renewed attention in recent years as automation and artificial intelligence threaten to displace millions of workers. Under a UBI system, every citizen would receive a regular, unconditional cash payment from the government, regardless of their employment status or income level. Proponents argue that UBI would provide a financial safety net, reduce poverty, and give people the freedom to pursue education, creative work, or entrepreneurship without the fear of economic hardship.
Several countries have conducted UBI pilot programs to test its feasibility. Finland ran a two-year experiment from 2017 to 2018, providing 2,000 unemployed citizens with monthly payments of 560 euros. The results showed that participants reported higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction, although there was no significant increase in employment rates. Kenya has been running one of the largest UBI experiments in the world, providing monthly payments to over 20,000 people in rural villages since 2016.
Critics of UBI raise several valid concerns. The most common objection is the enormous cost of providing regular payments to every citizen. Some economists argue that a UBI program would require massive tax increases or significant cuts to existing social welfare programs. Others worry that guaranteed income might reduce people’s motivation to work, although the evidence from pilot programs suggests this fear may be overstated. There is also debate about whether a universal payment is the most efficient way to help those in need, compared to targeted programs designed for specific groups.
Despite these challenges, the conversation about UBI continues to grow as income inequality widens and technological disruption accelerates. Whether or not UBI becomes a widespread policy, the debate itself is forcing governments and societies to reconsider how they support citizens in a rapidly changing economy.
設問：
（1）以下の選択肢のうち、本文の内容と一致しないものを2つ選びなさい。
a. UBIは雇用状況に関係なく全市民に支給される
b. フィンランドの実験では参加者の就職率が大幅に向上した
c. ケニアのUBI実験は2万人以上を対象に行われている
d. UBIの批判者は、保証された収入が労働意欲を下げると懸念している
e. パイロットプログラムの証拠は、労働意欲の低下が実際に深刻であることを示している
（2）UBIの賛成派と反対派の主な主張をそれぞれ2つずつ挙げなさい。
（3）文章全体の主張を日本語1文でまとめなさい。
模範解答を見る ▼
【模範解答】
各段落の要点：
– 第1段落：UBIの概念と賛成派の主張。
– 第2段落：各国のパイロットプログラムの結果。
– 第3段落：批判者の懸念。
– 第4段落：今後の展望。
設問の解答：
（1）一致しないもの：b、e
– a：本文 “every citizen would receive a regular, unconditional cash payment … regardless of their employment status” → 一致する
– b：本文 “no significant increase in employment rates” → 「大幅に向上した」は不正解
– c：本文 “over 20,000 people” → 一致する
– d：本文 “worry that guaranteed income might reduce people’s motivation to work” → 一致する
– e：本文 “this fear may be overstated”（この懸念は誇張されている可能性がある）→ 「実際に深刻」とは逆 → 一致しない
（2）
– 賛成派：①貧困を削減し経済的な安全網を提供する ②教育や創造的活動を追求する自由を与える
– 反対派：①全市民への支給は膨大なコストがかかる ②保証された収入が労働意欲を下げる可能性がある
（3）UBIは自動化の時代における有望な政策として注目されているが、コストや労働意欲への影響など課題も多く、議論は続いている。
ポイント（速読のコツ⑪）：
– 内容不一致問題は 消去法 が有効。まず明らかに正しい選択肢を消し、残った選択肢を本文と照合する。特に注意すべきは「程度を変える表現」（no significant increase → 大幅に向上）と「意味を逆にする表現」（may be overstated → 実際に深刻）。
【練習問題】以下の英文を3分〜4分以内に読み、設問に答えなさい。
英文：
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are becoming an increasingly common sight on roads around the world. Global EV sales reached approximately 14 million units in 2023, representing about 18 percent of all new car sales. Norway leads the world in EV adoption, with electric cars accounting for over 80 percent of new vehicle sales. China is the largest EV market by volume, with more than 8 million EVs sold in 2023 alone.
The environmental benefits of EVs are significant but not straightforward. While EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, the electricity used to charge them may come from fossil fuel power plants. The production of EV batteries also requires mining rare minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can cause environmental damage. However, studies show that over their entire lifecycle, EVs produce approximately 50 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional gasoline cars.
One of the main barriers to widespread EV adoption is the lack of charging infrastructure. Although the number of public charging stations has been growing rapidly, many rural areas still have limited access. Fast-charging technology has improved significantly, with some stations capable of charging a battery to 80 percent in just 20 minutes. Battery range has also increased, with many modern EVs capable of traveling 400 to 500 kilometers on a single charge.
設問：
（1）以下のうち、本文の内容と一致しないものを選びなさい。
a. 2023年の世界のEV販売台数は約1,400万台だった
b. ノルウェーでは新車販売の80%以上がEVである
c. EVはライフサイクル全体でガソリン車の約半分の温室効果ガスを排出する
d. 全てのEVは1回の充電で500キロ以上走行できる
練習問題の解答を見る ▼
【練習問題 解答】
設問の解答：
（1）正解：d
– a：本文 “approximately 14 million units in 2023” → 一致する
– b：本文 “over 80 percent of new vehicle sales” → 一致する
– c：本文 “approximately 50 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions” → 一致する
– d：本文 “400 to 500 kilometers”（400〜500キロ）であり “many modern EVs”（多くの最新型EV）→ 「全て」が500キロ以上とは書いていない → 一致しない