Day 18｜要約問題の解き方
【メイン課題】
以下の英文を 4分〜5分以内 に読みましょう。
英文：
The global fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, responsible for approximately 10 percent of global carbon emissions and nearly 20 percent of wastewater. The rise of “fast fashion,” in which clothing is produced quickly and cheaply to keep up with rapidly changing trends, has dramatically increased the volume of textile waste. The average consumer now buys 60 percent more clothing than they did 15 years ago, but keeps each garment for only half as long.
The environmental impact of fast fashion extends beyond carbon emissions. Cotton farming requires enormous amounts of water; producing a single cotton T-shirt uses approximately 2,700 liters of water, equivalent to what one person drinks in two and a half years. Synthetic fabrics like polyester are derived from petroleum and release microplastic fibers when washed. The dyeing and treatment of textiles involve toxic chemicals that often end up in rivers and groundwater, particularly in countries with weak environmental regulations.
Workers in the fast fashion supply chain frequently endure poor conditions. Garment workers in many developing countries earn wages far below the living wage, work excessive hours, and face unsafe working environments. The 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed over 1,100 workers, brought international attention to the human cost of cheap clothing. Despite increased awareness, labor rights violations remain common in the industry.
The “slow fashion” movement has emerged as a response to these problems. Slow fashion encourages consumers to buy fewer, higher-quality garments that are designed to last. It promotes ethical production practices, fair wages for workers, and the use of sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and plant-based fabrics. Some brands have adopted circular business models in which old clothing is collected, recycled, and transformed into new products, reducing waste and resource consumption.
Individual consumers can make a significant impact by changing their shopping habits. Choosing quality over quantity, buying secondhand clothing, repairing garments instead of discarding them, and supporting ethical brands are all practical steps. While systemic change requires action from governments and corporations, consumer demand for sustainable fashion can drive the industry toward more responsible practices.
設問：
（1）この文章全体を80字以内（日本語）で要約しなさい。
（2）各段落の役割を一言で述べなさい。
（3）本文の内容と一致するものを全て選びなさい。
a. ファッション産業は世界の炭素排出量の約10%を占めている
b. 現在の消費者は15年前より60%多く服を購入している
c. 綿のTシャツ1枚の生産には約2,700リットルの水が必要である
d. 全てのファッションブランドが循環型ビジネスモデルを採用している
模範解答を見る ▼
【模範解答】
各段落の役割：
– 第1段落：問題提起（ファストファッションと環境への影響）
– 第2段落：環境問題の詳細（水・化学物質・マイクロプラスチック）
– 第3段落：労働者の問題（低賃金・劣悪な労働環境）
– 第4段落：解決策としてのスローファッション
– 第5段落：個人消費者にできること
設問の解答：
（1）要約例：ファストファッションは環境破壊と労働搾取を引き起こしており、スローファッションの推進と消費者の意識改革により持続可能な産業への転換が求められている。（68字）
（2）
– 第1段落：ファストファッションの環境問題の提起
– 第2段落：環境への具体的悪影響
– 第3段落：労働者への人権問題
– 第4段落：スローファッションという解決策
– 第5段落：消費者の行動変容の提案
（3）正解：a、b、c
– a：本文 “approximately 10 percent of global carbon emissions” → 正解
– b：本文 “buys 60 percent more clothing” → 正解
– c：本文 “approximately 2,700 liters of water” → 正解
– d：本文 “Some brands have adopted” → 「全て」ではなく「一部」→ 不正解
ポイント（速読のコツ⑱）：
– 要約問題は 各段落の要点を1つずつ拾い、結論を軸にまとめる のがコツ。手順は：①各段落のトピックセンテンスを確認 → ②最終段落の結論を確認 → ③「問題＋結論」の2点を中心に80字以内にまとめる。具体例や数字は要約に入れなくてよい。
【練習問題】以下の英文を4分〜5分以内に読み、設問に答えなさい。
英文：
Coral reefs, often called the “rainforests of the sea,” support approximately 25 percent of all marine species despite covering less than 1 percent of the ocean floor. These vibrant ecosystems provide critical services, including coastal protection from storms and waves, food and income for millions of people, and potential sources of new medicines. However, coral reefs around the world are under severe threat from climate change, pollution, and destructive fishing practices.
Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, is weakening coral structures and making it harder for new coral to grow. Rising sea temperatures trigger coral bleaching events, during which stressed corals expel the algae that provide them with nutrients and color. Without these algae, the coral starves and eventually dies. Scientists estimate that the world has already lost approximately 14 percent of its coral reefs since 2009.
Conservation efforts are underway in many regions. Marine protected areas have been established to limit human activities that damage reefs. Coral nurseries, where fragments of resilient coral species are grown and then transplanted onto degraded reefs, are showing promising results. Scientists are also using selective breeding and genetic research to develop coral varieties that can better tolerate warmer and more acidic waters.
While these initiatives are important, experts emphasize that the most critical action is reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Without addressing the root cause of ocean warming and acidification, even the most innovative conservation techniques will be insufficient to save the world’s coral reefs for future generations.
設問：
（1）この文章全体を80字以内（日本語）で要約しなさい。
練習問題の解答を見る ▼
【練習問題 解答】
設問の解答：
（1）要約例：サンゴ礁は海洋生態系に不可欠だが気候変動や汚染で危機に瀕しており、保全活動と共に温室効果ガス削減という根本原因への対処が最も重要である。（69字）