🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Timor-Leste, a small country in Southeast Asia, has been focusing on a major project called the Greater Sunrise gas project. This project was supposed to transform the country by bringing in billions of dollars and creating many new jobs and opportunities for the local population. However, many people in Timor-Leste are still waiting to see the promised benefits. The project involves extracting gas from the Greater Sunrise field, which is located in the Timor Sea. The government hoped that this project would boost the economy and help develop infrastructure.
One of the key infrastructure projects associated with this is the construction of a new airport. However, this airport is often referred to as a “ghost airport” because it is not yet fully operational and does not have many flights. People are concerned that the money spent on such projects might not deliver the expected returns. Additionally, there are issues with the roads, such as sinkholes, which highlights problems with the quality of construction. These challenges have sparked debates about whether the country’s reliance on oil and gas is a sound economic strategy.
Many locals were promised jobs and better living conditions as a result of the Greater Sunrise project. However, as time passes, frustration grows due to the lack of progress. The government is under pressure to show tangible results to its people. The situation in Timor-Leste is a reminder of the risks involved in depending heavily on natural resources. While there is potential for significant economic gain, there are also challenges that need to be addressed. It remains to be seen if the Greater Sunrise project will fulfill its promises or if it will be another example of a missed opportunity.
📝 Vocabulary
- transform: to change something completely
例文: “The new policy aims to transform the education system.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- transform the economy
- transform society
- transform lives
変革する - revenue: income, especially of a company or organization
例文: “The company’s revenue increased by 20% last year.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- generate revenue
- increase revenue
- revenue stream
収益 - infrastructure: basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society
例文: “The government is investing in infrastructure to support economic growth.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- infrastructure development
- transport infrastructure
- infrastructure investment
インフラ - operational: ready for use, in working condition
例文: “The new factory will be fully operational by next year.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- fully operational
- become operational
- operational status
運用可能な - reliance: dependence on or trust in someone or something
例文: “The village has a heavy reliance on agriculture for its livelihood.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- reliance on
- reduce reliance
- heavy reliance
依存
✏️ Grammar Point
Passive Voice – “This airport is often referred to as a ‘ghost airport’…”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
受動態は、行為者よりも行為の対象が重要な場合に使われます。ビジネスでも、特定の行為の結果や影響を強調する際に頻繁に使用されます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a project update, you might say: ‘The report was completed by the team last week.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The Greater Sunrise gas project has already brought many jobs and opportunities to Timor-Leste.
- MCQ: What is one of the main issues with the “ghost airport” mentioned in the script?
a) It is too small for international flights.
b) It is not yet fully operational.
c) It was built in the wrong location.
d) It is too expensive to maintain. - MCQ: What problem highlights issues with the quality of construction in Timor-Leste?
a) Delayed flights
b) Unfinished buildings
c) Sinkholes in the roads
d) Power outages
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) It is not yet fully operational.
- c) Sinkholes in the roads
📚 Reading Questions
- What was the Greater Sunrise gas project expected to achieve for Timor-Leste?
- Why are locals frustrated about the progress of the Greater Sunrise project?
- What does the word “transform” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- It was expected to bring billions in revenue and create jobs and opportunities.
- Locals are frustrated due to the lack of progress and tangible benefits.
- Transform means to change something completely.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
東南アジアの小国、東ティモールは、大規模なグレーターサンライズガスプロジェクトを行っています。このプロジェクトは国を変革し、数十億ドルの収入をもたらすと期待されていましたが、地元住民はまだ約束された雇用や機会を待っています。プロジェクトに関連する重要なインフラストラクチャーの一つとして新しい空港の建設が挙げられます。しかし、これまでのところ期待された効果は見られず、ガスや石油に依存する経済戦略の是非についての議論が続いています。今後のプロジェクトの進捗が見守られています。
