世界経済ニュース

英語ニュース教材：A thought experiment on how to fix the national debt problem（B1–C1対応）

 
Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

Today, we’re diving into a common topic that you might hear in Washington D.C.: the national debt problem. This issue arises when politicians propose adding billions or even trillions of dollars to the national debt, often promising that the spending will boost economic growth. The hope is that this economic growth will eventually pay off the debt.

Economic growth is indeed a powerful force. Over the coming decades, even small changes in how fast the economy grows could greatly impact the federal government. It could mean the difference between managing the huge national debt or falling into a fiscal crisis.

In today’s discussion, three economists are examining the latest evidence to understand what the government can do to help the economy grow faster. The key question is whether we can grow the economy quickly enough to keep up with or even outpace our growing national debt.

The economists explore various strategies that could potentially speed up economic growth. They look into factors like technological innovation, workforce expansion, and improving productivity. Each of these areas has the potential to significantly impact economic growth rates.

However, the challenge is substantial. It’s not just about finding solutions but implementing them effectively. Governments need to consider various factors, such as the political environment, existing policies, and global economic conditions, which can all influence growth strategies.

As we think about these possibilities, it’s important to remember that there is no simple fix. The national debt is a complex issue that requires careful planning and execution of economic policies. Only through thoughtful and informed decision-making can we hope to manage it effectively.

📝 Vocabulary

  • debt: money that is owed to someone else
  • fiscal: related to government revenue, especially taxes
  • economy: the system of how money is made and used within a particular country or region
  • productivity: the efficiency of production, often measured as the output per unit of input
  • innovation: the introduction of new ideas, methods, or products

✏️ Grammar Point

Relative Clause – “The economists explore various strategies that could potentially speed up economic growth.”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: Economic growth alone can solve the national debt issue.
  2. What key factor can influence the federal government’s handling of debt?
    a) Political campaigns
    b) Economic growth rates
    c) Military spending
    d) Tax laws
  3. What area is NOT mentioned as a potential way to boost economic growth?
    a) Technological innovation
    b) Workforce expansion
    c) Military interventions
    d) Improving productivity
  1. True
    False
  2. a)
    b)
    c)
    d)
  3. a)
    b)
    c)
    d)

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What are the economists trying to understand in the discussion?
  2. Why is there no simple fix to the national debt issue?
  3. What does the word “innovation” mean in the context of the script?

  1. 🗝️ 模範解答を表示

    1. The economists are trying to understand what the government can do to make the economy grow faster.

  2. 🗝️ 模範解答を表示

    2. There is no simple fix because the national debt is a complex issue that requires careful planning and execution of economic policies.

  3. 🗝️ 模範解答を表示

    3. Innovation refers to the introduction of new ideas, methods, or products.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/02/1255100731/national-debt-crisis-growth-budget

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