🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Recently, a major bank has forecasted that the price of oil could rise significantly in the near future. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has stated that there is a “strong likelihood” that oil prices may reach between $120 and $150 per barrel. This potential increase is attributed to various global factors that are impacting supply and demand dynamics. One of the main reasons cited is geopolitical tensions, which can disrupt the supply chain and affect the availability of oil. Additionally, the recovery of global economies after the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for energy, including oil.
When oil prices rise, it can have wide-reaching effects on the global economy. Higher oil prices can lead to increased costs for transportation and manufacturing, as many industries rely on oil as a primary energy source. This can result in higher prices for goods and services, contributing to inflation. Consumers may feel the impact directly at the gas pump or in their energy bills.
Moreover, countries that are heavily dependent on oil imports may experience economic strain. They might have to spend more of their national budget on purchasing oil, leaving less for other essential services and initiatives. In contrast, oil-exporting countries could benefit from the higher prices, potentially boosting their economies.
The CBA’s prediction has caught the attention of policymakers and businesses worldwide. Many are now considering strategies to mitigate the potential negative impacts of such a price surge. Some companies might look into alternative energy sources to reduce their dependency on oil, while governments could implement policies to encourage energy efficiency and conservation.
In conclusion, while the prospect of rising oil prices presents challenges, it also offers an opportunity for innovation and adaptation in energy policies and business practices. Stakeholders across the globe are keeping a close watch on the situation, preparing for possible scenarios that could affect both local and international economies.
📝 Vocabulary
- likelihood: the chance that something will happen
例文: “There is a high likelihood of rain today.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- high likelihood
- strong likelihood
- likelihood of
可能性 - geopolitical: relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors
例文: “Geopolitical tensions can affect global markets.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- geopolitical tensions
- geopolitical issues
- geopolitical landscape
地政学的 - inflation: a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money
例文: “Inflation can decrease the value of savings.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- high inflation
- inflation rate
- inflation pressure
インフレーション - mitigate: to make something less harmful or severe
例文: “Measures were taken to mitigate the impact of the crisis.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- mitigate risk
- mitigate impact
- mitigate damage
軽減する - conservation: the protection and preservation of natural resources
例文: “Conservation efforts are crucial for sustainability.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- energy conservation
- conservation efforts
- conservation strategy
保護、保存
✏️ Grammar Point
Conditional Sentences – First Conditional – “If oil prices rise, it can have wide-reaching effects on the global economy.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
条件が満たされると予想される結果を述べる際に使います。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The CBA predicts that oil prices will definitely reach over $150 per barrel.
- MCQ: What is one reason for the potential increase in oil prices?
a) Increase in global oil production
b) Geopolitical tensions
c) Decrease in demand for oil
d) Surplus in oil supply - MCQ: How might higher oil prices affect consumers directly?
a) Lower gas prices
b) Higher energy bills
c) Reduced transportation costs
d) Increased availability of oil
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) Geopolitical tensions
- b) Higher energy bills
📚 Reading Questions
- What is the predicted range for future oil prices according to the CBA?
- Why might some companies look into alternative energy sources?
- What does the word “mitigate” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- $120 to $150 per barrel
- To reduce dependency on oil and mitigate the effects of price increases
- To make something less harmful or severe
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
最近、オーストラリアの大手銀行であるコモンウェルス銀行（CBA）が、近い将来、石油価格が大幅に上昇する可能性があると予測しました。石油価格が1バレルあたり120〜150米ドルに達する可能性が高いとされています。この予測の背景には、供給と需要のダイナミクスに影響を与えるいくつかのグローバル要因があります。主な理由として、地政学的緊張が挙げられ、これは供給チェーンを混乱させ、石油の供給可能性に影響を及ぼします。また、コロナウイルスのパンデミック後の世界経済の回復が、石油を含むエネルギー需要を増加させています。石油価格の上昇は世界経済に広範な影響を及ぼし、消費者はガソリンスタンドやエネルギー請求書で直接その影響を感じるかもしれません。
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-20/asx-markets-business-live-news-march-20-2026/106476582
