🎧 Audio
📖 Script
House prices in Wales have been rising faster than the UK average. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), some areas in Wales saw their average house prices increase by 7% over the past year. This rise in house prices can affect both buyers and sellers in different ways. For buyers, especially first-time buyers, this increase means that they might need to save more money for a down payment or consider taking a larger mortgage. On the other hand, current homeowners in these areas might see an increase in the value of their property, which could be beneficial if they are planning to sell.
Several factors contribute to the rise in house prices. One of the main reasons is the demand for housing. During the past year, more people have been looking to buy homes in Wales, possibly due to the appeal of more space and a quieter lifestyle compared to larger cities. Additionally, low interest rates have made borrowing money to buy houses more attractive, increasing demand further.
While rising house prices can be good news for those looking to sell, they can pose challenges for others. Young families and individuals trying to buy their first home might find it increasingly difficult to afford a property. This situation highlights the importance of affordable housing and government policies that could help balance the housing market.
The trend of rising house prices in Wales reflects a broader pattern across the UK, though the rate of increase in Wales is notably higher. This information can be useful for anyone interested in the housing market, whether they are planning to buy, sell, or simply understand the current economic conditions.
📝 Vocabulary
- average: the typical amount or level（平均）
例文: “The average house price in the area has increased.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- average price
- average person
- average score
- mortgage: a loan to buy a house（住宅ローン）
例文: “They took out a mortgage to buy their new home.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- mortgage payment
- mortgage rate
- mortgage lender
- homeowner: a person who owns a home（家の所有者）
例文: “Many homeowners are happy with the rise in property value.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- new homeowner
- responsible homeowner
- homeowner association
- demand: the desire for something（需要）
例文: “The demand for housing in the area has increased.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- high demand
- demand increase
- meet demand
- affordable: not too expensive（手頃な価格の）
例文: “They are looking for an affordable house in the city.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- affordable price
- affordable housing
- affordable solution
✏️ Grammar Point
Comparative structure – “House prices in Wales have been rising faster than the UK average.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
比較を行う際に、特に二つの物事や状況の違いを説明する時に使います。
📝 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: House prices in Wales have risen slower than the UK average.
- MCQ: What is one reason for the rise in house prices in Wales?
a) Decrease in population
b) Increase in demand
c) Higher taxes
d) Fewer houses - MCQ: Who might benefit from the rise in house prices?
a) First-time buyers
b) People looking to rent
c) Current homeowners
d) All of the above
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) Increase in demand
- c) Current homeowners
📚 Reading Questions
- What percentage increase did some areas in Wales see in house prices over the past year?
- Why might first-time buyers find it challenging to buy a house in Wales now?
- What does the word “mortgage” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- 7%
- Because house prices have increased, making it harder to afford.
- A loan to buy a house
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
ウェールズの住宅価格が英国平均よりも速く上昇しています。過去1年間で、一部の地域では平均住宅価格が7%増加したとONSが報告しています。この価格上昇は、購入者にとっては頭金を増やす必要がある一方で、現在の住宅所有者にとっては資産価値の向上を意味します。住宅価格の上昇は需要の増加や低金利が要因と考えられ、これはウェールズの生活環境が魅力的であることを反映しています。しかし、若い家族や初めて家を購入する人々にとっては、負担が増す可能性もあります。将来的には、政府の政策が市場のバランスを取ることが求められます。
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy80d1nl7vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
