🎧 Audio
📖 Script
In Hong Kong, a massive fire recently destroyed seven residential towers, marking one of the most severe fires the city has seen in decades. This tragic event has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities present in many of Hong Kong’s older buildings. As the city continues to grow and develop, these aging structures house a significant portion of the population, highlighting a critical issue that must be addressed to ensure public safety.
The fire broke out in a densely populated area, and the rapid spread of flames illustrated the potential dangers lurking in these outdated residential blocks. Many of these buildings lack modern safety features, such as effective sprinkler systems and accessible emergency exits, which are crucial in preventing such disasters from occurring.
The incident has prompted city officials and residents to question the safety of other similar buildings across Hong Kong. There is a growing concern that unless immediate action is taken, more fires could happen, endangering lives and causing extensive property damage. This situation has sparked a public debate about the need for stricter regulations and the implementation of comprehensive safety measures in older residential areas.
Experts believe that a combination of factors has contributed to the current state of these buildings. These include limited space for new construction, high property prices, and a lack of incentives for landlords to upgrade their properties. Consequently, many residents are left living in potentially hazardous conditions, with limited options for relocation.
In response, the government is under increasing pressure to enforce building safety regulations more rigorously and to provide support for the renovation of these aging structures. Initiatives such as financial aid for building upgrades and stricter inspections could play a vital role in preventing future tragedies.
Looking forward, it is crucial for the city to balance its rapid urban development with the safety and well-being of its residents. By addressing these issues, Hong Kong can work towards a safer and more resilient future, ensuring that its skyline remains a symbol of progress rather than vulnerability.
📝 Vocabulary
- Residential: related to homes or living spaces
例文: “Many residential buildings in the area are undergoing renovations.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- residential area
- residential building
- residential community
居住の - Vulnerability: the state of being exposed to harm or damage
例文: “The vulnerability of the old buildings became apparent after the fire.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- security vulnerability
- economic vulnerability
- health vulnerability
脆弱性 - Regulation: a rule or directive made and maintained by an authority
例文: “New regulations require all buildings to have fire safety systems.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- government regulation
- safety regulation
- strict regulation
規制 - Incentive: something that motivates or encourages someone to do something
例文: “Tax incentives are offered to companies that reduce pollution.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- financial incentive
- economic incentive
- provide incentive
動機 - Extensive: covering or affecting a large area
例文: “The fire caused extensive damage to the building.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- extensive damage
- extensive research
- extensive knowledge
広範囲の
✏️ Grammar Point
Past Perfect Tense – “The fire broke out in a densely populated area, and the rapid spread of flames illustrated the potential dangers lurking in these outdated residential blocks.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
過去のある時点より前に起こったことを示すときに使います。ビジネス会議では、新しいプロジェクトを始める前にどのような準備が完了していたかを説明する際に使われます。
📝 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 fire in Hong Kong was one of the least severe in recent decades.
- MCQ: What was a major factor in the rapid spread of the fire?
a) Strong winds
b) Lack of modern safety features
c) Faulty electrical wiring
d) Gas leak - MCQ: What is one of the proposed solutions to prevent future fires in old buildings?
a) Demolishing all old buildings
b) Building new towers
c) Implementing stricter safety regulations
d) Relocating residents to other cities
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) Lack of modern safety features
- c) Implementing stricter safety regulations
📚 Reading Questions
- What event prompted concerns about the safety of Hong Kong’s old buildings?
- Why do experts believe these buildings are in their current state?
- What does the word “vulnerabilities” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The massive fire that destroyed seven residential towers.
- Due to factors like limited space for new construction and high property prices.
- Exposed weaknesses or risks.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
香港で発生した大規模な火災は、同市の古い住宅ビルが抱える安全性の脆弱性を浮き彫りにしました。このような建物は、現代の安全基準を満たしておらず、スプリンクラーシステムや緊急出口の不足が指摘されています。香港は限られた土地に多くの人口を抱えており、建物の改修を促すインセンティブが不足しています。この問題は国内外からの注目を集めており、政府は建物の安全性を強化するための規制を厳格化し、古い建物の改修を支援する必要があります。今後、香港は急速な都市開発と住民の安全をどのように両立させるかが課題となります。
