英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Tens of thousands of homes insulated under government schemes need repairs（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

The UK government has been investing billions of pounds in insulation programs to make homes more energy-efficient. These programs aim to reduce energy bills and decrease carbon emissions by installing insulation in tens of thousands of homes. However, it has been discovered that many of these homes are now experiencing issues with damp and mould. This has raised concerns about the quality of the insulation work and the materials used.

People living in these homes have reported problems such as mould growth on walls and ceilings, which can lead to health issues like respiratory problems. The presence of mould can also damage the structure of the homes, leading to costly repairs. These problems have sparked criticism from both homeowners and experts, who are questioning the effectiveness of the government’s insulation schemes.

The government initiated these programs as part of its efforts to combat climate change and improve energy efficiency. By properly insulating homes, the goal was to lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Insulation helps keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thus reducing the need for heating and air conditioning.

Despite these good intentions, the execution of the programs has come under scrutiny. Some experts argue that the insulation was not installed correctly, or that substandard materials were used, leading to the current problems. In response, the government has promised to review the situation and fix the issues in affected homes.

This situation highlights the challenges of implementing large-scale environmental policies. While the goal of reducing energy usage is important, ensuring the quality of work and materials is crucial to avoid negative outcomes. As the government investigates these problems, it remains to be seen how they will address the concerns of the affected homeowners and prevent similar issues in the future.

📝 Vocabulary

  • insulation: the process of making something resistant to heat loss or gain
    例文: “Good insulation can help reduce your energy bills.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • thermal insulation
    • sound insulation
    • insulation material
    断熱
  • damp: slightly wet, especially in a way that is not pleasant
    例文: “The basement is often damp and smells musty.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • damp problems
    • damp conditions
    • damp environment
    湿気のある
  • mould: a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments
    例文: “Mould can cause health issues if not removed.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • mould growth
    • mould removal
    • mould spores
    カビ
  • emissions: gases or other substances released into the air
    例文: “Reducing emissions is crucial for fighting climate change.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • carbon emissions
    • greenhouse gas emissions
    • vehicle emissions
    排出
  • scrutiny: critical observation or examination
    例文: “The new policy is under scrutiny from the public.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • public scrutiny
    • intense scrutiny
    • scrutiny process
    精査

✏️ Grammar Point

Relative Clauses – “People living in these homes have reported problems such as mould growth on walls and ceilings, which can lead to health issues like respiratory problems.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
日本語での簡単な補足説明：関係代名詞を使って情報を追加する構文

💡 使用場面

関係代名詞は、情報を追加して文を詳しく説明する際に使われます。ビジネスでは、製品やプロジェクトの詳細を説明するときに有用です。

📝 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

  1. True/False: The UK government has spent billions on programs to insulate homes.
  2. MCQ: What problems have arisen in homes with new insulation?
    a) Increased energy bills
    b) Improved air quality
    c) Damp and mould issues
    d) Better heating systems
  3. MCQ: Why were the insulation programs started by the government?
    a) To increase home values
    b) To reduce energy bills and carbon emissions
    c) To provide jobs
    d) To improve aesthetics of homes
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. True
  2. c) Damp and mould issues
  3. b) To reduce energy bills and carbon emissions

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What issues have been reported by people living in insulated homes?
  2. Why are there concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s insulation schemes?
  3. What does the word “scrutiny” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. Mould growth on walls and ceilings
  2. Because of damp and mould issues in insulated homes
  3. Critical observation or examination

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

イギリス政府は、エネルギー効率を高めるために住宅の断熱プログラムに数十億ポンドを投資しました。しかし、多くの住宅で湿気やカビの問題が発生しており、工事の質や使用された材料に疑問が投げかけられています。これらの問題は、住宅所有者や専門家からの批判を招いており、政府はこの状況を調査し、問題のある住宅の修繕を約束しています。このような大規模な環境政策の実施には、工事の質を確保することが重要であることが示されています。

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w965gz8zgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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