🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Today, there are two significant stories in the news that have both economic and social implications. The first story involves the Federal Reserve, which is the central bank of the United States. The Federal Reserve, often referred to as the Fed, is considering cutting interest rates. Interest rates are crucial because they affect how much it costs to borrow money. If the Fed decides to lower these rates, it could make borrowing cheaper for individuals and businesses. This decision is not easy, as the members of the Fed are divided on the issue. Some believe that cutting rates could help stimulate the economy by encouraging spending and investment. Others worry that it might lead to inflation, which is when prices for goods and services rise too quickly.
The second story is about a group of Afghans who once worked for the CIA, the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States. These Afghans now live in the U.S. and feel abandoned by the agency they once helped. During the conflict in Afghanistan, many Afghans worked alongside U.S. forces, including the CIA, to fight against the Taliban and other groups. However, now that they are in the United States, they feel that the support they received has faded. They are concerned about their future and how they will adapt to life in a new country without the help they expected.
Both of these stories highlight important issues. The Fed’s decision on interest rates will impact the U.S. economy significantly, affecting everyone from small business owners to families planning to buy homes. On the other hand, the situation of the Afghan fighters in the U.S. raises questions about the responsibilities of countries towards those who have supported them in conflicts. It also highlights the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees in adapting to new environments.
📝 Vocabulary
- **Interest rate**: The percentage charged on a loan or paid on savings.
例文: “The bank lowered its interest rate to attract more customers.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- lower interest rates
- interest rate hike
- fixed interest rate
金利 - **Stimulate**: To encourage an activity to begin or develop.
例文: “The government plans to stimulate the economy by reducing taxes.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- stimulate growth
- stimulate demand
- stimulate the economy
刺激する - **Inflation**: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises.
例文: “Inflation can decrease the purchasing power of money.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- control inflation
- rising inflation
- inflation rate
インフレーション - **Abandon**: To leave someone or something behind, usually in a difficult situation.
例文: “The hikers had to abandon their plans due to the storm.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- abandon a plan
- abandon hope
- abandon a project
見捨てる - **Conflict**: A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one.
例文: “The conflict in the region has lasted for over a decade.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- armed conflict
- conflict resolution
- conflict zone
紛争
✏️ Grammar Point
Conditional Sentences – “If the Fed decides to lower these rates, it could make borrowing cheaper for individuals and businesses.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
条件節は、もし〜なら、という仮定の状況や未来の可能性を表すのに使います。ビジネスの会議で、将来の計画や予測を話すときに使います。
📝 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 Federal Reserve is considering raising interest rates today.
- What is the main reason some members of the Fed want to cut interest rates?
a) To reduce inflation
b) To stimulate the economy
c) To increase taxes
d) To encourage savings - How do Afghan CIA fighters in the U.S. feel according to the news?
a) Supported by the U.S.
b) Abandoned by the CIA
c) Happy with their new life
d) Indifferent about their situation
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) To stimulate the economy
- b) Abandoned by the CIA
📚 Reading Questions
- What is the Federal Reserve considering doing with interest rates?
- Why might the Afghan fighters feel abandoned by the CIA?
- What is the meaning of “stimulate” in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The Federal Reserve is considering cutting interest rates.
- They might feel abandoned because they expected more support after helping the CIA.
- To encourage an activity to begin or develop.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
アメリカの連邦準備制度（FRB）は、金利を引き下げるかどうかを検討しています。金利が下がると、借り入れが安くなり、消費や投資が促進される可能性があります。しかし、金利引き下げはインフレーションのリスクも伴います。一方、アフガニスタンでCIAと共に戦ったアフガン人たちは、アメリカに移住後、支援が薄れたと感じているようです。この問題は、戦争で協力した人々への責任や、移民が新しい環境に適応する際の課題を浮き彫りにしています。今後、アメリカ経済の動向と移民政策の改善が注目されます。
