英語学習

英語ニュース教材:Tunisia an ‘open-air prison’, say protesters at anti-President Saied march(Intermediate レベル)

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

In Tunisia, a large group of protesters gathered to express their discontent with President Kais Saied’s leadership. These demonstrators, carrying portraits of political prisoners and a symbolic cage, aimed to draw attention to what they describe as a repressive political climate in the country. The demonstration took place in the capital city, Tunis, where people marched through the streets chanting slogans and calling for political change.

The protesters argue that President Saied has increasingly concentrated power since he dissolved parliament in 2021. They accuse him of undermining democracy and silencing opposition voices. The symbolic cage carried during the march represented what the organizers see as Tunisia’s current state – like an “open-air prison” where freedom is restricted.

This protest is part of a series of demonstrations that have been occurring since Saied took power. Many Tunisians feel that their democratic freedoms, which were hard-won during the Arab Spring protests of 2011, are now being eroded. Critics of Saied say that his actions have not only stifled political dissent but also negatively affected the economy, leading to increased poverty and unemployment.

International observers are also concerned about the situation in Tunisia. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch have criticized the president’s actions and called for a return to democratic norms. The international community is watching closely, as Tunisia’s instability could have regional implications.

The protesters are hopeful that their voices will lead to change. They are calling for new elections and the release of political prisoners, as well as a return to a more democratic system. Despite the challenges, the spirit of the Tunisian people remains strong, and they continue to fight for their rights and freedoms.

📝 Vocabulary

  • protester: a person who publicly demonstrates against something
    例文: “The protesters gathered in the city square to demand change.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • peaceful protester
    • political protester
    • active protester
    抗議者
  • portrait: a picture of a person
    例文: “The gallery displayed portraits of famous historical figures.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • self-portrait
    • family portrait
    • official portrait
    肖像画
  • symbolic: serving as a symbol
    例文: “The dove is symbolic of peace.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • highly symbolic
    • symbolic gesture
    • symbolic meaning
    象徴的な
  • democracy: a system of government by the whole population
    例文: “In a democracy, citizens have the right to vote.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • liberal democracy
    • representative democracy
    • political democracy
    民主主義
  • implication: a possible effect or result
    例文: “The policy change has serious implications for the economy.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • major implication
    • possible implication
    • direct implication
    影響

✏️ Grammar Point

Present Perfect Tense – “These demonstrators, carrying portraits of political prisoners and a symbolic cage, aimed to draw attention to what they describe as a repressive political climate in the country.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
現在完了形は、過去から現在にわたる動作や状態を表現します

💡 使用場面

現在完了形は、過去のある時点から現在まで続く動作や状態を表現する際に使います。

📝 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

  1. True/False: The protesters carried portraits of political prisoners and a symbolic cage.
  2. MCQ: What action did President Saied take that upset the protesters?
    a) He increased taxes.
    b) He dissolved the parliament.
    c) He enacted new labor laws.
    d) He decreased public services.
  3. MCQ: What do the protesters hope to achieve?
    a) More social events.
    b) Better trade deals.
    c) New elections and democratic reforms.
    d) Increased military presence.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. True
  2. b) He dissolved the parliament.
  3. c) New elections and democratic reforms.

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What did the protesters carry to symbolize Tunisia’s political climate?
  2. Why are the international observers concerned about Tunisia’s situation?
  3. What does the word “implication” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. The protesters carried portraits of political prisoners and a symbolic cage.
  2. Because Tunisia’s instability could have regional implications.
  3. A possible effect or result.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

チュニジアは、2021年に議会が解散されて以降、政治的な不安定さが続いています。多くの国民は、民主主義の後退と経済状況の悪化に不満を抱いており、失業率の上昇が社会問題となっています。国際社会もこの状況に懸念を示しており、特に欧州諸国は、地域の安定性への影響を考慮しています。今後、チュニジアが民主的な改革を実現し、経済的な安定を取り戻すことが期待されています。

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/26/tunisia-an-open-air-prison-say-protesters-at-anti-president-saied-march?traffic_source=rss