英語学習

英語ニュース教材：U.S. unexpectedly adds 130,000 jobs in January after a weak 2025（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

In January, the United States saw an unexpected increase in employment, with 130,000 new jobs added. This development caught many by surprise, especially after a weak performance in the job market throughout 2025. The unemployment rate also improved slightly, dropping from 4.4% in December to 4.3% in January. This decrease in unemployment is a positive sign for the economy, indicating that more people are finding work.

However, when looking back at 2025, annual revisions revealed that job growth was not as strong as initially reported. Many analysts had believed the job market was healthier, but the revisions showed a different picture. These adjustments are common as more data becomes available, helping to provide a clearer understanding of employment trends.

Several factors could explain the recent increase in job numbers. A stronger demand for goods and services might have encouraged companies to hire more staff. Additionally, seasonal employment might have played a role, as some businesses often hire temporary workers during certain times of the year, like the holiday season.

The U.S. job market is a key indicator of the country’s economic health. When more people are employed, they have more money to spend, which can boost the economy. However, it’s also important to consider the quality of these jobs. Are they full-time positions with benefits, or are they part-time or temporary roles? Understanding this can provide a more comprehensive picture of economic health.

Looking ahead, economists and policymakers will be watching closely to see if this positive trend continues. They will also be analyzing other economic indicators, such as wage growth and consumer spending, to understand the broader economic landscape. For now, the addition of 130,000 jobs is a hopeful sign that the U.S. economy is on a path to recovery after a challenging year.

📝 Vocabulary

  • unemployment: the state of not having a job
    例文: “The unemployment rate decreased last month.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • unemployment rate
    • unemployment benefits
    • high unemployment
    失業
  • revision: a change or update to improve something
    例文: “The annual revisions showed a different economic picture.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • annual revision
    • make a revision
    • major revision
    改定
  • demand: the need or desire for goods and services
    例文: “There is a high demand for skilled workers.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • increase in demand
    • demand for
    • meet demand
    需要
  • analyst: a person who studies or examines something in detail
    例文: “Analysts were surprised by the job market data.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • financial analyst
    • market analyst
    • industry analyst
    アナリスト
  • indicator: a sign that shows the condition or existence of something
    例文: “The job market is an important economic indicator.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • economic indicator
    • key indicator
    • indicator of
    指標

✏️ Grammar Point

Past Simple Tense – “The United States saw an unexpected increase in employment.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
過去形は、過去に起こった出来事や状態を表すのに使います。

💡 使用場面

過去に起こった出来事や状況を説明するときに使います。たとえば、ビジネスの報告で過去のイベントを述べる際に使われます。

📝 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

  1. True/False: The unemployment rate in January was higher than in December.
  2. MCQ: What was the job growth in January?
    a) 120,000 jobs
    b) 130,000 jobs
    c) 140,000 jobs
    d) 150,000 jobs
  3. MCQ: Why might companies have hired more staff recently?
    a) Due to lower taxes
    b) Because of stronger demand for goods and services
    c) As a result of government intervention
    d) To prepare for a recession
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) 130,000 jobs
  3. b) Because of stronger demand for goods and services

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What was the unemployment rate in January?
  2. Why were annual revisions important for understanding 2025’s job market?
  3. What does the word “indicator” mean in this context?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. 4.3%
  2. They showed that job growth was weaker than initially reported.
  3. A sign that shows the condition or existence of something

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

アメリカの雇用市場は1月に予想外の改善を見せ、13万の新しい雇用が生まれました。失業率も4.3%に低下し、経済にとって良い兆候です。しかし、2025年の年間データの改定により、昨年の雇用成長は当初の報告よりも弱かったことが判明しました。このような改定は、より多くのデータが入手可能になることで、雇用の傾向をより明確に理解するのに役立ちます。アメリカの経済は、今後もこのプラスの傾向が続くかどうかを注視していく必要があります。

Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/02/11/nx-s1-5708807/jobs-labor-unemployment-economy

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