英語ニュース教材：Why some see the dollar’s drop as a sign America is losing its financial might（B1–C1対応）

Contents

🎧 Audio
📖 Script
📝 Vocabulary
✏️ Grammar Point
❓ Listening Questions
📚 Reading Questions
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

The value of the US dollar has recently fallen, marking its worst first-half performance of a year since 1973. This decline has caught the attention of investors worldwide. Many are asking if this is a sign that the United States is losing its financial strength. The strength of a country’s currency often reflects the health of its economy. A strong dollar usually means that the US economy is doing well. It helps Americans buy goods from other countries at lower prices and makes US investments attractive to foreigners.

However, a weak dollar can have the opposite effect. Goods from other countries become more expensive for Americans, and foreign investors might look elsewhere for better returns. Some experts believe that the recent drop in the dollar’s value could be temporary. They argue that other factors, such as global politics or changes in interest rates, might be influencing the dollar’s performance. For instance, if the US Federal Reserve changes interest rates, it can have a big impact on the dollar’s value.

On the other hand, some analysts think this decline might be a longer-term trend. They point out that the US has a large national debt, which could weaken confidence in its financial system. Moreover, if other countries start using different currencies for international trade, the demand for the dollar might decrease.

It’s important for those involved in global trade and finance to watch these developments closely. The dollar’s value affects not just the US but economies around the world. For example, many countries hold reserves in dollars and trade in the currency. Therefore, any changes in the dollar’s value can have wide-reaching effects on global markets.

In conclusion, while the dollar’s recent decline raises questions, its future path remains uncertain. Investors and policymakers will continue to monitor developments to understand what this means for the US and global economies.

📝 Vocabulary

– currency: the system of money used in a country

日本語の意味を見る

通貨
– investor: a person who puts money into something to make a profit

日本語の意味を見る

投資家
– economy: the system of production and consumption in a country

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経済
– interest rate: the cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage

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金利
– reserve: a supply of a commodity not needed for immediate use but available if required

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準備金

✏️ Grammar Point

Conditional sentences (Type 1) – “If the US Federal Reserve changes interest rates, it can have a big impact on the dollar’s value.”

文法の日本語補足を見る

文法点：条件節の「もし〜なら」という文

❓ Listening Questions

True/False: The US dollar has recently experienced its best first-half performance of the year since 1973.
MCQ: What is often a sign of a strong economy?
a) High national debt
b) Weak currency
c) Strong currency
d) Low interest rates
MCQ: What can influence the value of the US dollar?
a) Changes in fashion trends
b) Global politics
c) The weather
d) US federal holidays

🔑 Listening Answersを見る

1. False
2. c) Strong currency
3. b) Global politics

📚 Reading Questions

What recent financial event is discussed in the script?
Why do some experts believe the drop in the dollar’s value might be temporary?
What does the word “reserve” mean in the context of the script?

🔑 Reading Answersを見る

4. The US dollar has recently fallen, marking its worst first-half performance since 1973.
5. They argue that factors like global politics or changes in interest rates might be influencing the dollar’s performance temporarily.
6. A supply of a commodity not needed for immediate use but available if required.