🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Heat pumps are becoming a hot topic as they represent a more sustainable way to heat homes. Manufacturers of these devices are preparing to increase their production because they expect a rise in demand. However, the actual demand for heat pumps remains low at the moment. Many people are still choosing traditional heating methods over heat pumps, which is slowing down the expected growth in the market.
There are several reasons why heat pumps are not yet popular. One major reason is the cost. Installing a heat pump can be expensive, and many homeowners are not ready to make such an investment. In addition, there is a lack of awareness among consumers about the benefits of heat pumps. Some people do not know that heat pumps can reduce energy bills in the long run and are better for the environment compared to traditional heating systems.
Governments in many countries are trying to encourage the use of heat pumps. They are offering incentives like tax credits or subsidies to make them more affordable for consumers. In some places, regulations are pushing for more energy-efficient solutions, which might lead to a future increase in the demand for heat pumps.
Manufacturers are optimistic that as awareness increases and costs decrease, more people will choose heat pumps. They are investing in research and development to make heat pumps more efficient and cheaper. If successful, these efforts could lead to a significant change in the heating market, helping to lower carbon emissions and promote cleaner energy use.
📝 Vocabulary
- demand: the desire of consumers to purchase goods and services
例文: “The demand for electric cars is growing rapidly.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- high demand
- increase demand
- meet demand
需要 - sluggish: moving or acting slowly
例文: “Economic growth has been sluggish this year.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- sluggish economy
- sluggish response
- sluggish growth
鈍い - investment: the action or process of investing money for profit
例文: “Real estate is often considered a safe investment.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- make an investment
- attract investment
- foreign investment
投資 - incentives: something that encourages a person to do something or to work harder
例文: “The company offers incentives for employees who meet their sales targets.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- financial incentives
- tax incentives
- provide incentives
奨励策 - emissions: the production and release of something, especially gas or radiation
例文: “Reducing carbon emissions is crucial for fighting climate change.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- reduce emissions
- carbon emissions
- gas emissions
排出
✏️ Grammar Point
Future tense – “They are investing in research and development to make heat pumps more efficient and cheaper.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
未来の計画や予測について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 demand for heat pumps is currently very high.
- MCQ: What is one major reason people are not buying heat pumps?
a) Lack of availability
b) High cost
c) Poor quality
d) Government restrictions - MCQ: How are governments encouraging the use of heat pumps?
a) By banning traditional heaters
b) By offering incentives
c) By reducing taxes on all products
d) By increasing awareness campaigns
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) High cost
- b) By offering incentives
📚 Reading Questions
- What are manufacturers of heat pumps preparing to do?
- Why might the demand for heat pumps increase in the future?
- What does the word “incentives” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- Manufacturers are preparing to increase production.
- The demand might increase due to government incentives and regulations.
- Incentives mean something that encourages a person to do something or to work harder.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
ヒートポンプは、より持続可能な暖房手段として注目されていますが、その需要はまだ低迷しています。主な理由は高コストであり、多くの消費者が従来の暖房方法を好んでいるためです。しかし、各国政府は税額控除や補助金などの奨励策を提供し、ヒートポンプの使用を促進しようとしています。将来的には、これらの取り組みにより需要が増加し、市場が活性化する可能性があります。メーカーは効率的かつ安価な製品の開発に取り組み、環境にも優しいエネルギー利用を推進しています。
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmvl3remg2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
