🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Inflation is a term that describes the general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money. Recently, inflation has remained high, partly due to tariffs imposed by President Trump. A tariff is a tax on imports and is usually intended to protect a country’s own industries. However, it can also lead to higher prices for consumers, as businesses pass on the extra costs. In July, the average cost of living increased by 2.7%. This means that on average, things are 2.7% more expensive than they were before.
When inflation is high, it affects everyone. People notice that their money doesn’t go as far as it used to. For example, if you could buy a loaf of bread for $1.00 last year and now it costs $1.10, that’s inflation at work. While a 10-cent increase might not seem like much, it adds up over time and across many purchases.
The tariffs introduced by President Trump were aimed at making American products more competitive compared to foreign ones. By taxing imports, the idea was to encourage people to buy American goods, which could help American businesses and workers. However, these tariffs have also led to price increases, contributing to the overall inflation rate.
The Federal Reserve, which is the central bank of the United States, monitors inflation closely. They aim to keep inflation at a manageable level, usually around 2%. When inflation goes above this level, the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates to make borrowing money more expensive. This can slow down spending and help control inflation.
It’s important to understand how inflation and tariffs can affect everyday life. Knowing why prices are rising can help people make better financial decisions. For example, if you know that prices might continue to rise, you might decide to buy certain items sooner rather than later. Being informed about economic issues like inflation can help you plan for the future and manage your money more effectively.
📝 Vocabulary
- inflation: the general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money
例文: “Inflation can make it difficult for people to save money.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- inflation rate
- control inflation
- inflation pressure
インフレーション、物価の上昇 - tariff: a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports
例文: “The government imposed a new tariff on imported steel.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- impose tariffs
- tariff barriers
- tariff rates
関税 - consumer: a person who purchases goods and services for personal use
例文: “Consumers are paying more for basic goods due to inflation.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- consumer demand
- consumer goods
- consumer market
消費者 - competitive: having a strong desire to be more successful than others
例文: “The company lowered its prices to stay competitive.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- competitive market
- competitive advantage
- highly competitive
競争力のある - monitor: to observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time
例文: “The central bank monitors economic trends closely.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- monitor progress
- monitor performance
- monitor closely
監視する、チェックする
✏️ Grammar Point
Conditional Sentences – “If you know that prices might continue to rise, you might decide to buy certain items sooner rather than later.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
条件や仮定を話すとき、会話やビジネスの場面でよく使われます。
📝 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
- True/False: Inflation decreased last month due to tariffs.
- MCQ: By how much did the average cost of living increase in July?
a) 1.7%
b) 2.7%
c) 3.7%
d) 4.7% - MCQ: What is the Federal Reserve’s usual target for inflation?
a) 1%
b) 2%
c) 3%
d) 4%
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) 2.7%
- b) 2%
📚 Reading Questions
- What was the percentage increase in the average cost of living in July?
- Why might President Trump have imposed tariffs?
- What does the word “monitor” mean in the context of the passage?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- 2.7%
- To make American products more competitive and protect American industries.
- To observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
インフレーションは物価の上昇と貨幣価値の下落を意味します。最近、トランプ大統領が導入した関税が影響し、インフレーションが高止まりしています。7月の生活費は平均で2.7%上昇しました。関税は国内産業を保護するために導入されますが、消費者には価格上昇として影響します。今後も価格上昇が続く可能性があるため、物価の動向を注視することが重要です。
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/08/12/nx-s1-5499344/inflation-consumer-prices-cpi-tariffs
