英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Inflation surges to highest level in nearly 2 years as energy costs spike（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

Inflation has become a major topic as consumer prices rose by 3.3% in March compared to the same month last year. This marks the highest annual increase in almost two years. A significant factor in this surge is the rise in energy costs, particularly gasoline prices. The increase in gasoline prices is largely due to ongoing tensions and conflict involving Iran, which have disrupted oil supplies. As a result, consumers are feeling the impact at the pump, with higher costs for transportation and goods that rely on fuel.

Inflation affects not only the cost of energy but also other areas of the economy. When prices rise, people need to spend more on everyday items, which can lead to decreased purchasing power. This situation can be challenging for individuals and families who are already struggling to make ends meet. Businesses also face higher costs for production and transportation, which they may pass on to consumers through higher prices.

Governments and central banks monitor inflation closely because it can influence economic policy. When inflation rises too quickly, central banks might increase interest rates to try to control the economy and stabilize prices. However, raising interest rates can also slow down economic growth, so policymakers must balance these factors carefully.

In recent months, global events and geopolitical tensions have added to the complexity of managing inflation. The conflict with Iran has not only affected energy prices but has also created uncertainty in global markets. This uncertainty can lead to fluctuations in currency values and impact international trade.

As we move forward, it is crucial for governments to address the root causes of inflation and provide support to those most affected. This might include measures to stabilize energy supplies, reduce dependence on volatile regions, and support economic growth in a sustainable way.

📝 Vocabulary

  • Inflation: a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money（インフレーション）
    例文: “Inflation can make everyday goods more expensive.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • high inflation
    • control inflation
    • inflation rate
  • Consumer: a person who purchases goods and services for personal use（消費者）
    例文: “Consumers are worried about the rising prices of basic goods.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • consumer demand
    • consumer behavior
    • consumer price
  • Tension: the state of being stretched tight or mental strain（緊張）
    例文: “Tensions between countries can affect global markets.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • political tension
    • high tension
    • tension rise
  • Policy: a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual（政策）
    例文: “The government introduced a new economic policy.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • foreign policy
    • economic policy
    • policy change
  • Geopolitical: relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors（地政学的な）
    例文: “Geopolitical issues can impact the global economy.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • geopolitical tension
    • geopolitical strategy
    • geopolitical landscape

✏️ Grammar Point

Relative Clause – “The increase in gasoline prices is largely due to ongoing tensions and conflict involving Iran, which have disrupted oil supplies.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
これは「which」が先行詞を説明する関係代名詞の文です。

💡 使用場面

関係代名詞は、説明を加えて文を詳細にするため、会話やビジネスレポートでよく使われます。

📝 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

  1. True/False: The increase in consumer prices in March was the highest in over three years.
  2. MCQ: What is one of the main reasons for the surge in gasoline prices?
    a) Decreased oil production.
    b) War with Iran.
    c) Natural disasters.
    d) Increased demand.
  3. MCQ: How do central banks react to rising inflation?
    a) Lower interest rates.
    b) Increase taxes.
    c) Raise interest rates.
    d) Print more money.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) War with Iran.
  3. c) Raise interest rates.

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What was the percentage increase in consumer prices in March compared to last year?
  2. Why might governments be concerned about rising inflation?
  3. What does the word “tensions” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. 3.3%
  2. Because rising inflation can lead to decreased purchasing power and economic instability.
  3. Tensions refer to the strained relations or conflicts between countries.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

最近のインフレーションの高まりは、特にエネルギー価格の上昇によって引き起こされています。イランとの紛争が原油供給に影響を与え、ガソリン価格が上昇しました。この影響は消費者の購買力を弱め、企業のコスト増加にもつながっています。政策決定者は、インフレーションを管理しつつ、経済成長を抑制しないよう慎重にバランスを取る必要があります。今後はエネルギー供給の安定化や持続可能な経済成長のための対策が求められます。

Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/04/10/nx-s1-5780604/inflation-consumer-prices-economy

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