英語学習

【Asia Business English】Indonesian wildfires cause respiratory infections to double in a week, health ministry says(B1–B2)

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

In Indonesia, wildfires have caused a serious problem with air quality. The health ministry reports that more than 12.5 million people are now exposed to haze from fires occurring across seven provinces. This situation has led to a doubling of respiratory infections in just one week. Wildfires are common in Indonesia during certain times of the year, often due to land clearing for agriculture. However, the impact this year has been notably severe, affecting not only health but also the economy and daily life.

The haze from the wildfires can travel far, even affecting neighboring countries. This has raised international concerns, as air pollution does not respect borders. The Indonesian government is working hard to control the fires and reduce the haze. They are employing firefighters and using technology like helicopters to drop water on the fires. Despite these efforts, the situation remains challenging as the fires are widespread and conditions such as dry weather and wind make the fires difficult to control.

Moreover, the economic impact is significant. The haze affects visibility, which can disrupt transportation, including flights. It also impacts agriculture, as the smoke can damage crops. Tourism is another sector that suffers, as tourists are less likely to visit areas affected by haze. The government is aware of these issues and is trying to find solutions that balance economic interests with health and environmental protection.

Authorities are urging people to stay indoors, wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke, and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties. The health ministry is monitoring the situation closely and providing updates to keep the public informed.

📝 Vocabulary

  • haze: a slight obscuration of the air caused by fine particles
    例文: “The haze from the wildfires made it difficult to see the mountains.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • thick haze
    • haze of smoke
    • morning haze
    かすみ
  • respiratory: relating to or affecting breathing
    例文: “The smoke caused respiratory problems for many people.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • respiratory system
    • respiratory infection
    • respiratory health
    呼吸の
  • wildfire: a large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush
    例文: “The wildfire spread rapidly due to the strong winds.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • raging wildfire
    • wildfire season
    • contain a wildfire
    山火事
  • economy: the wealth and resources of a region, especially in terms of production and consumption of goods and services
    例文: “The haze has a negative impact on the economy.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • boost the economy
    • global economy
    • economy grows
    経済
  • agriculture: the practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil and rearing of animals
    例文: “Agriculture is a major industry in Indonesia.”
    Collocations/日本語の意味を見る
    • sustainable agriculture
    • agriculture sector
    • agriculture policy
    農業

✏️ Grammar Point

Present Perfect – “The health ministry reports that more than 12.5 million people are now exposed to haze from fires occurring across seven provinces.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
現在完了形は過去の出来事が現在に続いていることを示します

💡 使用場面

現在完了形は、過去の出来事が現在に影響を与えている状況を説明する際に使用されます。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘We have achieved our sales target for this quarter.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: The health ministry reports that respiratory infections have doubled in a week due to wildfires.
  2. MCQ: What is one reason for the wildfires in Indonesia?
    a) Natural causes
    b) Agricultural land clearing
    c) Industrial waste
    d) Residential fires
  3. MCQ: What is one international concern mentioned in the script?
    a) Economic growth
    b) Air pollution spreading to other countries
    c) Tourism increase
    d) New agricultural policies
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. True
  2. b) Agricultural land clearing
  3. b) Air pollution spreading to other countries

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What has the health ministry reported about the respiratory infections in Indonesia?
  2. Why is the haze from the wildfires a concern for neighboring countries?
  3. What does the word “haze” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. The health ministry reported that respiratory infections have doubled in a week.
  2. The haze can travel far, affecting neighboring countries and raising international concerns.
  3. “Haze” means a slight obscuration of the air caused by fine particles.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

インドネシアの山火事による煙害が深刻化し、呼吸器感染症が急増しています。この問題は、インドネシアの経済にも影響を与えています。煙害は交通や農業、観光に悪影響を及ぼし、経済活動を制限しています。政府は火災を抑えるためにさまざまな対策を講じていますが、気象条件や地形が対応を難しくしています。今後、地域協力や環境政策の強化が求められるでしょう。

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-wildfires-respiratory-infection-health-ministry-6375906