ILC Osaka News 2007/6/21

梅雨の季節。雨に対する各国の英語表現
　英語を楽しみたい人も、英語力アップを目指す人も
★★ ILC OSAKA NEWS　2007/6/21★★
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ILCのジョン・ノーランです。
今回のトピックは ”雨にまつわるお話”です。

まず音声を聞いて、穴埋めに挑戦してみてください。
その後、全文を確認してみてください。

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音声はこちらをクリックしてください。↓↓↓↓
http://www.ilc-japan.com/osaka/topics/051010.html

【穴埋め問題】

★★A rainy season ★★

When we hear the word rain, we are often _____________ of dark cloudy days
when the weather is humid and _____________. During such days we do not want
to leave our homes and hope that the rain will _____________ _____________.
Many people _____________to stay indoors on rainy days, especially
in _____________ climates where rain is _____________ heavy such as the
_____________season.

However, in _____________human history, rain has been seen by humans
as _____________, positive and a _____________if not blessed _____________.
The American writer John Updike once wrote that “Rain is _____________;
rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.”
Yet, today, we city _____________feel _____________at best when the rainy
season _____________.

Looking over our _____________carefully, we find that cultural _____________
toward rain are very different. In Europe, rain has a sad and negative
feeling though _____________like Monet and _____________like Debussy
also _____________the _____________aspect of rain. Though the _____________
idea of rain in the Western countries is not _____________, rain can be seen as
_____________. I will never forget the final scene of Stephen King’s short
_____________ “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” in which the main
_____________stands outside of the _____________he has just _____________from,
his arms lifted to the sky as his body becomes _____________in a _____________.

On the other hand, for dry _____________, the Middle East, _____________, India,
and Africa, rain is a time for _____________. In Botswana, the word for rain,
"pula," is used as the name of the national _____________. Could you imagine
the word “ame” in Japanese being used _____________of “Yen”?
While feelings _____________rain are different from country to country,
the world needs rain and needs it _____________throughout the year not as
flash floods. Unfortunately, due to _____________warming, our weather patterns
have become somewhat _____________. We need to be more aware of the weather
_____________us and how it _____________the lives of others.

◆◇***********************************************************************

【全文】

★★ A rainy season ★★

When we hear the word rain, we are often reminded(思い出させられる)
of dark cloudy days when the weather is humid and uncomfortable.
During such days we do not want to leave our homes and hope that the rain
will stop quickly. Many people prefer to stay indoors on rainy days,
especially in tropical climates(熱帯性気候 )where rain is extremely
heavy such as the monsoon season(雨季).

However, in recorded human history, rain has been seen by humans as
beneficial(有益), positive and a welcome if not blessed(目出度い) event.
The American writer John Updike once wrote that “Rain is grace(優雅さ);
rain is the sky condescending（高所から見下ろしているような）to the earth;
without rain, there would be no life.” Yet, today, we city dwellers feel
inconvenienced(不便) at best when the rainy season begins.

Looking over our planet carefully, we find that cultural attitudes（意識）
toward rain are very different. In Europe, rain has a sad and negative
feeling though painters like Monet and composers(作曲家) like Debussy
also reflect(反映する) the beautiful aspect of rain. Though the traditional
idea of rain in the Western countries is not positive, rain can be seen as
purifying (身を清める). I will never forget the final scene of Stephen
King’s short novel “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” in which
the main character stands outside of the prison he has just escaped from,
his arms lifted to the sky as his body becomes soaked (ずぶぬれになって)
in a downpour(土砂降りの雨).

On the other hand, for dry places, the Middle East, Australia, India,
and Africa, rain is a time for celebration. In Botswana, the word for
rain, "pula," is used as the name of the national currency (通貨).
Could you imagine the word “ame” in Japanese being used instead of “Yen”?
While feelings regarding rain are different from country to country,
the world needs rain and needs it consistently (一貫して)throughout
the year not as flash floods(鉄砲水). Unfortunately, due to global
warming(地球温暖化), our weather patterns have become somewhat
unpredictable(不可能になっている). We need to be more aware of the
weather around us and how it affects the lives of others.

穴埋めは上手くできましたか。何回も音声を聞くと、聞こえなかった音が
聞こえてくるかもしれません。何度も挑戦してください。

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ILC国際語学センター大阪校
編集:　ジョン・ノーラン
発行責任者：藤原　亜矢（大阪校アシスタントディレクター）
542-0082 大阪市中央区島之内1-11-30　滋慶第２ビル１階
TEL：06-6245-8560 Fax : 06-6245-8562

大阪校　受付時間：　月〜木　午前１０時〜午後８時
金　　　　午前１０時〜午後７時
土　　　　午前９時〜午後５時３０分

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配信の解除・登録はこちらから: http://www.mag2.com/m/0000115358.htm

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投稿者 ilc : June 21, 2007 9:28 PM