英語の予想問題「長文読解」

Have you ever seen a Shisa in Okinawa? A Shisa is a statue that looks like a lion. People in Okinawa often put two Shisa statues at the front door of their houses. One Shisa has its mouth open, and the other has its mouth closed. The Shisa with an open mouth is believed to catch good luck. The Shisa with a closed mouth is believed to keep the good luck inside the house. Many people also believe that Shisa protect their homes from bad spirits. Today, you can find Shisa not only at houses but also at shops, schools, and airports in Okinawa.

A: Hi, Kenta. You look tired today. B: Yes, I practiced tennis for three hours after school. A: Wow, that's a lot! Are you preparing for something? B: Yes. Our team has a big tournament next weekend, so we are practicing very hard. A: I see. Do you think your team can win? B: I hope so, but our opponent is very strong. We need to practice more. A: Good luck, Kenta! I will come to watch the tournament. B: Thank you! That will make me happy.

In Japan, most elementary and junior high schools have school lunch, called 'kyushoku.' School lunch usually includes rice or bread, soup, a main dish, and milk. Students often eat lunch together in their classroom with their classmates and teacher. Before eating, students say 'Itadakimasu' together. Some schools also ask students to help serve the food and clean up after lunch. Through school lunch, students can learn about balanced meals and also learn to work together as a team.

A: Hello, my name is Emily. I'm from Australia. Nice to meet you. B: Nice to meet you too, Emily. I'm Yuta. How long will you stay in Japan? A: I will stay for six months. I'm looking forward to learning Japanese culture. B: That's great! Is this your first time in Japan? A: No, I came to Japan two years ago with my family. But this is my first time staying at a Japanese school. B: I hope you enjoy your time here. If you have any questions, please ask me. A: Thank you, Yuta. That's very kind of you.

Every year, people around the world throw away a huge amount of plastic. Much of this plastic ends up in rivers and oceans, and it can take hundreds of years to disappear. Sea animals sometimes eat small pieces of plastic by mistake, and this can hurt them. To solve this problem, some countries have started to use fewer plastic bags and plastic bottles. In Japan, many shops now ask customers to pay for plastic bags. Small actions like bringing your own bag can help protect the environment.

Teacher: Sota, have you finished your book report yet? Sota: Not yet, Ms. Tanaka. I haven't chosen a book yet. Teacher: The library has many interesting books. Why don't you go there after school? Sota: That's a good idea. What kind of book should I choose? Teacher: You can choose any book you like, but it should have more than 100 pages. Sota: I see. I will go to the library today and find a book. Teacher: Good. Please bring your report by next Friday.

Eisa is a traditional dance performed in Okinawa. It is usually danced during the Obon season in summer to welcome and send off the spirits of ancestors. Dancers wear colorful costumes and play drums called 'taiko' while dancing. Each town or school often has its own Eisa group, called an 'Eisa team.' Many young people practice Eisa for weeks before the festival. Watching Eisa is a great way to feel the energy and history of Okinawan culture.

A: Hey Aoi, do you have any plans for this Saturday? B: Not really. Why do you ask? A: There is a new movie about space. Do you want to watch it together? B: Sounds fun! What time does it start? A: There are two shows, one at 1 p.m. and one at 4 p.m. B: Let's go to the 1 p.m. show. Then we can have lunch before the movie. A: Great idea. Let's meet at the station at noon.

Reading books has many benefits for junior high school students. First, it helps students learn new words and improve their writing skills. Second, reading stories can help students understand other people's feelings. Third, reading is a good way to relax after a busy day at school. Some schools have a special time called 'morning reading,' when all students read quietly for ten minutes before class starts. Many students say that this quiet time helps them focus better during the rest of the day.

Mother: We are planning to visit Kyoto during the summer vacation. Are you excited? Son: Yes! I want to see some old temples there. Mother: Good idea. We can also visit a famous bamboo forest. Son: That sounds beautiful. How long will we stay? Mother: We will stay for three days and two nights. Son: Can we also try some traditional Japanese sweets? Mother: Of course! We can visit a nice shop near the temple.

Sleep is very important for junior high school students. During sleep, the brain organizes information learned during the day, and the body repairs itself and grows. Doctors say that students of this age should sleep about eight to nine hours every night. However, many students today go to bed late because of homework, smartphones, or video games. Not getting enough sleep can make it harder to concentrate in class and can also affect students' health. Try to set a regular bedtime and avoid using your smartphone right before sleep.

A: Kai, is that your dog in this picture? B: Yes, this is Momo. I got her from an animal shelter two years ago. A: She's so cute! Why did you choose to adopt her instead of buying a puppy? B: My family wanted to help an animal that needed a new home. Momo was very shy at first. A: How is she now? B: She has become much more active and friendly. She loves playing in the park every morning. A: That's a wonderful story.

Smartphones have become an important part of daily life for many junior high school students. They can be used to study, communicate with friends, and find information quickly. However, using smartphones too much can also cause problems, such as less time for sleep or exercise. Some schools now teach students how to use smartphones safely and responsibly. For example, students learn not to share personal information online and to take breaks from screens. Using technology wisely can help students enjoy its benefits while avoiding its risks.

A: Rina, our school marathon is next month. Have you started training? B: Yes, I have been running every morning for thirty minutes. A: That's impressive! What distance will we run in the marathon? B: We will run five kilometers this year. Last year it was only three kilometers. A: I hope I can finish without stopping. B: Don't worry. If we keep practicing, we will be fine.

Goya, also known as bitter melon, is a common vegetable in Okinawa. It has a bitter taste, but it is rich in vitamin C and other nutrients. One of the most popular dishes made with goya is 'Goya Champuru,' a stir-fried dish with goya, tofu, eggs, and pork. Many people in Okinawa eat goya in summer because it is believed to help the body stay healthy in hot weather. Today, goya is grown and enjoyed not only in Okinawa but also in other parts of Japan.

A: Hello, this is Mika. Can I talk to Yui? B: Hi Mika, this is Yui. What's up? A: I found a great café near the station. Do you want to go there tomorrow? B: Sure! What time should we meet? A: How about 10 in the morning? Then we can also do some shopping after. B: That works for me. Let's meet in front of the station at 10. A: Great, see you tomorrow!

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about outer space? For many years, scientists have been studying space to learn more about the universe. Recently, a new space telescope was launched to take clearer pictures of stars and planets far away. This telescope can capture light that human eyes cannot see, which helps scientists understand how stars are born. Learning about space also helps us understand our own planet better. Many students today dream of becoming astronauts or space scientists in the future.

A: Hi Daiki, how was your summer vacation? B: It was great! I went to my grandparents' house in the countryside. A: What did you do there? B: I helped my grandfather in his rice field, and I also caught fish in the river with my cousins. A: That sounds like a lot of fun. Did you learn anything new? B: Yes, I learned how hard farming work can be. I respect my grandfather more now. A: That's a wonderful experience.

Bees play an important role in nature. When bees visit flowers to collect nectar, they also carry pollen from one flower to another. This process, called pollination, helps plants produce fruits and seeds. Without bees, many plants, including some fruits and vegetables that we eat, would have trouble growing. In recent years, the number of bees has been decreasing around the world because of pesticides and the loss of natural habitats. Scientists and farmers are now working together to protect bees and their environment.

A: Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the city library? B: Sure. Go straight along this street, and turn left at the second traffic light. A: Turn left at the second light. What's next? B: You will see a big park on your right. The library is just next to the park. A: How long will it take to walk there? B: It's about ten minutes from here. A: Thank you so much for your help.

My grandmother has lived in the same small town for more than seventy years. She often tells me stories about her childhood, when there were no smartphones or computers. She says that children in her time played outside every day and made their own toys from natural materials. Although the town has changed a lot, my grandmother still enjoys walking through it every morning. Listening to her stories helps me understand how much life has changed over the years, and I have started to appreciate the simple things in life more.

A: Excuse me, I'm looking for a birthday present for my little sister. She is ten years old. B: How about this stuffed animal? It's very popular among children her age. A: It looks cute, but I already got her one last year. Do you have any books for kids? B: Yes, we have a picture book section over there. It has many colorful storybooks. A: That sounds perfect. Could you show me the way? B: Of course, please follow me.

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist spots in Okinawa. It is famous for its huge water tank called the 'Kuroshio Sea,' where visitors can see whale sharks and manta rays swimming together. The aquarium also has smaller tanks that show colorful coral reefs and tropical fish found around Okinawa. Every year, many tourists from Japan and other countries visit the aquarium to learn about the rich sea life of Okinawa. The aquarium also works to protect endangered sea animals through research and breeding programs.

A: Yui, what do you want to be in the future? B: I want to be a nurse. My grandmother was sick last year, and the nurses took great care of her. A: That's a great reason. What do you need to study to become a nurse? B: I need to study science subjects like biology, and I also need to go to a nursing school after high school. A: That sounds like hard work, but I'm sure you can do it. B: Thank you. What about you? Do you have a dream job? A: I want to be an English teacher because I love talking with people from different countries.

Sea turtles have lived in the ocean for millions of years, and some of them lay their eggs on the beaches of Okinawa every summer. However, the number of sea turtles has been decreasing because of pollution, fishing nets, and the loss of clean beaches. Local volunteers in Okinawa work at night to protect turtle eggs from predators and human disturbance. They also teach visitors how to observe turtles without disturbing them. Thanks to these efforts, more baby turtles have been able to safely reach the ocean in recent years.