2016年4月号–エイゴパス 月刊ニュースレター

英語ニュース Current Internet NEWS!! <新着ネットニュース>
英語のビデオ Video News (Domestic and World Events/国内&世界の動画ニュース)
Business English <ビジネス英語フレーズ>
Grammar Study<今月の文法学習>
TOEICクイズ TOEIC Study Quiz<TOEICテスト>
Monthly Column – <今月のコラム>
 
   
You can read the article below and use it in your lessons to discuss with your teacher. — この記事を読んで先生とレッスンで話し合おう!
World News

After a year in space, astronaut complains of aching joints

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) — After a year in space, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly said March 4 his muscles and joints ache. His skin is so sensitive it burns when he sits or walks. And he can’t sink a basketball shot.

He’s surprised — not necessarily about his basketball skills, but everything else. After his previous half-year space station mission five years ago, he wasn’t nearly this tired or sore.

"Adjusting to space is easier than adjusting to Earth for me," he told a news conference.

Kelly returned from the International Space Station on March 2, ending a 340-day mission. Like other astronauts, he got taller in space, gaining 3.8 centimeters. But he lost it almost as soon as he stood on solid ground.

astronaut 宇宙飛行士
aching ずきずきと痛む
joint(s) 関節
NASA 米航空宇宙局(National Aeronautics and Space Administrationの略)
burn(s) ひりひり痛む
sink (シュート)を決める
Adjust(ing) to ~に順応する、適応する
news conference 記者会見
International Space Station 国際宇宙ステーション
 

1年間の宇宙滞在から帰還 「関節が痛い・・・」

宇宙での1年間の滞在を終えて帰還した、NASAの宇宙飛行士スコット・ケリー氏が3月4日、筋肉と関節の痛みを訴えた。皮膚がとても敏感になっていて、座ったり歩いたりするだけでひりひりすると話している。また、バスケットボールで、シュートを決められないという。

バスケの腕(が落ちたこと)だけに限らず、他の全てのことに驚いた。5年前の半年間に及ぶ宇宙ステーション滞在では、これほどまでに疲れたり痛んだりすることはなかった。

「私にとって、宇宙空間に身体を慣らすことのほうが、地球に順応するよりも楽だ」。彼は記者会見でそう語った。

ケリー氏は3月2日、340日間のミッションを終えて国際宇宙ステーションから帰還した。他の宇宙飛行士と同様、滞在中に身長が伸び、3.8センチ高くなった。しかし地上に降り立つとほぼ同時に、元に戻ったという。

 
 
Japan News:

Never-ending love : Couples choose 3.14 date to tie the knot

A slew of couples submitted notifications of their marriages at a koseki family registry counter at Hakata Ward office in Fukuoka on March 14, one of the most romantic dates on the calendar.

The date’s numbers, 3.14, are the same as Pi, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter which continues infinitely.

A registrar explained that many couples chose the specific date because they see March 14 as representing a love that’s "never-ending," just like Pi. Equally popular for registering marriages is Nov. 22, which can be pronounced as ii-fufu (happy couple), the official said.

tie the knot 結婚する
slew of たくさんの
submit(ted) ~を提出した
notification(s)…marriage(s) 婚姻届
koseki…counter 戸籍担当の窓口
ratio…diameter

円周率。円周の直径に対する比

infinitely 無限に
registrar 戸籍係
 

円周率にあやかり無限の愛を 3月14日は入籍の嵐

1年で最もロマンチックな日の一つに数えられる3月14日、福岡市博多区役所の戸籍担当窓口に、カップルが大挙して婚姻届を提出した。

この日付に当たる数字「3.14」は、無限に続くことで知られる円周率「パイ(π)」(の小数点以下2桁まで)と同じだ。

戸籍担当者の説明によると、多くのカップルがこの日を選ぶのは、3月14日が、円周率のように「終わりのない」愛を象徴すると考えているためだという。婚姻届を出す日として同様に人気なのは、11月22日。これは「いいふうふ」(幸せな夫婦)と読めるからだ、と担当者は話した。

 
 
 
   
  New! Learning through News Videos
 
 
 
Business English Expression and Phrases <ビジネス英会話フレーズ>
-Learn expressions such as idioms and slang that is unique to culture, age, and business!
新しい英語表現: 文化・時代・ビジネスで使う特有なイディオム表現や俗語を覚えよう!
 
会社の方針を通知する
There are a few announcements I need to make.
 

There are a few announcements I need to make. First, we’ve decided to change our policy concerning vacation time.

  いくつかお知らせしなければならないことがあります。まず、休暇に関する会社の方針の変更が決定されました。
 
会社の長期計画について通知する
I’m afraid I have to inform you about…
  I’m afraid we have to inform you about some changes in our long-term plan. Today I’d like to outline the changes for you.
  会社の長期計画にいくつか変更があったということをお伝えしなければなりません。今日は、変更の概要について説明します。
   
There’re going to be some changes…
  There’re going to be some changes in the long-term plan. Listen carefully and don’t miss anything.
  長期計画にいくつか変更が加えられる予定です。(これから説明しますので)注意して、聞き逃さないようにお願いします。
 
ビシネス英会話 会社の統合について通知する

I need to notify you about…

  I need to notify you about a merger plan. I know this comes as a surprise to you, but it’s something we need to do for the survival of the company.
  合弁計画についてお伝えしなければなりません。驚かれたことと思いますが、会社が生き残っていくためにはこうしなければならないのです。
   

… I need to tell you about.

  There’s going to be a merger I need to tell you about. It’s not the best thing to happen, but at least the company will survive.
  言っておかなければならないことがあります。これから会社の合弁が行なわれます。最善の選択とは言えませんが、少なくともこうすることで会社は生き残ることができます。
 
ビシネス英会話 減給について通知する

I need to inform you that…

  I need to inform you that, based on your performance last year, your salary is being reduced by three percent. I know you’re disappointed, but we have to follow company policy.
  昨年の業績によって、あなたの給料が3%カットされるこということをお伝えしなければなりません。残念ですが、会社の方針に従わなければなりませんので。
 

 
–This section will cover a broad range of different grammar rules and explanations to help you understand sentence structure and improve awareness of English grammar.
このコーナーでは文法の規則や英文の構成についてわかりやすく学べます。
Special! TOEIC REVIEW AND STUDY
Check your understanding by selecting the correct answer below: 
Read each of the following of sentences and select the best answer. Print out this lesson plan and ask your teacher to assist you in understanding the grammar rules if you do not understand your mistakes..
Part V – Multiple Choice
 
1. Our newly developed system _____ you to view your records, pay bills, and een transfer funds from one account to another.
   
A. allowing
B. allowable
C. allowance
D. allows
   
6. The new products that have been labeled for export must be stored in the _____ area only.
   
 
A. restricting
B. designated
C. descending
D. purchasing
   
2. The tour guide ashould remind his group that a continental breakfast _____ tomorrow at 9am in Stella Hall.
   
A. is serving
B. will be served
C. service
D. to be serviced
   
7. After three years at the company, Ms. Baker rose to the _____ of head of sales.
   
 
A. balance
B. rate
C. level
D. aptitude
   
3. The local commmunity center is _____ for the general maintenance of the public parks and monuments.
   
A. responsible
B. conditional
C. deliberate
D. predictable
   
8. Because the complimentary concert had _____ high attendance, we didn’t have enough chairs.
   
A. such
B. many
C. so
D. much
   
4. In the weekly meeting, the marketing manager praised the excellence of his team member’s performance even in _____ situations.
   
A. eagerly
B. particularly
C. readily
D. accurately
   
9. Some _____ displayed on our company website will be available within two to three weeks at the latest.
   
 
A. regulations
B. merchandise
C. advertising
D. decisions
   
5. When GM Books _____ Land House Publishing in July, several overlapping divisions of the two companies will be restructured.
   
A. acquires
B. anticipates
C. merges
D. remains
   
10. It may be possible to _____ this temporary budget difficulty by reducing travel expenses over the next six months.
   
 
A. overprice
B. overcome
C. overload
D. overexpose
   
Check your answers!
 
 
 
TOEIC対策(読解&リスニング問題編)Eメールとユーザネームの入力でテストの結果がメールで受け取れます。
 
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NEW! – Advice Column from a Foreigner’s Point of View (Relationship, Life, Work, and Everything Under the Sun)

(Toru : early 40’s Japanese): English Version translated from Japanese

Recently, an iconic former professional baseball player named Kazuhiro Kiyohara was arrested for possession of illegal drugs in Japan. After the scandal, his memorabilia have been completely removed from the national high school baseball tournament museum and his eligibility for induction into Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame may now be in jeopardy. Would such personal issues negate his professional accomplishments in the U.S.?

(Mike: late 30s American):

In recent years, there have been many discussions about retired all-star baseball players like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGuire being barred from the baseball hall of fame. However, it’s a whole different story as their personal transgressions are related to their performance on the baseball diamond. They cheated the game by violating fair play, which is what most fans and fellow athletes may consider as the ultimate sin for an athlete, as they used steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. I personally agree with the select baseball writers who are entrusted to be the gatekeepers to the hall of fame for denying their enshrinement thus far.

I don’t think there has been a precedent like Kiyohara’s in the U.S. where a player’s personal issues following his playing days jeopardize his induction into the hall of fame. I personally think that professional athletics is the closest thing to a complete meritocracy system where a player’s performance on the field supersedes his personal shortcomings. So, I don’t see why it should be any different when it comes to evaluating the retired players’ careers and credentials for the hall of fame.

To argue the opposite extreme, should a below-average player with high character — a good teammate and a leader in the community — be inducted into the hall of fame for his volunteering activities outside the field? Induction into the hall of fame is not a nod for being a great role model for children. It’s recognition for excellence in their profession of playing baseball. Personally, I do understand the argument of character issues, but being a great baseball player on the field and an individual of high character off the field are two different things.

I think the player whose situation somewhat resembles Kiyohara’s is the MLB’s all-time hits leader, Pete Rose. Although he collected 4,256 hits in 23 seasons, he remains banned from the hall of fame as he has admitted to betting on MLB games during his playing career. Some may deem such activity alone as reprehensible, but there is no evidence that he actually bet on the games that he played in and whether he intentionally tanked games.

Regarding Kiyohara’s and Pete Rose’s cases, I don’t think that either player should be banned from their respective baseball hall of fames. Just as the court of law is the forum that will judge Kiyohara for his alleged criminal activities, the baseball hall of fame should be an arena that judges him for his achievements on the field. Induction into the hall of fame should be based solely on what the player achieved on the field. No matter how reprehensible the player’s off-field personal issues may be, they can’t negate the players’ achievements from the record books or erase their performance on the field from the memories of the fans.