2025年1月18日「モバイル英語学習」第862号 (英語のエッセイ): University Entrance Exams in Japan, China, and Korea

Notes
University Admissions -大学入試
critical – 重要な
ensure – 確実にする
paused – 一時停止した
surveillance camera – 監視カメラ
fairness – 公平性
shaping – 形成する
honk – クラクションを鳴らす
Incredible – 信じられない

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The Common Test for University Admissions starts today in Japan. In 2025, 495,171 students registered for this critical exam. On this day, trains run on special schedules, and taxi drivers offer discounted rides to ensure students reach their testing centers without stress. Construction near test sites is paused, and signs remind everyone to stay quiet. Even at home, families prepare quiet meals, creating an atmosphere of support.

In China, the National College Entrance Examination” also called Gaokao is a national event. In 2024, 13.42 million students took the exam. Roads near test centers are cleared by police, honking is banned, and surveillance cameras are installed in every exam room to ensure fairness.

Korea holds the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) each November. In 2024, 504,600 students participated. During the 40-minute English listening section, planes across the country stop landing or taking off, and flying aircraft must stay above 3,000 meters to reduce noise.

These exams are different, but the incredible effort each country puts into supporting students shows how important they are for shaping futures.
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 (Image from https://www.lcxw.cn/)

2024年9月21日「モバイル英語学習」第844号 (英語エッセイ): Amazing Reunion: Lost Dogs Found After 10 Years

Notes:
incredible – 信じられない;
eventually 結局は,ついに
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In 2014, a man in France named Stéphane Baudrot lost his two golden dogs, Sweety and Bip Bip. The dogs went missing while they were out on a walk in a small town. Even though Mr. Baudrot tried really hard to find them, he eventually thought they were gone forever.

But in July 2024, Mr. Baudrot got some surprising news. A town official called him to say that one of his dogs, Sweety, had been found. She was seen swimming in the water in Tarn-et-Garonne. Mr. Baudrot was so happy and couldn’t believe it.

Then, even more amazing news came at the end of August. The second dog, Bip Bip, was also found in another area, about 300 kilometers away. Thanks to a pet identification system in France called I-CAD, which is a national database for pet identification, the dogs were traced back to Mr. Baudrot after ten years.
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