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エッセイ

2025年3月1日「モバイル英語学習」第868号 (英語のエッセイ): Secrets of the Ancient Underground City

Notes:
storage – 保管, 収納;
stables – 厩舎, 馬小屋;
shaft – 軸, 柄, 通風孔, 縦穴;
torch – 松明, 懐中電灯；
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A man in Turkey discovered an ancient underground city called Derinkuyu. This 2,000-year-old city could hold more than 20,000 people and is connected to over 200 smaller underground cities through tunnels.

The city has two levels. The upper level was used for storage, stables, and keeping the area warm. The lower level had homes, meeting rooms, and a school.

Derinkuyu is famous for its advanced air and water systems. Over 50 shafts brought fresh air throughout the city, but living conditions were still difficult. People lived in small spaces and used torches for light.

The city was forgotten after Christians left the area in 1923. It was rediscovered in 1963 when a man found a hidden tunnel while chasing his chickens. Today, Derinkuyu is a symbol of the impressive engineering and survival skills of ancient people.
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2025年2月23日「モバイル英語学習」第867号 (英語のエッセイ): The World’s Loneliest Tree

Notes:
Niger – ニジェール（アフリカ西部に位置する国）;
barren – 不毛の、荒れ果てた;
tragedy struck – 悲劇が起こった（tragedy＝悲劇、strike＝襲う・発生する の組み合わせ）;
drunk – 酔っ払った;
perish 消える，朽ちる;
topple – 倒す、崩れさせる;
remains – 残骸、遺跡、遺体;

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In the vast Ténéré Desert of Niger, an African country, there once stood a tree like no other. It was the only tree for 400 kilometers in every direction—completely alone in the barren landscape.

Why was this tree so isolated? Long ago, it was part of a forest, but as the land became dry, all the other trees perished. This lone tree survived by drawing water from deep underground.

The Tuareg people revered the tree, considering it a symbol of hope. Even European maps from the 1930s marked it as a landmark for travelers.

However, in 1973, tragedy struck. A drunk driver crashed into the tree, toppling it. People around the world were shocked by its loss.

Today, the tree’s remains are preserved in the Niger National Museum, and a metal sculpture now stands in its place.
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