2025年10月25日「モバイル英語学習」第891号(英語のエッセイ): Five Secrets Every College Student Should Keep

Notes:
discretion 慎重さ;
gossip うわさ話;
maturity 成熟;
definite 確定的
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In college life, knowing when to speak and when to remain silent is a key part of maturity. Some matters are best kept private to avoid misunderstanding and conflict.

Secret 1: Family Finances
Your family’s financial situation should stay confidential. Talking about it too freely can lead to unnecessary comparison or discomfort among friends.

Secret 2: Love Life
Your romantic relationships and emotions need discretion. Sharing too much may invite gossip or strain friendships.

Secret 3: Opinions of Others
Be careful when expressing opinions about teachers or classmates. Honest words can unintentionally damage relationships.

Secret 4: Mental Stress
If you feel mentally tired, speak to a counselor instead of peers. Not everyone can handle emotional discussions responsibly.

Secret 5: Future Plans
Keep future goals—like studying abroad or starting a business—quiet until they are definite.

In short, true growth means protecting your privacy and speaking wisely.
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2025年10月11日「モバイル英語学習」第899号(英語のエッセイ): Europe’s bees and butterflies at risk

Notes
extinction 絶滅;
pollinator 花粉媒介者,植物の花粉を運んで受粉を助ける動物(特に昆虫);
habitat 生息地 動植物が生活し、成長する場所;
climate change 気候変動 地球の気温や天候の長期的な変化;
species 種;
threaten 脅かす;
pesticide 農薬;
drought 干ばつ

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According to Japan Times, many wild bees and butterflies in Europe are in danger of disappearing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said that 172 kinds of wild bees and many butterflies face extinction because of habitat loss and climate change. Almost all flowering plants depend on bees and other pollinators to make seeds and fruits. If these insects disappear, many plants, such as meadows and orchids, will also be at risk. The number of threatened butterfly species has increased by 76% in ten years, and one kind — the Madeiran large white — is already extinct. The main causes are farming, forest cutting, fertilizers, and pesticides, which destroy flowers and safe places for insects. Climate change also brings droughts and fires that make things worse. Pollinators are very important for nature, our food, and our economy.
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