英検®準1級二次試験(面接)対策用サンプル練習問題3回分！流れや合格点も解説

ナレーション: One day, a young woman was cleaning her room at home.
She was overwhelmed by the amount of clothes she owned, which were piled up on the floor. She had too many clothes and was frustrated because she didn’t know what to do with them. However, she was running out of space.
Ten minutes later, the young woman decided to search for a solution on her smartphone. She typed in keywords like “clothes recycling” and found a nearby Recycling Shop that buys used clothes.
Two days later, she brought a large bag of clothes to the shop. The staff member was very friendly and accepted the clothes. The woman was happy because she could finally manage to get rid of some clothes. This experience was much better than just throwing them away.
A week later, she happened to pass by the same shop and saw a big Clearance Sale! sign outside. She was shocked to see her clothes being sold for as low as $1. She instantly regretted selling them because she felt she should have sold them for a higher price or done something else with them. She realized the pitfall of selling clothes at a fixed-price recycling shop.

Question 1: I would be thinking that it would be better if the clothes were used by other people instead of being thrown away. However, if those clothes could not be sold and would be thrown away, selling clothes to a recycling shop is not so environmentally friendly.
Question 2: I strongly believe that more effort is necessary. Although many individuals are trying to reduce their waste, the sheer amount of garbage produced globally is still a major environmental issue. For instance, stricter regulations on packaging and incentives for businesses that minimize waste could make a significant difference. It’s an urgent matter that requires collective action.
Question 3: Yes, I certainly do. We live in a society driven by mass production and mass consumption. This overproduction depletes natural resources and creates enormous waste. People are constantly encouraged to buy the newest items, even when their current ones are perfectly fine. Therefore, both manufacturers and consumers need to shift towards a more sustainable mindset and prioritize quality over quantity.
Question 4: Yes, I believe companies have a huge responsibility to protect the environment, even more so than individuals. This is because their operations have the largest environmental footprint. They should invest in cleaner technology, use sustainable materials, and ensure ethical waste disposal. While individual actions are important, systemic change driven by large corporations is the most effective way to tackle global environmental challenges.

ナレーション: One day, a man was driving to work in the morning.
He was stuck in heavy traffic and looked very stressed. He was surrounded by other cars, and he realized that driving during rush hour was a terrible experience.
Two hours later, the man arrived at his office, exhausted. The colleague suggested that taking the train would be less stressful than driving. The man listened carefully and seemed to consider the advice.
Next week, the man decided to follow his colleague’s advice. He was now taking the train to work. He looked much more relaxed and was calmly reading a book during his commute. He found that the train offered him valuable free time to read and prepare for the day, which he couldn’t do while driving.
The other day, however, the man was rushing to catch a train. He barely managed to get on the train just as the doors were closing. He realized that changing his mode of commute solved one problem, but he still needed to manage his time better to avoid the stress of almost missing the train.

Question 1: I would be thinking that I absolutely must leave home ten minutes earlier tomorrow to avoid this kind of stress. It seems I’ve solved the traffic problem, but now I have a punctuality problem.
Question 2: Yes, I believe more people should utilize public transportation. From a societal perspective, it significantly helps to alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas, which saves everyone time. Environmentally, a single train or bus carrying many passengers has a much smaller carbon footprint per person than the same number of individual cars.
Question 3: That’s a complex question, as both have benefits. While working from home offers unmatched flexibility and eliminates the stress of the daily commute, I personally think commuting to a workplace is generally better for productivity and mental well-being. Going to the office provides a clear separation between work and private life, which can prevent burnout. Moreover, face-to-face interaction with colleagues is essential for effective collaboration, communication, and fostering a strong corporate culture.
Question 4: No, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect all people to buy electric vehicles. While EVs are a promising step towards decarbonization, there are still significant barriers. For example, they are often more expensive than conventional cars, making them inaccessible to everyone.

ナレーション: One day, a man was eating lunch with her family.
The daughter was completely preoccupied with her smartphone, checking messages or social media instead of engaging with her parents. Her mother looked unhappy, and her father appeared concerned about the lack of communication at the table.
Ten minutes later, he asked his daughter to put down her phone and talk with them during the meal.
The next day, the family had lunch again. This time, the smartphone was out of sight, and the family was enjoying a lively conversation. The daughter was smiling, actively talking, and the parents looked much more relaxed and happy. The daughter, realizing that she had broken the newly established rule, immediately.
Ten minutes later, the father and mother were enjoying the conversation, but the daughter’s smartphone suddenly received a notification.

Question 1: I would feel a moment of disappointment or frustration because my daughter, despite our talk the previous day, couldn’t even keep the phone silent for the whole meal. I might also realize that simply setting rules isn’t enough.
Question 2: Yes, I definitely believe that eating with someone is better. While having a quiet meal alone can be relaxing, sharing a meal goes beyond just consuming food. It offers a prime opportunity to strengthen bonds with family and friends and discuss the day’s events.
Question 3: Yes, I strongly argue that parents should impose reasonable limitations. Excessive smartphone use carries significant risks for children, including heightened chances of developing digital addiction, experiencing sleep deprivation, and seeing a decline in academic performance. More importantly, it can hinder the development of crucial face-to-face communication skills.
Question 4: I agree that household responsibilities should be shared equally between spouses. In modern society, it is unfair for the burden of domestic work to fall predominantly on one person. Sharing chores is based on the principle of equality and shows mutual respect for each other’s time and career. When couples collaborate on chores, it fosters stronger mutual understanding and leads to a more balanced and harmonious partnership, ultimately increasing the overall happiness of the family unit.