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Eiken Pre-1 Speaking Presents

Technology, Society & Economy

Eiken Pre-1 Speaking — Part 2
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The Winning Formula (40-45 Sec)

Follow this structure for every question. Examiners expect a clear opinion, two supported reasons, and a conclusion.

1
Opinion — State your position clearly (5 sec)
2
Reason 1 + Example — First supporting point with concrete detail (15-20 sec)
3
Reason 2 + Example — Second supporting point with evidence (15-20 sec)
4
Conclusion — Restate your position with conviction (5 sec)

Filler Phrases — Buy Time

Silence is penalized. Use these phrases naturally to buy thinking time.

That's a good point...
I need a moment to think...
From my perspective...
If you ask me...
The way I see it...
Let me put it this way...
Technology — 3 Questions
Q1 Do smartphones make people less social?
Intermediate

Think About It First

  • What happens during face-to-face conversations? (people check phones)
  • How does it affect real relationships? (less meaningful interaction)
  • 結論: What's being lost?
  • How do smartphones connect people? (social media, messaging)
  • What opportunities do they create? (stay in touch with distant friends)
  • 結論: How do they enhance social life?
Key vocab: distracted meaningful interaction stay connected social media enhance
Yes

"Yes, I believe smartphones make people less social. People are constantly distracted by their phones during face-to-face conversations. Moreover, online communication lacks the depth of real interaction. So smartphones are reducing our ability to connect meaningfully with others."

Director's Notes

  • "constantly distracted" 「常に気を取られる」。注意散漫の問題
  • "face-to-face conversations" 「対面での会話」。直接的なコミュニケーション
  • "lacks the depth" 「深さに欠ける」。質の問題を指摘
  • "connect meaningfully" 「有意義につながる」。深い関係性
No

"I don't think smartphones make people less social. They help us stay connected with friends and family who live far away. Additionally, social media allows us to join communities with similar interests. So smartphones actually enhance our social lives."

Director's Notes

  • "stay connected" 「つながり続ける」。継続的な関係維持
  • "who live far away" 「遠くに住む」。距離の問題を解決
  • "join communities" 「コミュニティに参加する」。新しいつながり
  • "enhance our social lives" 「社会生活を向上させる」。プラス効果
Q2 Should AI replace human workers?
Advanced

Think About It First

  • Opinion: Should AI replace workers? (Balanced view)
  • Point 1: What jobs can AI do better? (repetitive, dangerous)
  • Point 2: What jobs need humans? (creativity, empathy)
  • Conclusion: What's the best approach?
Key vocab: repetitive tasks dangerous jobs human judgment creativity balance
Model Answer

"I think AI should replace workers in some areas but not all. AI is better at repetitive and dangerous tasks, which makes work safer. However, jobs requiring creativity and human judgment cannot be replaced. So we need a balanced approach where AI assists humans rather than replacing them completely."

Director's Notes

  • "in some areas but not all" 「一部の分野では...」。バランス型の答え
  • "repetitive and dangerous tasks" 「反復的で危険な作業」。AIの適性
  • "human judgment" 「人間の判断」。人間固有の能力
  • "assists humans rather than replacing" 「置き換えるのではなく支援する」。協働の提案
Q3 Is social media good for society?
Intermediate

Think About It First

  • How does it help communication? (connect globally)
  • What benefits for information? (news, awareness)
  • 結論: Overall positive impact?
  • What problems does it create? (misinformation, addiction)
  • How does it affect mental health? (comparison, anxiety)
  • 結論: More harm than good?
Key vocab: connect globally raise awareness misinformation mental health addiction
Yes

"Yes, I believe social media is good for society. It connects people globally and helps spread important information quickly. Furthermore, it raises awareness about social issues. So social media has become a powerful tool for positive change."

Director's Notes

  • "connects people globally" 「世界中の人々をつなぐ」。グローバルな影響
  • "spread important information" 「重要な情報を広める」。情報拡散力
  • "raises awareness" 「意識を高める」。社会的影響
  • "powerful tool for positive change" 「ポジティブな変化のための強力なツール」
No

"I don't think social media is good for society. It spreads misinformation and fake news too easily. Additionally, it harms mental health by encouraging constant comparison. So the negative effects outweigh the benefits."

Director's Notes

  • "spreads misinformation" 「誤った情報を広める」。情報の質の問題
  • "fake news" 「フェイクニュース」。現代の大きな問題
  • "harms mental health" 「精神衛生を害する」。健康への悪影響
  • "constant comparison" 「常に比較すること」。ストレスの原因
  • "outweigh the benefits" 「利点を上回る」。総合評価
Society — 2 Questions
Q1 Should voting be mandatory?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • Why is voting important? (civic duty)
  • What happens with low turnout? (unrepresentative)
  • 結論: Why force participation?
  • What about freedom of choice? (personal right)
  • What about uninformed voters? (quality vs quantity)
  • 結論: Why voluntary is better?
Key vocab: civic duty representative democracy freedom of choice uninformed voters
Yes

"Yes, I think voting should be mandatory. It's a civic duty in a democracy. Moreover, mandatory voting ensures that election results truly represent the entire population. So requiring everyone to vote strengthens our democratic system."

Director's Notes

  • "civic duty" 「市民の義務」。民主主義の基本原則
  • "ensures that" 「〜を保証する」。確実性を示す
  • "truly represent" 「本当に代表する」。正確な反映
  • "strengthens our democratic system" 「民主主義システムを強化する」
No

"I don't think voting should be mandatory. People should have the freedom to choose whether to participate. Furthermore, forcing uninformed people to vote doesn't improve democracy. So voluntary voting with better civic education is more effective."

Director's Notes

  • "freedom to choose" 「選択する自由」。個人の権利
  • "uninformed people" 「情報のない人々」。質の問題
  • "doesn't improve democracy" 「民主主義を改善しない」。効果への疑問
  • "civic education" 「市民教育」。代替案の提示
Q2 Is it important to preserve traditional culture?
Basic

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Is preservation important? (YES)
  • Reason 1: What do we learn from tradition? (history, identity)
  • Reason 2: What happens if we lose it? (cultural diversity)
  • Conclusion: Why protect tradition?
Key vocab: cultural identity history diversity future generations
Model Answer

"Yes, it's very important to preserve traditional culture. It helps us understand our history and maintains our cultural identity. Moreover, preserving traditions protects cultural diversity for future generations. So we have a responsibility to keep our cultural heritage alive."

Director's Notes

  • "understand our history" 「歴史を理解する」。過去とのつながり
  • "cultural identity" 「文化的アイデンティティ」。自己認識
  • "cultural diversity" 「文化的多様性」。世界の豊かさ
  • "future generations" 「将来の世代」。長期的視点
  • "cultural heritage" 「文化遺産」。受け継ぐべきもの
Economy — 2 Questions
Q1 Should rich people pay higher taxes?
Intermediate

Consider Both Sides

  • Why is it fair? (progressive taxation)
  • How does it help society? (fund public services)
  • 結論: Social responsibility?
  • What's the risk? (discourage success)
  • What about economic growth? (investment, jobs)
  • 結論: Better alternatives?
Key vocab: progressive taxation fund public services discourage success economic growth
Yes

"Yes, I believe rich people should pay higher taxes. Progressive taxation is fair because those who earn more can afford to contribute more. Furthermore, higher taxes on the wealthy fund important public services. So this approach reduces inequality and benefits society."

Director's Notes

  • "progressive taxation" 「累進課税」。所得に応じた課税
  • "can afford to" 「〜する余裕がある」。能力に基づく
  • "fund public services" 「公共サービスに資金を提供する」
  • "reduces inequality" 「不平等を減らす」。社会的公正
No

"I don't think rich people should pay much higher taxes. This might discourage people from working hard and achieving success. Additionally, wealthy individuals create jobs and drive economic growth. So moderate taxation is better for the economy."

Director's Notes

  • "discourage...from" 「〜することを思いとどまらせる」
  • "achieving success" 「成功を収める」。成功への動機
  • "create jobs" 「雇用を創出する」。経済的貢献
  • "drive economic growth" 「経済成長を推進する」
  • "moderate taxation" 「適度な課税」。バランスの取れた提案
Q2 Is globalization good for developing countries?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • What economic opportunities? (foreign investment, jobs)
  • What access do they gain? (technology, markets)
  • 結論: Overall benefit?
  • What gets exploited? (resources, labor)
  • What's lost? (local businesses, culture)
  • 結論: Who really benefits?
Key vocab: foreign investment access to markets exploitation local businesses inequality
Yes

"Yes, I think globalization benefits developing countries. It attracts foreign investment and creates job opportunities. Moreover, it gives these countries access to advanced technology and global markets. So globalization helps developing nations grow economically."

Director's Notes

  • "attracts foreign investment" 「外国投資を引き付ける」。資本の流入
  • "job opportunities" 「雇用機会」。雇用創出
  • "access to advanced technology" 「先進技術へのアクセス」
  • "global markets" 「グローバル市場」。輸出機会
No

"I don't think globalization truly benefits developing countries. Large corporations often exploit cheap labor and natural resources. Furthermore, local businesses cannot compete with international companies. So globalization increases inequality rather than reducing it."

Director's Notes

  • "exploit" 「搾取する」。不公平な利用
  • "cheap labor" 「安い労働力」。低賃金問題
  • "natural resources" 「天然資源」。資源の搾取
  • "cannot compete" 「競争できない」。不平等な競争
  • "increases inequality" 「不平等を増やす」。格差拡大