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Eiken Pre-1 Speaking Presents

Mixed Topics

Eiken Pre-1 Speaking — Part 3
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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.

I suppose...
Actually...
In my opinion...
Personally speaking...
I would argue that...
Looking at it from another angle...
Mixed A — 3 Questions
Q1 Should fast food be taxed more heavily?
Intermediate

Think About It First

  • Health problems caused by fast food?
  • How would tax help? (discourage consumption)
  • Where could tax money go? (healthcare)
  • Who would it hurt most? (low-income families)
  • Is it fair to control food choices?
  • Better alternatives? (education)
Key vocab: obesity discourage healthcare costs personal choice unfair burden
Yes

"Yes, fast food should be taxed more. It contributes to obesity and health problems. Moreover, the tax revenue could fund public healthcare. So this policy would improve public health overall."

Director's Notes

  • "contributes to" 「〜の原因となる」。因果関係
  • "tax revenue" 「税収」。集めたお金
  • "fund public healthcare" 「公的医療に資金を提供する」
No

"I don't think fast food should be taxed more. This would unfairly burden low-income families who rely on cheap food. Furthermore, people should have the freedom to choose what they eat. So education about nutrition is more effective than taxation."

Director's Notes

  • "unfairly burden" 「不当な負担をかける」
  • "rely on" 「〜に頼る」。依存する
  • "freedom to choose" 「選択する自由」
Q2 Is space exploration worth the cost?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Is it worth the money? (YES)
  • Reason 1: Scientific discoveries benefit?
  • Reason 2: Technology spinoffs? (GPS, medical tech)
  • Conclusion: Long-term value?
Key vocab: scientific advancement technological innovation long-term benefits
Model Answer

"Yes, I believe space exploration is worth the cost. It drives scientific advancement and technological innovation. Moreover, many everyday technologies like GPS came from space programs. So the long-term benefits justify the investment."

Director's Notes

  • "drives" 「推進する」。前進させる
  • "came from" 「〜から生まれた」。起源
  • "justify the investment" 「投資を正当化する」
Q3 Should animal testing for cosmetics be banned?
Intermediate

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Should it be banned? (YES)
  • Reason 1: Animal welfare concerns?
  • Reason 2: Alternative methods available?
  • Conclusion: Cosmetics aren't essential?
Key vocab: cruel alternatives exist not essential
Model Answer

"Yes, animal testing for cosmetics should be banned. It's cruel and unnecessary since alternative testing methods exist. Moreover, cosmetics are not essential products like medicine. So there's no justification for animal suffering in this case."

Director's Notes

  • "cruel and unnecessary" 「残酷で不必要」。強い否定
  • "alternative methods" 「代替方法」。他の選択肢
  • "no justification for" 「〜の正当化はない」
Mixed B — 3 Questions
Q4 Should companies adopt a four-day work week?
Intermediate

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Good idea? (YES)
  • Reason 1: Employee wellbeing?
  • Reason 2: Productivity? (studies show same output)
  • Conclusion: Win-win situation?
Key vocab: work-life balance productivity employee satisfaction
Model Answer

"Yes, I think a four-day work week is beneficial. It improves work-life balance and employee wellbeing. Furthermore, studies show that productivity doesn't decrease. So companies and employees both benefit from this arrangement."

Director's Notes

  • "beneficial" 「有益な」。プラス効果
  • "employee wellbeing" 「従業員の幸福」
  • "doesn't decrease" 「低下しない」。変わらない
Q5 Should public transportation be free?
Basic

Think About It First

  • Environmental benefits? (less cars)
  • Accessibility? (help low-income people)
  • Who pays? (taxpayers)
  • Quality concerns? (overcrowding, maintenance)
Key vocab: reduce emissions accessible taxpayer burden quality
Yes

"Yes, public transportation should be free. It would reduce car usage and emissions. Additionally, it would help low-income people access jobs and services. So free transit benefits both the environment and society."

Director's Notes

  • "reduce car usage" 「自動車の使用を減らす」
  • "emissions" 「排出物」。CO2など
  • "access jobs and services" 「仕事やサービスにアクセスする」
No

"I don't think public transportation should be free. Someone has to pay for maintenance and operations through taxes. Furthermore, free services often become overcrowded and poorly maintained. So a reasonable fare system is more sustainable."

Director's Notes

  • "maintenance and operations" 「維持管理と運営」
  • "overcrowded" 「混雑した」。人が多すぎる
  • "sustainable" 「持続可能な」。長く続けられる
Q6 Do celebrities have too much influence on young people?
Intermediate

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Too much influence? (YES)
  • Reason 1: What do young people imitate? (lifestyle, behavior)
  • Reason 2: Are celebrities good role models?
  • Conclusion: Need for balance?
Key vocab: role models impressionable unrealistic standards
Model Answer

"Yes, I think celebrities have too much influence. Young people are impressionable and often copy celebrity behavior. Moreover, celebrities promote unrealistic standards of beauty and success. So this influence can be harmful to youth development."

Director's Notes

  • "impressionable" 「影響を受けやすい」。感受性が強い
  • "copy celebrity behavior" 「有名人の行動を真似する」
  • "unrealistic standards" 「非現実的な基準」
  • "harmful to youth development" 「若者の発達に有害」
Mixed C — 2 Questions
Q7 Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
Basic

Consider Both Sides

  • Equality? (no fashion competition)
  • Focus? (less distraction)
  • Self-expression? (individuality)
  • Cost? (expensive for families)
Key vocab: equality focus on learning self-expression restrict individuality
Yes

"Yes, school uniforms should be required. They promote equality by eliminating fashion competition. Furthermore, uniforms help students focus on learning rather than appearance. So uniforms create a better learning environment."

Director's Notes

  • "promote equality" 「平等を促進する」
  • "eliminating fashion competition" 「ファッション競争をなくす」
  • "focus on learning" 「学習に集中する」
No

"I don't think uniforms should be required. Students should express their individuality through clothing. Moreover, uniforms can be expensive for families. So allowing casual clothes gives students more freedom and reduces costs."

Director's Notes

  • "express their individuality" 「個性を表現する」
  • "expensive for families" 「家族にとって高価」
  • "reduces costs" 「コストを削減する」
Q8 Should there be an age limit for social media use?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Need age limit? (YES)
  • Reason 1: Risks for young children? (cyberbullying, inappropriate content)
  • Reason 2: Mental health impact?
  • Conclusion: Protection necessary?
Key vocab: protect children cyberbullying mental health inappropriate content
Model Answer

"Yes, there should be an age limit for social media. Young children are vulnerable to cyberbullying and inappropriate content. Additionally, social media can negatively affect mental health development. So age restrictions are necessary to protect children."

Director's Notes

  • "vulnerable to" 「〜に対して脆弱」。影響を受けやすい
  • "cyberbullying" 「サイバーいじめ」。オンラインでのいじめ
  • "inappropriate content" 「不適切なコンテンツ」
  • "negatively affect" 「悪影響を与える」