スティーブ・ジョブスのスピーチから学ぶ、英語スピーチのセブンルール
Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Addressをご存知でしょうか。Appleの創業者であるスティーブ・ジョブスの、スタンフォード大学の卒業生に向けたスピーチです。とても有名なスピーチなので、見たことがある方も多いと思います。私はこのスピーチがとても好きで、1ヶ月に1回くらいは見返しています。今回は、この有名なスピーチから、日々の会話から公式なスピーチまで、英語スピーチのゴールデンルールを学びたいと思います。
1. 最初に何の話をするのか伝える
Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.
今日何の話をするのかをわかってもらうために、簡単に今日の話の内容を言います。これを先に言っておくことで、そのあとの話が記憶に残りやすくなる効果があります*。スティーブ・ジョブスのスピーチでは、three stories from my lifeと言っています。話の内容と今日の話のポイントがいくつあるのか、両方簡潔に言っていて、わかりやすいイントロです。とはいえ、これは人生明らかにいろいろありすぎるスティーブ・ジョブスだからこその、この一言で興味をひけるイントロで、私にはまねできない…。
*この効果の出典を探しましたが見つけられませんでした
2. 結論＆サマリーファースト
The first story is about connecting the dots.
My second story is about love and loss.
My third story is about death.
パラグラフの最初にも、そのパラグラフのイントロがあり、パラグラフの内容を簡単にまとめて言っています。これもひとつ前のルールと同じで、これから何の話をするのか、オーディエンスに先に知ってもらうことが目的です。
このスピーチでは、サマリーは全て同じフォーマットになっていて、そこから違うパラグラフが始まることがわかりやすくなっています。表現はかなりキャッチーですが、2つめはlove & loss、3つめはdeath、と次々にインパクトのある話になっていき、引き込まれる構成です。
3. あなたが誰なのかを話す
It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption.
自分が何者で、どこから来たのか、何をしているのか、日本だとあまり突っ込んで話すことはないように思いますが、海外の人には説明が必要な機会が多いです。日本人にとっては当たり前のことも、知られていなかったりします。東京以外の都市の名前はほぼ知られていないので、たとえば京都出身であれば、Kyoto is located in western part of Japan. The city was old capital for 1000 years… のように、背景やコンテクストを説明します。
スティーブ・ジョブスのスピーチでは、生まれる前のストーリーから始まり、養子になった経緯まで、突っ込んだ内容に触れています。自分自身のアイデンティティと大学とのつながりを生まれる前からの宿命と位置付け、その宿命を自分の意思で破る、という、とても印象的なストーリーです。
4. 感情を話す
I didn’t have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends’ rooms, I returned Coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it.
自分がそのときどのように感じたのか、感情や気持ちを話します。とくに、困惑や嬉しかったことなど、強い感情を感じた場面でそれを言います。この表現を入れるとよいということは、最近、英語で話すムービーを撮る機会があり、そのスピーチの練習をしていたときに、アメリカに長くいた人に指摘されました。たしかにスティーブ・ジョブスも言ってる…。最後のI loved it.から、本当に毎週日曜日の夜のディナーを楽しみにしていたことが伝わります。
どのタイミングでこの表現があるとよいのかは、指摘した人も説明できないそうです。もし、スピーチを習ったことがあり、どういうタイミングで、なぜこの表現を入れるのがよいのか説明できる方、教えてください。
5. 具体例を細かく話す
I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery.
自分がしたことを時系列で話し、決定的な瞬間は、その1分間に何が起きたのか、誰が何を言ったのか、という粒度でクローズアップします。
この、瞬間にフォーカスする、という手法は書く文章でもよく使われます。必ずしも事実通りではなくてもよいようです。ある文章を書くとき、その瞬間に何が起きたかまではわからないんだけど、どうしたらいい？という相談をしたら、事実を大きく曲げない範囲で創作してもいいと思う。とアドバイスされたことがあります。
このスピーチの中で印象的なのは、がんの検査を行い、治療不可能だと思われていたがんが、治療できるとわかった瞬間を描いた上の一文です。死に直面していたスティーブ・ジョブスの運命が転換する一瞬を切り取っています。
6. あなたにしか話せない話をする
This was the closest I’ve been to facing death, and I hope it’s the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept: No one wants to die.
その人にしか話せない話をすることに価値があります。自分のバックグラウンド、自分だけがした経験、そこからの学び、など、誰にも話せない話を見つけ出します。自分にとっては当たり前だと思うことが、多様な人の中に入ると、他の人にとっては当たり前ではなくなります。自分にとって当たり前のことが、当たり前ではなく、言葉にすることに意味があると気づくことが大事なように思います。
また、このスピーチは、ディープシェアリングといわれる、普段自分が絶対に話さないことを、大切な人に共有することに近い内容を含んでいると思います。これは心理的安全性が確保されていて、心理的距離が近くないとできないことで、スティーブ・ジョブスとの心の距離が近くなったような気持ちになる効果があるように思います。
7. 結論＆サマリーエンド
Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
全体を通してもっとも言いたいことを最後に言います。
この言葉は1970年代に発行されたThe Whole Earth Catalogからの抜粋で、とても印象的な言葉です。
このように見ていくと、伝わる英語を話すためには、表現も大切ですが、構成も大事な要素だと感じます。ノンネイティブは洗練された表現ではなかなか勝てないので、構成の部分で通じるように工夫したいところです。
元の動画とテキストはこちらからどうぞ。
TOEFL参考書＆サービスおすすめ一覧（初めての受験から105点overまで）
このブログ内で紹介している、私が使った参考書とサービスの一覧です。
全体
過去問集
とりあえず過去問がないことには始まらないので
リンク
リンク
リンク
単語
iKnow!
TOEFL単語向けのセットをダウンロードして使う用
Quizlet
iKnow!の単語セット以外の単語を記憶する用
リーディング
TOEFLテスト完全攻略リーディング
リンク
こちらの記事で私の使い方を書きました。間違いなく、初めてTOEFLを受ける人に何したらいい？と聞かれたら絶対におすすめします。
リーディングの独学方法とアルクの参考書がおすすめな理由！ - TOEFL105点を超える勉強法
リスニング
TOEFLテスト完全攻略リスニング
リンク
こちらの記事で私の使い方を書きました。これも間違いなくTOEFLを初めて受ける人がいたら、絶対におすすめする参考書。アルクへのロイヤリティ高すぎ。。
リスニングの独学方法と（また）アルクの参考書がおすすめな理由！ - TOEFL105点を超える勉強法
TOEFL101
http://www.english-test.net/toefl/listening/
この記事で取り上げました。全ての問題にスクリプトがついているところが素晴らしい。このサイトだけで2.5周くらい解きました。
リスニング＆リーディング力も一段引き上げるディクテーション - TOEFL105点を超える勉強法
スピーキング
TOEFL iBTテスト必修フレーズ100
リンク
青谷先生のスピーキングスクリプト
http://aoitani.net/TOEFL_Speech/README.doc
上記2つは以下の記事で取り上げています。
良い文章は、探してパクる！サンプル回答を集めるための参考書・Webサイト - TOEFL105点を超える勉強法
TOEFL185のエッセイトピック
上記はこちらの記事で取り上げました。
私はスピーキング・ライティングの一番効率がいい練習方法は出そうなトピックをできるだけ広くカバーしてアイデア出し＆英文を考えておくことだと思うので、答え方の基本がわかったあとは、コースをとって添削してもらうとか、オンライン英会話に行くよりは、ネタ出しに行く方がいいのではと思います。なので、スピーキングで一番おすすめの参考書は？とか、サービスは？というのがあまりないです。
Independentの昔の課題の出題傾向を分析する - TOEFL105点を超える勉強法
あと、私はAgosのSpeaking Foundationコースも取りました。
TOEFL(R)TESTクラス：TOEFL(R)TEST R/L Strategy Standard｜アゴス・ジャパン
先生に質問できたのはよかったし、TOEFLの受験情報を得たりもできたのでそれは良かったのですが、得点を上げるにはこのコースだけでは足りなかったです。
ライティング
WebTOEFL
ライティングで何が一番おすすめ？と聞かれたら、私は間違いなくWeb TOEFLをおすすめします。添削を受けることで方向性を確認できますし、例文集もかなり使えますし、価格も比較的良心的です。まずこのコースをとり、必要に応じて練習問題を追加購入するのがよいと思います。
Hacker's TOEFL Actual Test Writing
リンク
How to Prepare for the TOEFL Essay
リンク
上記は以下の記事で取り上げました。
単語帳ではカバーしきれない単語の覚え方
ある程度単語帳をやっていくと、単語帳の単語は大体覚えたけど、まだ結構わからない単語がある…という状況になることがあると思います。
そんなとき、私はQuizletで単語帳を新しく作っていました。
QuizletはWeb上で単語の管理ができ、アプリで単語帳機能を使うことができるサービスです。
スワイプでわかる単語かわからない単語か瞬時に分けられて、わからない単語だけを出題してくれます。
こちらの記事で紹介したiknow!のスピードテストと同じことができるところがおすすめです。
おすすめの使い方
毎日読むWebサイトや、リーティングの過去問から、わからなかった単語を拾って、英語の単語と日本語のリストを作り、Quizletに登録します。登録するデータのフォーマットは選べるのですが、私はiPhoneのメモ帳でリストを作っておき、パソコンから一括登録していました。
今見るとほんとマニアックな単語しか書いてないしほとんど忘れている…
「用語と定義のあいだ」をカンマ、「カードのあいだ」を改行に設定してアップロードすると上の形式のリストで登録できます。
テスト対策としては、単語はたくさん覚えている方が絶対的に有利ですし、理解のスピードが一段速くなるので、特にテスト後に文章をたくさん読む予定がある方は、これやっておくと後が本当に楽になります。
私はこのやり方が一番手間がかからないと思いますが、それでも単語を拾い出して意味を調べてリストを作るのは面倒なので、何度かわからなくて困った単語に遭遇したらリストに入れるくらいでよいと思います！
Have a good weekend...
#cat #cats #CatsOfTwitter #dog #dogs #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/MPwRxaziN3
— funny cats (@funnycat96) September 10, 2019
良い文章は、探してパクる！サンプル回答を集めるための参考書・Webサイト
スピーキング・ライティングのIndependent対策の続きです。
今日は、話せる・書けるようになるには、良い文章を探してパクれ！という話です。
ここまでのまとめ：スピーキングとライティングのIndependent対策は、事前にネタ出しを英語でしておいて、英文ごと暗記しておくのがよかったという話でした。
とはいえ、
- 自分で辞書を引きながら英作文をするのは面倒だし間違いやすい
- そもそもどんな内容を入れたらいいのかわからない
という問題もあり、私はサンプル回答をよく集めていました。自分ではどうしても書く切り口がわからないときは、ひとまず何も考えずサンプル回答を覚えてしまうのもひとつの手だと思います。
ここでは集めるために使ったサイトや参考書を紹介します。
役に立つ例文集：スピーキング
まず、スピーキングで何を話したらいいのかわからない、というときのための例文集です。
京大：青谷先生のスピーキングスクリプト
http://aoitani.net/TOEFL_Speech/README.doc
TOEFL満点ホルダー青谷先生のスピーキングスクリプト。これだけ話せれば満点が取れるのか…という衝撃を受ける内容。もはやテンプレートは関係ない世界で、常人が真似できる内容ではありませんが、絶対的満点事例として見るべき内容。
TOEFL iBTテスト必修フレーズ100
この内容何て言ったらいいんだろう？というとき向け。私は辞書がわりに、言いたい内容に当てはまる例文を探すために使っていました。できるだけ文法のミスをしたくないので、そのまま抜き出して当てはめて話すと便利です。
リンク
役に立つ例文集：ライティング
ライティングはWebTOEFLのコースを取るとかなりのボリュームの例文集が手に入りますが、他にも参考書を見たいときのために、私が使った参考書を紹介します。
Hacker's TOEFL Actual Test Writing
個人的にはすごくおすすめです。韓国語書籍ですが、英文の例文を見るだけなら問題ないので書いました。例題と参考回答がセットで載っていて、過去問と合わせてこちらも解くとカバーできるトピックが増えてとてもいいです。例題と参考回答の数が多く、参考回答も高得点を狙えるような分量があるので、良い回答のイメージをつかみやすい参考書です。新品でなくてもよし。
リンク
How to Prepare for the TOEFL Essay
185トピック全部のサンプル回答が載っている本。どうしても答えが思いつかない問題への解答の切り口を見るために書いました。新しいバージョンも出ていますが、古本の安く手に入るバージョンで十分では、、と思います。すべての回答が満点を取れる模範回答ではないような気がするので（あくまで個人の感想です）、参考程度に見る感じです。こちらも古いバージョンで十分です。
リンク
考えてみると、自分で自由に英作文をする課題をほとんど解いたことがなかったので、サンプル回答をたくさん見るのは、どういうことを話したり書けばいいのかをまず理解する入り口としてよかったです。サンプル回答を真似することは上達への近道だと思うので、良い回答を見つけたら迷わずにその回答を真似しましょう。
iOS13でWeb記事を英語で読み上げる設定
iOS13でSafariで記事を英語で読み上げる設定方法について、書かれている記事があまりないみたいなので、補足。
後のSafariの設定を忘れると事故が起きます。
アクセシビリティの設定
設定＞アクセシビリティ＞読み上げコンテンツ
と進み、「選択項目の読み上げ」と「画面の読み上げ」をOnに。
声の設定から好きな声を選べます。私はSiri（男性）にしていますが、お好みでどうぞ（リスニングスキル強化なら、聞き取りづらい、低めの男性の声がおすすめです）
Safariの設定
こちらを設定してないと、英語で読み上げてくれないようです。
設定＞Safari
と進み、言語を「英語」に。
この設定を日本語にしたまま読み上げたときの結果は、、試してみてください。
この設定を使ってディクテーションをする方法はこちらから。
カテゴリー別Independent Topics
元のデータはこちらからいただいています。
https://forum.english.best/t/185-toefl-essay-topics/16278
TOEFL公式情報ではない点、ご了承ください。
また、カテゴリーはブログの筆者が独自に分類したものです。
ナンバーは元のデータのナンバーをそのまま利用しています。
このカテゴリーの使い方については、こちらの記事を参照ください。
|
Category |
No. | Question |
| Advertising | 82 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Advertising can tell you a lot about a country. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 145 | Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| Business | 58 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do anything they can to make a profit. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. |
| Celebrity | 28 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television, newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention to the personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities. Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion. |
| 79 | Your city has decided to build a statue or monument to honor a famous person in your country. Who would you choose? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice. | |
| 90 | If you could meet a famous entertainer or athlete, who would that be, and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 91 | If you could ask a famous person one question, what would you ask? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 158 | When famous people such as actors, athletes and rock stars give their opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay attention to these opinions? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| Children | 20 | It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay. |
| 76 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. | |
| 112 | Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why? | |
| 130 | Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 133 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person’s childhood years (the time from birth to twelve years of age) are the most important years of a person’s life. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 134 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should be required to help with household tasks as soon as they are able to do so. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 142 | A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child’s development. What gift would you give to help a child develop? Why? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice. | |
| 143 | Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 150 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Watching television is bad for children. Use specific details and examples to support your answer. | |
| 166 | People recognize a difference between children and adults. What events (experiences or ceremonies) make a person an adult? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. | |
| Communication | 49 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, email, or telephone calls. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. |
| 88 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Telephones and email have made communication between people less personal. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| Community | 5 | A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position. |
| 6 | If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. | |
| 15 | Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer. | |
| 16 | It has recently been announced that a new restaurant may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 25 | It has recently been announced that a large shopping center may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 26 | It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 154 | In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position. | |
| 165 | You have decided to give several hours of your time each month to improve the community where you live. What is one thing you will do to improve your community? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. | |
| Culture | 94 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Dancing plays an important role in a culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 104 | It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by your society? Give specific reasons to support your answer. | |
| Decision | 55 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person should never make an important decision alone. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 61 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18 year-old) teenage children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 120 | Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after careful thought. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The decisions that people make quickly are always wrong. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion. | |
| Education | 4 | It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why? |
| 17 | Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay. | |
| 39 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 42 | What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 69 | If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, what would you choose? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details. | |
| 72 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Grades (marks) encourage students to learn. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 116 | People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing things; other people learn by reading about things; others learn by listening to people talk about things. Which of these methods of learning is best for you? Use specific examples to support your choice. | |
| 124 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 126 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? There is nothing that young people can teach older people. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. | |
| 153 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A zoo has no useful purpose. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. | |
| 163 | Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 175 | Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the talking) in class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some of the talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 183 | Films can tell us a lot about the country where they were made. What have you learned about a country from watching its movies? Use specific examples and details to support your response. | |
| 184 | Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study with a group of students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| Entertainment | 7 | How do movies or television influence people’s behavior? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. |
| 8 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has destroyed communication among friends and family. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 35 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Attending a live performance (for example, a play, concert, or sporting event) is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 57 | Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 60 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Games are as important for adults as they are for children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 123 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts. Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion. | |
| 127 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Reading fiction (such as novels and short stories) is more enjoyable than watching movies. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position. | |
| 136 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Playing a game is fun only when you win. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 180 | Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. | |
| Environment | 29 | Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 41 | Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 56 | A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 65 | Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy them and replace them with modern buildings? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 152 | Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| Family | 2 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| Food | 3 | Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 13 | Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| Friend | 62 | What do you want most in a friend — someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable? Which one of these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice. |
| 111 | Some people prefer to spend time with one or two close friends. Others choose to spend time with a large number of friends. Compare the advantages of each choice. Which of these two ways of spending time do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your answer. | |
| 114 | Some people think that the family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to support your position. | |
| 117 | Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why? | |
| 173 | It is sometimes said that borrowing money from a friend can harm or damage the friendship. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer. | |
| History | 38 | Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 86 | If you could go back to some time and place in the past, when and where would you go? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 87 | What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial for people in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 89 | If you could travel back in time to meet a famous person from history, what person would you like to meet? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 159 | The twentieth century saw great change. In your opinion, what is one change that should be remembered about the twentieth century? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. | |
| 174 | Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents’ generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. | |
| Imagination | 132 | If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Use specific details to explain why this invention is needed. |
| 149 | Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land? Use specific details to explain your answer. | |
| 171 | Imagine that you are preparing for a trip. You plan to be away from your home for a year. In addition to clothing and personal care items, you can take one additional thing. What would you take and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 176 | Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 178 | The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think this new century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer. | |
| Japan | 80 | Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples. |
| 85 | A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 98 | If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. | |
| 151 | What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer. | |
| 155 | Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. What is one kind of plant that is important to you or the people in your country? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. | |
| 181 | In your country, is there more need for land to be left in its natural condition or is there more need for land to be developed for housing and industry? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| Life | 9 | Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. |
| 21 | In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay. | |
| 24 | A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay. | |
| 31 | Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community, or even climate. Which do you prefer staying in one place or moving in search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion. | |
| 45 | Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day’s work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 52 | What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 59 | Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 63 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. Use reasons and specific examples to support our answer. | |
| 92 | Some people prefer to live in places that have the same weather or climate all year long. Others like to live in areas where the weather changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 96 | People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer. | |
| 108 | Some people believe that the best way of learning about life is by listening to the advice of family and friends. Other people believe that the best way of learning about life is through personal experience. Compare the advantages of these two different ways of learning about life. Which do you think is preferable? Use specific examples to support your preference. | |
| 109 | When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country. Others prefer to keep their own customs. Compare these two choices. Which one do you prefer? Support your answer with specific details. | |
| 110 | Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons to support your answer. | |
| 115 | Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Compare the benefits of planning free-time activities with the benefits of not making plans. Which do you prefer — planning or not planning for your leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice. | |
| 118 | Some people enjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences. Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do not change their usual habits. Compare these two approaches to life. Which approach do you prefer? Explain why. | |
| 119 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People behave differently when they wear different clothes. Do you agree that different clothes influence the way people behave? Use specific examples to support your answer. | |
| 144 | Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 146 | Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people prefer to spend their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be outside or would you prefer to be inside for your leisure activities? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice. | |
| 148 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Playing games teaches us about life. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 164 | People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for good health? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 182 | Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| Money | 19 | Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay. |
| 32 | Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 95 | Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 100 | Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 131 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only people who earn a lot of money are successful. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 162 | Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 177 | A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either: *to go on vacation; *to buy a car. Your friend has asked you for advice. Compare your friend’s two choices and explain which one you think your friend should choose. Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 185 | You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice. | |
| Quality | 27 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 40 | The expression “Never, never give up” means to keep trying and never stop working for your goals. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 46 | What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 54 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 103 | In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your experience to explain your answer. When you write your answer, you are not limited to the examples listed in the question. | |
| 121 | Some people trust their first impressions about a person’s character because they believe these judgments are generally correct. Other people do not judge a person’s character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong. Compare these two attitudes. Which attitude do you agree with? Support your choice with specific examples. | |
| 122 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different. Use specific reasons to support your answer. | |
| 138 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 179 | What are some of the qualities of a good parent? Use specific details and examples to explain your answer. | |
| School | 1 | People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge). Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 11 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount of money to their students’ sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 14 | Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer. | |
| 30 | It has recently been announced that a new high school may be built in your community. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details in your answer. | |
| 66 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 68 | Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 75 | Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 77 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 93 | Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important. | |
| 97 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 99 | You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer. | |
| 102 | Schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 105 | Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They may choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in apartments in the community. Compare the advantages of living in university housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the community. Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your preference. | |
| 107 | Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with? Explain why. | |
| 113 | The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion. | |
| 125 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All students should be required to study art and music in secondary school. Use specific reasons to support your answer. | |
| 128 | Some people say that physical exercise should be a required part of every school day. Other people believe that students should spend the whole school day on academic studies. Which opinion do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 129 | A university plans to develop a new research center in your country. Some people want a center for business research. Other people want a center for research in agriculture (farming). Which of these two kinds of research centers do you recommend for your country? Use specific reasons in your recommendation. | |
| 135 | Some high schools require all students to wear school uniforms. Other high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of these two school policies do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 137 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? High schools should allow students to study the courses that students want to study. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 141 | If you could make one important change in a school that you attended, what change would you make? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. | |
| 147 | Your school has received a gift of money. What do you think is the best way for your school to spend this money? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 157 | In the future, students may have the choice of studying at home by using technology such as computers or television or of studying at traditional schools. Which would you prefer? Use reasons and specific details to explain your choice. | |
| 167 | Your school has enough money to purchase either computers for students or books for the library. Which should your school choose to buy — computers or books? Use specific reasons and examples to support your recommendation. | |
| 168 | Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer. | |
| 172 | When students move to a new school, they sometimes face problems. How can schools help these students with their problems? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. | |
| Technology | 36 | Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you think it has changed people’s lives. *automobiles; *bicycles; *airplanes. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 70 | Some people think that the automobile has improved modern life. Others think that the automobile has caused serious problems. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 73 | Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 81 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has made the world a better place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 83 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Modern technology is creating a single world culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 84 | Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 140 | Some items (such as clothes or furniture) can be made by hand or by machine. Which do you prefer — items made by hand or items made by machine? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice. | |
| Travel | 12 | Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 44 | Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 74 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The best way to travel is in a group led by a tour guide. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 106 | You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your choice. | |
| 156 | You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. | |
| Value | 37 | Do you agree or disagree that progress is always good? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| 43 | Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 50 | Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 51 | Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 139 | What do you consider to be the most important room in a house? Why is this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. | |
| 160 | When people need to complain about a product or poor service, some prefer to complain in writing and others prefer to complain in person. Which way do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 161 | People remember special gifts or presents that they have received. Why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 169 | People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music important to many people? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. | |
| 170 | Groups or organizations are an important part of some people’s lives. Why are groups or organizations important to people? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. | |
| Work | 10 | “When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success.” Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position. |
| 18 | What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important. | |
| 22 | We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important. | |
| 23 | In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details. | |
| 33 | You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 34 | Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 47 | Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. | |
| 48 | People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support your answer. | |
| 53 | Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. | |
| 64 | Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business. Others prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for someone else, or own a business? Use specific reasons to explain your choice. | |
| 67 | If you were an employer, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire an inexperienced worker at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a higher salary? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. | |
| 71 | Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details. | |
| 78 | Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. | |
| 101 | Some people like doing work by hand. Others prefer using machines. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
Independentの昔の課題の出題傾向を分析する
スピーキング・ライティングのIndependent対策の続きです。
スピーキングとライティングのIndependent対策はネタ出しと暗記をする、と以前の記事で書きました。
ただ、過去問集だけだと全て集めても10問ほどしかなく、出題されるテーマ全ては網羅しておらず、問題の数が少なすぎるという問題があります。
追加トピック
そこで、こちらのエッセイトピックを追加の問題として利用します。
TOEFL185のエッセイトピック
https://forum.english.best/t/185-toefl-essay-topics/16278
これはTOEFLが紙の試験だった頃に公開されていた問題で、当時は出題はこの185題に限られていたようです。もうTOEFLの公式サイトには掲載されておらず、転載されたものしか残っていません。Independentのエッセイトピックばかり集めたもので、ライティングのトピックですがスピーキング対策としても使えます。このトピック集を使って、スピーキングもライティングもネタ出しを進め、できるだけ幅広いトピックに対応できるようにしましょう。
トピックを分析してみた
とはいえ、185トピック全部をやるのはちょっと大変すぎると思うんです。
そこで、出題内容の傾向を分析してみました。似たようなトピックも含まれているため、重複を防いで効率的に対策したいですし、出題頻度は本番と同じとは言い切れませんが、このトピック内で出題頻度の高いものは本番でも出題頻度が高いと仮定してもよいと思います。
そこで、それぞれのトピックに独自にカテゴリーをつけて分析をしてみたところ、以下のような内容になりました。どの問題をどのカテゴリーに入れたかはこちらの記事を見てください。
少しカテゴリーが広いですが、School、Life、Education、Workなどの出題頻度が高そうです。このカテゴリーの中には重複がありそうなので、内容をざっと見てから取り組むトピックを決めていくとよさそうです。
あらためて、別の記事で重複を見ていきたいと思います。
