【問題文】
In some countries secondary education is conducted in separate junior and senior high schools, while in others it takes place in a single secondary school. Which system do you consider to be preferable? Write a paragraph in ENGLISH, providing specific reasons and examples in support of your answer.
■ 解答例1(一貫校を支持)
I believe a single, six-year secondary school is preferable to splitting education into separate junior and senior high schools. The most obvious advantage is continuity: students do not have to go through the stress of a second entrance examination at age fifteen, which frees up time and mental energy for deeper learning rather than short-term test preparation. In Japan, many integrated schools (chuko-ikkan-ko) design a six-year curriculum in which advanced material, such as certain math and English topics, is introduced earlier because teachers do not need to slow down for an exam in the middle. In addition, students build long-term relationships with teachers and classmates, which research suggests improves both academic performance and emotional stability during adolescence. For these reasons, I favor the single secondary school model.
■ 解答例2(分離型を支持)
In my view, separating junior and senior high schools is the better system. First, a transition point at around age fifteen gives students a natural opportunity to reassess their goals and, if necessary, change schools to better match their academic level or interests, rather than being locked into one institution for six years. Second, the entrance examination that comes with this system, while stressful, also motivates students to study seriously and provides schools with a clear benchmark for grouping students of similar ability, which can make instruction more effective. Finally, having two separate school environments allows students to experience a change of scenery and social group partway through adolescence, which can be refreshing rather than disruptive. For example, a student who struggled socially in junior high school often gets a genuine fresh start in senior high school. For these reasons, I consider the separated system preferable.
■ 覚えておきたい表現・文法
・conducted in separate A and B = AとBに分かれて行われる(setting系の問題文でよく出る言い回し)
・continuity(名詞:継続性)⇔ a fresh start(名詞句:再出発)は対義の概念としてセットで覚える
・free up time/energy for ~ = のための時間・エネルギーを確保する
・integrated school / six-year secondary school = 中高一貫校の定訳
・research suggests that ~ = 研究がを示唆している、という客観性を持たせる決まり文句
・a transition point = 転換点、区切り。教育・キャリア系のエッセイで便利
・provide A with a clear benchmark = Aに明確な基準を与える
・a change of scenery = 環境の変化、気分転換(比喩表現としてやや高度)
・partway through adolescence = 思春期の途中で(partway through ~で「~の途中で」を表す定型)
コメント