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自動化と仕事についての論述エッセイ
名前:日付:
ぼかし表現、譲歩、明確な論の流れを使って、対立する見方をバランスよく比較する論述エッセイを書きます。
Automation and the meaning of work
It is often assumed that the spread of automation will leave people with more leisure and, consequently, greater well-being. Whether this is so depends largely on what we expect work to provide.
Admittedly, the case for automation is strong. Machines already perform repetitive and hazardous tasks more safely and more consistently than people, and few would argue that anyone is worse off for no longer sorting parcels by hand. Were such tasks to disappear altogether, workers could, in principle, devote their time to activities that demand judgement, imagination and care.
Nevertheless, this optimistic view overlooks the fact that employment offers far more than income. For many people it supplies structure, a sense of competence and a network of colleagues, none of which is easily replaced by leisure. Indeed, research into long-term unemployment suggests that losing these benefits can be as damaging as losing the wages themselves. Not only does automation threaten particular jobs, but it may also erode the routines that give daily life its shape, and it is by no means clear that people will fill the gap with activities of equal value.
A more balanced position is therefore called for. Rather than resisting technology, societies might invest in retraining and in shorter working weeks, so that the gains are shared rather than concentrated in a few hands. It is also worth noting that the occupations most resistant to automation, such as teaching and nursing, tend to be those in which human relationships matter most, which hints at where future effort could usefully be directed.
In conclusion, automation is neither a threat nor a cure in itself. Its effect on well-being will depend on whether we are prepared to redefine work, and not merely to reduce it.
最適な選択肢を選ぼう
フォーマルな論述エッセイで最も適切な選択肢を選びましょう。
- Which sentence is most suitably hedged for an academic essay?
- ___ such tasks to disappear, workers could focus on more creative activities.
- ___ the benefits are considerable, they are unevenly shared.
- Which sentence best opens a paragraph that challenges the previous one?
- Not only ___ threaten particular jobs, but it also changes daily routines.
- Which phrase best introduces a final paragraph that weighs the arguments?
- Which sentence avoids an unsupported generalisation?
エッセイの表現を完成させる
各文を完成させる語を1語入力しましょう。
- It is widely ___ (assume) that automation will give people more free time.
- ___ from income, work gives many people a sense of competence.
- This view overlooks ___ fact that work gives life structure.
- Societies might invest in retraining, ___ that the gains are shared more widely.
- Automation is neither a threat ___ a cure in itself.
- Jobs that rely on empathy are, on the ___, harder to automate.
- Whether wages will rise remains ___ be seen.
ライティング課題
在宅勤務は都市の中心部の社会における重要性を下げる、と主張する人がいます。この見方の両側面を論じる論述エッセイを書き、自分の結論も述べましょう。
220〜280語
文章を確認する
- 導入で、論点と自分の論の方向を述べた。
- 各本文の段落は、1つの主要な考えを展開している。
- 反対意見の少なくとも1点を認めた。
- 主張をぼかした（may、tends to、it seems likely）。
- つなぎ言葉を使って、対比、追加、結果を示した。
- 結論では、議論を繰り返すのではなく、比較して判断している。
解答
最適な選択肢を選ぼう
- c) Automation may well reduce demand for certain kinds of routine work.May well reduce は、控えめで慎重な主張です。他の文は一般化しすぎています。
- b) WereWere ... to disappear は、仮定の状況を表す倒置の条件文（If such tasks were to disappear）です。Should は原形を取る必要があります（Should such tasks disappear）し、Did はここでは to と一緒に倒置できません。
- c) AlthoughAlthough は節を導きます。Despite は名詞または -ing 形が必要で、Nevertheless は別の文を始めます。
- a) Nevertheless, this optimistic view overlooks the importance of routine.Nevertheless は対比を示し、overlooks は考えを控えめに批判する言い方です。
- c) does automation節の先頭の Not only の後では、主語と助動詞を倒置します：does automation threaten。
- b) On balance,On balance は、両方の側を比べた後の判断を示します。他は論点を加えたり例示したりします。
- c) Some commentators argue that automation may widen inequality.Some commentators argue は主張の出どころを示し、may は主張を和らげます。他の文は断定的です。
エッセイの表現を完成させる
- assumedIt is widely assumed（または believed, thought, expected）that ... は、考えを自分のものとして示さずに提示する、典型的な客観的な書き出しです。受動態には過去分詞が必要なので assumed です。
- Aside / ApartAside from と Apart from はどちらも「〜に加えて」という意味です。
- the事実が具体的で特定されたものであるときは、the fact that ... と言います。
- soSo that は目的を表す節を導きます。
- norNeither は nor と組み合わせます（or ではありません）。
- wholeOn the whole は「全体的に」という意味の、ぼかしの表現です。
- toIt remains to be seen は、結果がまだわからないという意味の決まり文句です。
解答例
It is frequently suggested that the growth of remote work will diminish the role of city centres. Whether this proves true depends on what we think centres are for.
Admittedly, the evidence is suggestive. Offices that emptied when remote work became widespread have not always refilled, and shops that relied on commuters have struggled. Rents in some business districts have already fallen, which encourages owners to look for alternative uses. Were this pattern to continue, some districts might well become redundant.
However, this argument assumes that centres exist chiefly to house workplaces. In reality they also provide theatres, markets, libraries and meeting places, none of which is easily replicated at a kitchen table. Moreover, many employees report that working alone for long periods leaves them isolated, which suggests that the appeal of shared urban space may actually increase.
It is also worth remembering that cities have adapted before. When factories moved out, former industrial districts were converted into homes and studios, and the centres that survived were those that offered something people could not find elsewhere.
On balance, remote work is likely to change the character of city centres rather than end their importance. The challenge for planners will be to encourage a richer mix of uses, so that centres attract people for reasons other than their jobs. If that succeeds, the city centre of the future may be busier at weekends than on weekdays, and none the worse for it.