Step 1
Read the Article
Read the article to understand the main idea.
記事を読んで、おおよその内容をつかみましょう。
Ichiro inducted into MLB Hall of Fame
Ichiro Suzuki attended the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony on July 27 in Cooperstown, New York. He became the first Japanese-born player to be inducted. His 18-minute acceptance speech was delivered in English and was full of humor. CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen were also chosen. Parker passed away just a month before his induction.
Ichiro made many jokes, including about a writer who didn’t vote for him to be inducted. “The offer for the writer to have dinner at my home has now expired,” he said. He also joked about his time with the Miami Marlins, saying he had never heard of them before signing.
However, his message was also serious. He spoke about how baseball taught him life lessons, professionalism, and the value of hard work. He credited his success to focusing on small details and playing his best for fans, no matter the score.
(AP)
Step 2
Check the Vocabulary and Phrases
Check the following vocabulary and phrases.
以下の単語やフレーズの発音、意味、使い方を確認しましょう。
induct
就任させる、任命する
To formally install or admit someone into a position, office, organization, or honor
He was officially inducted as the new president of the student council.
彼は正式に生徒会の新しい会長に就任しました。
acceptance speech
受賞スピーチ
A short speech given by someone after they receive an award, honor, or position, usually to thank the people who helped them and to express their feelings
The actor gave a short acceptance speech after winning the award.
その俳優は賞を受け取った後、短い受賞スピーチをしました。
expire
有効期限が切れる
(of a document, an agreement, etc.) to be no longer legally acceptable because the period of time for which it could be used has ended
My passport will expire next month, so I need to renew it soon.
私のパスポートは来月で有効期限が切れるので、早めに更新しなければなりません。
signing
契約
the act of writing your name at the end of an official document to show that you accept it
The signing of the contract will take place tomorrow afternoon.
契約の署名は明日の午後に行われます。
credit one's success to
成功の要因を~だとした
to say or believe that a person’s success happened because of something or someone
She credits her success to the support of her family.
彼女は自分の成功を家族の支えのおかげだと考えています。
Step 3
Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the article.
理解度問題に挑戦しましょう。
Why did Ichiro say, “The offer for the writer to have dinner at my home has now expired”?
What did Ichiro learn through his baseball career?
Step 4
Discussion
Share your opinions on the following questions.
以下の質問について、自分の考えを述べてみましょう。
Have you ever watched Ichiro play baseball? What do you think of him?
Have you ever watched a special sports ceremony? What was it like?
Why do you think Ichiro included jokes in his speech?
What effect can jokes have in a speech?
Have you ever learned a life lesson from a sport or hobby?