レッスンを予約する
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。
Prayers, robots and global festivals welcome the Year of the Horse
Traditional prayers, fireworks and fairs marked the Lunar New Year on February 17, alongside 21st-century humanoid robots. The celebrations welcomed the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, after the Year of the Snake.
In Beijing, thousands of people crowded into the former Temple of Earth to shop at stalls selling snacks, toys and small gifts. Sun Jing, who brought her parents to the capital for the holiday, said the feeling was lively again, like when she was a child. Many others visited well-known temples to burn incense and pray for happiness and success.
China also celebrated with the CCTV Spring Festival gala on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics performed martial arts with children and even held swords. The show reflected China’s effort to build more advanced robots using stronger AI. Some viewers mentioned the robots were inspiring, but Li Bo said they reduced the New Year mood.
Elsewhere, people lined up at midnight at a Hong Kong temple to make wishes with incense. Vietnam welcomed Tet with outdoor countdown events and fireworks. Lunar New Year events also took place in Moscow, Taipei, Buenos Aires and New York City’s Chinatown, where a firecracker ceremony ended with loud explosions to chase away bad spirits.
(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。
humanoid
人間の形をした
looking or acting like a human
The company introduced a humanoid robot that can walk and talk.
その会社は歩いたり話したりできる人間の形をしたロボットを紹介しました。
zodiac
十二支
a circle of twelve divisions of the year, showing the position of the sun, moon and planets; each division is represented by a name and symbol
In the Chinese zodiac, each year is linked to an animal.
中国の十二支では、毎年が動物に結び付けられています。
incense
香
a substance that produces a strong pleasant smell when it is burned, often used in religious ceremonies
They burned incense during the traditional ceremony.
彼らは伝統的な式で香をたきました。
reflect
反映する
to show, express, or be a sign of something
His speech reflects his strong belief in education.
彼のスピーチは教育に対する強い信念を反映しています。
chase away
〜を追い払う
to make someone or something go away by scaring them
They waved their hands to chase away the flies.
彼らはハエを追い払うために手を振りました。
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。
What did people do at temples during the Lunar New Year in Beijing?
What special performance appeared in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala?
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。
Do you usually celebrate the New Year with your family or friends? What do you like to do?
Have you ever joined a traditional festival in your country? What was the most memorable part?
How do you feel about using modern technology, like robots, in traditional festivals?
Do people in your country make wishes for the New Year? What kind of wishes do you usually make?
Why do you think Lunar New Year is celebrated in many different countries, and what do you think is advantage of learning about other cultures through traditional festivals like Lunar New Year?