shimokawasachiko はじめに
文章をきちんと早く理解することで、要約に少しでも時間をかけられるようになります。文章を読むときは、出来るだけ読んだ順に前から理解してください。日本語は語順がめちゃくちゃでも理解できる便利な言語です（笑）。ですから、きちんとした日本語に訳する必要はありません。また、間違えた意訳をしないように直訳で構いません。
では、早速、要約問題の文章を読んでいきましょう！
要約練習
文章全体のトピックと流れを理解する
Desertification, a serious environmental issue, occurs when fertile land transforms into arid desert due to factors like prolonged droughts, deforestation, and unsustainable farming methods. Overgrazing by livestock, improper irrigation, and human activities like clearing land for settlements contribute to the problem, depleting the soil of moisture and nutrients, making it unable to support plant life.
The consequences of desertification are significant. It leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and threatens the livelihoods of communities dependent on the land for sustenance. The process exacerbates climate change, as the land loses its ability to absorb carbon.
Addressing desertification requires adopting sustainable land management practices. Communities can promote responsible water use, engage in afforestation programs to increase vegetation, and implement erosion prevention measures. Educating people about the importance of preserving the land is crucial in combating desertification. By taking these steps, we can work towards reversing the effects of desertification, fostering environmental sustainability, and ensuring the well-being of communities that rely on the land.
特に難しい単語はなかったと思いますが、もし知らない単語があればチェックしておいて下さいね。環境問題がトピックであれば出てきそうな単語のオンパレードでした。
では、もう一度一段落目を読んで内容を確認していきましょう。
Desertification, a serious environmental issue, occurs when fertile land transforms into arid desert due to factors like prolonged droughts, deforestation, and unsustainable farming methods. Overgrazing by livestock, improper irrigation, and human activities like clearing land for settlements contribute to the problem, depleting the soil of moisture and nutrients, making it unable to support plant life.
砂漠化の定義というか、意味を説明してあって、人間のさまざまな活動だけでなく自然現象も土地の砂漠化の原因になっているんですね。
人間の活動や行動の例がたくさん出ていましたね。
文章要約01と02をやってきた皆んななら、もうピンと来てるね！
もちろんです。例は省いて、ざっくりと総合的にまとめるんですよね。
The consequences of desertification are significant. It leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and threatens the livelihoods of communities dependent on the land for sustenance. The process exacerbates climate change, as the land loses its ability to absorb carbon.
二段落目は、砂漠化が引き起こす影響や問題についてです。気候変動を悪化させるとも書いてました。
Addressing desertification requires adopting sustainable land management practices. Communities can promote responsible water use, engage in afforestation programs to increase vegetation, and implement erosion prevention measures. Educating people about the importance of preserving the land is crucial in combating desertification. By taking these steps, we can work towards reversing the effects of desertification, fostering environmental sustainability, and ensuring the well-being of communities that rely on the land.
三段落目は、砂漠化を緩和する方法について書かれていました。持続可能な方法で土地を管理し、砂漠化を進めてしまう土地利用への変換をしないよう土地を保全する重要性についての教育も必要だ、って感じかな。
そうですね。
二人とも、しっかり理解できていて、もうそのまま英訳すれば要約になりそうですね。
要約を書こう
Desertification, a serious environmental issue, occurs when fertile land transforms into arid desert due to factors like prolonged droughts, deforestation, and unsustainable farming methods. Overgrazing by livestock, improper irrigation, and human activities like clearing land for settlements contribute to the problem, depleting the soil of moisture and nutrients, making it unable to support plant life.
Desertification can be caused not only by natural phenomena such as prolonged droughts but also by various anthropogenic land use, including inappropriate farming practices.
物凄い短くなってます！
自分で要約するとき、こんなに思い切っていろいろ省けるかなぁ？
日本語で内容をいってくれた通りを英語にしただけですよ。枝葉の部分を削って幹だけ残してる感じですね。これくらいバッサリいかないと、60～70字にはまとめられないです。
The consequences of desertification are significant. It leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and threatens the livelihoods of communities dependent on the land for sustenance. The process exacerbates climate change, as the land loses its ability to absorb carbon.
It can have significantly negative effects on other environmental issues and communities that rely on the land.
この要約もすごい！soil erosion も loss of biodiversity も climate change も何も言わず、ただ other environmental issues でまとめてるんですね。
それから、The consequences や leads to, threatens の部分を can have significantly negative effects としました。
Addressing desertification requires adopting sustainable land management practices. Communities can promote responsible water use, engage in afforestation programs to increase vegetation, and implement erosion prevention measures. Educating people about the importance of preserving the land is crucial in combating desertification. By taking these steps, we can work towards reversing the effects of desertification, fostering environmental sustainability, and ensuring the well-being of communities that rely on the land.
To prevent desertification from happening, we have to implement the following: responsible water use, afforestation, erosion prevention and education on land conservation.
コロン: やセミコロン; の使い方をマスターすると、便利な時もあります。こちらを参考にして下さい。
最後に要約全体をみてみましょう。63語になります。
Desertification can be caused not only by natural phenomena such as prolonged droughts but also by various anthropogenic land use, including inappropriate farming practices. It can have significantly negative effects on other environmental issues and communities that rely on the land. To prevent desertification from happening, we have to implement the following: responsible water use, afforestation, erosion prevention and education on land conservation.
まとめ
- 本文のトピックと流れをつかむ
- 段落の展開は、砂漠化の原因→問題点→解決法 でした
- 要約する
- 枝葉の部分は思い切って切り落とす
- コロン・セミコロンを使ってスッキリと
こちらの記事もお薦めです：英検準1級 文章要約問題 02：国立公園の利点と直面する問題点
