英検1級の語彙問題では、単語の日本語訳を知っていても、文中でその語が「増加・減少」「促進・抑制」「原因・結果」のどちら向きに働くかを取り違えると失点します。この記事では、語の方向性を先に確認してから選択肢を決める方法を、独自36問で練習します。
まず「方向」を決める
- increase / boost / enhance：増加・向上方向
- reduce / curb / diminish：減少方向
- encourage / facilitate：促進方向
- prevent / deter / discourage：抑制方向
例えば「The policy was introduced to ___ car use.」だけなら、reduceだけでなくdiscourageも候補になります。目的語や前後の説明まで読み、どの方向・強さが最も自然かを判断します。
独自36問
- The campaign aims to (increase / reduce) public awareness.
- The regulation was introduced to (discourage / encourage) excessive use.
- The new system can (enhance / diminish) efficiency.
- The subsidy may (boost / curb) investment in rural areas.
- The warning is intended to (prevent / promote) accidents.
- The policy could (reduce / increase) household energy use.
- The program was designed to (encourage / deter) participation.
- The researchers sought to (increase / decrease) measurement accuracy.
- The fee may (discourage / facilitate) private-car use.
- The treatment can (improve / worsen) recovery rates.
- The reform is expected to (raise / lower) administrative costs initially.
- The government wants to (expand / restrict) access to public services.
- The company introduced training to (enhance / weaken) employee skills.
- The policy may (mitigate / exacerbate) the effects of flooding.
- The project could (strengthen / undermine) public confidence.
- The rule is intended to (limit / expand) unauthorized access.
- The campaign may (increase / suppress) interest in recycling.
- The system helps (reduce / increase) waiting times.
- The measure could (stimulate / restrain) local economic activity.
- The policy is designed to (protect / expose) vulnerable users.
- The researchers found that the intervention (reduced / increased) error rates.
- The program may (facilitate / obstruct) access to healthcare.
- The tax is intended to (deter / encourage) unnecessary consumption.
- The new service could (expand / narrow) access for remote residents.
- The company hopes to (retain / lose) skilled employees.
- The reform may (create / eliminate) new administrative burdens.
- The proposal could (strengthen / weaken) cooperation.
- The regulation is expected to (decrease / raise) emissions.
- The system may (simplify / complicate) applications.
- The policy aims to (promote / prevent) early treatment.
- The initiative could (reduce / intensify) regional inequality.
- The program seeks to (increase / limit) public participation.
- The new design may (improve / impair) accessibility.
- The government plans to (expand / restrict) financial support.
- The rule could (discourage / stimulate) speculative activity.
- The campaign aims to (strengthen / erode) trust in public institutions.
方向と強さをセットで確認する
「reduce」「curb」「eliminate」はすべて減少方向ですが、程度が違います。選択肢が複数似ている場合は、本文の「partly」「significantly」「completely」などの情報も確認してください。
英検1級の短文語句空所補充は22問です。単語の意味だけを覚えるのではなく、「何を増やす・減らす・促進する・防ぐ語なのか」まで覚えると判断速度が上がります。
参考にした主な公式情報
- 公益財団法人 日本英語検定協会「1級の試験内容」
- 公益財団法人 日本英語検定協会「各級の目安」