【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. rival / ˈraɪ vəl / (n.) – something or someone that competes with another
Example: She has strong rivals in the national elections.
2. breakthrough / ˈbreɪkˌθru / (n.) – something that becomes successful after many tries
Example: Winning the competition is a breakthrough for their team.
3. legislature / ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪ tʃər / (n.) – a body of government that has a power to make or change laws
Example: The country’s legislature is deciding whether to pass the health bill or not.
4. safeguard / ˈseɪfˌgɑrd / (v.) – to ensure the safety of something
Example: The country has many laws to safeguard women from abuse.
5. shrink / ʃrɪŋk / (v.) – to lessen
Example: Their chances of winning the grand prize shrank after two of their competitors showed awesome performances.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China, elected its first female president.
Fifty-nine-year-old Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) became Taiwan’s first female president after garnering more than fifty-six percent of the votes. Tsai’s main rival Eric Chu of the Kuomintang, or the Chinese Nationalist Party, on the other hand, garnered only thirty-one percent.
Following her success in the national elections, Tsai also pledged that her administration will continue to maintain its current ties with China. However, she implied that her governance will be greatly dedicated to protecting her country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Her winning, she said, only shows the Republic’s firm stand in safeguarding democracy.
Aside from Taiwan’s breakthrough for such a male-dominated position, the country’s 113-seat national legislature that has long been occupied mostly by Kuomintang members will soon be held by many DPP members.
In February, the new legislature is set to replace the current one while Tsai will assume her new position in May.
Kuomintang is known to be a pro-China party. With Tsai’s victory, China’s chance to win back what it considers its breakaway province shrinks again. After the Taiwan elections, the Chinese Cabinet’s board in charge of overseeing affairs with Taiwan strongly asserted its opposition to the Republic’s independence. Despite this, China maintained that it would still work toward a peaceful and stable relationship with Taiwan.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· What is your reaction about the election of a female in the highest government position in Taiwan? Explain your answer.
· What can be the implication of not having a pro-China president in Taiwan?
Discussion B
· Aside from politics, what fields are still male-dominated? Why do you think so?
· What do you think would encourage women to take leadership positions?
