暗記例文を一橋,早稲田の自由英作文に使う
一橋や早稲田政経・法・国際教養のように予想外の，しかもかなり専門的なテーマを出題された時には，数百題の暗記例文を身に着けていようと，語彙と知識の不足は免れない。したがって，暗記例文の本当の狙いは，あくまでも確かな文法と構文に則り，なおかつ一定レベルの語彙を生かしながら，専門知識と専門用語の勝負にはまるのを避けて，（高いレベルの）一般論を展開することにある。→ 自由英作文暗記例文：短文＆中文
2012年度 一橋・前期 解答例
Write 120 to 150 words of English about one of the topics below. Indicate the number of the topic you have chosen. Also, indicate the number of the words you have written at the end the composition.
1. Tokyo is not representative of Japanese culture. Do you agree or disagree?
2. Is technology making human beings more intelligent or less intelligent? Why?
3. Explain how you think the world will be in the year 3000.
2. を選ぶが，ｉntelligent という語の意味の取りようで答えは大きく変わる。出題の真意が掴みにくい。
[暗記例文を活かした解答例]
In my opinion, technology is making human beings less intelligent. First,
it has caused the decline of spiritual values and widespread materialism.
When technology creates new opportunities and benefits for men, it also
creates new problems for societies. It is true that sience and technology
have made human life more comfortable than ever before, but modern communications
technology has raised people's such expectations as cannot be realized
easily, especially in developing countries. That can cause unrest both
within countries and across countries. Second, though the most obvious
characteristic of technology is its usefulness, it sometimes brings a man-made
disaster and, moreover, produces mass-destruction weapons beyond human
control, which could make human beings disappear from the earth. Technological
development is the driving force of the development of civilization. However,
if we thought the progress in technology goes with that in intelligence,
it would be too simple. (145 words)
※解答例は，ほぼ100％暗記例文を組み合わせたものである。この比率を50％程度に止め，身近な具体例を挙げるなどして，半分はオリジナルな内容で書けるようにしたい。
2004年度 早稲田・法
Under current law, Japanese citizens become adults at the age of 20.
・Do you agree with the current law?
・Do you think that the age of majority should be reduced╶╴to 18, for example?
・Or do you think that it should be increased╶╴to 22, for example?
Write a paragraph defending ONE of these three positions, giving at least
one appropriate reason to support your opinion.
[暗記例文を活かした解答例]
I agree with the current law. First, at present, serious conflicting views
are expressed about various problems. As adult citizens, we must judge
them: (What is right and wrong and what is acceptable and unacceptable?)
For example, even though the East-West political tensions have relaxed,
could we say the danger of a nuclear war has disappeared? Even adults believe
absurd generalizations and have stereotypes closely related to prejudice(,
like an idea that someone's nationality has much to do with the possibility
of his or her committing crimes). Second, human society communicates values
and morals from generation to generation through a long period of education.
Therefore, the current age of majority is appropriate. (82 words)
※政経用には（ ）内を省かなければ語数は 112 words になる。今回も90％以上が暗記例文の組み合わせである。この比率を50％に下げられれば，かなり書く力が着いたことになる。
2010年度 早稲田・法
Changing one's appearance through cosmetic surgery, body piercing, and
tattoos has become more common for young and old. Some people oppose the
idea of changing ome's face and body artificially, while others support
the idea of making one's appearance better for one's own benefit.
What do you think about this?
Write a paragraph defending ONE of these opinions, giving at least one appropriate reason to support your answer.
[暗記例文を活かした解答例・法学部用]
There are conflicting opinions about this problem, but I support the idea
of changing one's appearance. First, it is quite natural for people to
do what benefits themselves. As long as it is socially acceptable, it is
an elementary means to establish and maintain relationships. Second, not
a few people believe a generalization that piercing bodies or having tattoos
is a rather anti-social act. However, such a stereotype has a close relation
to prejudice, so it impoverishes the mentality of those who oppose changing
one's appearance artificially. (87 words)
[暗記例文を活かした解答例・政経用]
Probably there are conflicting opinions about this problem, but I support
the idea of changing one's appearance artificially for one's benefit. The
first reason is that it is quite natural for people to do what benefits
themselves. As long as it is socially acceptable, it is a primary means
to establish and maintain relationships with each other. The second is
that not a few people believe a generalization that piercing bodies or
wearing tattoos is rather an anti-social act. However, such a stereotype
has a close relation to prejudice and a standardized image, and so it impoverishes
the mentality of those who oppose changing one's appearance artificially.
(107 words)
※課題文が長いときは，うまく課題文を取り入れるという基本的なテクニックを用いれば，100語くらいの英文を書くのは難しいことではない。課題文を繋いでいく表現を思いつくかどうかの勝負である。今回も80％は暗記例文の組み合わせだが，この比率を50％まで下げる努力をしてほしい。
2009年度 早稲田・政経
早稲田・政経の過去問の中でも，具体的な事柄に触れずに解答するのは最も難しいと思われる問題を取り上げて，一般論だけで書いてみる。
Read the statement below and write a paragraph giving at least two reasons why you agree or disagree with it.
Write your answer in the space provided on your written answer sheet.
'Supermarkets should stop giving customers free plastic bags.'
(It is suggested that you spend no more than 15 minutes on this section.)
[暗記例文を活かした解答例]
I agree with the statement. First, giving customers free plastic bags
has a negative effect on our lifestyle. To be sure, it has made our daily
life convenient and comfortable, but it has made people very wasteful,
in other words, has caused the decline of spiritual values. It is quite
common to throw away something still usable. Second, we have used an enormous
amount of oil to produce plastic bags, and their disposal has steadily
damaged our environment. Now we must realize the importance of natural
resources and make use of them not only effectively but in a way friendly
to the earth. (103 words)
※今回は暗記例文の比率を30％程度に抑えて，なおかつ一般論だけで書いてみたが，もちろん具体例を挙げて書ければそれでよい。いずれにしても plastic bag とはいわゆるビニール袋のことであり，石油を原料としている程度の背景知識が必要なことは言うまでもない。