2025年5月24日「モバイル英語学習」第880号(英語のエッセイ): France Fines Slow Drivers €35!

Notes
penalty – a punishment you get for breaking a rule – 罰則
fine – money you must pay as a punishment – 罰金
speedometer – the tool in a car that shows how fast it is going – スピードメーター
probationary license – a special license for new drivers – 仮免許
infraction – the act of breaking a rule or law – 違反


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In France, many people know that driving too fast can lead to a fine. But did you know that driving too slowly can also be a problem? If a car goes too slowly, it can be dangerous for other drivers. Because of this, drivers can get a fine if they are too slow.

On French roads, there are rules about how fast you can drive. In cities, the top speed is usually 30 to 50 km/h. On bigger roads, the limit is 80 to 110 km/h, and on some highways, it can go up to 130 km/h. New drivers must follow lower speed limits, and rain or snow can also change the rules.

There is also one rule for driving too slowly: on the fast lane of a highway, you must drive at least 80 km/h. If you don’t, you may get a €35 fine—but you won’t lose points from your license.
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2025年1月25日「モバイル英語学習」第863号 (英語のエッセイ):The Tree That Owns Itself!

要約: アメリアジョージア州アセンズにある「自分自身を所有する木」は、自分の土地を持つと言われる特別な木です。
Notes:
Georgia – ジョージア, アメリカ合衆国の州の一つ;
own -所有する;
explore – 探検する;
plaque – 銘板;

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In Athens, Georgia, there is a very special tree. People call it the “Tree That Owns Itself.” It stands at the corner of two streets. The tree is famous because a story says it owns the land around it!

A long time ago, in 1890, a man named Colonel William H. Jackson loved this tree. He wanted to protect it forever, so he gave the tree its own land. The first tree was very old , about 400 years. But in 1942, it fell down during a big storm. To keep the story alive, a garden club planted a new tree in 1946. This is the tree you can see today.

The garden club still looks after the tree. They make sure it is healthy and the area around it is clean. If you visit, you can also explore nearby shops, eat at restaurants, or enjoy a tour of the area.

The picture shows the tree and the plaque, which honors William H. Jackson’s commitment to protecting the tree and the surrounding eight feet of land forever.
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(Image from https://www.visitathensga.com/)