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原田英語の時事英語ジュニア|英語ニュース ワークシート(高校生レベル)

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ノートパソコンの充電もUSB-Cに統一!EUの新ルールが始まった

Europe's USB-C Rule Now Covers Laptops

音声・ゲームはこちらから

1New laptops sold in the European Union must now support charging through a USB-C port. The requirement took effect on April 28, 2026, under the EU's Common Charger Directive. It applies across all 27 member countries of the bloc.

2The directive was approved in October 2022. Its first stage began on December 28, 2024, for smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, earbuds, portable speakers and handheld game consoles. Keyboards, mice, e-readers and portable navigation systems were also included. Laptop makers were given until April 2026 so that they had enough time to adjust their products.

3The rules go beyond the shape of the plug. Fast charging is standardized, so any compatible charger should deliver the same charging speed. Shops must also offer customers the choice of buying a device without a charger. A label designed by the European Commission shows whether a charger is in the box.

4The rules apply to new devices sold in the EU. With the same port on so many products, people should need fewer chargers at home. Selling chargers separately from devices is meant to cut the number of chargers that end up as waste.

5The main goal is to reduce electronic waste. Officials estimate that about 11,000 tonnes of chargers are thrown away or left unused in the EU each year. Because people can reuse the chargers they already own, the EU expects consumers to save at least 250 million euros a year.

Words 単語

supportA2動(機能に)対応するto be able to work with a certain system
requirementB1名必要条件、決まりsomething that must be done because of a rule
took effectA2熟(法律などが)効力を持った、始まったstarted to be used as a rule or law
directive外名指令、指示an official order from the European Union
bloc外名(国々の)連合、グループa group of countries that work together
approvedB1動承認された(approve の過去分詞)officially accepted by a group in power
compatibleB2形対応している、互換性のあるable to work together with something else
labelB2名ラベル、表示a small sign on a product that gives information
estimateB1動見積もる、推計するto make a careful guess about a number
consumersB1名消費者(consumer の複数形)people who buy things for their own use

単語のレベル:CEFR-J(『CEFR-J Wordlist Version 1.6』 東京外国語大学投野由紀夫研究室. (URL: https://www.cefr-j.org/download.html より 2026年8月ダウンロード))

1. Reading Quiz 本文の内容に合うものを選ぼう

  1. When did the USB-C requirement for laptops take effect?

    A. October 2022B. December 28, 2024C. April 28, 2026D. January 2027

  2. Why were laptop makers given until April 2026?

    A. So they had enough time to adjust their productsB. Because laptops are not sold in EuropeC. Because USB-C was not invented yetD. So shops could raise prices

  3. What do the rules say about fast charging?

    A. It is banned.B. Only laptops can use it.C. It costs extra money.D. Any compatible charger should give the same speed.

  4. What does the label from the European Commission show?

    A. How heavy the device isB. Whether a charger is in the boxC. Where the device was madeD. How long the battery lasts

  5. How much does the EU expect consumers to save each year?

    A. At least 250 million eurosB. About 11,000 eurosC. Exactly 27 million eurosD. Nothing

2. True or False 正しければ T、違っていれば F

  1. (     ) The directive was approved in October 2022.

  2. (     ) The rule only applies in some EU countries.

  3. (     ) Handheld game consoles were included in the first stage.

  4. (     ) Shops must sell every device with a charger.

3. Fill in the Blanks 下の語から選んで空らんをうめよう(形を変えずに)

compatiblerequirementlabelsupportdirectivebloc

  1. The _____ was approved in October 2022.

  2. A _____ designed by the European Commission shows whether a charger is in the box.

  3. The _____ took effect on April 28, 2026, under the EU's Common Charger Directive.

  4. It applies across all 27 member countries of the _____.

  5. Fast charging is standardized, so any _____ charger should deliver the same charging speed.

  6. New laptops sold in the European Union must now _____ charging through a USB-C port.

4. Word Order 語を並べかえて正しい文にしよう

  1. ( in / approved / The / October / was / 2022 / directive ) .

  2. ( the / rules / shape / the / go / The / beyond / of / plug ) .

  3. ( electronic / to / is / goal / The / reduce / main / waste ) .

5. Think and Write 英語で答えてみよう

  1. Do you think one standard charger is better for users? Give reasons.(充電器を1つの規格にそろえるのは、使う人にとってよいことだと思いますか?理由も挙げよう。)

  2. What else could be done to reduce electronic waste?(電子機器のゴミを減らすために、ほかにどんなことができるでしょうか?)

Answers 解答

1. (1) C (2) A (3) D (4) B (5) A

2. (1) T (2) F (3) T (4) F

3. (1) directive (2) label (3) requirement (4) bloc (5) compatible (6) support

4.

  1. The directive was approved in October 2022.
  2. The rules go beyond the shape of the plug.
  3. The main goal is to reduce electronic waste.

全文訳

1EU(ヨーロッパ連合)で販売される新しいノートパソコンは、USB-Cの差しこみ口で充電できなければならなくなりました。この決まりは、EUの「共通充電器指令」にもとづき、2026年4月28日に始まりました。EUに加わる27の国すべてに適用されます。

2この指令は2022年10月に承認されました。第1段階は2024年12月28日に始まり、スマホ、タブレット、デジタルカメラ、ヘッドホン、イヤホン、携帯スピーカー、携帯ゲーム機が対象になりました。キーボード、マウス、電子書籍リーダー、携帯型ナビも含まれていました。ノートパソコンのメーカーには、製品を変える時間を十分にとれるよう、2026年4月までの猶予があたえられていました。

3ルールは、差しこみ口の形だけにとどまりません。急速充電の方式もそろえられるため、対応する充電器ならどれでも同じ速さで充電できるはずです。お店は、充電器なしで機器を買えるという選択肢もお客さんに示さなければなりません。欧州委員会が作ったラベルで、箱に充電器が入っているかどうかがわかります。

4ルールの対象は、EUで売られる新しい機器です。これほど多くの製品の差しこみ口が同じになれば、家に置いておく充電器も少なくてすむはずです。充電器を機器と別に売るのは、ゴミになる充電器の数を減らすためです。

5いちばんの目的は、電子機器のゴミを減らすことです。当局の推計では、EUでは毎年約1万1000トンの充電器が捨てられたり、使われないまま放置されたりしています。すでに持っている充電器を使い回せるため、EUは消費者が年に少なくとも2億5000万ユーロを節約できると見こんでいます。

文法ポイント:so that + 主語 + 動詞(〜するように)

目的を表す。本文の Laptop makers were given until April 2026 so that they had enough time to adjust their products. は「製品を変える時間を十分にとれるように」という意味。

出典:ComReg(アイルランド通信規制委員会)、Law Society Gazette(Ireland) ほか(記事は原田英語の時事英語ジュニアのオリジナル)|https://www.haradaeigo.com/jijieigo-junior/news/2026-04-28-eu-usb-c-laptops/