今回は、第６問 A を終えて
第６問 B に入ります。
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共通テスト(英語)の「リーディング」の問題だけを扱うこととします。
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③解説
④そのほかの補説
第６問B：配点１２点
それでは、第６問 B の問題を見ていきましょう。
B You are preparing a presentation for your science club, using the following
passage from a science website.
Chili Peppers：The Spice of Life
Tiny pieces of red spice in chili chicken add a nice touch of color, but
biting into even a small piece can make a person’s mouth burn as if it were on
fire. While some people love this, others want to avoid the painful sensation.
At the same time, though, they can eat sashimi with wasabi. This might lead
one to wonder what spiciness actually is and to ask where the difference
between chili and wasabi comes from.
ー Unlike sweetness, saltness, and sourness, spiciness is not a taste. In fact.
we do not actually taste heat, or spiciness, when we eat spicy foods. The bite
we feel from eating chili peppers and wasabi is derived from different types of
compounds. Chili peppers get their heat from a heavier, oil-like element called
capsaicin. Capsaicin leaves a lingering, fire-like sensation in our mouths
because it triggers a receptor called TRPV1. TRPV1 induces stress and tells
us when something is burning our mouths. Interestingly, there is a wide range
of heat across the different varieties of chili peppers, and the level depends on
the amount of capsaicin they contain. This is measured using the Scoville
Scale, which is also called Scoville Heat Units (SHU). SHUs range from the
sweet and mild shishito pepper at 50-200 SHUs to the Carolina Reaper pepper.
which can reach up to 2.2 million.
ー Wasabi is considered a root, not a pepper, and does not contain capsaicin.
Thus, wasabi is not ranked on the Scoville Scale. However, people have
compared the level of spice in it to chilis with around 1,000 SHUs, which is on
the lower end of the scale. The reason some people cannot tolerate chili spice
but can eat foods flavored with wasabi is that the spice compounds in it are
low in density. The compounds in wasabi vaporize easily, delivering a blast of
spiciness to our nose when we eat it.
ー Consuming chili peppers can have positive effects on our health, and much
research has been conducted into the benefits of capsaicin. When capsaicin
activates the TRPV1 receptor in a person’s body, it is similar to what happens
when they experience stress or pain from an injury. Strangely, capsaicin can
also make pain go away. Scientists found the TRPV1 ceases to be turned on
after long-term exposure to chili peppers, temporarily easing painful
sensations. Thus, skin creams containing capsaicin might be useful for people
who experience muscle aches.
ー Another benefit of eating chili peppers is that they accelerate the
metabolism. A group of researchers analyzed 90 studies on capsaicin and body
weight and found that people had a reduced appetite when they are spicy
foods. This is because spicy foods increase the heart rate, send more energy
to the muscles, and convert fat into energy. Recently, scientists at the
University of Wyoming have created a weight-loss drug with capsaicin as a
main ingredient.
ー It is also believed that chili peppers are connected with food safety, which
might lead to a healthier life. When food is left outside of a refrigerated
environment, microorganisms multiply on it, which may cause sickness if
eaten. Studies have shown that capsaicin and other chemicals found in chili
peppers have antibacterial properties that can slow down or even stop
microorganism growth. As a result, food lasts longer and there are fewer
food-borne illness. This may explain why people in hot climates have a
tendency to use more chili peppers, and therefore, be more tolerant of spicier
foods due to repeated exposure. Also, in the past, before there were
refrigerators, they were less likely to have food poisoning than people in cooler
climates.
ー Chili peppers seem to have health benefits, but can they also be bad for
our health? Peppers that are high on the Scoville Scale can cause physical
discomfort when eaten in large quantities. People who have eaten several of
the word’s hottest chilis in a short time have reported experiencing upset
stomachs, diarrhea, numb hands, and symptoms similar to a heart attack.
Ghost peppers, which contain one million SHUs, can even burn a person’s skin
if they are touched.
ー Luckily the discomfort some people feel after eating spicy foods tends to
go away soon – usually within a few hours. Despite some negative side effects,
spicy foods remain popular around the world and add a flavorful touch to the
table. Remember, it is safe to consume spicy foods, but you might want to be
careful about the amount of peppers you put in your dishes.
Presentation slides :
問１ What is the first characteristic of wasabi on Slide 2?【 44 】
① burning taste
② fire-like sensation
③ lasting feeling
④ light compounds
問２ Which is an error you found on Slide 3?【 45 】
① A
② B
③ C
④ D
⑤ E
問３ Choose two options for Slide 4. (The oder does not matter.)【 46 】・【 47 】
① you might activate harmful bacteria.
② you might experience stomach pain.
③ you might lose feeling in your hands.
④ your fingers might feel like they are on fire.
⑤ your nose might start hurting.
問４ What can be inferred about tolerance for spices for Slide 5? 【 48 】
① People with a high tolerance to chili peppers pay attention to the spices
used in their food.
② People with a high tolerance to wasabi are scared of chili pepper’s
negative effects.
③ People with a low tolerance to cili peppers can get used to their heat.
④ People with a low tolerance to wasabi cannot endure high SHU levels.
問５ Choose the most appropriate remark for Slide 6. 【 49 】
① Don’t be afraid. Eating spicy foods will boost your confidence.
② Next time you eat chili chicken, remember its punch only stays for a second.
③ Personality plays a big role in our spice preference, so don’t worry.
④ Unfortunately, there are no cures for a low wasabi tolerance.
⑤ When someone offers you some spicy food, remember it has some benefits.
👉模範解答と解説は次のページです。
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