listening lab 2025
LISTENING LAB • 0225
LISTENING LAB 0225
Step 1: Read the questions below.
質問を読んでください。
1. Did chocolate originate in North America or Central America?
2. When and where did chocolate first arrive in Europe?
3. What health benefits of chocolate did Europeans notice?
4. Was milk chocolate first produced by a Dutch chemist or by Swiss chocolate makers?
5. What are fair-trade programs designed to do?
6. What can consumers do to put pressure on the chocolate companies to adopt more ethical and sustainable practices?
•originate = 始まる, 生まれる
•ethical = 倫理学の, 道徳上の
•sustainable = 持続可能な, サステナブル
Step 2: Listen to the audio and try to answer the questions.
オーディオを聞いて、 質問に答えて見て下さい。
Step 3: Listen again while you read the article.
記事を読みながら、もう一度聞いてみてください。
The History of Chocolate
by Claire Gorant
It’s that time of year again, when chocolates in fancy packages with hearts on them are sold in stores around the world. But where exactly did this popular sweet treat come from? Chocolate has a long and fascinating history that goes back over 3,000 years.
It all started around 1500 B.C. with the Olmecs of Central America, who were the first to use cacao beans to make a special drink for rituals and medicine. The Mayans, and later the Aztecs, picked up this tradition, drinking a chocolate mixture made with chili peppers, honey, and water. The beans became so valuable that they were even used as money.
Chocolate was brought by explorers to Spain in the early 1500s and then spread across the continent. At first, Europeans found it too bitter, but when they started adding sugar, cinnamon, and milk to it, it became a favorite treat among the wealthy. People began to notice that chocolate improved mood and increased energy. In London, exclusive chocolate cafes, like White’s Cocoa House, became popular meeting spots for writers, politicians, and anyone rich enough to afford a cup.
In the 19th century, chocolate changed forever thanks to a number of innovations. In 1828, Dutch chemist Coenraad Van Houten created a machine that made chocolate smoother and more affordable. Twenty years later, Joseph Fry made the first solid chocolate bar, and by the late 1800s, two Swiss chocolatiers had created milk chocolate. These improvements allowed chocolate to be mass-produced — now almost everyone could buy it, not just the rich!
However, chocolate production also had a dark side. Many cacao plantations used enslaved African labor, and even after slavery ended, unfair working conditions continued. Today, child labor and deforestation are still major issues in the chocolate industry, though many companies use fair-trade programs to make chocolate production more ethical and sustainable.
As we enjoy our chocolate treats this Valentine’s Day, we're participating in a tradition that spans millennia and continents. Chocolate has evolved from a bitter ceremonial drink to a beloved global snack. The industry continues to evolve too, with growing awareness of ethical sourcing and sustainability. By choosing only fair-trade chocolate, we can help ensure that the future of this timeless treat is as sweet and just as its taste.
Step 4: Check your answers.
答えをチェックしてください。
1. Did chocolate originate in North America or Central America?
It originate in Central America.
2. When and where did chocolate first arrive in Europe?
It arrived in the 1500s in Spain.
3. What health benefits of chocolate did Europeans notice?
They noticed that chocolate improved mood and increased energy.
4. Was milk chocolate first produced by a Dutch chemist or by Swiss chocolate makers?
It was produced by Swiss chocolate makers.
5. What are fair-trade programs designed to do?
They are designed to make chocolate production more ethical and sustainable.
6. What can consumers do to put pressure on the chocolate companies to adopt more ethical and sustainable practices?
They can buy only fair-trade chocolate.