次の英文を読み, 下記の設問に答えなさい。

At the age of 21, the British physicist Stephen Hawking was found to have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis *(A.L.S.). While A.L.S. is usually fatal within five years, Dr. Hawking lived on and flourished, producing some of the most important cosmological research of his time. Today, at 69, Dr. Hawking is one of the longest-living survivors of A.L.S., and perhaps the most inspirational. Mostly paralyzed, he can speak only through a computerized voice simulator. Dr. Hawking sat for a rare interview.

Q: Dr. Hawking, thank you so much for taking time to talk to us. Speaking of space, your daughter, Lucy, and Paul Davies, the Arizona State University physicist, sent a message into space from an Arizona schoolchild to potential extraterrestrials out in the universe. Now, you've said elsewhere that you think it's a bad idea for humans to make contact with other forms of life. Given this, did you suggest to Lucy that she not do it? Hypothetically, let's say as a fantasy, if you were to send such a message into space, how would it read?

A: Previously I have said it would be a bad idea to contact aliens because they might be so greatly advanced compared to us, that our civilization might not survive the experience. The “Dear Aliens” competition is based on a different (1)premise. It assumes that an intelligent extraterrestrial life form has already made contact with us and we need to formulate a reply. The competition asks school-age students to think creatively and scientifically in order to find a way to explain human life on this planet to some inquisitive aliens. I have no doubt that, if we are ever contacted by (2)such beings, we would want to respond. I also think it is an interesting question to pose to young people as it requires them to think about the human race and our planet as a whole. It asks students to define who we are and what we have done.

Q: I don't mean to ask this disrespectfully, but there are some experts on A.L.S. who insist that you can't possibly suffer from the condition. They say you've done far too well, in their opinion. How do you respond to this kind of speculation?

A: Maybe I don't have the most common kind of motor neuron disease, which usually kills in two or three years. It has certainly helped that I have had a job and that I have been looked after so well. I don't have much positive to say about motor neuron disease. But it taught me not to pity myself, because others were worse off and to get on with what I still could do. I'm happier now than before I developed the condition. I am lucky to be working in theoretical physics, one of the few areas in which disability is not a serious handicap.

Q: Given all you've experienced, what words would you offer someone who has been diagnosed with a serious illness, perhaps A. L. S.?

A: My advice to other disabled people would be to concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with. Don't be disabled in spirit, as well as physically.

Q: I'm wondering about your book “A Brief History of Time.” Were you surprised by the enormous success of it? Do you believe that most of your readers understood it? Or is it enough that they were interested and wanted to? Or, in another way: what are the implications of your popular books for science education?

A: I had not expected “A Brief History of Time” to be a best seller. It was my first popular book and (3)aroused a great deal of interest. Initially, many people found it difficult to understand. I therefore decided to try to write a new version that would be easier to follow. I took the opportunity to add material on new developments since the first book, and I left out some things of a more technical nature. This resulted in a follow-up entitled “A Briefer History of Time,” which is slightly briefer, but its main claim would be to make it more accessible.

Q: Though you avoid stating your own political beliefs too openly, you entered into the health care debate here in the United States last year. Why did you do that?

A: I entered the health care debate in response to a statement in the United States press in summer 2009 which claimed the National Health Service in Great Britain would have killed me off, (4)were I a British citizen. I felt compelled to make a statement to explain the error. I am British, I live in Cambridge, England, and the National Health Service has taken great care of me for over 40 years. I have received excellent medical attention in Britain, and I felt it was important to set the record straight. I believe in universal health care. And I am not afraid to say so.

Q: Here on Earth, the last few months have just been devastating. What were your feelings as you read of earthquakes, revolutions, counter-revolutions and nuclear meltdowns in Japan? Have you been as personally shaken up as the rest of us?

A: I have visited Japan several times and have always been shown wonderful hospitality. I am deeply saddened for my Japanese colleagues and friends, who have suffered such a (5)catastrophic event. I hope there will be a global effort to help Japan recover. We, as a species, have survived many natural disasters and difficult situations, and I know that the human spirit is capable of enduring terrible hardships.

Q: If it is possible to time-travel, as some physicists claim, at least theoretically, what is the single moment in your life you would like to return to? This is another way of asking, what has been the most joyful moment you've known?

A: I would go back to 1967, and the birth of my first child, Robert. My three children have brought me great joy.

Q: I don't want to tire you out, especially if doing answers is so difficult, but I'm wondering: The speech you gave the other night in Tempe, “My Brief History,” was very personal. Were you trying to make a statement on the record so that people would know who you are?

A: I hope my experience will help other people.

• *筋萎縮性側索硬化症

問 英文の内容に合うように, (1)~(10)の質問に対する答えとして最も適したもの をそれぞれ選択肢1~4の中から選びなさい。

• (1)Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the word (1)premise?
  • 1. principle
  • 2. behavior
  • 3. attitude
  • 4. situation
• (2)Which of the following is indicated by the phrase (2)such beings?
  • 1. school-age students
  • 2. the Dear Aliens
  • 3. Inquisitive aliens
  • 4. humans
• (3)Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the word (3)aroused?
  • 1. blamed
  • 2. caused
  • 3. affected
  • 4. risen
• (4)Which of the following has the same use as the phrase (4)were I a British citizen?
  • 1. as I were a British citizen
  • 2. even though I were a British citizen
  • 3. if I were a British citizen
  • 4. when I were a British citizen
• (5)Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the word (5)catastrophic?
  • 1. Terminating
  • 2. Tragic
  • 3. Devastating
  • 4. Nostalgic
• (6)What does Dr. Hawking think of his daughter's idea of sending messages into space?
  • 1. He thinks it is inspiring for young people to make contact with outer planets.
  • 2. He does not think it is essential for young people to think of the relation between humans and space.
  • 3. He does not think it is inevitable for young people to think of who they are.
  • 4. He thinks it is meaningful for young people to think about humans and space.
• (7) What is Dr. Hawking's advice for someone with A.L.S.?
  • 1. They should not think that their ability is physically limited.
  • 2. They should not feel that their disability prevents them from doing well.
  • 3. They should realize that their disability prevents them from doing well physically and mentally.
  • 4. They should try to develop their physical abilities.
• (8) What did Dr. Hawking do after the success of his book “A Brief History of Time”?
  • 1. Many people learned about space and so he decided to write a new version adding new developments.
  • 2. Quite a few people expressed their interest in space and so he added more technical material.
  • 3. Many people bought his book and so he was asked to write another version with new technical developments.
  • 4. Quite a few people found it difficult to comprehend and so he decided to write a new easier version.
• (9)Why did Dr. Hawking comment on the health care debate in the U.S.?
  • 1. Because he felt forced to comment on the misleading press interview about the American National Health Service.
  • 2. Because he was not given good care of by the British National Health Service for over 40 years.
  • 3. Because he felt obliged to make the comment that the press statement was incorrect.
  • 4. Because he did not want to get involved in the wrongful debate on the National Health Service.
• (10)Which of the following best describes Dr. Hawking's comment on the disaster in Japan?
  • 1. He hopes that Japan will endure and become a global leader.
  • 2. He hopes that an effort will help Japan survive global disasters.
  • 3. He hopes that an effort will be made globally to help Japan recover.
  • 4. He hopes that Japan will change its attitude in global situations.