TOEFL では、いわゆる学術的、科学的な英文が出題されます。参考書には高尚で難しい英文に難しい和訳がつけられていたりします。いかにも勉強している、という雰囲気を醸し出すアレです。
が、意外なところにいい参考書が転がっていました。アニメです。
なんと幼児向けアニメ。Charlotte's Web という E. B. White の1952 年に出された作品からのアニメです。
アメリカのアニメらしく、途中歌がたくさん出てきます。英語がわからなくてもそこそこ楽しめるように作られているところはダイハードや 007 等、おなじみのアメリカ映画同様。
♪ Cause we have lots in common where it really counts ♪
♪ where it really counts ♪
♪ where it really counts ♪
と歌う部分が出てくるのですが、これが、本日のお題です。
count は「数える」という意味だけではありません。「重要性を持つ」という意味を表すことがあり、今回がその例です。数にして数えるほどの重要性を持つということですね。そもそもどうでもいいことはわざわざ数えたりはしないわけですから当たり前です。
「本当に重要なところでは、僕たち、私たち、共通点がたくさんあるよね」と言って歌うところです。
これ、2025年8月のアラスカサミットでプーチンが言っていたのと同じセリフです。
プーチンは言っていました。「我々はかつて同志として、ファシズム撲滅のために共に戦った仲間だ」と。
同じく2025年11月の習近平国家主席とトランプ大統領の会談。同じです。「我々はかつて同志として、軍国主義撲滅のために戦った仲間だ」と。
高市首相も同じです。2025年10月の日米首脳会談。「我々は自由と民主主義という共通の価値観を共有する揺るぎない同盟だ」と。
話す言語も違う。歴史も違う。文化も違う。価値観も少なからず異なる。でもいざ仲間づくりを始めようとするときは必ず共通点を口にする。幼児向けアニメと全く同じ構図です。
こんなのがなぜ TOEFL に役立つか。生物多様性の真実について科学的に述べられている歌詞だからです。これを聴きながら、こういうエッセイを書いたらどうでしょう？立派な TOEFL の答案です。
Introduction
Although animals may appear strikingly different in outward appearance, they frequently exhibit profound commonalities in their essential biological functions. Recognizing these similarities allows us to appreciate the interdependence of species and to reevaluate humanity’s role within the broader web of life.
Body
For example, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, both structures serve the indispensable purpose of safeguarding the body and maintaining its integrity. Likewise, horses are equipped with hooves, whereas waterfowl possess webbed feet. These contrasting adaptations reflect divergent evolutionary pathways, yet each fulfills the fundamental requirement of enabling stable movement and effective interaction with the environment. Such comparisons illustrate that what may seem like superficial diversity is, in fact, evidence of a shared evolutionary heritage and the underlying unity of life.
Counterargument and Rebuttal
Admittedly, one might argue that the vast anatomical and behavioral differences among species outweigh their similarities, making it difficult to speak of genuine unity. However, this perspective overlooks the fact that these differences are largely superficial, arising from adaptations to specific ecological niches. Beneath these variations lie common biological imperatives—such as protection, locomotion, and reproduction—that highlight the shared foundation of life. In this sense, diversity does not contradict unity; rather, it expresses it through multiple evolutionary forms.
Conclusion
Therefore, these observations demonstrate that biological diversity should not be viewed merely as a collection of differences but as a manifestation of common survival strategies across species. This insight extends to human beings as well: despite our cultural and physical distinctions, we share essential needs and vulnerabilities with other creatures. Consequently, acknowledging this interconnectedness ought to inspire us to preserve ecological balance, promote sustainability, and accept greater responsibility for protecting the natural environment upon which the survival of all species ultimately depends.
最初からこんなの書けないよ！と思っているあなた！朗報です！
最初はこんなのでいかがですか？
Animals have lots in common where it counts.
Chickens and pigs, for example, both care deeply for their young and show clear signs of social bonding. Horses and waterfowl may look very different, yet they each rely on strong group cooperation—horses in their herds and ducks or geese in their flocks—to stay safe and thrive.
これが最も初歩的なものですが、これにだんだんと学術的な雰囲気を持たせていきます。
Animals have lots in common where it counts.
For instance, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, in both cases these outer layers function to protect and contain the body. Similarly, although horses possess hooves and waterfowl have webbed feet, each adaptation enables the animal to stand firmly and interact effectively with its environment.
これにもう少し論理性を加えていきます。
Animals have lots in common where it counts.
For instance, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, in both cases these outer layers function to protect and contain the body. Similarly, although horses possess hooves and waterfowl have webbed feet, each adaptation enables the animal to stand firmly and interact effectively with its environment. Therefore, this shows that despite outward differences, animals share fundamental biological functions that support survival.
もっと academic に underlying unity of life や evolutionary adaptation といった概念を入れてみるとこうなります。
Animals have lots in common where it counts.
For instance, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, in both cases these outer layers function to protect and contain the body. Similarly, although horses possess hooves and waterfowl have webbed feet, each adaptation enables the animal to stand firmly and interact effectively with its environment. Therefore, this shows that outward differences in form reflect evolutionary adaptations, while underlying biological functions reveal the unity of life across diverse species.
動物の共通性から、人間にもつながる普遍性を示すように TOEFL エッセイ風に展開すると、
Animals have lots in common where it counts.
For instance, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, in both cases these outer layers function to protect and contain the body. Similarly, although horses possess hooves and waterfowl have webbed feet, each adaptation enables the animal to stand firmly and interact effectively with its environment. Therefore, this shows that outward differences in form reflect evolutionary adaptations, while underlying biological functions reveal the unity of life across diverse species. This perspective also extends to human beings, reminding us that, despite cultural and physical variations, we share essential needs and survival mechanisms with the rest of the animal kingdom.
生物多様性に寄せた話をすれば
Animals have lots in common where it counts.
For instance, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, in both cases these outer layers function to protect and contain the body. Similarly, although horses possess hooves and waterfowl have webbed feet, each adaptation enables the animal to stand firmly and interact effectively with its environment. Therefore, this shows that outward differences in form reflect evolutionary adaptations, while underlying biological functions reveal the unity of life across diverse species. This perspective also extends to human beings, reminding us that, despite cultural and physical variations, we share essential needs and survival mechanisms with the rest of the animal kingdom. Consequently, recognizing these connections should encourage us to respect biodiversity and take responsibility for protecting the natural environment on which all life depends.
Introduction → Body → Conclusion 構成の小論文風に膨らませてみると、
Introduction
Although animals may appear very different on the surface, they often share underlying characteristics that are essential for survival. By examining such similarities, we can not only deepen our understanding of the natural world but also reconsider humanity’s place within it.
Body
For instance, birds are covered with feathers, whereas mammals are covered with skin. Despite these differences, both coverings serve the same vital purpose: protecting and containing the body. Likewise, horses possess hooves while waterfowl have webbed feet. These features look distinct, yet each enables the animal to stand securely and interact effectively with its environment. These examples demonstrate that outward variations in form are shaped by evolutionary adaptations, while the underlying biological functions remain remarkably similar across species.
Conclusion
Therefore, the study of animals reveals that life is unified at a fundamental level. This perspective extends to human beings, reminding us that, despite cultural and physical differences, we share essential needs and survival mechanisms with other creatures. Consequently, recognizing these connections should inspire us to respect biodiversity and assume responsibility for protecting the natural environment upon which all forms of life depend.
TOEFL で好まれるフォーマルな語彙を入れていくと、
Introduction
Although animals may appear strikingly different in outward appearance, they frequently exhibit profound commonalities in their essential biological functions. Recognizing these similarities allows us to appreciate the interdependence of species and to reevaluate humanity’s role within the broader web of life.
Body
For example, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, both structures serve the indispensable purpose of safeguarding the body and maintaining its integrity. Likewise, horses are equipped with hooves, whereas waterfowl possess webbed feet. These contrasting adaptations reflect divergent evolutionary pathways, yet each fulfills the fundamental requirement of enabling stable movement and effective interaction with the environment. Such comparisons illustrate that what may seem like superficial diversity is, in fact, evidence of a shared evolutionary heritage and the underlying unity of life.
Conclusion
Therefore, these observations demonstrate that biological diversity should not be viewed merely as a collection of differences but as a manifestation of common survival strategies across species. This insight extends to human beings as well: despite our cultural and physical distinctions, we share essential needs and vulnerabilities with other creatures. Consequently, acknowledging this interconnectedness ought to inspire us to preserve ecological balance, promote sustainability, and accept greater responsibility for protecting the natural environment upon which the survival of all species ultimately depends.
これに counterargument（反論への対応） を入れて、より洗練された完成版エッセイを作ります。反論を提示し、それを論理的に克服することで、文章全体に「深さ」と「批判的思考」が加わります。
Introduction
Although animals may appear strikingly different in outward appearance, they frequently exhibit profound commonalities in their essential biological functions. Recognizing these similarities allows us to appreciate the interdependence of species and to reevaluate humanity’s role within the broader web of life.
Body
For example, while birds are covered with feathers and mammals with skin, both structures serve the indispensable purpose of safeguarding the body and maintaining its integrity. Likewise, horses are equipped with hooves, whereas waterfowl possess webbed feet. These contrasting adaptations reflect divergent evolutionary pathways, yet each fulfills the fundamental requirement of enabling stable movement and effective interaction with the environment. Such comparisons illustrate that what may seem like superficial diversity is, in fact, evidence of a shared evolutionary heritage and the underlying unity of life.
Counterargument and Rebuttal
Admittedly, one might argue that the vast anatomical and behavioral differences among species outweigh their similarities, making it difficult to speak of genuine unity. However, this perspective overlooks the fact that these differences are largely superficial, arising from adaptations to specific ecological niches. Beneath these variations lie common biological imperatives—such as protection, locomotion, and reproduction—that highlight the shared foundation of life. In this sense, diversity does not contradict unity; rather, it expresses it through multiple evolutionary forms.
Conclusion
Therefore, these observations demonstrate that biological diversity should not be viewed merely as a collection of differences but as a manifestation of common survival strategies across species. This insight extends to human beings as well: despite our cultural and physical distinctions, we share essential needs and vulnerabilities with other creatures. Consequently, acknowledging this interconnectedness ought to inspire us to preserve ecological balance, promote sustainability, and accept greater responsibility for protecting the natural environment upon which the survival of all species ultimately depends.
あの歌を聴きながらこんなことを考え、実際に英文を書いて練習する人がどのくらいいるでしょうか。我々はその一人になって TOEFL で無意識のうちにアドバンテージを取る側になっていたいと思います。
