IA05 · Data and arguments

Before you start

This level assumes the intermediate level and intermediate grammar. Words are in kanji with furigana, and the notes explain their register: which belong to the press and documents and which to conversation.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• IA01understanding economic news
• IA02following political news
• IA03reading notices and formal documents
• IA04job hunting and understanding a contract

What you learn

An argument chains data, grounds and conclusion: 統計 → 根拠 → 結論. These words appear together in reports and debates.

You practise them in kana; underneath you can see how they are usually written.

• 割合わりあいwariaiproportion, ratio
• 傾向けいこうkeikoutendency, trendOften with がある: 増える 傾向が あります (it tends to increase).
• 比較ひかくhikakucomparison比較する is the formal form of くらべる (to compare).
• 平均へいきんheikinaverage
• 統計とうけいtoukeistatistics
• 根拠こんきょkonkyogrounds, basis根拠 is what a claim rests on: 根拠が ない (it's groundless). More precise than 理由 (reason).
• 主張しゅちょうshuchouclaim, argument主張 is a view you firmly argue for; 意見 (IN08) is any opinion. Don't confuse it with 出張 (しゅっちょう, business trip).
• 結論けつろんketsuronconclusion
• 半数はんすうhansuuhalf (of a group)半数 is half of a number of people or things (半数以上, more than half); 半分 is half of anything.
• 増減ぞうげんzougenincrease and decrease, fluctuationJoins 増 (increase) and 減 (decrease), like 増加 and 減少 (IN09).

Practice

A short text with words and grammar you already know; kanji carry their reading above. Read it and answer.