Listening Question 16~Question 30

ラストです。
Characters

Sarah…College student, a twenty-year-old girl.

Mom…Sarah’s mother, 40s or 50s.

Male Narrator…He plays Neighbor, Youtuber, and Counsellor, Sarah’s boyfriend.

Female Narrator…She plays Neighbor, News Caster, Aunt Mary, TikToker, and Eight-year-old Sarah.

Middle-Aged Narrator…He plays Entrepreneur, Daddy, and Twitterer.

SET
Sarah’s house and other places

Production Note
Whenever Narrators play any characters except for Daddy and Aunt Mary, you can think they speak outside of Sarah’s house or online.

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Question 16.

(At a café)

Middle-Aged Narrator: Question No.16 refers to the following conversation.

Sarah: I’m tired of my mother. She’s inclined to the right wing’s thought, slurred left-wing or people from neighboring countries, and worst of all, she’s believed an absurd conspiracy theory! I can’t believe that!

Male Narrator: (As her boyfriend) Oh… That’s too bad. She’s such a difficult person. I truly feel sympathy for you.

Sarah: Thank you. You’re really kind. I’ve been hating her prejudices toward other people. She says “People in this country aren’t human beings” or “I hate this person, that person” blur blur blur…

Male Narrator: That’s hard. Anyway, I’m on your side.

Middle-Aged Narrator: No.16. Why is the woman angry?

(Pause)

Question 17.

Female Narrator: Question No.17 refers to the following conversation.

(At Daddy’s house. twenty-year-old Sarah talks with Daddy)

Middle-Aged Narrator: (As Daddy) Speaking of your mother, are you on a good term with her?

Sarah: Ah… Actually, I don’t like Mom, or Daddy, though she may… or must love me. Daddy.

Middle-Aged Narrator: Ah…That’s what I thought. She always thinks that her opinion is right, and others are wrong.

Sarah: Right. She has so many prejudices. I can’t like her. Her sense of justice is harmful to me. So, Daddy, will you pledge to stop speaking ill of Mom?

Middle-Aged Narrator: Sure. I’ve been kept reminded of it since you told it to me seven years ago. You can trust me.

Sarah: Thank you, Daddy.

Female Narrator: No.17. Who does the woman dislike?

Question 18.

Male Narrator: Question No.18 refers to the following conversation.

(Seven years ago. At Daddy’s house. Sarah talks with Daddy and Aunt Mary.)

Female Narrator: (As Aunt Mary) Sarah. You look so sad. What’s wrong with you?

Sarah: (Sadly. Thirteen years old) Aunt Mary. I was scolded for eating out with Daddy… She called Daddy “scum”, Aunt Mary that bitch… because you betrayed Mom…

Female Narrator: Oh my… I’m sorry Sarah… I’m sorry…I can’t feel sorry enough…

Sarah: That’s Okay… I can’t hate you and Daddy as well as Mom. I love all of my family. So, I was devastated I was called a child of that scum…

Middle-Aged Narrator: What!? How dare she said it to you! I’m really sorry for you, Sarah… I don’t want you to suffer from such a ruthless experience…

Sarah: Daddy, listen to me. Will you stop abusing Mom?

Middle-Aged Narrator: I’ll keep it in mind. I mean it.

Male Narrator: No.18. Who will stop abusing?

(Pause)

Question 19.

Middle-Aged Narrator: Question No.19 refers to the following conversation.

(At the same café as one in No.16. Sarah continues to talk with her friend)

Sarah: Seven years ago, I was so shocked when my mother called me a child of that scum. Certainly, my father cheated, I’m not sure though, on my mother loving her sister, my aunt. I don’t deny he made a sin toward her, but is it a sin for my mother to give mercy on, you know, love him? Is it a sin to forgive them? Is it justice to punish them by teaching me they are son of a bitch or they have a devil in their heart?

Male Narrator: (As her boyfriend) That’s a difficult question…

Sarah: Not yet. I want to get an answer but I can’t find it anywhere. I wish I could get an answer like school exams.

Male Narrator: ……

Female Narrator:  We’ll just close, so would you pay a check?

Sarah: OK.

(Sarah exits)

Middle-Aged Narrator: No.19. Where can the woman find an answer?

(Pause. Mom enters)

Question 20.

Female Narrator: Question No.20 refers to the following conversation.

(In Mom’s house. After No.12)

Male Narrator: (As a YouTuber) Even politicians are dining together while saying new virus measures are important. Under the guise of countermeasures, vulnerable people like us are at the authorities' mercy and being conveniently controlled. You should not follow the government’s advice. We must punish it!

Mom: Ah! That’s what I thought! The government tries to control us! This guy says the truth! The Government is evil! The media is fake! Viruses are imaginary! Vaccination is dangerous! The government must hide some plot, I mean it!

Middle-Aged Narrator: (As a Twitterer) People who advocate anti-vaccination are morons!

Mom: (Offended) Ha! You are controlled by the authority! You’ll die sooner or later!

Female Narrator: No.20. Which is fake?

(Pause)

Question 21.

Male Narrator: Question No.21 refers to the following conversation.

(Twenty-two years ago. In Mom’s house. She talks with Aunt Mary)

Female Narrator: (As Aunt Mary) Congrats on your marriage! I’m so happy as if I married your husband!

Mom: (She laughs) HAHAHA! Stop joking! But thank you for your kind words, Mary.

Female Narrator: That’s great! Are you going to hold a wedding party?

Mom: Yes, of course! I can’t wait for it!

Female Narrator: (Kiddingly) Will you love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep him so long as you both shall live?

Mom: I will.

Male Narrator: No.21. What will the woman do?

(Pause)

Question 22.

Middle-Aged Narrator: Question No.22 refers to the following talk.

Female Narrator: (As a TikToker) Social justice warrior is a pejorative term and internet meme used for an individual who promotes socially progressive, left-wing, and liberal views, including feminism, civil rights, gay and transgender rights, identity politics, political correctness, and multiculturalism. The phrase originated in the late 20th century as a neutral or positive term for people engaged in social justice activism. In 2011, when the term first appeared on Twitter, it changed from a primarily positive term to an overwhelmingly negative one. During the Gamergate controversy, the term was adopted by what would become the alt-right, and the negative connotations gained increased usage which would eventually overshadow its origins.

Middle-Aged Narrator: No.22. Who is regarded as social justice warrior?

(Pause)

Question 23.

Female Narrator: Question No.23 refers to the following conversation.

(Ten years ago. In Mom’s house.)

Middle-Aged Narrator: (As Daddy) I think we should live separately for Sarah… Because we’ve been always quarreling with each other for trivial things, so-called the difference of values… I can’t stand she’s crying.

Mom: What!? Do you want me to get divorced? You’re stupid! You betrayed me!

Middle-Aged Narrator: No. I’m not willing to get divorced, I just want to live separately for Sarah and you…

Mom: Shut up, man. I don’t want any excuses. We must break up right now. I won’t forgive you! I want you to pay consolation money for me!

Female Narrator: No.23. Why does this couple break up?

(Pause)

Question 24.

Male Narrator: Question No.24 refers to the following conversation.

(Ten years ago. After Mom broke up with Daddy. In her house with Aunt Mary and Daddy)

Mom: I hate both of you! Damn! Why did you do that? Why are you cheating on me?

Middle-Aged Narrator: (As Daddy) We’re not cheating on you! You and I have broken up already, right? So, this is my will. You can’t disrupt our love!

Female Narrator: (As Aunt Mary) He’s right. I feel really sorry for you. But this is my answer. I don’t mean we want to tease you. I just find him attractive!

Mom: Shut up! You betrayed me! I loved both of you so much but you betrayed me! I can’t stand it! You’re cheating on me! You tried to break up with me! I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL KILL YOU!

Male Narrator: No.24. Who betrayed the woman?

(Pause. Sarah enters)

Question 25.

Middle-Aged Narrator: Question No.25 refers to the following conversation.

(In Sarah’s house. She goes back home at 7 P.M)

Sarah: I’m home, Mom.

Mom: Welcome back, my sweet honey. I made a dinner for you. You can eat the steaks you love!

Sarah: Thanks, Mom.

Mom: You can eat pizza, too! By the way, did you have fun with your friend?

Sarah: Yeah.

Mom: Oh… So, you loved eating with your friend rather than me…

Sarah: …

Mom: Anyway, where’s he from?

Sarah: A neighboring country.

Mom: (Shocked) What? Are you serious? Are you selling yourself to our enemy? Oh my gosh. Are you inclined to the left wing? Are you a spy? Do you devote yourself to evil pedophiles? Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.

Sarah: Wait. Wait. Wait. Mom, I’m not a spy or something evil. I won’t betray my country. He’s not a spy or monster or devil, too. He’s a just good boy. I mean it!

Middle-Aged Narrator: No.25. Who is evil?

(Pause)

Question 26.

Female Narrator: Question No.26 refers to the following conversation.

(In Sarah’s house. The same scene as No.25)

Mom: I hate the left wing! A vaccine is a murder! People in this country are the best race in the world! I'm just trying to protect you from a big evil like Big Brother, you know? You said your boyfriend is a foreigner. I suspect he is trying to support our damn government.

Sarah: No way! Mom, you’re too suspicious and you have too many prejudices! Maybe our government has a secret but there’s no evidence!

Mom: You should listen to what I’m saying, Sarah! Our government has been abusing our life including me and you. Without it, we can live happier, we have no trouble. We should beat that dark empire by helping our president. It was controlled by foreign devils!

Sarah: Mom…

Female Narrator: No.26. Who is evil?

(Pause)

Question 27.

Male Narrator: Question No.27 refers to the following conversation.

(In Sarah’s house. The same scene)

Mom: Then, are you supporting liberalism, socialism, or communism? Are you a left-wing advocate horsing around with your foreign boyfriend?

Sarah: No! Not at all! Mom, listen. I’m not a communist, not left-wing. I’m not supporting any devils in our country.

Mom: You’re lying, Sarah. Liberals are murderers. The government is plotting a plan to torment us. They’re not humans but aliens trying to make us believe the Earth is a sphere.

Sarah: Mom… Listening is enough…Just listen to me… I’m terrified. So terrified that I may go the same way as Mom. I may have a justice that can be harmful. I love my boyfriend but I may break up with him, and even I may call him… that scum…

Male Narrator: No.27. What makes the woman terrified?

(Pause)

Question 28.

Middle-Aged Narrator: Question No.28 refers to the following conversation.

(Eleven years ago. Daddy consults with Aunt Mary at the café)

Middle-Aged Narrator: (As Daddy) Ms. Mary. Can I ask you for help?

Female Narrator: Hi. What’s wrong with you? How can I help you?

Middle-Aged Narrator: Ah… It’s about my wife. Do you know recently she and I quarreled with each other? About a subtle thing like who should clean up a mess or cook dinner.

Female Narrator: Yes, I know about it. She’s a little bit hysteric about something bad even if it's just subtle. So, what’s wrong with her?

Middle-Aged Narrator: Actually, I’ve got divorced from her. I don’t mean to do that but she declared I should divorce her in a unilateral way soon after I said we should live separately for her and Sarah, not divorcing.

Female Narrator: I can understand what you think. She is… sort of obsessed with justice. You can tell me whenever you feel bad.

Middle-Aged Narrator: No.28. Who has justice? Who has evil?

(Pause)

Question 29.

Female Narrator: Question No.29 refers to the following conversation.

(After Sarah meets Mom. At a park. Sarah talks with her boyfriend)

Sarah: My dear. I want to tell you something.

Male Narrator: (As her boyfriend) What do you want to say, my honey?

Sarah: I can’t think without you. I’m crazy about you. But… I’m scared.

Male Narrator: Why?

Sarah: I’m scared… I don’t want to be like my mother. I don’t like him, but I… a little bit inclined to like her just because she’s my mother, you know, I have a blood tie with her.

Male Narrator: I don’t care whether your mother worships conspiracy theories or not. I fully love you, my sweetheart.

Sarah: I’m scared, so scared, but thank you. You’re so kind… I feel really anxious about my future… I can’t express my feeling. Where can I find my answer?

Male Narrator: I’m on your side.

Sarah: Thanks.

Female Narrator: No.29. Where can the woman find an answer?

(Pause)

Question 30.

Male Narrator: Question No.30 refers to the following conversation.

(Thirteen years ago. In Sarah’s house. Sarah talks with her parents)

Female Narrator: (As seven-year-old Sarah) Mom! Daddy! Listen! I found a surprising fact!

Middle-Aged Narrator: (As Daddy) Oh, Sarah. What did you find?

Female Narrator: I knew Aliens from Mars will conquer the Earth in a few years. Are they friendly to humans? Tell me!

Middle-Aged Narrator: Hahaha! They will be friendly to humans.

Mom: (Speaks to Sarah. Amazed) You love so extraordinary theories. Maybe they are kind to you because you’re a good girl.

Female Narrator: Really? I’m relieved! If they arrive on the earth, I will let them take me to their UFO! I want to go to the universe! I wish they give me a lot of toys.

Mom: I hope your answer is right.

Male Narrator: No.30. Where can the girl find an answer?

(Pause)

Sarah: Listen again. Where can the girl find an answer?

(Pause)

Sarah: That's all for the Listening test. Please stop answering.

(Lights dim to blackout)

End of Play