2026年真题07

Listen to a podcast about political science. Soft power refers to a country's ability to influence others through attraction, culture, and collaboration. The term was introduced by political scientist Joseph Nye in 1990. He noticed that some countries gain support not by using force or money, but by being admired and respected. What Nye contributed wasn't just a name. He offered a clear framework for understanding this kind of influence. He explained that power works in three ways: by forcing others, by paying them, or by attracting them. That third kind, attraction, is what he called soft power. By classifying power this way, he made it easier for people to understand and talk about influence that comes from trust, culture, and values. A modern example is South Korea's cultural wave, which has sparked global interest in Korean pop music, language, and food. This kind of appeal fits directly into Nye's idea of attraction. It shows how cultural influence can build admiration and shape international relationships without pressure or incentives. Now, soft power takes time because it's built on trust, reputation, and emotional connection. It spreads through cultural events, learning opportunities, and other shared experiences, things that grow gradually but once established, it tends to last, often shaping how future generations view a country. Like planting a tree, it needs patience and care, but its roots run deep and its impact endures.

Listen to a talk in a psychology class. Positive reinforcement is a powerful concept in psychology and behavior training. It means giving a reward after someone performs an action you want them to do again. The basic idea is that when a behavior leads to a positive outcome, it's more likely to be repeated. In other words, we tend to repeat actions that bring us something positive. This principle applies to both humans and animals, but the way it works can differ. Animals need to receive rewards immediately after the desired behavior. For example, if a dog sits and gets a treat right away, it learns that sitting leads to something good. If the reward comes too late, the connection is lost. Humans, however, can understand delayed rewards. They might work hard today because they're aiming for a future goal, like earning a degree. Or they might feel motivated by praise even if the reward isn't tangible or instant. But rewards must be used carefully. If a parent gives a child candy to stop whining, the child may learn that whining gets rewarded. It's like watering weeds instead of flowers. You're encouraging the wrong behavior. And if rewards are given too frequently, they can reduce a person's internal motivation, making them rely more on external incentives to take action. So while positive reinforcement is effective, it works best when applied thoughtfully and with clear intent.

Listen to a talk in an art history class. Expressionism is an influential modernist art movement that emerged in the early 20th century. This movement is characterized by its focus on representing emotional experience rather than physical reality. Expressionist artists aim to convey their inner feelings and perceptions through distorted and exaggerated forms, vivid colors, and bold brushstrokes. One of the most famous Expressionist artists is Edvard Munch. His painting The Scream shows an agonized person crying out. It eventually became an icon of the movement's focus on intense personal experience. Expressionism was not limited to visual arts, however. It also influenced literary theater and cinematic arts. In literature, authors like Franz Kafka explored themes of alienation and existential angst in his bizarre, dreamlike fiction. Expressionist theater often used dramatic lighting and intense performances to evoke emotional responses. Set sometimes featured oversized symbolic objects. In Elmer Rice's 1923 play The Adding Machine, a giant adding machine represents the dehumanizing forces of technology. Similarly, the German Expressionist film movement used innovative techniques, such as cutting between scenes with a shared sound to help create emotionally charged narratives. Despite its impact, Expressionism faced criticism for its departure from traditional aesthetics and its emphasis on the personal. Critics argued that its focus on subjective emotion robbed the works of broader content or meaning. And the bold brushwork in painting was sometimes viewed as lacking in skill and technique. Nonetheless, Expressionism paved the way for later movements such as Surrealism, leaving a lasting legacy in the art world.

Listen to a talk in a literature class. A common theme in literature is isolation, and that's what we'll explore today. Isolation can be a powerful motif, reflecting the psychological effects of being separated from society. One of the most classic examples of isolation in literature is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. In this novel, Victor Frankenstein's grotesque creation, the creature experiences profound isolation due to his monstrous appearance and the fear he instills in people. This isolation leads to anger and a desire for revenge, thus highlighting the detrimental effects of being ostracized. Another notable example is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, feels disconnected from the world around him, and he struggles with alienation and loneliness. This social isolation is what drives Holden's actions and internal conflicts throughout the book. Yet another example of isolation in literature, and one that ends badly, is Herman Melville's Moby Dick. In this novel, Captain Ahab's obsessive, vengeful quest for the white whale leads to his isolation. This obsession distances him from his crew as well as his humanity, and it propels him and his ship toward a destructive end. However, the portrayal of isolation in literature is not always negative. In Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, the titular character experiences isolation at various points in her life, such as when she is sent to live with her unkind relatives and later when she experiences loneliness at a boarding school. But Jane is resilient in the face of isolation, becoming strong and independent.