英語教育・英語学習に関する独り言49　ー　模擬TOEFL作成の過程01

職場でPCをONにしてMicrosoft Edgeを起動させると、今日（9月24日）はF・スコット・フィッツジェラルドの誕生日だとのこと。であれば、メアリー・シェリーと同じように、彼も模擬TOEFLの題材に取り上げてもいいのではないだろうか。さらにテキスト生成系ＡＩや音声生成ＡＩの使用方法あれこれを備忘録的に残しておくのも良いかもしれない。というわけで、これから何回かに分けて、模擬TOEFLの作成過程をここにものしていこうと思う。

第1回は、リスニング・パッセージの大枠の作り方について。ＣＪはたいてい、Claude、ChatGPT、Google Gemini（いずれも無料版）を使っている。それらを組み合わせて、あるいはそれらの生成物の中から一つを選んで、それを自分なりに推敲する。あるいは新たなプロンプトを与えて、パッセージを完成に近づけていく。

やり方としては以下の通り。まずは、TOEFLっぽい作りとは何かを教えるのだが、すでに自分が作ったものを読み込ませて、そのパターンに合わせて、パッセージを作らせる。プロンプトはすべて共通で以下の通り。

I would like you to help me create a mock TOEFL iBT listening passage. First, I want you to read a mock TOEFL iBT passage that I made so that you can learn the basic patterns and structures. I will now post it. Are you ready to analyze it?

各ＡＩの返答は以下の通り。

Claude

Yes, I'm ready to analyze the mock TOEFL iBT listening passage you've created. Please go ahead and post it, and I'll carefully review its structure, content, and style to understand the patterns and characteristics of a typical TOEFL iBT listening passage. This will help me assist you in creating a new one afterwards.

ChatGPT

Yes, I'm ready! Please go ahead and post your mock TOEFL iBT listening passage, and I'll analyze its patterns, structures, and any other relevant elements to help you create new ones.

Google Gemini

Yes, I'm ready! Please go ahead and post the mock TOEFL iBT listening passage. I'll analyze it for its structure, content, and appropriateness for the TOEFL iBT format.

読ませるのは Mary Shelley に関するレクチャー。該当記事はこちら。

上記のオーディオ・スクリプトに加えて、以下も付け足す。

By using the patterns and structures, I want you to make a mock TOEFL iBT listening lecture about F. Scott Fitzgerald. When you do that, keep the following in mind:

Please make sure that the lecture is 700 - 800 words long.
Please make sure that the lecture is given by a professor and there are no teacher - student interactions.
Please make sure that the professor gives his speech mostly academically but occasionally casually.
Please make sure that the professor speaks using the CEFR B1 - B2 level vocabulary.

そして得られたアウトプットは以下の通り。

Claude

Certainly! I'll create a mock TOEFL iBT listening lecture about F. Scott Fitzgerald, following the guidelines you've provided. Here's the lecture:

Listen to part of a lecture in an American literature class.

Professor: Good morning, everyone. Today, we're going to dive into the life and works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. Fitzgerald is best known for his novel "The Great Gatsby," but his contributions to literature go far beyond just this one book.

Let's start by looking at Fitzgerald's background. He was born in 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fitzgerald came from a middle-class family, but he was always aware of the wealthy elite around him. This early exposure to different social classes would later play a big role in his writing. He attended Princeton University, though he never graduated. Instead, he joined the army during World War I. It was during his time in the military that he started seriously working on his first novel.

Now, let's talk about Fitzgerald's writing career. His first novel, "This Side of Paradise," was published in 1920 when he was just 23 years old. The book was an instant success, making Fitzgerald famous almost overnight. Can you imagine becoming a literary star at such a young age? It must have been quite overwhelming.

Fitzgerald's sudden fame and success led him into the world of the rich and famous. He married Zelda Sayre, a Southern belle, and the couple became celebrities in their own right. They were known for their wild parties and extravagant lifestyle. In a way, Fitzgerald was living the life he would later write about in his novels.

Speaking of his novels, let's focus on "The Great Gatsby," which many consider his masterpiece. Published in 1925, the novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, and his obsession with his former love, Daisy Buchanan. On the surface, it's a love story, but dig deeper, and you'll find it's much more than that.

"The Great Gatsby" is a critique of the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses the story to explore themes of wealth, class, and the corruption of the American Dream. The character of Gatsby represents the idea that anyone can become successful in America if they work hard enough. But Fitzgerald shows us that this dream often comes at a great cost.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Great Gatsby" is its portrayal of the Roaring Twenties. Fitzgerald captures the excitement and excess of the era, with its lavish parties and new wealth. But he also shows the darker side of this period - the emptiness and moral decay hidden behind the glittering facade.

Now, you might be wondering, why is this important? Well, Fitzgerald's work gives us a window into a crucial period in American history. The 1920s were a time of great change and prosperity, but also of growing inequality and social tension. Sound familiar? Many of the issues Fitzgerald wrote about are still relevant today.

Let's move on to Fitzgerald's writing style. He's known for his elegant, poetic prose. Take this famous line from "The Great Gatsby": "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." Pretty powerful stuff, right? Fitzgerald had a knack for creating vivid images and capturing complex emotions in just a few words.

But Fitzgerald's life wasn't all success and glamour. He struggled with alcoholism for much of his adult life. His wife Zelda was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the 1930s, which put a strain on their marriage and Fitzgerald's career. Despite these personal troubles, he continued to write, though his later works weren't as well-received as his earlier ones.

Fitzgerald died in 1940 at the age of 44. At the time of his death, he thought he was a failure. "The Great Gatsby" hadn't sold well, and he was struggling to finish his final novel, "The Last Tycoon." It's kind of ironic, isn't it? The man who wrote one of the greatest American novels died thinking he was a has-been.

But here's the thing: Fitzgerald's reputation grew enormously after his death. "The Great Gatsby" was rediscovered during World War II and is now considered a classic of American literature. It's taught in schools all over the country and has been adapted into several movies.

So, what's Fitzgerald's lasting legacy? Well, he gave us a powerful critique of the American Dream that still resonates today. His vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age has shaped how we remember that era. And his elegant, evocative writing style continues to influence writers.

In the end, Fitzgerald's life and work remind us that success isn't always what it seems. He achieved fame and fortune at a young age, but struggled with personal demons. His greatest work wasn't appreciated in his lifetime, but has endured long after his death. It just goes to show that sometimes, the true value of art isn't recognized right away.

That's all for today. Next week, we'll be discussing how Fitzgerald's work influenced later writers of the Lost Generation. Make sure you've read "The Great Gatsby" by then!

ChatGPT

Sure! Here's a mock TOEFL iBT listening lecture about F. Scott Fitzgerald based on your guidelines:

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**Professor:**

Today, we’re going to explore the life and work of F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the most iconic figures in American literature. Fitzgerald is best known for his novel *The Great Gatsby*, a work that has become synonymous with the Jazz Age—a term he himself coined to describe the 1920s in the United States. While *The Great Gatsby* is his most famous work, Fitzgerald's life and career were marked by both extraordinary success and deep personal struggles. Through his literature, he captured the spirit of a rapidly changing society, and his writings continue to influence readers and scholars alike.

First, let’s discuss a bit about Fitzgerald’s early life. Born in 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald came from a middle-class family. His mother was the daughter of an Irish immigrant who made a fortune in wholesale grocery businesses, while his father worked as a salesman. Fitzgerald’s upbringing was marked by a contrast between the wealthy elite he admired and his own family’s more modest background. This tension between wealth and poverty would later become a central theme in much of his writing.

Fitzgerald was a bright student and showed an early interest in writing. He attended Princeton University, though he struggled academically. Instead of focusing on his studies, he devoted much of his energy to writing plays and short stories. He also became involved in literary societies and was deeply influenced by the social scene at Princeton. However, he left university without graduating, deciding to pursue a career in writing.

Now, moving on to his early literary career—Fitzgerald’s breakthrough came in 1920 with the publication of *This Side of Paradise*. The novel was an instant success and made him a celebrity at the age of 23. It explored the lives and ambitions of young people after World War I, capturing the disillusionment and excitement of the so-called “Lost Generation.” This success also allowed him to marry Zelda Sayre, a Southern belle who would become both his muse and a major influence on his work. Their marriage was passionate but volatile, characterized by both creative collaboration and personal conflict.

Following the success of *This Side of Paradise*, Fitzgerald published *The Beautiful and Damned* in 1922. This novel continued to explore themes of wealth, ambition, and moral decay, but it didn’t achieve the same level of success as his first book. However, Fitzgerald was undeterred, and he began working on what would become his masterpiece: *The Great Gatsby*, published in 1925.

Now, let’s talk a little more about *The Great Gatsby*. The novel is set in the summer of 1922 and follows the mysterious Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who throws extravagant parties in the hopes of winning back the love of Daisy Buchanan, a woman from his past. *The Great Gatsby* is often considered one of the greatest American novels, in part because it so perfectly captures the contradictions of the Jazz Age. On one hand, it’s a novel about the American Dream—the idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success through hard work. But on the other hand, the novel reveals the dark side of that dream, exposing the emptiness and corruption that often accompany the pursuit of wealth and status.

What makes *The Great Gatsby* so fascinating is the way it addresses not just the characters’ personal stories, but also broader social and cultural issues. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of wealth, class, and ambition speaks to the excesses of the 1920s, a decade marked by rapid economic growth, widespread consumerism, and the rise of new technologies like the automobile and the radio. But beneath the glittering surface of Gatsby’s world lies a deep sense of disillusionment and loss, themes that resonate with readers to this day.

Despite the critical acclaim that *The Great Gatsby* enjoys today, it wasn’t an immediate success. In fact, it sold poorly when it was first published, and Fitzgerald’s reputation began to decline soon after. He continued to write, publishing short stories to support his family, but he struggled with alcoholism and financial difficulties. His relationship with Zelda also deteriorated as she battled mental illness. By the 1930s, Fitzgerald’s career had taken a downward turn, and he found himself working in Hollywood as a screenwriter to make ends meet.

Fitzgerald’s final novel, *Tender Is the Night*, published in 1934, was based in part on his own experiences with Zelda’s mental illness and their troubled marriage. The novel explores themes of love, failure, and the disintegration of idealism. While it received mixed reviews at the time, it has since been recognized as one of his most important works.

Tragically, Fitzgerald died in 1940 at the age of 44, believing himself to be a failure. However, his reputation underwent a dramatic revival after his death, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, when *The Great Gatsby* was rediscovered by a new generation of readers. Today, Fitzgerald is celebrated as one of the greatest American writers, and his works are studied in schools and universities around the world.

In conclusion, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life and works offer us a window into the complexities of the American experience during the early 20th century. His writing captures the hopes, dreams, and disillusionments of an era, and his exploration of themes like wealth, ambition, and the American Dream continues to resonate with readers today.

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Let me know if you'd like any adjustments!

Google Gemini

Mock TOEFL iBT Listening Lecture: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Professor: Good morning, class. Today, we'll delve into the life and works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, a pivotal figure in the American Jazz Age. Fitzgerald's novels, renowned for their vivid portrayals of wealth, excess, and the American Dream, continue to captivate readers today.

Born in 1896, Fitzgerald grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. His early life was marked by a fascination with literature and a desire for social success. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, Fitzgerald moved to New York City, where he became immersed in the vibrant social scene of the Roaring Twenties.

Fitzgerald's most celebrated novel, The Great Gatsby, is a poignant exploration of the American Dream and the disillusionment that often accompanies it. The novel follows Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, as he pursues his elusive dream of reuniting with his former love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby's relentless pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to his downfall, revealing the dark side of the American Dream.
Another notable work by Fitzgerald is Tender Is the Night. This novel delves into the themes of love, loss, and the decline of the American aristocracy. Set amidst the glamorous world of the Riviera, Tender Is the Night offers a nuanced exploration of the human psyche and the destructive power of unfulfilled desires.

Fitzgerald's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose, vivid imagery, and psychological depth. His ability to capture the spirit of the Jazz Age and the complexities of human nature has earned him a place among the greatest American novelists.

Unfortunately, Fitzgerald's personal life was plagued by financial struggles, alcoholism, and mental health issues. Despite his literary success, he struggled to maintain a stable life and career. His untimely death in 1940 at the age of 44 cut short his promising career.

Fitzgerald's legacy, however, lives on through his enduring works. His novels continue to be studied and celebrated, offering valuable insights into the American Dream, the human condition, and the complexities of the Jazz Age. By examining Fitzgerald's life and works, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and social forces that shaped American society in the early 20th century.

Would you like me to add any additional details or focus on specific aspects of Fitzgerald's life or work?

パッと読んだ限り、development と vocabulary が一番しっかりしているのは ChatGPT、次点で Claude かな。この二つをＣＪがうまいこと組み合わせて推敲していく。ここが腕の見せ所。もちろん、wikipedia や信頼できるウェブサイトを参照しながらのファクト・チェックも行う。

全国10万人のTOEFLファンへ、次回もお楽しみに！