Sentence 1

ある日、あやの家のポストに、町内会の防災訓練のお知らせが入っていました。

One day, in the mailbox at Aya's house, there was a notice for the neighborhood association's disaster drill.

Sentence 2

紙には「安全を確認するため、来月の第一日曜日、午前九時から訓練を行うことになっています」と書いてあります。

On the paper it said, 'In order to confirm safety, it has been decided that a drill will be carried out from 9 a.m. on the first Sunday of next month.'

Sentence 3

先月の大雨で近くの川の水がかなり増えたため、今年は例年より大きい訓練になるはずだと父は言いました。

Because the water in the nearby river rose quite a lot in last month's heavy rain, Aya's father said that this year's drill would probably be larger than usual.

Sentence 4

しかも、去年は連絡が少し遅れたせいで、集まる場所をまちがえた人もいたそうです。

Moreover, Aya heard that last year there were also people who went to the wrong meeting place because the notice came a little late.

Sentence 5

それを聞いても、あやは最初、「そんなに心配することはないんじゃないか」と思っていました。

Even after hearing that, at first Aya thought, 'Maybe there isn't a need to worry that much.'

Sentence 6

母は「こわがることはないけれど、準備できることは準備しておくべきだね」と言います。

Her mother says, 'There is no need to be afraid, but you should prepare the things you can prepare.'

Sentence 7

たしかに、災害は毎年起こるわけではありませんが、何も知らないままでは落ち着いて動けないかもしれません。

Certainly, disasters do not happen every year, but if you stay without knowing anything, you may not be able to move calmly.

Sentence 8

訓練の前の週、あやは非常用の水や電池がまだ使えるうちに、家の持ち出し袋を見直しました。

In the week before the drill, while the emergency water and batteries could still be used, Aya looked over the household emergency bag.

Sentence 9

そのあいだに、けんは古い地図を新しいものに入れかえ、母は薬の期限を確認していました。

During that time, Ken replaced the old map with a new one, and her mother checked the expiration dates of the medicine.

Sentence 10

当日の朝、雨が少し降っていたので、参加者が減るかと思われました。

On the morning of the day itself, because a little rain was falling, it was thought that the number of participants might go down.

Sentence 11

ところが、開始時間が近づくにつれて、公園には人が集まり、その最中にも係の人が何度も案内を続けていました。

However, as the start time drew near, people gathered in the park, and even in the middle of that, the staff kept giving guidance again and again.

Sentence 12

訓練では、名前を言わずに移動するのではなく、班ごとに人数を確認しながら歩くことになっています。

In the drill, rather than moving without saying names, it has been decided that each group will walk while checking the number of people.

Sentence 13

あやは小さい子の手を引いて歩き、けんは走らないで列の後ろを見るように頼まれました。

Aya walked holding a small child's hand, and Ken was asked to watch the back of the line without running.

Sentence 14

道の途中で先生に会うと、「前回より落ち着いて動けていますね。練習してきたわけだ」と言われました。

When she met her teacher on the way, she was told, 'You're moving more calmly than last time. So that's why you've been practicing.'

Sentence 15

公園に着いたあと、消火器の使い方の説明があり、父は「一度見ただけでできるわけではないから、こういう機会こそ大切だ」と話しました。

After they arrived at the park, there was an explanation of how to use a fire extinguisher, and her father said, 'Just because you've seen it once doesn't mean you can do it, so opportunities like this are exactly what matter.'

Sentence 16

訓練が終わったころには雨もやみ、家に戻ったあやは、参加したおかげで、いざというときに何をすべきか前よりはっきり分かった気がしました。

By the time the drill ended, the rain had also stopped, and when Aya returned home, she felt that, thanks to taking part, she understood more clearly than before what she should do when the time comes.