今回から、先日2024年に実施された大学入学共通テストでの
英語の問題を扱って行きます。
基本的な問題の扱い方
今回、このブログでは、
共通テスト(英語)の「リーディング」の問題だけを扱うこととします。
基本的な問題の扱い方は、下記の通りにします。
①問題の提示
※基本的には「大問」毎に扱う予定ですが、問題の量などによりそれより細かく区切って取り扱うこともあります。
②模範解答の提示
③解説
④そのほかの補説
今回は第５問の解説です。
第５問：配点１５
※各大問の英文や図表を読み、解答番号【 1 】〜【 49 】にあてはまるものとして
最も適当な選択肢を選びなさい。
You are in an English discussion group, and it is your turn to introduce a story.
You have found a story in an English language magazine in Japan. You are
preparing notes for your presentation.
Maki’s Kitchen
“Irasshai-mase,” said Maki as two customers entered her restaurant,
Maki’s Kitchen. Maki had joined her family business at the age of 19 when
her father became ill. After he recovered, Maki decided to continue.
Eventually, Maki’s parents retired and she became the owner. Maki had many
regular customers who came not only for the delicious food, but also to sit at
the counter and talk to her. Although her business was doing very well, Maki
occasionally daydreamed about doing something different.
“Can we sit at the counter?” she heard. It was her old friends, Takuya
and Kasumi. A phone call a few weeks earlier from Kasumi to Takuya had
given then the idea to visit Maki and surprise her.
◆◆◆◆◆
Takuya’s phone vibrated, and he saw a familiar name, Kasumi.
“Kasumi!”
“Hi Takuya, I saw you in the newspaper. Congratulations!”
“Thanks. Hey, you weren’t at our 20th high school reunion last month.”
“No, I couldn’t make it. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since we
graduated. Actually, I was calling to ask if you’ve seen Maki recently.”
◆◆◆◆◆
Takuya’s family had moved to Kawanaka Town shortly before he started
high school. He joined the drama club, where he met Maki and Kasumi. The
three became inseparable. After graduation, Takuya left Kawanaka to become
an actor, while Make and Kasumi remained. Maki had decided she wanted to
study at university and enrolled in a preparatory school. Kasumi, on the other
hand, started her career. Takuya tried out for various acting roles but was
constantly rejected: eventually, he quit.
Exactly one year after graduation, Takuya returned to Kawanaka with his
dreams destroyed. He called Maki, who offered her sympathy. He was
surprised to learn that Maki had abandoned her plan to attend university
because she had to manage her family’s restaurant. Her first day of work had
been the day he called. For some reason, Takuya could not resist giving Maki
some advice.
“Maki, I’ve always thought your family’s restaurant should change the
coffee it serves. I think people in Kawanaka want a bolder flavor. I’d be
happy to recommend a different brand,” he said.
“Takuya, you really know your coffee. Hey, I was walking by Cafe
Kawanaka and saw a help-wanted sign. You should apply!” Maki replied.
Takuya was hired by Cafe Kawanaka and became fascinated by the
science of coffee making. On the one-year anniversary of this employment,
Takuya was talking to Maki at her restaurant.
“Maki,” he said, “do you know what my dream is?”
“It must have have something to do with coffee.”
“That’s right! It’s to have my own coffee business.”
“I can’t imagine a better person for it. What are you waiting for?”
Maki’s encouragement inspired Takuya. He quit his job, purchased a
coffee bean roaster, and began roasting beans, Maki had a sign in her
restaurant saying, “We proudly serve Takuya’s Coffee,” and this publicity
helped the coffee gain popularity in Kawanaka. Takuya started making good
money selling his beans, Eventually, he opened his own cafe and became a
successful business owner.
◆◆◆◆◆
Kasumi was reading the newspaper when she saw the headline:
TAKUYA’S CAFE ATTRACTING TOURISTS TO KAWANAKA TOWN, “Who
would have thought that Takuya would be so successful?” Kasumi thought to
herself as she reflected on her past.
In the high school drama club, Kasumi’s duty was to put make-up on the
actors. No one could do it better than her. Maki noticed this and saw that a
cosmetics company called Beautella was advertising for salespeople. She
encouraged Kasumi to apply, and, after graduation, she became an employee
of Beautella.
The work was tough; Kasumi went door to door selling cosmetics. On bad
days, she would call Maki, who would lift her spirits. One day, Maki had an
idea, “Doesn’t Beautella do make-up workshops? I think you are more suited
for that. You can show people how to use the make-up. They’ll love the way
they look and buy lots of cosmetics!”
Kasumi’s company agreed to let her do workshops, and they were a hit!
Kasumi’s sales were so good that eight months out of high school, she had
been promoted, moving to the big city of Ishijima. Since then, she had steadily
climbed her way up the company ladder until she had been named vice-
president of Beautella this year.
“I wouldn’t be vice-president now without Maki,” she thought, “she helped
me when I was struggling, but I was too absorbed with my work in Ishijima to
give her support when she had to quit her preparatory school.” Glancing back
to the article, she decided to call Takuya.
◆◆◆◆◆
“Maki wasn’t at the reunion. I haven’t seen her in ages, ” said Takuya.
“Same here. It’s a pity. Where would we be without her?” asked Kasumi.
The conversation became silent, as they wordlessly communicated their
guilt. Then, Kasumi had an idea.
◆◆◆◆◆
The three friends were talking and laughing when Maki asked, “By the
way, I’m really happy to see you two, but what brings you here?”
“Payback,” said Takuya.
“Have I done something wrong?” asked Maki.
“No. The opposite. You understand people incredibly well. You can
identify others’ strengths and show them how to make use of them. We’re
proof of this. You made us aware o our gifts,” said Takuya.
“The irony is that you couldn’t do the same for yourself,” added Kasumi.
“I think Ishijima University would be ideal for you. It offers a degree
program in counseling that’s designed for people with jobs,” said Takuya.
“You’d have to go there a few times a month, but you could stay with me.
Also, Takuya can help you find staff for your restaurant,” said Kasumi.
Maki closed her eyes and imagined Kawanaka having both “Maki’s
Kitchen” and “Maki’s Counseling.” She liked that idea.
Your notes:
Maki’s Kitchen
Story outline
Maki, Takuya, and Kasumi graduate from high school.
↓ 【 30 】
↓ 【 31 】
↓ 【 32 】
↓ 【 33 】
Maki begins to think about a second career.
About Maki
・ Age：【 34 】
・ Occupation：restaurant owner
・How she supported her friends
Provided Takuya with encouragement and 【 35 】.
〃 Kasumi 〃 〃 and 【 36 】.
Interpretation of key moments
・Kasumi and Takuya experience an uncomfortable silence on the
phone because they 【 37 】.
・In the final scene, Kasumi uses the word “irony” with Maki. The
irony is that Maki does not 【 38 】.
問１ Choose four out of the five events (①〜⑤) and rearrange them in the
order they happened. 【 30 】→【 31 】→【 32 】→【 33 】
① Kasumi becomes vice-president of her company.
② Kasumi gets in touch with Takuya.
③ Maki gets her university degree.
④ Maki starts working in her family business.
⑤ Takuya is inspired to start his own business.
問２ Choose the best option for【 34 】.
① early 30s
② late 30s
③ early 40s
④ late 40s
問３ Choose the best options for 【 35 】and 【 36 】.
① made the product known to people
② proposed a successful business idea
③ purchased equipment for the business
④ suggested moving to a bigger city
⑤ taught the necessary skills for success
問４ Choose the best option for 【 37 】.
① do not want to discuss their success
② have not spoken in a long time
③ regret not appreciating their friend more
④ think Maki was envious of their achievements
問５ Choose the best option for【 38 】.
① like to try different things
② recognize her own talent
③ understand the ability she lacks
④ want to pursue her dreams
👉模範解答と解説は次のページです。
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