英検２級読解Part2

たむかい学習教室
5月17日
読了時間: 16分

更新日：3 日前

英検２級読解Part2

　当ブログでは、授業のポイント解説をしています。

　塾生たちは、５月の第１回英語検定に向けた対策学習を行っています。過去問の長文読解を中心に対策を進めています。２級の問題は、高校３年間の学習内容が出題範囲となります。

2023年度・第２回　２Ａ

※問題省略

Doggerland

　Since the 1930s, fishermen have occasionally found ancient objects made from stone or bone in their nets when fishing in the sea between Britain and nothern Europe. Many of these objects were made around 9,000 years ago. Historians used to believe this area was underwater at that time, like it is now. There was also little evidence that ancient Europeans regularly traveled on the sea. Therefore, experts had difficulty explaining how these man-made objects had ended up at the bottom of the ocean.

　The only possible explanation was that sea levels must have been much lower in the past. In fact, research shows that Britain did not become an island until about 8,000 years ago. Before that, people could walk to it from the European continent. The huge piece of land that once connected Britain and the European continent has been given the name Doggerland. As the last ice age ended, sea levels rose. Britain was seperated from the rest of Europe when most of Doggerland was covered by the sea. By about 7,000 years ago, sea levels had risen further and covered Doggerland completely.

　Researchers want to learn more about the people who lived in Doggerland. They have created 3D maps from data that has been collected by companies searching for oil at the bottom of the sea. The researchers are using these maps to choose sites where humans probably lived. At one of these sites, the researchers found an ancient stone tool. As a result, they are hopeful that they will continue to make discoveries about the culture and lifestyles of the people of Doggerland.

語句

occasionally：時々

ancient：古代の

object：物体

bone：骨

Britain：イギリス

historian：歴史学者

used to：昔は～していた

underwater：水中

evidence：証拠

European：ヨーロッパ人

regularly：定期的に

difficulty：困難

therefore：したがって、それゆえに

expert：専門家

explain：説明する

man-made：人工の

end up：結局～になる

explanation：説明

sea level：海面

in the past：過去には

in fact：実際には

continent：大陸

huge：巨大な

piece：一部

give the name：名づける、命名する

ice age：氷河期

seperate：切り離す

rest：残り

further：さらに深く、さらに高く

completely：完全に

site：場所

tool：道具

stone tool：石器

discovery：発見

make a discovery：発見する

lifestyle：生活様式

be hopeful that：～であることを期待する

文法

分詞の後置修飾

ancient objects made from stone or bone

when ~ing（分詞構文）

主語＋動詞の省略

when fishing in the sea

used to 原形：過去の習慣

以前は～していた（今はしていない）

Historians used to believe this area was underwater

接続詞"like"

「～のように」

like it is now

have difficulty ~ing

「～することが難しい」

experts had difficulty explaining

※have difficulty to 不定詞は不可

間接疑問（疑問詞＋主語・動詞）

how these man-made objects had ended up at the bottom of the ocean

これらの人工物がどうやって海底に行き着いたのか

過去完了

experts had difficulty explaining how these man-made objects had ended up at the bottom of the ocean

experts had difficulty → 新しい過去

objects had ended up → 古い過去

By about 7,000 years ago, sea levels had risen further

比較級

further　抽象的、目に見えないもの

farther　物理的に測定できるもの

助動詞＋現在完了

sea levels must have been much lower

～だったにちがいない

接続詞"as"「～とき、ころ」

As the last ice age ended

関係副詞"where"

sites where humans probably lived

2023年度・第２回　２Ｂ

※問題省略

The Science of False Starts

　A shot is fired at the beginning of a running race to tell athletes to start moving. If one of the athletes moves before the shot is fired, it is known as a "false start", and the athlete is removed from the race. Interestingly, if an athlete moves before 0.1 seconds have passed after the shot is fired, this is also a false start. Athletics organizations argue that no human can react so quickly. They say that such an athlete must have been guessing when the shot would be fired rather than waiting to hear it.

　To learn more about false starts, scientists have carried out experiments on human response times. One experiment in the 1990s found that athletes responded to the sound of the shot after 0.12 seconds on average. Some were slightly quicker, while others were slightly slower. However, the athletes who took part in this experiment were amateurs. A more recent experiment showed that some professional athletes might be able to respond in just 0.08 seconds. Both studies, however, involved a small number of athletes.

　Some people think that the false start rule is too strict. In some other sports and track-and-field events, athletes have extra chances if they break a rule. For example, in the long jump, if an athlete's foot goes over the line on their first attempt, the athlete still has two more oppotunities to try. Some people suggest that instead of removing athletes who make false starts, their start position should be moved back a few meters, and this would make the races fair for everyone.

語句

shot：号砲

fire：号砲を鳴らす

at the beginning of：～の始めに

false start：フライング

remove：除く、取り除く

interestingly：興味深いことに

second：秒

organization：組織、団体

argue：主張する、論じる

react：反応する

guess：推測する

rather than：～よりもむしろ

carry out：行う、実行する

experiment：実験

response：反応、応答

respond：応じる

average：平均

slightly：わずかに

take part in：～に参加する

amateur：アマチュア

recent：最近の

study：研究

involve：関わる

strict：厳密な

track-and-field：陸上競技

extra：追加の、余分な

go over：～を越える

attempt：試み

oppotunity：機会

instead of：～の代わりに

fair：公正な、公平な

文法

間接疑問（疑問詞＋主語・動詞）

when 主語・動詞「いつ～するか」

such an athlete must have been guessing when the shot would be fired

must：～にちがいない

仮定"would"

the shot would be fired

this would make the races fair

some ~, while others ~

～もいれば、～もいる（対比）

Some were slightly quicker, while others were slightly slower.

助動詞 + be able to

some professional athletes might be able to respond in just 0.08 seconds

助動詞 + 受動態

their start position should be moved back a few meters

make A B

AをBにする（SVOC）

this would make the races fair

2023年度・第２回　３Ａ

※問題省略（Ｅメール形式の問題）

From：Melissa Simmons

To：Library staff

Date：October 8

Subject：Story time

Dear Staff,

One of my goals as the director of Wigby Public Library is to make it a popular place for families. Reading is important for everyone, especially children. If parents and children read books together, they will share happy memories and build better relationships. Also, reading is a great way for parents to help with their children's education. Our library can play a surprisingly important role in making Wigby an even smarter and more caring town!

With this in mind, I have decided to start a weekly storytelling session for children and parents, and I need your help to make it fun. Of course, I want your suggestions for stories. I also need someone to make posters to advertise the sessions and someone to look for items that the person telling the story can use to make the stories more fun. Finally, I think we should take turns telling the stories.

Please let me know if there is something you would really like to do for these sessions. If you have any ideas that could help make them better, I would like to hear them, too. Also, if you have any ideas that will encourage more families to come to the library, please feel free to tell me about them. You can either send me an e-mail or come to my office to talk to me in person.

Best regards,

Melissa

Director, Wigby Public Library

語句

goal：目標

director：監督、館長

relationship：関係

education：教育

surprisingly：驚くほど

role：役割

in ~ing：～することにおいて

caring：思いやりのある

with this in mind：このことを考慮して

storytelling：読み聞かせ

session：集まり

suggestion：提案

advertise：宣伝する

take turn ~ing：交代で・順番に～する

would like to：～したい

encourage A to 原形：Aに～するよう勧める

please feel free to：遠慮なく～してください

either A or B：AかBのどちらか一方

best regards：よろしくお願いします

文法

接触節（名詞＋主語・動詞）

something you would really like to do

使役動詞"let" A 原形

Aに許可して～させる

Please let me know

可能性"could"

If you have any ideas that could help make them better

help + 原形

～するのに役立つ

If you have any ideas that could help make them better

★スラッシュリーディング

to不定詞、接続詞、関係代名詞の前に区切りを入れながら、前から順に読み進めます。

I also need someone / to make posters / to advertise the sessions / and someone / to look for items / that the person telling the story can use / to make the stories more fun.

誰かが必要 / ポスターを作る / セッションを宣伝するための / そして誰かが必要 / アイテムを探す / 話し手が使える / 話をより楽しくするために

★過去助動詞

could

許可　～してもよい

推量　～かもしれない

否定　～のはずがない

提案　～してはどうでしょう？

could + 完了　～できたかもしれない、～だったのかもしれない

would

過去の習慣　～したものだ

仮定・推量　willより可能性低い

否定　～しようとしなかった、～してくれなかった

2023年度・第２回　３Ｂ

※問題省略

Purple Straw Wheat

　Wheat is an important crop in the United States, and its seeds are used for making bread, pasta, and other foods. It has been the country's main food grain since the 18th century. Wheat production in the United States, however, has faced challenges throughout its history. During the late 18th century, many types of wheat were attacked by diseases and insects that came from Europe. One type of wheat called purple straw wheat, though, was able to resist these dangers, and for a long time, it was the best choice for many farmers to plant.

　Purple straw wheat seeds can be used to make whiskey or produce soft and delicious flour that is good for making cakes and bread. It has been grown since the 18th century, especially in the southern United States. What made purple straw wheat particularly important was its ability to survive winter weather. Unlike other types, purple straw wheat could be planted in late autumn and harvested in early spring. This meant that it avoided summer diseases and insects. As a result, purple straw wheat continued to be widely grown until the mid-20th century.

　In the 1960s, scientists developed new types of wheat by mixing the genes of existing ones. These new types produced more seeds per plant and were better able to resist diseases. By using modern farming technology, chemicals that kill insects, and these new types of wheat, farmers could produce large quantities of wheat seeds more cheaply than before. Although flour from purple straw wheat is tastier and healthier, this type of wheat almost completely went out of use.

　Some researchers wanted to bring back purple straw wheat. However, its seeds were not easy to obtain because there were only a few sources. The researchers finally managed to get a few grams of purple straw wheat seeds and planted them at Clemson University in South Carolina. They have been gradually increasing the amount of wheat that they can produce, although it is still not enough to make and sell flour. Many chefs, bakers, and whiskey makers are looking forward to being able to use purple straw wheat in their products.

語句

straw：わら、藁

wheat：小麦

crop：作物

grain：穀物

production：生産

face：直面する

throughout：全体を通して

attack：打撃・攻撃を受ける

disease：疫病

insect：昆虫

resist：堪える

plant：植える、植物

produce：生産する

flour：小麦粉

particularly：特に

ability：能力

survive：生き残る

unlike：～とは異なり

harvest：収穫する

avoid：回避する

develop：開発する

gene：遺伝子

existing：現存の

per：～につき

be better able to：よりうまく～できる

modern：現代の

chemical：化学物質

quantity：量

tasty：おいしい

go out of：～でなくなる

bring back：呼び戻す、復活させる

obtain：得る、獲得する

source：源、出どころ

manage to：なんとか～する

gram：グラム

gradually：徐々に

increase：増加する

amount：量、額

文法

関係代名詞"what"

先行詞のない形で、「～すること、～するもの」

What made purple straw wheat particularly important was its ability to survive winter weather.

2023年度・第２回　３Ｃ

※問題省略

Venice's Books

　During the Middle Ages, the Italian city of Venice was famous for international trade. Not only was the city's location important, but also there were fewer laws controlling people's behavior than in other parts of Europe. This freedom attracted writers, artists, and craftspeople to the city. Following the invention of printing machines in the 15th century, these people combined their abilities to make Venice the center of the printing and bookmaking industry in Europe. This tradition of making high-quality books by hand survives in the city to this day.

　Paolo Olbi is helping to keep this tradition alive. He makes use of techniques that have existed for centuries to produce beautiful books, diaries, and photo albums. The paper inside them is cut by hand, and their covers are made of hand-printed paper, leather, wood, and even a kind of Italian glass called Murano. When Olbi began learning his craft in 1962, there were about 20 bookstores in Venice that made handmade books. Now, though, Olbi's store is one of only three such places that remain.

　One of Olbi's heroes is a man called Aldus Manutius. Manutius founded a printing company in 1494 that became one of the most famous printing companies in Venice. Until the late 15th century, books were large, heavy, and expensive. They were mostly about religion and law. Manutius developed technigues to produce smaller, lighter, and cheaper books. Moreover, he printed novels and books about art and philosophy. These developments made books more popular and easier to buy for ordinary people.

　Olbi has a picture of Manutius on the wall of his store. Like Manutius, he loves books and believes they should be beautiful. Over the years, Olbi has taught his skills to many people. In 2018, a former student invited Olbi to display his books at an exhibition of handmade objects. This gave Olbi a chance to get more people interested in traditional bookmaking. Olbi wants to expand his store into a cultural center where tourists can see how he makes books and young people can learn his techniques. By doing so, he hopes to prevent the tradition of bookmaking in Venice from being lost.

語句

Middle Ages：中世

be famous for：～で有名になる

trade：貿易

not only A but also B：AだけでなくBも

location：位置

law：法律

controll：規制する、抑制する

behavior：行動（=behaviour）

attract：引き付ける

craftspeople：職人

following：～によれば

invention：発明

combine：組み合わせる

industry：産業

tradition：伝統

this day：今日（こんにち）

alive：生き残る

make use of：～を活用する

technique：技術

exist：存在する、存続する

make of：～から作る（見た目で材料が分かる）

leather：皮革

craft：手芸、工芸

handmade：手製の

remain：残る、残存する

hero：尊敬する人物

found：設立する

mostly：ほとんど

religion：宗教

moreover：さらに

philosophy：哲学

development：開発

ordinary：普通の、一般の

over the years：長年にわたって

skill：技術、技能

former：元の、前の

invite A to do：Aに～するように促す

exhibition：展示

expand：拡大する

by doing so：そうすることで

prevent A from ~ing：Aが～するのを防ぐ

文法

分詞構文

following ~「～のあとに、～に続いて」

Following the invention of printing machines

SVOC（第５文型）

make A B「AをBにする」

make Venice the center of the printing and bookmaking industry

These developments made books more popular and easier

keep A B「AをBのままにする」

keep this tradition alive

get A B「AをBの状態にする」

get more people interested in traditional bookmaking

関係代名詞"that"（主格）

Olbi's store is one of only three such places that remain.

He makes use of techniques that have existed for centuries

関係副詞"where"

a cultural center where tourists can see

間接疑問（疑問詞＋主語・動詞）

tourists can see how he makes books

彼がどのように本をつくるか

👉準２級/２級・文法

👉準２級/２級・二次試験

体験学習受付中！

【たむかい学習教室】

完全1対1 個別指導

教員経験２０年のプロ講師による完全マンツーマン指導！

追加料金なしの安心の授業料で、手厚いサポート！

全科目対応で、幅広い学習ニーズにお応えいたします！

多くの生徒さんや親御さんのご期待に、本当の意味でお応えできるよう、当塾では「生徒一人に教師一人」の授業で、塾生の学習を本格的にサポートしております。

生徒のホンネ

「数学や英語が苦手。何から始めたらいい？」

「長い問題文が苦手。どうしたらいい？」

「学校の授業で難しいことが増えてきた」

「受験が不安。テスト成績を上げていきたい」

完全１対１授業でホンネを解決！

★苦手の克服に最適★

★受験に強い個別指導★

★経験豊富な講師の一貫指導★

★安心の授業料で全力サポート★

★苦手の克服に最適★

　５教科対応、完全マンツーマンで指導いたします。弱点を着実に克服でき、「わかる・できる」につながります。学校の授業が定着しやくすなり、成績アップも期待できます。

★受験に強い個別指導★

　入試の出題範囲は広く、十分な対策時間と学習量が必要になります。受験に向けて、対策時間と学習量をしっかりと確保できるのは、完全１対１授業の強みです。

★経験豊富な講師の一貫指導★

　教員経験20年の講師が確かなノウハウで、難解な内容もわかりやすく丁寧に指導いたします。初めての受講生からも「分かりやすい」「納得の解説」と好評です。

★安心の授業料で全力サポート★

　入塾費や高額な教材費、授業料以外にいただく追加料金は一切ございません。安心の授業料で全力サポートいたします。

　＜１か月授業料（税込）＞

　90分授業：14,800円（月4回）

120分授業：17,600円（月4回）

　(例)１回・90分授業の場合

　教師１名・生徒３名の複数指導

　→１名につき30分の個別指導

　指導時間3分の1、実質料金は割高に。

　　↕

　教師1名・生徒1名の完全個別指導

　⇒完全90分の個別指導（当塾）

　生徒1名に100％の指導時間

親御さんの声

「できる問題が増え勉強に自信がついたようで、期待感があります」

「苦手だった英語と数学が伸び始めたので、正直ホッとしています」

「成績の伸び幅と年間の費用を考えると、転塾して正解でした」

合格実績

八戸高　八戸東高　八戸北高　八戸西高　国立八戸高専　八戸工業高　八戸商業高　八戸工業大学第一高　八戸工業大学第二高　千葉学園高　八戸聖ウルスラ学院・英語科

八戸聖ウルスラ学院中学　八戸工大二高附属中学

指導実績

八戸市立第一中　第二中　第三中　長者中　根城中　白山台中　白銀中　鮫中　大館中　東中　下長中　北稜中　是川中　南浜中　明治中　中沢中　工大二高附属中　階上中　福地中

八戸東高　八戸北高　八戸西高　仙台育英学園高ＩＬＣ

吹上小　中居林小　柏崎小　長者小　根城小　新井田小　旭ヶ丘小　西園小　南郷小

今年度塾生28名（2025年4月現在）

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塾生の声

苦手意識から「自信」へ

（中学３年）

　今まで分からないことが多く、学校の授業についていけないことがあったり、テストで全く解けない問題もありましたが、先生から考え方や解き方を分かりやすく丁寧に教えてもらい、解ける問題が増えてテストの点数が大きく上がりました。この教室に通って、勉強に自信が持てるようになりました。

３年間の積み重ねで受験合格

（小学６年）

　４年生の時から通い始めました。３年間の授業で、先生は分からない問題を理解しやすく、そしてやさしく教えてくれました。本当にこの塾で良かったと思っています。６年生の冬には、志望校の受験に合格することができました。一貫校に進むので、次は大学受験です。中学に上がっても、目標のためにこの塾で学んでいきます。

苦手の克服が高得点に

（高校１年）

　苦手の英語を克服するために通い始めました。長文対策では、先生と一緒に音読練習や和訳などに繰り返し取り組み、テストでは高得点を取れるようになりました。通う前より、勉強の量だけでなく、勉強の質も上げることができました。他教科の苦手にも向き合って、「得意」に変えていけるよう、この教室で学習を続けていきたいです。

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