Read each passage and choose the best word or phrase from
among the four choices for each blank. Then, on your answer
find the number of the question and mark your answer.
“Drink Responsibly” Messages
Alcohol producers frequently include messages encouraging people to “drink responsibly” in their advertisements. On the surface, these campaigns appear to reflect companies’ sincere efforts to reduce excessive drinking and other negative behaviors associated with alcohol consumption. Some experts, however, are critical of the ads, pointing out that the messages are frequently written in small letters whose colors blend in with the background. ( 26 ), the messages are often contradicted by the images in the ads. One vodka adve11isement in the United States, for example, was accompanied by a responsibility message, but the advertisement itself featured a character who appeared to have been enjoying vodka all night.
Another criticism is that the messages are ( 27 ). Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in the United States, analyzed dozens of alcohol advertisements from major magazines and found that 87 percent of the ads contained advice to drink responsibly. None, however, defined what this meant or provided health warnings supported by scientific evidence. In fact, critics say that the messages are simply another way to improve the reputation of the alcohol companies.
Some people also complain that alcohol producers use the ads as a way to ( 28 ). Whenever there are proposals to increase alcohol taxes or place limitations on where alcohol can be sold or advertised, alcohol manufacturers argue that such measures are not necessary because they already provide responsibility messages in their advertising. No research, however, has indicated that the responsible-drinking messages have any effect whatsoever.
(26)
1 In exchange
2 Therefore
3 On the other hand
4 Fu1thermore
(27)
1 only effective for a short time
2 directed at the wrong people
3 too vague to be practical
4 often quite frightening
(28)
1 criticize other brands
2 identify loyal customers
3 put blame on the government
4 avoid regulation
Dog Colors
A recent study of Labrador retrievers has revealed that chocolate-colored Labradors are more likely than Labradors of other colors to suffer from ear infections and skin diseases. It also found their average life expectancy is about 10 percent shorter. According to the research team, ( 29 ). Ear infections and skin diseases both cause inflammation -a condition where the body tries to repair cellular damage, and which is characterized by swelling, increased temperature, and pain. Inflammation is harmful in the long term, and studies in humans have shown that people with inflammation tend to die younger than others.
The researchers believe color-related health problems in Labradors result from breeding by humans. Both parents must have the gene for the chocolate color in order to produce a chocolate Labrador, so there are fewer dogs available for breeding, and this limited population of dogs likely has more genes that are associated with ear infections and skin problems. ( 30 ), a gene found in dogs with blue eyes and a white coat can increase rates of deafness, while another gene, which gives dogs a pale, spotted coat, has been linked with high rates of blindness and deafness.
Other studies have found that a dog’s color ( 31 ). In a study of English cocker spaniels at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, researchers discovered a relationship between melanin- a substance that affects a dog’s coloring- and other chemicals that affect the dog’s brain. The study found that, among English cocker spaniels, which are known to be an aggressive breed to begin with, golden-colored ones are even more aggressive than others.
To complete each item, choose the best word or phrase from
among the four choices. Then, on your answer sheet, find the
number of the question and mark your answer.
(1) The new employee impressed his colleagues by working
( ). He finished every one of his assignments ahead of
time.
1 incompetently
3 diligently
2 mischievously
4 passively
(2) It took the scientist two weeks to get to the jungle village where
he would be doing research. The last ( ) of the voyage
was a long ride up a river in a small boat.
1 segment 2 maze 3 accent 4 elegance
(3) The ( ) in the nation’s economy led to a sudden increase
in the unemployment rate. “Times are difficult for everyone,”
said the president.
1 influx
2 humidity
3 downturn
4 lantern
(4)The article on Isaac Newton contained a few ( ）details,
such as hjs place of birth and his schooling,
mainly on his scientific discoveries.
1 theological
2 biographjcal
3 proportional
4 horizontal
(5) At first, Don was scared of his friend’s dog, but when it sat
down and began to ( ) its tail, he realized it was friendly.
1 wag
2 stroke
3 peel
4 grind
(6) The bookshelf was very ( ), so Ed knew it could support
the weight of all of his heavy medical textbooks without
breaking.
1 sturdy
2 harsh
3 barren
4 vigilant
(7) Police have been making ( ) into the man’s whereabouts
on the night of the theft. They asked his family and friends
where he was that night.
1 schemes
2 analogies
3 glaciers
4 inquiries
(8) Sara’s boss was on the phone when she entered his office. He
( ) her presence with a small nod but did not interrupt his
conversation to speak to her.
1 launched
3 accelerated
2 imitated
4 acknowledged
(9) Most of the world’s energy resources are ( ). Gas and oil,
for example, are expected to run out sometime this century.
1 ferocious
2 ruthless
3 finite
4 migratory
(10) A: Craig, did they manage to fix that burst pipe at the
construction site down the street?
B: Yes, thank goodness. It was ( ) so much water I
thought the entire neighborhood would flood!
1 fizzing
2 gushing
3 howling
4 puffing
(11) After drinking several glasses of wine, Meg began to feel a bit
( ). She decided to go outside into the fresh air until her
stomach felt better.
1 nauseated
2 aligned
3 dispatched
4 corroded
(12)Although many people are afraid of being attacked by a shark in the ocean, the danger is greatly ( ). The truth is that you are more likely to be struck by lightning.
1 deflated
2 oppressed
3 complemented
4 overstated
(13)Morgan’s Department Store will hold a special sale at the end of the year. If a
customer spends over $100, the store will ( ) 10 percent from the total.
1 sway
2 deduct
3 charm
4 foster
(14)These days, low-fat milk is popular, but some people will only drink regular milk. They say the low-fat version is no ( ) for the real thing.
1 denial
2 grin
3 substitute
4 tremor
(15)There are some disadvantages to Larry’s plan for outsourcing production to a foreign country, but the ( ) is that it would save a lot of money.
1 pact
2 upside
3 mold
4 handout
(16) A: What are you doing ( ) down the stairs at this hour,
Reggie?
B: I just wanted to get some water, Mom, but I was trying not to
wake anyone. I didn’t know you were still up.
1 sneaking
2 compressing
3 barking
4 kneeling
(17) Julietta has won the company’s outstanding salesperson award
for five ( ) years. The other staff members are impressed
that she continues to win it year after year.
1 medieval
2 consecutive
3 vacant
4 feeble
(18) After receiving an expensive Christmas present from her
neighbors, Cassandra felt ( ) to give them something in
return, so she bought them a nice vase.
1 obliged
2 wrinkled
3 strangled
4 scattered
(19) T he man’s experience living in Italy had been so interesting
that, in his later years, he decided to write a ( ) of his life
during that time.
1 suite
2 pageant
3 web
4 narrative
(20) A major accident caused serious ( ) on the highway, as
two lanes of traffic were closed for over an hour.
1 testimony
2 visibility
3 congestion
4 drainage
(21) Bailey had been unhappy at his old school, so his mother was
relieved when he began to ( ) in his new one. His grades
improved, and he made friends easily.
1 ruin
2 despair
3 suppress
4 thrive
(22) When Tom first ( ) his idea for a new product, his boss
did not seem to like it. He was therefore surprised the next day
to hear that his proposal had been accepted.
1 put forth
2 backed off
3 fell under
4 piled up
(23)
A: I know the new CEO was hired to ( ) our business, but
I think he’s moved too many people around.
B: I agree. I hope it won’t hurt the company’s performance.
Over half of the staff have been moved to new departments.
1 pin down
2 give off
3 track down
4 shake up
(24) Shelly said the cat had knocked the glass off the table, but her
father immediately ( ) her story. It was obvious she was
lying.
1 saw through
2. told on
3. won over
4 rounded up
(25) In order to ( ) the best in its employees, the company is
わからない単語の前後に、その意味を補足する言い換えや例があることがあります。 例： The teacher was lenient, or not strict, with the students. →「lenient」の後に “not strict” と補足があるため、「寛大な」と推測できる。
② 接続詞や副詞に注意
but, however, although, for example などの接続詞は、文の意味の流れを理解する手がかりになります。 例： The storm was devastating. However, no one was injured. →「devastating」は「被害が大きい」または「壊滅的な」と推測できる。
③ 文のトーンと感情を感じ取る
ポジティブな話かネガティブな話かで、単語の持つ意味を絞り込めます。 例： The child’s antics made everyone laugh. →「笑わせた」という文脈から、「antics」は「おどけた行動」とわかる。
④ 品詞に注目
わからない単語が名詞か動詞か形容詞かを把握すると、使われ方が見えてきます。 例： He made a compelling argument. →形容詞として使われているので「説得力のある」と推測できる。
