To: Diane Reeves, Tindal Industries
From: Eileen Chen, Top Trends
Date: April 7
Subject: Defective chairs
Dear Diane,
This is in regard to the order of 20 lawn chairs we received from you on April 6. Upon inspection, we found that the armrests of five of the chairs had some kind of chemical stain on them. In addition, all the chairs had scratch protectors missing from their legs, and some of the legs showed signs of rust.
This is the first time we’ve ever received defective products from your company and needless to say, we’re shocked. We really like the design of these chairs and want to start selling them in time for the warm weather. What are we to do? I’d appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible.
Question A: What can be inferred from the e-mail about the relationship between Tindal Industries and Top Trends?
(A) It had been good until now.
(B) It had not existed until now.
(C) It has always been strained.
(D) It has always been competitive.
文の構造をつかもう！
第1段落3文目
In addition, / all the chairs had scratch protectors missing from
their legs, / and some of the legs showed signs of rust.
In additionは前文の内容を補足するときに使う副詞句。この文の主語はall the chairs。had scratch protectors missing from their legsが＜have＋目的語＋動詞のing形＞の形になっていて、 「（主語）が（目的語）を…させる」（＝いすが傷防止器具を失わせている）という意味を表している。theirはall the chairsを指す。
第2段落1文目に、This is the first time we’ve ever received defective products from your company and …, we’re shocked.「御社から欠陥品を受け取ったのは今まででこれが初めてで、…驚いている」とあるので、(A)が正解。(B) exist「存在する」。(C) strain「…を緊張させる」。(D) competitive「競争的な」。
語注
in regard to
…に関して
lawn
[名] 芝生
upon inspection
検査してみると
armrest
[名] ひじかけ
chemical
[形] 化学薬品の
stain
[名] 汚れ、しみ
scratch
[名] 傷
miss
[動] …を欠く
sign
[名] 徴候
rust
[名] サビ
needless to say
言うまでもなく
in time for
…に間に合うように
問題2
To: Eileen Chen, Top Trends
From: Diane Reeves, Tindal Industries
Date: April 7
Subject: Lawn chairs
Dear Eileen,
Please accept our apology for what has happened. There is no excuse for disappointing a valued customer like Top Trends.
I will see to it that replacements for all of the chairs be sent to your store immediately. I will inform the driver of the delivery truck to remove the entire first shipment from your store at that time.
As compensation for this inconvenience, I would like to offer a 20% discount on the chairs, and 10% off all future purchases. The 20% discount for this order will be reflected in the new invoice.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. I assure you this will never happen again.
Diane
Question B: What does Diane Reeves offer to do?
(A) Sever ties with the manufacturer
(B) Waive payment for the order
(C) Provide substitutes and discounts
(D) Deliver the replacements herself
文の構造をつかもう！
第2段落1文目
I will see to it that replacements for all of the chairs be sent to your
store immediately.
動詞を含むwill see to it thatに注目。＜see to it that ＋主語＋動詞＞で、「（主語）が…となるように取り計らう」という意味。この形では、that以降の動詞を原形にすることがあるので、be sentとなっている。