TO: Jack Loomis, Boyd Corporation
FROM: Rhonda Li, Dome Electronics
DATE: May 18
SUBJECT: Request for new deadline
I am sorry to have to report that we experienced difficulty implementing the changes you made last week to the specifications for the BX350 bike lamp. As a result, production of the first batch of lamps is running behind schedule. We can deliver 100 lamps by the initial deadline of May 25, but must ask for a new deadline for the remaining 400. At this point, June 5 would be a realistic date to aim for. I realize this gives you only five days to fit your new line of bikes with the lamps before the launch date of June 10. Needless to say, the lamps are far better with the specification changes, and we hope for your understanding concerning this matter.
Question: What is the main purpose of this e-mail?
(A) To request a schedule change
(B) To inquire about specifications
(C) To offer assembly assistance
(D) To postpone a launch date
文の構造をつかもう!
1文目
I am sorry to have to report / that we experienced difficulty
implementing the changes / (that) you made last week /
to the specifications for the BX350 bike lamp.
/ の部分で文を区切って考えるとわかりやすい。difficulty (in) …ingで「…することの難しさ」という意味を表す。the changesのあとには、目的格の関係代名詞が省略されており、点線部分が先行詞the changesを修飾している。
2文目にrunning behind schedule「予定より遅れている」、3 文目にWe … must ask for a new deadline「新しい納期をお願いしなければならない」とあり、6 文目の後半でwe hope for your understanding concerning this matter「この件に関して理解していただきたいと思う」と述べられているので、正解は(A)。(C) assembly「組み立て」。(D) 5 文目にthe launch date「発売日」とあるが、発売日を延期することがEメールの目的ではない。
語注
request
[名] 依頼
report
[動] …を報告する
difficulty
[名] 難しさ
implement
[動] …を実施する
lamp
[名] 照明器具
production
[名] 製造
batch
[名] 組、束
deliver
[動] …を納品する
initial
[形] 初回の
remaining
[形] 残りの
at this point
現時点で
realistic
[形] 現実的な
aim for
…を目指す
fit A with B
A にB を取り付ける
launch
[名] 発売
needless to say
言うまでもなく
far better
はるかによりよい
matter
[名] 問題
問題 2
Norfolk Pool Service
2355 Venice Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95429
September 9
Mary Murdoch
9021 Elm Street
Sebastopol, CA 95477
Dear Ms. Murdoch,
This is to inform you that payment for Invoice #40293 dated August 10 is now overdue. If payment in full is not received by September 15, a late charge of 8% will be added to your bill. We would appreciate receiving your payment as soon as possible. Payment may be made by check or bank transfer. The information you need when writing the check or making the transfer can be found on the invoice. You may also make your payment at our offices on Venice Avenue.
Please disregard this notice if payment has already been made. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Cindy Kato
Accounts
Question: What is NOT mentioned in the letter?
(A) A payment has not been made.
(B) A charge may be added to the bill.
(C) There are several payment options.
(D) There is a bank transfer charge.
文の構造をつかもう!
第1段落5文目
The information / (that) you need /
(when writing the check or making the transfer) can be found on
the invoice.
主語はThe information … the transfer。informationのあとに目的格の関係代名詞が省略されていて、you need … the transfer が、先行詞であるThe informationを説明している。whenwriting … the transferは、接続詞を伴う分詞構文で、orがwriting the checkとmaking the transfer をつないでいる。