請求書を送ったのに約束の期限に支払いが行われない場合、請求した側が督促状を送ることもある。その文面には、A 5% late payment fee will be added to the amount due if the payment is not received by August 30.「8 月30 日までに支払いがない場合、（請求額の）5%の支払い遅延金が課せられます」のような文が使われる。
問題 1
TO: Morris Santini
FROM: Chie Minami
DATE: October 17
SUBJECT: Contract
Thank you for sending the contract for the Jones account. However, the copy I received did not include the revision I requested concerning the delivery deadline. In case there is a misunderstanding, I would like to make it clear in this e-mail that the initial delivery date of January 10 was changed to January 5 during our final negotiations on October 12. As far as I can see, this is the only revision that needs to be made to conclude the agreement, and hereby request that you send us a new contract with the correct delivery deadline. We will sign and return the contract as soon as we receive the amended version from you.
Question: According to the e-mail, what is the problem?
(A) A draft of an agreement must be revised.
(B) Further negotiations on terms and conditions are necessary.
(C) A new contract must be sent.
(D) Delivery has been postponed.
文の構造をつかもう！
2文目
However, the copy (that) I received did not include
the revision (that) I requested concerning the delivery deadline.
この文の主語はthe copyで、続くI receivedに修飾されている。receivedのあとに目的語がないので、copyとIの間に目的格の関係代名詞が省略されていると推測できる。動詞 includeの目的語に当たるthe revisionも同様に、直後に目的格の関係代名詞が省略されている。
2 文目で、the copy I received did not include the revision I requested「受け取ったコピーには、依頼した修正が含まれていなかった」と問題点を述べている。これを受けて4 文目に、request that you send us a new contract「新しい契約書を送るように依頼する」とあるので、正解は(C)。(A) 修正が必要なのは契約書の草案ではなく、契約書。(D) 3 文目から、納期が延期されたことがわかるが、そのことが問題なのではない。postpone「…を延期する」。
語注
account
[名] 案件、取引
include
[動] …を含む
request
[動] …を依頼する
concerning
[前] …に関して
delivery deadline
納期
in case
…があるといけないので、万一…の場合に備えて
misunderstanding
[名] 誤解
make it clear
はっきりさせる
initial
[形] 初回の
as far as
…の限り
hereby
[副] これによって
sign
[動] …に署名する
amend
[動] …を修正する
問題 2
BRADFORD AND SONS
294 Roosevelt Avenue
Coopersville, WY 82060
Invoice #29496
Date: August 21
Client: Robertson Dental Clinic
4127 6th Avenue S.E.
Coopersville, WY 82059
List of services:
August 5
General lawn maintenance (mowing, fertilizing)
$ 250.00
〃
Pruning and fertilizing of existing flower beds
$ 215.00
August 6
Design and installation of rear garden
$1,750.00
Subtotal:
$2,215.00
Tax (5.28%):
$116.95
Amount due:
$2,331.95
Pay no later than: August 30*
* Please pay promptly. A late charge of 5% will be added to the amount due if payment is not received by this date.
Question: What is the main purpose of this document?
(A) To request payment
(B) To list services rendered
(C) To solicit future business
(D) To explain the reason for a late charge
文の構造をつかもう！
注の2文目
A late charge of 5% will be added to the amount due /
if payment is not received by this date.
主節はA late charge … amount dueで、従属節はif以降。主語はA late charge of 5% で、動詞はwill be added。主節とif節の動詞の時制から、このif節は単なる条件を表すものとわかる。
解答と解説
BRADFORD AND SONS
Roosevelt 通り294番地
Coopersville、WY 82060
請求書番号29496
日付：8月21日
顧客： Robertson歯科医院
6番通り 4127番地、S.E.
Coopersville、WY 82059
作業明細：