The distribution department is happy to announce that a new distribution channel will be used starting next quarter. The firm Direct Marketing has agreed to act as our wholesaler. Our former wholesaler was located too far from our factory and was no longer able to offer competitive prices for their services. Direct Marketing is a relative newcomer in this area, but has already established strong connections not only with local retailers, but also with retailers large and small in neighboring states. It is also headed by one of our former employees, Jacob Ramsey, which means that the firm is familiar with the types of products we manufacture. We look forward to a smooth and lasting relationship with Direct Marketing.
Question: What is the purpose of this notice?
(A) To advertise a new retail business
(B) To recruit employees for a wholesale business
(C) To request feedback concerning an idea
(D) To inform employees of a business decision
文の構造をつかもう！
4文目
Direct Marketing is a relative newcomer in this area, / but
has already established strong connections /
not only with local retailers, / but also with retailers
large and small in neighboring states.
この文の主語はDirect Marketingで、動詞はisとhas established。is a relative newcomer in this areaとhas already established strong connectionsがbutによってつながれている。connectionsのあとには、not only A but also B「A だけでなくB も」が使われている。not onlyとbut alsoのあとにそれぞれwithがあるのは、前のstrong connectionを修飾しているため。but alsoのあとではlarge and small以降の形容詞句が、名詞retailersを後ろから修飾している。
1 文目に、The distribution department is happy to announce that a new distribution channel will be used starting next quarter.「流通部門は、次の四半期から新しい流通経路が使えることを発表できて、うれしく思う」とある。また、続けて、新しい取引先についての説明をしているので、(D)が正解。
語注
establish
[動] …を確立する
quarter
[名] 四半期
act as
…としての職務を果たす
no longer
もはや…ない
competitive
[形] ほかより安い
relative
[形] 比較上の
newcomer
[名] 新規参入者
connection
[名] 関係、交流
not only A but also B
A だけでなくB も
neighboring
[形] 隣接した
state
[名] 州
head
[動] …を率いる
former
[形] 以前の、元の
be familiar with
…に精通している
manufacture
[動] …を製造する
smooth
[形] 円滑な
lasting
[形] 永久的な
relationship
[名] 関係
問題 2
TO: Distribution department staff
FROM: Faith Marshall
DATE: May 15
SUBJECT: Review of distribution practices
Now that our company is marketing some products online, it has become increasingly necessary to review our distribution practices. In order to serve our customers better (i.e., offer them fair prices) in retail outlets, it is probably best to streamline traditional distribution channels. This would most likely indicate creating a route leading straight from us, the producer, to retailers, so that our products can be sold at prices closer to those we offer online. Creating such a route would also mean a substantial cut in distribution costs, which is a boon for our company. I would like to hold a meeting next week to go over what needs to be done in terms of logistics. Please keep Tuesday morning open for that.
Question: What is suggested about the existing distribution system?
(A) It is inadequate.
(B) It is economical.
(C) It is beneficial to customers.
(D) It is beneficial to the company.
文の構造をつかもう！
1文目
Now that our company is marketing some products online, /
it has become increasingly necessary /
to review our distribution practices.
Now thatからonlineまでが従属節で、it以降が主節。従属節のnow thatは、「今や…なので」という意味を表す接続詞の働きをする表現で、now that以下で現状を説明し、そのうえで成立する内容を主節で説明する。主節のitは形式主語で、実際の主語はto以降の不定詞句が指す内容。
2文目の後半に、it is probably best to streamline traditional distribution channels「おそらく従来の流通経路を合理化することが一番だ」とある。つまり、流通経路に改善の余地があるとわかるので、(A)が正解。inadequate「不適切な」。(B) economical「経済的な」。(C) beneficia「l 利益がある」。
語注
practice
[名] 慣行、慣習
now that
今や…なので
market
[動] …を売り込む
increasingly
[副] ますます
in order to
…するために
i.e.
すなわち（ラテン語id estの省略形。発音は［アイイー］だが、that isと読むこともある。）