なぜやるか
Part5の30問のうち、前置詞 or 接続詞問題は毎回約2問出ます。
「たった2問？」と思うかもしれません。でも、この問題は解き方を知っているかどうかで正解が決まるタイプです。知識さえあれば、10秒で確実に正解できます。
しかも、前置詞と接続詞の使い分けはPart5以外にも超重要です。Part6の長文穴埋め、Part7の読解、さらにリスニングでも、前置詞と接続詞がわからないと英文の意味がつかめません。
この問題を解くカギは、たった1つ。空所の後ろのカタチを見る。これだけです。
このLesson 2を終えると、前置詞 or 接続詞問題で「後ろを見て→前置詞か接続詞か判断する」が自然にできるようになります。
攻略法
前置詞と接続詞の違い
| 品詞 | 後ろに来るもの | 例 |
|---|---|---|
| 前置詞 | 名詞（のカタマリ） | during the meeting（会議の間） |
| 接続詞 | 節（SV＝主語＋動詞） | while the manager was speaking（マネージャーが話している間） |
これが全てです。
2ステップ解法
- Step 1：空所の後ろのカタチを見る
→ 名詞（のカタマリ）がある → 前置詞
→ SV（主語＋動詞）がある → 接続詞 - Step 2：意味のつながりを確認する
→ 候補が複数ある場合のみ
例題で確認しましょう。
------- the project deadline, the team worked overtime every day.
選択肢：(A) Due to (B) Because (C) Therefore (D) Although
Step 1: 空所の後ろは “the project deadline” → 名詞のカタマリ → 前置詞が必要。
→ (A) Due to（前置詞）が候補。(B) Because と (D) Although は接続詞（SVが必要）。(C) Therefore は副詞。
Step 2: 「プロジェクトの期限のために、チームは毎日残業した」→ 原因・理由 → Due to ✓
注意：副詞の罠
選択肢に however / therefore / moreover / nevertheless が混じっていることがあります。これらは副詞です。
副詞は前置詞や接続詞と違い、後ろの語句を文法的につなぐ機能がありません。Part5では前置詞・接続詞の位置に副詞を入れると不正解になります。
| 品詞 | 接続機能 | 例 |
|---|---|---|
| 前置詞 | あり（名詞をつなぐ） | despite the delay |
| 接続詞 | あり（節をつなぐ） | although it was delayed |
| 副詞 | なし | however, it was delayed（カンマで区切る必要がある） |
やり方
| ステップ | 内容 |
|---|---|
| 1 | 攻略法の「前置詞と接続詞の違い」を理解する |
| 2 | 2ステップ解法を声に出して確認する：「後ろが名詞→前置詞、後ろがSV→接続詞」 |
| 3 | 練習問題を解く（必ず選択肢→後ろのカタチの順番で） |
| 4 | 間違えた問題は構造把握まで読んでから、もう一度解く |
8割正解できたら次のレッスンへ進みましょう。間違えた問題だけ復習すればOKです。
練習問題（20問）
Q1. The outdoor concert was canceled ------- the sudden thunderstorm that hit the area late in the afternoon.
(A) because (B) due to (C) although (D) therefore
Q1の解答・解説を見る
- (A) because → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (C) although → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）。意味も合わない（〜にもかかわらず）
- (D) therefore → 副詞（接続機能なし）
S[The outdoor concert] V[was canceled] (due to the sudden thunderstorm) (that hit the area late (in the afternoon)).
S[The outdoor concert] V[was canceled]
Q2. ------- Ms. Nakamura was reviewing the quarterly report, she noticed several calculation errors in the financial summary.
(A) During (B) Despite (C) While (D) Because of
Q2の解答・解説を見る
- (A) During → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）。SVの前には置けない
- (B) Despite → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) Because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
(While Ms. Nakamura was reviewing the quarterly report), S[she] V[noticed] several calculation errors (in the financial summary).
S[she] V[noticed]
Q3. The new safety regulations will take effect next month ------- all employees have completed the required training program.
(A) once (B) due to (C) despite (D) moreover
Q3の解答・解説を見る
- (B) due to → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (C) despite → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) moreover → 副詞（接続機能なし）
S[The new safety regulations] V[will take effect] (next month) (once all employees have completed the required training program).
S[The new safety regulations] V[will take effect]
Q4. Visitors to the laboratory must wear protective goggles ------- the experiment is being conducted.
(A) during (B) despite (C) in spite of (D) while
Q4の解答・解説を見る
- (A) during → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）。SVの前には置けない
- (B) despite → 前置詞。意味も合わない（〜にもかかわらず）
- (C) in spite of → 前置詞。意味も合わない
Visitors (to the laboratory) V[must wear] protective goggles (while the experiment is being conducted).
S[Visitors] V[must wear]
Q5. ------- the significant increase in production costs, the company decided not to raise product prices this quarter.
(A) Although (B) However (C) Despite (D) Even though
Q5の解答・解説を見る
- (A) Although → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (B) However → 副詞（接続機能なし）
- (D) Even though → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
(Despite the significant increase (in production costs)), S[the company] V[decided] not to raise product prices (this quarter).
S[the company] V[decided]
Q6. The building renovation project was completed on schedule ------- several unexpected supply shortages occurred during construction.
(A) despite (B) even though (C) regardless of (D) in spite of
Q6の解答・解説を見る
- (A) despite → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）。SVの前には置けない
- (C) regardless of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) in spite of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
S[The building renovation project] V[was completed] (on schedule) (even though several unexpected supply shortages occurred (during construction)).
S[The building renovation project] V[was completed]
Q7. The branch office will remain open ------- the main headquarters is being relocated to a new building downtown.
(A) while (B) during (C) therefore (D) because of
Q7の解答・解説を見る
- (B) during → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (C) therefore → 副詞（接続機能なし）。意味も合わない（したがって）
- (D) because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
S[The branch office] V[will remain] open (while the main headquarters is being relocated (to a new building downtown)).
S[The branch office] V[will remain]
Q8. ------- the software update has been installed on all company computers, employees may experience temporary slowdowns.
(A) Because of (B) Until (C) Despite (D) Due to
Q8の解答・解説を見る
- (A) Because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (C) Despite → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) Due to → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
(Until the software update has been installed (on all company computers)), S[employees] V[may experience] temporary slowdowns.
S[employees] V[may experience]
Q9. Mr. Hoffman was promoted to senior manager ------- his outstanding performance over the past three years.
(A) because (B) although (C) due to (D) however
Q9の解答・解説を見る
- (A) because → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (B) although → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）。意味も合わない
- (D) however → 副詞（接続機能なし）
S[Mr. Hoffman] V[was promoted] (to senior manager) (due to his outstanding performance (over the past three years)).
S[Mr. Hoffman] V[was promoted]
Q10. The factory will suspend production temporarily ------- the maintenance crew finishes inspecting all assembly line equipment.
(A) during (B) until (C) because of (D) nevertheless
Q10の解答・解説を見る
- (A) during → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (C) because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) nevertheless → 副詞（接続機能なし）。意味も合わない（それにもかかわらず）
S[The factory] V[will suspend] production temporarily (until the maintenance crew finishes inspecting all assembly line equipment).
S[The factory] V[will suspend]
Q11. ------- the annual budget review, all department heads are required to submit updated financial projections to the accounting office.
(A) Prior to (B) Because (C) Although (D) However
Q11の解答・解説を見る
- (B) Because → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (C) Although → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (D) However → 副詞（接続機能なし）
(Prior to the annual budget review), S[all department heads] V[are required] to submit updated financial projections (to the accounting office).
S[all department heads] V[are required]
Q12. The marketing team launched the new advertising campaign ------- the results of the customer satisfaction survey were still being analyzed.
(A) despite (B) because of (C) nevertheless (D) although
Q12の解答・解説を見る
- (A) despite → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）。SVの前には置けない
- (B) because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (C) nevertheless → 副詞（接続機能なし）
S[The marketing team] V[launched] the new advertising campaign (although the results (of the customer satisfaction survey) were still being analyzed).
S[The marketing team] V[launched]
Q13. ------- the ongoing construction near the office building, employees are encouraged to use the south entrance until further notice.
(A) Although (B) Even though (C) Because of (D) Nevertheless
Q13の解答・解説を見る
- (A) Although → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (B) Even though → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (D) Nevertheless → 副詞（接続機能なし）
(Because of the ongoing construction (near the office building)), S[employees] V[are encouraged] to use the south entrance (until further notice).
S[employees] V[are encouraged]
Q14. The delivery of office supplies was delayed by two weeks ------- the shipping company experienced severe weather disruptions along the route.
(A) due to (B) because (C) in spite of (D) during
Q14の解答・解説を見る
- (A) due to → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (C) in spite of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) during → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
S[The delivery (of office supplies)] V[was delayed] (by two weeks) (because the shipping company experienced severe weather disruptions (along the route)).
S[The delivery] V[was delayed]
Q15. All international shipments must be inspected by customs officials ------- they are released to the receiving company.
(A) prior to (B) because of (C) moreover (D) before
Q15の解答・解説を見る
- (A) prior to → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (B) because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）。意味も合わない
- (C) moreover → 副詞（接続機能なし）
S[All international shipments] V[must be inspected] (by customs officials) (before they are released (to the receiving company)).
S[All international shipments] V[must be inspected]
Q16. ------- the warehouse renovation is completed next month, all incoming merchandise will be stored at the temporary facility on Oak Street.
(A) Until (B) Because of (C) During (D) Despite
Q16の解答・解説を見る
- (B) Because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (C) During → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) Despite → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
(Until the warehouse renovation is completed (next month)), S[all incoming merchandise] V[will be stored] (at the temporary facility (on Oak Street)).
S[all incoming merchandise] V[will be stored]
Q17. The board of directors approved the merger proposal ------- several shareholders expressed concerns about the long-term financial impact.
(A) in spite of (B) since (C) regardless of (D) even though
Q17の解答・解説を見る
- (A) in spite of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (B) since → 接続詞だが、意味が合わない（〜なので）。「懸念があったので承認した」は不自然
- (C) regardless of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
S[The board of directors] V[approved] the merger proposal (even though several shareholders expressed concerns (about the long-term financial impact)).
S[The board of directors] V[approved]
Q18. ------- the heavy rainfall throughout the region last weekend, the outdoor trade fair attracted fewer visitors than expected.
(A) Although (B) Since (C) Due to (D) Therefore
Q18の解答・解説を見る
- (A) Although → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）。意味も合わない（〜にもかかわらず）
- (B) Since → 接続詞（後ろにSVが必要）
- (D) Therefore → 副詞（接続機能なし）
(Due to the heavy rainfall (throughout the region) (last weekend)), S[the outdoor trade fair] V[attracted] fewer visitors (than expected).
S[the outdoor trade fair] V[attracted]
Q19. Employees should save all project files to the shared server ------- the IT department begins the scheduled system migration on Friday.
(A) before (B) despite (C) because of (D) regardless of
Q19の解答・解説を見る
- (B) despite → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）。意味も合わない
- (C) because of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
- (D) regardless of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）
S[Employees] V[should save] all project files (to the shared server) (before the IT department begins the scheduled system migration (on Friday)).
S[Employees] V[should save]
Q20. ------- the regional sales figures showed a slight decline, the overall annual revenue exceeded the company’s initial projections.
(A) In spite of (B) Although (C) Unless (D) Moreover
Q20の解答・解説を見る
- (A) In spite of → 前置詞（後ろに名詞が必要）。SVの前には置けない
- (C) Unless → 接続詞だが、意味が合わない（〜しない限り）
- (D) Moreover → 副詞（接続機能なし）
(Although the regional sales figures showed a slight decline), S[the overall annual revenue] V[exceeded] the company’s initial projections.
S[the overall annual revenue] V[exceeded]