なぜやるか
前置詞問題の残り半分、場所・方向の前置詞とTOEIC頻出のその他前置詞を攻略します。
at / in / on / to / from / with といった基本前置詞は、英語の文をつくる「骨格」です。これらのイメージをつかんでおくと、Part5の前置詞問題だけでなく、Part6・Part7の長文読解でも英文の意味がスッと入ってくるようになります。
さらに、throughout / within / among / despite などはTOEICで繰り返し出題される前置詞です。意味を知っているだけで正解できる問題が増えます。
このLesson 7を終えると、場所・方向・その他の前置詞をイメージで使い分けて正しく選べるようになります。
攻略法
場所の前置詞：at / in / on
| 前置詞 | コアイメージ | 使い方 | 例 |
|---|---|---|---|
| at | 空間の〈点〉 | 特定の場所・地点 | at the station / at the front desk |
| in | 空間の〈中〉 | 国・都市・広い空間 | in Japan / in the advertisement |
| on | 〈接触〉 | 物の上・表面 | on a table / on the second floor |
方向の前置詞：to / from / toward
| 前置詞 | コアイメージ | 使い方 | 例 |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | 〈到達〉 | 行き先・相手 | travel to Kyoto / send to me |
| from | 〈起点〉 | 出発点・発信元 | from nine to five / from the supplier |
| toward | 〈方向〉 | 〜に向かって（到達しない） | walk toward the exit |
その他の頻出前置詞
| 前置詞 | 意味 | TOEIC頻出パターン |
|---|---|---|
| with | 〈つながり〉一緒に・手段 | work with her / come with a carrying case |
| under | 〈下〉状況下 | under construction / under warranty |
| among | 〈間〉（3つ以上） | popular among customers |
| between | 〈2つの間〉 | between 9 AM and 5 PM |
| over | 〈上の円弧〉全域・手段 | all over the world / over the telephone |
| throughout | 〜中ずっと / 至る所で | throughout the year |
| within | 〜以内（範囲） | within three business days |
| through | 〜を通して | through our website |
| across | 〜を横切って / 全域 | across the country |
| beside | 〜の脇に | beside the entrance |
| along | 〜に沿って | along the corridor |
| beyond | 〜を超えて | beyond expectations |
| despite | 〜にもかかわらず | despite the delay |
| regarding | 〜に関して | regarding the new policy |
解き方：2ステップ
- Step 1：選択肢が前置詞ばかり → 前置詞問題と判断
- Step 2：空所の前後の意味から、最も自然な前置詞を選ぶ
→ 場所なら at / in / on のイメージで判断
→ 方向なら to / from / toward で判断
→ 意味で判断するタイプは、各前置詞の意味を覚えておく
例題で確認しましょう。
The new policy will be effective ------- all branch offices starting next Monday.
選択肢：(A) among (B) throughout (C) between (D) toward
Step 1: 選択肢が全て前置詞 → 前置詞問題。
Step 2: 「新しい方針が来週月曜日から全支店で有効になる」→ 「至る所で」→ throughout が自然。among は「3つ以上の間で」だが「有効になる」との相性が悪い。
やり方
| ステップ | 内容 |
|---|---|
| 1 | 攻略法の前置詞イメージ表を読んで、各前置詞のコアイメージをつかむ |
| 2 | 「場所→at/in/on」「方向→to/from/toward」「その他→意味で判断」の3パターンを確認する |
| 3 | 練習問題を解く（必ず選択肢→前後の意味の順番で） |
| 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. All new employees must report to the reception desk ------- the main entrance on their first day of work.
(A) at (B) among (C) throughout (D) toward
Q1の解答・解説を見る
- (B) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。入口は1つの地点なので不適切
- (C) throughout → 「〜中ずっと」。地点を示す場面には合わない
- (D) toward → 「〜に向かって」。到達していないイメージで不適切
S[All new employees] V[must report] (to the reception desk) (at the main entrance) (on their first day (of work)).
S[All new employees] V[must report]
Q2. The regional sales conference will be held ------- the grand ballroom of the Riverside Hotel next Saturday.
(A) toward (B) in (C) among (D) along
Q2の解答・解説を見る
- (A) toward → 「〜に向かって」。開催場所を示す文脈に合わない
- (C) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。建物の中の空間には使わない
- (D) along → 「〜に沿って」。会場を示す文脈に合わない
S[The regional sales conference] V[will be held] (in the grand ballroom (of the Riverside Hotel)) (next Saturday).
S[The regional sales conference] V[will be held]
Q3. Please place the updated safety guidelines ------- the bulletin board near the break room so that all staff members can see them.
(A) between (B) within (C) on (D) from
Q3の解答・解説を見る
- (A) between → 「2つの間に」。掲示板1つの表面には使わない
- (B) within → 「〜以内」。掲示板に貼るという動作には合わない
- (D) from → 「〜から」。方向が逆
V[Please place] the updated safety guidelines (on the bulletin board (near the break room)) (so that all staff members can see them).
S[（you）] V[Please place]
Q4. The marketing director will travel ------- the company’s headquarters in London to present the new brand strategy.
(A) from (B) among (C) beside (D) to
Q4の解答・解説を見る
- (A) from → 「〜から」。出発点を示すが、ここは行き先を示す場面
- (B) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。目的地には使わない
- (C) beside → 「〜の脇に」。travel beside とは言わない
S[The marketing director] V[will travel] (to the company’s headquarters (in London)) (to present the new brand strategy).
S[The marketing director] V[will travel]
Q5. Employees who wish to participate in the volunteer program should submit their applications ------- three business days.
(A) within (B) beside (C) among (D) over
Q5の解答・解説を見る
- (B) beside → 「〜の脇に」。期間を示す文脈に合わない
- (C) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。期間には使わない
- (D) over → 「〜の間に」も可能だが、期限を示す場合は within が適切
S[Employees (who wish to participate (in the volunteer program))] V[should submit] their applications (within three business days).
S[Employees] V[should submit]
Q6. The new mobile application has become extremely popular ------- young professionals in the technology sector.
(A) beside (B) among (C) between (D) toward
Q6の解答・解説を見る
- (A) beside → 「〜の脇に」。人気を表す文脈に合わない
- (C) between → 「2つの間」。不特定多数の集団には among を使う
- (D) toward → 「〜に向かって」。人気を表す文脈に合わない
S[The new mobile application] V[has become] extremely popular (among young professionals (in the technology sector)).
S[The new mobile application] V[has become]
Q7. The maintenance crew received replacement parts ------- the equipment supplier earlier this morning.
(A) under (B) throughout (C) beside (D) from
Q7の解答・解説を見る
- (A) under → 「〜の下に」。受け取る相手を示す場面に合わない
- (B) throughout → 「〜中ずっと」。受け取る相手を示す場面に合わない
- (C) beside → 「〜の脇に」。受け取る相手を示す場面に合わない
S[The maintenance crew] V[received] replacement parts (from the equipment supplier) (earlier this morning).
S[The maintenance crew] V[received]
Q8. The new parking regulation will be enforced ------- all company-owned facilities starting on the first of next month.
(A) beside (B) between (C) throughout (D) toward
Q8の解答・解説を見る
- (A) beside → 「〜の脇に」。全施設への適用には合わない
- (B) between → 「2つの間」。全施設に適用する文脈には合わない
- (D) toward → 「〜に向かって」。施行場所を示す文脈に合わない
S[The new parking regulation] V[will be enforced] (throughout all company-owned facilities) (starting (on the first (of next month))).
S[The new parking regulation] V[will be enforced]
Q9. Customers who purchased the laptop can have it repaired free of charge because it is still ------- warranty.
(A) among (B) under (C) over (D) beside
Q9の解答・解説を見る
- (A) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。保証の状態には使わない
- (C) over → 「〜を超えて」。warranty と組み合わせる前置詞は under
- (D) beside → 「〜の脇に」。保証の状態には使わない
S[Customers (who purchased the laptop)] V[can have] it repaired (free of charge) (because it is still (under warranty)).
S[it] V[is]
Q10. The workshop schedule was arranged so that all sessions would take place ------- 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.
(A) from (B) among (C) within (D) between
Q10の解答・解説を見る
- (A) from → from A to B の形にはなるが、後ろが “and” なので between が正しい
- (B) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。2つの時点には between を使う
- (C) within → 「〜以内」。2つの時点の間を示すには between
S[The workshop schedule] V[was arranged] (so that all sessions would take place (between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.)).
S[all sessions] V[would take place]
Q11. The detailed product specifications can be found ------- the company’s official website under the support section.
(A) beside (B) among (C) toward (D) on
Q11の解答・解説を見る
- (A) beside → 「〜の脇に」。ウェブサイトには使わない
- (B) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。ウェブサイトには使わない
- (C) toward → 「〜に向かって」。情報の所在を示す文脈に合わない
S[The detailed product specifications] V[can be found] (on the company’s official website) (under the support section).
S[The detailed product specifications] V[can be found]
Q12. ------- the heavy snowfall last weekend, the outdoor charity event attracted more than five hundred visitors.
(A) Despite (B) Throughout (C) Among (D) Toward
Q12の解答・解説を見る
- (B) Throughout → 「〜中ずっと」。大雪と来場者数の逆接関係を表せない
- (C) Among → 「3つ以上の間で」。大雪を受ける前置詞として不適切
- (D) Toward → 「〜に向かって」。文意に合わない
(Despite the heavy snowfall (last weekend)), S[the outdoor charity event] V[attracted] more than five hundred visitors.
S[the outdoor charity event] V[attracted]
Q13. The renovated lobby features a large information display ------- the main entrance for the convenience of visitors.
(A) among (B) beside (C) throughout (D) between
Q13の解答・解説を見る
- (A) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。入口の脇という位置関係には使わない
- (C) throughout → 「〜中ずっと」。特定の位置を示す場面に合わない
- (D) between → 「2つの間」。入口1つの脇には使わない
S[The renovated lobby] V[features] a large information display (beside the main entrance) (for the convenience (of visitors)).
S[The renovated lobby] V[features]
Q14. For further information ------- the upcoming company merger, please contact the corporate communications department.
(A) toward (B) among (C) regarding (D) beside
Q14の解答・解説を見る
- (A) toward → 「〜に向かって」。情報の話題を示す場面に合わない
- (B) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。情報の話題を示す場面に合わない
- (D) beside → 「〜の脇に」。情報の話題を示す場面に合わない
(For further information (regarding the upcoming company merger)), V[please contact] the corporate communications department.
S[（you）] V[please contact]
Q15. All packages shipped ------- our distribution center are carefully inspected before being loaded onto delivery trucks.
(A) with (B) from (C) beside (D) among
Q15の解答・解説を見る
- (A) with → 「〜と一緒に」。出荷元を示す場面には合わない
- (C) beside → 「〜の脇に」。出荷元を示す場面には合わない
- (D) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。出荷元を示す場面には合わない
S[All packages (shipped (from our distribution center))] V[are inspected] carefully (before being loaded (onto delivery trucks)).
S[All packages] V[are inspected]
Q16. Each laptop purchased from our store comes ------- a protective carrying case and a one-year extended warranty.
(A) with (B) toward (C) across (D) beyond
Q16の解答・解説を見る
- (B) toward → 「〜に向かって」。付属品を示す場面に合わない
- (C) across → 「〜を横切って」。付属品を示す場面に合わない
- (D) beyond → 「〜を超えて」。付属品を示す場面に合わない
S[Each laptop (purchased (from our store))] V[comes] (with a protective carrying case and a one-year extended warranty).
S[Each laptop] V[comes]
Q17. Pedestrians should use the newly installed crosswalk to get ------- the busy intersection safely.
(A) across (B) beside (C) between (D) toward
Q17の解答・解説を見る
- (B) beside → 「〜の脇に」。横断ではなく脇に立つ意味になり不適切
- (C) between → 「2つの間」。交差点を横切る動作には合わない
- (D) toward → 「〜に向かって」。交差点に向かうだけで横切る意味がない
S[Pedestrians] V[should use] the newly installed crosswalk (to get across the busy intersection safely).
S[Pedestrians] V[should use]
Q18. The quarterly sales report showed that revenue had grown ------- expectations, reaching an all-time high.
(A) under (B) along (C) beyond (D) between
Q18の解答・解説を見る
- (A) under → 「〜の下に」。過去最高に達したのに「予想以下」では矛盾
- (B) along → 「〜に沿って」。予想との関係を示す場面に合わない
- (D) between → 「2つの間」。予想との関係を示す場面に合わない
S[The quarterly sales report] V[showed] (that revenue had grown (beyond expectations), reaching an all-time high).
S[revenue] V[had grown]
Q19. The walking path that runs ------- the river provides employees with a pleasant route for their lunch break.
(A) within (B) among (C) under (D) along
Q19の解答・解説を見る
- (A) within → 「〜以内」。川と遊歩道の位置関係には合わない
- (B) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。川と遊歩道の位置関係には合わない
- (C) under → 「〜の下に」。川の下では意味が通らない
S[The walking path (that runs (along the river))] V[provides] employees (with a pleasant route (for their lunch break)).
S[The walking path] V[provides]
Q20. Reservations for the conference room can be made ------- the online booking system or by calling the administrative office directly.
(A) despite (B) among (C) through (D) beside
Q20の解答・解説を見る
- (A) despite → 「〜にもかかわらず」。予約手段を示す場面に合わない
- (B) among → 「3つ以上の間で」。予約手段を示す場面に合わない
- (D) beside → 「〜の脇に」。予約手段を示す場面に合わない
S[Reservations (for the conference room)] V[can be made] (through the online booking system) or (by calling the administrative office directly).
S[Reservations] V[can be made]