📘 英語のまま読む力をつける！長文読解と理解度チェック問題つき記事の使い方
このカテゴリでは、これまでに紹介してきた英語フレーズを使った中級者向けの英語長文を掲載しています。
あえて日本語訳はつけていないので、文脈から意味を推測したり、辞書を使って調べたりしながら英語を英語のまま理解する力を育てることができます。
さらに記事の後半には、ストーリーに関する読解問題（選択式・記述式）と答え合わせコーナーも用意しています。
じっくり読みたい方や、理解度をチェックしたい方はぜひ挑戦してみてください！
本文中に登場するフレーズ以外にも、注目すべき表現や語彙を解説しています。
ストーリーを楽しみながら、語彙力・読解力・表現力を一緒に深めていきましょう！
📖 本文（English only）
Three days before finals, Jason was still watching Netflix on his bed.
He knew he had a biology exam coming up, but he just couldn’t find the motivation.
When his roommate Mark came in, he looked shocked.
“Dude, are you seriously still relaxing? You need to hit the books!”
Jason sighed. “I know, I know. I’ll start tonight… maybe.”
But of course, he didn’t.
The next day, panic hit him like a truck.
He had forgotten how much content they had covered in class.
Cell structure, genetics, the nervous system—it all felt like a blur.
Desperate, Jason texted Mark:
“Help! I need to cram for biology. Like, now.”
That night, they headed to the library with energy drinks and snacks.
Jason read his notes aloud, while Mark quizzed him between bites of chips.
At midnight, Jason groaned, “I’m done… I can’t read another word.”
Mark tossed him a chocolate bar and said,
“You can. We’re pulling an all-nighter. We’ve come this far.”
Jason rubbed his eyes, nodded, and went back to reading.
By 6 a.m., they had finished reviewing everything—twice.
The exam was at 9. Jason barely kept his eyes open,
but he managed to write coherent answers and even felt confident.
After class, Mark asked, “So? Spill the tea. How’d it go?”
Jason smiled, exhausted but satisfied.
“I think I passed. Maybe even did pretty well.”
Mark raised an eyebrow. “Not bad for someone who waited until the last second.”
Jason laughed. “Yeah. But next time, remind me to start earlier.”
Mark grinned. “I’ll write it on your forehead.”
They both laughed as they walked out into the sunshine,
happy the worst was over—and secretly proud of what they pulled off.
📝 長文読解問題（Comprehension Questions）
1. Why was Mark shocked when he saw Jason?
A. Jason was already studying.
B. Jason had gone out.
C. Jason was still relaxing instead of studying.
D. Jason had finished his exam early.
2. What does “hit the books” mean in this story?
A. Throw books on the floor
B. Read books in frustration
C. Start studying seriously
D. Buy new books
3. What was Jason’s emotional state the day before the exam?
A. Confident and ready
B. Calm and relaxed
C. Tired but motivated
D. Panicked and unprepared
4. What helped Jason prepare for the exam?
A. Watching videos
B. Studying alone
C. Group discussion in class
D. Studying with Mark overnight
5. What does “pulling an all-nighter” mean in this context?
A. Studying throughout the entire night
B. Going to a party all night
C. Sleeping early before an exam
D. Reading one book overnight
6. What strategy did Jason and Mark use to study together effectively?
(記述式)
7. How did Jason feel after the exam?
(記述式)
8. What did Mark say at the end of the story, and what did it imply?
(記述式)
✅ 答え合わせ（Answers）
1. C. Jason was still relaxing instead of studying.
2. C. Start studying seriously
3. D. Panicked and unprepared
4. D. Studying with Mark overnight
5. A. Studying throughout the entire night
6. They went to the library, Jason read notes aloud, and Mark quizzed him.
7. He felt exhausted but confident that he did well.
8. Mark joked about writing a reminder on Jason’s forehead, implying Jason should start studying earlier next time.
📚 補足：今回使われたフレーズ以外の注目表現
- panic hit him like a truck：直訳は「パニックがトラックのように彼にぶつかった」＝急に強く不安や焦りを感じる比喩的表現
- feel like a blur：「ぼんやりしている」「記憶があいまい」など、内容を全く思い出せない状態を表す
- we’ve come this far：「ここまで来たんだから」＝努力を続ける動機づけに使われる口語表現
- write it on your forehead：「おでこに書いとくよ」＝絶対に忘れないように、という冗談めかした表現
- pull off：「やりとげる」「うまく成功させる」＝最後の一文 “what they pulled off” で使用
