英語の冠詞の続き。
今回は問題の難易度を上げてみよう。
名詞の扱いは以前にも記事にしたが，(1)無冠詞単数形(2)無冠詞複数形(3)不定冠詞付き(4)定冠詞付き単数形(5)定冠詞付き複数形を状況にあわせて使い分ける。
そのほかにも(6)代名詞所有格付き単数形(7)代名詞所有格付き複数形など、まだまだ名詞の活用形とでもいうべきものが他にもあるが今回は(1)〜(5)の範囲での問題を出してみる。
出題はReader's DigestのLaughter, the best medicineのジョークのひとつから。
括弧のついた名詞を上記(1)〜(5)のどの形で使うのか正しいかを答えてもらう。
(golfer) was standing in (fairway), about 40 (yard) out, when (frog) whispered from (rough), "Use (8-iron)."
(golfer), deep in (concentration), pulled out his 8-iron and hit (shot). It rolled right into (cup) for (eagle).
"Now, take me to Las Vegas," said (frog).
"What?" said (startled golfer), suddenly realizing it was (talking frog).
"You heard me," repeated (frog), "take me to Las Vegas. I'm obviously (lucky frog), and we'll make (bundle)!"
So (golfer) picked up (frog) and they flew to Las Vegas. In (casino), (frog) whispered, "Go to (dice table) and bet everything on (pass line)."
(shooter) rolled (seven), and (man) with (frog) won $100,000. Then (guy) took (frog) upstairs to his room and (frog) said.
"Kiss me."
When he did, it turned into (most beautiful girl) he'd ever seen---deep brown (eye), blond (hair), beautiful (smile) and 16 (year) old.
"And I swear, Your Honor, that's how she got in my room."
かなり笑えるジョーク。
しかしそれぞれのカッコつきの名詞をどの活用形で使うのかの問題としては日本人にはかなりの難問。
