
慶英会 塾長|慶應義塾大学卒・英検1級
中高一貫校の学校英語・NEW TREASURE・英検対策を専門とするオンライン個別指導塾です。塾長紹介
英検2級の長文でshortage・lack・scarcity・deficitを一律に「不足」と訳すと、原因と対策、数字の意味を取り違えます。shortageは必要量に対して供給が足りないこと、lackは必要なものがない・十分でないこと、scarcityは資源や物が乏しく希少である状態、deficitは予定・必要量との数量的な不足や収支の赤字を表します。意味が重なる場面もありますが、期間と何が足りないのかを読めば長文内容一致の判断が改善します。
慶英会が独自に作成した4長文40問です。学校給食、地域の水資源、図書館の予算、学習支援を題材に、全40問の解答・根拠と4英文の全文和訳を掲載します。数字・事業・地名はすべて架空の学習設定で、英検公式問題の転載ではありません。
shortage・lack・scarcity・deficitの違い
| 語 | 中心的な意味と使い方 | 慶英会のオリジナル例文 |
|---|---|---|
| shortage | 必要な量より供給・人員・資材が不足。a shortage of food/staff | A delivery delay caused a shortage of fresh food. |
| lack | ない、十分でない。a lack of experience / lack the skills | The team lacks reliable information. |
| scarcity | 資源・土地・原本などが乏しい状態。water scarcity / scarcity of land | Dry conditions have increased water scarcity. |
| deficit | 計画と実績の不足分、収支の赤字。budget deficit / a deficit of 200 units | Spending above revenue would create a deficit. |
区別の要点:例えば人材が足りない場合はshortage of staffとlack of staffの両方が使えることがあります。常に機械的な1対1対応が成立するわけではありません。一方、予算が赤字ならbudget deficit、資源が長期的に乏しいならscarcity、具体的に80個足りないならshortage of 80 itemsのように、文脈に合わせて選びます。
英検協会の英検2級の公式試験内容では、短文空所補充17問、長文空所補充6問、長文内容一致8問が示されています。本記事の40問は公式の問題数を表すものではなく、語彙と読解を同時に鍛える追加演習です。
独自長文1|学校給食の食材不足|短期のshortageとstorageのlack
説明文。金額や数量が書かれた場合、見込・実績・不足分のどれかを区別してから解いてください。
A SCHOOL LUNCH SUPPLY PROBLEM A school prepares lunch for 400 students. The kitchen ordered 400 apples for Tuesday, but the supplier delivered only 320 because a truck had broken down. This created a shortage of 80 apples for that day’s lunch. The shortage was a temporary difference between the number needed and the number available, rather than evidence that apples were scarce throughout the country. The kitchen manager could not simply buy a large extra stock of fruit. The building lacked enough refrigerated storage space to keep additional fresh food safely. The manager arranged for 80 oranges from another supplier after checking the school’s allergy information. As a result, each student could still receive one piece of fruit, although not everyone received an apple. The manager’s monthly food budget was still balanced. There was no budget deficit, and the change did not require students to pay more. Staff recorded the late delivery and the substitution so they could review the supplier’s reliability. The supplier promised to restore the normal delivery schedule on Wednesday, but the school said it would confirm the delivery before announcing that the problem had been solved.
内容一致・数量判断10問
問1|How many apples were missing from Tuesday’s delivery?
- 40
- 80
- 120
- 320
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:80
400 ordered minus 320 delivered = 80。必要量と実際の納品量を引き算します。
問2|What caused the apple shortage?
- A truck breakdown.
- A national ban on growing apples.
- The school’s decision to serve only oranges.
- A budget cut of 80 yen.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:A truck breakdown.
because a truck had broken down。
問3|What does the passage say about national apple scarcity?
- It was confirmed by the supplier.
- It affected every school.
- It would last for years.
- The local shortage does not prove it.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:The local shortage does not prove it.
rather than evidence that apples were scarce throughout the country。局所的不足を全国へ一般化しない。
問4|What did the school lack?
- Students willing to eat lunch.
- A monthly food budget.
- Enough refrigerated storage space.
- A list of approved suppliers.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:Enough refrigerated storage space.
lacked enough refrigerated storage space。lackは物・条件が足りないこと。
問5|Why were 80 oranges arranged?
- To replace the missing fruit portions.
- To sell at the school gate.
- To reduce the number of lunches to 320.
- To provide every student with both fruits.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:To replace the missing fruit portions.
80 oranges補充で400人に1個ずつ行き渡る。
問6|What did the manager check before obtaining the oranges?
- The next day’s weather forecast.
- Students’ allergy information.
- The date of the next school trip.
- A newspaper’s review of apples.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:Students’ allergy information.
after checking the school’s allergy information。
問7|Which statement about Tuesday’s fruit servings is true?
- Only 320 students received any fruit.
- Everyone received an apple.
- No oranges were provided.
- Every student received a piece of fruit.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:Every student received a piece of fruit.
each student … one piece of fruit, although not everyone … an apple。
問8|What was the situation with the monthly food budget?
- It had an unplanned large deficit.
- It was not prepared yet.
- It remained balanced, without a deficit.
- Students had to pay more.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:It remained balanced, without a deficit.
monthly food budget was still balanced / no budget deficit。
問9|Why did staff record the late delivery?
- To review the supplier’s reliability.
- To ask students to buy refrigerators.
- To close the cafeteria for a year.
- To prove apples were nationally scarce.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:To review the supplier’s reliability.
so they could review the supplier’s reliability。
問10|When would the school announce that the supply problem had been solved?
- Before checking the next delivery.
- After confirming the next delivery.
- Immediately when the truck broke down.
- After all students graduated.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:After confirming the next delivery.
confirm the delivery before announcing … solved。約束と実施済みの区別。
長文1の全文和訳
学校給食の供給問題。学校は400人分の給食を準備するため火曜日にリンゴ400個を注文しましたが、配送車の故障で320個しか届きませんでした。この日のリンゴは80個不足しました。これはその日に必要な量と届いた量の一時的な差であり、全国的にリンゴが希少である証拠ではありません。給食室には冷蔵保管の場所が十分になく、果物を大量に買い置きすることもできませんでした。担当者はアレルギー情報を確認したうえで別業者からオレンジ80個を手配しました。そのため全員が果物を1個受け取れましたが、全員がリンゴをもらったわけではありません。月間の食材予算は収支が合っていて赤字ではなく、生徒の追加負担もありません。職員は遅配と代替品を記録し、業者の信頼性を再検討します。業者は水曜の通常配送再開を約束しましたが、学校は問題解決と公表する前に実際の配送を確認します。
独自長文2|水不足と貯水量|scarcity・shortage・deficitの読み分け
地域レポート。金額や数量が書かれた場合、見込・実績・不足分のどれかを区別してから解いてください。
WATER IN A DRY REGION A mountain town has experienced water scarcity for several years. Rainfall is limited, and much of the soil cannot store water for long. The town therefore encourages residents to conserve water even in months when taps are working normally. This long-term condition is different from a temporary shortage caused by a broken pipe. Last June, the town’s treatment plant was expected to deliver 12,000 liters of water to a public garden. However, a damaged pump allowed only 9,000 liters to reach it. The delivery deficit was 3,000 liters compared with the planned amount. The manager temporarily reduced watering and repaired the pump. This shortfall was measurable, but it did not mean that every home had lost its water supply. Researchers also pointed out a lack of reliable rainfall measurements from remote areas. Because some monitoring stations had been closed, the team could not accurately compare this year’s rainfall with that of earlier decades. The researchers said that better data would help the town decide where to build storage tanks. They did not claim that adding tanks alone would eliminate the region’s long-term scarcity.
内容一致・数量判断10問
問11|What has the town faced for several years?
- An increase in snowfall.
- A shortage of school uniforms.
- Long-term water scarcity.
- A permanent closure of all gardens.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:Long-term water scarcity.
experienced water scarcity for several years。
問12|What does the town encourage even when taps work normally?
- Water conservation.
- A complete stop to all gardening.
- Buying bottled water from abroad.
- Closing every monitoring station.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:Water conservation.
encourages residents to conserve water even when taps … normally。
問13|What caused the shortfall in water delivered to the public garden?
- A missing list of gardeners.
- An increase in home water use.
- A shortage of rain gauges only.
- A damaged pump.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:A damaged pump.
a damaged pump allowed only 9,000 liters to reach it。
問14|What was the planned delivery to the garden?
- 3,000 liters
- 12,000 liters
- 9,000 liters
- 21,000 liters
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:12,000 liters
expected to deliver 12,000 liters。
問15|How large was the delivery deficit?
- 12,000 liters
- 9,000 liters
- 3,000 liters
- 1,000 liters
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:3,000 liters
12,000 minus 9,000 = 3,000 liters。
問16|What did the garden manager do?
- Reduced watering temporarily and repaired the pump.
- Reported that all homes were without water.
- Claimed all water scarcity had ended.
- Closed the public garden permanently.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:Reduced watering temporarily and repaired the pump.
temporarily reduced watering and repaired the pump。
問17|What does the report NOT establish about households?
- The treatment plant served a public garden.
- The town has a scarcity problem.
- The garden received less water than planned.
- Every home lost its water supply.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:Every home lost its water supply.
did not mean that every home had lost its water supply。
問18|What information did researchers lack?
- The planned garden delivery amount.
- Reliable rainfall measurements from remote areas.
- The name of the public garden.
- The location of the damaged pump.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:Reliable rainfall measurements from remote areas.
lack of reliable rainfall measurements from remote areas。
問19|Why was comparison with past decades difficult?
- Some monitoring stations had been closed.
- Rainfall never changes over time.
- The town had stopped growing trees.
- Pumps cannot record water temperature.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:Some monitoring stations had been closed.
because some monitoring stations had been closed。
問20|What did researchers say about storage tanks?
- They are unnecessary in any region.
- They will immediately end all scarcity.
- Better data can guide tank locations, but tanks alone may not end scarcity.
- They should be installed without checking rainfall.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:Better data can guide tank locations, but tanks alone may not end scarcity.
better data … where to build storage tanks / did not claim tanks alone eliminate scarcity。
長文2の全文和訳
乾燥地域の水。山あいの町は数年来の水資源の希少性に直面しており、降水量が少なく、土壌も水を長期間保持しにくいため、水道が通常どおり使える月でも節水を呼びかけています。この長期的条件は、壊れた水道管による一時的な不足と異なります。昨年6月、浄水施設は公共庭園に1万2000リットルを届ける予定でしたが、ポンプの故障で9000リットルしか届かず、予定との差は3000リットルでした。担当者は一時的に散水を減らし、ポンプを修理しました。ただし、この数量不足は全世帯の断水を意味しません。研究者は遠隔地の信頼できる降雨測定データが足りないと指摘します。観測所が一部閉鎖されたため、今年の降水量を過去数十年と正確に比較できません。データの改善は貯水タンクの設置場所の判断に役立ちますが、タンクだけで長期的な水不足問題が解決するとは主張していません。
独自長文3|地域図書館の予算赤字|deficitとstaff shortage
地域ニュース。金額や数量が書かれた場合、見込・実績・不足分のどれかを区別してから解いてください。
KEEPING THE LOCAL LIBRARY OPEN A small public library expected to receive 5 million yen this year, but its projected spending is 5.3 million yen. The estimated budget deficit is therefore 300,000 yen. This does not mean the library has already spent all its money; both figures are forecasts for the whole year. The library committee is considering ways to reduce costs without cutting the number of opening days. The library also faces a shortage of weekend volunteers. It needs six helpers each Saturday, but only four have registered for next month. Staff are asking local residents to join a training session. At present, a lack of people trained to repair damaged historical books makes the situation more difficult. Not all volunteers have that specialist skill. Some rare local newspapers are difficult to find because few copies have survived. The librarian describes this as the scarcity of original printed materials, not a temporary delivery problem. The library is planning to create digital copies, but it must first check who owns the relevant rights. A local business has offered a donation, although its amount is not confirmed. The committee says it would be premature to announce that the projected budget deficit has disappeared.
内容一致・数量判断10問
問21|What is the library’s expected income this year?
- 5 million yen.
- 5.3 million yen.
- 300,000 yen.
- Six million yen.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:5 million yen.
expected to receive 5 million yen。
問22|What is the projected budget deficit?
- 30,000 yen.
- 3 million yen.
- 5.3 million yen.
- 300,000 yen.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:300,000 yen.
5.3 million − 5 million = 0.3 million = 300,000 yen。
問23|Do the financial figures prove that the library has spent all its money?
- Yes, because a deficit always means no cash remains.
- No, they are forecasts for the year.
- Yes, because income is lower than spending.
- No, because the library plans to close.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:No, they are forecasts for the year.
both figures are forecasts / not already spent all its money。
問24|What is the committee considering?
- Closing the library permanently.
- Ending all weekend services immediately.
- Reducing costs without reducing opening days.
- Selling every rare newspaper.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:Reducing costs without reducing opening days.
reduce costs without cutting the number of opening days。
問25|How many volunteers are needed on each Saturday?
- Six.
- Four.
- Two.
- Ten.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:Six.
needs six helpers each Saturday。
問26|How many volunteers have registered for next month?
- Six.
- Eight.
- Ten.
- Four.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:Four.
only four have registered for next month。
問27|What specialist ability is lacking?
- Driving buses across a bridge.
- Repairing damaged historical books.
- Preparing school lunches.
- Installing water pumps.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:Repairing damaged historical books.
lack of people trained to repair damaged historical books。
問28|Why are original local newspapers scarce?
- They are delivered later than usual.
- They are free to download everywhere.
- Few printed copies have survived.
- Every copy is being printed this year.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:Few printed copies have survived.
few copies have survived。長期的・構造的な希少性。
問29|What must be checked before digitizing the newspapers?
- Who owns the relevant rights.
- Whether all volunteers can repair books.
- The amount of rainfall.
- The school lunch menu.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:Who owns the relevant rights.
first check who owns the relevant rights。
問30|Why has the committee not announced that the deficit is gone?
- The library already received the donation in full.
- The budget was calculated incorrectly.
- The committee has rejected all gifts.
- The offered donation amount is not confirmed.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:The offered donation amount is not confirmed.
its amount is not confirmed / premature to announce … deficit disappeared。
長文3の全文和訳
地域図書館を維持するために。公立図書館の今年の見込み収入は500万円、見込み支出は530万円で、推定予算赤字は30万円です。どちらも通年の見通しであり、すでに全額を使い切った意味ではありません。委員会は開館日数を減らさず費用を抑える方法を検討しています。毎週土曜日には補助者6人が必要ですが、来月の登録は4人で、週末ボランティアが不足しています。住民に研修参加を呼びかけていますが、古い郷土書籍を修復する技能を持つ人も足りません。生き残った印刷物が少ない昔の地域新聞は、配達遅延ではなく原本の希少性という問題があります。デジタル複製を計画していますが、権利者を確認する必要があります。地元企業から寄付の申し出はありますが金額は未確定で、委員会は赤字が消えたと発表するには早いとしています。
独自長文4|学習支援プロジェクトの不足と格差|不足の種類を見極める
プロジェクト報告。金額や数量が書かれた場合、見込・実績・不足分のどれかを区別してから解いてください。
A COMMUNITY STUDY PROJECT A nonprofit group operates free evening study sessions for teenagers. Its survey found that some neighborhoods have few quiet places where students can study. The report describes a lack of suitable study space rather than a lack of motivation among the students. Many young people said they wanted to study but could not find a quiet room after school. The group has enough tables and chairs for three study rooms, but a shortage of trained supervisors prevents it from opening all three on weekdays. It needs nine supervisors in total and currently has six. To address this shortfall, it has invited more adults to complete a safety and teaching workshop. The group’s projected income for next term is 1.8 million yen, while planned spending is 2 million yen. If these estimates do not change, there will be a budget deficit of 200,000 yen. However, an application for a public grant is still under review, so the final financial result is uncertain. A separate rural district has very few public buildings because of long-term geographic and population conditions. The report calls appropriate indoor spaces scarce there. The group warns readers not to assume that every neighborhood faces exactly the same obstacle.
内容一致・数量判断10問
問31|What did the survey identify in some neighborhoods?
- A lack of student motivation.
- A surplus of quiet rooms.
- Too many trained supervisors.
- A lack of suitable quiet study space.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:A lack of suitable quiet study space.
lack of suitable study space rather than lack of motivation。
問32|How did many teenagers describe their situation?
- They did not want to study.
- They wanted to study but lacked a quiet room.
- They had already completed the workshops.
- They planned to close the centers.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:They wanted to study but lacked a quiet room.
wanted to study but could not find a quiet room。
問33|What does the group have enough of for three study rooms?
- Tables and chairs.
- Trained supervisors.
- Confirmed grant money.
- Public buildings in every district.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:Tables and chairs.
enough tables and chairs for three study rooms。
問34|What prevents all three rooms from opening on weekdays?
- A shortage of electricity at night.
- A lack of interest in reading.
- A shortage of trained supervisors.
- Too much grant money.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:A shortage of trained supervisors.
shortage of trained supervisors prevents it。
問35|How many additional supervisors are needed?
- Nine.
- Six.
- Two.
- Three.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:Three.
needs nine, has six, so 9−6=3。
問36|How does the group plan to address the supervisor shortage?
- By closing every room.
- By inviting adults to complete a training workshop.
- By selling every table.
- By cancelling all weekday sessions permanently.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:By inviting adults to complete a training workshop.
invited more adults to complete a safety and teaching workshop。
問37|What is the projected budget deficit if estimates stay unchanged?
- 200,000 yen.
- 1.8 million yen.
- 2 million yen.
- 3.8 million yen.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 A:200,000 yen.
2 million minus 1.8 million = 200,000 yen。
問38|Why is the final financial result uncertain?
- Because spending is already zero.
- Because the survey did not ask about rooms.
- Because a public grant application is under review.
- Because all study rooms are permanently closed.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 C:Because a public grant application is under review.
grant application is still under review。採択されるとは確定していません。
問39|Why are suitable buildings scarce in the rural district?
- A late fruit delivery.
- A temporary bridge inspection.
- An unfinished digital catalog.
- Long-term geographic and population conditions.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 D:Long-term geographic and population conditions.
because of long-term geographic and population conditions。
問40|Which conclusion does the group advise against?
- Students need suitable places to study.
- Every neighborhood faces exactly the same problem.
- Training may help increase supervisors.
- Financial estimates can change.
正解・根拠・解説
正答 B:Every neighborhood faces exactly the same problem.
not to assume that every neighborhood faces exactly the same obstacle。
長文4の全文和訳
地域学習支援事業。非営利団体が十代向けの無料夜間学習会を運営しています。調査では、一部地区で静かに学べる適切な場所が不足していると分かりました。これは生徒の意欲不足ではなく学習空間の欠如で、多くの若者には学習意欲があっても放課後に静かな部屋がありません。机と椅子は3室分ありますが、訓練を受けた監督者が不足しており、平日には3室すべてを開けません。必要9人に対し現在6人で、団体は大人に安全・指導研修への参加を呼びかけています。次学期の見込み収入は180万円、計画支出は200万円で、数字が変わらなければ20万円の予算赤字になる見込みです。ただし公的助成の申請は審査中で、最終結果は未確定です。別の農村地区では地理や人口の長期的事情で公共建物が少なく、適切な屋内空間が希少です。団体はすべての地区が全く同じ障害に直面していると決めつけないよう注意しています。
40問の正答一覧・復習用
長文1(問1〜10):1B/2A/3D/4C/5A/6B/7D/8C/9A/10B
長文2(問11〜20):11C/12A/13D/14B/15C/16A/17D/18B/19A/20C
長文3(問21〜30):21A/22D/23B/24C/25A/26D/27B/28C/29A/30D
長文4(問31〜40):31D/32B/33A/34C/35D/36B/37A/38C/39D/40B
復習|不足の原因・期間・単位を3項目で整理
【1】不足しているものは何か。food、staff、water、information、moneyなど目的語を特定します。【2】期間は一時的か、長期的な希少性かを確認します。【3】数字は予定値か実績か、差を求めるなら同じ単位で引き算します。たとえば「予定400・納品320・不足80」と「見込み支出530万円・見込み収入500万円・推定赤字30万円」は別種類の不足です。
Day 1:長文1・2を解き、問1・11など数量問題を再計算。Day 2:長文3・4でactualとprojectedを色分け。Day 3:4語それぞれの例文を自分で作る。Day 7:答案を隠して間違えた問題を再テスト。Day 14:学校で扱う英文にもshortage・lack・scarcity・deficitがないか探し、対象・期間・単位を一行で説明します。
よくある質問
shortageとlackは同じですか?
重なる用法はありますが、shortageは「必要な量に対し供給が足りない」という数量的な不足を示す場合が多く、lackはもの・情報・技能がない状態を広く指します。英文中の目的語と状況を確認してください。
scarcityはtemporary shortageとどう違いますか?
scarcityは資源などの希少性・乏しさに焦点があり、長期的な背景を伴うことがよくあります。一方、shortageは一時的な供給不足にも使われます。ただし語だけで期間が絶対に決まるわけではなく、文中の時間表現が優先です。
budget deficitはお金が全部なくなった意味ですか?
いいえ。収入・支出の差が赤字であるという意味です。予算の見込み(projected deficit)と実際の決算額も区別する必要があります。
語彙だけ分かれば英検2級の長文は解けますか?
語彙に加えて、誰の行動か、過去か予定か、全員か一部か、数値の単位は何かを本文根拠で照合する必要があります。4択は本文と一致する根拠を確認して選びましょう。
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語彙暗記から長文の根拠確認、英検2級の学習計画や学校英語との両立まで、慶英会では個別に学習方法を調整しています。最大1か月無料体験・お問い合わせからご相談ください。
公式参考情報と著作権について
公益財団法人日本英語検定協会「2級の試験内容」。本教材の長文・設問・選択肢・解答・和訳は慶英会独自制作であり、英検の過去問ではありません。
次に読む英検2級の無料教材:analyze・assess・evaluate・reviewの違い|独自4長文40問と全訳。不足の状況を説明する英文から、データ分析や効果検証を表す英文へ練習を広げられます。

慶英会 塾長|慶應義塾大学卒・英検1級
塾長の経歴・指導方針
中高一貫校の英語・定期テスト・英検の学習状況を整理し、必要な復習の優先順位を考えたい方は、無料体験・学習相談のご案内をご確認ください。最大1か月完全無料体験の対象・回数・担当講師は、お申し込み時にご案内します。
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慶英会 塾長|慶應義塾大学卒・英検1級。中高一貫校の学校英語・NEW TREASURE・英検対策を専門としています。塾長の経歴・指導方針を確認する
