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次の文章は、2011年10月30日にTHE DAILY YOMIURIに掲載された “How is personality formed? / Environment, genetics both influence our character traits”という見出しの記事である。これを読み、以下の設問に答えよ。なお、* のついた語句には注がある。
Sayumi Kusachi, mother to 21-year-old identical twins Minami and Honami, sometimes marvels at the difference in her girls' characters.
“I dressed them in the same clothes, fed them the same afternoon snacks and (1)[time / holding / amount / spent / of / them / the same] in my arms,” Sayumi, 48, began. “But elder sister Minami is shy, while Honami is more outgoing, and always seems to be at the center of activities,” she said with a smile.
The twin sisters studied at the same primary and middle schools, but advanced to different high schools. Minami is now attending a school for voice actors, while Honami is going to university.
“I used to be quite shy, but became more confident after I was asked to lead staff in my part-time jobs,” Minami said.
Although her situation is different, Honami has a similar tale. “Many friends at university freely express their opinions, so I think I've also come （ A ） assert myself better than before.”
Otoshi Suzuki, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of the Sacred Heart, said: “Character describes each person's way of thinking and their behavioral patterns. It refers to a person's particular qualities--whether they are introverted or extroverted, gentle, cool, the types of clothes they wear and general behavior.”
Experts and personality tests (a)sort character according to five categories:
-- Whether the person is a worrier.
-- Whether the person is active.
-- Whether the person is quick-witted and insightful.
-- Whether the person is gentle and benign.
-- Whether the person is earnest and feels a strong sense （ B ） responsibility.
Many experts say genetics and environment play major roles in how a person's character is molded.
Psychiatrist Eiji Shimizu, head of Chiba University's Research Center for Child Mental Development, said, “Genes linked to neurotransmitters are said to be partially responsible （ C ） building character.”
Neurotransmitters include serotonin, which stabilizes moods, and dopamine, which helps with focus and movement. Overseas research has indicated people who worry and tend to be (b)anxious may suffer （ D ） low serotonin levels, while those who lack motivation may not produce enough dopamine, and that these traits are decided genetically.
Shimizu agrees, to an (c)extent.
“(2)While the relationship between neurotransmitters and character is not entirely clear, there's no denying both genetic and environmental factors play a role in forming character,” Shimizu said.
Suzuki, however, (d)stresses the importance of environmental factors. "A person's character is formed gradually over time," he said.
At about 10 years old, people develop an awareness of how they appear to others. They begin to compare their behavior （ E ） classmates, assess whether their behavior is strange and, 〔 ア 〕 , modify their way of thinking and behavioral patterns. One's character is shaped through an ongoing period of such modification, according to experts.
According to Suzuki, a recent study found that interpersonal relationships established where they spend the most time in a day--such as school--have more influence （ F ） character than interpersonal relationships at home.
Is it possible for adults to change their character? Suzuki believes proactive effort can play a part. Interaction with others provides an opportunity to change certain personal characteristics, he said.
“(3)If you're a person who is prone to worry, having someone in your life who listens and offers advice can be a chance to relieve yourself of worry and change your mindset for the better,” he said.
（注）
neurotransmitter：神経伝達物質
| 問１ |
本文中の空所（ A ）〜（ F ）に入れるのに最も適切な語を、それぞれ次から１つ選びなさい。なお、同じものを２回以上用いてはならない。 |
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with on for from of to |
| 問２ |
下線部(a)〜(d)の意味に最も近いものを、それぞれア〜エから1つずつ選びなさい。 |
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- (a) sort
- ア arise
- イ check
- ウ classify
- エ unite
- (b) anxious
- ア angry
- イ concerned
- ウ greedy
- エ impatient
- (c) extent
- ア degree
- イ expectation
- ウ goal
- エ size
- (d) stress
- ア demand
- イ emphasize
- ウ indicate
- エ pressure
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| 問３ |
〔 ア 〕に入る最も適切な語句を、ア〜エから１つ選びなさい。 |
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ア if only イ if anything ウ if necessary エ if not |
| 問４ |
下線部(1)[ ]内に与えられた語を、文意が通るように並べかえなさい。 |
| 問５ |
下線部(2)を和訳しなさい。 |
| 問６ |
下線部(3)を和訳しなさい。 |
| 問７ |
本文の内容に最も近いものをア〜キから２つ選び、記号で答えなさい。 |
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- ア 双子の姉妹である未奈美さんと歩奈美さんの性格が大きく異なるのは、母親が娘たちの幼い時からそれぞれ違った育て方をしてきたからである。
- イ ある大学教授によると、性格というのは個々人が持つ思考の傾向のことなので、服装や態度には現れにくいものである。
- ウ 遺伝と環境の２つの要素が、性格形成において重要な役割を果たしていると考える専門家は多い。
- エ 人は、セロトニンの分泌量が少ないとやる気が出ず、ドーパミンの分泌量が少ないと不安になり気持ちが落ち着かない。
- オ 人は10歳ごろまでに、思考や行動の修正を終え性格形成を完了すると主張する専門家もいる。
- カ １日の滞在時間が長い家庭での人間関係が、性格形成に影響を及ぼすということが最近の研究で分かってきた。
- キ 自ら進んで人と付き合う機会を設けるようにすると、大人になってからでも性格を変えられる可能性がある。
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