【大学受験対策】英語長文問題49（小説）261語＋和訳・解答解説

Yui had always been nervous around strangers, so when she got her first part-time job at a fast-food chain, she didn’t know what to expect. She applied because her parents said it would help her learn responsibility and communication skills. On her first day, she arrived 15 minutes early, wearing her new uniform and holding a notebook full of tips she had written down from the training session.

Her manager, Mr. Saito, greeted her with a kind smile. “Don’t worry,” he said. “Everyone makes mistakes at the beginning.” Yui spent the first hour learning how to take orders at the register. She had to remember the menu, greet each customer politely, and enter everything correctly into the machine. At first, she felt overwhelmed by the speed and pressure. A long line quickly formed, and she struggled to keep up.

Then, a kind customer noticed she was new and said, “Take your time. You’re doing great.” That small comment gave her confidence. She smiled, took a deep breath, and slowly began to handle each order more smoothly. Later, she helped prepare drinks and pack food. With each task, she gained more confidence.

After her shift, Mr. Saito gave her a thumbs-up. “You did well today. Just keep learning.” Yui felt exhausted but proud. She had talked to more people in one afternoon than in a whole week at school.

As she walked home, her feet were sore, but she was smiling. She realized that even small steps could lead to big changes—and that she was capable of more than she had believed.

Q1. What difficulty did Yui face when she first worked at the register?

1. She felt overwhelmed by the long customer line.
2. She forgot to bring her training notebook to work.
3. The register machine suddenly stopped working during her shift.
4. She was asked to cook burgers without any guidance.

Q2. How did Yui feel after finishing her first shift?

1. She regretted accepting the part‑time job offer.
2. She felt bored because the afternoon was extremely quiet.
3. She was tired but proud of her progress today.
4. She decided to quit because her manager was unfriendly.

Q3. Which statement is NOT true according to the story?

1. A customer’s encouragement boosted Yui’s confidence at work.
2. Yui arrived early wearing her uniform and prepared notes.
3. Mr. Saito assured her beginners usually make some mistakes.
4. Yui was assigned night shifts without receiving any training.