共通テスト（英語） 過去問
令和8年度（2026年度）本試験
問36 (英語リーディング（第7問） 問4)
問題文
各問の英文や図表を読み、最も適当な選択肢を選びなさい。
You prepared a presentation with a discussion question for your science class using the following passage.
Mind−Wandering： Lost in Thought
Rodin’s sculpture The Thinker represents a man absorbed in thought. People may wonder if he is thinking about life’s deep questions. Likewise, teachers may wonder what students sitting at their desks are thinking about—are they focusing on their schoolwork, or are they just daydreaming？
It is natural for the mind to switch between periods of focus and periods of rest. Even when we are supposed to be concentrating, we may not be paying attention to the task at hand. Scientists have found that we engage in daydreaming, also known as “mind−wandering,” approximately 50％ of the time we are awake. While our minds are wandering, we are not thinking about anything special but our brains naturally come up with ideas, images, and emotions. In short, mind−wandering is a shift away from thoughts on the current task to other unrelated thoughts.
Our understanding about mind−wandering has grown over time. Past studies argued that mind−wandering was not merely a waste of time but actually quite harmful. Mind−wandering was found to negatively influence our mood, leading to work−related mistakes, traffic accidents, and even mental conditions such as depression. New research, however, shows that mind−wandering also has positive effects which can enrich our lives in various ways.
One such effect is that mind−wandering helps us generate creative ideas. In fact, some of our best ideas become apparent when our minds are wandering. To access these ideas, however, our brains sometimes require a period of time, just like eggs need time to hatch. This is called the “incubation period.” This interval away from the problem is critical because during that time our brains are unconsciously sorting through pieces of information and associating them with the problem. This enables us to come up with a fresh solution, which appears when we least expect it, for example, when we are on a walk or taking a shower.
What is really going on in the brain when the mind wanders？ Previously, the brain was thought to be in a passive state at this time. However, through neuroimaging research conducted in 2001 in the US, more than a dozen regions of the brain were found to be active during mind−wandering. These regions, as a whole, were named the Default Mode Network（DMN）. Moreover, according to a study conducted in 2022 by researchers based in Norway and the Netherlands, the DMN was more active when participants were performing a low−effort task compared to a high−effort task.
How can we make use of new discoveries in brain science and increase the number of unique benefits that mind−wandering has to offer？ Here are four tips to help expand your mind. First, make time for simple activities such as doing the dishes or taking a warm bath. When involved with these undemanding tasks, our mind is free to wander around. Next, we can just go outside. For example, when we are in a forest, we are able to relax in nature and our mind can more easily spread out in all directions. Another suggestion is to get enough quality sleep each night. This will not only improve our mood, but enable the brain to be more receptive to new ideas. Finally, when we wake up in the morning, we should try to notice any thoughts that occur before we get out of bed. In this half−sleep state, our mind tends to wander and our ideas can flow more freely.
We will not always be able to control all of our thoughts. However, if we are aware of when and how mind−wandering happens, we may be able to take advantage of its seemingly random nature.
Choose the best option for （ ）.
You prepared a presentation with a discussion question for your science class using the following passage.
Mind−Wandering： Lost in Thought
Rodin’s sculpture The Thinker represents a man absorbed in thought. People may wonder if he is thinking about life’s deep questions. Likewise, teachers may wonder what students sitting at their desks are thinking about—are they focusing on their schoolwork, or are they just daydreaming？
It is natural for the mind to switch between periods of focus and periods of rest. Even when we are supposed to be concentrating, we may not be paying attention to the task at hand. Scientists have found that we engage in daydreaming, also known as “mind−wandering,” approximately 50％ of the time we are awake. While our minds are wandering, we are not thinking about anything special but our brains naturally come up with ideas, images, and emotions. In short, mind−wandering is a shift away from thoughts on the current task to other unrelated thoughts.
Our understanding about mind−wandering has grown over time. Past studies argued that mind−wandering was not merely a waste of time but actually quite harmful. Mind−wandering was found to negatively influence our mood, leading to work−related mistakes, traffic accidents, and even mental conditions such as depression. New research, however, shows that mind−wandering also has positive effects which can enrich our lives in various ways.
One such effect is that mind−wandering helps us generate creative ideas. In fact, some of our best ideas become apparent when our minds are wandering. To access these ideas, however, our brains sometimes require a period of time, just like eggs need time to hatch. This is called the “incubation period.” This interval away from the problem is critical because during that time our brains are unconsciously sorting through pieces of information and associating them with the problem. This enables us to come up with a fresh solution, which appears when we least expect it, for example, when we are on a walk or taking a shower.
What is really going on in the brain when the mind wanders？ Previously, the brain was thought to be in a passive state at this time. However, through neuroimaging research conducted in 2001 in the US, more than a dozen regions of the brain were found to be active during mind−wandering. These regions, as a whole, were named the Default Mode Network（DMN）. Moreover, according to a study conducted in 2022 by researchers based in Norway and the Netherlands, the DMN was more active when participants were performing a low−effort task compared to a high−effort task.
How can we make use of new discoveries in brain science and increase the number of unique benefits that mind−wandering has to offer？ Here are four tips to help expand your mind. First, make time for simple activities such as doing the dishes or taking a warm bath. When involved with these undemanding tasks, our mind is free to wander around. Next, we can just go outside. For example, when we are in a forest, we are able to relax in nature and our mind can more easily spread out in all directions. Another suggestion is to get enough quality sleep each night. This will not only improve our mood, but enable the brain to be more receptive to new ideas. Finally, when we wake up in the morning, we should try to notice any thoughts that occur before we get out of bed. In this half−sleep state, our mind tends to wander and our ideas can flow more freely.
We will not always be able to control all of our thoughts. However, if we are aware of when and how mind−wandering happens, we may be able to take advantage of its seemingly random nature.
Choose the best option for （ ）.
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問題
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共通テスト（英語）試験 令和8年度（2026年度）本試験 問36（英語リーディング（第7問） 問4） （訂正依頼・報告はこちら）
各問の英文や図表を読み、最も適当な選択肢を選びなさい。
You prepared a presentation with a discussion question for your science class using the following passage.
Mind−Wandering： Lost in Thought
Rodin’s sculpture The Thinker represents a man absorbed in thought. People may wonder if he is thinking about life’s deep questions. Likewise, teachers may wonder what students sitting at their desks are thinking about—are they focusing on their schoolwork, or are they just daydreaming？
It is natural for the mind to switch between periods of focus and periods of rest. Even when we are supposed to be concentrating, we may not be paying attention to the task at hand. Scientists have found that we engage in daydreaming, also known as “mind−wandering,” approximately 50％ of the time we are awake. While our minds are wandering, we are not thinking about anything special but our brains naturally come up with ideas, images, and emotions. In short, mind−wandering is a shift away from thoughts on the current task to other unrelated thoughts.
Our understanding about mind−wandering has grown over time. Past studies argued that mind−wandering was not merely a waste of time but actually quite harmful. Mind−wandering was found to negatively influence our mood, leading to work−related mistakes, traffic accidents, and even mental conditions such as depression. New research, however, shows that mind−wandering also has positive effects which can enrich our lives in various ways.
One such effect is that mind−wandering helps us generate creative ideas. In fact, some of our best ideas become apparent when our minds are wandering. To access these ideas, however, our brains sometimes require a period of time, just like eggs need time to hatch. This is called the “incubation period.” This interval away from the problem is critical because during that time our brains are unconsciously sorting through pieces of information and associating them with the problem. This enables us to come up with a fresh solution, which appears when we least expect it, for example, when we are on a walk or taking a shower.
What is really going on in the brain when the mind wanders？ Previously, the brain was thought to be in a passive state at this time. However, through neuroimaging research conducted in 2001 in the US, more than a dozen regions of the brain were found to be active during mind−wandering. These regions, as a whole, were named the Default Mode Network（DMN）. Moreover, according to a study conducted in 2022 by researchers based in Norway and the Netherlands, the DMN was more active when participants were performing a low−effort task compared to a high−effort task.
How can we make use of new discoveries in brain science and increase the number of unique benefits that mind−wandering has to offer？ Here are four tips to help expand your mind. First, make time for simple activities such as doing the dishes or taking a warm bath. When involved with these undemanding tasks, our mind is free to wander around. Next, we can just go outside. For example, when we are in a forest, we are able to relax in nature and our mind can more easily spread out in all directions. Another suggestion is to get enough quality sleep each night. This will not only improve our mood, but enable the brain to be more receptive to new ideas. Finally, when we wake up in the morning, we should try to notice any thoughts that occur before we get out of bed. In this half−sleep state, our mind tends to wander and our ideas can flow more freely.
We will not always be able to control all of our thoughts. However, if we are aware of when and how mind−wandering happens, we may be able to take advantage of its seemingly random nature.
Choose the best option for （ ）.
You prepared a presentation with a discussion question for your science class using the following passage.
Mind−Wandering： Lost in Thought
Rodin’s sculpture The Thinker represents a man absorbed in thought. People may wonder if he is thinking about life’s deep questions. Likewise, teachers may wonder what students sitting at their desks are thinking about—are they focusing on their schoolwork, or are they just daydreaming？
It is natural for the mind to switch between periods of focus and periods of rest. Even when we are supposed to be concentrating, we may not be paying attention to the task at hand. Scientists have found that we engage in daydreaming, also known as “mind−wandering,” approximately 50％ of the time we are awake. While our minds are wandering, we are not thinking about anything special but our brains naturally come up with ideas, images, and emotions. In short, mind−wandering is a shift away from thoughts on the current task to other unrelated thoughts.
Our understanding about mind−wandering has grown over time. Past studies argued that mind−wandering was not merely a waste of time but actually quite harmful. Mind−wandering was found to negatively influence our mood, leading to work−related mistakes, traffic accidents, and even mental conditions such as depression. New research, however, shows that mind−wandering also has positive effects which can enrich our lives in various ways.
One such effect is that mind−wandering helps us generate creative ideas. In fact, some of our best ideas become apparent when our minds are wandering. To access these ideas, however, our brains sometimes require a period of time, just like eggs need time to hatch. This is called the “incubation period.” This interval away from the problem is critical because during that time our brains are unconsciously sorting through pieces of information and associating them with the problem. This enables us to come up with a fresh solution, which appears when we least expect it, for example, when we are on a walk or taking a shower.
What is really going on in the brain when the mind wanders？ Previously, the brain was thought to be in a passive state at this time. However, through neuroimaging research conducted in 2001 in the US, more than a dozen regions of the brain were found to be active during mind−wandering. These regions, as a whole, were named the Default Mode Network（DMN）. Moreover, according to a study conducted in 2022 by researchers based in Norway and the Netherlands, the DMN was more active when participants were performing a low−effort task compared to a high−effort task.
How can we make use of new discoveries in brain science and increase the number of unique benefits that mind−wandering has to offer？ Here are four tips to help expand your mind. First, make time for simple activities such as doing the dishes or taking a warm bath. When involved with these undemanding tasks, our mind is free to wander around. Next, we can just go outside. For example, when we are in a forest, we are able to relax in nature and our mind can more easily spread out in all directions. Another suggestion is to get enough quality sleep each night. This will not only improve our mood, but enable the brain to be more receptive to new ideas. Finally, when we wake up in the morning, we should try to notice any thoughts that occur before we get out of bed. In this half−sleep state, our mind tends to wander and our ideas can flow more freely.
We will not always be able to control all of our thoughts. However, if we are aware of when and how mind−wandering happens, we may be able to take advantage of its seemingly random nature.
Choose the best option for （ ）.
- The brain has multiple areas working while the mind is wandering.
- The brain’s DMN is only activated when we perform high−effort tasks.
- The entire brain is inactive when we are working on low−effort tasks.
- The state of the brain remains passive during mind−wandering.
正解！素晴らしいです
残念...
画像拡大
この過去問の解説 （1件）
01
本設問では、
A Finding From Neuroimaging Research に関して正しい選択肢を選びます。
本文で重要な箇所は次の文です。
... more than a dozen regions of the brain were found to be active during mind−wandering.
dozen:十二個、ダース
region:①領域、部位 ②地域、地方
during:（前置詞・「期間」の意味で）～の間に、～中に
合致する選択肢は次のものです。
The brain has multiple areas working while the mind is wandering.
multiple:①複数の、たくさんの ②多種多様の
area:①（ある区画・区域・領域としての）場所、エリア ②地域 ③面積
while:（接続詞）（時間的な意味で）～する間に
The brain has multiple areas working while the mind is wandering.
この選択肢は、本文の記述に合致するので適切です。
... more than a dozen regions of the brain were found to be active during mind−wandering.
multiple areas working が、
more than a dozen regions ... be active に対応します。
while the mind is wandering という表現は during mind−wandering と同義であると解釈できます。
The brain’s DMN is only activated when we perform high−effort tasks.
この選択肢は次の本文の記述に合致せず、不適切です。
only という表現が不適切である点と、high−effort tasks が間違っています。
... the DMN was more active when participants were performing a low−effort task compared to a high−effort task.
participant:参加者 【ここでは「被験者」程度の意味】
perform:①（他動詞）～を行う ②（他動詞）～を演じる ③（自動詞）演奏する
compared to ～:～と比較して、～に比べると【= compared with ～ 】
【compare A with ～: A を～と比較する】
The entire brain is inactive when we are working on low−effort tasks.
この選択肢は次の本文の記述に合致せず、不適切です。
... the DMN was more active when participants were performing a low−effort task compared to a high−effort task.
entire:全体の
inactive: in-（不足、否定、逆 を表す）+ active（活動的な）
【単語によっては in- が im- になります。例：possible（可能な）, impossible（不可能な）】
The state of the brain remains passive during mind−wandering.
この選択肢は次の本文の記述に合致せず、不適切です。
passive ではなく active が正しい事になります。
... more than a dozen regions of the brain were found to be active during mind−wandering.
state:①状態 ②州 ③国
知っておきたい単語や表現は、dozen, region, during, multiple, area, while, participant, perform, compared to, entire, 接頭辞の in-, state などです。
What is really going on in the brain...？の段落の内容を素早く把握し、
各選択肢を本文の記述と照らし合わせましょう。
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