共通テスト（英語） 過去問
令和8年度（2026年度）追・再試験
問23 (英語リーディング（第5問） 問6)

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。

Your class will be hosting Jenny, a student from the UK. After a few email exchanges, she has emailed again about a blog post on lost and found items in Japan. You and your group members have replied.

【Jenny’s email】

Hello again,

Your emails are making me feel more comfortable about living in Japan.

Yesterday, I read a blog and was amazed to learn about the high return rate of lost property in Japan. It also mentions a well−known saying that I find fascinating. I guess that’s the main reason for the high number of returns. Please read the blog（www.＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊） and let me know if you agree.

In English, we have a saying, ‘Finders keepers, losers weepers.’ So, if I lose something, I don’t expect to get it back. I probably wouldn’t bother to report it to the police either. However, occasionally, ‘finders’ check for contact information and get in touch with the ‘loser.’ A couple of years ago, my uncle, who lives in Edinburgh, lost his wallet, but it just appeared in his letterbox with a note from the finder. The person who found it must have put it in there. He was very fortunate that nothing had been removed.

Anyway, I look forward to your response.

Best wishes,
Jenny

【Your group’s reply email】

Hello Jenny,

Thanks for sharing the English saying. We also find that fascinating.

It is true that the Japanese saying is common knowledge as many of us heard it when we were children. We don’t take it that seriously, though. Actually, we have a law known as the Lost Property Act. It says that the finder must report the item to the police. Otherwise, they may be punished. Also, if lost property is not claimed within 90 days, the finder is ‘rewarded’ by receiving the item. We think that this better explains the high return rate in Japan.

We can’t wait to meet you.

Yours,
Group 4 Members
P.S. Your uncle was really lucky.

Your group and Jenny have different opinions on（　　　）.