（中略） 出典：The Japan Times Alpha, May 31 & June 7, 2024 （後略） I could hardly believe how quickly all the cash we brought disappeared, but in the end I think we managed to get some nice, unique Japanese sweets and snacks for the adults and some fun toys for the kids. The highlight was a matcha cheesecake that will be absolutely perfect for one of my best friends, who is obsessed with all things matcha as well as Japanese cheesecakes. I also managed to get a local blend for the coffee-lovers on my shopping list and some other interesting snacks. Our little spending spree in Umeda also made me realize that, after６½ years in Japan, I have fully embraced omiyage culture. I have to admit, I didn’t quite understand it at first. “We have to buy gifts for all these people just because we went on a trip?” I recall grumbling to my wife. But over time I started to feel that these little gestures were actually ②quite a bit of fun. Of course, it’s nice when you get little treats from people who have gone on vacation, but more than that, I started to look forward to popping into souvenir shops to find the perfect gift for friends and family. So even after the department stores had done some serious damage to my wallet, my stress was gone and I felt satisfied to be bringing all kinds of nice little treats for everyone back home, including people I haven’t seen in years. (1) 下線部①のconfidentに最も近い意味のものを下記選択肢から1つ選び、番号で答えなさい。 1. surprised 2. worried 3. scared 4. certain (2) 筆者が下線部②のように思う理由を具体的に説明しなさい。 (3) 次の文章のうち、内容に合致しないものを2つ選び、記号で答えなさい。 (A) カナダに帰国する際に、幼児である娘を飛行機に乗せることが、最大のストレスである。 (B) 筆者の近しい友達の家族が増えたため、買わなければならないお土産の数が増えた。 (C) 抹茶と日本のチーズケーキに夢中の友達のために抹茶チーズケーキを選び、それに合うコーヒー も一緒にプレゼントした。 (D) 日本に6年半滞在している筆者はお土産文化を完全に受け入れた。 (E) 筆者は最初はお土産文化を理解できず、妻に不満を漏らしていた。 2 〔注〕toddler 幼児。long-haul 長距離の。multiplied 増やした。is obsessed with～～に夢中になる。all things～～なら何でも。spending spree 買い物三昧。embraced 受け入れた。recall 思い出す。grumbling 不平を漏らす。gestures 気遣いの行為。little treatsちょっとしたお菓子。popping into～～に立ち寄ること。souvenir shops 土産物店。reporting trips 取材のための出張。back-to-back 連続した。mother-in-law 義母。apologetic 申し訳なさそうな。wallet 財布。
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