「枯れ木も山のにぎわい」は“にぎやかでいいね”じゃない。本来の意味を選んだ人は37.6％

Q1. What is the old meaning of the saying?

1. AMountains are beautiful in winter.
2. BSomething not very good is better than nothing.
3. CDead trees should be cut down.
4. DParties need a lot of food.

Its old meaning is "Something not very good is better than nothing." とあるので B。

Q2. What percent of people chose the new meaning in the survey?

1. A37.6 percent
2. B15 percent
3. C47.2 percent
4. D100 percent

47.2 percent chose this new meaning とあるので C。37.6％は昔からの意味を選んだ人。

Q3. What does the writer tell the reader to do?

1. ADon't use the saying about guests.
2. BUse the saying at every party.
3. CPlant more trees on mountains.
4. DAnswer more surveys.

Do not use it about your guests! とあるので A。

Q1. Why is a dead tree used in this proverb?

1. ABecause dead trees are very beautiful
2. BBecause a poor thing is still better than an empty space
3. CBecause people like to burn dead trees at parties
4. DBecause mountains have no other trees

A leafless tree is not much to look at, but it is better than an empty hillside. とあるので B。

Q2. What could happen if you thank your guests with this proverb?

1. AThey may think you are calling them dead trees.
2. BThey may think you want more food.
3. CThey will always feel happy.
4. DThey will ask you to plant trees.

you may be calling them dead trees とあるので A。

Q3. Which English phrase is close to the traditional meaning?

1. AThe more the merrier
2. BEvery cloud has a silver lining
3. CBetter than nothing
4. DTime is money

the old one (is close) to "better than nothing" とあるので C。

Q1. According to the passage, how did the traditional reading change in ten years?

1. AIt fell sharply from 47.2 to 37.6 percent.
2. BIt hardly changed, moving from 38.6 to 37.6 percent.
3. CIt doubled.
4. DIt disappeared completely.

the figures had been 38.6 and 35.5 percent / the traditional reading did not really shrink とあるので B。

Q2. What limitation of the survey does the passage mention?

1. AIt asked only people in Tokyo.
2. BIt did not include young people.
3. CIt cannot show who changed their answer, because different people were asked.
4. DIt was carried out only once.

Because different people were asked each time, the survey cannot show who changed their answer. とあるので C。

Q3. Which use of the proverb would the writer probably recommend?

1. ASaying it about yourself when you join a group
2. BSaying it to thank your teacher for coming
3. CWriting it on a welcome sign for guests
4. DUsing it to praise a famous singer

The safe way to use the proverb is to say it about yourself, as a humble remark when you join a group. とあるので A。