TOEIC リスニング パート 3 — 問題
パッセージ
Man: Hi, Ms. Evans. Thanks for taking my call. I wanted to discuss the renewal for our office maintenance contract.
Woman: Of course, Mr. Chen. We received your proposal. Some of the terms seem a bit higher than anticipated, particularly the rates for the specialized equipment servicing.
Man: I understand your concern. We've incorporated updated costs for parts and specialized labor, which accounts for the increase. However, we are open to negotiation on the overall package. Perhaps we could look at a longer commitment period in exchange for a slight reduction in the monthly retainer?
Woman: A longer commitment is something we could consider, especially given the upcoming elevator maintenance closure next month. We'll need reliable service during that period. What kind of reduction are you thinking of?
Man: We could potentially reduce the monthly retainer by 5% if you commit to a three-year term. We'd also like to discuss adding comprehensive HVAC servicing to the package, which is a new offering we're very excited about.
Woman: HVAC servicing wasn't in the original scope. Let me review this with my team, particularly the details about the elevator maintenance closure and how your extended coverage would apply. Can you send over a revised quote reflecting the 5% reduction for a three-year term and the HVAC details?
Man: Absolutely. I'll send that over by the end of the day. We value your business and are keen to find a mutually agreeable solution.
問題
What does the man suggest to make the deal more amenable?
選択肢
- A. Adding HVAC servicing to the contract
- B. Increasing the monthly retainer
- C. Extending the contract duration ✓
- D. Reducing the scope of specialized services
正解
C. Extending the contract duration
解説
📖 本文の和訳 — 男性はオフィスメンテナンス契約の更新について話すために電話したと述べています。女性は、提案された条件、特に特殊機器サービス料金が予想より高いと懸念を示しています。男性はその懸念を理解し、コスト更新のためであることを説明しつつ、パッケージ全体での交渉には応じると述べ、より長い契約期間と引き換えに毎月の固定料金をわずかに下���ることを提案しています。
📝 正解理由 — 男性は「Perhaps we could look at a longer commitment period in exchange for a slight reduction in the monthly retainer?」（毎月の固定料金をわずかに下げる代わりに、より長い契約期間を検討できるかもしれませんね？）と述べており、これは契約期間の延長と毎月の固定料金の引き下げを交換することを意味します。これは選択肢3「Extending the contract duration」と完全に一致します。
💡 実践的ヒント — Part 3では、提案や交渉の場面で使われる表現に注意を払いましょう。特に「in exchange for」（〜と引き換えに）のようなフレーズは、譲歩と見返りを明確に示すため、重要な手がかりとなります。
📊 不正解選択肢分析
X) Adding HVAC servicing to the contract — HVACサービスを追加することについては、本文中に一切言及されていません。
X) Increasing the monthly retainer — 男性はむしろ毎月の固定料金の「reduction」（引き下げ）を提案しています。
X) Reducing the scope of specialized services — 男性は特殊機器サービス料金の値上げの理由を説明しましたが、サービス範囲を縮小しようとは提案していません。