2023/07 JLPT N1 Letters and Vocabulary,Grammar test
問題1___の言葉の読み方として、最もよいものを1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
1) 思わぬ出来事に、周りが<u>騒然</u>としていた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
騒然 (そうぜん) is the correct reading for the kanji, which means 'noisy, tumultuous, in a commotion'. The sentence means 'The surroundings were in a commotion due to an unexpected incident.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 騒然.
This is an incorrect reading for 騒然.
This is an incorrect reading for 騒然. 呆然 (ぼうぜん) means 'dumbfounded, stunned'.
2) 西村さんはいたずらした子供を優しく<u>諭した</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
諭した (さとす) is the correct reading for the kanji 諭す, which means 'to admonish, to instruct, to persuade'. The sentence means 'Mr. Nishimura gently admonished the mischievous child.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for 操る (あやつる) meaning 'to manipulate' or 慰める (なぐさめる) meaning 'to comfort'.
This is the reading for 正す (ただす) meaning 'to correct' or 'to rectify'.
This is the reading for 癒した (いやす) meaning 'to heal' or 'to soothe'.
3) 社会生活を送る上で、<u>秩序</u>を守ることは重要だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
秩序 (ちつじょ) is the correct reading for the kanji, which means 'order, discipline, system'. The sentence means 'Maintaining order is important in social life.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 秩序.
This is an incorrect reading for 秩序.
This is an incorrect reading for 秩序.
4) このあたりに犯人が<u>潜伏</u>しているという情報が入った。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
潜伏 (せんぷく) is the correct reading for the kanji, which means 'hiding, lying low, lurking'. The sentence means 'Information came in that the culprit was hiding around here.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 潜伏, as the 'pu' sound should be 'pu' (ぷ) not 'fu' (ふ).
This is an incorrect reading for 潜伏.
This is an incorrect reading for 潜伏.
5) アナウンサーの<u>朗らか</u>な声が響いた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
朗らか (ほがらか) is the correct reading for the kanji, which means 'cheerful, bright, clear'. The sentence means 'The announcer's cheerful voice echoed.'
Why other options are incorrect:
清らか (きよらか) means 'pure, clean'.
柔らか (やわらか) means 'soft, tender'.
滑らか (なめらか) means 'smooth, fluent'.
6) 新しい市長は地域文化の<u>振興</u>に力を入れている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
振興 (しんこう) is the correct reading for the kanji, which means 'promotion, encouragement, development'. The sentence means 'The new mayor is putting effort into promoting local culture.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 振興.
人工 (じんこう) means 'artificial' or 人口 (じんこう) means 'population'.
This is an incorrect reading for 振興.
問題2 ( ) に入れるのに最もよいものを 1・2・3・4 から一つ選びなさい。
7) 今は両親と暮らしているが卒業して就職したら、家を出て（ ）したいと思っている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
自立 (じりつ) means 'independence, self-reliance'. It fits the context of leaving home after graduation and employment. The sentence means 'I live with my parents now, but after graduating and getting a job, I want to leave home and become independent.'
Why other options are incorrect:
自制 (じせい) means 'self-control, self-restraint'. It doesn't fit the context of leaving home.
自重 (じちょう) means 'self-respect, prudence, taking care of oneself'. It doesn't fit the context of leaving home.
自任 (じにん) means 'self-appointment, self-proclaimed'. It doesn't fit the context of leaving home.
8) この企業は、売り上げの一部を町に寄付することで町の人々に利益を（ ）している。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
還元 (かんげん) means 'return, restoration'. In this context, it means 'to return profits to the community'. The sentence means 'This company is returning profits to the townspeople by donating a portion of its sales to the town.'
Why other options are incorrect:
返上 (へんじょう) means 'giving back, returning (e.g., a title, a right)'. It's not typically used for returning profits.
配給 (はいきゅう) means 'distribution, rationing (of goods or supplies)'. This refers to distributing goods, not profits in this sense.
譲渡 (じょうと) means 'transfer, assignment (of rights, property)'. This refers to transferring ownership, not returning profits.
9) 今日は朝から空が（ ）と曇っていて、今にも雨が降り出しそうだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
どんより means 'dull, heavy, gloomy (sky); sluggish (mood)'. It perfectly describes a cloudy, oppressive sky. The sentence means 'The sky has been dull and cloudy since morning, and it looks like it's about to rain any moment.'
Why other options are incorrect:
びっしょり means 'soaking wet'.
どっさり means 'a lot, in large quantities'.
ぐったり means 'limp, exhausted, tired out'.
10) この生産管理のシステムは、維持費の高さが（ ）になってなかなか普及しない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ネック (neck) is used metaphorically to mean 'bottleneck, obstacle, hindrance'. The high maintenance cost is the obstacle preventing its widespread adoption. The sentence means 'The high maintenance cost is a bottleneck for this production management system, preventing it from spreading easily.'
Why other options are incorrect:
ノイズ (noise) means 'unwanted sound, interference'.
ロック (lock) means 'a lock' or 'rock music'.
タブー (taboo) means 'a taboo, something forbidden'.
11) 大きな声で歌うと、ストレスの（ ）になって気分がすっきりする。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
発散 (はっさん) means 'emission, discharge, diffusion, (stress) release'. It is commonly used for releasing stress. The sentence means 'Singing loudly helps release stress and makes you feel refreshed.'
Why other options are incorrect:
発射 (はっしゃ) means 'firing, shooting, launching'.
流出 (りゅうしゅつ) means 'leakage, outflow, drain'.
排出 (はいしゅつ) means 'emission, discharge (of waste, gas, etc.)'.
12) この二つの漢字はよく似ていて（ ）ので、読み間違えることがある。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
紛らわしい (まぎらわしい) means 'confusing, misleading, ambiguous'. It describes things that are easily mistaken for each other. The sentence means 'These two kanji are very similar and confusing, so they are sometimes misread.'
Why other options are incorrect:
もっともらしい means 'plausible, convincing, specious'.
図々しい (ずうずうしい) means 'impudent, brazen, cheeky'.
馴れ馴れしい (なれなれしい) means 'overly familiar, presumptuous'.
13) この店は細かいところまで掃除が（ ）いて、清潔だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
行き届く (ゆきとどく) means 'to be thorough, to be meticulous, to be attentive'. When used with 掃除 (cleaning), it means the cleaning is done thoroughly, even in small details. The sentence means 'This shop is clean because the cleaning is thorough, even in the smallest details.'
Why other options are incorrect:
行き詰る (ゆきづまる) means 'to reach a deadlock, to be stuck'.
行き交う (ゆきかう) means 'to come and go, to pass each other'.
行き着く (ゆきつく) means 'to arrive at, to reach (a destination or conclusion)'.
問題3___の言葉に意味が最も近いものを 1・2・3・4 から一つ選びなさい。
14) この条約は締結されると、農業に影響が出ることが<u>懸念</u>される。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
懸念 (けねん) means 'concern, worry, apprehension'. 心配 (しんぱい) also means 'worry, concern'. The sentence means 'If this treaty is concluded, there is concern that it will affect agriculture.'
Why other options are incorrect:
期待 (きたい) means 'expectation, hope'.
予想 (よそう) means 'prediction, forecast'.
重視 (じゅうし) means 'emphasis, importance'.
15) 久しぶりに会った友人は何だか<u>やつれて</u>いるようだった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
やつれる means 'to become thin, to look haggard, to be worn out'. やせ衰える (やせおとろえる) means 'to become thin and weak, to waste away'. The sentence means 'My friend, whom I met after a long time, seemed to be worn out/haggard.'
Why other options are incorrect:
遠慮して (えんりょして) means 'hesitating, refraining'.
張り切って (はりきって) means 'being in high spirits, being enthusiastic'.
感動して (かんどうして) means 'being moved, being impressed'.
16) 彼が<u>奮闘して</u>いる姿を見て、力を貸そうと思った。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
奮闘する (ふんとうする) means 'to struggle hard, to fight bravely, to make strenuous efforts'. 必死に頑張る (ひっしにがんばる) means 'to try desperately, to do one's utmost'. The sentence means 'Seeing him struggling hard, I decided to lend a hand.'
Why other options are incorrect:
じっと我慢して (じっとがまんして) means 'patiently enduring'.
激しく怒って (はげしくおこって) means 'getting furiously angry'.
焦って取り組んで (あせってとりくんで) means 'tackling something impatiently/anxiously'.
17) あれは<u>不慮</u>の事故だったとしか言いようがない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
不慮 (ふりょ) means 'unforeseen, unexpected, accidental'. 思いがけない (おもいがけない) means 'unexpected, unforeseen'. The sentence means 'There's no other way to say it but that it was an unforeseen accident.'
Why other options are incorrect:
仕方ない (しかたない) means 'it can't be helped, unavoidable'.
ありえない means 'impossible, unbelievable'.
情けない (なさけない) means 'pathetic, miserable, shameful'.
18) 倉庫の品物を<u>根こそぎ</u>持っていかれた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
根こそぎ (ねこそぎ) means 'root and branch, completely, entirely'. すべて (subete) means 'all, everything, completely'. The sentence means 'All the goods in the warehouse were taken away completely.'
Why other options are incorrect:
だいぶ means 'considerably, greatly'.
一度に (いちどに) means 'all at once, simultaneously'.
次々に (つぎつぎに) means 'one after another, successively'.
19) 若いころ私は、商品開発の仕事に<u>没頭</u>していた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
没頭する (ぼっとうする) means 'to be absorbed in, to be engrossed in, to be devoted to'. 熱中する (ねっちゅうする) means 'to be enthusiastic about, to be absorbed in'. The sentence means 'When I was young, I was absorbed in the work of product development.'
Why other options are incorrect:
飽きて (あきて) means 'getting tired of, losing interest in'.
憧れて (あこがれて) means 'longing for, admiring'.
不満を持って (ふまんをもって) means 'having dissatisfaction/complaints'.
問題4 次の言葉の使い方として、最もよいものを1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
20) <u>兆し</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
兆し (きざし) means 'sign, omen, indication, symptom'. It refers to a sign that something is about to happen or change. Option 4 correctly uses 兆し to mean 'there are no signs of the economy improving'. The sentence means 'Even this year, there are no signs of the economy improving.'
Why other options are incorrect:
兆し is not used for a definite plan or target like production numbers. It implies an uncertain indication.
兆し refers to a *sign* of something, not the *outlook* or *prospects* of sales themselves. 兆しが不透明だ is unnatural; 兆しが見えない or 先行きが不透明だ would be more appropriate.
兆し is not used to mean 'expectation' or 'prediction' of people. 多くの人の予想 (yosou: expectation) or 多くの人の見込み (mikomi: prospect) would be more appropriate.
21) <u>収容</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
収容 (しゅうよう) means 'accommodation, housing, seating capacity, internment'. It is used for accommodating people or things in a facility. Option 2 correctly uses 収容 to mean 'this concert hall can accommodate 500 spectators'. The sentence means 'This concert hall can accommodate 500 spectators.'
Why other options are incorrect:
収容 is generally used for facilities or large-scale storage, not for packing personal luggage into a bag. 詰める (tsumeru: to pack) or 入れる (ireru: to put in) would be more natural.
For words in a dictionary, 収録 (shūroku: recording, compilation) or 掲載 (keisai: publication, inclusion) is more appropriate than 収容.
For ingredients or nutrients contained in food, 含む (fukumu: to contain) or 含有する (ganyū suru: to contain) is used, not 収容.
22) <u>さえる</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
冴える (さえる) has several meanings, including 'to be clear, to be sharp (e.g., mind, senses), to be wide awake'. Option 3 correctly uses 目が冴える (me ga saeru) to mean 'eyes are wide awake', implying inability to sleep. The sentence means 'After drinking coffee, my eyes became wide awake, and I couldn't sleep.'
Why other options are incorrect:
冴える is not used for being punctual. 友人は時間に正確で (seikaku de: precise) or 友人は時間に厳しい (kibishii: strict) would be more appropriate.
冴える is not used for emotions being clear or easily expressed. 感情がはっきり顔に出る (hakkiri kao ni deru: clearly show on face) would be more appropriate.
冴える is not used for goals being clear or unwavering. 目標が明確で (meikaku de: clear) or 目標がぶれない (burenai: unwavering) would be more appropriate.
23) <u>痛烈</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
痛烈 (つうれつ) means 'severe, scathing, sharp, bitter'. It is often used to describe criticism or attacks. Option 1 correctly uses 痛烈な批判 (tsūretsu na hihan) meaning 'scathing criticism'. The sentence means 'That movie received scathing criticism from critics.'
Why other options are incorrect:
痛烈 is not typically used for a 'fierce battle'. 激しい戦い (hageshii tatakai: fierce battle) or 壮絶な戦い (sōzetsu na tatakai: heroic/fierce battle) would be more appropriate.
痛烈 is not used for 'harsh environment'. 厳しい環境 (kibishii kankyō: harsh environment) or 過酷な環境 (kakoku na kankyō: severe environment) would be more appropriate.
痛烈 is not used for the 'intensity of wind'. 猛烈な勢い (mōretsu na ikioi: fierce intensity) or 強い勢い (tsuyoi ikioi: strong intensity) would be more appropriate.
24) <u>完結</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
完結 (かんけつ) means 'completion, conclusion (of a story, series, project)'. It is often used for works like novels or projects that come to an end. Option 3 correctly uses 完結 for a serialized novel. The sentence means 'The serialized novel that has continued for 3 years will finally conclude in the next issue.'
Why other options are incorrect:
For a period ending, 終了する (shūryō suru: to end) or 期限が切れる (kigen ga kireru: deadline expires) is used, not 完結.
For construction completion, 完成する (kansei suru: to be completed) or 竣工する (shunkō suru: to be completed) is used, not 完結.
For charging completion, 完了する (kanryō suru: to be completed) or 終わる (owaru: to finish) is used, not 完結.
25) <u>もろい</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
脆い (もろい) means 'brittle, fragile, weak, easily broken'. Option 1 correctly uses もろい to describe a wall that has become weak and easily breakable due to age. The sentence means 'This is an old house, and the walls have become brittle, so entry is prohibited.'
Why other options are incorrect:
もろい is not used for physical strength. 弱かった (yowakatta: was weak) would be appropriate.
もろい is not used for lack of experience. 経験が浅い (keiken ga asai: shallow experience) or 経験が少ない (keiken ga sukunai: little experience) would be appropriate.
もろい is not used for nutrients being lost. 栄養が失われる (eiyō ga ushinawareru: nutrients are lost) or 栄養が壊れる (eiyō ga kowareru: nutrients are destroyed) would be more appropriate.
問題5 次の文の（ ）に入れるのに最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
26) 努力して夢を叶えた弟のことを兄として誇り（ ）思う。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
誇りに思う (ほこりに思う) is a fixed expression meaning 'to be proud of'. The particle に is used here. The sentence means 'As an older brother, I am proud of my younger brother who achieved his dream through effort.'
Why other options are incorrect:
を is not used with 誇りと思う in this context.
で is not used with 誇りと思う in this context.
が is not used with 誇りと思う in this context.
27) 失敗は誰でも避けたいものだが、失敗（ ）学べないこともある。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜からしか〜ない」 (kara shika ~nai) means 'only from ~ can ~'. It expresses that something can only be learned or obtained from a specific source. The sentence means 'Everyone wants to avoid failure, but there are some things that can only be learned from failure.'
Why other options are incorrect:
にまで means 'even to/until'. It doesn't fit the meaning of 'only from'.
まででも means 'even up to/as far as'. It doesn't fit the meaning of 'only from'.
だけから is grammatically incorrect. The correct form would be からしか.
28) 合唱コンクールで歌っている子供たちの表情は、（ ）そのものだった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜そのもの」 (sono mono) means 'the very ~ itself, ~ incarnate'. It emphasizes that something is exactly like the noun it follows. When used with a な-adjective like 真剣 (しんけん: serious, earnest), the な is dropped. So, 真剣そのもの (shinken sono mono) means 'seriousness itself'. The sentence means 'The expressions of the children singing in the chorus competition were seriousness itself.'
Why other options are incorrect:
真剣で is grammatically incorrect in this context. で is a particle, not part of the noun phrase for そのもの.
真剣に (shinken ni) is an adverb meaning 'seriously, earnestly'. It doesn't fit the noun phrase structure with そのもの.
真剣な (shinken na) is the adjectival form. When used with そのもの, the な is dropped.
29) 同僚の山下さんは、最初はおとなしい人だと思っていたが、一緒に仕事を（ ） 実はよくしゃべる人だということがわかった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜するうちに」 (suru uchi ni) means 'while doing ~, gradually, in the course of doing ~'. It indicates a change that happens naturally over time while an action is being performed. The sentence means 'I initially thought my colleague Yamashita was a quiet person, but as we worked together, I realized he's actually quite talkative.'
Why other options are incorrect:
する間 (suru aida) means 'while doing ~'. While similar, うちに implies a gradual change or discovery, whereas 間 simply states simultaneous actions.
する限り (suru kagiri) means 'as long as ~' or 'to the extent that ~'. It doesn't fit the context of a gradual realization.
するとしたら (suru to shitara) means 'if one were to do ~'. It's a conditional expression and doesn't fit the context.
30) 忙しくて引っ越しの荷造りが（ ）荷造りを全部やってくれるサービスがあると友人が教えてくれた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜（し）ていたところ」 (shite ita tokoro) means 'just when I was doing ~' or 'just when I was in the state of ~'. It indicates that something happened at a specific point in time or state. Here, it means 'just when I was unable to pack'. The sentence means 'I was too busy to pack for the move, and just then, a friend told me there's a service that does all the packing for you.'
Why other options are incorrect:
できずにいたなら (dekinai de ita nara) means 'if I had been unable to do ~'. This is a conditional statement and doesn't fit the narrative of something happening at that moment.
できないようにしたら (dekinai yō ni shitara) means 'if I made it so that I couldn't do ~'. This implies intentional action to prevent something, which is not the meaning here.
できないようにしたところ (dekinai yō ni shita tokoro) means 'just when I made it so that I couldn't do ~'. Similar to option 3, it implies intentional action.
31) まだ 11 月の初めなのに、昨日は雪が（ ）寒かった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜んじゃないかというぐらい」 (n'janai ka to iu gurai) means 'to the extent that one might think ~' or 'so ~ that one might think ~'. It expresses a strong degree or impression. Here, it means 'so cold that it felt like it might snow'. The sentence means 'Even though it's only the beginning of November, it was so cold yesterday that it felt like it might snow.'
Why other options are incorrect:
降ることがあるかのように (furu koto ga aru ka no yō ni) means 'as if it might snow'. While similar, the nuance of 降るんじゃないかというぐらい emphasizes the *degree* of coldness that makes one think it might snow, rather than just a comparison.
降るなんて思えないぐらい (furu nante omoenai gurai) means 'to the extent that one wouldn't think it would snow'. This is the opposite meaning.
降るとは思えないように (furu to wa omoenai yō ni) means 'in a way that one wouldn't think it would snow'. This also conveys the opposite meaning.
32) いつも駅から大学までバスを使っているが、2キロほどなので、歩こうと思えば（ ）。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜なくもない」 (naku mo nai) means 'it's not impossible to ~', 'can ~ (though with some difficulty)'. It expresses that something is possible, even if it's not ideal or easy. The sentence means 'I always take the bus from the station to the university, but since it's only about 2 kilometers, if I wanted to walk, it's not impossible to walk.'
Why other options are incorrect:
歩くほかない (aruku hoka nai) means 'have no choice but to walk'. This implies necessity, which is not the nuance here.
歩いてはいられない (aruite wa irarenai) means 'cannot keep walking' or 'cannot afford to walk'. This implies inability or inconvenience, which is not the nuance.
歩けるわけがない (arukeru wake ga nai) means 'there's no way I can walk'. This expresses impossibility, which is the opposite of the intended meaning.
33) （ホームページで）<br> 先日の第 3 回さくら市教育講演会には、たくさんの方が（ ）。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
おいでくださいました (oide kudasaimashita) is a highly polite expression meaning 'came' or 'attended'. It is a respectful way to acknowledge someone's presence, especially in formal announcements like on a website. The sentence means 'Many people attended the 3rd Sakura City Education Lecture last time.'
Why other options are incorrect:
お越しいただきました (okoshi itadakimashita) is also polite for 'came', but いただく is a humble verb, making it sound like the speaker received the favor of the listener coming. While grammatically possible, おいでくださいました is a more direct and common way to express gratitude for attendance in this context.
ご参加いただきました (go sanka itadakimashita) means 'you participated'. While people participated, the nuance of 'came' or 'attended' is more direct for a lecture. Also, いただく makes it sound like the speaker received the favor of participation.
ご覧くださいました (goran kudasaimashita) means 'you watched/viewed'. This would be appropriate if the lecture was something to be viewed, but for attendance, おいでくださいました is more suitable.
34) この辺りの町並みは外国のような雰囲気で、ここを訪れるだけで海外を旅行（ ）。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜したつもりになる」 (shita tsumori ni naru) means 'to feel as if one has done ~', 'to imagine one has done ~'. It expresses a feeling or illusion of having done something. The sentence means 'The townscape around here has a foreign atmosphere, and just visiting here makes you feel as if you've traveled abroad.'
Why other options are incorrect:
するつもりでいる (suru tsumori de iru) means 'intend to do ~'. This implies a future intention, not a present feeling.
してくるつもりだ (shite kuru tsumori da) means 'intend to do ~ and come back'. This also implies a future intention.
するつもりになっていた (suru tsumori ni natte ita) means 'had intended to do ~'. This implies a past intention, not a present feeling.
35) （図書館で）<br>娘: 「図書館っていいね。だって、自分で買わなくてもこんなにたくさんの本が（ ）。」<br>母:「そうだね。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜んだもん」 (n'da mon) is a casual, emphatic expression used by women or children to give a reason or justification, similar to 〜んだもの or 〜んだから. It conveys a sense of 'because, that's why'. The daughter is explaining *why* the library is good. The sentence means 'The library is great, isn't it? Because you can read so many books even without buying them!'
Why other options are incorrect:
読めるもんか (yomeru mon ka) means 'How could I possibly read it?!' or 'There's no way I can read it!'. This expresses impossibility or strong denial, which is the opposite of the intended meaning.
読みたいんだもん (yomitai n'da mon) means 'Because I want to read them'. While grammatically possible, the context is about the *ability* to read many books without buying them, not just the desire.
読みたいもんか (yomitai mon ka) means 'Do I want to read it?! (No, I don't!)'. This expresses strong denial of desire, which is the opposite of the intended meaning.
問題6 次の文の _★_ に入る最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
36) スピーチプレゼンテーションにおいて、ジェスチャーを使いながら話すのは___ _★_ ___ ___ 印象を悪くすることもあるので注意が必要だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct sentence order is: 効果的である反面、あまりに大きすぎるジェスチャーはかえって印象を悪くすることもあるので注意が必要だ。The phrase 効果的である反面 (kōkateki de aru hanmen) means 'while it is effective, on the other hand'. The phrase あまりに大きすぎるジェスチャーは (amari ni ōkisugiru jiesuchā wa) means 'gestures that are too big'. The adverb かえって (kaette) means 'on the contrary, rather'. The full sentence means 'In speech presentations, while speaking with gestures can be effective, on the other hand, gestures that are too big can rather leave a bad impression, so caution is necessary.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase starts the contrasting idea, but it's not the part that goes into the _★_ slot.
This adverb means 'on the contrary' and modifies the verb 印象を悪くする, but it's not the part that goes into the _★_ slot.
This noun phrase is the subject of the second clause, but it's not the part that goes into the _★_ slot.
37) 今や、書籍や衣料品だけでなく生鮮食品も、インターネット___ _★_ ___ ___ 時代である。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct sentence order is: アクセスが可能な環境があれば自宅に居ながらにして手軽に購入できる時代である。The phrase アクセスが可能な (akusesu ga kanō na) means 'accessible'. The phrase 環境があれば (kankyō ga areba) means 'if there is an environment/condition'. The phrase 自宅に居ながらにして (jitaku ni inagara ni shite) means 'while staying at home'. The phrase 手軽に購入できる (tegaru ni kōnyū dekiru) means 'can easily purchase'. The full sentence means 'Nowadays, it's an era where not only books and clothing but also fresh food can be easily purchased while staying at home, if there is an accessible internet environment.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase means 'while staying at home' and comes after the _★_ slot.
This phrase means 'can easily purchase' and comes at the end of the phrase before 時代である.
This phrase means 'accessible' and comes before the _★_ slot.
38) よく似た昆虫の判別は大変難しいという。中には、かなり ___ ___ _★_ ___ 場合もあるそうだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct sentence order is: 経験を積んだ昆虫学者でさえも迷うほど判別が難しい場合もあるそうだ。The phrase 経験を積んだ (keiken o tsunda) means 'experienced'. The phrase 昆虫学者でさえも (konchū gakusha de sae mo) means 'even entomologists'. The phrase 迷うほど (mayou hodo) means 'to the extent that they get confused'. The phrase 判別が難しい (hanbetsu ga muzukashii) means 'difficult to distinguish'. The full sentence means 'It is said that distinguishing between very similar insects is extremely difficult. Apparently, there are even cases where it's so difficult to distinguish that even experienced entomologists get confused.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase means 'difficult to distinguish' and comes after the _★_ slot.
This phrase means 'even entomologists' and comes before the _★_ slot.
This phrase means 'experienced' and comes before the _★_ slot.
39) 今年の___ ___ _★_ ___ 気持ちのほうが大きかった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct sentence order is: 転職にあたり少しも不安がなかったと言えばうそになるが、新たなことに挑戦できてうれしいという気持ちのほうが大きかった。The phrase 転職にあたり (tenshoku ni atari) means 'Regarding changing jobs'. The phrase 少しも不安がなかったといえば (sukoshi mo fuan ga nakatta to ieba) means 'if I were to say I had no anxiety at all'. The phrase うそになるが (uso ni naru ga) means 'it would be a lie, but'. The phrase 新たなことに挑戦できてうれしいという (arata na koto ni chōsen dekite ureshii to iu) means 'the feeling of being happy to be able to challenge something new'. The full sentence means 'Regarding changing jobs this year, if I were to say I had no anxiety at all, it would be a lie, but the feeling of being happy to be able to challenge something new was greater.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase means 'regarding changing jobs' and comes before the _★_ slot.
This phrase means 'if I were to say I had no anxiety at all' and comes before the _★_ slot.
This phrase means 'the feeling of being happy to be able to challenge something new' and comes after the _★_ slot.
40) 北山市は ___ ___ _★_ ___ のどかなところだった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct sentence order is: 今でこそ人口１０万人を超える都市となったが３０年前までは北山駅周辺以外にはほとんど何もないのどかなところだった。The phrase 今でこそ (ima de koso) means 'It is now that...' (emphasizes a change from the past). The phrase 人口10万人を超える都市となったが (jinkō jūman-nin o koeru toshi to natta ga) means 'it has become a city with a population of over 100,000, but'. The phrase 30年前までは (sanjū-nen mae made wa) means 'until 30 years ago'. The phrase 北山駅周辺以外にはほとんど何もない (Kitayama-eki shūhen igai ni wa hotondo nani mo nai) means 'there was almost nothing except around Kitayama Station'. The full sentence means 'Kitayama City is now a city with a population of over 100,000, but until 30 years ago, there was almost nothing except around Kitayama Station, and it was a peaceful place.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase means 'it has become a city with a population of over 100,000, but' and comes after the _★_ slot.
This phrase means 'there is almost nothing except around Kitayama Station' and comes after the _★_ slot.
This phrase means 'It is now that...' and comes before the _★_ slot.
問題 7 次の文章を読んで、 文章全体の内容を考えて、 【41】から【44】の中に入る最も よいものを1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
Reading Passage
自分の作品を読み返さぬ日はないと言っていい。
書斎の手近な場所に全著作を収めた棚があり、読書や執筆に倦んだ（注1）ときには適当に一冊を抜き出して読み始める。退屈して寝てしまうときもあれば、仕事をそっちのけで読了してしまうこともある。
まさかナルシストではない。復読に耐えるほどたいそうな【41】。わが子はよその子よりもかわいいと思う親の情である。
読みながら勝手に感心したり、あきれ果てたり、【42】。
気に入らない点があるのなら書き直せば良さそうなものだが。どうしてもできない。単行本を文庫本にするときですら。校閲上の明らかな誤りの他にはまず筆を入れるということがない。横着なわけではなく、読めば読むほどその文章を書いていたころの自分を【43】のである。いくらか齢（注2）を食ったからといって、齢なりに懸命であったおのれの文章を滅ぼすことは忍びないし、その間いに得たものも多いが喪った（注3）ものもまた多かろうと思えば勇気も要る。
出来栄えのいかんに関わらず、自分なりに全きをめざしていたのである。そうした過去の自分には敬意を払い続けねばならないし、また同時に現在の自分は、未来の自分に恥じぬ小説を書かねばなるまい。一生の仕事【44】そうしたものであろうと思う。
かにかくに、この短い文章もいつか読み返して愕然とするのであろうが。
（注1） 倦(あぐ)んだ：疲れた
（注2） 齢(よわい)：年齢
（注3） 喪(うしな)った：失った
English Summary & Annotations
【41】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The phrase "復読に耐えるほどたいそうな小説であってもだ" means "even if it were a grand novel that could withstand rereading." The author is saying their work isn't that grand, but their affection for it is like a parent's love. Option 1 fits the context of a concession ('even if it were...') followed by the author's true feeling.
Why other options are incorrect:
小説でもあるまい means 'it's probably not a novel' or 'it couldn't possibly be a novel', which doesn't fit the context of the author's own work.
小説なのであろうか means 'is it a novel, I wonder?'. This is a question, not a statement of concession.
小説なのではないか means 'isn't it a novel?'. This is also a question or a suggestion, not fitting the flow.
【42】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The sentence describes the author's spontaneous reactions while rereading their work: "読みながら勝手に感心したり、あきれ果てたり、(褒めたり叱ったりする)". The pattern 「〜たり〜たりする」 (tari tari suru) means "do things like ~ and ~". It lists various actions. The author is describing what they *do* while reading.
Why other options are incorrect:
したほうがいい means 'it would be better to do ~', which is a suggestion, not a description of what the author actually does.
するようだ means 'it seems that ~'. While it expresses appearance, the author is describing their own direct experience, not an observation from outside.
しても仕方ない means 'there's no point in doing ~' or 'it can't be helped even if I do ~'. This expresses resignation, which doesn't fit the context of the author's active reactions.
【43】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The sentence states that the more the author reads, the more they "cannot deny" the past self who wrote the text. 否定できなくなる (hitei dekinaku naru) means 'become unable to deny'. This fits the context that despite finding flaws, they can't bring themselves to change it because it represents their past earnest efforts.
Why other options are incorrect:
否定せずにいられなくなる means 'cannot help but not deny', which is a double negative and awkward. It implies an inability to *refrain* from denying, which is the opposite of the intended meaning.
否定しがちになる means 'tend to deny'. This is the opposite of the intended meaning, as the author finds it hard to deny their past self's efforts.
否定するようになる means 'start to deny'. This is also the opposite of the intended meaning.
【44】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「〜とは」 (to wa) is used to define or explain something, often with a nuance of emphasis or realization. Here, it defines what "a lifelong work" means to the author. The sentence means 'I think a lifelong work is precisely something like that (something that requires continuous respect for the past self and effort for the future self).'
Why other options are incorrect:
も含めて (mo fukumete) means 'including ~'. This doesn't fit the grammatical structure or meaning of defining 'a lifelong work'.
でない限り (de nai kagiri) means 'unless ~'. This is a conditional expression and doesn't fit the context of defining something.
にしても (ni shitemo) means 'even if ~' or 'even so'. This is a concessive expression and doesn't fit the context of defining something.