2010/07 JLPT N2 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。
これからも様々な国との<u>相互</u>理解を深めていこうと思う。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
相互 (そうご) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'mutual' or 'reciprocal'. The sentence means 'I intend to deepen mutual understanding with various countries from now on.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 相互.
This reading is incorrect for 相互.
This reading is incorrect for 相互. 総合 (そうごう) means 'comprehensive' or 'overall', which is a different word.
この料理は<u>辛くて</u>食べられない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
辛くて (からくて) is the te-form of 辛い (からい), meaning 'spicy'. The sentence means 'This dish is too spicy to eat.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the te-form of 腐る (くさる), meaning 'to rot' or 'to spoil'.
This is the te-form of 苦い (にがい), meaning 'bitter'.
This is the te-form of 渋い (しぶい), meaning 'astringent', 'sour', or 'refined/subdued'.
晴れている日は、この山頂からすばらしい<u>景色</u>が見える。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
景色 (けしき) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'scenery' or 'view'. The sentence means 'On clear days, you can see a wonderful view from this mountaintop.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 景色.
This reading is incorrect for 景色.
This reading is incorrect for 景色.
このお金は、何かあったときに<u>備えて</u>残しておこう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
備えて (そなえて) is the te-form of 備える (そなえる), meaning 'to prepare for' or 'to provide for'. The sentence means 'Let's save this money in preparation for something happening.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the te-form of 整える (ととのえる), meaning 'to arrange' or 'to put in order'.
This is the te-form of 蓄える (たくわえる), meaning 'to store' or 'to save up'.
This is the te-form of 抱える (かかえる), meaning 'to hold in one's arms' or 'to have (a problem)'.
今から、<u>防災</u>訓練を行います。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
防災 (ぼうさい) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'disaster prevention'. The sentence means 'We will now conduct a disaster prevention drill.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 防災. 望遠 (ぼうえん) means 'telephoto' or 'telescopic view'.
This reading is incorrect for 防災. 方円 (ほうえん) means 'square and round'.
This reading is incorrect for 防災.
問題2___の言葉を漢字で書くとき、最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
彼はとても<u>れいぎ</u>正しいです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
礼儀 (れいぎ) is the correct kanji for 'manners' or 'courtesy'. The sentence means 'He is very polite/well-mannered.'
Why other options are incorrect:
The kanji 札 (fuda) is incorrect here.
The kanji 札 (fuda) is incorrect here.
The kanji 義 (gi) is incorrect here; 儀 (gi) is the correct kanji for 'manners'.
彼は苦労を重ねて、 社長にまで<u>しゅっせ</u>した。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
出世 (しゅっせ) is the correct kanji for 'promotion' or 'success in life'. The sentence means 'He worked hard and was promoted to president.'
Why other options are incorrect:
The kanji 成 (sei) is incorrect here.
The kanji 成 (sei) is incorrect here. 昇 (shou) means 'to rise', but 出世 is the correct compound.
The kanji 昇 (shou) is incorrect in this compound.
この店は<u>でんとう</u>の味を守り続けている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
伝統 (でんとう) is the correct kanji for 'tradition'. The sentence means 'This shop continues to preserve its traditional taste.'
Why other options are incorrect:
伝授 (denju) means 'instruction' or 'initiation'.
伝承 (denshou) means 'transmission' or 'handing down (tradition, folklore)'.
伝達 (dentatsu) means 'transmission' or 'communication'.
そんなに<u>あせらなくても</u>大丈夫ですよ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
焦らなくても (あせらなくても) is the negative te-form of 焦る (あせる), meaning 'to be in a hurry' or 'to be impatient'. The sentence means 'It's okay, you don't have to rush so much.'
Why other options are incorrect:
騒る (sawaru) is not a common verb. 騒ぐ (sawagu) means 'to make noise' or 'to be boisterous'.
競る (seru) means 'to compete' or 'to bid'.
暴る (abaru) is not a common verb. 暴れる (abareru) means 'to act violently' or 'to rampage'.
大学に入学してから、一人で<u>くらして</u>います。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
暮らして (くらして) is the te-form of 暮らす (くらす), meaning 'to live' or 'to get along'. The sentence means 'I have been living alone since entering university.'
Why other options are incorrect:
幕 (maku) means 'curtain' or 'act'.
募る (tsunoru) means 'to recruit' or 'to solicit'.
墓 (haka) means 'grave'.
問題3( )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。
今日の講演のテーマは、 教育の( )問題についてです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
諸 (しょ) is a prefix meaning 'various' or 'many'. 諸問題 (shomondai) means 'various problems'. The sentence means 'Today's lecture theme is about various problems in education.'
Why other options are incorrect:
複 (fuku) means 'multiple' or 'complex', but it doesn't form 複問題.
雑 (zatsu) means 'miscellaneous' or 'rough', but it doesn't form 雑問題.
類 (rui) means 'kind' or 'type', but it doesn't form 類問題.
駅前の商店( )で、買い物して帰ろう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
商店街 (しょうてんがい) means 'shopping street' or 'shopping district'. The sentence means 'Let's do some shopping at the shopping street in front of the station and then go home.'
Why other options are incorrect:
帯 (tai) means 'belt' or 'zone', but it doesn't form 商店帯.
域 (iki) means 'area' or 'region', but it doesn't form 商店域.
町 (machi) means 'town' or 'street', but 商店街 is the correct compound for a shopping street.
夏休みに旅行に行きたいので、 ( ) 収入のアルバイトを探している。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
高収入 (こうしゅうにゅう) means 'high income'. The sentence means 'I want to go on a trip during summer vacation, so I'm looking for a part-time job with high income.'
Why other options are incorrect:
上 (jou) means 'upper' or 'superior', but it doesn't form 上収入.
良 (ryou) means 'good', but it doesn't form 良収入.
優 (yuu) means 'excellent' or 'superior', but it doesn't form 優収入.
来週の会議には、社長と ( ) 社長も出席する予定だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
副 (fuku) is a prefix meaning 'vice-' or 'assistant'. 副社長 (fukushachou) means 'vice president'. The sentence means 'The president and vice president are scheduled to attend next week's meeting.'
Why other options are incorrect:
準 (jun) means 'quasi-' or 'semi-', but it doesn't form 準社長.
補 (ho) means 'supplement' or 'assistant', but it doesn't form 補社長.
助 (jo) means 'assistant' or 'help', but it doesn't form 助社長.
疲れると、集中( )が落ちて仕事が進まなくなる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
集中力 (しゅうちゅうりょく) means 'concentration power' or 'ability to concentrate'. The sentence means 'When I get tired, my concentration drops, and I can't make progress with my work.'
Why other options are incorrect:
能 (nou) means 'ability' or 'skill', but it doesn't form 集中能.
考 (kou) means 'thought' or 'consideration', but it doesn't form 集中考.
気 (ki) means 'spirit' or 'mind', but it doesn't form 集中気.
問題4 ( )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。
今週は忙しかったから、 週末は家で( )テレビを見ていた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
のんびり (nonbiri) means 'at leisure', 'relaxedly', or 'carefree'. It fits the context of relaxing at home after a busy week. The sentence means 'I was busy this week, so I spent the weekend relaxing and watching TV at home.'
Why other options are incorrect:
のろのろ (noronoro) means 'slowly' or 'sluggishly'.
ぐるぐる (guruguru) means 'round and round' or 'spinning'.
ぐっすり (gussuri) means 'soundly (sleeping)'.
マラソンでは周りの人にあわせようとしないで、 ( )で走るといい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
マイペース (mai pēsu) means 'at one's own pace'. It's common advice for endurance activities like marathons. The sentence means 'In a marathon, it's good to run at your own pace without trying to match those around you.'
Why other options are incorrect:
テクニック (tekunikku) means 'technique'.
フレッシュ (furesshu) means 'fresh'.
アプローチ (apurōchi) means 'approach'.
あの店はサービスがいいと( )だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
評判 (ひょうばん) means 'reputation' or 'fame'. The sentence means 'That shop has a good reputation for its service.'
Why other options are incorrect:
評価 (hyōka) means 'evaluation' or 'assessment'.
診断 (shindan) means 'diagnosis'.
決断 (ketsudan) means 'decision' or 'determination'.
彼女とは久しぶりに会ったので、 何時間話しても話が ( )。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
尽きない (つきない) means 'inexhaustible' or 'endless'. 話が尽きない (hanashi ga tsukinai) is a common idiom meaning 'the conversation never ends'. The sentence means 'It had been a long time since I last saw her, so we talked for hours and the conversation never ran out.'
Why other options are incorrect:
枯れない (karenai) means 'does not wither' or 'does not dry up'. It's not used for conversations.
限らない (kagiranai) means 'not necessarily' or 'not limited to'.
衰えない (otorōenai) means 'does not decline' or 'does not weaken'.
練習の成果が( )できれば、きっと優勝できるだろう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
発揮 (はっき) means 'exhibition', 'display', or 'demonstration (of power/ability)'. 成果を発揮する (seika o hakki suru) means 'to demonstrate the results (of one's efforts)'. The sentence means 'If you can demonstrate the results of your practice, you will surely win the championship.'
Why other options are incorrect:
発生 (hassei) means 'occurrence' or 'generation'.
発行 (hakkō) means 'issue' or 'publication'.
発明 (hatsumei) means 'invention'.
この表現は ( )でわかりにくい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
あいまい (aimai) means 'vague', 'ambiguous', or 'unclear'. It fits the context of something being difficult to understand. The sentence means 'This expression is vague and difficult to understand.'
Why other options are incorrect:
軟弱 (nanjaku) means 'weak' or 'feeble'.
質素 (shisso) means 'simple' or 'plain' (referring to lifestyle or appearance).
ささやか (sasayaka) means 'modest' or 'small' (referring to a gift, celebration, etc.).
この切符は、明日まで ( )です。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
有効 (yūkō) means 'valid' or 'effective'. The sentence means 'This ticket is valid until tomorrow.'
Why other options are incorrect:
利点 (riten) means 'advantage' or 'merit'.
権利 (kenri) means 'right' or 'privilege'.
効用 (kōyō) means 'effect' or 'utility'.
問題5___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。
<u>とりあえず</u>社長に電話で話しておいた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
とりあえず (toriaezu) means 'for the time being', 'for now', or 'first of all'. 一応 (ichiō) has a similar meaning of 'for now', 'tentatively', or 'just in case'. The sentence means 'For now, I've spoken to the president on the phone.'
Why other options are incorrect:
さっき (sakki) means 'a little while ago'.
すぐに (sugu ni) means 'immediately' or 'right away'.
直接 (chokusetsu) means 'directly'.
友人がバイクを安く<u>ゆずって</u>くれた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ゆずって (yuzutte) is the te-form of 譲る (ゆずる), which means 'to hand over', 'to transfer', or 'to give way'. In this context, it means 'to sell' or 'to give away' at a low price. 売って (utte) means 'sold'. The sentence means 'My friend sold me his motorcycle cheaply.'
Why other options are incorrect:
貸して (kashite) means 'lent' (from 貸す, to lend).
預かって (azukatte) means 'taken care of' or 'kept' (from 預かる, to keep/take care of).
直して (naoshite) means 'repaired' or 'corrected' (from 直す, to fix/correct).
<u>雑談</u>をしているときにいいアイディアが浮かんだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
雑談 (zatsudan) means 'chat' or 'idle talk'. おしゃべり (oshaberi) means 'chatting' or 'gossiping'. They are very close in meaning. The sentence means 'A good idea came to mind while we were chatting.'
Why other options are incorrect:
あいさつ (aisatsu) means 'greeting'.
説明 (setsumei) means 'explanation'.
報告 (hōkoku) means 'report'.
うちの犬はとても<u>かしこい</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
かしこい (kashikoi) means 'clever', 'wise', or 'smart'. 頭がいい (atama ga ii) means 'smart' or 'intelligent'. The sentence means 'Our dog is very smart.'
Why other options are incorrect:
足が速い (ashi ga hayai) means 'fast runner'.
めずらしい (mezurashii) means 'rare' or 'unusual'.
おとなしい (otonashii) means 'quiet' or 'obedient'.
彼の話はいつも<u>大げさ</u>だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
大げさ (ōgesa) means 'exaggerated' or 'overstated'. オーバー (ōbā) is a loanword meaning 'over' or 'exaggerated'. The sentence means 'His stories are always exaggerated.'
Why other options are incorrect:
エネルギーがある (enerugī ga aru) means 'energetic'.
ユーモアがある (yūmoa ga aru) means 'has humor'.
オープンだ (ōpun da) means 'open' or 'frank'.
問題6 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。
<u>取材</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
取材 (しゅざい) means 'news coverage', 'interview', or 'collecting data for a report'. Option 4 uses it correctly: 'I was very nervous when I interviewed that athlete about his practice.' This implies gathering information for a report or article.
Why other options are incorrect:
取材 is not used for asking a friend about exam scope. 尋ねる (tazuneru, to ask) or 聞く (kiku, to ask) would be appropriate.
取材 is not used for checking business hours. 調べる (shiraberu, to check/investigate) or 確認する (kakunin suru, to confirm) would be appropriate.
取材 is not used for obtaining maps. 入手する (nyūshu suru, to obtain) or 検索する (kensaku suru, to search) would be appropriate.
<u>きっかけ</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
きっかけ (kikkake) means 'chance', 'opportunity', 'start', or 'motive'. Option 2 uses it correctly: 'Being praised by a friend for my photos was the trigger/きっかけ for me to start studying seriously.' It refers to the event that initiated something.
Why other options are incorrect:
きっかけ is not used for seasonal changes. 季節の変わり目 (kisetsu no kawarime, change of seasons) would be appropriate.
きっかけ is not used for the reason/basis of opposition. 理由 (riyū, reason) or 根拠 (konkyo, basis) would be appropriate.
きっかけ is not used for the next opportunity to visit. 次の機会 (tsugi no kikai, next opportunity) would be appropriate.
<u>深刻</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
深刻 (しんこく) means 'serious', 'grave', or 'severe'. Option 3 uses it correctly: 'He seems to be burdened with a serious problem.' It describes a problem or situation that is grave.
Why other options are incorrect:
深刻 is not used for deep affection. 深い愛情 (fukai aijō, deep affection) would be appropriate.
深刻 is not used for spending time deeply. 充実した時間 (jūjitsu shita jikan, fulfilling time) or 貴重な時間 (kichō na jikan, precious time) would be appropriate.
深刻 is not used for studying hard. 熱心に (nesshin ni, diligently) or 一生懸命 (isshoukenmei, with all one's might) would be appropriate.
<u>続出</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
続出 (ぞくしゅつ) means 'appearing one after another' or 'occurring in succession'. It's often used for negative or problematic things. Option 2 uses it correctly: 'Due to the heat, people feeling unwell appeared one after another.' This implies a continuous occurrence of people feeling sick.
Why other options are incorrect:
続出 is not used for people exiting a crowded train. 降りてきた (orite kita, came off) or 吐き出されてきた (hakidasarete kita, were spewed out) would be more natural.
続出 is not used for consecutive bad weather days. 続いている (tsuzuite iru, continuing) would be appropriate.
続出 is not used for a cold recurring. 再発した (saihatsu shita, recurred) would be appropriate.
<u>外見</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
外見 (がいけん) means 'outward appearance' or 'external appearance'. Option 1 uses it correctly: 'It's not good to judge people by their outward appearance.' This refers to a person's physical look.
Why other options are incorrect:
外見 is not used for the exterior of a window. 窓の外側 (mado no sotogawa, outside of the window) would be appropriate.
外見 is not typically used for the surface of the moon. 表面 (hyōmen, surface) would be appropriate.
外見 is not used for someone's angry look. 怒っている様子 (okotte iru yōsu, angry appearance/state) or 怒った顔 (okotta kao, angry face) would be appropriate.
問題7 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。
このレストランは、 客の予算( )いくつかのコースを用意してくれる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～に応じて (ni ōjite) means 'in accordance with', 'depending on', or 'in response to'. It fits the context of providing courses based on the customer's budget. The sentence means 'This restaurant prepares several courses according to the customer's budget.'
Why other options are incorrect:
～に比べて (ni kurabete) means 'compared to'. This doesn't fit the context.
～に先立って (ni sakidatte) means 'prior to' or 'before'. This doesn't fit the context.
～に向けて (ni mukete) means 'towards' or 'for'. This doesn't fit the context of adapting to a budget.
学校に来る( )財布を忘れたのに気づいた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
途中 (とちゅう) means 'on the way' or 'in the middle of'. ～途中で (tochū de) means 'in the middle of doing something'. The sentence means 'I realized I had forgotten my wallet on the way to school.'
Why other options are incorrect:
ついでに (tsuide ni) means 'while you're at it' or 'taking the opportunity'. This implies doing something extra, not realizing something during an action.
～中で (naka de) means 'in the midst of' or 'during'. While similar, 途中で is more specific for 'on the way'.
～うちに (uchi ni) means 'while' or 'before something changes'. This doesn't fit the sudden realization.
踏切事故のために、 2時間 ( )、電車がストップしました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～にわたり (ni watari) means 'over (a period of time/area)' or 'throughout'. It indicates a duration or extent. The sentence means 'Due to a railroad crossing accident, the train stopped for two hours.'
Why other options are incorrect:
～につき (ni tsuki) means 'per' or 'due to' (formal). It's not used for duration.
～につれ (ni tsure) means 'as... (changes)' or 'in proportion to'. It indicates a correlation between two changes.
～にともない (ni tomonai) means 'along with' or 'as a result of'. It indicates something happening concurrently or as a consequence.
一回失敗したくらいで、( )そこまで悪く言わなくてもいいだろう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
なにも～ない (nani mo ~ nai) is a common idiom meaning 'not at all' or 'no need to'. なにもそこまで悪く言わなくてもいいだろう means 'There's no need to speak so badly (about it) just for one failure.' The sentence means 'It's just one failure, there's no need to speak so badly about it.'
Why other options are incorrect:
なにを (nani o) is a direct object marker, not suitable here.
なにが (nani ga) is a subject marker, not suitable here.
なにで (nani de) means 'by what means' or 'with what', not suitable here.
田中選手は前大会に続いて、今大会でも優勝を果たした。 彼の今後の活躍に周囲の期待は高まる( )。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～一方だ (ippō da) means 'to continue to (do something)' or 'to be on the increase'. It indicates a continuous trend. The sentence means 'Player Tanaka won the championship again in this tournament, following the previous one. Expectations from those around him for his future success are only increasing.'
Why other options are incorrect:
中心だ (chūshin da) means 'is the center'. This doesn't fit the context of increasing expectations.
事情だ (jijō da) means 'is the circumstance/situation'. This doesn't fit the context.
原因だ (gen'in da) means 'is the cause'. This doesn't fit the context.
これだけ景気が悪いのに、税金を上げようとするのは、わたしたち国民には理解( )。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～がたい (gatai) means 'difficult to do' or 'hard to do'. 理解しがたい (rikai shigatai) means 'difficult to understand'. The sentence means 'Despite the economy being so bad, trying to raise taxes is difficult for us citizens to understand.'
Why other options are incorrect:
～すぎる (sugiru) means 'too much' or 'excessively'. 理解しすぎる would mean 'understand too much', which doesn't fit.
～しかねない (shikanenai) means 'might do' or 'is likely to do (something undesirable)'. 理解しかねない would mean 'might misunderstand' or 'might not understand', but the nuance is different from 'difficult to understand'.
～がちだ (gachi da) means 'tend to' or 'prone to'. 理解しがちだ would mean 'tend to understand', which is opposite to the intended meaning.
(メールで)<br> 田中です。先日お話があったスピーチの件なんですが、 ぜひわたしに( )。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～せていただけないでしょうか (sasete itadakenai deshō ka) is a polite request for permission to do something. Here, it's a request to be allowed to give the speech. The sentence means 'This is Tanaka. Regarding the speech we discussed the other day, I would really appreciate it if you would let me do it.'
Why other options are incorrect:
やっていただけないでしょうか (yatte itadakenai deshō ka) means 'Could you please do it for me?'. This is a request for the other person to do it, not for oneself.
やってもよろしいでしょうか (yatte mo yoroshii deshō ka) means 'May I do it?'. While grammatically correct, やらせていただけないでしょうか is a more humble and polite way to express the desire to be allowed to do something, especially when volunteering.
やらせてもよろしいでしょうか (yarasete mo yoroshii deshō ka) is grammatically similar to option 2 but slightly less natural in this context. The combination of causative and 'te mo yoroshii' is often used for asking permission for an action that might be a burden, whereas 'sasete itadakenai deshō ka' is a more direct and polite way to request the opportunity.
山下: 「田中君、 きみ、 また大阪に出張なんだって?」<br> 田中: 「ええ、そうなんですよ。 ついこの前も出張に ( )なんですけどねえ。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
行かされた (ikasareta) is the passive-causative form of 行く (iku), meaning 'was made to go' or 'was sent'. ～ばかり (bakari) means 'just did something'. So, 行かされたばかり means 'just got sent'. This implies Tanaka was sent on a business trip recently and is being sent again, expressing a slight complaint or resignation. The conversation means: Yamashita: 'Tanaka, I heard you're going on a business trip to Osaka again?' Tanaka: 'Yes, that's right. I was just sent on a business trip the other day, you know.'
Why other options are incorrect:
行かれた (ikareta) is the honorific passive of 行く, meaning 'went (honorific)'. ～まま (mama) means 'as is' or 'without change'. 'Went honorifically as is' doesn't fit.
行かされたまま (ikasareta mama) means 'was sent as is' or 'remained sent'. This doesn't convey the 'just recently' nuance.
行かれたばかり (ikareta bakari) means 'just went (honorific)'. While 'just went' fits, the honorific passive '行かれた' is not appropriate for Tanaka referring to himself being sent on a business trip by his company. The passive-causative '行かされた' is more suitable to express being made to go.
仕事の合間にときどき遠くを見る ( )、目が疲れにくくなった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～ようにしたところ (yō ni shita tokoro) means 'as a result of trying to do X' or 'after making an effort to do X'. It indicates a positive change occurred as a result of a conscious effort. The sentence means 'As a result of trying to look far away sometimes during work, my eyes became less tired.'
Why other options are incorrect:
～ところに (tokoro ni) means 'just when' or 'at the point where'. While it indicates a timing, it doesn't convey the 'as a result of' nuance as strongly as 'tokoro' alone in this context.
～までになった (made ni natta) means 'reached the point where'. This implies a significant progression, which might be too strong for simply 'less tired eyes'. The 'tokoro ni' also doesn't fit the cause-effect.
～までになったところ (made ni natta tokoro) means 'as a result of reaching the point where'. Similar to option 3, 'made ni natta' is too strong for this context.
人間の脳に関する研究で明らかになったことはまだほんの一部( )、その研究は着実に進んできた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～にすぎないとはいえ (ni suginai to wa ie) means 'although it is nothing more than X' or 'even though it is merely X'. It expresses a concession. The sentence means 'Although what has been revealed by research on the human brain is still only a small part, that research has steadily progressed.'
Why other options are incorrect:
～とすると (to suru to) means 'if we assume' or 'if we consider'. This doesn't fit the concessive meaning.
～にかかわらない (ni kakawaranai) means 'regardless of' or 'unrelated to'. This doesn't fit the context.
～にかかわらないとはいえ (ni kakawaranai to wa ie) means 'although it is unrelated to'. This doesn't fit the context.
会議の目的は新商品のアイディアを自由に出し合う( )が、結局、上司に意見が優先されて終わった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
～ことにある (koto ni aru) means 'to lie in' or 'to be (the purpose/essence)'. ～はずだ (hazu da) means 'it should be' or 'it is expected to be'. The phrase ことにあったはずだ means 'it should have been that the purpose was...'. The sentence means 'The purpose of the meeting should have been to freely exchange ideas for new products, but in the end, the boss's opinions were prioritized, and it ended.'
Why other options are incorrect:
～ためだ (tame da) means 'because of' or 'for the purpose of'. While 'purpose' is involved, the 'tame da' here would imply the meeting ended *because* its purpose was to exchange ideas, which contradicts the 'but in the end' part.
～のにある (no ni aru) is grammatically incorrect. It should be ことにある when referring to a general fact or purpose.
～のにあったためだ is grammatically incorrect for the same reason as option 3.
残業が続いて体を壊したときに、 自分の人生は ( )と思って、 転職を決めた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
このままでいいのだろうか (kono mama de ii no darō ka) means 'Is it okay to continue like this?' or 'Is this really fine as it is?'. It expresses doubt or questioning about the current state. The sentence means 'When I broke my health due to continuous overtime, I thought, 'Is it okay to continue living like this?', and decided to change jobs.'
Why other options are incorrect:
このままならいいのではないか (kono mama nara ii no de wa nai ka) means 'Wouldn't it be fine if it stayed like this?'. This expresses a positive or accepting sentiment, which contradicts the decision to change jobs.
このままがいいのではないか (kono mama ga ii no de wa nai ka) means 'Wouldn't it be better to keep things as they are?'. Similar to option 1, this is a positive sentiment.
このままよりいいのだろうか (kono mama yori ii no darō ka) means 'Would it be better than this?'. This is a question about improvement, not a questioning of the current state's acceptability.
問題8 次の文の_★_に入る最もよいものを、に1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
A:「先週の授業、 どこまで進んだ?」<br> B:「3課の文法の練習問題を ___ ___ _★_ ___ 終わったよ。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is: 3課の文法の練習問題を 解いたところ<u>まで</u>で 終わったよ。 (3-ka no bunpō no renshū mondai o toita tokoro made de owatta yo.) The phrase 「～たところまでで」 means 'up to the point where one did X'. The sentence means 'We finished up to the point where we solved the grammar practice problems of Lesson 3.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This particle 'de' connects to 'made' to form 'made de', indicating the extent or limit. Placing it elsewhere would break the grammatical structure.
This is the past tense of 'to solve'. It needs to be followed by 'ところ' to form the phrase 'toita tokoro' (the point where it was solved).
This noun 'tokoro' means 'place' or 'point'. It needs to follow a verb in past tense (e.g., 'toita') and precede 'made' to form the correct grammatical structure.
ひとくちに ___ _★_ ___ ___材料はさまざまだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is: ひとくちに カレーライス<u>といっても</u> それぞれの店によって 材料はさまざまだ。(Hitokuchi ni karēraisu to itte mo sorezore no mise ni yotte zairyō wa samazama da.) The phrase 「～といっても」 means 'although one says X' or 'even if one says X'. The structure 「AといってもB」 means 'Even if you say A, B is the case'. The sentence means 'Even if you simply say "curry rice," the ingredients vary depending on each restaurant.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase 'sorezore no mise' (each restaurant) needs to be followed by 'によって' (ni yotte) to form 'depending on each restaurant'.
This particle 'ni yotte' (depending on) needs to follow 'それぞれの店' (sorezore no mise).
This noun 'karēraisu' (curry rice) needs to be followed by 'といっても' (to itte mo) to form the concessive phrase.
田中さんはいつも ___ ___ _★_ ___ 自分では何もしない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is: 田中さんはいつも 人のやることに 文句を言う<u>ばかりで</u> 自分では何もしない。(Tanaka-san wa itsumo hito no yaru koto ni monku o iu bakari de jibun de wa nani mo shinai.) The phrase 「～ばかりで」 means 'only doing X' or 'just X and nothing else'. 「文句を言う」 means 'to complain'. The sentence means 'Mr. Tanaka always just complains about what others do and doesn't do anything himself.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This particle 'bakari de' (only/just) needs to follow the verb phrase '文句を言う' (monku o iu).
This noun 'hito no' (others') needs to precede 'やることに' (yaru koto ni) to form 'hito no yaru koto ni' (to what others do).
This phrase 'yaru koto ni' (to what one does) needs to follow '人の' (hito no) and precede '文句を言う' (monku o iu).
A: 「この『りかい』という言葉はどういう意味ですか。」<br> B: 「ああ、確か 『わかる』 ___ _★_ ___ ___ んですけど。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is: 「ああ、確か 『わかる』 という ような<u>意味だった</u> と思う んですけど。」(Aa, tashika 'wakaru' to iu yō na imi datta to omou n desu kedo.) The phrase 「～というような」 means 'like X' or 'something like X'. 「～と思う」 means 'I think'. The sentence means 'Ah, I think it meant something like 'to understand' (wakaru).'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase 'imi datta' (it meant) needs to be preceded by 'ような' (yō na) and followed by 'と思う' (to omou).
This particle 'to iu' (that is called) needs to precede 'ような' (yō na) to form 'to iu yō na' (something like that is called).
This phrase 'to omou' (I think) needs to follow '意味だった' (imi datta).
毎年、合格者の80パーセントが___ ___ _★_ ___ この試験に合格するのは簡単ではないだろう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is: 毎年、合格者の80パーセントが 実務経験者という ことからすると 未経験者の<u>私が</u> この試験に合格するのは簡単ではないだろう。(Mainen, gōkakusha no 80 pācento ga jitsumu keikensha to iu koto kara suru to mikkeikensha no watashi ga kono shiken ni gōkaku suru no wa kantan de wa nai darō.) The phrase 「～ということからすると」 means 'judging from the fact that X' or 'considering that X'. The sentence means 'Considering that 80% of successful candidates each year are people with practical experience, it probably won't be easy for me, an inexperienced person, to pass this exam.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase 'jitsumu keikensha to iu' (that are practical experience holders) needs to be followed by 'ことからすると' (koto kara suru to).
This phrase 'watashi ga' (I, as the subject) needs to follow '未経験者の' (mikkeikensha no) to form 'mikkeikensha no watashi ga' (I, who am inexperienced).
This phrase 'koto kara suru to' (judging from the fact that) needs to follow '実務経験者という' (jitsumu keikensha to iu).
問題9次の文章を読んで、(50)から(54)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
テレビや雑誌では、よく「血液型性格判断」が取り上げられます。これは、血液型によって性格が決まっている言い換えれば、血液型がわかれば大体の性格もわかるという【50】です。
その血液型性格判断によると、人の性格は、A型B型O型AB型の血液型ごとに決まっているのだそうです。しかし、この世界には何十億人もの人が【51-a】、人の性格をたった4種類に分類することが【51-b】。血液型は親から子への遺伝によって、4種類のうち、どの型になるかが決まります。つまり、【52-a】は生まれてから死ぬまで、変わることはほぼありません。一方、【52-b】はどうでしょうか。【52-c】に関して言えば、子どものときは我慢が苦手だった子が、成長とともに我慢できるようになるといったことも少なくないでしょう。また、ある調査によると、自分の血液型がどんな性格かということを聞いて、知らないうちに自分の性格がその性格に近づいてしまっているということもあるそうです。「私はA型だから、こういう性格なんだ」という思い込みで、性格が作られている可能性も否定できないというのです。【53】性格と血液型に関係はあると言えるかもしれませんが、それは血液型で性格が決まるということではありません。
こう考えると、やはり、血液型によって性格がたった4種類に分けられるとは【54】。
English Summary & Annotations
【50】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The phrase 「～というものだ」 (to iu mono da) is used to define or explain something, meaning 'it is something that...' or 'it is a matter of...'. Here, it defines what blood type personality diagnosis is. The sentence means 'This is something that, in other words, if you know the blood type, you can generally understand the personality.'
Why other options are incorrect:
点 (ten) means 'point'. While it can be used in some explanatory contexts, 「～という点だ」 is less natural here than 「～というものだ」 for a general definition.
場合 (baai) means 'case' or 'situation'. This doesn't fit the definition of blood type personality diagnosis.
結果 (kekka) means 'result'. This doesn't fit the definition.
【51】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The first blank requires 「いるわけですから」 (iru wake desu kara), meaning 'since there are (billions of people)'. The second blank requires 「できるのかと疑問に思います」 (dekiru no ka to gimon ni omoimasu), meaning 'I wonder if it's possible'. The author is expressing doubt about classifying billions of people into just four types. The sentence means 'However, since there are billions of people in this world, I wonder if it's truly possible to classify people's personalities into just four types.'
Why other options are incorrect:
The second part 「できたのではないかと考えます」 (dekita no de wa nai ka to kangaemasu) means 'I think it might have been possible', which contradicts the author's skeptical tone.
「いるからこそ」 (iru kara koso) means 'precisely because there are'. 「疑問に思われなかったのです」 (gimon ni omowarenakatta no desu) means 'it wasn't questioned'. This contradicts the author's questioning.
「いるからこそ」 (iru kara koso) means 'precisely because there are'. 「できなかったのだと考えられます」 (dekinakatta no da to kangaeraremasu) means 'it is thought that it was not possible'. While the second part is plausible, 'kara koso' implies a stronger causal link that doesn't quite fit the nuance of questioning the possibility.
【52】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The passage states that blood type is determined by genetics and doesn't change. So, 【52-a】 should be 血液型 (blood type). Then it asks about the contrast, so 【52-b】 should be 性格 (personality). Finally, it gives an example about personality changing, so 【52-c】 should also be 性格. The sentence means 'In other words, [blood type] almost never changes from birth to death. On the other hand, what about [personality]? Regarding [personality], it's not uncommon for a child who was bad at enduring things to become able to endure as they grow.'
Why other options are incorrect:
Incorrect. Personality can change, blood type does not.
Incorrect. Personality can change, blood type does not.
Incorrect. The example given for 52-c is about personality changing, not blood type.
【53】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The preceding sentence discusses the possibility that personality is shaped by the belief in blood type diagnosis. 「それが本当ならば」 (sore ga hontō naraba) means 'If that is true'. This phrase logically connects the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy to the following statement about the relationship between personality and blood type. The sentence means 'If that is true, it might be said that there is a relationship between personality and blood type, but that doesn't mean personality is determined by blood type.'
Why other options are incorrect:
それと比べても (sore to kurabete mo) means 'even when compared to that'. This doesn't fit the logical flow.
そうあるべきなので (sō aru beki nano de) means 'because it should be that way'. This implies a normative statement, not a conditional one based on the preceding possibility.
それが前提でなかったら (sore ga zentei de nakattara) means 'if that were not the premise'. This creates a different conditional meaning that doesn't fit the context.
【54】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
「～とは言えないのではないでしょうか」 (to wa ienai no de wa nai deshō ka) is a rhetorical question meaning 'Isn't it that one cannot say X?' or 'It seems one cannot say X, right?'. It expresses a strong negative conclusion or doubt. The sentence means 'Considering this, it seems one cannot say that personality can be divided into just four types by blood type, can one?'
Why other options are incorrect:
言われてこなかったのです (iwarete konakatta no desu) means 'it hasn't been said'. This is a statement of fact, not a rhetorical conclusion.
言われていないのでしょう (iwarete inai no deshō) means 'it probably hasn't been said'. This is a weaker conjecture.
言えないことはないのです (ienai koto wa nai no desu) means 'it's not that it cannot be said' (double negative, meaning it *can* be said). This contradicts the author's conclusion.