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。
1. ずっと好調だったのに、最後の試合で<u>敗れて</u>しまった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
敗れて (やぶれて) is the correct reading for 敗れる, which means 'to be defeated' or 'to lose'. The sentence means 'Even though they were in good form, they lost the last match.'
Why other options are incorrect:
倒れて (たおれて) means 'to fall down' or 'to collapse'.
乱れて (みだれて) means 'to be disordered' or 'to be disturbed'.
潰れて (つぶれて) means 'to be crushed' or 'to be ruined'.
2. この仕事には高い語学力が<u>要求</u>される。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
要求 (ようきゅう) is the correct reading for the kanji 要求, which means 'demand' or 'request'. The sentence means 'This job requires high language proficiency.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading; the long vowel 'u' is missing.
This is an incorrect reading; the first syllable should be 'you' (よう), not 'yo' (よ).
This is an incorrect reading; both the first syllable and the long vowel 'u' are wrong.
3 友達の合格をみんなで<u>祝った</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
祝った (いわった) is the correct reading for 祝う, which means 'to celebrate' or 'to congratulate'. The sentence means 'Everyone celebrated our friend's success in passing the exam.'
Why other options are incorrect:
祈った (いのった) means 'prayed'.
占った (うらなった) means 'divined' or 'told fortunes'.
願った (ねがった) means 'wished' or 'hoped'.
4 寒かったら、エアコンの温度を<u>調節</u>してください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
調節 (ちょうせつ) is the correct reading for the kanji 調節, meaning 'adjustment' or 'regulation'. The sentence means 'If it's cold, please adjust the air conditioner's temperature.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading.
調整 (ちょうせい) also means 'adjustment', but 調節 (ちょうせつ) is the specific kanji used in the question.
調査 (ちょうさつ) means 'investigation' or 'survey', which is a different word.
5 この書類を<u>至急</u>コピーしてきてください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
至急 (しきゅう) is the correct reading for the kanji 至急, meaning 'urgent' or 'immediately'. The sentence means 'Please copy this document immediately.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading; the 'tsu' (っ) is not present.
This is an incorrect reading; the first syllable should be 'shi' (し), not 'chi' (ち).
This is an incorrect reading; both the first syllable and the 'tsu' (っ) are wrong.
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。
6 ハトは平和の<u>しょうちょう</u>だと言われている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
象徴 (しょうちょう) is the correct kanji for 'symbol'. The sentence means 'Doves are said to be a symbol of peace.'
Why other options are incorrect:
像 (ぞう) means 'statue' or 'image', which is incorrect in this context.
微 (び) means 'slight' or 'minute', which is incorrect.
Both kanji are incorrect for 'symbol'.
7 退院しても、しばらくの間、<u>はげしい</u>運動はしないでください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
激しい (はげしい) is the correct kanji for 'intense' or 'violent'. The sentence means 'Even after being discharged from the hospital, please refrain from intense exercise for a while.'
Why other options are incorrect:
険しい (けわしい) means 'steep' or 'severe', which is not appropriate for exercise.
暴 (ぼう) means 'violence' or 'outburst', but 暴しい is not a standard word for 'intense'.
極 (きょく) means 'extreme' or 'pole', but 極しい is not a standard word.
8 携帯電話に友達の電話番号を<u>とうろく</u>した。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
登録 (とうろく) is the correct kanji for 'registration'. The sentence means 'I registered my friend's phone number on my mobile phone.'
Why other options are incorrect:
緑 (りょく) means 'green', which is incorrect.
答 (とう) means 'answer', which is incorrect.
Both kanji are incorrect.
9 岡田さんを話題の映画に<u>さそった</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
誘った (さそった) is the correct kanji for 'invited' or 'tempted'. The sentence means 'I invited Okada-san to the trending movie.'
Why other options are incorrect:
招いた (まねいた) means 'invited' (to one's home/place), but the form 招った is not standard for 'invited someone to an event'.
勧めた (すすめた) means 'recommended' or 'advised', not 'invited'.
請うた (こうた) means 'requested' or 'begged', which is incorrect.
10 待ち合わせの時間を6時に<u>へんこう</u>してもらった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
変更 (へんこう) is the correct kanji for 'change' or 'alteration'. The sentence means 'I had them change the meeting time to 6 o'clock.'
Why other options are incorrect:
変改 (へんかい) means 'reform' or 'alteration', but it's less common and doesn't fit the nuance of a simple time change as well as 変更.
変換 (へんかん) means 'conversion' or 'transformation', which is incorrect in this context.
変替 (へんてい) is not a standard word.
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。
11 彼は医学( )ではかなり知られた存在だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
医学界 (いがくかい) means 'medical world' or 'medical field'. 界 (かい) is used to refer to a specific field or world. The sentence means 'He is a well-known figure in the medical field.'
Why other options are incorrect:
帯 (たい) means 'belt' or 'zone', which is incorrect.
域 (いき) means 'area' or 'region', which is not typically used with 医学.
区 (く) means 'district' or 'ward', which is incorrect.
12 決勝戦で負けて、( )優勝に終わった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
準 (じゅん) is a prefix meaning 'quasi-', 'semi-', or 'associate'. 準優勝 (じゅんゆうしょう) means 'runner-up' or 'second place'. The sentence means 'They lost in the final match and ended up as the runner-up.'
Why other options are incorrect:
後 (ご) means 'after' or 'behind', which is incorrect.
次 (じ) means 'next', which is incorrect.
副 (ふく) means 'sub-' or 'assistant', as in 副社長 (ふくしゃちょう: vice president), which is not appropriate here.
13 ( )段階では詳細は決まっていないらしい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
現段階 (げんたんかい) means 'current stage' or 'present phase'. 現 (げん) means 'current' or 'present'. The sentence means 'It seems the details haven't been decided at the current stage.'
Why other options are incorrect:
直 (ちょく) means 'direct' or 'straight', which is incorrect.
近 (きん) means 'near' or 'recent', which is incorrect.
当 (とう) means 'this' or 'the said', as in 当日 (とうじつ: that day), which is not appropriate here.
14 今回の大臣の訪問は( )公式に行われた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
非公式 (ひこうしき) means 'unofficial'. 非 (ひ) is a prefix meaning 'non-' or 'un-'. The sentence means 'The minister's visit this time was conducted unofficially.'
Why other options are incorrect:
不 (ふ) means 'un-' or 'not', but it's not typically combined with 公式 to form 'unofficial'.
未 (み) means 'un-' or 'not yet', as in 未完成 (みかんせい: incomplete), which is incorrect.
無 (む) means 'without' or 'non-existent', as in 無意味 (むいみ: meaningless), which is incorrect.
15 わが社の今年の( )売上は、昨年を上回った。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
総売上 (そううりあげ) means 'total sales'. 総 (そう) means 'total' or 'overall'. The sentence means 'Our company's total sales this year exceeded last year's.'
Why other options are incorrect:
集 (しゅう) means 'gather' or 'collect', which is incorrect in this compound.
合 (ごう) means 'fit' or 'combine', which is incorrect in this compound.
満 (まん) means 'full' or 'satisfied', which is incorrect.
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。
16 さまざまなデータを( )した結果、事故の原因が明らかになった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
分析 (ぶんせき) means 'analysis'. The phrase データを分析する means 'to analyze data'. The sentence means 'As a result of analyzing various data, the cause of the accident became clear.'
Why other options are incorrect:
視察 (しさつ) means 'inspection' or 'observation', typically of a place or situation, not data.
検査 (けんさ) means 'inspection' or 'examination', usually for quality or health, not for understanding causes from data.
発明 (はつめい) means 'invention', which is unrelated to analyzing data.
17 街を( )していたら、山本さんに会った。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ぶらぶら (burabura) is an onomatopoeic word meaning 'to stroll aimlessly' or 'to wander around'. The sentence means 'While I was strolling around town, I met Yamamoto-san.'
Why other options are incorrect:
ぐらぐら means 'wobbly' or 'shaky'.
がらがら means 'rattling' or 'empty/sparse' (e.g., a sparse crowd).
ばらばら means 'scattered' or 'disintegrated'.
18 祭りの日は町が( )にあふれている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
活気 (かっき) means 'liveliness' or 'vitality'. The phrase 活気にあふれている means 'overflowing with liveliness'. The sentence means 'On the day of the festival, the town is overflowing with liveliness.'
Why other options are incorrect:
活発 (かっぱつ) is an adjective meaning 'active' or 'lively', but it doesn't fit the structure 'にあふれている'.
活躍 (かつやく) means 'activity' or 'success' (in a field), referring to a person's performance.
活動 (かつどう) means 'activity' or 'action', referring to general actions or movements.
19 コピー機に紙が( )、出てこない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
詰まって (つまって) means 'to be jammed' or 'to be clogged'. This is the appropriate word for paper getting stuck in a copier. The sentence means 'The paper is jammed in the copier and won't come out.'
Why other options are incorrect:
潜って (もぐって) means 'to dive' or 'to go underground'.
沈んで (しずんで) means 'to sink' or 'to be depressed'.
埋まって (うまって) means 'to be buried' or 'to be filled up'.
20 この小説は今の時代を( )した作品だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
反映 (はんえい) means 'reflection' or 'influence'. The phrase 時代を反映した作品 means 'a work that reflects the current era'. The sentence means 'This novel is a work that reflects the current era.'
Why other options are incorrect:
放映 (ほうえい) means 'broadcasting' or 'screening' (e.g., a TV program).
引用 (いんよう) means 'quotation' or 'citation'.
採用 (さいよう) means 'adoption' or 'employment'.
21 田中さんは長い間( )窓の外を見ていた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ぼんやり (bon'yari) means 'vaguely', 'absentmindedly', or 'dimly'. It describes looking without clear focus. The sentence means 'Mr. Tanaka was vaguely looking out the window for a long time.'
Why other options are incorrect:
ふんわり means 'softly', 'fluffily', or 'gently'.
うっすら means 'faintly' or 'slightly' (e.g., a faint light).
しっとり means 'moist' or 'calm/damp' (e.g., moist skin, calm atmosphere).
22 経済だけでなく、法律にも詳しいのが彼の( )だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
強み (つよみ) means 'strength' or 'strong point'. The sentence means 'His strength is being knowledgeable not only in economics but also in law.'
Why other options are incorrect:
深み (ふかみ) means 'depth'.
高み (たかみ) means 'height' or 'high place'.
重み (おもみ) means 'weight' or 'importance'.
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。
23 この<u>ブーム</u>は長くは続かないだろう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ブーム (boom) refers to a sudden increase in popularity or activity. 流行 (りゅうこう) means 'trend' or 'fashion', which is the closest synonym. The sentence means 'This boom probably won't last long.'
Why other options are incorrect:
効果 (こうか) means 'effect' or 'result'.
状態 (じょうたい) means 'state' or 'condition'.
緊張 (きんちょう) means 'tension' or 'nervousness'.
24 この作業は<u>慎重</u>にやってください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
慎重 (しんちょう) means 'cautious' or 'prudent'. 十分注意して (じゅうぶんちゅういして) means 'with sufficient care', which is the closest meaning. The sentence means 'Please do this work carefully.'
Why other options are incorrect:
急いで means 'hurriedly' or 'quickly'.
絶対忘れずに means 'definitely without forgetting'.
静かに means 'quietly'.
25 シャツが<u>ちぢんで</u>しまった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ちぢんで (縮んで) means 'shrunk' or 'contracted'. 小さくなって (ちいさくなって) means 'became smaller', which is the closest meaning. The sentence means 'My shirt shrunk.'
Why other options are incorrect:
古くなって means 'became old'.
汚れて means 'became dirty'.
破れて means 'tore' or 'ripped'.
26 宿題のレポートは<u>ほぼ</u>終わった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ほぼ (hobo) means 'almost' or 'nearly'. だいたい (daitai) means 'approximately' or 'mostly', which is the closest synonym. The sentence means 'I've almost finished my homework report.'
Why other options are incorrect:
すべて means 'all' or 'everything'.
すぐに means 'immediately' or 'soon'.
やっと means 'at last' or 'finally'.
27 来週は天気が<u>回復</u>するそうだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
回復 (かいふく) means 'recovery' or 'restoration'. When referring to weather, it means 'to get better'. よくなる (yoku naru) means 'to get better'. The sentence means 'I heard the weather will recover next week.'
Why other options are incorrect:
あまり変わらない means 'doesn't change much'.
変わりやすい means 'changeable' or 'prone to change'.
悪くなる means 'to get worse'.
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。
28 方針
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
方針 (ほうしん) means 'policy', 'plan', or 'course of action'. Option 4, '教育に関する政府の<u>方針</u>が大きく変わった。' (The government's policy regarding education changed significantly.), uses 方針 correctly to refer to a guiding principle or direction.
Why other options are incorrect:
方針 is incorrect here. The correct word for a typhoon's path is 針路 (しんろ) or 進路 (しんろ).
方針 is too formal for a personal goal. 目標 (もくひょう: goal) or 計画 (けいかく: plan) would be more appropriate.
方針 is incorrect here. The correct word for how to make a dish is 作り方 (つくりかた: how to make) or レシピ (recipe).
29 範囲
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
範囲 (はんい) means 'range', 'scope', or 'extent'. Option 3, '明日は広い<u>範囲</u>で強い雨が降るでしょう。' (Strong rain is expected over a wide area tomorrow.), uses 範囲 correctly to describe a broad geographical area.
Why other options are incorrect:
範囲 is incorrect here. The correct word for dividing a town into two parts is 地域 (ちいき: region) or 区画 (くかく: section).
範囲 is incorrect here. The correct word for a new business area or market is 分野 (ぶんや: field) or 市場 (しじょう: market).
範囲 is incorrect here. The correct word for distance is 距離 (きょり: distance).
30 せめて
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
せめて (semete) means 'at least' or 'at the very least', expressing a minimum desire or hope. Option 3, '京都に行くなら、<u>せめて</u>1泊はしたい。' (If I go to Kyoto, I want to stay at least one night.), correctly uses せめて to express a minimum desire.
Why other options are incorrect:
せめて is incorrect here. 少なくとも (すくなくとも: at least) would be more appropriate for a minimum price.
せめて is incorrect here. どうしても (dōshitemo: no matter what) or どんなに~ても (donnani~temo: no matter how much~) would be more appropriate for expressing impossibility.
せめて is incorrect here. This sentence implies a result that was achieved, not a minimum desire. The correct usage would be '少なくとも50点は取れた' (I got at least 50 points).
31 利益
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
利益 (りえき) primarily means 'profit' or 'gain' in a financial or business sense. Option 2, 'この値段で売ったら、店の<u>利益</u>はほとんどない。' (If we sell at this price, the store will have almost no profit.), correctly uses 利益 in a business context.
Why other options are incorrect:
利益 is incorrect here. The correct word for 'benefit' or 'advantage' in this context is 益 (えき) or ため (tame).
利益 is incorrect here. The correct word for 'effect' or 'efficacy' of medicine is 効果 (こうか).
利益 is incorrect here. The correct word for 'advantage' or 'merit' is 利点 (りてん) or メリット (meritto).
32 かなう
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
かなう (叶う) means 'to come true' or 'to be realized', typically used for wishes, dreams, or hopes. Option 4, '自分の店を持つという夢が、とうとう<u>かなった</u>。' (My dream of owning my own shop finally came true.), correctly uses かなう for a dream being realized.
Why other options are incorrect:
かなう is incorrect here. 報われる (むくわれる: to be rewarded) or 実を結ぶ (みをむすぶ: to bear fruit) would be more appropriate for efforts being rewarded.
かなう is incorrect here. 当たる (あたる: to hit the mark, to be correct) would be appropriate for a weather forecast being correct.
かなう is incorrect here. 成功した (せいこうした: succeeded) or 開催された (かいさいされた: was held) would be more appropriate for an event being successfully held.
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。
33. A 「もう無理だよ、私には5キロなんて走れないよ。」 B「まだ500メートルだよ。なんでそうやってすぐ、もうだめ( )言うの。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
とか (toka) is used to list examples or to express vagueness, often with a nuance of criticism or exasperation when used with 言う (iu: to say). Here, it means 'things like' or 'such things as'. B is criticizing A for immediately saying 'it's no good' or 'I can't do it'. The sentence means 'You've only run 500 meters. Why do you immediately say things like 'it's no good'?'
Why other options are incorrect:
を (o) is a direct object particle. While 言う can take を, 'もうだめを言う' is grammatically unnatural in this context.
は (wa) is a topic particle. 'もうだめは言う' is grammatically unnatural.
とは (towa) is used to define something or express surprise/disbelief. It doesn't fit the nuance of listing examples or expressing exasperation here.
34. あれこれ悩んだ( )、ABC 大学を志望校に決めた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~た末に (~ta sue ni) means 'after (doing something) finally' or 'as a result of (doing something)'. It implies that a long process or struggle led to a certain outcome. The sentence means 'After much deliberation, I decided on ABC University as my first-choice school.'
Why other options are incorrect:
先に (saki ni) means 'before' or 'ahead of time', which is incorrect here.
ところに (tokoro ni) means 'just when' or 'at the point of', which doesn't fit the nuance of a decision made after a long process.
通りに (toori ni) means 'as...; in the same way as...', which is incorrect here.
35. プリンターの調子が悪くなり、製造会社に電話で問い合わせたら、向こうの担当者に、あれこれ質問に答え( )あげく、対応できないと言われた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~させられた (saserareta) is the passive causative form, meaning 'was made to do' or 'was forced to do'. The speaker was forced to answer many questions. The phrase ~あげく (ageku) means 'in the end, after all that', often with a negative result. The sentence means 'My printer started acting up, so I called the manufacturer to inquire, and after being made to answer various questions by their representative, I was told they couldn't help.'
Why other options are incorrect:
させた is the causative form, meaning 'made (someone) do'. This would imply the speaker made the representative answer questions, which is the opposite of the context.
させられる is the passive causative form, but it's in the present tense. The context requires past tense.
させる is the causative form in present tense. This is incorrect for both tense and meaning.
36. 面倒だが、やはりこの仕事は断れない。引き受ける( )。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~しかあるまい (shika arumai) means 'there is no choice but to do something' or 'it must be that...'. It expresses a strong sense of inevitability or resignation. The sentence means 'It's troublesome, but I still can't refuse this job. There's no choice but to accept it.'
Why other options are incorrect:
までもあるまい means 'there's no need to go as far as doing something', which is the opposite meaning.
こともない means 'it's not that one cannot do something' or 'it's possible to do something', which is too weak for the context.
はずもない means 'there's no way that...' or 'it's impossible that...', which expresses impossibility, not inevitability of action.
37. 山田監督の、「私、山田は、50年ぶりにふるさとに戻って( )。」というあいさつはくしゅに、会場からは大きな拍手が起こった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
まいりました (mairimashita) is the humble form of 戻りました (modorimashita: returned) or 来ました (kimashita: came). When a speaker refers to their own action of returning to a place, the humble form is appropriate in a formal greeting. The sentence means 'A big round of applause erupted from the venue for Director Yamada's greeting, 'I, Yamada, have returned to my hometown after 50 years.''
Why other options are incorrect:
いらっしゃいました is the honorific form of 来ました (kimashita: came) or 居ました (imashita: was/is). It is used to refer to someone else's action, not one's own.
うかがいました is the humble form of 聞きました (kikimashita: heard/asked) or 訪ねました (tazunemashita: visited). While it's humble, it doesn't mean 'returned'.
おいでになりました is an honorific expression for 'came' or 'went'. It is used to refer to someone else's action, not one's own.
38. 彼女の絵は、国内より( )海外での評価が高い。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
むしろ (mushiro) means 'rather' or 'instead'. It is used to indicate that something is more true or preferable than what was just mentioned. The sentence means 'Her paintings are highly regarded overseas, rather than domestically.'
Why other options are incorrect:
まさか means 'by no means' or 'impossible', expressing disbelief.
たとえ means 'even if' or 'for example'.
仮に (kari ni) means 'provisionally' or 'supposing that'.
39. 今年も卒業生を送り出した。次に会うときには、彼らも立派な大人に( )。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~ているだろう (te iru darou) expresses a state that will have been completed by a certain point in the future, or a presumption about a current state. Here, it means 'will have become'. The sentence means 'We sent off this year's graduates again. When we meet them next, they will surely have become fine adults.'
Why other options are incorrect:
なるだろう means 'will become', implying the action of becoming will happen at that future point, not that the state will be completed.
なっただろう means 'probably became' (past tense presumption), which is incorrect for a future event.
なっていただろう means 'probably had become' (past perfect continuous presumption), which is incorrect for a future event.
40. 毎日( )どちらでもいいことばかりを日記に書いているのだが、それがストレス解消になっている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~ても~なくても (temo~nakutemo) means 'whether one does X or not, it's Y'. It expresses that the outcome is the same regardless of whether an action is performed. The sentence means 'Every day, I write only things in my diary that it doesn't matter whether I write them or not, but that helps relieve stress.'
Why other options are incorrect:
~とも~とも (tomo~tomo) is used to express 'neither A nor B' or 'whether A or B, it's unclear', which doesn't fit the 'どちらでもいい' (either is fine) nuance.
~たか~なかったか (taka~nakattaka) means 'whether one did X or not' (past action), which is incorrect for a general statement about daily writing.
~とか~とか (toka~toka) is used for listing examples or expressing vagueness, but it doesn't directly convey the 'either way is fine' meaning.
41. 顔を洗うときには、せっけんを( )、さっと洗うのが肌にはよい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~すぎずに (sugizu ni) means 'without overdoing something' or 'without using too much'. It's the negative form of ~すぎる (sugiru: to overdo). The sentence means 'When washing your face, it's good for your skin to wash quickly without using too much soap.'
Why other options are incorrect:
~にすぎず (ni sugizu) means 'nothing more than' or 'merely', which is grammatically incorrect and doesn't fit the context.
This is an incorrect grammatical construction.
使いすぎもなくて means 'there isn't too much use either', which is grammatically awkward and doesn't convey the intended meaning.
42. 留学するまで、私は自分が見ている世界がすべてだと思っていた。実はそれが世界のほんの小さな一部分( )気付いていなかった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~でしかない (de shika nai) means 'nothing but' or 'merely'. It emphasizes that something is only a small part or limited. The phrase ~ことに気付く (koto ni kizuku) means 'to realize that...'. The sentence means 'Until I studied abroad, I thought the world I saw was everything. In reality, I hadn't realized that it was merely a tiny part of the world.'
Why other options are incorrect:
でないことにしか means 'only to the fact that it is not', which is grammatically incorrect and changes the meaning.
にないことでしか is grammatically incorrect. The particle should be で, not に, when describing what something is.
にしかないことで is grammatically incorrect. The particle should be で, not に, and the structure is awkward.
43. (会社で) A「あれ?あそこにいるの、山田さんかな。」 B「山田さんは出張中だよ。今ここに( )。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~わけないじゃない (wake nai janai) means 'there's no way that...' or 'it's impossible that...', often with a nuance of surprise or strong denial. Since Yamada-san is on a business trip, it's impossible for him to be there. The sentence means 'A: 'Huh? Is that Yamada-san over there?' B: 'Yamada-san is on a business trip. There's no way he's here right now.''
Why other options are incorrect:
いないわけじゃないよ means 'it's not that he's not here' (i.e., he might be here), which contradicts the fact that he's on a business trip.
いたわけじゃないよ means 'it's not that he wasn't here' (past tense), which is incorrect for the current situation.
いなかったわけじゃない means 'it's not that he wasn't here' (past tense), which is incorrect for the current situation.
44. A 「このタレント、最近よくテレビで見るね。」 B「ほんと。この人を見ない日はない( )よね。」
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
~と言ってもいいぐらいだ (to itte mo ii gurai da) means 'it's to the extent that you could say...' or 'you could almost say...'. It expresses that something is so true or common that it's almost an exaggeration to say it. The sentence means 'A: 'You see this celebrity on TV a lot lately, don't you?' B: 'Really. You could almost say there isn't a day you don't see this person, right?''
Why other options are incorrect:
と言ったらいいだけだ means 'it's just that it's good to say', which is grammatically awkward and doesn't fit the context.
と言ってもいいからだ means 'because it's okay to say', which is grammatically awkward and doesn't fit the context.
と言ったらいいことだ means 'it's a good thing to say', which is grammatically awkward and doesn't fit the context.
問題8 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。
45. 不調だった山中選手がついにゴールを決めた。彼に ___ ___ _★_ ___ 相当あったはずだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is 「もし、またミスをしたら」というプレッシャーは. The phrase 「~」という means 'the pressure of thinking/saying 'if I make another mistake''. The full sentence means 'Player Yamanaka, who had been in poor form, finally scored a goal. He must have felt a considerable amount of pressure, thinking 'What if I make another mistake again?'. Option 2, という, connects the quoted thought to the noun プレッシャー (pressure).
Why other options are incorrect:
This is part of the quoted phrase and cannot stand alone as the _★_ element.
This is the noun phrase that という modifies, and it comes after the _★_ position.
This is the quoted thought itself, which comes before the _★_ position.
46.「これは地元ではよく知られた料理で、このすっぱさがおいしい。ただ、___ ___ _★_ ___ 増えていることだね。」と田中さんは語る。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is 残念なのはすっぱいのが苦手だなんていう若者が最近. The phrase ~なんていう (nante iu) means 'such a thing as...' or 'something like...', often with a nuance of surprise or slight disdain. The full sentence means 'This is a well-known local dish, and its sourness is delicious. However, the regrettable thing is that recently, the number of young people who say they don't like sour things is increasing,' Tanaka-san said. Option 1, なんていう, connects the preceding phrase 'すっぱいのが苦手だ' (don't like sour things) to '若者' (young people).
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase starts the regrettable part of the sentence and comes before the _★_ position.
This phrase comes after the _★_ position.
This phrase describes what young people dislike and comes before the _★_ position.
47. 忘れられないプレゼントは、小学生のときに両親が買ってくれた自転車です。苦しい生活の中、___ ___ _★_ ___ 涙が出ます。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is どんな思いで買ってくれたのかと思うと、それだけで. The phrase ~と思うと (to omou to) means 'when I think about...' or 'as soon as I think about...'. The full sentence means 'The unforgettable present is the bicycle my parents bought me when I was in elementary school. When I think about what kind of feelings they had when they bought it for me during their difficult life, it alone brings tears to my eyes.' Option 4, 思うと, connects the thought about their parents' feelings to the emotional reaction.
Why other options are incorrect:
This phrase means 'just that alone' and comes after the _★_ position.
This phrase means 'with what kind of feelings' and comes before the _★_ position.
This phrase means 'whether they bought it for me' and comes before the _★_ position.
48. 最近、子どもがピアノを習いたいと言いだした。わたしは、子どもが_____ _____ __★__ _____と思っている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is したいと思うことはやらせてやりたい. The phrase ~てやりたい (te yaritai) means 'I want to do (something) for someone (inferior/equal)'. The full sentence means 'Recently, my child started saying they want to learn piano. I want to let my child do whatever they want to do.' Option 3, やらせて, is the causative form of やる (yaru: to do), meaning 'to let (someone) do'. It fits the structure 'XがYしたいと思うことはZてやりたい' (I want to let X do whatever Y wants to do).
Why other options are incorrect:
This is part of the phrase 'したいと思うことは' and comes before the _★_ position.
This is the final verb of the sentence and comes after the _★_ position.
This phrase comes before the _★_ position.
49. 国民の、政治 ___ ___ _★_ ___ 政治家は指導力を発揮できるのだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The correct order is に対する信頼があって初めて. The phrase ~て初めて (te hajimete) means 'only after doing X, then Y becomes possible'. The full sentence means 'Only when there is trust from the citizens towards politics can politicians demonstrate leadership.' Option 3, があって, connects '信頼' (trust) to '初めて' (only then), forming the crucial 'あって初めて' structure.
Why other options are incorrect:
This word comes after the _★_ position and is part of the '~て初めて' structure.
This phrase means 'towards' and comes before the _★_ position.
This noun means 'trust' and comes before the _★_ position.
問題9次の文章を読んで、文章全体の内容を考えて、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
ところで、彼ら鉄道ファンたちは【50】趣味を楽しんでいるのだろうか。
一言で鉄道ファンといってもその趣味の内容は多種多様だ。そして、電車に乗るのが 好きな「鉄」は「乗り鉄」というように、それぞれその内容に対応した呼び名がある。「乗り鉄」【51】、写真を撮るのが好きな「撮り鉄」、車両や鉄道がある風景を描く「描き鉄」、鉄道の模型が好きな「模型鉄」などだ。
ある40代の「乗り鉄」の女性は鉄道の魅力を【52】語る。「窓の外の風景をながめていると旅の気分が味わえるし、車と違って座っているだけで目的地に着けるのがいい」。
「模型鉄」である30代の男性は、模型の魅力についで「車両の形を見ているだけでうっとり。本物は買えないけど模型なら買えるし」と説明する。
また、最近急増している女性ファンには「ママ鉄」も多い。電車を見たがる子どもを連れて電車を見に行くうち、自分も鉄道ファンになってしまったという人たちだ。【53】の特徴は、他の「鉄」とは異なり、ホームではなく、電車が見えるところにある公園やレストランなど、子どもと一緒にゆっくり過ごせる場所で電車を見るという点である。
鉄道ファンにはいろいろなタイプがあり、楽しみ方も【54】。
English Summary & Annotations
【50】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The sentence asks 'How do these railway fans enjoy their hobby?' どのように (dono yō ni) means 'how' or 'in what way', which perfectly fits the context of inquiring about the methods or styles of enjoying a hobby. The following sentences then elaborate on the diverse ways they enjoy it.
Why other options are incorrect:
それほど means 'to that extent' or 'so much', which doesn't fit the interrogative nature of the sentence.
それでも means 'nevertheless' or 'even so', which implies a contradiction and is not suitable here.
どちらの means 'which (of two)', which is incorrect as the question is about the manner, not a choice between two options.
【51】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The sentence lists various types of 'tetsu' fans. 「乗り鉄」のほか (nori-tetsu no hoka) means 'besides 'nori-tetsu'' or 'in addition to 'nori-tetsu''. This indicates that 'nori-tetsu' is one example, and other types follow. The sentence means 'Besides 'nori-tetsu', there are 'tori-tetsu' who like taking photos, 'kaki-tetsu' who draw vehicles and railway scenery, and 'mokei-tetsu' who like model railways.'
Why other options are incorrect:
にかわって means 'instead of' or 'on behalf of', which implies replacement and is incorrect here.
によって means 'by' or 'depending on', which doesn't fit the context of listing additional examples.
の上に (no ue ni) means 'on top of' or 'in addition to' (literally), but it's not the natural phrasing for listing types of fans.
【52】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
こう (kō) means 'like this' or 'in this way', referring to what is about to be said. The sentence 'ある40代の「乗り鉄」の女性は鉄道の魅力を【52】語る。' is followed by a direct quote of what she says. Therefore, こう語る (kō kataru) means 'she speaks like this' or 'she says the following'.
Why other options are incorrect:
そう (sō) means 'like that' or 'in that way', referring to something already mentioned or understood, not something about to be stated.
同様に (dōyō ni) means 'similarly' or 'likewise', which implies comparison and is not appropriate before a direct quote introducing a new point.
以上のように (ijō no yō ni) means 'as mentioned above' or 'as described previously', which is used for summarizing or referring back, not introducing new details.
【53】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The preceding sentence introduces 'ママ鉄' (mama-tetsu) as a type of female fan. 彼女たち (kanojo-tachi) means 'they' or 'them' (female plural), which is the most natural pronoun to refer back to the 'ママ鉄' group. The sentence means 'Their characteristic is that, unlike other 'tetsu' fans, they watch trains at places like parks or restaurants where they can relax with their children, rather than at platforms.'
Why other options are incorrect:
鉄道ファン is too general; the sentence is specifically talking about the characteristics of 'mama-tetsu', a subset of railway fans.
女性ファン is also too general; while 'mama-tetsu' are female fans, the sentence is specifically about the 'mama-tetsu' group's unique characteristic.
大人たち means 'adults', which is too broad and doesn't specifically refer to the 'mama-tetsu' group.
【54】
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
The sentence is a concluding statement summarizing the main point of the passage: that there are various types of railway fans and their ways of enjoying the hobby are also diverse. さまざまだ (samazama da) means 'various' or 'diverse', and it fits perfectly as a simple, declarative concluding statement. The sentence means 'There are various types of railway fans, and their ways of enjoying the hobby are also various.'
Why other options are incorrect:
と言われた means 'it was said that it is various', which implies someone else said it, not a direct statement from the author.
である点だ means 'it is the point that it is various', which is grammatically correct but overly formal and less natural for a concluding sentence here.
と思われている means 'it is thought to be various', which implies a general perception, not a direct statement of fact from the author.