2012/12 JLPT N3 Letters and Vocabulary test
問題1 ___のことばの読み方として最もよいものを、1・2・4 から一つえらびなさい。
このひもは<u>短すぎて</u>使いにくい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
短すぎて (みじかすぎて) is the correct reading for 短い (みじかい), meaning 'too short'. The sentence means 'This string is too short and difficult to use.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for 弱すぎて (yowasugite), meaning 'too weak'.
This is the reading for 細すぎて (hososugite), meaning 'too thin' or 'too narrow'.
This is the reading for 硬すぎて (katasugite), meaning 'too hard' or 'too stiff'.
あの人は<u>他人</u>の意見を全然聞かない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
他人 (たにん) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'other people' or 'stranger'. The sentence means 'That person doesn't listen to other people's opinions at all.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 他人.
This is an incorrect reading for 他人.
This is the reading for 知人 (chijin), meaning 'acquaintance'.
人口の変化をグラフで<u>示した</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
示した (しめした) is the past tense of 示す (しめす), meaning 'to show' or 'to indicate'. The sentence means 'The population changes were shown in a graph.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for 移した (utsushita), meaning 'moved', or 写した (utsushita), meaning 'copied/photographed'.
This is the reading for 差した (sashita), meaning 'pointed', or 刺した (sashita), meaning 'stabbed'.
This is the reading for 表した (arawashita), meaning 'expressed', or 現した (arawashita), meaning 'revealed'.
田中さんは<u>外科</u>のお医者さんです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
外科 (げか) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'surgery' or 'surgical department'. The sentence means 'Mr. Tanaka is a surgeon (doctor of surgery).'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 外科.
This is an incorrect reading for 外科.
This is the reading for 画家 (gaka), meaning 'painter'.
佐藤さんほ<u>笑顔</u>がとてもすてきです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
笑顔 (えがお) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'smiling face'. The sentence means 'Ms. Sato's smiling face is very lovely.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 笑顔.
This is an incorrect reading for 笑顔. While 笑う (warau) means to laugh, 笑顔 is read えがお.
This is an incorrect reading for 笑顔.
5時<u>以降</u>にもう一度お電話ください。 -
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
以降 (いこう) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'on or after', 'from now on'. The sentence means 'Please call me again at or after 5 o'clock.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 以降.
This is an incorrect reading for 以降.
This is an incorrect reading for 以降.
道路を<u>横断</u>するときは、車に十分注意してください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
横断 (おうだん) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'crossing' or 'traversing'. The sentence means 'When crossing the road, please be very careful of cars.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 横断. While 横 (yoko) means side, the compound 横断 is read おうだん.
This is an incorrect reading for 横断.
This is an incorrect reading for 横断.
わたしが<u>合図</u>をしたら、始めてください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
合図 (あいず) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'signal' or 'sign'. The sentence means 'Please start when I give the signal.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 合図.
This is an incorrect reading for 合図.
This is an incorrect reading for 合図.
問題2___のことばを淡字で書くとき、最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つえらびなさい。
昨日は残業で<u>きたく</u>が遅くなった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
帰宅 (きたく) means 'returning home'. The kanji 帰 (き) means 'to return' and 宅 (たく) means 'home' or 'residence'. The sentence means 'Yesterday, I was late returning home due to overtime work.'
Why other options are incorrect:
着 (chaku) means 'to arrive' or 'to wear', which is incorrect in this context.
While 帰 (ki) is correct, 家 (ie/uchi) is usually used for 'house' in general, whereas 宅 (taku) is more common in compounds like 帰宅.
着 (chaku) is incorrect in this context.
この辺りは、子供を<u>そだてる</u>のにいい環境だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
育てる (そだてる) means 'to raise' or 'to bring up'. The kanji 育 (iku) is used for growth and upbringing. The sentence means 'This area is a good environment for raising children.'
Why other options are incorrect:
産 (umu) means 'to give birth', which is not the primary meaning here.
守 (mamoru) means 'to protect', which is not the intended meaning.
助 (tasukeru) means 'to help', which is not the intended meaning.
会議で決まったことをきちんと<u>きろく</u>しておいてください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
記録 (きろく) means 'record' or 'document'. The kanji 記 (ki) means 'to write down' and 録 (roku) means 'record'. The sentence means 'Please properly record what was decided at the meeting.'
Why other options are incorrect:
紀 (ki) is used in words like 世紀 (seiki: century), not for 'record'.
緑 (midori) means 'green', which is incorrect.
Both kanji are incorrect in this context.
今朝から<u>は</u>が痛いんです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
歯 (は) means 'tooth'. The sentence means 'My tooth has been hurting since this morning.'
Why other options are incorrect:
腹 (hara) means 'stomach' or 'abdomen'.
胃 (i) means 'stomach'.
腰 (koshi) means 'waist' or 'lower back'.
リボンをきれいに<u>むすぶ</u>のは難しい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
結ぶ (むすぶ) means 'to tie' or 'to connect'. The kanji 結 (ketsu/musu) is used for tying and connecting. The sentence means 'It's difficult to tie a ribbon neatly.'
Why other options are incorrect:
組 (kumu) means 'to assemble' or 'to form a group'.
洛 (raku) is used in place names like 京都 (Kyoto) and is not related to tying.
給 (kyū) means 'to supply' or 'to give'.
学校で勉強したことを毎日<u>ふくしゅう</u>しています。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
復習 (ふくしゅう) means 'review' or 'revision'. The kanji 復 (fuku) means 'to restore' and 習 (shū) means 'to learn'. The sentence means 'I review what I studied at school every day.'
Why other options are incorrect:
複 (fuku) means 'multiple' or 'complex', which is incorrect in this context.
練習 (renshū) means 'practice'. While related, it's not the exact meaning of ふくしゅう.
錬 (ren) means 'to refine' or 'to temper', which is incorrect.
問題3 ( ) に入れるのに最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つえらびなさい。
30年後の自分が何をやっているか、( )してみてください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
想像 (そうぞう) means 'imagination' or 'to imagine'. It fits the context of thinking about one's future. The sentence means 'Please try to imagine what you will be doing 30 years from now.'
Why other options are incorrect:
確認 (kakunin) means 'confirmation' or 'to confirm'. This does not fit the context of thinking about the future.
観察 (kansatsu) means 'observation' or 'to observe'. This does not fit the context of thinking about the future.
工夫 (kufū) means 'ingenuity' or 'to devise a way'. This does not fit the context of thinking about the future.
皮を( )りんごを食べました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
むいて (muite) is the te-form of 剥く (むく), meaning 'to peel'. This is the correct verb for removing the skin of fruit. The sentence means 'I ate an apple that had been peeled.'
Why other options are incorrect:
折って (otte) is the te-form of 折る (oru), meaning 'to break' or 'to fold'. This is not used for peeling.
離して (hanashite) is the te-form of 離す (hanasu), meaning 'to separate' or 'to release'. This is not used for peeling.
やぶって (yabutte) is the te-form of 破る (yaburu), meaning 'to tear' or 'to break'. This is not used for peeling.
水をやるのを忘れていたので、花が ( ) しまった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
かれて (karete) is the te-form of 枯れる (かれる), meaning 'to wither' or 'to die (for plants)'. This is the appropriate word for flowers that haven't been watered. The sentence means 'I forgot to water them, so the flowers withered.'
Why other options are incorrect:
こわれて (kowarete) is the te-form of 壊れる (kowareru), meaning 'to break' or 'to be broken'. This is used for objects, not plants.
こげて (kogete) is the te-form of 焦げる (kogeru), meaning 'to burn' or 'to be scorched'. This is used for food or materials, not plants with lack of water.
とけて (tokete) is the te-form of 溶ける (tokeru) or 解ける (tokeru), meaning 'to melt' or 'to dissolve'. This is not applicable to flowers.
この映画は( )した以上におもしろかった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
期待 (きたい) means 'expectation' or 'hope'. The phrase '期待した以上' means 'more than expected'. This fits the context of a movie being more interesting than anticipated. The sentence means 'This movie was more interesting than I expected.'
Why other options are incorrect:
約束 (yakusoku) means 'promise'. This is not suitable for describing how interesting a movie is.
予定 (yotei) means 'plan' or 'schedule'. This is not suitable for describing how interesting a movie is.
希望 (kibō) means 'hope' or 'wish'. While similar to 期待, 期待 is more commonly used when referring to the level of interest or quality of something.
楽しみにしていたコンサートが中止になって ( ) した。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
がっかり (gakkari) is an adverb meaning 'disappointed' or 'discouraged'. It perfectly describes the feeling when a highly anticipated event is canceled. The sentence means 'The concert I was looking forward to was canceled, and I was disappointed.'
Why other options are incorrect:
はらはら (harahara) describes a feeling of suspense, anxiety, or being on edge.
うっかり (ukkari) describes doing something carelessly or by mistake.
どきどき (dokidoki) describes a pounding heart, often due to excitement or nervousness.
クイズの答えが分からないので、何か( )をください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ヒント (hinto) is a loanword meaning 'hint' or 'clue'. This is the most appropriate word when you don't know the answer to a quiz and need help. The sentence means 'I don't know the answer to the quiz, so please give me a hint.'
Why other options are incorrect:
サイン (sain) means 'sign' (e.g., autograph, signal).
ルール (rūru) means 'rule'.
サンプル (sanpuru) means 'sample'.
昔の写真を見て、「子どものころ、この公園でよく遊んだなあ」と( )なった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
なつかしく (natsukashiku) is the adverbial form of 懐かしい (なつかしい), meaning 'nostalgic' or 'fondly remembered'. This fits the feeling of looking at old photos and recalling childhood memories. The sentence means 'Looking at old photos, I felt nostalgic, thinking "I used to play a lot in this park when I was a child."'
Why other options are incorrect:
うらやましく (urayamashiku) is the adverbial form of 羨ましい (urayamashii), meaning 'envious' or 'jealous'.
くやしく (kuyashiku) is the adverbial form of 悔しい (kuyashii), meaning 'frustrating' or 'regrettable'.
はずかしく (hazukashiku) is the adverbial form of 恥ずかしい (hazukashii), meaning 'embarrassing' or 'ashamed'.
商品の ( )は、一週間以内に銀行でお支払いください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
代金 (だいきん) means 'price' or 'charge' for goods. It specifically refers to the money paid for an item. The sentence means 'Please pay for the goods at the bank within one week.'
Why other options are incorrect:
現金 (genkin) means 'cash'. While it's a form of payment, the blank requires the 'amount' or 'charge' for the goods.
値段 (nedan) means 'price'. While similar, 代金 is more commonly used when referring to the payment itself, especially in formal contexts like this. 値段 refers to the listed price.
価値 (kachi) means 'value'. This is not suitable for payment instructions.
何度もことわっているのに、彼に ( ) 頼まれて困っています。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
しつこく (shitsukoku) is an adverb meaning 'persistently', 'insistently', or 'annoyingly'. It fits the context of someone repeatedly asking for something despite being refused. The sentence means 'Even though I've refused many times, he keeps asking persistently, and I'm troubled.'
Why other options are incorrect:
きびしく (kibishiku) is the adverbial form of 厳しい (kibishii), meaning 'strictly' or 'severely'.
こまかく (komakaku) is the adverbial form of 細かい (komakai), meaning 'in detail' or 'minutely'.
くわしく (kuwashiku) is the adverbial form of 詳しい (kuwashii), meaning 'in detail' or 'thoroughly'.
廊下の電気は、スイッチを押さなくても、人が通ると ( ) につきます。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
自動的 (じどうてき) means 'automatic'. This is the correct word to describe lights that turn on by themselves when someone passes by, without needing a switch. The sentence means 'The hallway lights turn on automatically when someone passes by, even without pressing a switch.'
Why other options are incorrect:
機械的 (kikaiteki) means 'mechanical' or 'machine-like'. While related to machines, 'automatic' is more precise for this context.
積極的 (sekkyokuteki) means 'positive' or 'active'. This is not applicable to lights.
間接的 (kansetsuteki) means 'indirect'. This is not applicable to lights.
いくら探しても、手袋が( )しか見つからない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
片方 (かたほう) means 'one side' or 'one of a pair'. This is the correct word to describe finding only one glove when looking for a pair. The sentence means 'No matter how much I search, I can only find one glove.'
Why other options are incorrect:
半々 (hanbun) means 'half and half' or 'fifty-fifty'.
反対 (hantai) means 'opposite' or 'opposition'.
部分 (bubun) means 'part' or 'section'. While a glove is a part of a pair, 片方 is the specific term for one item of a pair.
問題4 ___ に意味が最も近いものを、1・2・3・4から一つえらびなさい。
何度失敗しても、彼女は<u>あきらめなかった</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
あきらめなかった (akiramenakatta) is the negative past tense of 諦める (あきらめる), meaning 'to give up'. Therefore, 'やめようとしなかった' (yamenaiyō to shinakatta), meaning 'did not try to stop/quit', is the closest in meaning. The sentence means 'No matter how many times she failed, she didn't give up.'
Why other options are incorrect:
気にしなかった (ki ni shinakatta) means 'didn't mind' or 'didn't care'.
怒らなかった (okoranakatta) means 'didn't get angry'.
謝るうとしなかった (ayamarou to shinakatta) means 'didn't try to apologize'.
あのスーパーは、<u>年中</u>、セールをしている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
年中 (ねんじゅう) means 'all year round' or 'throughout the year'. The closest synonym among the options is いつも (itsumo), meaning 'always'. The sentence means 'That supermarket has sales all year round.'
Why other options are incorrect:
最近 (saikin) means 'recently'.
ときどき (tokidoki) means 'sometimes'.
前から (mae kara) means 'from before' or 'for a while now'.
相手の選手にポールをうばわれてしまった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
うばわれて (ubawarete) is the passive te-form of 奪う (うばう), meaning 'to snatch' or 'to take away'. The closest synonym is 取られて (torarete), the passive te-form of 取る (とる), meaning 'to be taken'. The sentence means 'The ball was taken away by the opposing player.'
Why other options are incorrect:
入れられて (irerarete) is the passive te-form of 入れる (ireru), meaning 'to be put in'.
止められて (tomerarete) is the passive te-form of 止める (tomeru), meaning 'to be stopped'.
打たれて (utarete) is the passive te-form of 打つ (utsu), meaning 'to be hit'.
もう会議が始まっていますから、<u>そっと</u>中に入ってください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
そっと (sotto) means 'gently', 'softly', or 'quietly'. The closest synonym is 静かに (shizukani), meaning 'quietly'. The sentence means 'The meeting has already started, so please enter quietly.'
Why other options are incorrect:
後ろから (ushiro kara) means 'from behind'.
急いで (isoide) means 'hurriedly' or 'quickly'.
一人ずつ (hitori zutsu) means 'one by one'.
<u>まぶしくて</u>ポスターの字がよく見えない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
まぶしくて (mabushikute) is the te-form of 眩しい (まぶしい), meaning 'dazzling' or 'too bright'. The closest synonym is 明るすぎて (akarusugite), meaning 'too bright'. The sentence means 'It's too bright, so I can't see the letters on the poster well.'
Why other options are incorrect:
遠すぎて (toosugite) means 'too far'.
薄すぎて (usugisugite) means 'too thin' or 'too light (in color)'.
小さすぎて (chiisasugite) means 'too small'.
問題5次の言葉の使い方として最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つえらびなさい。
募集
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
募集 (ぼしゅう) means 'recruitment' or 'to solicit/gather'. Option 3, 'スピーチ大会の参加者を募集しています。' (We are recruiting participants for the speech contest.), correctly uses 募集 to mean soliciting participants.
Why other options are incorrect:
募集 is not used for gathering people into a classroom; 集合 (shūgō: gathering) or 集める (atsumeru: to gather) would be more appropriate.
募集 is not used for collecting items; 収集 (shūshū: collection) or 集める (atsumeru: to collect) would be more appropriate.
募集 is not used for collecting trash; 回収 (kaishū: collection/recovery) or 集める (atsumeru: to collect) would be more appropriate.
空
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
空 (から) means 'empty'. Option 4, '飲み終わって空になったビンはここに置いてください。' (Please put the empty bottles here after you finish drinking.), correctly uses 空 to mean an empty container.
Why other options are incorrect:
空 (aki) can mean 'free' or 'available', but the kanji is usually 暇 (hima) or 空き (aki) for free time. The sentence structure is also unnatural.
While 空 (kara) can imply emptiness, for 'empty content' or 'lacking substance', くだらない (kudaranai: worthless) or 内容がない (naiyō ga nai: no content) would be more natural.
空 (aki) can mean 'vacant' or 'empty (house)', but for a house where someone is simply not home, 留守 (rusu: absence from home) is more common.
活動
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
活動 (かつどう) means 'activity' or 'action'. Option 1, 'この団体は、日本文化を紹介するために、文化教室を開くなどの活動をしている。' (This organization is engaged in activities such as opening cultural classes to introduce Japanese culture.), correctly uses 活動 to refer to organized efforts or undertakings.
Why other options are incorrect:
For household chores, 家事 (kaji: housework) or 作業 (sagyō: work/task) would be more appropriate than 活動.
For a machine starting to work again, 稼働 (kadō: operation) or 運転 (unten: operation) would be more appropriate.
For the movement of vehicles, 往来 (ōrai: coming and going) or 交通量 (kōtsūryō: traffic volume) would be more appropriate.
行き先
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
行き先 (いきさき) means 'destination' or 'where one is going'. Option 2, '仕事中に外出するときは、必ず誰かに行き先を伝えておいてください。' (When you go out during work, please be sure to tell someone your destination.), correctly uses 行き先 to refer to the place one is heading.
Why other options are incorrect:
For email, 宛先 (atesaki: address/recipient) is used.
For direction, 方向 (hōkō: direction) or 道 (michi: path) would be more appropriate.
For a river's course, 流れ (nagare: flow) or 行く末 (yukusue: destination/future course) would be more appropriate.
経由
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
経由 (けいゆ) means 'via' or 'by way of'. Option 2, 'このバスは市役所を経由して駅へ向かいます。' (This bus goes to the station via the city hall.), correctly uses 経由 to indicate a stop or route taken.
Why other options are incorrect:
For passing through a place, 通る (tōru: to pass through) or 抜ける (nukeru: to go through) would be more appropriate.
For a career path or transition, 経験 (keiken: experience) or 経て (hete: via/after) would be more appropriate.
For a break during an event, 挟んで (hasande: sandwiching/with a break in between) or をはさんで (o hasande) would be more appropriate.