2015/12 JLPT N3 Letters and Vocabulary test
問題1_____のことばを漢字で書くとき、最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つえらびなさい。
1. 病院で<u>血液型</u>を調べました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
血液型 (けつえきがた) means 'blood type'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'I had my blood type checked at the hospital.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading. `ちいき` (chiiki) means 'region'.
This is an incorrect reading.
This is an incorrect reading.
2. <u>湖</u>の上を白い鳥が飛んでいる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
湖 (みずうみ) means 'lake'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'White birds are flying over the lake.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for `港`, meaning 'port' or 'harbor'.
This is the reading for `池`, meaning 'pond'.
This is the reading for `波`, meaning 'wave'.
3. この時代の生活にどんな<u>変化</u>があったのか、調べてみたい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
変化 (へんか) means 'change'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'I want to research what kind of changes occurred in life during this era.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for `文化`, meaning 'culture'.
This is an incorrect reading.
This is an incorrect reading.
4. 休んでいる学生が何人いるか、<u>伝えました</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
伝えました (つたえました) is the past tense of `伝える`, meaning 'to convey' or 'to tell'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'I conveyed how many students were absent.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for `答えました`, meaning 'answered'.
This is the reading for `教えました`, meaning 'taught' or 'informed'.
This is the reading for `数えました`, meaning 'counted'.
5. その<u>荷物</u>を運んでください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
荷物 (にもつ) means 'luggage' or 'baggage'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'Please carry that luggage.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading.
This is the reading for `品物`, meaning 'goods' or 'articles'.
This is the reading for `煮物`, meaning 'simmered dish'.
6. 毎日、<u>平均</u>1時間くらい勉強しています。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
平均 (へいきん) means 'average'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'I study about 1 hour on average every day.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading.
This is the reading for `変訳` (mistranslation) or `変約` (change of promise).
This is an incorrect reading.
7. この学校では、留学生に奨学金が<u>支給</u>されます。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
支給 (しきゅう) means 'provision' or 'supply (of money/goods)'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'Scholarships are provided to international students at this school.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading.
This is the reading for `時給` (hourly wage) or `自給` (self-sufficiency).
This is an incorrect reading.
8. このグラフは、毎月の雨の量を<u>表した</u>ものです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
表した (あらわした) is the past tense of `表す`, meaning 'to show' or 'to represent'. This is the correct reading for the kanji. The sentence means 'This graph shows the amount of rain each month.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for `示した`, meaning 'showed' or 'indicated'. While similar in meaning, `表す` is the specific kanji used in the question.
This is the reading for `指した`, meaning 'pointed'.
This is the reading for `写した` (copied/photographed) or `移した` (moved/transferred).
問題2_____のことばを漢字で書くとき、最もよいものを、1・2・3・4から一つえらびなさい。
9. この店は、いろいろな<u>がっき</u>を売っている。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
楽器 (がっき) means 'musical instrument'. This is the correct kanji for the given reading. The sentence means 'This store sells various musical instruments.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`薬` (kusuri) means 'medicine', `具` (gu) means 'tool/implement'. This is an incorrect kanji combination.
`楽` (raku) means 'easy/comfort', `具` (gu) means 'tool/implement'. This is an incorrect kanji combination.
`薬` (kusuri) means 'medicine', `器` (ki) means 'container/utensil'. This is an incorrect kanji combination.
10. 携帯電話を<u>かりました</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
借りました (かりました) is the past tense of `借りる`, meaning 'to borrow'. This is the correct kanji for the given reading. The sentence means 'I borrowed a mobile phone.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`代わる` (kawaru) means 'to substitute' or 'to take the place of'.
`換わる` (kawaru) means 'to be exchanged' or 'to be replaced'.
`貸る` (kasu) means 'to lend'. The kanji `貸` is for lending, not borrowing.
11. <u>けってん</u>のない人はいないだろう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
欠点 (けってん) means 'defect' or 'flaw'. This is the correct kanji for the given reading. The sentence means 'There probably isn't anyone without flaws.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect kanji combination. `決` (ketsu) means 'decide', `天` (ten) means 'heaven'.
This is an incorrect kanji combination. `決` (ketsu) means 'decide', `点` (ten) means 'point'.
This is an incorrect kanji combination. `欠` (ketsu) means 'lack', `天` (ten) means 'heaven'.
12. この古い橋は、<u>げんざい</u>は使われていない。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
現在 (げんざい) means 'present' or 'currently'. This is the correct kanji for the given reading. The sentence means 'This old bridge is not currently in use.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect kanji combination. `原` (gen) means 'origin', `存` (zon) means 'exist'.
This is an incorrect kanji combination. `原` (gen) means 'origin', `在` (zai) means 'exist'.
`現存 (げんそん)` means 'existing' or 'still in existence', but the reading is `げんそん`, not `げんざい`.
13. <u>みどり</u>のペンで、線を引きました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
緑 (みどり) means 'green'. This is the correct kanji for the given reading. The sentence means 'I drew a line with a green pen.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`黄 (き)` means 'yellow'.
`青 (あお)` means 'blue'.
`赤 (あか)` means 'red'.
14. 家族の幸せを<u>ねがって</u>いる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
願って (ねがって) is the te-form of `願う`, meaning 'to wish' or 'to desire'. This is the correct kanji for the given reading. The sentence means 'I am wishing for my family's happiness.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`顧る` (kaerimiru) means 'to look back' or 'to consider'.
`頼る` (tayoru) means 'to rely on'.
`祈る` (inoru) means 'to pray'. While related in meaning, `願う` is the more direct fit for 'wishing for happiness' and matches the reading `ねがって`.
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。
15. 重い本をたくさん入れたら、紙の袋が( )、中身が落ちてしまった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
破れて (やぶれて) is the te-form of `破れる`, meaning 'to tear' or 'to break'. If you put many heavy books in a paper bag, it would tear. The sentence means 'When I put many heavy books in, the paper bag tore and the contents fell out.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`折れる` (oreru) means 'to break (snap)' or 'to fold'. A paper bag wouldn't typically 'snap' or 'fold' in this context.
`濡れる` (nureru) means 'to get wet'. This is unrelated to putting heavy books in a bag.
`汚れる` (yogoreru) means 'to get dirty'. This is unrelated to the bag breaking due to weight.
16. この遊園地は、子どもは大人の半分の( )で入ることができるそうだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
料金 (りょうきん) means 'fee' or 'charge'. It's the appropriate word for the cost of admission to an amusement park. The sentence means 'It seems that children can enter this amusement park for half the adult fee.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`貯金 (ちょきん)` means 'savings' or 'deposit'.
`有料 (ゆうりょう)` means 'paid' or 'toll' (as in 'paid service'), but it's an adjective/noun that describes something that costs money, not the fee itself.
`物価 (ぶっか)` means 'prices (of goods)'.
17. 毎日少しずつセーターを( ) 昨日やっと完成した。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
編んで (あんで) is the te-form of `編む`, meaning 'to knit' or 'to weave'. Sweaters are knitted. The sentence means 'I knitted the sweater little by little every day, and finally completed it yesterday.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`縛る` (shibaru) means 'to tie' or 'to bind'.
`絞る` (shiboru) means 'to wring' or 'to squeeze'.
`結ぶ` (musubu) means 'to tie' or 'to connect'.
18. 次の試合で( )相手は、去年の優勝者だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
戦う (たたかう) means 'to fight' or 'to battle (against)'. In the context of a match, it means 'to compete against'. The sentence means 'The opponent I will fight in the next match is last year's champion.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`踏む` (fumu) means 'to step on'.
`挑む` (idomu) means 'to challenge' or 'to dare'. While `挑む` can be used in a competitive context, `戦う` is a more direct and common verb for 'to fight/compete against an opponent' in a match.
`曲げる` (mageru) means 'to bend' or 'to curve'.
19. わたしは建築を勉強しているので、日本の家の建て方に( )があります。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
興味 (きょうみ) means 'interest'. The phrase `興味がある` means 'to be interested in'. Since the speaker studies architecture, it's natural for them to have an interest in how Japanese houses are built. The sentence means 'Since I study architecture, I have an interest in how Japanese houses are built.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`見物 (けんぶつ)` means 'sightseeing' or 'spectating'.
`好物 (こうぶつ)` means 'favorite food' or 'favorite thing'.
`趣味 (しゅみ)` means 'hobby'. While related to interest, `興味` is more appropriate for a general interest in a subject of study.
20. 喫茶店のドアを開けたら、コーヒーのいい( )がした。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
香り (かおり) means 'fragrance' or 'aroma'. When opening the door of a coffee shop, you would smell the good aroma of coffee. The sentence means 'When I opened the coffee shop door, there was a nice coffee aroma.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`味 (あじ)` means 'taste'. You taste coffee, you don't 'taste' it when opening a door.
`色 (いろ)` means 'color'.
`気分 (きぶん)` means 'feeling' or 'mood'.
21. 今日のコンサートでピアノを( )するのは、有名なピアニストだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
演奏 (えんそう) means 'musical performance'. This is the correct term for playing a musical instrument like the piano in a concert. The sentence means 'The one performing the piano at today's concert is a famous pianist.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`講演 (こうえん)` means 'lecture' or 'speech'.
`活動 (かつどう)` means 'activity' or 'action'.
`行動 (こうどう)` means 'action' or 'behavior'.
22. 交通事故を( )ために、横断歩道に信号が付けられました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
防ぐ (ふせぐ) means 'to prevent' or 'to defend against'. Traffic lights are installed to prevent traffic accidents. The sentence means 'To prevent traffic accidents, traffic lights were installed at the pedestrian crossing.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`下げる` (sageru) means 'to lower' or 'to hang down'.
`守る` (mamoru) means 'to protect' or 'to obey'. While one might 'protect' people from accidents, `防ぐ` is more direct for preventing the accident itself.
`やめる` (yameru) means 'to stop' or 'to quit'.
23. この靴は、わたしの足に )合っているので、歩きやすいです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ぴったり is an adverb meaning 'perfectly (fit)', 'exactly', or 'snugly'. If shoes fit perfectly, they are easy to walk in. The sentence means 'These shoes fit my feet perfectly, so they are easy to walk in.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`うっかり` means 'carelessly' or 'by mistake'.
`ぺらぺら` (perapera) means 'fluent' (for language) or 'thin/flimsy'.
`ふらふら` (furafura) means 'dizzy' or 'unsteady'.
24. 缶やペットボトルなども捨てないで( )すれば、ごみを減らすことができる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
リサイクル (リサイクル) means 'recycle'. Recycling cans and plastic bottles helps reduce waste. The sentence means 'If we don't throw away cans and plastic bottles and recycle them, we can reduce waste.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`チャレンジ` (charenji) means 'challenge'.
`ストップ` (sutoppu) means 'stop'.
`キャンセル` (kyanseru) means 'cancel'.
25. この国は米の生産が( )で、海外にもたくさん来を輸出している。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
盛ん (さかん) means 'prosperous', 'flourishing', or 'active'. When referring to production, it means 'thriving' or 'abundant'. The sentence means 'This country's rice production is thriving, and it exports a lot of rice overseas.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`派手 (はで)` means 'flashy' or 'showy'.
`立派 (りっぱ)` means 'splendid' or 'fine'. While positive, it doesn't fit the context of production volume as well as `盛ん`.
`にぎやか` means 'lively' or 'bustling' (usually for places or events).
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。
26. 山本さんが<u>得意</u>な料理は何ですか。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
得意 (とくい) means 'good at' or 'one's strong point'. `上手にできる` (じょうずにできる) means 'can do skillfully' or 'can do well', which is the closest meaning. The sentence means 'What kind of cooking is Mr. Yamamoto good at?'
Why other options are incorrect:
This means 'want to try making'.
This means 'want to eat'.
This means 'favorite'. While one might be good at their favorite thing, `得意` specifically refers to skill.
27. わたしの弟は<u>短気</u>です。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
短気 (たんき) means 'short-tempered' or 'impatient'. `すぐ怒ります` (すぐおこります) means 'gets angry easily/quickly', which is the closest meaning. The sentence means 'My younger brother is short-tempered.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This means 'forgets easily/quickly'.
This means 'cries easily/quickly'.
This means 'worries easily/quickly'.
28. 小林さんは、その話を<u>疑っているようだ</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
疑っているようだ (うたがっているようだ) means 'seems to be doubting' or 'seems to be suspicious of'. `本当ではないと思っている` (ほんとうではないとおもっている) means 'thinks it's not true', which is the closest meaning. The sentence means 'Mr. Kobayashi seems to be doubting that story.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This means 'thinks it's true'. This is the opposite meaning.
This means 'doesn't know well'.
This means 'knows well'.
29. <u>機会</u>があれば、やってみたいです。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
機会 (きかい) means 'opportunity' or 'chance'. `チャンス` (chansu) is a loanword meaning 'chance' or 'opportunity', which is the closest meaning. The sentence means 'If I have the opportunity, I'd like to try it.'
Why other options are incorrect:
`サービス` (saabisu) means 'service'.
`アルバイト` (arubaito) means 'part-time job'.
`アイディア` (aidia) means 'idea'.
30. 田中さんは<u>あいかわらず</u>忙しいらしいよ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
あいかわらず means 'as ever', 'as usual', or 'as before'. `前と同じで` (まえとおなじで) means 'the same as before', which is the closest meaning. The sentence means 'It seems Mr. Tanaka is as busy as ever.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This means 'different from before'. This is the opposite meaning.
This means 'the same as me'.
This means 'different from me'.
問題5つぎのことば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。
31. 修理
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
修理 (しゅうり) means 'repair' or 'fix' and is typically used for machines, buildings, or broken objects. Option 3, 'The washing machine stopped working, so please repair it,' is the correct usage.
Why other options are incorrect:
You don't `修理` (repair) a relationship; the correct verb would be `修復する` (shūfuku suru) or `直す` (naosu).
You don't `修理` (repair) pronunciation; you `直す` (naosu - correct) or `指導してもらう` (shidou shite morau - get guidance).
You don't `修理` (repair) an injury; you `治療してもらう` (chiryou shite morau - get treatment) or `手当てしてもらう` (teate shite morau - get first aid).
32. 親しい
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
親しい (したしい) means 'intimate', 'familiar', or 'close (friend)'. It describes a close relationship between people. Option 1, 'I hadn't talked to Mr. Mori until last year, but we became close after having a meal together,' is the correct usage.
Why other options are incorrect:
You don't become `親しい` (close) with a job; you `慣れる` (nareru - get used to) it.
You don't describe a coat as `親しい`; you might say it's `お気に入り` (okiniri - favorite) or `愛用している` (aiyou shiteiru - use habitually).
You don't become `親しい` (close) with types of cars; you become `詳しい` (kuwashii - knowledgeable) or `よく知っている` (yoku shitteiru - know well).
33. 締め切り
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
締め切り (しめきり) means 'deadline' or 'closing date'. It refers to the final date or time for submission or application. Option 4, 'For those applying to the speech contest, the deadline is tomorrow, so please don't forget,' is the correct usage.
Why other options are incorrect:
`締め切り` is not used for the last stop of a train; `終点` (shūten - terminal station) or `終着駅` (shūchaku eki) would be used.
`締め切り` is not used for the final episode of a drama; `最終回` (saishūkai - final episode) would be used.
`締め切り` is not used for the finish line of a race; `ゴール` (gooru - goal/finish line) would be used.
34. ゆでる
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ゆでる (yuderu) means 'to boil (food)' or 'to parboil'. It's used for cooking food in hot water. Option 2, 'I put vegetables into a pot of hot water and boiled them for 5 minutes,' is the correct usage.
Why other options are incorrect:
You don't `ゆでる` (boil) your body in a hot bath; you `温める` (atatameru - warm up) or `浸かる` (tsukaru - soak).
You don't `ゆでる` (boil) a room with a stove; you `温める` (atatameru - warm up) it.
You don't `ゆでる` (boil) tea in a microwave; you `温める` (atatameru - warm up) it.
35. 渋滞
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
渋滞 (じゅうたい) means 'traffic jam' or 'congestion (of traffic)'. It specifically refers to vehicles being stuck in traffic. Option 2, 'This road gets congested during the morning commute, and cars don't move forward,' is the correct usage.
Why other options are incorrect:
While a bus can be crowded, `渋滞` is not used for people inside a bus; `混雑している` (konzatsu shiteiru - crowded) would be used.
You don't say a schedule is `渋滞` (congested); you might say it's `詰まっている` (tsummatteiru - packed) or `忙しい` (isogashii - busy).
You don't say your mind is `渋滞` (congested) with information; you might say it's `混乱している` (konran shiteiru - confused) or `パンクしている` (panku shiteiru - overwhelmed/bursting).