JLPT N3 Letters and Vocabulary 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. 会場には大勢の<u>観客</u>がいた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
観客 (かんきゃく) is the correct reading for the kanji 観客, which means 'audience' or 'spectators'. The sentence means 'There were many spectators in the venue.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 観客.
This reading is incorrect for 観客. The '客' character is read as 'きゃく' in this compound.
This reading is incorrect for 観客. The '観' character is read as 'かん' in this compound.
2. 田村さんが<u>払って</u>くれました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
払って (はらって) is the correct reading for the kanji 払う, which means 'to pay'. The sentence means 'Mr. Tamura paid for me.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for 配って (くばって), meaning 'to distribute' or 'to hand out'.
This is the reading for 飾って (かざって), meaning 'to decorate'.
This is the reading for 拾って (ひろって), meaning 'to pick up'.
3. ホテルには3時ごろ<u>到着</u>します。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
到着 (とうちゃく) is the correct reading for the kanji 到着, which means 'arrival'. The sentence means 'I will arrive at the hotel around 3 o'clock.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 到着.
This reading is incorrect for 到着.
This reading is incorrect for 到着.
4. 山下さんが説明を<u>加えました</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
加えました (くわえました) is the correct reading for the kanji 加える, which means 'to add' or 'to append'. The sentence means 'Mr. Yamashita added an explanation.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for 伝えました (つたえました), meaning 'to convey' or 'to transmit'.
This is the reading for 終えました (おえました), meaning 'to finish' or 'to complete'.
This is the reading for 変えました (かえました), meaning 'to change', or 替えました (かえました), meaning 'to exchange'.
5. 今から<u>訓練</u>を行います。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
訓練 (くんれん) is the correct reading for the kanji 訓練, which means 'training' or 'drill'. The sentence means 'We will conduct training now.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 訓練.
This reading is incorrect for 訓練. The '訓' character is read as 'くん'.
This reading is incorrect for 訓練. The '訓' character is read as 'くん'.
6. この<u>豆</u>はスープに使うといいですよ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
豆 (まめ) is the correct reading for the kanji 豆, which means 'bean' or 'peas'. The sentence means 'These beans are good to use in soup.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the reading for 粉 (こな), meaning 'powder' or 'flour'.
This is the reading for 芋 (いも), meaning 'potato' or 'yam'.
This is the reading for 貝 (かい), meaning 'shellfish' or 'shell'.
7. 社会には<u>共通</u>のルールがあります。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
共通 (きょうつう) is the correct reading for the kanji 共通, which means 'common' or 'shared'. The sentence means 'There are common rules in society.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 共通.
This is the reading for 交通 (こうつう), meaning 'traffic' or 'transportation'.
This reading is incorrect for 共通.
8. 来年から<u>税金</u>が上がるそうだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
税金 (ぜいきん) is the correct reading for the kanji 税金, which means 'tax'. The sentence means 'I heard that taxes will increase from next year.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading is incorrect for 税金.
This reading is incorrect for 税金. The '税' character is read as 'ぜい'.
This reading is incorrect for 税金.
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. しばらく、きれいな<u>なみ</u>を見ていた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
波 (なみ) is the correct kanji for 'nami', meaning 'wave'. The sentence means 'I watched the beautiful waves for a while.'
Why other options are incorrect:
池 (いけ) means 'pond'.
湖 (みずうみ) means 'lake'.
港 (みなと) means 'port' or 'harbor'.
10. もう少し<u>はやく</u>歩きましょう。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
速く (はやく) is the correct kanji for 'hayaku', meaning 'quickly' or 'fast'. The sentence means 'Let's walk a little faster.'
Why other options are incorrect:
軽く (かるく) means 'lightly'.
急く (せく) means 'to hurry' or 'to be impatient', but the kanji is not typically used as an adverb 'hayaku'.
進く is not a standard word. 進む (すすむ) means 'to advance'.
11. わたしは今の生活に<u>まんぞく</u>している。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
満足 (まんぞく) is the correct kanji for 'manzoku', meaning 'satisfaction' or 'contentment'. The sentence means 'I am satisfied with my current life.'
Why other options are incorrect:
満続 is not a standard word. 満 (まん) means 'full', 続 (ぞく) means 'continue'.
万族 is not a standard word. 万 (まん) means 'ten thousand', 族 (ぞく) means 'family/tribe'.
万足 is not a standard word. 足 (そく/あし) means 'foot' or 'sufficient'.
12. 父は腕を<u>くんで</u>何か考えていた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
組んで (くんで) is the correct kanji for 'kunde', which comes from 組む (kumu), meaning 'to cross (arms)', 'to put together', or 'to assemble'. The phrase 腕を組む means 'to cross one's arms'. The sentence means 'My father was thinking about something with his arms crossed.'
Why other options are incorrect:
接んで (つないで) comes from 接ぐ (tsugu), meaning 'to join' or 'to connect'.
折んで (おんで) comes from 折る (oru), meaning 'to fold' or 'to break'.
結んで (むすんで) comes from 結ぶ (musubu), meaning 'to tie' or 'to connect'.
13. この国は主に米を<u>ゆしゅつ</u>している。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
輸出 (ゆしゅつ) is the correct kanji for 'yushutsu', meaning 'export'. The sentence means 'This country mainly exports rice.'
Why other options are incorrect:
諭出 is not a standard word. 諭 (ゆ) means 'to instruct', 出 (しゅつ) means 'to exit'.
輪出 is not a standard word. 輪 (りん) means 'wheel' or 'ring'.
論出 is not a standard word. 論 (ろん) means 'argument' or 'theory'.
14. ちゃんが母親に抱かれて<u>ねむって</u>います。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
眠って (ねむって) is the correct kanji for 'nemutte', which comes from 眠る (nemuru), meaning 'to sleep'. The sentence means 'The child is sleeping, held by their mother.'
Why other options are incorrect:
寝る (ねる) also means 'to sleep', but its te-form is 寝て (ねて), not 寝って.
宿って (やどって) comes from 宿る (yadoru), meaning 'to dwell' or 'to reside'.
眼って is not a standard word. 眼 (がん/め) means 'eye'.
間題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. この紙は、ぬれても破れにくいという( )があります。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
特長 (とくちょう) means 'special feature' or 'characteristic'. The sentence describes a unique quality of the paper (hard to tear when wet), making '特長' the most suitable choice. The sentence means 'This paper has the special feature of being difficult to tear even when wet.'
Why other options are incorrect:
実力 (じつりょく) means 'true ability' or 'real power'. It does not fit the context of describing a paper's quality.
専門 (せんもん) means 'specialty' or 'field of expertise'. It is not used to describe the properties of an object like paper.
主張 (しゅちょう) means 'assertion' or 'claim'. It refers to expressing an opinion, not a physical characteristic.
16. 依さんには、おとなしい( )があるが、本当は活動的な人らしい。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
イメージ (image) refers to an impression or perception. The sentence states that Ms. I has a quiet 'image' but is actually an active person. This fits perfectly. The sentence means 'Ms. I has a quiet image, but it seems she is actually an active person.'
Why other options are incorrect:
ヒント (hint) means 'a clue' or 'a tip'. It does not fit the context of describing a person's perceived personality.
タイル (tile) refers to a building material. It is completely unrelated to the context.
アイディア (idea) means 'a thought' or 'a concept'. It does not fit the context of a person's outward appearance or impression.
17. 正月には親戚が集まって、みんなでテーブルを( ), 楽しく食事をした。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
囲み (かこみ) comes from 囲む (kakomu), meaning 'to surround' or 'to enclose'. When people gather around a table, they 'surround' it. The sentence means 'During New Year's, relatives gathered, and everyone surrounded the table and had a fun meal.'
Why other options are incorrect:
通し (とおし) comes from 通す (toosu), meaning 'to pass through' or 'to let through'. It does not fit the context of people gathering around a table.
包み (つつみ) comes from 包む (tsutsumu), meaning 'to wrap' or 'to cover'. It does not fit the context of people gathering around a table.
越え (こえ) comes from 越える (koeru), meaning 'to cross over' or 'to exceed'. It does not fit the context of people gathering around a table.
18. このレストランの料理はおいしくないので、店内はいつも( )た。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
がらがら (garagara) is an onomatopoeic word meaning 'empty' or 'deserted' (often used for places like shops or trains). Since the food is not delicious, it's natural for the restaurant to be empty. The sentence means 'The food at this restaurant is not delicious, so the inside of the store was always empty.'
Why other options are incorrect:
ふらふら (furafura) means 'dizzy' or 'unsteady'. It describes a person's state, not a place.
ぐっすり (gussuri) means 'soundly' or 'deeply' (used for sleeping). It does not fit the context of a restaurant's emptiness.
うっかり (ukkari) means 'carelessly' or 'by mistake'. It describes an action, not the state of a place.
19. 高田さんが引っ越すという( )を聞いたが、本当かどうか気になる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
うわさ (uwasa) means 'rumor' or 'gossip'. The sentence implies hearing something that might not be true, making 'rumor' the best fit. The sentence means 'I heard a rumor that Mr. Takada is moving, but I'm curious if it's true.'
Why other options are incorrect:
宣伝 (せんでん) means 'advertisement' or 'propaganda'. It does not fit the context of unconfirmed information about a person.
うそ (uso) means 'lie'. While the information might be false, 'rumor' is a more natural fit for unconfirmed news.
冗談 (じょうだん) means 'joke'. It does not fit the context of a piece of news that one is curious about its truthfulness.
20. 父から借りた本をなくしてしまったので謝ったら、父はすぐに( )くれた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
許して (ゆるして) comes from 許す (yurusu), meaning 'to forgive' or 'to permit'. When one apologizes for losing something, the natural response is to be forgiven. The sentence means 'I apologized to my father because I lost the book I borrowed from him, and he immediately forgave me.'
Why other options are incorrect:
従って (したがって) comes from 従う (shitagau), meaning 'to obey' or 'to follow'. It does not fit the context of a response to an apology.
守って (まもって) comes from 守る (mamoru), meaning 'to protect' or 'to keep (a promise)'. It does not fit the context of a response to an apology.
抑えて (おさえて) comes from 抑える (osaeru), meaning 'to suppress' or 'to hold down'. It does not fit the context of a response to an apology.
21. パソコンの前でずっと同じ( )でいたので、体が痛くなった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
姿勢 (しせい) means 'posture' or 'stance'. Maintaining the same posture for a long time, especially in front of a computer, can cause body aches. The sentence means 'My body started to hurt because I was in the same posture in front of the computer for a long time.'
Why other options are incorrect:
様子 (ようす) means 'state' or 'appearance'. While it can describe a situation, 'posture' is more specific and appropriate for physical discomfort.
印象 (いんしょう) means 'impression'. It refers to a mental effect, not a physical position.
閲隔 is not a standard word. 閲 (えつ) means 'to review', 隔 (かく) means 'interval'.
22. 申込書に間違いがないか、よく( )から受付に出した。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
たしかめて (確かめて) comes from 確かめる (tashikameru), meaning 'to confirm' or 'to check'. It is natural to check an application form for errors before submitting it. The sentence means 'I checked the application form carefully for any mistakes before submitting it to the reception.'
Why other options are incorrect:
くりかえして (繰り返して) comes from 繰り返す (kurikaesu), meaning 'to repeat'. It does not fit the context of checking for errors.
気にして (きにして) comes from 気にする (kinisuru), meaning 'to worry about' or 'to care about'. While one might worry about mistakes, 'checking' is the action taken.
見つめて (みつめて) comes from 見つめる (mitsumeru), meaning 'to stare at' or 'to gaze at'. It implies looking intently but not necessarily checking for errors.
23. わたしのふるさとは( )が盛んで、米や野業をたくさん作っています。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
農業 (のうぎょう) means 'agriculture' or 'farming'. The sentence mentions making a lot of rice and vegetables, which are products of agriculture. The sentence means 'Agriculture is thriving in my hometown, and they produce a lot of rice and vegetables.'
Why other options are incorrect:
自然 (しぜん) means 'nature'. While related to farming, 'agriculture' is the specific industry that produces crops.
資源 (しげん) means 'resources'. While rice and vegetables are resources, 'agriculture' is the activity that produces them.
作物 (さくもつ) means 'crops'. While rice and vegetables are crops, 'agriculture' is the industry that is thriving.
24. 水に浮いていた木の葉が、しばらくすると水の中に( )しまった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
しずんで (沈んで) comes from 沈む (shizumu), meaning 'to sink'. It describes an object that was floating and then went down into the water. The sentence means 'The leaf that was floating on the water sank into the water after a while.'
Why other options are incorrect:
ころんで (転んで) comes from 転ぶ (korobu), meaning 'to fall down' or 'to tumble'. It is typically used for people or objects falling on a surface, not sinking in water.
たおれて (倒れて) comes from 倒れる (taoreru), meaning 'to fall over' or 'to collapse'. It is typically used for upright objects falling, not sinking.
おぼれて (溺れて) comes from 溺れる (oboreru), meaning 'to drown'. It is typically used for living beings drowning, not inanimate objects sinking.
25.この話は誰にも言わずに、ずっと( )にしていた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
内緒 (ないしょ) means 'secret'. The phrase '内緒にする' means 'to keep a secret'. This fits the context of not telling anyone. The sentence means 'I kept this story a secret without telling anyone.'
Why other options are incorrect:
裏側 (うらがわ) means 'the back side' or 'the reverse side'. It does not fit the context of keeping information confidential.
後方 (こうほう) means 'rear' or 'behind'. It refers to a physical direction, not a state of secrecy.
中身 (なかみ) means 'contents' or 'inside'. It refers to what is contained within something, not a secret.
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. 水の表面が<u>かがやいて</u>います。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
かがやいて (輝いて) means 'shining' or 'sparkling'. 光って (ひかって) also means 'shining' or 'glowing', making it the closest synonym. The sentence means 'The surface of the water is shining.'
Why other options are incorrect:
止まって (とまって) means 'stopped'.
揺れて (ゆれて) means 'shaking' or 'swaying'.
汚れて (よごれて) means 'dirty' or 'stained'.
27. その知らせを聞いたとき、わたしはとても<u>がっかりした</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
がっかりした (gakkari shita) means 'was disappointed' or 'felt let down'. 残念だと思った (ざんねんだとおもった) means 'thought it was regrettable' or 'felt disappointed', which is the closest in meaning. The sentence means 'When I heard that news, I was very disappointed.'
Why other options are incorrect:
うれしかった (ureshīkatta) means 'was happy'.
驚いた (おどろいた) means 'was surprised'.
安心した (あんしんした) means 'felt relieved'.
28. 留学生活に不安は<u>当然</u>ありました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
当然 (とうぜん) means 'natural', 'as a matter of course', or 'of course'. もちろん (mochiron) also means 'of course' or 'certainly', making it the closest synonym. The sentence means 'Of course, there were anxieties about studying abroad.'
Why other options are incorrect:
いろいろ (iroiro) means 'various' or 'a lot of'.
少し (すこし) means 'a little' or 'a few'.
いつも (itsumo) means 'always'.
29. パーティーの料理が<u>あまりました</u>。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
あまりました (余りました) comes from 余る (amaru), meaning 'to be left over' or 'to be in excess'. 多すぎて残りました (おおすぎてのこりました) means 'there was too much and it was left over', which perfectly matches the meaning. The sentence means 'There was too much food at the party, and it was left over.'
Why other options are incorrect:
少し足りませんでした (すこしたりませんでした) means 'there was a little not enough'.
とてもおいしかったです (totemo oishikatta desu) means 'it was very delicious'.
そんなにおいしくなかったです (sonna ni oishikunakatta desu) means 'it wasn't that delicious'.
30. ここは<u>横断禁止</u>です。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
横断禁止 (おうだんきんし) means 'no crossing' (e.g., a road). 渡ってはいけません (わたってはいけません) means 'you must not cross', which is the direct equivalent. The sentence means 'Crossing is prohibited here.'
Why other options are incorrect:
座ってはいけません (すわってはいけません) means 'you must not sit'.
走ってはいけません (はしってはいけません) means 'you must not run'.
入ってはいけません (はいってはいけません) means 'you must not enter'.
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から一つ選びなさい。
31. 急
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
急に (きゅうに) means 'suddenly' or 'unexpectedly'. Option 3 correctly uses it to describe an unexpected action: 'Someone suddenly jumped out of the room, so I almost bumped into them.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This usage is incorrect. '急にできる' implies something can be done suddenly, but the context of a microwave suggests 'quickly' or 'easily', for which 簡単に (kantan ni) or すぐに (sugu ni) would be more appropriate.
This usage is incorrect. While the action is urgent, '急いで' (isoide - hurriedly) or '大急ぎで' (ōisogi de - in a great hurry) would be more natural for 'hurriedly heading to the station'.
This usage is incorrect. '急に' here implies 'suddenly' or 'unexpectedly', but the speaker's intention is to play the game 'immediately' or 'right away'. すぐに (sugu ni) would be more appropriate.
32. 沸騰
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
沸騰 (ふっとう) means 'boiling' (specifically for liquids). Option 2 correctly uses it in the context of water boiling in a pot: 'When the water in the pot boils, add tofu and slightly lower the heat.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This usage is incorrect. 気温 (きおん: air temperature) does not 'boil'. It 'rises' (上がった) or 'becomes extremely hot' (猛暑になった).
This usage is incorrect. 熱 (ねつ: fever) does not 'boil'. It 'rises' (上がった) or 'becomes high' (高くなった).
This usage is incorrect. A stove does not 'boil' itself. It 'heats up' (温まる) or 'gets hot' (熱くなる) quickly.
33. まげる
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
まげる (曲げる) means 'to bend' or 'to curve'. Option 2 correctly uses it in the context of bending an arm: 'My injury has gotten better, but it still hurts a little when I stretch or bend my arm.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This usage is incorrect. For wrapping a scarf around one's neck, 巻いて (まいて - from 巻く, to wrap) would be appropriate.
This usage is incorrect. For dividing a bread in half, 割って (わって - from 割る, to divide/break) or 分けて (わけて - from 分ける, to share/divide) would be appropriate. まけて (負けて - from 負ける, to lose) or まけて (まけて - from 負ける, to discount) are also possible readings but don't fit.
This usage is incorrect. For folding a shirt, 畳んだら (たたんだら - from 畳む, to fold) would be appropriate.
34. 出張
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
出張 (しゅっちょう) means 'business trip'. Option 1 correctly uses it in the context of traveling for work: 'For sales, I will go on a business trip to America with the section chief for one week next week.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This usage is incorrect. After quitting work, one would go on a 'trip' or 'travel' (旅行 - ryokō), not a 'business trip'.
This usage is incorrect. For going to the company every morning, 出勤 (しゅっきん - going to work) or 行く (iku - to go) would be appropriate, not 'business trip'.
This usage is incorrect. For attending a child's sports day, 出席 (しゅっせき - attendance) or 行く (iku - to go) would be appropriate, not 'business trip'.
35. 慰める
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
慰める (なぐさめる) means 'to comfort' or 'to console'. Option 3 correctly uses it in the context of comforting someone who failed: 'I failed at work, but my friend comforted me, so I felt better.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This usage is incorrect. For using old things carefully for a long time, 大切に (taisetsu ni - carefully/cherishingly) or 愛用して (aiyō shite - using habitually/with affection) would be appropriate.
This usage is incorrect. For cheering on athletes hoping for victory, 応援した (ōen shita - cheered for) would be appropriate, not 'comforted'.
This usage is incorrect. For celebrating a success, 祝った (iwatta - celebrated) would be appropriate, not 'comforted'.