2019/12 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。
1０時に<u>予約</u>をお願いします。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
予約 (よやく) is the correct reading for the kanji, which means 'reservation' or 'appointment'. The sentence means 'Please make a reservation for 10 o'clock.'
Why other options are incorrect:
This reading (ようやく) means 'at last' or 'finally', which does not fit the kanji 予約.
This is an incorrect reading for 予約.
This is an incorrect reading for 予約.
<u>若かった</u>
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
若かった (わかかった) is the past tense of 若い (わかい), meaning 'young'. So, 若かった means 'was young'.
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the past tense of 悪い (わるい), meaning 'was bad'.
This is the past tense of 寒い (さむい), meaning 'was cold'.
This is the past tense of 怖い (こわい), meaning 'was scary' or 恐い (こわい) meaning 'was afraid'.
<u>上品</u>な人ですね。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
上品 (じょうひん) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'elegant' or 'refined'. The sentence means 'They are an elegant person, aren't they?'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 上品.
This is an incorrect reading for 上品.
This is an incorrect reading for 上品.
山田さんに<u>助けて</u>もらった
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
助けて (たすけて) is the te-form of 助ける (たすける), meaning 'to help' or 'to save'. The sentence means 'Mr. Yamada helped me'.
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the te-form of 届ける (とどける), meaning 'to deliver'.
This is the te-form of 受ける (うける), meaning 'to receive'.
This is the te-form of 片付ける (かたづける), meaning 'to tidy up' or 'to put in order'.
<u>未来</u>を考えてみる
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
未来 (みらい) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'future'. The sentence means 'Try thinking about the future'.
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 未来.
This is the reading for 将来 (しょうらい), which also means 'future', but uses different kanji.
This is an incorrect reading for 未来.
この電車は<u>各駅</u>に止まります
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
各駅 (かくえき) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'every station' or 'local (train)'. The sentence means 'This train stops at every station'.
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 各駅.
This is an incorrect reading for 各駅.
This is an incorrect reading for 各駅.
誰が<u>勝った</u>んですか？
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
勝った (かった) is the past tense of 勝つ (かつ), meaning 'to win'. The sentence means 'Who won?'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is the past tense of 飾る (かざる), meaning 'to decorate'.
This is the past tense of 折る (おる), meaning 'to break' or 'to fold'.
This is the past tense of 残る (のこる), meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left over'.
彼に初めて会ったときの<u>印象</u>はどうでしたか？
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
印象 (いんしょう) is the correct reading for the kanji, meaning 'impression'. The sentence means 'What was your impression when you first met him?'
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect reading for 印象.
This is an incorrect reading for 印象.
This is the reading for 人相 (にんそう), meaning 'facial features' or 'physiognomy', which is a different word.
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。
<u>りゆう</u>はよくわかりません。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
理由 (りゆう) is the correct kanji for 'reason' or 'cause'. The sentence means 'I don't quite understand the reason'.
Why other options are incorrect:
This combination of kanji is not a standard word for 'reason'.
This combination of kanji is not a standard word for 'reason'.
自由 (じゆう) means 'freedom' or 'liberty', which has a different meaning and reading.
この<u>しま</u>には、初めて来ました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
島 (しま) is the correct kanji for 'island'. The sentence means 'This is my first time coming to this island'.
Why other options are incorrect:
寺 (てら) means 'temple'.
村 (むら) means 'village'.
庭 (にわ) means 'garden'.
卒業の<u>きねん</u>に写真を撮りました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
記念 (きねん) is the correct kanji for 'commemoration' or 'memory'. The sentence means 'I took a photo to commemorate my graduation'.
Why other options are incorrect:
This combination of kanji is not a standard word.
祈念 (きねん) means 'prayer' or 'earnest wish', which has a different meaning.
This combination of kanji is not a standard word.
これが<u>いっぱんてき</u>な方法です。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
一般的 (いっぱんてき) is the correct kanji for 'general' or 'common'. The sentence means 'This is a common method'.
Why other options are incorrect:
一方的 (いっぽうてき) means 'one-sided'.
This combination of kanji is not a standard word.
This combination of kanji is not a standard word.
今日も<u>かならず</u>行きます。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
必ず (かならず) is the correct kanji for 'surely' or 'without fail'. The sentence means 'I will definitely go today too'.
Why other options are incorrect:
This is an incorrect kanji writing for かならず.
This combination of kanji is not a standard word.
This combination of kanji is not a standard word.
効果が<u>あらわれた</u>ようですよ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
現れた (あらわれた) is the correct kanji and form for the past tense of 現れる (あらわれる), meaning 'to appear' or 'to emerge'. The sentence means 'It seems the effect has appeared'.
Why other options are incorrect:
改れる (あらためる) means 'to change' or 'to reform', but the past tense form is 改めた. This is an incorrect kanji or form.
表れる (あらわれる) also means 'to appear' or 'to express', but the correct past tense form is 表れた. This option is missing the full hiragana.
This is an incorrect form of 現れる.
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。
おじさんの会社を（ ）するつもりだ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
就職 (しゅうしょく) means 'finding employment' or 'getting a job'. '就職する' means 'to get a job'. The sentence means 'I intend to get a job at my uncle's company'.
Why other options are incorrect:
登場 (とうじょう) means 'appearance' or 'entry (on stage)'. It doesn't fit the context of getting a job at a company.
進行 (しんこう) means 'progress' or 'advance'. It doesn't fit the context of getting a job at a company.
同席 (どうせき) means 'sitting together' or 'attending together'. It doesn't fit the context of getting a job at a company.
この店の帽子は全部私が色や形などの（ ）を考えています。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
デザイン (dezain) means 'design'. The sentence means 'I am thinking about the design, such as the colors and shapes, for all the hats in this shop'.
Why other options are incorrect:
レシピ (reshipi) means 'recipe'. It's unrelated to hats.
サイン (sain) means 'sign' or 'signature'. It's unrelated to hat creation.
ミックス (mikkusu) means 'mix'. While colors can be mixed, 'design' is the overarching concept for colors and shapes.
申し込みの（ ）は来週の月曜日ですから、それまでに申込書を出してください。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
締め切り (しめきり) means 'deadline'. The sentence means 'The deadline for applications is next Monday, so please submit the application form by then'.
Why other options are incorrect:
あて先 (あてさき) means 'destination' or 'address'. It refers to where something is sent, not a time limit.
合図 (あいず) means 'signal' or 'sign'. It's unrelated to application deadlines.
合計 (ごうけい) means 'total' or 'sum'. It's unrelated to application deadlines.
英語で会議をするときは、英語がわかる佐藤さんが英語を日本語に（ ）してくれる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
通訳 (つうやく) means 'interpretation'. '通訳してくれる' means 'to interpret for someone'. The sentence means 'When we have meetings in English, Mr. Sato, who understands English, interprets from English to Japanese for us'.
Why other options are incorrect:
案内 (あんない) means 'guidance' or 'information'. It's about showing the way or providing information, not language conversion.
伝言 (でんごん) means 'message' or 'verbal message'. It's about relaying a message, not interpreting a conversation.
連絡 (れんらく) means 'contact' or 'communication'. It's about getting in touch, not interpreting.
部屋の電気が（ ）消えて、驚いた。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
突然 (とつぜん) means 'suddenly' or 'abruptly'. The sentence means 'The lights in the room suddenly went out, and I was surprised'.
Why other options are incorrect:
急いで (いそいで) means 'hurriedly' or 'in a hurry'. It describes an action, not a sudden event.
結構 (けっこう) means 'quite' or 'fairly' (as an adverb), or 'fine'/'splendid' (as a na-adjective). It doesn't fit the context of something happening unexpectedly.
庭 (にわ) means 'garden'. This is a noun and completely irrelevant.
誰も木村さんはうそをついていると思うが、私は彼が言ったことを（ ）。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
信じます (しんじます) is the polite form of 信じる (しんじる), meaning 'to believe'. The sentence means 'Everyone thinks Mr. Kimura is lying, but I believe what he said'.
Why other options are incorrect:
手伝います (てつだいます) is the polite form of 手伝う (てつだう), meaning 'to help'. It doesn't fit the context of believing someone's words.
褒めます (ほめます) is the polite form of 褒める (ほめる), meaning 'to praise'. It doesn't fit the context of believing someone's words.
守ります (まもります) is the polite form of 守る (まもる), meaning 'to protect' or 'to keep (a promise)'. It doesn't fit the context of believing someone's words.
このホテル慎重に清掃されているために部屋はとても（ ）だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
清潔 (せいけつ) means 'clean' or 'hygienic'. The sentence means 'Because this hotel is carefully cleaned, the rooms are very clean'.
Why other options are incorrect:
新鮮 (しんせん) means 'fresh' (e.g., food, air). It's not typically used for rooms.
正常 (せいじょう) means 'normal' or 'regular'. It describes a state of being, not cleanliness.
丁寧 (ていねい) means 'polite' or 'careful'. It describes the manner of cleaning, not the state of the room itself.
仕事で遅くなってしまい、今日はご飯を作るのが（ ）ので、お弁当を買うことをしました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
面倒臭い (めんどうくさい) means 'troublesome' or 'a bother'. The sentence means 'I got home late from work, so making dinner today would be a bother, so I decided to buy a bento'.
Why other options are incorrect:
にくらしい (憎らしい) means 'hateful' or 'detestable'. It describes a feeling towards something, not a task being bothersome.
だらしない means 'sloppy' or 'untidy'. It describes a person's character or appearance, not a task.
しょうがない (仕方がない) means 'it can't be helped' or 'there's nothing to be done'. While it expresses resignation, '面倒臭い' directly describes the task as bothersome, which leads to the decision.
みんなの前でスピ－チをしたときは、緊張して胸が（ ）しました。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
どきどき (dokidoki) is an onomatopoeia describing a pounding heart, often due to nervousness or excitement. The sentence means 'When I gave a speech in front of everyone, I was so nervous that my heart was pounding'.
Why other options are incorrect:
こんこん (konkon) describes a knocking sound or a deep cough.
だぶだぶ (dabudabu) describes something baggy or loose-fitting (clothes) or excess liquid.
ちかちか (chikachika) describes flickering lights or a stinging sensation in the eyes.
とても暑かったので、スーパーで買ったアイスクリームが家に着く前に（ ）しまった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
とけて (tokete) is the te-form of 溶ける (とける), meaning 'to melt'. The sentence means 'It was very hot, so the ice cream I bought at the supermarket melted before I got home'.
Why other options are incorrect:
もえて (moete) is the te-form of 燃える (もえる), meaning 'to burn'.
さめて (samete) is the te-form of 冷める (さめる), meaning 'to cool down' (intransitive), or 覚める (さめる), meaning 'to wake up'.
かれて (karete) is the te-form of 枯れる (かれる), meaning 'to wither' or 'to dry up'.
アパートの鍵をなくしてしまったので、大家さんに（ ）を話して、鍵を開けてもらった。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
事情 (じじょう) means 'circumstances' or 'situation'. The sentence means 'I lost my apartment key, so I explained the situation to the landlord and had them open the door'.
Why other options are incorrect:
秘密 (ひみつ) means 'secret'. While losing a key might be personal, it's not typically referred to as a 'secret' in this context.
歴史 (れきし) means 'history'. It's completely irrelevant.
具合 (ぐあい) means 'condition' or 'state'. While it can refer to a state of things, '事情' is more appropriate for explaining the circumstances of an event.
問題4：___に意味が最も近いものを、1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。
鈴木さんへ<u>感謝</u>の手紙を送った。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
感謝 (かんしゃ) means 'gratitude' or 'thanks'. お礼 (おれい) means 'thanks' or 'expression of gratitude', making it the closest synonym. The sentence means 'I sent a letter of thanks to Mr. Suzuki'.
Why other options are incorrect:
お願い (おねがい) means 'request' or 'favor'.
お見舞い (おみまい) means 'visiting a sick person' or 'sympathy call'.
お知らせ (おしらせ) means 'notice' or 'announcement'.
子どもたちは<u>キッチン</u>にいます。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
キッチン (kitchen) is a loanword. 台所 (だいどころ) is the traditional Japanese word for 'kitchen', making it the direct synonym. The sentence means 'The children are in the kitchen'.
Why other options are incorrect:
廊下 (ろうか) means 'corridor' or 'hallway'.
居間 (いま) means 'living room'.
玄関 (げんかん) means 'entrance' or 'foyer'.
<u> 不安な</u>ので、私は行かないことにした。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
不安な (ふあんな) means 'anxious' or 'uneasy'. 心配な (しんぱいな) means 'worried' or 'anxious', making it the closest synonym. The sentence means 'Because I was anxious, I decided not to go'.
Why other options are incorrect:
時間がない (じかんがない) means 'no time'.
お金がない (おかねがない) means 'no money'.
危険な (きけんな) means 'dangerous'.
おなかが<u>ぺこぺこ</u>だ。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ぺこぺこ (pekopeko) is an onomatopoeia describing the sound or feeling of an empty stomach, meaning 'very hungry'. すいている (すいている) means 'empty' or 'hungry' (when referring to the stomach). The sentence means 'My stomach is rumbling (I'm very hungry)'.
Why other options are incorrect:
痛い (いたい) means 'painful'.
かゆい (kayui) means 'itchy'.
いっぱい (ippai) means 'full' or 'a lot', which is the opposite of ぺこぺこ.
兄は<u>黙って</u>ずっと漫画を読んでいる。
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
黙って (だまって) is the te-form of 黙る (だまる), meaning 'to be silent' or 'to keep quiet'. 何も話さないで (なにもはなさないで) means 'without saying anything', which is the closest in meaning. The sentence means 'My older brother is silently reading manga all the time'.
Why other options are incorrect:
何も食べないで (なにもたべないで) means 'without eating anything'.
勉強しないで (べんきょうしないで) means 'without studying'.
寝ないで (ねないで) means 'without sleeping'.
問題5： つぎ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。
健康
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
健康 (けんこう) means 'health' or 'healthy'. Option 2 uses it correctly to describe a person's physical state: 'My grandfather exercises every day, so he has been very healthy until now'.
Why other options are incorrect:
Incorrect. 成績 (せいせき: grades) cannot be 健康. You would use something like 良い (よい: good) or 上がった (あがった: improved).
Incorrect. ビル (biru: building) cannot be 健康. You would use 丈夫 (じょうぶ: sturdy) or 頑丈 (がんじょう: robust).
Incorrect. パソコン (pasokon: computer) cannot be 健康. You would use 調子がいい/悪い (ちょうしがいい/わるい: in good/bad condition) or 故障 (こしょう: broken).
参加
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
参加 (さんか) means 'participation' or 'to participate'. Option 1 uses it correctly: 'Will Mr. Takahashi participate in the upcoming study abroad seminar?'
Why other options are incorrect:
Incorrect. You don't 'participate' in a forest; you would use 入る (はいる: enter) or 行く (いく: go).
Incorrect. You don't 'participate' in a traffic jam; you would use 巻き込まれる (まきこまれる: get caught in) or はまる (hamaru: get stuck in).
Incorrect. A cat doesn't 'participate' in a family; you would use 加わる (くわわる: join) or 仲間入りする (なかまいりする: become a member).
中旬
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
中旬 (ちゅうじゅん) refers to the 'middle ten days of a month' (e.g., 11th to 20th). Option 3 uses it correctly: 'I plan to return to my home country in the middle of next month'.
Why other options are incorrect:
Incorrect. 中旬 refers to a period of time, not a physical location like the middle of a bookshelf. You would use 真ん中 (まんなか: middle) or 中央 (ちゅうおう: center).
Incorrect. 中旬 refers to a period within a month, not the middle of a game. You would use 途中 (とちゅう: midway) or 中盤 (ちゅうばん: middle stage).
Incorrect. 中旬 refers to a period within a month, not a position among siblings. You would use 真ん中 (まんなか: middle) or 真ん中の子 (まんなかのこ: middle child).
落ち着く
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
落ち着く (おちつく) means 'to calm down', 'to settle down', or 'to feel at ease'. Option 3 uses it correctly to describe a feeling: 'When I listen to my favorite music, I feel calm'.
Why other options are incorrect:
Incorrect. People don't 'calmly gather' in front of a popular store; they 'line up' (並んでいる: ならんでいる) or 'are waiting' (待っている: まっている).
Incorrect. Books don't 'calmly settle' on the floor; they 'are placed' (置かれている: おかれている) or 'are left' (置きっぱなしになっている: おきっぱなしになっている).
Incorrect. Garbage doesn't 'calmly settle' on the road; it 'is scattered' (散らばっている: ちらばっている) or 'is left' (落ちている: おちている).
ほえる
Detailed Explanation
Why this is correct:
ほえる (hoeru) means 'to bark' (for a dog), 'to roar' (for a lion), or 'to howl' (for a wolf). Option 2 uses it correctly for a dog: 'When night comes, my neighbor's dog barks, and it's noisy'.
Why other options are incorrect:
Incorrect. Birds don't 'bark'; they 'sing' (鳴いている: ないている) or 'chirp' (さえずっている: saezutteiru).
Incorrect. An alarm clock doesn't 'bark'; it 'rings' (鳴る: なる) or 'sounds' (鳴る: なる).
Incorrect. Music doesn't 'bark'; it 'plays' (流れている: ながれている) or 'is loud' (鳴り響いている: なりひびいている).