- What is the chef's main point about meat selection in this recipe?
Answer: Beef is the standard choice in the Kansai region, though pork can also be used as a substitute in this dish.
When reading or listening to Japanese passages, pay close attention to contrast markers like 「でも」("even/also") and regional qualifiers like 「〜では」("in the region of ~"). These signal important nuances about exceptions or regional preferences — exactly what this question tests.
The chef says: 「お肉は豚肉でも作れますが、関西では牛肉が一般的です。」 Breaking this down: 「豚肉でも作れます」means "it can also be made with pork," and 「関西では牛肉が一般的です」means "beef is common/standard in the Kansai region." The 「〜ますが」structure connects two ideas with a soft contrast — pork is possible, but beef is the Kansai norm. This makes A the correct answer, as it accurately captures both points.
B is wrong because the chef never claims pork is traditional or dominant throughout all of Japan — quite the opposite. Pork is presented as an alternative, not the standard. C is incorrect because the recipe uses only beef (「牛肉を炒めて」), and there is no mention of combining both meats. D is a trap — the chef never says pork negatively affects the broth or that beef must be used exclusively; in fact, pork is offered as a valid substitute.
A useful strategy: when Japanese passages discuss regional customs or ingredient alternatives, the answer will almost always require you to respect both parts of the contrast statement. Don't over-generalize one clause while ignoring the other — that's the most common trap here.
- Tanaka-san listens to this message in the afternoon. What are the two most critical actions Tanaka-san must take based on this message?
Answer: Send the presentation materials by email today, and attend tomorrow's meeting at 10:00 AM in Conference Room 3.
When listening to Japanese audio messages, your job is to extract specific action items — particularly anything involving time, location, or deadlines. This message contains two distinct instructions for Tanaka-san, and you need to identify both accurately.
Yamada's message tells us three things: (1) the meeting time changed from 2:00 PM to 10:00 AM (「午後2時を午前10時に変更する」), (2) the location remains Conference Room 3 (「場所は変わらず第3会議室」), and (3) presentation materials must be emailed by the day before the meeting — and since Tanaka is listening in the afternoon on the day prior, that means today (「今日中に送る必要があります」). Answer B correctly captures both critical actions: send materials by email today, and attend tomorrow's meeting at 10:00 AM in Conference Room 3.
Answer A fails on two counts — there is no mention of confirming the room with the manager (the room didn't change), and the deadline for materials is today, not before 2:00 PM tomorrow. Answer C is entirely fabricated — Tanaka-san is not asked to reschedule anything or notify participants; Yamada is simply relaying the manager's change. Answer D uses the old meeting time of 2:00 PM, which is exactly the change being communicated, and mentions printed copies when the message specifically says to send materials by email (「メールで送ってほしい」).
A useful habit: when reviewing Japanese listening passages, mentally flag 「変更」 (change), 「までに」 (by/deadline), and 「つまり」 (in other words) — these signal the most testable details.
- Based on the station announcement, what is the main message passengers need to understand?
Answer: The Tōkaidō Line has stopped running due to strong winds, and passengers should use the Ginza Subway Line as an alternative until further notice.
When listening to Japanese train announcements, your goal is to extract four key pieces of information: what happened, why it happened, what the alternative is, and when service resumes. Announcements follow a predictable formal structure, so recognizing key phrases will guide your comprehension.
The announcement states 「東海道線は強風の影響により、運転を見合わせております」— the Tōkaidō Line has suspended service (見合わせる = to suspend/hold off) due to strong winds (強風). It then offers 「振替輸送として、地下鉄銀座線をご利用ください」— use the Ginza Subway Line as alternative transport (振替輸送 = replacement/alternative transportation). Critically, 「運転再開の見通しは立っておりません」means there is no prospect of resuming service — resumption is unknown. This confirms A as correct: the line is stopped, an alternative is provided, and no resumption time is given.
B is wrong because it claims service resumes at 3:00 PM — the opposite is true. 3:00 PM is when the suspension began, and no restart time is mentioned. C is wrong because only the Tōkaidō Line is suspended; the Ginza Subway Line is explicitly available, not closed. D completely reverses the situation — it incorrectly states the Ginza Line is closed, when in fact it is the recommended alternative.
A helpful study tip: memorize key station announcement vocabulary like 見合わせ (suspension), 振替輸送 (alternative transport), and 見通しは立っておりません (no timeline yet). These phrases appear frequently on listening comprehension sections and signal critical information about transit disruptions.
- What tension does the video mainly highlight about Arashiyama as a tourist destination?
Answer: The area's growing popularity has led to overcrowding that disrupts local residents, resulting in some zones being restricted from tourist access.
When reading a Japanese passage about tourism, focus on identifying the central conflict the narrator emphasizes — not just the attractive features of a place, but any problems or consequences mentioned alongside them.
The passage describes Arashiyama's appeal (the bamboo path and Togetsukyo Bridge), but then shifts with the key word 「ただし」("however"), signaling a contrast. The problem stated is 「観光客が増えすぎて、地元住民への迷惑が問題になっています」— tourists have increased too much, causing trouble for local residents. The consequence is that some areas have begun establishing zones where tourists cannot enter (「立ち入ることができない区域」). This directly matches C: overcrowding disrupts locals, leading to restricted zones. That is the core tension the video highlights.
A is a trap — the passage never mentions anything about tourists failing to spend money at local shops. Financial struggles of businesses are completely absent from the text. B tempts you because the bamboo grove is mentioned, but the passage says nothing about permanent environmental damage to nature — the concern is specifically about inconvenience to residents, not ecological harm. D goes far beyond what the passage states. The video describes some zones being restricted, not a plan to close Arashiyama entirely or convert it back into a purely residential neighborhood.
As a strategy, train yourself to spot contrast markers like 「ただし」、「しかし」、or 「そのため」in Japanese passages — they almost always signal the main point the author wants to make, which is often what reading comprehension questions target.
- Based on the documentary, what is the primary purpose of the fires lit during the Obon festival, and when are they each used?
Answer: A welcoming fire (迎え火) is lit on the first day to guide ancestral spirits home, and a sending fire (送り火) is lit on the final day to see the spirits off.
When reading a Japanese passage about cultural practices, pay close attention to sequence words like 初日 (first day) and 最終日 (final day), as these signal the correct order of events — which is exactly what this question tests.
The passage states clearly: 「お盆の初日に迎え火を焚いたりします。そして最終日には送り火を焚いて、霊を送り出します。」 This tells you that the 迎え火 (welcoming fire) is lit on the first day to guide ancestral spirits back home, and the 送り火 (sending fire) is lit on the final day to see those spirits off. The kanji themselves are helpful clues — 迎え means "to welcome/receive," and 送り means "to send off." Answer B matches this exactly and captures both the purpose and timing correctly.
A is a reversal trap — it swaps the two fires, assigning 送り火 to the first day and 迎え火 to the last. This is a common trick that tests whether you actually read carefully rather than just recognizing vocabulary. C is incorrect because the passage never says both fires are lit on the same day; they are explicitly on opposite ends of the festival. D introduces the idea of "regional customs" determining timing, but the passage describes a fixed, specific schedule — this answer fabricates details not found in the text.
As a study strategy, always use kanji meanings as internal clues. 迎え (welcome) and 送り (send off) logically map to beginning and end — let the characters guide you when the passage details feel overwhelming.
- According to the video, which behavior would be considered disrespectful during a business card exchange in Japan?
Answer: Writing notes on the business card or folding it, as these actions are considered highly disrespectful to the card's owner.
When reading a Japanese cultural passage, your job is to match specific details in the text to the answer choices — especially when the passage lists explicit rules or prohibitions.
The passage clearly states: 「名刺に書き込んだり、折ったりすることは大変失礼にあたります」— meaning writing on or folding a business card is considered highly disrespectful. This directly confirms A as the correct answer. The phrase 「大変失礼にあたります」("is extremely rude") leaves no ambiguity, making A a near word-for-word match with the passage.
The distractors are designed to flip the passage's actual guidance, so watch for that trap. B is incorrect because the passage actually recommends placing cards on the table during meetings (「テーブルの上に名刺を並べておくのが一般的です」), not avoiding it. C is wrong because the passage explicitly says to receive cards with both hands (「両手で持ち」), which is the respectful behavior — the answer choice inverts this. D is similarly backwards: carefully reading the card before storing it (「しっかりと読んでから丁寧にしまいましょう」) is encouraged, not considered rude.
Notice a pattern: B, C, and D all take correct behaviors described in the passage and reframe them as disrespectful — a classic trap in reading comprehension questions. Your strategy is to underline or mentally flag each action the passage describes as good or bad before looking at the choices. That way, you're matching evidence to answers rather than relying on general assumptions about Japanese culture.
- What is the main conclusion that can be drawn from this news report about this summer's heat?
Answer: Higher temperatures this summer led to a significant rise in heat-related emergency cases, and experts recommend specific precautions especially for vulnerable groups.
When answering Japanese listening comprehension questions, your goal is to identify what the passage actually states versus what sounds plausible but goes beyond the text. This question tests whether you can distinguish accurate summarization from exaggeration or misrepresentation.
The passage tells you three key things: temperatures this summer are 2°C higher than usual (例年に比べて2度高く), heat-related emergency transports reached 1.5 times last year's number (去年の1.5倍), and experts recommend hydration, avoiding direct sunlight, and limiting outdoor activity for vulnerable groups to early morning or evening. Choice D captures all of this accurately — higher temperatures caused a significant rise in emergencies, and experts offer targeted advice for vulnerable populations. That makes D the correct answer.
Choice A overclaims by saying temperatures are "the highest ever recorded" (過去最高) and that emergency services are "overwhelmed across the country" — neither detail appears anywhere in the report. Choice B introduces a false cause: the passage never says people are ignoring hydration guidelines; it simply states the number of cases increased. Assigning blame not found in the source text is a classic distractor trap. Choice C distorts the expert recommendation — the passage says outdoor activity should be limited to early morning or evening, not avoided entirely. This is a subtle but important difference that the passage makes clear.
A key strategy for these questions: watch for absolute language like "highest ever," "doubled," or "entirely." Japanese news reports tend to be precise, and distractors often exaggerate or add unsupported causes. Always return to what the passage explicitly says (発表によると、専門家は述べています) rather than what seems logical.
- Based on the podcast, what would be the correct sequence of footwear changes for a guest entering a traditional Japanese home and then visiting the tatami room and the toilet?
Answer: Remove outdoor shoes at the genkan and put on slippers; remove slippers when entering the tatami room; change to toilet slippers before entering the toilet.
When reading Japanese passages about cultural practices, focus on identifying the sequence of actions described — especially transitional phrases like 「しかし」(however) and 「また」(also), which signal additional rules or exceptions.
The passage describes a layered system of footwear in traditional Japanese homes. First, you remove outdoor shoes at the 玄関 (げんかん, genkan) — the entryway with a raised step marking the boundary between outside and inside — and put on slippers. This is described clearly: 「靴を脱いで、スリッパに履き替えます」(remove shoes and change into slippers). Then, the passage introduces an exception with 「しかし」: when entering a 畳 (たたみ, tatami) room, slippers must also be removed — 「スリッパも脱がなければなりません」. Finally, 「また」introduces another rule: there are often dedicated toilet slippers used only in the bathroom. This three-step sequence matches answer C exactly.
Answer A is wrong because shoes are removed at the genkan, not at the tatami room — the passage is explicit about this. Answer B incorrectly claims guests walk barefoot throughout the house; slippers are worn in non-tatami areas. Answer D contradicts the passage directly by suggesting slippers are kept on everywhere — this ignores both the tatami room rule and the separate toilet slipper system.
As a study tip, when Japanese listening or reading questions involve procedures or customs, mentally map each step as you process the text. Transition words like 「しかし」and 「また」almost always signal information that exam questions will test directly.
- A student watches this video and then encounters a situation where they must describe their own action politely to a customer. Which type of keigo, according to the video, should they use?
Answer: Kenjōgo (謙譲語), because this form is used to lower the speaker's own actions when addressing someone of higher status.
When dealing with keigo (敬語), the key is understanding whose actions each form describes. The video draws a clear distinction: 尊敬語 elevates the other person's actions, while 謙譲語 lowers your own actions. Keeping this subject-action pairing in mind will unlock most keigo questions.
In this scenario, you need to describe your own action politely to a customer — someone of higher social standing in a business context. The video explicitly states that 謙譲語 is used to humble the speaker's own actions (「自分の行動を低める」). By lowering yourself, you indirectly elevate the customer, which is the appropriate dynamic in Japanese business culture. That makes D correct.
A is wrong on two levels: ため口 is reserved for friends and family (「友達や家族には普通体」), and using it with a customer would be considered rude — the video even warns that using the wrong form can be disrespectful (「失礼になることがある」).
B confuses the direction of 尊敬語. This form elevates the other person's actions, not your own. Using it to describe something you are doing would be the exact mistake the video cautions against.
C misapplies both forms to the customer's side of the conversation. 謙譲語 always applies to the speaker's actions, not the listener's — mixing them up this way reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the system.
A reliable memory trick: 尊敬語 = raise them up, 謙譲語 = bring yourself down. Always ask "whose action is being described?" before choosing.
- A listener hears this radio announcement on Friday evening. If it rains on Sunday, what should the listener correctly expect?
Answer: The food stalls will still operate on Sunday, but the traditional dance performances will be cancelled for that day.
When listening to Japanese announcements, pay close attention to conditional phrases introduced by words like 「ただし」("however/but") and structures like 「〜の場合」("in the case of ~"). These signal exceptions or special conditions that override the general information stated earlier — and exam questions frequently test whether you caught these details.
The announcement states the general schedule, then adds: 「ただし、雨天の場合、屋台のみ開催し、ダンスのパフォーマンスは中止となります」— meaning "However, in the case of rain, only the food stalls will operate, and the dance performances will be cancelled." The key word here is 「のみ」("only"), which confirms that food stalls will continue, while dance performances will not. Since Sunday is part of the event and rain is the given condition, A is the correct answer — the food stalls continue, but the dances are cancelled on that day.
B is wrong because the announcement never says the entire event is cancelled due to rain — only the dance performances are. C introduces the idea of moving events indoors or to covered areas, but the announcement says nothing remotely like this; don't invent details that aren't stated. D is incorrect because there is no mention of shortened hours or a reduced number of food stalls under rainy conditions.
A useful strategy: in listening comprehension questions, the correct answer often hinges on a single conditional sentence near the end of the passage. Train yourself to stay especially alert after 「ただし」or 「ただ」— these words almost always introduce the detail that the question will test.
