Lesson 10 満員電車 Practice
Part 1: Choosing the grammar form
Q1
ブレーキの音が聞こえた 、突然トラックが店に飛び込んできた。
Related grammar point 8 乗客が降りたかと思うと
ブレーキの音が聞こえたかと思ったら、突然トラックが店に飛び込んできた。
No sooner had I heard the screech of brakes than the truck suddenly crashed into the store.
1かと思ったら ✓
Correct. かと思ったら: Lesson point ⑧; it means "no sooner had ... than (unexpectedly) ..." and stresses a sudden change in the situation: "No sooner had I heard the screech of brakes than the truck plowed in."
2かのように
かのように: means "as if ..."; this does not fit a context of something happening suddenly.
3といっても
といっても: means "even though ... (it is said)"; this does not fit the context of a sudden turn of events in this sentence.
4からといって
からといって: means "just because ... (that doesn't mean ...)"; this does not fit the context.
Q2
同じ失敗はくり返す と思っていても、ついやってしまうのが人間だ。
Related grammar point 2 ストレスを感じない人はいるまい
同じ失敗はくり返すまいと思っていても、ついやってしまうのが人間だ。
Even when we are determined not to repeat the same mistake, we end up doing it anyway; that's human nature.
1ことだ
ことだ: gives advice meaning "you should ..."; this does not fit the context of "thinking (I won't make the mistake again)".
2にすぎない
にすぎない: means "it is merely ..."; this does not fit the context.
3まい ✓
Correct. まい: Lesson point ② (the additional usage); in 「〜まいと思う」 it expresses strong resolve, "I will not ...": "even though you are determined not to repeat the same mistake".
4まいか
まいか: mostly appears in fixed expressions of conjecture such as 「〜ではあるまいか」; used alone, it does not fit the context here.
Q3
入学以来成績がトップだった彼は、今回のテストで2位になって人生が終わってしまった 落ち込んでいる。
入学以来成績がトップだった彼は、今回のテストで2位になって人生が終わってしまったかのように落ち込んでいる。
He had been first in his grade ever since he entered school, but when he dropped to second place in this exam, he sank into gloom as if his life were over.
1かと思うと
かと思うと: means "no sooner had ... than ..."; this does not fit the context of a simile like "gloomy as if ...".
2かのように ✓
Correct. かのように: means "as if ...": "gloomy as if his life had ended".
3限り
限り: means "as long as ..."; this does not fit the context.
4わりに
わりに: Lesson point ④; it means "despite ... (compared with the expected degree)"; this does not fit the context of a simile here.
Q4
梅を見に行ったが、名所と言われている 、梅の木が少なくてがっかりした。
Related grammar point 4 混んでいるわりには
梅を見に行ったが、名所と言われているわりには、梅の木が少なくてがっかりした。
I went to see the plum blossoms, but even though it's a famous plum-viewing spot, there were few plum trees, which was disappointing.
1につけ
につけ: Lesson point ③; it means "every time ..."; this does not fit the contrasting context here of "although it's a famous spot ...".
2ばかりでなく
ばかりでなく: means "not only ... but also ..."; this does not fit a contrasting context.
3だけあって
だけあって: means "as you'd expect from ..."; this is the opposite of the gap in expectations in "a famous spot, yet disappointing".
4わりには ✓
Correct. わりには: Lesson point ④; it means "despite ... (compared with the expected degree)": "few plum trees for a famous plum-viewing spot"; the sense of a gap fits.
Part 2: Building sentences
Put the 4 options into slots 1–4 in order, then pick the one that lands in the ★ slot.
Q1
お茶のいれ方など、12★4と思っていたが、きちんとした方法は意外に知らない人が多くて驚いた。
Related grammar point 2 ストレスを感じない人はいるまい
お茶のいれ方など、1知らない2人は3★いる4まいと思っていたが、きちんとした方法は意外に知らない人が多くて驚いた。
Order: 4 → 1 → 3 → 2 ★ = option 3
I assumed that nobody would be unaware of things like how to brew tea, but I was surprised that many people actually don't know the proper method.
How the sentence is built
First connect 「知らない」 and 「人は」 to form the subject "a person who doesn't know ...", then 「いる」; the ★ falls on 「いる」, and the sentence ends with 「まい」 (lesson point ②, "probably won't ..."). Full sentence: お茶のいれ方など、知らない 人は いる★ まい と思っていたが、きちんとした方法は意外に知らない人が多くて驚いた。
Q2
彼は他人に12★4ので、みんなに嫌がられている。
Related grammar point 4 混んでいるわりには
彼は他人に1厳しい2わりに3★自分に4甘いので、みんなに嫌がられている。
Order: 2 → 4 → 3 → 1 ★ = option 3
He is strict with others but easy on himself, so everyone dislikes him.
How the sentence is built
First connect 「厳しい」, then 「わりに」 (lesson point ④, "despite ..."); the ★ falls on 「自分に」 after 「わりに」, and the sentence ends with 「甘い」. Full sentence: 彼は他人に 厳しい わりに 自分に★ 甘い ので、みんなに嫌がられている。
Q3
みんなが12★4気になる。
Related grammar point 6 楽しげにおしゃべりしている
みんなが1楽しげに2話していると3★何の4話か気になる。
Order: 2 → 3 → 4 → 1 ★ = option 4
Everyone is talking so happily that I wonder what they are talking about.
How the sentence is built
First connect 「楽しげに」 (lesson point ⑥), then 「話していると」; the ★ falls on 「何の」 after 「話していると」, and the sentence ends with 「話か」. Full sentence: みんなが 楽しげに 話していると 何の★ 話か 気になる。
Part 3: Grammar in a passage
Blank 1
1として
として: means "in the capacity of ..."; this does not fit the context of an evaluative viewpoint, "for me".
2に対して
に対して: means "toward / in contrast to ...", and is mostly used for objects or opposing relationships; this does not fit the context of "necessary for someone".
3に応じて
に応じて: means "in accordance with ..."; this does not fit the context.
4にとって ✓
Correct. にとって: means "for ...": "For me, as a novice driver, a car navigation system is a necessity."
Blank 2
Related grammar point 2 ストレスを感じない人はいるまい
1まい ✓
Correct. まい: Lesson point ②; it means "probably won't ...": "(my girlfriend) probably thinks she won't get lost as long as there's a car navigation system".
2ものがある
ものがある: Lesson point ①; it means "there is a feeling of ..."; this does not fit the content of the judgment "thinking she won't get lost".
3かのようだ
かのようだ: means "it is as if ..."; this does not fit the direct judgment of "thinking so".
4わけにはいかない
わけにはいかない: means "cannot (afford to) ..." for social, moral or practical reasons; this does not fit the context.
Blank 3
Related grammar point 8 乗客が降りたかと思うと
1かのうちに
かのうちに: Lesson point ⑤ 「〜か〜ないかのうちに」 requires the affirmative and negative forms of the same verb as a pair; there is no corresponding negative form here, so the pattern does not hold.
2かと思ったら ✓
Correct. かと思ったら: Lesson point ⑧; it means "no sooner had ... than (unexpectedly) ...": "I thought she was still looking at the map, but before I knew it she had fallen asleep".
3かのように
かのように: means "as if ..."; this does not fit the context of a sudden change like "no sooner ... than ...".
4わりには
わりには: Lesson point ④; it means "despite ... (compared with the expected degree)"; this does not fit the context.
Blank 4
Related grammar point 1 つらいものがある
1やら
やら: Lesson point ⑦; it lists things, as in "...and ... and so on"; this does not fit the context of describing a single feeling.
2というものだ
というものだ: means "that is what ... really is"; the nuance does not fit "a feeling that there is something ...".
3ものがある ✓
Correct. ものがある: Lesson point ①; it means "there is a feeling of ...": "a drive like that somehow feels a little lonely".
4かと思う
かと思う: means "I wonder if ..." and simply states a personal thought; it fits the vague feeling of 「どこかさびしい」 less well than 「ものがある」.
Show the passage with answers and translation
For me, as a novice driver, a car navigation system is a necessity. Once you enter the information, it guides you all the way to your destination with a map and a voice. On the highway it even tells you about tolls, and if it senses you aren't taking a break, it speaks up on its own, saying "Why not take a little rest...?" That voice really sounds as if it were worried about me. It is like a capable secretary. It is far better than my girlfriend, who gets in the car with a pile of maps and travel guides and grumbles whenever we go slightly off course. But my girlfriend seems to think that with a car navigation system we're unlikely to get lost, so sometimes, just when I think she's looking at the map, she has fallen asleep before I know it. That leaves just me and this "secretary" on our drive. I think quiet is fine too, but a drive like that somehow feels a little lonely.
Part 4: Listening
Listen first, then tap an option. The transcript and explanation appear after you answer.
Q1
Options are printed on the test paper: read them, then listen.
動物園で男の人が話しています。男の人は、この鳥が動かないのは何に関係があると言っていますか。
問 この鳥が動かないのは何に関係があると言っていますか。
Transcript
えー、こちらにいるのは、動かない鳥として有名なハシビロコウです。ご覧のように、体のわりに頭が大きく、くちばしが広いのが特徴です。この鳥が動かないのは、食事の仕方に理由があります。アフリカの湖に住むハシビロコウは、草の陰で静かに待ち続け、魚が水面に上がってきたときにこの大きいくちばしでおそいかかるんです。動物園にいるのは比較的動くと言われていますが、今日も先ほどえさの時間に少し動いたきり、30分以上このままです。あっ、そちらのお子さん気をつけてください。子どもをおどろかそうとして、突然近寄ってくることがありますから…。
Um, the bird here is the shoebill, famous as a bird that doesn't move. As you can see, its features are that its head is big for its body and its beak is wide. The reason this bird barely moves has to do with how it eats. Shoebills living in lakes in Africa wait quietly in the shade of the grass, and at the moment a fish rises to the surface, they pounce with that big beak and catch it. They say the one here at the zoo is one of the more active ones, but today it moved only once, when it was fed a little while ago, and it has stayed in this same pose for more than 30 minutes since. Oh, please be careful, kids over there. It sometimes comes up suddenly, trying to startle children...
問 この鳥が動かないのは何に関係があると言っていますか。
1体の大きさ
2住んでいるところ
3えさのとり方 ✓
4性格
What does the guide say the fact that this bird doesn't move is related to?
The question asks "What does the fact that this bird doesn't move have to do with?" The guide first describes the bird's physical features: 「体のわりに頭が大きく、くちばしが広いのが特徴」. But this is only a description of its appearance, not the reason it "doesn't move" (eliminates 1). There is also no mention that where it lives has anything to do with its not moving; the lake is only background about its habitat (eliminates 2). The key sentence comes in the middle: 「この鳥が動かないのは、食事の仕方に理由があります」. The bird doesn't move because of its way of catching food: it hides quietly in the grass, waits for fish to rise to the surface, then lunges at them, so it has to stay still. Its "personality" is never mentioned in the passage at all (eliminates 4). → えさのとり方. The answer is 3.
Grammar in this question
〜わりに:(Lesson point ④) Despite ... (compared with the expected degree). 「体のわりに頭が大きく」 = the head is big relative to the body.
Vてくる:Gradually ...; coming ... 「魚が水面に上がってきた」 = the fish rose to the surface.
Key vocabulary
特徴(とくちょう) feature; characteristic
草の陰(くさのかげ) shade of the grass
おそいかかる to pounce on; to lunge at
Q1
Listen to this sentence first
問 あーあ、さっき皿を割ったかと思ったら、またやっちゃったよ。
Ugh, I broke a plate just a little while ago, and now I've gone and done it again.
1今度は何やったんですか。 ✓
What did you do this time?
2それはよかったですね。
That's great.
3じゃ、やっちゃいましょう。
Then let's get started.
The other person says 「さっき皿を割ったかと思ったら、またやっちゃったよ」. This is lesson point ⑧, 「かと思ったら」: "I'd only just broken a plate, and then I went and messed up again," implying that he has caused a new disaster. The most natural reaction is to ask curiously what happened this time: 「今度は何やったんですか」. 2 「それはよかったですね」 ("That's great") completely misreads the speaker's dejected, complaining tone about having messed up again. 3 「じゃ、やっちゃいましょう」 ("Then let's get it done") is off the point; the speaker is ruefully describing something that already happened, not proposing something to do. The answer is 1.
Grammar in this question
〜かと思ったら:(Lesson point ⑧) No sooner had ... than (unexpectedly) ... 「割ったかと思ったら、また」 = just when I thought I'd broken one, I broke another.
Key vocabulary
割る(わる) to break; to smash
Q2
Listen to this sentence first
問 昨日はテスト全部書けたって得意げな顔してたのに、どうしたの?
Yesterday you had such a proud look, saying you had answered everything on the test. What happened?
1うん、得意じゃないんだよ。
Yeah, I'm not good at it.
2それが、全然だめだったんだよ。 ✓
Well, actually, it went terribly.
3うん、いい結果だったよ。
Yeah, the results were good.
The other person says 「昨日はテスト全部書けたって得意げな顔してたのに、どうしたの?」. This uses lesson point ⑥, 「げ」: "Yesterday you had a proud look, saying you could answer everything on the test, so what's wrong (now)?" It implies that the speaker has noticed the other person looks down. The most natural reply is to admit the results weren't good: 「それが、全然だめだったんだよ」. 1 「うん、得意じゃないんだよ」 misreads 「得意げ」 as "good at", so it does not answer the question. 3 「うん、いい結果だったよ」 clearly contradicts the low mood the speaker has picked up on. The answer is 2.
Grammar in this question
〜げ:(Lesson point ⑥) Looking ... (as if feeling ...). 「得意げな顔」 = a proud expression.
Key vocabulary
結果(けっか) result
Q3
Listen to this sentence first
問 昨日駅前のカラオケに行ったんだけど、あそこにはもう二度と行くまいと思ったよ。
I went to the karaoke place in front of the station yesterday, and I swore I'd never go back there again.
1え?また、行くの?
Huh? You're going again?
2え?二度と行かなかったの?
Huh? You never went again?
3え?何かあったの? ✓
Huh? Did something happen?
The other person says 「あそこにはもう二度と行くまいと思ったよ」. Lesson point ②, 「まい」, expresses strong will, "I will never go there again"; such a firm tone suggests something unpleasant must have happened. The most natural reaction is to ask curiously what happened: 「え?何かあったの?」. 1 「え?また、行くの?」 hears 「行くまい」 (will not go) as the exact opposite, "going again", misunderstanding the negative resolve. 2 「え?二度と行かなかったの?」 mistakes 「思ったよ」 (the resolution being made now) for a past fact that has already been confirmed, which also makes no sense logically (what the speaker just said is exactly the fact that they won't go again). The answer is 3.
Grammar in this question
〜まい:(Lesson point ②) Will never ...; no way I will ... (expresses strong will). 「行くまいと思った」 = I made up my mind not to go again.
Key vocabulary
カラオケ karaoke