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HSC Korean and Literature (NSW) study materials
HSC Korean and Literature (NSW) study resources

HSC Korean and Literature (NSW) practice questions

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Question 1Listening and Responding

A speaker says: "내일 시간 있으면 같이 영화 볼래요?" What is the speaker mainly doing?

  1. Refusing an invitation
  2. Asking for directions
  3. Making a suggestion to meet Correct answer.
  4. Reporting a past event

Explanation

The ending -ㄹ래요? used with a suggestion invites the listener to do something together, so the utterance proposes meeting to see a film. Recognising the function of this ending is the key listening skill here, not translating each word separately.

Question 2Listening and Responding

In a recorded announcement you hear: "잠시 후 3번 승강장에서 열차가 출발합니다." Where should passengers go?

  1. To the waiting room
  2. To the ticket office
  3. To platform three Correct answer.
  4. To the exit gate

Explanation

The phrase 3번 승강장 names platform number three, and the announcement states that a train departs from there shortly. Listening for numbers attached to location nouns lets you extract the practical instruction quickly.

Question 3Listening and Responding

A student says: "시험이 끝나자마자 여행을 갈 거예요." What does the student plan?

  1. To cancel the trip because of the exam
  2. To travel right after the exam ends Correct answer.
  3. To travel before the exam begins
  4. To study during the trip

Explanation

The connective -자마자 means that the second action follows immediately after the first, so travelling comes directly after the exam finishes. The future marker -ㄹ 거예요 confirms this is a plan rather than a completed event.

Question 4Listening and Responding

You hear: "죄송하지만 오늘은 예약이 다 찼습니다." What is the listener being told?

  1. The restaurant is permanently closed
  2. The booking was cancelled by staff
  3. No bookings are available today Correct answer.
  4. A discount is available today

Explanation

The phrase 예약이 다 찼습니다 means all reservations are full, and 오늘은 restricts this to today. The opening 죄송하지만 softens the refusal, which signals that a request cannot be met.

Question 5Listening and Responding

A weather report says: "오후부터 바람이 강해지겠습니다." What change is forecast?

  1. Stronger winds from the afternoon Correct answer.
  2. Heavier rain in the morning
  3. Lower temperatures at night
  4. Clear skies all day

Explanation

The time phrase 오후부터 marks the starting point of the change, and 바람이 강해지겠습니다 states that the wind will become stronger. The prospective form -겠습니다 is typical of broadcast forecasts.

Question 6Listening and Responding

A speaker says: "제가 표를 미리 예매해 둘게요." What does the speaker promise to do?

  1. Give the tickets to someone else
  2. Check the ticket price first
  3. Book the tickets in advance Correct answer.
  4. Pay for the tickets later

Explanation

The ending -아/어 둘게요 expresses doing something in advance for later convenience, and 미리 reinforces that idea. 예매하다 specifically means to reserve or pre-book rather than simply buy on the day.

Question 7Listening and Responding

You hear a friend say: "어제 늦게까지 공부하다가 그만 잤어요." What happened?

  1. The friend finished studying early
  2. The friend woke up late on purpose
  3. The friend fell asleep while studying Correct answer.
  4. The friend stopped studying to eat

Explanation

The construction -다가 그만 indicates an unintended interruption of an ongoing action, so studying was cut short by falling asleep. The adverb 그만 adds the sense that the outcome was not planned.

Question 8Listening and Responding

In a conversation you hear: "이 카페는 주말에 사람이 많아서 자리를 잡기 어려워요." What is being described?

  1. The quiet atmosphere on Saturdays
  2. The difficulty of finding a seat at weekends Correct answer.
  3. The long opening hours on weekdays
  4. The high price of drinks at weekends

Explanation

The clause 사람이 많아서 gives the reason, and 자리를 잡기 어려워요 states the result that getting a seat is hard. The -아/어서 connector links cause and consequence within one sentence.

Question 9Listening and Responding

A teacher says: "보고서는 다음 주 금요일까지 제출하면 됩니다." What does the teacher mean?

  1. The report must be submitted today
  2. The report is no longer required
  3. The report should be submitted by post
  4. The report may be submitted by next Friday Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern -면 됩니다 expresses sufficiency, meaning it is enough to do the action by the stated point. The deadline 다음 주 금요일까지 therefore marks the latest acceptable time, not a requirement to submit now.

Question 10Listening and Responding

A speaker says: "비가 올 줄 알았는데 아침부터 맑네요." What does the speaker express?

  1. Disappointment about a cancelled plan
  2. Confusion about the day of the week
  3. Certainty that it will rain later
  4. Surprise that the weather is clear Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern -ㄹ 줄 알았는데 marks an expectation that was not fulfilled, and the following clause contrasts with it. The speaker expected rain but finds the morning clear, which produces mild surprise.

Question 11Listening and Responding

You hear: "그 식당은 맛은 있는데 값이 좀 비싸요." What is the speaker's overall view?

  1. The restaurant is closed and overpriced
  2. The food is poor and the price is low
  3. The food is good but the price is high Correct answer.
  4. The food and price are both excellent

Explanation

The connector -은데 sets up a contrast between a positive point and a drawback, so taste is praised while cost is criticised. Recognising this concessive pattern is essential to grasping the speaker's balanced evaluation.

Question 12Listening and Responding

A radio host says: "오늘 인터뷰는 사정상 다음 주로 미뤘습니다." What has happened to the interview?

  1. It has been cancelled permanently
  2. It has already been broadcast
  3. It has been postponed to next week Correct answer.
  4. It has been moved to a different station

Explanation

The verb 미루다 means to postpone, and the phrase 다음 주로 specifies the new time. The expression 사정상 signals that circumstances beyond control caused the change, which distinguishes delay from cancellation.

Question 13Listening and Responding

A friend says: "내가 갔을 때는 이미 문이 닫혀 있었어." What does the friend describe?

  1. Finding the door left open
  2. Deciding not to go at all
  3. Arriving after the place had closed Correct answer.
  4. Arriving just before opening time

Explanation

The pattern -았/었었어 describes a state that was already in place at a past moment, so the door was already shut when the friend arrived. The clause 내가 갔을 때는 fixes the reference point for that prior state.

Question 14Listening and Responding

You hear a customer say: "이거 다른 색으로 바꿀 수 있을까요?" What does the customer want?

  1. To order a new item online
  2. To exchange the item for another colour Correct answer.
  3. To complain about the delivery time
  4. To receive a refund in cash

Explanation

The verb 바꾸다 with the noun 다른 색 indicates a swap for a different colour, and -ㄹ 수 있을까요 politely asks whether this is possible. The request is an exchange rather than a refund or a new purchase.

Question 15Listening and Responding

A speaker says: "아무리 바빠도 아침은 꼭 챙겨 먹어요." What is the speaker advising?

  1. Preparing breakfast the night before
  2. Eating breakfast no matter how busy you are Correct answer.
  3. Skipping breakfast when work is heavy
  4. Eating only when there is free time

Explanation

The construction 아무리 -아/어도 means even if a condition is extreme, the following advice still applies. With the emphatic 꼭, the speaker insists that breakfast should always be eaten regardless of workload.

Question 16Listening and Responding

You hear: "지하철이 고장 나는 바람에 약속에 늦었어요." Why was the speaker late?

  1. Because the subway broke down Correct answer.
  2. Because the speaker took the wrong exit
  3. Because the appointment time changed
  4. Because the speaker overslept

Explanation

The pattern -는 바람에 introduces a negative cause that produced an unwanted result, here the delay. The breakdown of the subway is thus presented as the reason for arriving late.

Question 17Listening and Responding

A speaker says: "그 영화는 생각보다 재미있었어요." What does the speaker convey?

  1. The film was not seen to the end
  2. The film was worse than expected
  3. The film was better than expected Correct answer.
  4. The film matched expectations exactly

Explanation

The phrase 생각보다 marks a comparison with prior expectations, and 재미있었어요 is positive. Together they show the speaker found the film more enjoyable than anticipated, a common evaluative pattern in reviews.

Question 18Listening and Responding

In a phone message you hear: "회의가 끝나는 대로 연락드리겠습니다." What is being promised?

  1. To send a written report instead
  2. To call before the meeting starts
  3. To cancel the meeting by phone
  4. To call as soon as the meeting ends Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern -는 대로 means that the second action happens immediately after the first is completed. The speaker therefore undertakes to make contact the moment the meeting finishes, not at some later unspecified time.

Question 19Listening and Responding

A speaker says: "그 사람이 그렇게 화를 낼 줄은 몰랐어요." What does the speaker reveal?

  1. They were angry with the other person first
  2. They did not notice the other person at all
  3. They knew the other person would get angry
  4. They had not expected the other person to get angry Correct answer.

Explanation

The construction -ㄹ 줄은 몰랐어요 expresses that the speaker was unaware something would happen, with 은 adding emphasis. The content clause states the other person became angry, which the speaker had not foreseen.

Question 20Listening and Responding

A narrator says: "할머니는 손주가 오는 날이면 어김없이 떡을 만드신다." What does this suggest about the grandmother?

  1. She reliably makes rice cakes whenever the grandchild visits Correct answer.
  2. She asks the grandchild to bring rice cakes
  3. She has stopped cooking for the family
  4. She makes rice cakes only on public holidays

Explanation

The adverb 어김없이 means without fail, and the pattern -ㄴ 날이면 sets up a recurring condition. Together they portray a dependable habit tied specifically to the grandchild's visits, conveying affection through routine.

Question 21Listening and Responding

A speaker remarks: "돈이 없어서 못 간 게 아니라 갈 시간이 없었던 거예요." What is the speaker clarifying?

  1. Both money and time were sufficient
  2. The obstacle was money, not time
  3. The obstacle was time, not money Correct answer.
  4. Neither money nor time was a problem

Explanation

The pattern -ㄴ 게 아니라 corrects a mistaken assumption by replacing it with the true reason. The speaker denies that lack of money was the cause and asserts that lack of time was, so the emphasis falls on time.

Question 22Listening and Responding

In a documentary you hear: "이 지역은 인구가 줄어드는 반면에 관광객은 꾸준히 늘고 있습니다." What contrast is drawn?

  1. Both residents and visitors are increasing
  2. Residents are increasing while visitors decrease
  3. Both residents and visitors are declining
  4. Residents are decreasing while visitors increase Correct answer.

Explanation

The connector -는 반면에 signals a contrast between two simultaneous trends. The first clause shows a falling population and the second a steady rise in tourists, so the two movements run in opposite directions.

Question 23Listening and Responding

A speaker says: "그 일은 제가 맡는 게 좋을 것 같아요." What is the speaker doing?

  1. Doubting that the task is necessary
  2. Refusing the task politely
  3. Volunteering to take responsibility for the task Correct answer.
  4. Asking someone else to handle the task

Explanation

The verb 맡다 means to take charge of something, and -는 게 좋을 것 같아요 offers a considered opinion rather than a blunt statement. The speaker is therefore putting themselves forward as the person to handle the work.

Question 24Listening and Responding

A character in a drama says: "그때 포기했더라면 지금의 나는 없었겠지." What is being expressed?

  1. Regret that the past decision was wrong
  2. Certainty that the future will not change
  3. Gratitude that past persistence shaped the present Correct answer.
  4. Confusion about what happened in the past

Explanation

The pattern -었더라면 with -겠지 presents a hypothetical past alternative and its imagined consequence. By saying the present self would not exist had they given up, the speaker affirms that not giving up made the current situation possible.

Question 25Listening and Responding

A lecturer says: "발표 자료는 개요만 짚고 넘어가겠습니다." What will the lecturer do?

  1. Collect the students' presentation files
  2. Postpone the presentation to another day
  3. Read every slide in full detail
  4. Summarise the main points of the material briefly Correct answer.

Explanation

The idiom 짚고 넘어가다 means to touch on a point before moving on, and 개요 refers to an outline. The lecturer therefore intends to cover the material at a summary level rather than examining it exhaustively.

Question 26Listening and Responding

A customer says: '이 옷은 디자인은 마음에 드는데 사이즈가 안 맞아서요.' What is the customer's problem?

  1. The price is too high.
  2. The colour is different from the picture.
  3. The design is not attractive.
  4. The size is not right. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker says '디자인은 마음에 드는데' (I like the design, but) and '사이즈가 안 맞아서요' (the size doesn't fit). The contrast with -는데 shows the design is fine but the size is the issue. Therefore the problem is the size.

Question 27Listening and Responding

A tour guide says: '오늘 오후 일정은 날씨 때문에 취소되었으니 숙소에서 쉬시기 바랍니다.' What are the tourists told to do?

  1. Wait in the lobby for a new schedule.
  2. Take a different tour bus.
  3. Go shopping instead.
  4. Rest at the accommodation. Correct answer.

Explanation

The guide says the afternoon schedule is cancelled due to weather and asks them to rest at the accommodation ('숙소에서 쉬시기 바랍니다'). The causal - 때문에 and the request -시기 바랍니다 make the instruction clear. No alternative activity is proposed.

Question 28Listening and Responding

A student says: '시험 범위가 생각보다 넓어서 계획을 다시 짜야 할 것 같아요.' What does the student imply?

  1. The exam will be easier than expected.
  2. The exam scope is wider than expected, so the plan needs revising. Correct answer.
  3. The student wants to change the exam date.
  4. The student has already finished preparing.

Explanation

The student says the scope is wider than expected ('생각보다 넓어서') and concludes that the plan must be re-made ('계획을 다시 짜야 할 것 같아요'). The -아/어서 links the cause to the conclusion. This indicates the study plan needs adjustment.

Question 29Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '이번 주말에는 집에서 푹 쉬면서 밀린 드라마를 볼 거예요.' What is the speaker's plan?

  1. To clean the house all weekend.
  2. To study for an exam.
  3. To go out with friends.
  4. To catch up on a drama at home. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker plans to rest at home ('집에서 푹 쉬면서') and watch a drama they have fallen behind on ('밀린 드라마를 볼 거예요'). The -면서 indicates doing two things simultaneously. No other activity is mentioned.

Question 30Listening and Responding

You hear: '죄송하지만 지금은 통화하기 어려워서요. 나중에 다시 걸어 주시겠어요?' What is the speaker asking?

  1. To wait on the line.
  2. To send a text message instead.
  3. To call back later. Correct answer.
  4. To speak more loudly.

Explanation

The speaker apologises and says it is difficult to talk now ('지금은 통화하기 어려워서요'), then asks the listener to call again later ('나중에 다시 걸어 주시겠어요?'). The -아/어 주시겠어요? is a polite request. Therefore the request is to call back later.

Question 31Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 책은 읽어 봤는데 내용이 어려워서 중간에 그만뒀어요.' What happened?

  1. The speaker finished the book quickly.
  2. The speaker borrowed the book from a friend.
  3. The speaker recommends the book to others.
  4. The speaker stopped reading because it was difficult. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker tried reading the book but stopped midway ('중간에 그만뒀어요') because the content was difficult ('내용이 어려워서'). The -아/어서 gives the reason for stopping. There is no recommendation or mention of borrowing.

Question 32Listening and Responding

A weather forecast says: '내일은 오전에 흐리다가 오후부터 맑아지겠습니다.' What will the weather be like tomorrow afternoon?

  1. Rainy.
  2. Windy.
  3. Clear. Correct answer.
  4. Cloudy.

Explanation

The forecast says it will be cloudy in the morning ('오전에 흐리다가') and then clear from the afternoon ('오후부터 맑아지겠습니다'). The -다가 indicates a change from one state to another. Therefore the afternoon will be clear.

Question 33Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '이번 모임은 처음이라서 모르는 사람이 많을 텐데 걱정하지 마세요.' What is the speaker doing?

  1. Reassuring the listener. Correct answer.
  2. Complaining about the group.
  3. Cancelling the meeting.
  4. Warning about strangers.

Explanation

The speaker acknowledges there will be many unfamiliar people ('모르는 사람이 많을 텐데') but tells the listener not to worry ('걱정하지 마세요'). The -을 텐데 softens the assumption, and the negative imperative provides reassurance. Thus the speaker is reassuring the listener.

Question 34Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '제가 아무리 설명해도 그는 고집을 꺾지 않았어요.' What does this say about the other person?

  1. He did not understand the explanation.
  2. He changed his mind easily.
  3. He apologised for his stubbornness.
  4. He refused to give up his opinion. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase '아무리 설명해도' means 'no matter how much I explained', and '고집을 꺾지 않았어요' means 'did not break his stubbornness', i.e., he refused to yield. The -아/어도 concessive shows the explanation had no effect. Therefore he kept his opinion.

Question 35Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 영화는 예고편만 보고 기대했는데 막상 보니 별로였어요.' What does the speaker mean?

  1. The speaker did not watch the movie.
  2. The trailer was not interesting.
  3. The movie was better than the trailer.
  4. The movie was disappointing despite expectations. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker had expectations from the trailer ('예고편만 보고 기대했는데') but found the actual movie not very good ('막상 보니 별로였어요'). The -는데 contrasts expectation with reality, and '별로' expresses mild dissatisfaction. Thus the movie was disappointing.

Question 36Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 일은 제가 도와드릴 수는 있지만 책임은 못 져요.' What is the speaker's position?

  1. They refuse to help at all.
  2. They will take full responsibility.
  3. They will help but cannot take responsibility. Correct answer.
  4. They want someone else to help.

Explanation

The speaker says they can help ('도와드릴 수는 있지만') but cannot take responsibility ('책임은 못 져요'). The -지만 contrasts the offer of help with the limit on responsibility. Therefore the speaker is willing to assist but not to be accountable.

Question 37Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '이번 행사는 예년과 달리 참가비가 무료입니다.' What is notable about this event?

  1. It has been cancelled.
  2. It is free unlike previous years. Correct answer.
  3. It is only for invited guests.
  4. It costs more than before.

Explanation

The phrase '예년과 달리' means 'unlike previous years', and '참가비가 무료입니다' means the participation fee is free. The -과 달리 marks a contrast with the past. Therefore the event is free this time, unlike before.

Question 38Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 사람은 말투는 부드러운데 할 말은 다 하는 편이에요.' What does the speaker suggest about the person?

  1. They only talk softly and agree.
  2. They are rude to everyone.
  3. They never express their opinions.
  4. They are gentle in tone but speak their mind. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker contrasts a soft manner of speaking ('말투는 부드러운데') with the habit of saying everything they need to say ('할 말은 다 하는 편이에요'). The -는데 sets up the contrast. Thus the person is polite in tone but direct in content.

Question 39Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '비가 오는 줄 알았는데 우산을 안 가져왔네요.' What does the speaker imply?

  1. They are glad it is not raining.
  2. They knew it would rain and brought an umbrella.
  3. They did not expect rain and brought an umbrella.
  4. They thought it would rain but did not bring an umbrella. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker thought it would rain ('비가 오는 줄 알았는데') but did not bring an umbrella ('우산을 안 가져왔네요'). The -줄 알다 expresses a belief, and -는데 introduces a contrast with the actual situation. The implication is that they came unprepared for rain.

Question 40Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 식당은 맛으로는 둘째가라면 서러워할 정도예요.' What does the speaker mean about the restaurant?

  1. It is famous for its service.
  2. It is the second best in the area.
  3. Its taste is second to none. Correct answer.
  4. Its taste is not very good.

Explanation

The idiom '둘째가라면 서러워하다' literally means 'would grieve to be called second', i.e., it is the best. Combined with '맛으로는' (in terms of taste), the speaker praises the restaurant's taste as unmatched. It does not mean literally second.

Question 41Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 일을 하려면 시간이 걸리더라도 제대로 해야 해요.' What is the speaker emphasising?

  1. Doing it properly even if it takes time. Correct answer.
  2. Speed is more important than quality.
  3. Asking someone else to do it.
  4. Giving up if it takes too long.

Explanation

The speaker says that even if it takes time ('시간이 걸리더라도'), one must do it properly ('제대로 해야 해요'). The -더라도 concessive means 'even if', and '제대로' means 'properly'. The emphasis is on quality over speed.

Question 42Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '어제 본 공연은 배우들의 연기가 훌륭했을 뿐만 아니라 무대 장치도 인상적이었어요.' What is the speaker praising?

  1. The ticket price.
  2. Only the actors' performance.
  3. Both the acting and the stage design. Correct answer.
  4. The audience's reaction.

Explanation

The speaker says the acting was excellent ('연기가 훌륭했을 뿐만 아니라') and also the stage design was impressive ('무대 장치도 인상적이었어요'). The -을 뿐만 아니라 structure means 'not only ... but also'. Therefore both aspects are praised.

Question 43Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그분은 겉으로는 무뚝뚝해 보이지만 알고 보면 정이 많은 분이에요.' What does the speaker convey about the person?

  1. They seem blunt but are actually warm-hearted. Correct answer.
  2. They are always smiling.
  3. They are difficult to approach.
  4. They are cold and unfeeling.

Explanation

The speaker contrasts outward appearance ('겉으로는 무뚝뚝해 보이지만') with true nature ('알고 보면 정이 많은 분이에요'). The -지만 and '알고 보면' (if you get to know them) indicate a difference between appearance and reality. Thus the person seems blunt but is warm-hearted.

Question 44Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '이번 시험은 지난번보다 쉬웠다더니 결과는 별로 좋지 않았어요.' What does the speaker imply?

  1. The exam was actually harder than before.
  2. They did not take the exam.
  3. The result was worse than expected despite the exam being easier. Correct answer.
  4. They expected a bad result.

Explanation

The speaker reports that the exam was easier than last time ('쉬웠다더니'), but the result was not good ('결과는 별로 좋지 않았어요'). The -다더니 structure contrasts a reported expectation with the actual outcome. Hence the result was worse than expected.

Question 45Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 회사는 신입 사원에게 경력을 쌓을 기회를 주는 대신에 야근을 많이 시켜요.' What is the trade-off described?

  1. High salary but no holidays.
  2. Short working hours but low pay.
  3. Friendly colleagues but strict rules.
  4. Career opportunities but frequent overtime. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker says the company gives new employees a chance to build experience ('경력을 쌓을 기회를 주는 대신에') but makes them work overtime a lot ('야근을 많이 시켜요'). The -는 대신에 structure expresses a trade-off. Therefore the benefit is career opportunity and the cost is overtime.

Question 46Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 작가는 작품마다 사회 문제를 은유적으로 드러내는 데 탁월해요.' What is the writer known for?

  1. Avoiding difficult topics.
  2. Writing in a very direct style.
  3. Using metaphor to reveal social issues. Correct answer.
  4. Writing only about personal experiences.

Explanation

The speaker says the writer excels at revealing social issues metaphorically in each work ('사회 문제를 은유적으로 드러내는 데 탁월해요'). The adverb '은유적으로' means 'metaphorically', and '탁월해요' means 'excels'. Hence the writer is known for metaphorical social critique.

Question 47Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 영화는 상업적으로 성공했을지 모르나 작품성 면에서는 논란이 많아요.' What is the speaker's view?

  1. The film was not released widely.
  2. The film is a masterpiece in every way.
  3. The film failed commercially and artistically.
  4. The film was commercially successful but artistically controversial. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker concedes commercial success ('상업적으로 성공했을지 모르나') but notes much controversy regarding artistic quality ('작품성 면에서는 논란이 많아요'). The -을지 모르나 structure means 'may ... but'. Thus the view is mixed: commercially successful, artistically debated.

Question 48Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그는 자신의 실수를 인정하기는커녕 남에게 책임을 돌렸어요.' What does the speaker criticise?

  1. His honesty about his errors.
  2. His refusal to admit mistakes and shifting blame. Correct answer.
  3. His willingness to take responsibility.
  4. His excessive apologising.

Explanation

The structure '-기는커녕' means 'far from doing X', so '인정하기는커녕' means 'far from admitting'. The speaker says he shifted blame to others ('남에게 책임을 돌렸어요'). Therefore the criticism is that he not only failed to admit his mistake but blamed others.

Question 49Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 정책은 단기적으로는 효과가 있을지언정 장기적으로는 부작용이 클 수밖에 없어요.' What is the speaker's argument?

  1. The policy may have short-term effects but will inevitably have long-term side effects. Correct answer.
  2. The policy has no short-term effect at all.
  3. The policy should be implemented immediately.
  4. The policy will be effective in both short and long term.

Explanation

The speaker says the policy may be effective in the short term ('단기적으로는 효과가 있을지언정') but will inevitably have large side effects in the long term ('장기적으로는 부작용이 클 수밖에 없어요'). The -을지언정 structure concedes a point, and '-ㄹ 수밖에 없다' expresses inevitability. Thus the argument warns of long-term harm.

Question 50Listening and Responding

A speaker says: '그 소설은 시대적 배경을 고증하는 데 공을 들인 만큼 등장인물의 심리 묘사는 다소 소홀한 감이 있어요.' What is the speaker's evaluation?

  1. The novel focuses too much on character psychology.
  2. The novel is perfect in historical detail and character psychology.
  3. The novel lacks historical research entirely.
  4. The novel is strong in historical accuracy but weak in psychological portrayal. Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker says the novel put effort into historical verification ('시대적 배경을 고증하는 데 공을 들인 만큼') but the psychological portrayal of characters is somewhat neglected ('심리 묘사는 다소 소홀한 감이 있어요'). The -ㄴ 만큼 links the strength to a corresponding weakness. Hence the evaluation is mixed with a specific imbalance.