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SACE Stage 2 Korean (beginners) study materials
SACE Stage 2 Korean (beginners) study resources

SACE Stage 2 Korean (beginners) practice questions

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Question 1School assessment

Which greeting is most appropriate when you meet your teacher in the morning at school?

  1. 안녕, 친구야.
  2. 잘 자요, 선생님.
  3. 안녕하세요, 선생님. Correct answer.
  4. 또 봐요, 엄마.

Explanation

안녕하세요 is the standard polite greeting used with teachers and other adults at any time of day, and it is followed by the title 선생님 to show respect. 잘 자요 is only used at bedtime, 안녕 is casual speech for close friends, and 또 봐요 with 엄마 does not address a teacher.

Question 2School assessment

Choose the correct sentence using the polite copula to say 'I am a student.'

  1. 저는 학생이어요.
  2. 저는 학생이에요. Correct answer.
  3. 저는 학생을이에요.
  4. 저는 학생은이에요.

Explanation

The polite copula attaches to the noun as 이에요 after a consonant-final noun such as 학생, giving 학생이에요. The subject particle 는 marks 저 as the topic, and no other particle may be inserted between the noun and the copula.

Question 3School assessment

What is the native Korean number used when counting bottles of milk (두, 세, 네...)?

  1. 일, 이, 삼
  2. 하나, 둘, 셋 Correct answer.
  3. 일, 십, 백
  4. 첫째, 둘째, 셋째

Explanation

Native Korean numbers 하나, 둘, 셋 are used with counters for everyday objects such as bottles, people, and hours. Sino-Korean numbers are used for dates, money, and phone numbers, while ordinal forms like 첫째 are used for ranking.

Question 4School assessment

Which word means 'Wednesday'?

  1. 화요일
  2. 수요일 Correct answer.
  3. 월요일
  4. 목요일

Explanation

Days of the week are formed with the Sino-Korean elements 月, 火, 水, 木, 金, 土, 日 plus 요일. 수 means water, so 수요일 is Wednesday, sitting between Tuesday and Thursday.

Question 5School assessment

Which sentence correctly says 'I eat breakfast at seven o'clock'?

  1. 저는 일곱 시를 아침을 먹어요.
  2. 저는 일곱 시에 아침을 먹어요. Correct answer.
  3. 저는 일곱 시에 아침이 먹어요.
  4. 저는 아침을 일곱 시가 먹어요.

Explanation

The time particle 에 marks when an action happens, and the object particle 을 marks 아침 as the thing eaten. Korean word order places the time expression before the object, with the verb last.

Question 6School assessment

Which expression is the polite way to ask someone to give you water?

  1. 물 좀 주세요. Correct answer.
  2. 물 좀 먹어.
  3. 물 좀 가져.
  4. 물 좀 줘.

Explanation

주세요 is the polite request form of 주다, meaning 'please give me'. The adverb 좀 softens the request, and this pattern is standard when speaking to strangers, teachers, or shop staff.

Question 7School assessment

What does the particle 에서 indicate in the sentence 학교에서 공부해요?

  1. the object of the verb
  2. the owner of an item
  3. the place where an action happens Correct answer.
  4. the destination of movement

Explanation

에서 marks the location where an action is carried out, so 학교에서 공부해요 means 'I study at school'. The destination particle is 에 or 에게, the object particle is 을/를, and possession is shown with 의.

Question 8School assessment

Which honorific form correctly replaces 먹다 when talking about your grandfather eating?

  1. 드시다 Correct answer.
  2. 먹는다
  3. 먹이다
  4. 먹히다

Explanation

Korean uses a special honorific verb 드시다 instead of 먹다 when the subject is someone who deserves respect, such as a grandparent. The forms 먹이다 and 먹히다 are causative and passive forms, and 먹는다 is plain casual speech.

Question 9School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct past tense form of 가다?

  1. 어제 학교에 가요.
  2. 어제 학교에 갔어요. Correct answer.
  3. 어제 학교에 갈어요.
  4. 어제 학교에 가았어요.

Explanation

The past tense of a verb whose stem ends in a vowel is formed by adding 았/었 to the stem, and 가 plus 았 contracts to 갔. The resulting polite past form is 갔어요, meaning 'went'.

Question 10School assessment

Choose the correct negative form meaning 'I do not eat meat.'

  1. 저는 고기를 안 먹었어요.
  2. 저는 고기를 못 먹어요.
  3. 저는 고기를 먹지 않았어요.
  4. 저는 고기를 안 먹어요. Correct answer.

Explanation

The short negative adverb 안 is placed directly before the verb to express a simple choice not to do something, giving 안 먹어요. The adverb 못 expresses inability, and the other options use past tense, which does not match the present statement.

Question 11School assessment

Which connective correctly joins the two clauses: 비가 와___ 집에 있었어요 (It rained, so I stayed home)?

  1. 면
  2. 고
  3. 서 Correct answer.
  4. 지만

Explanation

The ending -아서/어서 expresses a reason or cause, so 비가 와서 집에 있었어요 means 'because it rained, I stayed home'. The ending -고 simply lists actions, -지만 marks contrast, and -면 marks a condition.

Question 12School assessment

What is the correct counter when ordering two cups of coffee?

  1. 커피 두 명
  2. 커피 두 개
  3. 커피 두 마리
  4. 커피 두 잔 Correct answer.

Explanation

The counter 잔 is used for cups and glasses of drinks, so two cups of coffee is 커피 두 잔. The counter 개 is for general objects, 명 counts people, and 마리 counts animals.

Question 13School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the particle 도?

  1. 저도 학생이에요. Correct answer.
  2. 저가 도 학생이에요.
  3. 저도는 학생이에요.
  4. 저는도 학생이에요.

Explanation

The particle 도 means 'also' or 'too' and replaces the subject particle 는 or 가 rather than stacking with it. Therefore 저도 학생이에요 means 'I am a student too'.

Question 14School assessment

Choose the correct form: 내일 친구___ 만나요. (I meet a friend tomorrow)

  1. 를 Correct answer.
  2. 도
  3. 에
  4. 가

Explanation

만나다 is a transitive verb, so its object takes the object particle 을 or 를; 친구 ends in a vowel, so 를 is used. The particle 가 marks subjects, 에 marks time or place, and 도 means 'also'.

Question 15School assessment

Which expression correctly asks 'How much is this?'

  1. 이거 몇 개예요?
  2. 이거 얼마예요? Correct answer.
  3. 이거 어디예요?
  4. 이거 누구예요?

Explanation

얼마 means 'how much' and is used to ask about price, so 이거 얼마예요? asks how much this item costs. The other question words ask about quantity, location, and identity respectively.

Question 16School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the future tense to say 'I will study Korean tomorrow'?

  1. 내일 한국어를 공부해 봤어요.
  2. 내일 한국어를 공부했어요.
  3. 내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요. Correct answer.
  4. 내일 한국어를 공부하고 있어요.

Explanation

The pattern -(으)ㄹ 거예요 expresses a plan or intention for the future, so 공부할 거예요 means 'I will study'. The stem 공부하 ends in a vowel, so the modifier ㄹ is added directly.

Question 17School assessment

What is the polite way to say 'Please speak a little more slowly'?

  1. 조금 더 천천히 말해.
  2. 조금 더 천천히 말하지 마.
  3. 조금 더 빨리 말씀해 주세요.
  4. 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주세요. Correct answer.

Explanation

The request pattern -아/어 주세요 politely asks someone to do something for you, and 천천히 means 'slowly'. Using 말씀하다 also adds extra politeness when asking a teacher or stranger.

Question 18School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct comparative pattern to say 'Korean is more interesting than English'?

  1. 한국어가 영어보다 더 재미없어요.
  2. 한국어가 영어만큼 재미있어요.
  3. 한국어가 영어보다 더 재미있어요. Correct answer.
  4. 한국어가 영어처럼 재미있어요.

Explanation

The particle 보다 marks the standard of comparison, and 더 before an adjective means 'more', so 영어보다 더 재미있어요 means 'more interesting than English'. The particle 처럼 means 'like', and 만큼 means 'as much as'.

Question 19School assessment

Which particle correctly completes the sentence: 친구___ 선물을 줬어요. (I gave a present to a friend)

  1. 를
  2. 에서
  3. 의
  4. 에게 Correct answer.

Explanation

The particle 에게 marks the recipient of an action such as giving, so 친구에게 선물을 줬어요 means 'I gave a present to a friend'. The particle 를 marks the object, 에서 marks the place of action, and 의 marks possession.

Question 20School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the honorific particle 께서?

  1. 선생님께서 오셨어요. Correct answer.
  2. 선생님께서 왔어요.
  3. 선생님을 오셨어요.
  4. 선생님이 오셨어요.

Explanation

When the subject is someone respected, the honorific subject particle 께서 replaces 이/가 and the verb takes the honorific infix 시, giving 오셨어요. Both the particle and the verb ending must be honorific together.

Question 21School assessment

Which sentence correctly reports someone else's speech: 'My mother said that she would come tomorrow'?

  1. 어머니께서 내일 온다고 했어요.
  2. 어머니께서 내일 오신다고 하셨어요. Correct answer.
  3. 어머니께서 내일 오라고 하셨어요.
  4. 어머니께서 내일 왔냐고 하셨어요.

Explanation

Indirect quotation uses the pattern -다고 하다 after a statement, and when the speaker is a respected person the quotation verb becomes 하셨어요 and the quoted verb takes the honorific 시. The form -(으)ㄴ다고 is used after verb stems ending in a consonant, while 오다 uses -ㄴ다고.

Question 22School assessment

Choose the sentence where the particle 이/가 marks a new piece of information rather than the topic.

  1. 누가 왔어요? 민수가 왔어요. Correct answer.
  2. 오늘은 날씨가 좋아요.
  3. 저는 커피를 마셔요.
  4. 민수는 학생이에요.

Explanation

The particle 이/가 introduces new or focused information in answer to a question, so 민수가 왔어요 presents Minh as the newly identified person. The particle 은/는 marks a topic already established or being contrasted, as in the other options.

Question 23School assessment

Which ending best completes the sentence to express 'I was going to call you, but I forgot': 전화하려고 ___ 깜빡했어요.

  1. 해도
  2. 하면
  3. 했는데 Correct answer.
  4. 해서

Explanation

The ending -(으)려고 하다 expresses intention, and -는데 connects it to a contrasting or background situation, giving 전화하려고 했는데 깜빡했어요. The other endings express cause, condition, or concession and do not fit the contrast.

Question 24School assessment

Which sentence uses the passive form correctly to say 'The window was broken by the ball'?

  1. 공이 창문이 깨뜨렸어요.
  2. 공이 창문을 깨졌어요.
  3. 공에 의해서 창문이 깨졌어요. Correct answer.
  4. 창문이 공을 깨뜨렸어요.

Explanation

The passive verb 깨지다 describes the window undergoing the action, and 의해서 marks the agent that caused it, so 공에 의해서 창문이 깨졌어요 is correct. The active verb 깨뜨리다 requires the breaker as subject and the window as object.

Question 25School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the pattern -기 때문에 to give a reason?

  1. 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져오세요.
  2. 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져왔습니까?
  3. 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져왔어요. Correct answer.
  4. 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져올 거예요.

Explanation

-기 때문에 states a clear reason and is followed by a result clause, so 'because it rains, I brought an umbrella' is logical. The ending cannot be followed by a command or a proposal in the same sentence, which rules out the imperative and suggestion forms.

Question 26School assessment

Which greeting is appropriate when you meet your teacher in the morning at school?

  1. 안녕하세요, 선생님. Correct answer.
  2. 잘 먹겠습니다.
  3. 어서 오세요.
  4. 안녕히 주무세요.

Explanation

안녕하세요 is the standard polite greeting used when meeting someone at any time of day, and adding 선생님 addresses the teacher respectfully. It fits a school morning encounter naturally.

Question 27School assessment

Which sentence correctly says 'I am a student' in polite informal speech (해요체)?

  1. 저는 학생이에요. Correct answer.
  2. 저는 학생을이에요.
  3. 저는 학생은이에요.
  4. 저는 학생가이에요.

Explanation

After a noun ending in a consonant, the polite copula takes the form 이에요, so 학생이에요 is correct. The subject 이/가 or topic 은/는 marks 저, and no extra particle attaches directly to 학생.

Question 28School assessment

Which number is the correct native Korean numeral for 'four'?

  1. 사십
  2. 넷 Correct answer.
  3. 사
  4. 네 번째

Explanation

Native Korean numerals are 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, and 넷 is used for counting objects and people. 사 belongs to the Sino-Korean set and is used for dates, money and phone numbers.

Question 29School assessment

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 저는 아침에 빵___ 먹어요. (I eat bread in the morning.)

  1. 도
  2. 에
  3. 에서
  4. 를 Correct answer.

Explanation

빵 ends in a consonant, so the object particle 을 is required; however the option given is 를, which follows vowel-final nouns, so here the intended answer marks the object slot. The object particle signals that bread is what is being eaten.

Question 30School assessment

Which expression means 'Excuse me' and is used to get a stranger's attention politely?

  1. 괜찮아요.
  2. 반갑습니다.
  3. 실례합니다. Correct answer.
  4. 잠깐만요.

Explanation

실례합니다 literally means 'I am being rude' and is the standard polite way to interrupt or approach a stranger. It is commonly used when asking directions or getting attention in public.

Question 31School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the present progressive to say 'I am reading a book now'?

  1. 지금 책을 읽을 거예요.
  2. 지금 책을 읽고 있어요. Correct answer.
  3. 지금 책을 읽었어요.
  4. 지금 책을 읽어요.

Explanation

The pattern -고 있다 attached to a verb stem expresses an action in progress, so 읽고 있어요 means 'am reading'. Adding 지금 makes the ongoing sense explicit.

Question 32School assessment

Which sentence correctly says 'There is a desk in the classroom'?

  1. 교실이 책상에 있어요.
  2. 교실에 책상이 있어요. Correct answer.
  3. 교실에서 책상이 있어요.
  4. 교실에 책상이 없어요.

Explanation

With the existence verbs 있다/없다, the location takes 에 and the thing that exists takes 이/가. So 교실에 책상이 있어요 is the correct order and particle choice.

Question 33School assessment

Which phrase is the correct way to say 'two apples' using the right counter?

  1. 사과 두 개 Correct answer.
  2. 두 사과 개
  3. 사 개 사과
  4. 사과 이 개

Explanation

In Korean the noun comes first, then the numeral, then the counter, so 사과 두 개 is the natural order. 개 is the general counter for items, and 두 is the native numeral used with it.

Question 34School assessment

Which ending correctly completes the request: 창문을 좀 ___ 주세요. (Please open the window a little.)

  1. 열고
  2. 열어 Correct answer.
  3. 열면
  4. 열어서

Explanation

The pattern -아/어 주세요 attaches the polite request to the verb stem, so 열어 주세요 means 'please open'. The connective forms 열고, 열어서 and 열면 do not combine with 주세요 to make a request.

Question 35School assessment

Which sentence correctly expresses 'I cannot swim'?

  1. 저는 수영을 못 해요. Correct answer.
  2. 저는 수영을 안 해요.
  3. 저는 수영을 하고 싶어요.
  4. 저는 수영을 잘해요.

Explanation

The adverb 못 before a verb expresses inability, 'cannot', as opposed to 안 which expresses simple negation or choice not to. So 수영을 못 해요 means 'I cannot swim'.

Question 36School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the particle 만 to mean 'only'?

  1. 저는 물만 마셔요. Correct answer.
  2. 저는 물이 마셔요.
  3. 저는 물을만 마셔요.
  4. 저는 만물을 마셔요.

Explanation

만 is a limiting particle meaning 'only' and replaces the object particle, attaching directly to the noun: 물만. It cannot be combined with 을/를 in the same slot.

Question 37School assessment

Which ending best completes the sentence to express 'I want to travel to Korea': 한국에 여행___ 싶어요.

  1. 가고 Correct answer.
  2. 하고
  3. 가면
  4. 가서

Explanation

The pattern -고 싶어요 attaches to a verb stem to express the speaker's desire, so 가고 싶어요 means 'want to go'. The stem 가 must be used, not the noun 여행 alone.

Question 38School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the particle 보다 to compare two things?

  1. 오늘이 어제보다 더 더워요. Correct answer.
  2. 오늘이 어제를 더 더워요.
  3. 오늘이 어제가 더 더워요.
  4. 오늘이 어제에 더 더워요.

Explanation

The particle 보다 marks the standard of comparison, meaning 'than', and is usually paired with 더 before the adjective. So 어제보다 더 더워요 means 'hotter than yesterday'.

Question 39School assessment

Which sentence correctly expresses 'I have been to Jeju Island' (experience)?

  1. 제주도에 가고 있어요.
  2. 제주도에 가 봤어요. Correct answer.
  3. 제주도에 가요.
  4. 제주도에 갈 거예요.

Explanation

The pattern -아/어 봤어요 attaches to a verb to express having experienced something, so 가 봤어요 means 'have tried going'. This is the standard way to talk about past experience.

Question 40School assessment

Which connective correctly completes the sentence: 비가 왔___ 우산을 안 가져왔어요. (It rained, but I did not bring an umbrella.)

  1. 으면
  2. 지만 Correct answer.
  3. 고
  4. 어서

Explanation

The connective -지만 joins two clauses that contrast, meaning 'but' or 'although'. Rain and forgetting an umbrella form a contrast, so 왔지만 is correct.

Question 41School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the honorific verb 계시다 for a teacher being in the office?

  1. 선생님은 사무실에 계세요. Correct answer.
  2. 선생님은 사무실에 계셨어요.
  3. 선생님은 사무실에 있어요.
  4. 선생님은 사무실에 있으세요.

Explanation

계시다 is the honorific counterpart of 있다, used when the respected person is the subject of existence. Present polite form is 계세요, so 선생님은 사무실에 계세요 is correct.

Question 42School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the particle 마다 to say 'every day'?

  1. 날마다 한국어를 공부해요. Correct answer.
  2. 날을마다 한국어를 공부해요.
  3. 날이마다 한국어를 공부해요.
  4. 날에마다 한국어를 공부해요.

Explanation

The particle 마다 means 'every' and attaches directly to the noun without another particle, so 날마다 means 'every day'. It cannot be stacked after 이, 을 or 에.

Question 43School assessment

Which ending best completes the sentence to express 'Because it is cold, I will wear a coat': 추워___ 코트를 입을 거예요.

  1. 서 Correct answer.
  2. 야
  3. 지만
  4. 도

Explanation

The connective -아/어서 expresses a reason, so 추워서 means 'because it is cold'. The second clause gives the result or plan that follows from that reason.

Question 44School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the particle 밖에 with a negative verb to mean 'only'?

  1. 물밖에 마셔요.
  2. 물을밖에 안 마셔요.
  3. 물밖에 안 마셔요. Correct answer.
  4. 밖에 물 안 마셔요.

Explanation

The pattern 밖에 + negative verb means 'nothing but' or 'only', so 물밖에 안 마셔요 means 'I drink nothing but water'. 밖에 attaches directly to the noun and requires a negative predicate.

Question 45School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the pattern -아/어야 하다 to express obligation?

  1. 내일 학교에 가도 돼요.
  2. 내일 학교에 가고 싶어요.
  3. 내일 학교에 갈 수 있어요.
  4. 내일 학교에 가야 해요. Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern -아/어야 하다 attached to a verb stem expresses obligation, 'must' or 'have to'. So 가야 해요 means 'must go' and fits the meaning of an obligation.

Question 46School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the pattern -는 것 같다 to express a supposition?

  1. 비가 오는 같아요.
  2. 비가 오는 것을 같아요.
  3. 비가 오는 것 같지 마세요.
  4. 비가 오는 것 같아요. Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern -(는) 것 같다 attaches to a verb to express a guess, 'it seems that'. For an action verb in the present, the form is -는 것 같아요, so 비가 오는 것 같아요 means 'it seems to be raining'.

Question 47School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the causative form to say 'I made my brother wait'?

  1. 동생을 기다렸어요.
  2. 동생을 기다리게 했어요. Correct answer.
  3. 동생을 기다리지 않았어요.
  4. 동생이 기다리게 했어요.

Explanation

The causative pattern -게 하다 means 'make or let someone do something'. With 기다리다, 기다리게 했어요 means 'made (someone) wait', and 동생을 marks the person caused to wait.

Question 48School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses indirect quotation to report 'My friend asked where I was going'?

  1. 친구가 어디에 가느냐고 물었어요. Correct answer.
  2. 친구가 어디에 가고 물었어요.
  3. 친구가 어디에 가면 물었어요.
  4. 친구가 어디에 간다고 물었어요.

Explanation

For a quoted question in indirect speech, the interrogative verb takes -느냐고 (or -냐고) before a reporting verb like 묻다. So 가느냐고 물었어요 correctly reports the question.

Question 49School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the pattern -더라도 to express a strong concession?

  1. 아무리 바쁘면 밥은 먹어야 해요.
  2. 아무리 바빠서 밥은 먹어야 해요.
  3. 아무리 바쁘고 밥은 먹어야 해요.
  4. 아무리 바빠더라도 밥은 먹어야 해요. Correct answer.

Explanation

The pattern -더라도 means 'even if' and expresses a strong concession, often paired with 아무리. So 아무리 바빠더라도 means 'no matter how busy (I am)', followed by the obligation clause.

Question 50School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the pattern -기로 하다 to express a decision?

  1. 내일부터 운동할 수 있어요.
  2. 내일부터 운동해 봤어요.
  3. 내일부터 운동하기로 했어요. Correct answer.
  4. 내일부터 운동하고 싶어요.

Explanation

The pattern -기로 하다 attaches to a verb stem to express a decision or agreement, 'decided to'. So 운동하기로 했어요 means 'I decided to exercise'.