Fukushima Entrance English cheat sheet

Main-idea questions: the correct answer restates the whole passage's point, not one supporting detail; a choice that is true but narrow is a distractor.

Order of events: locate explicit time markers (first, then, after that, by the time, finally) and map each to a numbered step before comparing answer choices.

Reference questions (it, this, they, such): the antecedent is usually the nearest preceding noun phrase that fits the verb and logic; substitute it back into the sentence to verify.

Inference items: the answer must be forced by the text; if a choice needs outside knowledge or a guess about feelings, it is not supported.

Negative factual questions (NOT stated / EXCEPT): verify each of the three true choices against a line in the passage; the leftover is the answer.

Author's purpose verbs: inform/explain (expository), persuade (opinion markers, should/must), entertain/narrate (past-tense story with characters), instruct (imperatives, steps).

Vocabulary-in-context: replace the target word with each option inside the original sentence; only the choice preserving the sentence's logic is correct.

Paragraph function items: ask what the paragraph does for the passage (example, counterargument, background, conclusion), not what it says in detail.

Timing rule: passages with 5 questions get roughly 1 minute per question; if one item exceeds 90 seconds, mark a placeholder and return after finishing the rest.

Subject-verb agreement: the verb agrees with the head noun, not with a phrase between them (The number of students is / A number of students are).

Countable vs uncountable: much/little/a great deal of take uncountable nouns; many/few/a number of take countable plurals; information, advice, furniture, news are uncountable.

Tense sequencing: after when/before/after/until/as soon as, use present simple for future meaning (I will call you when I arrive), never will in the subordinate clause.

Perfect aspect: have + past participle links past to present; had + past participle marks the earlier of two past events; by the time + past simple pairs with past perfect.

Conditionals: If + present, will (real); If + past, would (unreal present); If + had + past participle, would have + past participle (unreal past).

Relative pronouns: who for people (subject), whom for people (object), which for things, whose for possession, where for places, that only in defining clauses.

Comparatives: -er/more for two items, the -est/the most for three or more; as ... as for equality; the more ..., the more ... for parallel change.

Preposition collocations: depend on, interested in, good at, afraid of, arrive at (a place) / in (a city), married to, responsible for, similar to.

Word formation: choose the part of speech the gap requires (noun, adjective, adverb) before choosing meaning; -tion/-ment/-ness signal nouns, -ful/-ive/-ous adjectives, -ly adverbs.

Four-paragraph frame: introduction with a clear thesis, two body paragraphs each with one reason plus an example, conclusion restating the thesis in new words.

Thesis rule: state your position in one sentence containing the topic and your stance; every body paragraph must support that sentence or be cut.

Topic sentence first: each body paragraph opens with a claim, then evidence, then a sentence explaining how the evidence supports the claim.

Cohesion devices: use however, therefore, for example, in addition, on the other hand to link sentences; vary them and avoid starting every sentence with the same connector.

Sentence variety: mix simple, compound (and/but/or), and complex (because/although/if/which) sentences; a paragraph of identical short sentences loses style marks.

Common deduction points: sentence fragments, run-ons joined only by a comma, inconsistent tense within a paragraph, and pronoun shifts (you/we/people).

Word count discipline: aim for 10-15 percent above the stated minimum; under-length answers lose content points, and padding with repetition loses coherence points.

Formal register: avoid contractions, slang, and rhetorical questions in exam essays; prefer precise verbs (argue, demonstrate, suggest) over get, do, very.

Proofread pass: check third-person -s, articles (a/an/the), plural -s, and spelling of common connectives in the final two minutes.

Preview the question stems and options before audio starts; the options reveal the topic and the type of information to listen for (number, reason, place, speaker's feeling).

Numbers and times are often corrected mid-sentence (It was at three - no, sorry, half past three); record the last stated value, not the first.

Signpost words mark answers: however, actually, in fact, but, the thing is signal a change or correction and usually carry the tested detail.

Distractors are spoken explicitly: an option may be mentioned then rejected (We considered the library, but it was closed), so match the final decision.

Speaker attitude items: judge from tone words and hedges (I suppose, not really, to be honest) rather than from the literal content alone.

Note-taking rule: write keywords and abbreviations, never full sentences; trying to transcribe causes you to miss the next answer.

Map or diagram tasks: track direction words (turn left, opposite, next to, at the end of, across from) and orient yourself from the stated starting point.

If an answer is missed, abandon it immediately and read the next question; the audio does not pause, and one lost item should not cost the following two.