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Nagano Entrance English study materials
Nagano Entrance English study resources

Nagano Entrance English practice questions

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Question 1Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The library opens at nine, but the reading room on the second floor opens at ten." What time does the reading room open?

  1. Nine o'clock
  2. Half past nine
  3. Ten o'clock Correct answer.
  4. Eleven o'clock

Explanation

The speaker contrasts two opening times and attaches the second time, ten, specifically to the second-floor reading room. The word "but" signals the shift from the library's general time to the reading room's separate time, so the reading room opens at ten.

Question 2Listening Comprehension

A station announcement says: "The train for Nagano will leave from platform three. Please do not use platform two." Which platform should passengers use?

  1. Platform three Correct answer.
  2. Either platform
  3. Platform two
  4. Platform four

Explanation

The announcement names platform three as the departure point for the Nagano train and explicitly tells passengers to avoid platform two. Listening for the platform number attached to the destination gives the answer directly.

Question 3Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "I wanted to join the tennis club, but practice is on the same day as my piano lesson." Why is the student not joining the tennis club?

  1. The student dislikes tennis
  2. The club has no teacher
  3. The club is too expensive
  4. Practice clashes with a piano lesson Correct answer.

Explanation

The word "but" introduces the obstacle, and the obstacle given is a scheduling conflict between tennis practice and the piano lesson. Nothing about cost, dislike, or staffing is mentioned, so the schedule clash is the stated reason.

Question 4Listening Comprehension

A teacher says: "Please bring your notebook to class tomorrow, and hand in the report by Friday." What must students hand in by Friday?

  1. Their textbook
  2. Their homework card
  3. Their report Correct answer.
  4. Their notebook

Explanation

The sentence contains two instructions with different deadlines: bring the notebook tomorrow, and submit the report by Friday. The item linked to Friday is the report, so that is what must be handed in.

Question 5Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The museum is closed on Mondays, but it stays open until eight on Fridays." On which day does the museum stay open late?

  1. Monday
  2. Sunday
  3. Friday Correct answer.
  4. Wednesday

Explanation

The speaker gives two facts: closure on Mondays and a late closing time on Fridays. The late closing is attached only to Friday, so that is the day the museum stays open until eight.

Question 6Listening Comprehension

A shop clerk says: "The blue jacket is cheaper, but the black one is warmer." Which jacket is warmer?

  1. The blue jacket
  2. Both are equally warm
  3. Neither jacket is warm
  4. The black jacket Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast structure "cheaper, but ... warmer" assigns one quality to each jacket. Cheapness belongs to the blue jacket and warmth to the black one, so the black jacket is the warmer of the two.

Question 7Listening Comprehension

You hear a voicemail: "This is Ken. I'll be at the station at six thirty, not six, so please wait near the ticket gate." When will Ken arrive at the station?

  1. At six o'clock
  2. At six thirty Correct answer.
  3. At five thirty
  4. At seven o'clock

Explanation

The speaker corrects an earlier time by saying "six thirty, not six." The negative part rejects six, so the actual arrival time is six thirty at the ticket gate.

Question 8Listening Comprehension

A guide says: "The bus leaves at ten, and the walk to the waterfall takes about forty minutes." How long does the walk take?

  1. About forty minutes Correct answer.
  2. About four hours
  3. Ten minutes
  4. About fourteen minutes

Explanation

The duration of the walk is stated directly as about forty minutes. The number ten refers to the bus departure time, not to the length of the walk, so it must not be confused with the walking time.

Question 9Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I usually take the train to work, but when it snows I drive because the trains are often late." Why does the speaker drive when it snows?

  1. Driving is cheaper than the train
  2. The station is closed in winter
  3. The speaker dislikes trains
  4. Snow often makes the trains late Correct answer.

Explanation

The reason is introduced by "because," which links driving in snow to trains being often late in snowy weather. The speaker still uses trains normally, so the cause is delay, not cost or dislike.

Question 10Listening Comprehension

A student says: "If I finish my essay tonight, I'll go hiking with you tomorrow; otherwise I'll stay home and keep writing." What will the student do tomorrow if the essay is not finished?

  1. Go hiking
  2. Visit the library
  3. Stay home and keep writing Correct answer.
  4. Submit the essay early

Explanation

The conditional has two branches: finishing the essay leads to hiking, and the "otherwise" branch leads to staying home to continue writing. The question asks about the unfinished case, which matches the otherwise branch.

Question 11Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "The concert was supposed to start at seven, but it began twenty minutes late." When did the concert begin?

  1. At six forty
  2. At seven o'clock
  3. At seven forty
  4. At seven twenty Correct answer.

Explanation

The scheduled start was seven, and the delay was twenty minutes, so the actual start was twenty minutes after seven. Adding the delay to the planned time gives seven twenty.

Question 12Listening Comprehension

A man says: "I've been to Kyoto twice, but my sister has been there four times." How many times has the man's sister visited Kyoto?

  1. Four times Correct answer.
  2. Three times
  3. Six times
  4. Two times

Explanation

The two counts are attached to different people: twice for the speaker and four times for his sister. The question asks about the sister, so the correct figure is four.

Question 13Listening Comprehension

Announcement: "Because of strong wind, the ropeway is suspended this morning. It will reopen this afternoon if the wind drops." What is the reason for the suspension?

  1. A broken machine
  2. Heavy snow
  3. A public holiday
  4. Strong wind Correct answer.

Explanation

The announcement opens with "Because of strong wind," which states the cause of the suspension directly. The afternoon reopening is also made conditional on the wind dropping, confirming wind as the cause.

Question 14Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The tour costs 3,000 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for students, but children under six go free." How much does a student pay?

  1. 1,500 yen Correct answer.
  2. 3,000 yen
  3. 4,500 yen
  4. Nothing

Explanation

The price list assigns 3,000 yen to adults, 1,500 yen to students, and no charge to children under six. A student therefore falls in the middle category and pays 1,500 yen.

Question 15Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I left my umbrella on the bus, so I bought a new one at the station shop before the rain started." Where did she buy the new umbrella?

  1. At a convenience store
  2. On the bus
  3. At the station shop Correct answer.
  4. At her office

Explanation

The speaker explains that after leaving the umbrella on the bus she bought a replacement at the station shop. The bus is where the first umbrella was lost, not where the new one was bought.

Question 16Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "The deadline is Friday, but if you have a good reason, you may submit on Monday with my permission." What must a student do to submit on Monday?

  1. Ask a classmate to submit it
  2. Submit it twice
  3. Get the teacher's permission Correct answer.
  4. Pay a late fee

Explanation

The extension is conditional: submitting on Monday requires a good reason and the teacher's permission. The phrase "with my permission" makes the teacher's approval the necessary step.

Question 17Listening Comprehension

A man says: "I ordered the fish, but the waiter brought me chicken. When I told him, he apologized and brought the fish right away." What did the waiter do after the mistake?

  1. He asked the man to leave
  2. He brought another chicken dish
  3. He charged the man extra
  4. He apologized and brought the fish Correct answer.

Explanation

The sequence is clear: the wrong dish arrived, the man pointed it out, and the waiter apologized and then delivered the correct fish dish. The question asks about the action after the mistake, which is the apology and correction.

Question 18Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The train was crowded, so I stood until Matsumoto. After that I found a seat and slept until Nagano." Where did the speaker stand?

  1. Until Matsumoto Correct answer.
  2. All the way to Nagano
  3. Until Tokyo
  4. After Nagano

Explanation

The speaker divides the journey at Matsumoto: standing before that point and sitting after it. Standing therefore ended at Matsumoto, not at Nagano.

Question 19Listening Comprehension

A recorded message says: "The 9:15 express to Nagano is delayed by fifteen minutes because of an animal on the track." What is the new departure time?

  1. Nine forty-five
  2. Nine thirty Correct answer.
  3. Nine fifteen
  4. Eight fifteen

Explanation

The scheduled time is 9:15 and the delay is fifteen minutes, so the departure moves to 9:30. The cause, an animal on the track, explains the delay but does not change the arithmetic.

Question 20Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The festival was cancelled last year because of the typhoon, but this year it will be held on the first weekend of August as usual." When will the festival be held this year?

  1. It was cancelled again
  2. On the last weekend of August
  3. On the first weekend of August Correct answer.
  4. In the middle of July

Explanation

The cancellation applies only to last year, and "this year" is linked to the usual date, the first weekend of August. The contrast between last year and this year is essential to answering correctly.

Question 21Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I was going to take the early bus, but since it was raining hard, I called a taxi instead." What does this tell us about her travel?

  1. She took the early bus as planned
  2. She used a taxi because of the heavy rain Correct answer.
  3. She stayed home because of the rain
  4. She walked to avoid the rain

Explanation

The plan changed: the early bus was abandoned and a taxi was called, and the reason given is heavy rain. The listener must connect the weather cause to the substituted means of transport.

Question 22Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "I thought the lecture would be boring, but it turned out to be the most interesting one this term." What does the student mean?

  1. The student missed the lecture
  2. The lecture was cancelled
  3. The lecture was as boring as expected
  4. The lecture was more interesting than expected Correct answer.

Explanation

The "thought ... but" pattern sets up an expectation and then reverses it. The student expected boredom and found the lecture the most interesting of the term, so the actual experience exceeded the expectation.

Question 23Listening Comprehension

A man says: "My brother recommended the ramen shop near the station, but the one by the river was better." Which shop did the man prefer?

  1. Both equally
  2. Neither, he disliked both
  3. The one near the station
  4. The one by the river Correct answer.

Explanation

Two shops are compared: the station shop recommended by the brother, and the riverside shop. The comparative "better" is attached to the riverside shop, showing the speaker's own preference differs from his brother's recommendation.

Question 24Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The sign says the path is closed, but several people are walking on it, so it may have reopened recently." What does the speaker conclude?

  1. The walkers are staff members
  2. The sign is written in English
  3. The path is definitely still closed
  4. The path may have reopened recently Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker reasons from two observations: the sign says closed, yet people are walking there. The modal "may have reopened" expresses a tentative conclusion drawn from that conflict rather than a certain fact.

Question 25Listening Comprehension

A guide says: "We planned to visit the shrine first, but the road was blocked, so we went to the lake instead and will visit the shrine after lunch." What happened to the plan?

  1. The shrine visit was cancelled entirely
  2. The group went home early
  3. The order of visits was changed Correct answer.
  4. The group skipped lunch

Explanation

The shrine is still on the schedule, only moved to after lunch because of a blocked road. The plan's order changed rather than the plan being abandoned, which requires distinguishing delay from cancellation.

Question 26Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "I wanted to buy the red scarf, but it was sold out, so I got the blue one instead." Which scarf did she buy?

  1. The red scarf
  2. The yellow scarf
  3. The blue scarf Correct answer.
  4. The green scarf

Explanation

The speaker says the red scarf was sold out, so she got the blue one instead. The word 'instead' signals that the blue scarf is what she actually purchased. The other colors are not mentioned.

Question 27Listening Comprehension

A man says: "I'll meet you at the library at 2 p.m., but I may be ten minutes late because my previous class ends at 1:50." What time might he arrive at the library?

  1. 2:20 p.m.
  2. 2:00 p.m.
  3. 1:50 p.m.
  4. 2:10 p.m. Correct answer.

Explanation

He plans to meet at 2 p.m. but warns he may be ten minutes late. Ten minutes after 2 p.m. is 2:10 p.m. The other times do not match his statement.

Question 28Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The museum is closed on Mondays, but it is open every other day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m." On which day is the museum closed?

  1. Tuesday
  2. Monday Correct answer.
  3. Sunday
  4. Wednesday

Explanation

The announcement states directly that the museum is closed on Mondays. It is open every other day, so no other day is a closure day. This is a straightforward detail question.

Question 29Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I usually walk to work, but when it rains I take the bus because I don't want to get wet." Why does she take the bus when it rains?

  1. To meet a friend
  2. To be faster
  3. To save money
  4. To avoid getting wet Correct answer.

Explanation

She explicitly says she takes the bus when it rains because she doesn't want to get wet. The other options are not mentioned as reasons for taking the bus. The cause-and-effect is stated directly.

Question 30Listening Comprehension

You hear a recorded message: "The 10:30 train to Nagano will depart from platform 3 instead of platform 5 due to maintenance." From which platform will the train depart?

  1. Platform 3 Correct answer.
  2. Platform 5
  3. Platform 2
  4. Platform 4

Explanation

The message says the train will depart from platform 3 instead of platform 5. The word 'instead' indicates the change, so platform 3 is the correct departure platform. The other platforms are not mentioned.

Question 31Listening Comprehension

A man says: "I've been to Hiroshima once, but my wife has been there three times." How many times has the man been to Hiroshima?

  1. Four times
  2. Twice
  3. Three times
  4. Once Correct answer.

Explanation

The man states directly that he has been to Hiroshima once. His wife's frequency is given as three times, which is a distractor. The question asks about the man, so the correct answer is once.

Question 32Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "Your reports are due on Thursday, but if you need more time, you can submit them on Friday with a late penalty." What happens if a student submits on Friday?

  1. They receive full credit.
  2. They receive a penalty. Correct answer.
  3. They must rewrite the report.
  4. They cannot submit it.

Explanation

The teacher says that submitting on Friday comes with a late penalty. Therefore, a student who submits on Friday will receive a penalty. The other options are not supported by the statement.

Question 33Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I was going to drive to the airport, but the traffic report was bad, so I took the train instead." How did she travel to the airport?

  1. By car
  2. By bus
  3. By train Correct answer.
  4. By taxi

Explanation

She originally planned to drive but changed her mind because of the traffic report and took the train instead. The word 'instead' indicates the actual mode of transport. Thus, she traveled by train.

Question 34Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the festival, which is two hours longer than usual." What are the store's usual opening hours?

  1. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  2. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Correct answer.
  3. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  4. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Explanation

During the festival, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., which is two hours longer than usual. So the usual closing time is two hours earlier than 8 p.m., which is 6 p.m. The opening time remains 10 a.m. Therefore, usual hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Question 35Listening Comprehension

A man says: "I thought the movie would be scary, but it was actually a comedy." What kind of movie was it?

  1. A drama
  2. A horror movie
  3. An action movie
  4. A comedy Correct answer.

Explanation

The man says he expected a scary movie but it was actually a comedy. The contrast word 'but' shows that the reality differed from his expectation. Therefore, the movie was a comedy.

Question 36Listening Comprehension

You hear a guide say: "We will visit the temple first, then have lunch, and finally go to the museum. Please note that the order may change if it rains." What is the planned first stop?

  1. Lunch
  2. The temple Correct answer.
  3. The museum
  4. The park

Explanation

The guide lists the planned order: temple first, then lunch, then museum. The condition about rain is a possible change but does not alter the stated plan. So the first stop is the temple.

Question 37Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I ordered the chicken, but the waiter brought me fish. When I told him, he apologized and brought the correct dish." What did the woman originally order?

  1. Fish
  2. Chicken Correct answer.
  3. Beef
  4. Vegetables

Explanation

She says she ordered the chicken, but the waiter mistakenly brought fish. After she pointed it out, he brought the correct dish, which was chicken. So her original order was chicken.

Question 38Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The concert was supposed to start at 7:00, but it began 25 minutes late. Since it lasted two hours, it ended at 9:25." What time did the concert end?

  1. 9:45
  2. 9:30
  3. 9:00
  4. 9:25 Correct answer.

Explanation

The concert started 25 minutes late, so it began at 7:25. It lasted two hours, so it ended at 9:25. The other times do not match the calculation.

Question 39Listening Comprehension

A man says: "The forecast said it would be sunny, but it rained all day. I wish I had brought an umbrella." What does the man imply?

  1. He did not bring an umbrella. Correct answer.
  2. He brought an umbrella.
  3. He checked the forecast again.
  4. He likes the rain.

Explanation

The man says 'I wish I had brought an umbrella,' which expresses regret about not bringing one. This implies he did not bring an umbrella. The other options are not supported by the statement.

Question 40Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "I studied hard for the math test, but I did better on the science test, for which I studied only one day." On which test did the student perform better?

  1. The science test Correct answer.
  2. Both equally
  3. Neither
  4. The math test

Explanation

The student says he did better on the science test despite studying only one day. The contrast with the math test, for which he studied hard, highlights that his performance was better in science. Therefore, he performed better on the science test.

Question 41Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "Kenji gets up at six every morning. He feeds his dog, eats breakfast, and walks to school with his sister. They arrive before eight." What time does Kenji get up?

  1. At six Correct answer.
  2. At noon
  3. At eight
  4. At seven

Explanation

The first sentence states directly that Kenji gets up at six every morning. The other times in the passage refer to arriving at school before eight, not to waking up. Locating the sentence that mentions getting up gives the answer.

Question 42Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "Mika opened the box slowly. Inside, wrapped in old newspaper, was a small blue cup. She smiled and called her grandmother right away." What was inside the box?

  1. Old newspapers only
  2. A small blue cup Correct answer.
  3. A photograph
  4. A letter

Explanation

The passage says that inside the box, wrapped in old newspaper, was a small blue cup. The newspaper is only the wrapping material, not the contents. The cup is the object that makes Mika smile and phone her grandmother.

Question 43Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "The library closes at five on weekdays but stays open until eight on Saturdays. It is closed all day on Sundays." A student wants to study at the library at 7 p.m. Which day works?

  1. Saturday Correct answer.
  2. Sunday
  3. Wednesday
  4. Monday

Explanation

Only Saturday has opening hours that reach 7 p.m., since the library stays open until eight that day. On weekdays it closes at five, which is before 7 p.m. Sunday is closed all day. Matching the requested time to each day's hours gives the answer.

Question 44Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "Taro looked out the window. Dark clouds covered the sky, and the wind pushed the trees. He picked up his umbrella before leaving." What is the weather probably like?

  1. Clear and calm
  2. Snowy and freezing
  3. Sunny and hot
  4. Rainy or about to rain Correct answer.

Explanation

Dark clouds and strong wind are signs of coming rain, and Taro takes an umbrella, which supports this inference. The passage never states the temperature or that snow is falling. Readers combine the clues to guess the weather.

Question 45Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "Please do not feed the animals in this park. They have their own food, and human snacks can make them sick." Why does the sign ask visitors not to feed the animals?

  1. Because human food can harm them Correct answer.
  2. Because the animals are dangerous
  3. Because the park has no food
  4. Because feeding costs money

Explanation

The sign explains that animals have their own food and that human snacks can make them sick. This states the reason clearly. Danger, cost, and lack of food are not mentioned in the passage.

Question 46Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "The bus was late, so Hana ran the last part of the way. She reached the classroom just as the bell rang." How did Hana get to the classroom?

  1. She walked the whole way
  2. She rode a bicycle
  3. She took a taxi
  4. She ran part of the way Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage says Hana ran the last part of the way because the bus was late. This means she used the bus first and ran afterward. Walking the whole way, a taxi, and a bicycle are not mentioned.

Question 47Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "Our class planted beans in small pots in April. By June, thin green stems had pushed up through the soil. We wrote down the height of each plant every week." What is the passage mainly about?

  1. A science project growing beans Correct answer.
  2. A trip to a farm
  3. A cooking lesson
  4. A sports day

Explanation

The passage describes planting beans, watching them grow, and recording their height, which together form a class science activity. No farm trip, cooking, or sports event is mentioned. The main idea should cover all the sentences, not just one detail.

Question 48Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "Notice: The gym will be painted next Monday and Tuesday. All morning classes are moved to the meeting room. Afternoon classes are cancelled." Where will morning classes be held next Monday?

  1. In the meeting room Correct answer.
  2. In the library
  3. They are cancelled
  4. In the gym

Explanation

The notice says all morning classes are moved to the meeting room while the gym is painted. Cancellation applies only to afternoon classes. Reading both sentences carefully separates the two rules.

Question 49Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "Yuki left her gloves on the train. She did not notice until she was outside the station, where the wind was cold. She went straight to the station office." Why did Yuki go to the station office?

  1. To meet a friend
  2. To ask about the weather
  3. To buy a ticket
  4. To report her lost gloves Correct answer.

Explanation

Yuki realizes outside the station that her gloves are missing, and the station office is the natural place to report a lost item. The passage does not mention tickets, friends, or weather questions. The reader connects the lost gloves with her action.

Question 50Reading Comprehension (short passages)

Passage: "The sign says the museum is open from ten to five, but a small card on the door reads 'Closed for repairs until the 15th. Today is the 12th.'" What should a visitor conclude?

  1. The museum will open on the 15th Correct answer.
  2. The museum is open today
  3. The museum is closed forever
  4. The sign is wrong and the card is old

Explanation

Today is the 12th and the card says the museum is closed for repairs until the 15th, so it should reopen on that date. The main sign gives normal hours but is overridden by the repair notice. Nothing suggests permanent closure or that the card is outdated.