Vocabulary and Idiomatic Expressions
What vocabulary items look like
Nagano's vocabulary and idiom items test words in context, not isolated lists. Expect a short sentence with four choices that are similar in form or meaning, plus common phrasal verbs and collocations: take care of, look forward to, run out of, be good at, make a decision.
Core rules
- Learn words in chunks: 'make a decision,' not 'do a decision'; 'take a picture,' not 'shoot a picture' in this exam style.
- Use grammar as a clue. After 'to,' choose a verb base form; after 'enjoy,' choose -ing.
- For idioms, translate the whole phrase, never word by word. 'Look after' means take care of, not look behind.
- For opposites, check the sentence logic: 'The test was not easy; it was ___.' The answer must fit the negative.
Worked example
'My sister ___ our dog while we were away.' Options: looked for / looked after / looked at / looked up. 'Looked for' means searched; 'looked at' means watched briefly; 'looked up' means searched in a reference. Only 'looked after' means cared for, which fits the time clause 'while we were away.' The grammar is past tense, and all options fit, so meaning decides.
Traps
- Choosing a word that sounds like the Japanese loanword but has a different meaning.
- Ignoring the preposition that changes the phrasal verb.
- Confusing 'borrow' and 'lend,' 'bring' and 'take,' 'few' and 'a few.'
- Memorizing single translations instead of sentence patterns.
Exam habit
When unsure, substitute each option into the sentence and check the logic and grammar. Mark the collocation that sounds natural in English, not the direct Japanese translation.