Listening Comprehension
What the listening section rewards
The listening section checks whether you can catch the information a speaker actually gives, not whether you recognize a word. Questions often ask about time, place, person, reason, or next action. Choices may be printed in Japanese or English; read them before the audio starts so you know which detail to hunt for.
Core moves
- Circle the question word in the choices: いつ, どこ, だれ, なぜ, 何をする.
- Write numbers, days, and names as soon as you hear them; do not wait for the question.
- Listen for change-of-plan signals: 'but', 'actually', 'I was going to..., but...'. These usually mark the correct answer.
- On the second listening, check only the item you chose; do not re-answer everything.
- If two choices sound similar (thirteen/thirty, walk/work), use the surrounding verb or number unit to decide.
Worked example
Audio: 'I was going to take the 3:15 bus, but it had already left, so I waited twenty minutes for the next one.' Question: What time did the speaker take the bus? Choices: 3:15 / 3:35 / 3:45. Reasoning: 'was going to' shows a plan that failed; 'had already left' means the 3:15 bus was missed. Twenty minutes after 3:15 is 3:35. The correct choice is 3:35.
Traps that cost marks
- Choosing the first number you hear. In the example, 3:15 is a decoy.
- Ignoring negation: 'not until', 'didn't need to', 'no longer'.
- Matching a choice to one word instead of the whole meaning.
- Leaving a blank. A reasoned guess is better than nothing.