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Saitama Public High School Entrance Examination - English study materials
Saitama Public High School Entrance Examination - English study resources

Saitama Public High School Entrance Examination - English practice questions

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Question 1Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The science club meets in Room 203 on Tuesdays at 4:15." Where does the science club meet?

  1. The library
  2. Room 230
  3. Room 203 Correct answer.
  4. The science lab

Explanation

In this short announcement the speaker names the place first: Room 203. Listeners must catch the exact room number because 203 and 230 sound similar, so the skill tested is accurate capture of numbers in a school announcement.

Question 2Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "I usually take the 7:40 train, but today I caught the 8:05 because I overslept." Which train did the student take today?

  1. The 8:05 train Correct answer.
  2. The 7:40 train
  3. The 7:55 train
  4. The 8:20 train

Explanation

The word "but" signals a contrast between the usual habit and today's action. The time that follows "today" is the one that answers the question, so 8:05 is correct.

Question 3Listening Comprehension

You hear: "Please bring your textbook, a notebook, and a pencil to the first class." Which item is the speaker asking students to bring?

  1. A calculator
  2. A dictionary
  3. A lunch box
  4. A notebook Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker lists three items, and only one of them appears among the choices. Careful listening to a list means checking each option against what was actually said, not against what students usually bring.

Question 4Listening Comprehension

You hear a girl say: "My brother is two years older than me, and my sister is the youngest in the family." Who is the youngest?

  1. The sister Correct answer.
  2. The speaker's cousin
  3. The brother
  4. The speaker

Explanation

The speaker states directly that the sister is the youngest in the family. The information about the brother being two years older is extra detail that should not override the explicit statement about the sister.

Question 5Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The match was cancelled because of the heavy rain." Why was the match cancelled?

  1. A player was injured
  2. The field was too small
  3. The referee did not come
  4. The heavy rain Correct answer.

Explanation

The word "because" introduces the reason, and the reason given is the heavy rain. In cause-and-effect statements, the clause after "because" answers a "why" question.

Question 6Listening Comprehension

You hear: "Turn left at the second corner, and the post office is next to the bank." What is next to the bank?

  1. The post office Correct answer.
  2. The school
  3. The park
  4. The station

Explanation

The speaker gives a sequence of directions and then identifies a landmark: the post office stands next to the bank. Listeners must hold the final location in mind while following the route description.

Question 7Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "Hand in your reports by Friday, not Monday as I said last week." When are the reports due?

  1. Next month
  2. Wednesday
  3. Monday
  4. Friday Correct answer.

Explanation

The teacher corrects an earlier date, and the corrected date comes after "not Monday". When a speaker revises information, the later statement replaces the earlier one.

Question 8Listening Comprehension

You hear a boy say: "I wanted to join the tennis club, but practice is on the same day as my piano lesson." What is the boy's problem?

  1. He dislikes his piano teacher
  2. Two activities are on the same day Correct answer.
  3. He has no tennis racket
  4. The club is too far away

Explanation

The boy contrasts two activities and states that they fall on the same day, which is the conflict. Recognizing a scheduling clash from a "but" sentence is the key listening skill here.

Question 9Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the last entry is at 4:30." What time is the last entry?

  1. 4:30 p.m. Correct answer.
  2. 5:00 p.m.
  3. 9:00 a.m.
  4. 3:30 p.m.

Explanation

The speaker gives closing time and then adds a separate restriction on entry. The phrase "last entry" is attached to 4:30, which is earlier than the 5 p.m. closing time.

Question 10Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "I ordered a large coffee, but the clerk gave me a small one by mistake." What happened?

  1. She paid too much money
  2. She wanted a hot drink
  3. She received the wrong size Correct answer.
  4. She forgot her order

Explanation

The speaker contrasts what she ordered with what she received. The difference is size, so the problem is that the drink she got was the wrong size.

Question 11Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "Mr. Sato said the test would be on Thursday, but he changed it to Wednesday." When is the test now?

  1. Friday
  2. Tuesday
  3. Thursday
  4. Wednesday Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb "changed" marks updated information, and the new date follows it. The original Thursday plan is no longer valid, so the current test day is Wednesday.

Question 12Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The concert starts at six, so let's meet at the station at five thirty." Why will they meet at 5:30?

  1. To eat dinner
  2. To arrive before the concert Correct answer.
  3. To buy tickets first
  4. To meet a friend

Explanation

The speaker links the meeting time to the concert's start time with "so", indicating the meeting comes before the event. The purpose is to be at the concert on time, not to do something else first.

Question 13Listening Comprehension

You hear a boy say: "I studied hard for the math test, but I did better on the English one." What does the boy mean?

  1. His English score was higher Correct answer.
  2. He did not study for math
  3. He likes English class more
  4. He failed both tests

Explanation

The comparison "did better on the English one" tells us his English result was higher than his math result. The effort he put into math does not change the comparison of scores.

Question 14Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "The train was delayed for twenty minutes, so I missed my appointment." What was the result of the delay?

  1. She arrived early
  2. She missed her appointment Correct answer.
  3. She lost her ticket
  4. She took a bus

Explanation

The word "so" signals the consequence of the delay. The clause after it states the result, which is that she missed her appointment.

Question 15Listening Comprehension

You hear: "This library has three floors. Novels are on the second floor, and science books are on the third." Where are novels?

  1. On the second floor Correct answer.
  2. On the first floor
  3. In the basement
  4. On the third floor

Explanation

The speaker pairs each floor with a category of books. Novels are matched with the second floor, while science books belong to the third, so listeners must keep the pairs separate.

Question 16Listening Comprehension

You hear a girl say: "My mother told me to take an umbrella, but I didn't, and now I'm wet." What does the girl regret?

  1. Buying a new umbrella
  2. Walking too slowly
  3. Not following her mother's advice Correct answer.
  4. Leaving school early

Explanation

The girl contrasts her mother's advice with her own action and then reports a bad result. The regret comes from ignoring the advice, which is why she is wet.

Question 17Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The new sports hall will open in April, one month later than planned." When was it originally planned to open?

  1. In April
  2. In May
  3. In March Correct answer.
  4. In June

Explanation

The opening is now April, and the speaker says this is one month later than planned. Counting one month back from April gives March as the original date.

Question 18Listening Comprehension

You hear a boy say: "I can't go to the movie on Saturday because I have to help my father at his shop." Why can't he go?

  1. He dislikes movies
  2. He must help his father Correct answer.
  3. He has no money
  4. He has a baseball game

Explanation

The reason follows "because" and states an obligation to help his father. Obligation expressions such as "have to" often carry the key information in listening tasks.

Question 19Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "Those who want to join the trip should give their forms to me by Wednesday, and pay the fee by Friday." What must students do by Friday?

  1. Meet the teacher
  2. Pay the fee Correct answer.
  3. Give their forms
  4. Choose a room

Explanation

The instruction contains two deadlines, and each is attached to a different action. The Friday deadline belongs to paying the fee, while the form has an earlier deadline.

Question 20Listening Comprehension

You hear a man say: "I usually drive to work, but since the road repairs started, I've been taking the bus." How does he get to work now?

  1. By bicycle
  2. By car
  3. On foot
  4. By bus Correct answer.

Explanation

The present perfect "have been taking" describes his current habit after a change. The earlier habit of driving is contrasted with the new routine, which is the bus.

Question 21Listening Comprehension

You hear a girl say: "I asked my sister to lend me her notes, but she said she needed them herself." What did the sister do?

  1. She lent the notes
  2. She lost the notes
  3. She refused to lend them Correct answer.
  4. She copied the notes

Explanation

The sister's reply gives a reason why she cannot lend the notes, which amounts to a refusal. Understanding indirect refusals is a common listening demand in school situations.

Question 22Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The meeting has been moved from Room 12 to Room 21 on the second floor." Which room will the meeting be in?

  1. Room 12
  2. Room 2
  3. Room 21 Correct answer.
  4. Room 20

Explanation

The phrase "moved from ... to ..." shows the old room and the new room. The room after "to" is the destination, so Room 21 is where the meeting will now be held.

Question 23Listening Comprehension

You hear a boy say: "If it rains tomorrow, the game will be held in the gym instead of the field." Where will the game be if it rains?

  1. On the field
  2. At another school
  3. In the classroom
  4. In the gym Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a conditional sentence: the result clause follows the "if" clause. When the condition (rain) is met, the stated result is that the game moves to the gym.

Question 24Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "I was going to buy the blue bag, but the red one was on sale, so I chose that." Which bag did she buy?

  1. Neither bag
  2. The black bag
  3. The red bag Correct answer.
  4. The blue bag

Explanation

"Was going to" signals a plan that did not happen. The word "so" introduces her actual decision, which was the red bag because it was on sale.

Question 25Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "The teacher spoke so quickly that I couldn't write down the homework." What was the student's problem?

  1. The student was absent
  2. The homework was too difficult
  3. The teacher spoke too fast Correct answer.
  4. The student forgot a notebook

Explanation

The "so ... that ..." pattern expresses a cause and its result. The cause is the teacher's fast speech, and the result is that the student could not record the homework.

Question 26Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "The science report is due on the tenth, but our presentation is a week later." When is the presentation?

  1. On the seventeenth Correct answer.
  2. On the tenth
  3. On the twenty-fourth
  4. On the third

Explanation

The report is due on the tenth, and the presentation comes one week (seven days) after that date. Adding seven days to the tenth gives the seventeenth. The other dates either repeat the report deadline or add the wrong number of days.

Question 27Listening Comprehension

You hear a girl say: "I left my umbrella on the bus this morning, so I borrowed one from the school office." What did the girl do about her umbrella?

  1. She borrowed one from the school office Correct answer.
  2. She shared one with a friend
  3. She went back to the bus to get it
  4. She bought a new one at a shop

Explanation

The speaker states that she left her umbrella on the bus and then borrowed one from the school office. The action she took is borrowing, so that is the correct answer. Buying, returning to the bus, and sharing are not mentioned.

Question 28Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "Please bring your textbook to every class, but leave your dictionary at home unless I tell you otherwise." What should students bring to class?

  1. Both the textbook and the dictionary
  2. Only a dictionary
  3. The textbook, and the dictionary only if told Correct answer.
  4. Neither the textbook nor the dictionary

Explanation

The teacher gives two instructions: always bring the textbook, and keep the dictionary at home unless told otherwise. Combining these means the textbook is required and the dictionary is needed only on request. The other options either drop the textbook or make the dictionary always necessary.

Question 29Listening Comprehension

You hear a boy say: "My brother is two years older than me, and my sister is three years younger than my brother." How much older than the boy is his sister?

  1. One year older Correct answer.
  2. One year younger
  3. Five years younger
  4. Two years older

Explanation

The brother is two years older than the boy, and the sister is three years younger than the brother. Subtracting three from the brother's two-year lead gives a one-year lead, so the sister is one year older than the boy.

Question 30Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "I meant to call the dentist this morning, but I was so busy at work that I forgot." What does the woman mean?

  1. The dentist called her
  2. She has an appointment today
  3. She did not call the dentist Correct answer.
  4. She called the dentist twice

Explanation

The speaker intended to call the dentist but forgot because she was busy. The result is that the call did not happen, which is what the correct option states. There is no mention of a call from the dentist or of an existing appointment.

Question 31Listening Comprehension

You hear a man say: "The shop was supposed to close at eight, but the staff were still working at half past eight." What does the man say about the shop?

  1. It stayed open past its usual closing time Correct answer.
  2. It opened at half past eight
  3. It closed earlier than eight
  4. It was closed all evening

Explanation

The usual closing time is eight, but the staff were still working at 8:30, so the shop remained open beyond its normal hours. The other options contradict the times given or describe opening rather than closing.

Question 32Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "I was going to take the train, but my bicycle is faster than the bus, so I ride it to school now." How does the student get to school?

  1. By bicycle Correct answer.
  2. By bus
  3. On foot
  4. By train

Explanation

The speaker compares the bicycle with the bus and says the bicycle is faster, then states that he rides it to school now. The train was only an earlier plan that he abandoned. Walking is not mentioned at all.

Question 33Listening Comprehension

You hear a girl say: "My father said I could go to the festival if I finish my homework first." What must the girl do before going to the festival?

  1. Clean her room
  2. Buy a ticket for the festival
  3. Finish her homework Correct answer.
  4. Ask her mother for permission

Explanation

The father sets one condition: the homework must be finished first. The correct option restates that condition exactly. Permission has already been given by the father, and no ticket or cleaning task is mentioned.

Question 34Listening Comprehension

You hear a boy say: "The book I borrowed from the library was so interesting that I read it twice, but I still haven't returned it." What is true about the boy?

  1. He has returned the book already
  2. He read the book twice but still has it Correct answer.
  3. He found the book boring
  4. He bought the book at a shop

Explanation

The speaker says he read the book twice and has not yet returned it, so he still has the library book. The other options contradict either the number of readings, his opinion, or how he obtained the book.

Question 35Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "My son wanted to play soccer, but the practice starts at seven in the morning, so he chose the art club instead." Why did the son choose the art club?

  1. The soccer practice was too early for him Correct answer.
  2. His friend asked him to join
  3. The art club was cheaper
  4. He disliked playing soccer

Explanation

The reason given is the seven o'clock morning start of soccer practice, which led him to pick the art club. The early time, not a dislike of soccer, is the cause. Cost and friends are never mentioned.

Question 36Listening Comprehension

You hear a man say: "I asked the clerk if the shirt came in a larger size, and she said she would check the storeroom." What is the man doing?

  1. Looking for a different shop
  2. Complaining about the price
  3. Returning a shirt he bought
  4. Asking about a bigger size Correct answer.

Explanation

The man asks whether the shirt is available in a larger size and the clerk goes to check. This makes his purpose a question about size. Returning, complaining, and changing shops are not part of the exchange.

Question 37Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "The essay should be at least four hundred words, and you must write it by hand, not on a computer." What are the students told to do?

  1. Write fewer than four hundred words
  2. Write the essay by hand Correct answer.
  3. Type the essay on a computer
  4. Hand in the essay next week

Explanation

The teacher gives two requirements: a minimum of four hundred words and handwriting rather than typing. Only the handwriting instruction appears correctly among the options. The other choices reverse the instructions or add a deadline that was not stated.

Question 38Listening Comprehension

You hear a girl say: "I told my friend the movie started at two, but I had read the schedule wrong; it actually starts at two thirty." What does the girl mean?

  1. She forgot to buy the tickets
  2. Her friend arrived late
  3. The movie was cancelled
  4. She gave her friend incorrect information Correct answer.

Explanation

The girl passed on a start time of two o'clock but later found the real time is 2:30, which means the information she gave was wrong. Nothing in the statement mentions a cancellation, a late arrival, or tickets.

Question 39Listening Comprehension

You hear a boy say: "I thought the test would be easy because everyone said so, but it was much harder than the practice test." What does the boy mean?

  1. The real test was harder than the practice test Correct answer.
  2. He did not take the practice test
  3. The practice test was harder than the real test
  4. The real test was easier than he expected

Explanation

The boy expected an easy test but found it much harder than the practice test, so the real test was the harder one. The comparison is between the actual test and the practice test, with the actual test being more difficult.

Question 40Listening Comprehension

You hear a woman say: "If the weather is fine on Sunday, we'll have the picnic by the river; if not, we'll use the community hall instead." What will happen if it rains on Sunday?

  1. The picnic will be held by the river
  2. The picnic will be held in the community hall Correct answer.
  3. The picnic will move to Saturday
  4. The picnic will be cancelled

Explanation

The speaker gives two plans: by the river if the weather is fine, and in the community hall if it is not. Rain counts as the second case, so the picnic moves indoors to the hall. Cancelling and changing the day are not stated.

Question 41Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: "Ken gets up at six every morning. He runs for thirty minutes before breakfast. Then he studies English for an hour." What does Ken do first after getting up?

  1. He studies English for an hour.
  2. He eats breakfast.
  3. He runs for thirty minutes. Correct answer.
  4. He goes to school.

Explanation

The passage lists actions in order: get up, run for thirty minutes, then study English. Breakfast comes after the run, so running is the first action described after waking.

Question 42Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Aya: Have you finished your science report? Taro: Not yet. I still need to write the conclusion. Aya: The deadline is Friday, right? Taro: Yes, but I want to hand it in on Thursday. What does Taro still have to do?

  1. Ask Aya for help with the deadline
  2. Finish reading a science book
  3. Hand in the report on Friday
  4. Write the conclusion of his report Correct answer.

Explanation

Taro says "I still need to write the conclusion," which states the remaining task directly. The other details are about the deadline, not about unfinished work.

Question 43Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: "The school library is on the second floor. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Students can borrow up to three books for two weeks." A student borrows three books on Monday, May 1. By what date should the books be returned?

  1. May 29
  2. May 22
  3. May 15 Correct answer.
  4. May 8

Explanation

The passage says books may be kept for two weeks. Two weeks after May 1 is May 15, so that is the return date. May 8 would be only one week.

Question 44Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Mika: Let's meet in front of the station at ten. Jun: Ten is a little early for me. Can we make it ten thirty? Mika: Sure, that's fine. When will they meet?

  1. At ten o'clock
  2. At eleven o'clock
  3. At nine thirty
  4. At ten thirty Correct answer.

Explanation

Jun suggests changing the time to ten thirty and Mika agrees with "Sure, that's fine." The agreed time is therefore ten thirty, not the original ten.

Question 45Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: "Emi wanted to buy a new bicycle. She saved 500 yen from her allowance each week. After twelve weeks, she had enough money." How much money did Emi save in total?

  1. 500 yen
  2. 1,200 yen
  3. 6,000 yen Correct answer.
  4. 5,000 yen

Explanation

Emi saves 500 yen per week for twelve weeks, so the total is 500 multiplied by 12, which equals 6,000 yen. The passage gives both numbers needed for this calculation.

Question 46Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: "My brother likes soccer, but I prefer tennis. We both enjoy watching sports on TV, though." What do the two people have in common?

  1. They both dislike sports.
  2. They both like watching sports on TV. Correct answer.
  3. They both play soccer.
  4. They both prefer tennis.

Explanation

The word "both" signals a shared trait: they both enjoy watching sports on TV. Their own preferred sports differ, so only the TV habit is common.

Question 47Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this notice: "Clean-up Day: Saturday, June 10. Meet at the park gate at 9:00 a.m. Please bring gloves and a hat. Bags will be given at the gate." What should participants bring themselves?

  1. Bags
  2. A map of the park
  3. Drinks and food
  4. Gloves and a hat Correct answer.

Explanation

The notice says "Please bring gloves and a hat," which lists what participants supply. Bags are provided at the gate, so they are not something to bring.

Question 48Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Sara: Did you enjoy the school trip to Kyoto? Hiro: Yes, but it rained the whole first day, so we couldn't visit the temple. What was Hiro's problem on the first day?

  1. He lost his camera.
  2. The bus arrived late.
  3. He forgot his umbrella.
  4. The weather stopped their plans. Correct answer.

Explanation

Hiro explains that it rained all day, which prevented the temple visit. The cause of the problem is therefore the weather, not a lost item or transport.

Question 49Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: "Tom's father works at a hospital. He leaves home at seven in the morning and comes back at eight in the evening. Tom usually eats dinner with his mother on weekdays." Why does Tom eat dinner with only his mother on weekdays?

  1. Tom's father works only on weekends.
  2. His mother does not like cooking for three people.
  3. His father eats dinner at home very early.
  4. His father is still at work at dinner time. Correct answer.

Explanation

The father returns home at eight in the evening, so he is still at work when Tom and his mother eat dinner. The passage never states the exact dinner time, but the long working hours explain the situation.

Question 50Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Teacher: Your essay is good, but the last paragraph repeats the same idea twice. Student: I see. Should I delete one of them? Teacher: That would help. Also, check the spelling of "environment." What two things does the teacher want the student to do?

  1. Change the topic and hand in the essay again
  2. Write a longer essay and add a new paragraph
  3. Remove a repeated idea and fix a spelling mistake Correct answer.
  4. Read the essay aloud and check the grammar

Explanation

The teacher points out a repeated idea in the last paragraph and mentions the spelling of "environment." Both comments are requests for revision, so the student should cut the repetition and correct the spelling.