Shiga Public High School Entrance Examination - English flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Main idea question

A question asking what the whole passage is about. The correct option covers all paragraphs; options true only about one sentence are detail traps.

Pronoun reference question

Asks what it, they, this, or one points to. Replace the pronoun with each candidate noun and keep the one that fits grammatically and logically.

Vocabulary in context

Asks the meaning of a word as used in the passage. Substitute each option into the original sentence; only one preserves the passage meaning and tone.

Inference item rule

The answer must follow necessarily from stated information. If an option needs outside knowledge or a guess, it is not supported by the text.

Order-of-events strategy

Locate time markers such as first, then, after that, finally, and in those days, build a timeline, then match the options to that sequence.

Contrast markers in listening

Words like but, however, actually, and in fact signal a correction. The speaker's final statement, not the earlier one, answers the question.

Numbers and units trap

Listening items test digits plus units: yen, minutes, a.m./p.m., platform numbers. Write both the number and its unit as you hear them.

Answer location in dialogue

In short conversations the information answering the question usually appears in the second or third turn, not in the opening line.

Direction listening

Track left, right, next to, across from, between, and go straight. Sketching a simple map while listening prevents order mistakes.

'I was going to' pattern

This phrase signals a changed plan. The action actually taken differs from the one first mentioned, so the first plan is a distractor.

Adverb of frequency position

Place always, usually, often, and never before the main verb but after be: She usually walks; He is always late.

Relative pronoun selection

Use who for people, which for things, that for both in defining clauses, whose for possession, where for places, and when for times.

Participle choice after nouns

Use -ing when the noun performs the action (a running boy) and -ed when it receives it (a broken window).

Gerund or infinitive

Want, hope, plan, and decide take to do; enjoy, finish, stop, mind, and practice take doing. Stop to do means pause in order to.

Comparative forms

Use as … as for equality, -er/more … than for inequality, and the -est/the most for the superlative. Never combine more with -er.

Tense signal words

Ago and yesterday require the past tense; since and for pair with perfect tenses; if and when clauses use present tense for future meaning.

Passive voice formation

Be plus past participle. Use it when the doer is unknown or unimportant; the active object becomes the new subject.

Article decision rule

Use a/an for a first-mentioned countable singular, the for shared or previously mentioned nouns, and no article for general plurals and abstract nouns.

Conjunction logic check

Because shows reason, although shows contrast, so shows result, and if shows condition. Confirm the logic fits, not only the grammar.

Invitation responses

Accept with Sure, I'd love to; decline with a reason or alternative such as Sorry, I can't - I have to study.

Thank-you replies

Natural responses are You're welcome, Not at all, and My pleasure. Repeating no or denying the thanks is not standard English.

Offer responses

Questions like Shall I…? or Can I help you? ask about help, so answer by accepting or declining the offer, not with information.

'How are you?' function

This is a greeting, not a health question. Reply briefly and positively, such as Fine, thank you, and return the question.

Telephone and shop openings

Fixed patterns include May I speak to…?, Who's calling, please?, Can I take your order?, and Here you are. Match the situation.

Content-point marking

Japanese writing rubrics award marks per required content point. Answer every prompt point in order; missing one loses marks even with good English.

Paragraph structure for writing

Open with a topic sentence, support it with one reason and one example, and close with a short conclusion or opinion.

English word order in writing

Build subject plus verb plus object, then add time, place, and reason. Short controlled sentences reduce errors under exam pressure.

High-frequency writing errors

Check subject–verb agreement, third-person -s, plural -s, articles, and tense consistency. These five account for most lost marks.

Opinion sentence pattern

Use I think that … because …. Avoid absolute claims like everyone or always, which are hard to support in a short answer.

English-to-Japanese clause order

Find the English subject and verb first, then write Japanese with the verb at the end and modifiers placed before their nouns.

Pronoun handling in translation

Replace he, she, it, and they with the actual noun from context, or omit the subject where Japanese naturally drops it.

Meaning explanation task

This asks for paraphrase in Japanese, not literal translation. State who does what and why in plain language.

Phrasal verb translation

Translate units like look after, give up, and take care of as whole meanings, never word by word, since literal renderings distort the sense.