Grammar and Vocabulary in Context: Word Order, Inflection, Function Words
What the section asks
This part tests grammar inside meaningful sentences: word-order rearrangement from a Japanese prompt, correct inflection (tense, plural, comparative, participle), and function words (prepositions, conjunctions, articles, pronouns, auxiliaries). The exam favors junior-high core patterns, but distractors often copy Japanese word order.
Core rules
- Build the English pattern first: SVOO, SVOC, there is, it is … for … to …, indirect question.
- In embedded questions, keep statement order: “I don’t know when he will come,” not “when will he come.”
- After prepositions and conjunctions, use a noun or gerund: “before leaving,” “instead of waiting.”
- Match tense and number: “one of the books that are…”; “if it is fine tomorrow.”
- Choose articles by shared vs new information: “a ticket” first, “the ticket” later.
Worked example
Japanese prompt: 私は彼にどこで切符を買えばよいか尋ねた。 Order: I / asked / him / where / to buy / a ticket. Reasoning: “ask + person + question word + to do” is the core. “Where to buy” is a noun phrase; do not write “where should I buy” after “asked him.” “A ticket” is introduced for the first time, so “a,” not “the.”
Traps
“Because… so…” double conjunction; “although… but…”; missing third-person -s; “enjoy to play”; “look forward to meet”; “one of my friend”; “the” with generic plurals; word-for-word Japanese order in rearrangement.