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

Shizuoka Public High School Entrance Examination - English practice questions

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Question 1Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The science club meets on Tuesdays, but this week it will meet on Wednesday because of the holiday." When does the science club meet this week?

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

Explanation

The speaker first states the usual day (Tuesday) and then gives an exception for this week: the meeting moves to Wednesday because of the holiday. The question asks specifically about this week, so the changed day is the answer.

Question 2Listening Comprehension

You hear: "Ken wanted to buy the blue notebook, but he only had enough money for the red one." Which notebook did Ken buy?

  1. He bought no notebook
  2. The red one Correct answer.
  3. The blue one
  4. The green one

Explanation

The word "but" signals that Ken's wish was not fulfilled: he could not afford the blue notebook. With his limited money he bought the red one, which was cheaper.

Question 3Listening Comprehension

You hear: "Please bring your textbook and a pencil to the test. You do not need a dictionary." What must students bring?

  1. Only a dictionary
  2. A textbook and a dictionary
  3. A textbook and a pencil Correct answer.
  4. A dictionary and a pencil

Explanation

The speaker lists two required items, the textbook and a pencil, and then explicitly says a dictionary is not needed. The correct answer must include both required items and exclude the dictionary.

Question 4Listening Comprehension

You hear: "Emi gets up at six thirty and leaves home at seven fifteen." How long is it from when Emi gets up to when she leaves home?

  1. One hour
  2. Forty-five minutes Correct answer.
  3. Thirty minutes
  4. One hour and fifteen minutes

Explanation

From 6:30 to 7:15 the difference is 45 minutes. Listening questions often require this simple subtraction rather than just catching one time.

Question 5Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The train to the airport leaves from platform three, not platform two as the sign says." Which platform should you go to?

  1. Platform one
  2. Platform three Correct answer.
  3. Platform four
  4. Platform two

Explanation

The speaker corrects the sign by saying the train leaves from platform three, not platform two. When a speaker explicitly corrects written information, the spoken correction is the reliable one.

Question 6Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I wanted to see the movie, but I had already read the book, so I stayed home." Why did the speaker stay home?

  1. The movie was sold out
  2. The speaker did not like movies
  3. The speaker had already read the book Correct answer.
  4. The theater was too far away

Explanation

The reason is introduced by "so": because the speaker had already read the book, going to see the movie seemed unnecessary. The other options add information that the sentence never gives.

Question 7Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "Open your books to page fifteen and look at the picture at the top." What should students do first?

  1. Open their books to page fifteen Correct answer.
  2. Look at the picture at the bottom
  3. Close their books
  4. Write their names on the page

Explanation

The first instruction in the sequence is to open the books to page fifteen; looking at the picture comes after that. Order-of-instruction questions require following the sequence, not just catching a keyword.

Question 8Listening Comprehension

You hear: "My brother is a doctor, and my sister is a nurse. I want to be a teacher." What does the speaker want to be?

  1. A teacher Correct answer.
  2. A dentist
  3. A doctor
  4. A nurse

Explanation

The speaker describes the jobs of the brother and sister, then states their own goal with "I want to be a teacher." Only the speaker's own wish answers the question.

Question 9Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The bus is faster than the train, but the train is cheaper." Which statement is true?

  1. The bus is faster, and the train costs less Correct answer.
  2. The train is slower and more expensive
  3. The bus is both faster and cheaper
  4. The train is faster and cheaper than the bus

Explanation

The sentence contrasts two comparisons: speed favors the bus, and price favors the train. A correct answer must keep both comparisons in the right direction and avoid reversing either one.

Question 10Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I usually walk to school, but when it rains my father drives me." How does the speaker usually get to school?

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

Explanation

The adverb "usually" marks the normal habit, which is walking. Driving is only the exception for rainy days, so it cannot be the usual way.

Question 11Listening Comprehension

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

  1. Because the concert was moved earlier
  2. To have dinner before the concert
  3. Because the station closes at six
  4. To arrive before the concert starts Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker links the meeting time to the concert time with "so": meeting at 5:30 allows time to get to the concert before it starts at six. The reason must be inferred from that logical connection.

Question 12Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I called Yuki three times, but she didn't answer. She was probably taking a shower." What does the speaker think Yuki was doing?

  1. Studying at the library
  2. Taking a shower Correct answer.
  3. Waiting for a phone call
  4. Sleeping at a friend's house

Explanation

The word "probably" introduces the speaker's guess about why Yuki did not answer, and that guess is taking a shower. Questions with "probably" ask for the speaker's inference, not a confirmed fact.

Question 13Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The library is closed on Mondays. Today is Monday, so we can't study there." What does the speaker conclude?

  1. They will study at the library
  2. They should go to the library tomorrow
  3. They cannot study at the library today Correct answer.
  4. The library opens late on Mondays

Explanation

The speaker combines two facts, the Monday closure and today's being Monday, to reach the conclusion that the library is unavailable. The conclusion is stated with "so," which marks the result.

Question 14Listening Comprehension

You hear: "Could you tell Mr. Sato that the meeting has been moved to two o'clock in room 204?" What is the main purpose of this message?

  1. To ask Mr. Sato to call back
  2. To ask someone to pass on new meeting details Correct answer.
  3. To invite Mr. Sato to lunch
  4. To cancel the meeting

Explanation

The speaker asks the listener to relay a change of time and place to Mr. Sato. The message is a request to convey information, not to cancel or to socialize.

Question 15Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I've been to Kyoto twice, but I've never been to Nara." Which place has the speaker visited?

  1. Only Nara
  2. Only Kyoto Correct answer.
  3. Both Kyoto and Nara
  4. Neither Kyoto nor Nara

Explanation

"Twice" confirms visits to Kyoto, while "never" confirms no visits to Nara. The contrast word "but" separates the two places, so only Kyoto has been visited.

Question 16Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The shop opens at ten on weekdays, but at nine on weekends." It is Sunday. What time does the shop open?

  1. At eleven
  2. At noon
  3. At ten
  4. At nine Correct answer.

Explanation

Sunday is part of the weekend, so the weekend opening time applies. The answer depends on correctly classifying the day before choosing between the two times given.

Question 17Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I was going to join the tennis club, but my friend invited me to the drama club, so I chose that instead." Which club did the speaker join?

  1. The tennis club
  2. Neither club
  3. The drama club Correct answer.
  4. Both clubs

Explanation

"Was going to" shows the tennis plan was only an intention, and "instead" confirms the final choice was the drama club. Recognizing the meaning of "was going to" is the key to avoiding the wrong option.

Question 18Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The homework is due on Friday. If you are absent on Thursday, send it by email before noon on Friday." What should a student who is absent on Thursday do?

  1. Email it before noon on Friday Correct answer.
  2. Bring it on Monday
  3. Hand it in on Thursday
  4. Ask a friend to hand it in

Explanation

The instruction uses a condition, "if you are absent on Thursday," and gives a special procedure for that case: send the homework by email before noon on Friday. The answer must match the condition stated in the question.

Question 19Listening Comprehension

You hear: "A: Did you finish the report? B: I finished it last night, but I haven't checked the numbers yet." What has B not done yet?

  1. Sent the report to the teacher
  2. Checked the numbers Correct answer.
  3. Read the report's title
  4. Written the report

Explanation

B confirms finishing the report last night, then adds with "but" that the numbers have not yet been checked. The negative statement after "but" identifies the unfinished task.

Question 20Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The museum is free for students, but you must show your student ID at the entrance." What must students do to enter for free?

  1. Show a student ID Correct answer.
  2. Come before noon
  3. Make a reservation online
  4. Pay half the price

Explanation

The free admission is conditional: the requirement attached to it is showing a student ID at the entrance. The correct answer names that condition rather than an unrelated rule.

Question 21Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I asked my teacher for advice, but she said the decision was mine to make." What did the teacher do?

  1. She told the student to decide alone Correct answer.
  2. She asked the student to leave
  3. She refused to speak to the student
  4. She made the decision for the student

Explanation

The teacher's response is that the decision belongs to the student, meaning the student must choose. The contrast with "asked for advice" shows the teacher gave no direct answer.

Question 22Listening Comprehension

You hear: "If I had left home five minutes earlier, I wouldn't have missed the bus." What actually happened?

  1. The bus arrived five minutes late
  2. The speaker decided not to take the bus
  3. The speaker left early and caught the bus
  4. The speaker missed the bus Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a past unreal conditional: it describes a result that did not happen because the condition was not met. Since the speaker did not leave earlier, they did miss the bus.

Question 23Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The sign says the pool is open until eight, but the lights were already off when we got there at seven thirty." What can you infer?

  1. The lights were off because of rain
  2. The speaker arrived after eight
  3. The pool closed earlier than the sign says Correct answer.
  4. The pool is open all night

Explanation

The sign promises eight o'clock, but the lights were off at 7:30, which suggests the pool was already closed despite the sign. The inference comes from contrasting the stated rule with the observed situation.

Question 24Listening Comprehension

You hear: "A: How was the speech contest? B: I practiced for weeks, and I didn't win, but I'm glad I tried." How does B feel about the contest?

  1. Sure that the result was unfair
  2. Angry that the practice was wasted
  3. Satisfied with having made the effort Correct answer.
  4. Sorry that they entered at all

Explanation

B admits not winning but says they are glad they tried, which shows a positive view of the effort itself. The feeling must come from the speaker's own words, not from the disappointing result.

Question 25Listening Comprehension

You hear: "My mother told me to take an umbrella, but I didn't listen. Now my clothes are wet." What is the speaker mainly expressing?

  1. Surprise that it rained
  2. Regret about not following advice Correct answer.
  3. Pride in making a choice
  4. Anger at the weather forecast

Explanation

The sequence of ignoring advice and then suffering the predicted result shows regret. "Now my clothes are wet" is presented as the consequence of not listening, which is the point of the remark.

Question 26Listening Comprehension

You hear a school announcement: "The library will close at four thirty today because of a teachers' meeting. Please return all books before you leave." What are students asked to do before leaving?

  1. Return the books they borrowed Correct answer.
  2. Come to the teachers' meeting
  3. Take new books home for the holiday
  4. Wait in the library until four thirty

Explanation

The speaker gives the reason for the early closing and then makes one request: books should be returned before students leave. The meeting concerns teachers, and no instruction about borrowing new books is given.

Question 27Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I left my umbrella on the train this morning. On my way home I'll stop at the station office and ask if anyone found it." What will the speaker do after school?

  1. Call the school office about the umbrella
  2. Ask at the station office about the umbrella Correct answer.
  3. Take the train again to look for it
  4. Buy a new umbrella near the station

Explanation

The speaker says where the umbrella was lost and then states the plan for the way home: stopping at the station office to ask whether it was found. Buying, riding the train again, and calling the school are not mentioned.

Question 28Listening Comprehension

You hear a student say: "My new classmate moved here from Canada last month. She speaks Japanese well, but she says she still finds kanji difficult." What does the classmate find difficult?

  1. Living in Japan
  2. Speaking Japanese
  3. Reading and writing kanji Correct answer.
  4. Making friends in class

Explanation

The speaker praises the classmate's spoken Japanese and then contrasts it with the one thing she still finds hard: kanji. Kanji is the written script, so the difficulty concerns reading and writing it.

Question 29Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The science club meets on Tuesdays, and the art club meets on Thursdays. I want to join both, so I'll go to the art club today." What day is it today?

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

Explanation

The speaker says the art club meets on Thursdays and then says they will go to the art club today. Since the club meets only on that day, today must be Thursday.

Question 30Listening Comprehension

You hear a teacher say: "For tomorrow's presentation, bring your notes, but leave the heavy textbooks at home. You may use one picture on the screen." What should students bring to the presentation?

  1. Their textbooks and a picture
  2. Only their notes, with nothing on the screen
  3. Their textbooks instead of notes
  4. Their notes and one picture for the screen Correct answer.

Explanation

The teacher allows notes and one picture on the screen while telling students to leave textbooks at home. Combining those two permitted items gives the correct answer.

Question 31Listening Comprehension

You hear: "A: Shall we study at the coffee shop near the station? B: It's noisy there. How about the library on the second floor of city hall? A: Good idea. Let's meet at the entrance at one." Where will they study?

  1. At the library in city hall Correct answer.
  2. At the school library
  3. At the city hall entrance
  4. At the coffee shop near the station

Explanation

The coffee shop is rejected as too noisy, and B suggests the library on the second floor of city hall, which A accepts. The entrance is only the meeting place, not the place of study.

Question 32Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I ordered a new bicycle last Saturday. The shop said it would take about a week, so I should be able to ride it to school from next Monday." When does the speaker expect to start using the bicycle?

  1. In about a month
  2. Next Monday Correct answer.
  3. Last Saturday
  4. The day after the order

Explanation

The order was placed on Saturday and the shop needs about a week, so the speaker expects to ride it from the following Monday. That date is stated directly as the start of school use.

Question 33Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I wanted to buy the concert ticket at the convenience store, but the machine was out of order, so I got it on the website instead." How did the speaker get the ticket?

  1. At the convenience store
  2. At the concert hall
  3. On the website Correct answer.
  4. From a friend

Explanation

The store machine failed, so the speaker used a different method: the website. The convenience store is mentioned as the failed plan, not the successful one.

Question 34Listening Comprehension

You hear: "My sister said she would cook dinner tonight, but she has a fever, so I'll make something simple instead." Why will the speaker cook tonight?

  1. Because they have no food in the house
  2. Because the sister is working late
  3. Because the sister is ill Correct answer.
  4. Because the speaker enjoys cooking

Explanation

The sister's fever is the reason given for the change of plan, so the speaker takes over the cooking. Working late, enjoyment, and an empty house are not part of the story.

Question 35Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The train was delayed for twenty minutes, so I arrived at the meeting at ten past nine. Luckily, the meeting started at nine thirty." What do we learn about the speaker?

  1. The speaker was twenty minutes late for the meeting.
  2. The speaker arrived before the meeting started. Correct answer.
  3. The speaker arrived after the meeting had ended.
  4. The speaker missed the meeting.

Explanation

Arriving at 9:10 is earlier than the 9:30 start, so the delay did not cause lateness. The twenty minutes refers to the train delay, not to being late for the meeting.

Question 36Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I asked my brother to water my plants while I was away, and he did. But he forgot to close the window, so the floor got wet in the rain." What went wrong while the speaker was away?

  1. The plants were moved outside.
  2. The brother forgot to close a window. Correct answer.
  3. The plants were not watered.
  4. The brother watered the floor by mistake.

Explanation

The plants were watered as asked, so the problem lies in the second action: the open window let rain in and wet the floor. The answer must name that forgotten task.

Question 37Listening Comprehension

You hear: "A: Did you enjoy the school trip? B: The hotel was small and the food was just okay. But the hiking was great, and I'd go again for that." What is B's overall view of the trip?

  1. The trip was a failure because of the hotel.
  2. The hiking made the trip worth doing again. Correct answer.
  3. Everything about the trip was wonderful.
  4. The food was the best part of the trip.

Explanation

B lists some weak points but ends by saying the hiking was great and would be a reason to go again. The overall view is therefore positive because of one activity, not because everything was perfect.

Question 38Listening Comprehension

You hear: "The notice says the entrance test begins at nine, and we should be in the room by eight forty. If you come after nine, you cannot take the test." What happens to a student who arrives at nine fifteen?

  1. They may still take the test.
  2. They must wait for the next test.
  3. They may enter quietly and start late.
  4. They cannot take the test. Correct answer.

Explanation

The notice sets nine as the final limit: arriving after nine means the test cannot be taken. Nine fifteen is past that limit, so the rule applies directly.

Question 39Listening Comprehension

You hear: "I thought the speech contest would be easy because my English is good. But listening to the others, I realized that speaking clearly matters more than using difficult words." What did the speaker learn?

  1. Difficult words impress the judges most.
  2. Clear speaking is more important than difficult words. Correct answer.
  3. The contest was easier than expected.
  4. Good English means never making mistakes.

Explanation

The speaker contrasts an earlier belief with a new understanding: clear speaking counts more than difficult vocabulary. The lesson is a change of view, not a claim about judges or mistakes.

Question 40Listening Comprehension

You hear: "My father said we could go to the festival if I finished my homework by noon. I started early but kept getting messages, so at noon I was only halfway done. My father looked at my notebook and said nothing." What does the father's silence most likely mean?

  1. He has decided that they will go to the festival.
  2. He is waiting for the homework to be finished before deciding. Correct answer.
  3. He has forgotten about the festival.
  4. He did not hear what the speaker said.

Explanation

The condition was finishing the homework by noon, and the notebook showed it was only half done. The father's silence fits a decision being withheld until the work is complete, which is the most reasonable inference.

Question 41Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this short passage: 'Ken looked at the clock. It was 8:40. His bus left at 8:45, and the bus stop was five minutes' walk from his house. He picked up his bag and ran out of the door.' Why did Ken run out of the door?

  1. He had forgotten to eat his breakfast.
  2. He was late for a baseball game at school.
  3. He wanted to catch his bus before it left. Correct answer.
  4. He was going to meet a friend at the clock.

Explanation

The passage gives a time problem: the bus leaves at 8:45, it is already 8:40, and the stop is five minutes away. Ken runs because he has just enough time to reach the bus, so catching it is the reason for his action.

Question 42Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Aya: 'Do you want to come to the library with me now?' Ben: 'I'd love to, but I have to finish this report by noon.' What does Ben mean?

  1. He has already been to the library today.
  2. He does not like going to the library.
  3. He cannot go with Aya because of his work. Correct answer.
  4. He wants Aya to write the report for him.

Explanation

'I'd love to, but...' is a polite refusal pattern: the speaker shows interest and then gives a reason for saying no. Ben's reason is the report he must finish, so he declines the invitation because of work.

Question 43Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: 'Mika's new bicycle is red. She rides it to school every day. Last Sunday, she rode it to the beach with her brother. They took a long time because they stopped to look at the sea.' Why did the ride to the beach take a long time?

  1. The beach was very far from their house.
  2. They stopped several times to enjoy the view. Correct answer.
  3. The bicycle was too small for Mika.
  4. Mika's brother could not ride a bicycle.

Explanation

The passage states the reason directly: 'they took a long time because they stopped to look at the sea.' The cause is the stops they made to enjoy the view, not distance or equipment.

Question 44Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Taro: 'Excuse me, is this seat taken?' Woman: 'No, go ahead.' What does the woman tell Taro?

  1. He should find another seat.
  2. She wants him to move her bag.
  3. He is free to sit in that seat. Correct answer.
  4. The seat belongs to someone else.

Explanation

'Is this seat taken?' asks whether a seat is already reserved by someone. Answering 'No, go ahead' means the seat is free and the person may sit there, so the woman is giving permission.

Question 45Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: 'Our school festival starts on Friday. Students will sell cakes and drinks in the gym. On Saturday, there will be a music show in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome, and you do not need a ticket.' What can you learn about the school festival?

  1. The music show is on Friday afternoon.
  2. You must buy a ticket before you come.
  3. Visitors can enter without paying for a ticket. Correct answer.
  4. Cakes and drinks are sold outside the gym.

Explanation

The passage says 'you do not need a ticket,' which means entry is free for everyone. The other details about days and places are also stated, and they contradict the remaining choices.

Question 46Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Emi: 'How was your trip to Kyoto?' Jun: 'It rained every day, so we stayed in the hotel most of the time.' How did Jun feel about the trip?

  1. He was happy to stay inside the hotel.
  2. He was excited to see many famous temples.
  3. He was angry that the hotel was expensive.
  4. He was disappointed because of the weather. Correct answer.

Explanation

Jun says it rained every day and they had to stay in the hotel, which shows the trip did not go as planned. The tone of 'so we stayed in the hotel most of the time' suggests disappointment caused by bad weather.

Question 47Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: 'Please do not feed the birds in this park. Bread is not good for them, and it makes the water in the pond dirty. If you want to help the birds, please take your rubbish home with you.' What is the main purpose of this sign?

  1. To ask visitors to protect the birds and the park. Correct answer.
  2. To invite visitors to swim in the pond.
  3. To tell visitors where to buy bread.
  4. To explain how birds find food in winter.

Explanation

The sign gives a rule (do not feed the birds) and explains the harm that bread causes to the birds and the water. Its purpose is to get visitors to take care of the birds and keep the park clean.

Question 48Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Mother: 'Did you remember to take your umbrella?' Saki: 'Yes, I did. I put it in my bag this morning.' What is true about Saki?

  1. She borrowed an umbrella from her mother.
  2. She has her umbrella with her now. Correct answer.
  3. She left her umbrella at school.
  4. She is going to buy a new umbrella.

Explanation

Saki confirms that she remembered the umbrella and says she put it in her bag this morning. Since she is talking to her mother while carrying the bag, the umbrella is with her.

Question 49Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this passage: 'Tom's class is going to plant flowers near the school gate next month. Each student will bring one small plant. The class will also make a sign that says "Welcome to our school." The students hope visitors will enjoy the flowers.' What will the students do next month?

  1. They will visit another school by bus.
  2. They will sell flowers to visitors.
  3. They will clean the school gate every day.
  4. They will plant flowers and make a welcome sign. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage lists two planned actions: planting flowers near the school gate and making a sign that welcomes visitors. These are the activities the class will do next month.

Question 50Reading Comprehension (short passages and dialogues)

Read this dialogue: Ken: 'I'm thinking of joining the tennis club.' Yumi: 'That's a good idea. But you should buy good shoes first. Your old ones are really worn out.' What does Yumi advise Ken to do?

  1. To join a different club instead of tennis.
  2. To get new shoes before he starts playing. Correct answer.
  3. To borrow shoes from another club member.
  4. To stop playing tennis because it is dangerous.

Explanation

Yumi uses 'you should buy good shoes first' and gives a reason: his old shoes are worn out. The advice is to buy proper shoes before beginning tennis, not to change his plan.