Writing / Composition (条件英作文)
What this domain tests
The writing section asks you to produce a short English message under conditions. Tochigi's guided composition typically gives a topic, two or three content conditions, and a word limit. The Japanese term is 条件英作文. The test rewards clear, correct, on-topic English more than long, complex sentences.
Core rules and concepts
- Read the conditions and number them. Every condition must appear in the answer.
- Plan two or three sentences: one for the main statement, one or two for the required details.
- Use grammar you can control. A correct simple sentence scores better than a broken complex one.
- Keep tense consistent. If the topic is a past event, do not slide into the present.
- Check spelling, capital letters, periods, and question marks at the end.
- Do not translate a Japanese sentence word for word; build the English from subject, verb, and object.
Worked example
Prompt: 'Write about what you do on Sundays. Include when you get up, one activity, and why you like it. Write two sentences.'
Model: 'I usually get up at seven on Sundays. I play tennis with my friends because it is fun and makes me healthy.'
Reasoning: The first sentence gives the time condition. The second gives the activity and the reason. Both sentences are present tense because the topic is a habit. The conditions are all covered with no extra, off-topic material.
Traps that cost marks
- Missing one condition, which often costs more than a small grammar error.
- Writing many sentences about a different topic.
- Using a difficult structure and losing control of the verb.
- Forgetting the required word count or writing one long run-on sentence.
Exam habit
Before copying your answer, tick each condition in the prompt. Then read your answer once for verbs and once for spelling.