Yamagata Prefectural Public High School Entrance Examination - English cheat sheet

Typical task types: picture matching, number/time/price extraction, correct response selection, and short monologue Q&A.

English connected speech: /t/ and /d/ often drop between consonants (next day → /neks deɪ/), so match meaning to the surrounding words, not every sound.

Numbers 13–19 are stressed on the second syllable (thir-TEEN); 30–90 are stressed on the first (THIR-ty). This distinguishes 14 from 40.

When a dialogue gives two figures, the answer is usually the figure attached to the final decision or corrected statement, not the first number heard.

Direction items use turn left/right, go straight, next to, across from, and between A and B; the answer often requires following the route in order.

Request/offer formulas: 'Could you ~?' asks; 'Would you like ~?' offers; 'Why don't we ~?' suggests. Match the response to the function.

Time expressions: 'by 7' means no later than 7; 'until 7' means continuing to 7; 'in 20 minutes' is a duration, not a clock time.

Main-idea questions: the answer restates the whole passage, not a supporting detail; reject options that are true but too narrow.

Pronoun reference: it/they/this/that usually points to the nearest preceding noun phrase that fits the verb and logic; check number agreement.

Transition signals: however/but = contrast; therefore/so = result; for example = illustration; in addition = same direction.

Scanning for details: names, dates, prices, and quantities are usually stated once; match the exact noun and unit before choosing.

Inference items: the correct choice must be supported by text evidence; an option that needs outside knowledge is usually wrong.

Paragraph function: the first sentence often states the topic; the last sentence often gives a conclusion or result; middle sentences give examples or reasons.

True/false or matching: eliminate options with absolute words (always, never, all) unless the passage uses the same absolute wording.

Subject–verb agreement: each/every/either/neither + singular noun takes a singular verb; both/two/many take a plural verb.

Present perfect: have/has + past participle; use for experience, continuing states, and finished actions with a present result; not with a specific past time (yesterday, last week).

Comparatives: as ... as (equal), -er/more ... than (unequal), the -est/most (superlative). Use 'than' only with comparatives.

Relative pronouns: who for people, which for things, that for both in defining clauses; where for places; when for times.

Conditionals: If + present, will + base (real future); If + past, would + base (unreal present).

Prepositions of time: at + clock time, on + day/date, in + month/year/season. 'by' = deadline; 'until' = end point.

Gerund vs infinitive: enjoy/finish/stop/mind + -ing; want/hope/decide/plan + to + base. 'stop -ing' = quit; 'stop to -' = pause in order to.

Word choice: say + something; tell + someone + something; speak + language; talk + to/with someone.

Countable/uncountable: much + uncountable; many + countable; a few + countable; a little + uncountable.

Japanese entrance writing often requires 20–40 English words; count words after drafting and delete redundant adjectives first if over the limit.

A clear paragraph has topic sentence → supporting detail/reason → example → concluding sentence.

Email/message format: greeting, opening line, body, closing, signature; use 'Dear ~,' and 'Best regards,' for formal school contexts.

Linkers: first/second/finally for order; because/since for reason; however for contrast; for example for illustration.

Common error rule: after 'because' use a full subject + verb, not 'because of' + clause; 'because of' takes a noun phrase.

Punctuation: English uses a comma before 'but/so' when joining two full clauses; Japanese-style long run-on sentences lose points.

Answer the prompt's three points explicitly; if the prompt asks opinion + two reasons, a response with only one reason is incomplete.

Spelling and tense consistency: choose one main tense (past for experience, present for opinion) and keep it across the paragraph.