Yamaguchi Prefectural Public High School Entrance Examination - English flashcards

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

-teen versus -ty stress

Thirteen/30, fourteen/40, fifteen/50: the -teen ending is stressed and longer, the -ty ending is short and unstressed. This distinction decides price, time, and number answers in listening items.

Wh- question words

Who asks a person, where a place, when a time, why a reason, how a method, how much a price, how long a duration. Match each note you take to the question word.

but and however cues

When a speaker says but, however, or actually, the information after it overrides the earlier statement, so the later detail is usually the correct option.

First-mentioned option trap

An option heard early is often a plan the speakers reject. The final decision, signalled by so, then, let's, or I'll take, is what the question asks about.

Prepositions of place

Next to, across from, between A and B, on the corner of, opposite, in front of. Sketch the positions while listening; the answer is the location satisfying all stated relations.

Duration versus clock time

Expressions such as at seven thirty, by noon, in ten minutes, until five mix start times, end times, and lengths. Record each separately, because the question may ask duration rather than clock time.

Preview printed sub-questions

The Japanese sub-questions appear on the answer paper. Reading them while the example is read shows which information, such as a number, place, or reason, must be caught from the audio.

Topic sentence position

The main idea of an English paragraph usually appears in its first or last sentence, while the middle sentences supply examples, numbers, and details that support it.

Pronoun reference rule

It, this, they, and them refer to the nearest earlier noun phrase that matches in number and meaning. Substituting the candidate noun back into the sentence tests the choice.

Contrast signal words

But, however, although, and on the other hand introduce an opposite idea, so answers to questions about a problem or change often sit in the clause after them.

Example signal words

For example, such as, like, and including introduce supporting detail. In a summary or main-idea question, an example is never the main idea itself.

Cause and result markers

Because, since, so, therefore, and as a result link a reason to an outcome. An answer to a why question must restate the stated cause, not general knowledge.

Eliminating title options

Reject a title covering only one paragraph's detail, which is too narrow, or claiming more than the passage states, which is too broad. Keep the option covering the whole text.

Exact copy for 書き抜き

When the instruction says 書き抜き, copy the English sentence exactly as printed, with capitals and the final period. A 指定語数 limit may require a shorter segment of that sentence.

Accepting an invitation

Would you like to ~? and How about ~? are accepted with Sure, Sounds good, or I'd love to, and declined politely with Sorry, but I'm busy then.

Telephone set phrases

May I speak to Ken? is answered by This is Ken speaking, Hold on please, He is not in now, or Can I take a message? These fixed exchanges answer telephone dialogue items.

Shop and restaurant replies

May I help you? is answered by I'm looking for a bag. Anything else? by That's all. Here you are and Here it is complete the standard shop transaction.

Asking the way

How can I get to the station? is answered with a route plus a landmark, such as Go along this street and turn left at the second corner. The question asks which turn or landmark.

Answer must match question word

A How long question needs a duration, a How far question a distance, and a Why question a reason. An answer of the wrong type is a distractor even when it is factually true.

Apology and thanks replies

To I'm sorry, English replies That's all right or Never mind. To Thank you, it replies You're welcome or Don't mention it. Japanese exam items test these fixed pairs.

Third-person singular -s

A present-tense verb takes -s when its subject is he, she, it, a singular noun, or everyone/everybody/each. Plural nouns and I/you subjects take the base form.

Future in if and when

After if, when, before, after, and until, use the present tense even for future meaning. Will appears only in the main clause of the sentence.

Present perfect: for and since

Have/has plus past participle. For takes a length of time (for three years); since takes a starting point (since 2020). Have been to means went and came back.

Gerund vs to-infinitive

Enjoy, finish, stop, and practice take -ing. Want, hope, decide, and plan take to plus verb. Remember + -ing is a past event; remember + to is a future duty.

Adverb position rule

Always, usually, often, sometimes, and never go before a general verb but after be. They are never placed between a verb and its object in ordering items.

Indirect question word order

In Do you know where he lives? the embedded clause keeps statement order, so there is no do or does and no inversion after the question word.

Relative pronoun choice

Who is for people, which for things, that for both, and whose for possession. The pronoun is dropped when it is the object, as in the book I bought.

Word-count condition

10語以上 means at least ten words. Write two short sentences, an opinion and a because-reason, then count and keep a margin of two or three words.

Because-clause for reasons

Japanese 条件英作文 often demands a reason. Join it with because and place the because-clause after the main clause, which keeps word order simple and avoids comma errors.

Rearrangement: find the verb

In 並べ替え items, locate the verb first, then decide subject and object, then attach adverbs, place, and time. Check tense and agreement before fixing the final order.

Rewrite with same meaning

He is a good singer equals He sings well. Too ~ to equals not ~ enough. These 書き換え pairs are tested with one blank and must keep the original tense and person.

Capitalization and period

Begin every English sentence with a capital letter and end with a period or question mark. Capitalize I, days, months, countries, and people's names.