NAT-TEST 1Q key terms

Describes language that leaves the meaning unclear, either on purpose or by accident, so the listener cannot tell exactly what is meant. Advanced reading passages often criticise vague wording in public statements or corporate apologies.

Says that a judgement, price, or method is reasonable and fits the situation. In 1Q reading, the correct option often calls a proposal 妥当, while the wrong options overstate it or twist what the writer said.

A verb meaning to prompt someone to act, or to encourage a response. It appears in notices and editorials, as in 注意を促す, and often marks the request the writer is making of the reader.

To fill a gap or make up for something missing or insufficient, as in 不足を補う. Reading questions about proposed solutions often turn on which measure is said to 補う what.

To look steadily at something, or to think ahead to a future situation before acting. Common in business and editorial Japanese as 将来を見据えて, it signals a long-term viewpoint rather than an immediate reaction.

To base a decision or argument on given facts or on an earlier discussion, as in 結果を踏まえて. In reading and grammar it links a stated premise to the conclusion the writer draws from it.

To be involved in or engaged in a kind of work or activity, usually written as ～に携わる. It is more formal than 働く and appears in profiles and passages describing professions and research fields.

A formal noun and verb meaning worry or concern about a possible problem, as in 懸念される. News-style passages use it to introduce a risk that the writer then evaluates or dismisses.

The main point or purpose behind a plan, rule, or statement, as in 趣旨を理解する. Questions that ask about 趣旨 want the intention behind the words, not a word-for-word restatement.

An idiom meaning to struggle with something hard to handle, usually a person or a recurring problem. It carries a mild complaint tone and is a typical 慣用句 item in the vocabulary section.

A four-character compound meaning repeated trial and error while searching for a workable method. It commonly appears as 試行錯誤を重ねる in passages about research, product development, or learning.

A humble verb meaning to meet a person of higher status, the humble counterpart of 会う. Grammar and listening items test whether you use it for your own action and お会いになる for the other person's.

A written pattern meaning 'cannot help but' or 'have no choice but to'. It attaches to a verb's ない-stem, as in せざるを得ない, and states a conclusion forced by circumstances outside the speaker's control.

Means 'starting with' and marks the first event of a series that continues afterwards. It attaches to a noun and is common in passages listing expansions, tours, or product launches.

Expresses that something will inevitably happen, or that a person cannot stay passive: 'will not fail to'. It attaches to a ない-stem and appears with verbs of emotion or strong effect on others.

Means 'no sooner had ... than' and links two actions that follow almost instantly. It attaches to a verb in dictionary or た form and often appears in narrative listening passages describing a quick reaction.

Means 'when it comes to the stage of' and stresses that a certain level or role brings special consequences. It follows a noun, as in 部長ともなると, and signals a change in expectations.

Means 'as if it were about to' and describes an intense state close to happening, as in 泣かんばかり. It attaches to a ない-stem and is frequent in descriptive reading passages.

Means 'in line with' or 'in accordance with' and follows a noun such as 現実 or 法律. It appears in formal writing about rules and policies and signals the standard something is measured against.

Means 'there is a risk that something bad may happen'. It attaches to a verb stem and differs from ～かねる, which is a polite refusal; confusing the two is a common 1Q grammar trap.

Means 'is in the process of' and attaches to a verb stem, describing gradual ongoing change such as 増えつつある. It sounds more formal than ～ている and appears in reports and editorials.

Means 'extremely' and attaches to a negative noun such as 失礼 or 危険 to express strong criticism. It is a written pattern and does not attach to positive words, which is a frequent distractor.

Lists example alternatives, meaning 'either ... or ...', and suggests the listener choose one of them. The same pattern repeats on two verbs or nouns and appears mostly in advice-style dialogue.

Words such as これ, それ, あれ and この that point back or forward in a text. Reading questions ask what a 指示語 refers to, so check the nearest matching noun and whether it is singular or plural.

Conjunctions such as しかし, ところが and もっとも that introduce a contrast or a qualification. The writer's real claim often follows them, so mark them while scanning a passage for the conclusion.

The opinion or judgement the author of a passage wants the reader to accept. Questions ask you to pick the option matching it and reject options that are only examples, background, or someone else's view.

The overall gist of a whole passage, including its conclusion, as opposed to a single detail. 要旨 questions usually come last and require you to compress the argument into one sentence.

The pairing of a general claim with examples that support it, or the reverse order. Telling which sentence is the claim and which is illustration stops you from choosing an example as the answer.

A second phrasing of the same idea in different words, often signalled by つまり or すなわち. Correct answers frequently restate the passage rather than reuse its vocabulary, so look for these paraphrases.

How a passage is organised into blocks, each usually opening with its own topic sentence. Noticing where a new paragraph starts and what it introduces helps you locate the conclusion quickly under time pressure.

What a speaker is actually trying to achieve with a remark, such as requesting, declining, or hinting. 1Q listening often asks this when the literal words sound polite but the real meaning is a refusal.

Writing short notes while listening, using symbols, numbers, and abbreviations. Because 1Q passages are played once, practise recording who said what, the key figures, and the final decision.

Telling apart words that sound the same but differ in meaning or kanji, such as 機構 and 気候. Listening items exploit this, so use the surrounding context to decide which word was actually said.

Hearing the difference between a small っ or a long vowel and its absence, as in 来て and 切って. These length contrasts change meaning, and 1Q recordings use them as deliberate distractors.

Telling honorific, humble, and polite forms apart in speech, so you know who is doing what for whom. This decides who gives, receives, or asks in many 1Q listening dialogues.

Anticipating how a conversation will proceed from its opening lines, for example expecting a request to be followed by a refusal or a condition. It helps you listen for the decisive final line.