SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
2016 SCHOOL YEAR
KANTO
GRAMMAR AND READING SECTION
Student Name:
______________________________________________
Applicant Number: ______________________________________________
1
CONTENTS
Section 1
This booklet contains the following sections:
Error identification
15 Questions
Section 2
Choosing the appropriate words
15 Questions
Section 3
Choosing the best response to the
prompt
10 Questions
Reading A
5 Questions
Reading B
5 Questions
Reading
Comprehension
40 minutes
If anything is missing, please inform the examiner immediately.
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Section 1: Error identification
INSTRUCTIONS
Find the mistakes in the following sentences.
If there is no mistake, choose option d), (no mistake).
Only ONE answer will be accepted.
If two or more answers are chosen for a question, ZERO points will be given for that question.
e.g. ‘Everyone knows that Osaka is more smaller than Tokyo.’
a) Everyone knows
b) more smaller
c) than Tokyo
d) no mistake
The answer is b (more smaller).
Mark your answer on the sheet provided as indicated below (on the left).
1.
Section 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
1.
THE CORRECT WAY
FULL points
Section 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
THE INCORRECT WAY
ZERO points
If you have a problem, please ask for help.
4
1) Where’s the cheapest place to buy a computer in Japan?
a) Where’s
b) cheapest
c) in
d) no mistake
2) The family has no intention of visiting their estranged father in hospital.
a) has
b) intention of
c) estranged
d) no mistake
3) Over the past two years, his grades has shown marked improvement.
a) Over the
b) grades has
c) marked improvement
d) no mistake
4) Nishiyamato Gakuen is a very prestigious private school in between Nara prefecture.
a) is
b) prestigious
c) in between
d) no mistake
5) You’re grades are going to have to be a lot better if you want to get into Tokyo University.
a) You’re
b) have to be
c) want to get into
d) no mistake
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Section 1: Error identification
6) How long did you spent in Kobe this Summer?
a) How long
b) spent
c) this Summer
d) no mistake
7) I want to get a good score on the test so I’m studying hardly tonight.
a) want to get
b) on the test
c) studying hardly
d) no mistake
8) I didn’t meet you at last year’s graduation ceremony, have I?
a) meet you
b) at
c) have I?
d) no mistake
9) The most difficult university to enter in Japan is definite Tokyo University.
a) most difficult
b) to enter
c) is definite
d) no mistake
10) It is highly recommended that you pay attention to your teacher at all times.
a) highly recommended
b) pay attention
c) at all times
d) no mistake
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11) However cold it gets in Nara in winter, it will never get as cold as Canada.
a) However
b) will never
c) as cold as
d) no mistake
12) Although I have been to Australia, I haven’t never been to Sydney.
a) Although
b) have been
c) haven’t never been
d) no mistake
13) He had deep regretted about the decision to reject the scholarship to attend Kyoto University.
a) deep regretted
b) to reject
c) to attend
d) no mistake
14) I was real happy to hear the great news! Congratulations on getting into Harvard University!
a) real happy
b) the great news
c) Congratulations on
d) no mistake
15) The parents didn’t take any responsibility for the lack of parental guidance given to there son.
a) didn’t take any
b) the lack of
c) given to there
d) no mistake
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Section 2: Choosing the appropriate words
INSTRUCTIONS
Choose the appropriate word(s) to fill the blanks in the following sentences.
Only ONE answer will be accepted.
If two or more answers are chosen for a question, ZERO points will be given for that question.
e.g. ‘Everyone knows that Osaka is ____________ Tokyo.’
a) not bigger as
b) not same
c) smaller than
d) more small than
The answer is c (smaller than).
Mark your answer on the sheet provided as indicated below (on the left).
1.
Section 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
1.
THE CORRECT WAY
FULL points
Section 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
THE INCORRECT WAY
ZERO points
If you have a problem, please ask for help.
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1) I have so
free time that I don’t know what to do with myself!
a) much
b) lots
c) many
d) rather
2) The best steak restaurant in Kansai is
a) sold in
b) located in
c) cooked in
d) founded in
3) I plan to travel
a place near Tsuruhashi station.
after I graduate from Nishiyamato Gakuen.
a) to abroad
b) abroad to countries to
c) overseas to many countries to
d) to many countries overseas
4) Mr. Donovan took an umbrella with him,
a) even though
b) although
c) in case
d) whether
5)
it started to rain.
he finished his homework, his parents allowed him to play games on his new Playstation.
a) As far as
b) Even though
c) Because
d) In case
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Section 2: Choosing the appropriate words
6) Tokyo
the Olympic Games in 1964 and also in 2020.
a) received notice for
b) completed all
c) awarded prizes
d) successfully bid for
7) Although the library
on Main Street, many people still look for it there.
a) can no longer go
b) is no longer being
c) can no longer be found
d) is thought to be not
8) Huckleberry Finn
the author Mark Twain.
a) is probably the most well-known novel by
b) was a famous novel written
c) is the famousest novel by
d) is the famous novel about a boy written
9) Himeji Castle
the most beautiful example of Japanese castle architecture.
a) has never regarded as
b) is thought to ever be
c) has been thought of
d) has long been considered
10) My ability to speak Japanese
a) as good as
b) isn’t as good as
c) better than
d) is approximately the same
my ability to speak English.
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11) The building site has been chosen but foundation won’t
a) be laid
b) be erected
c) be founded
d) be selected
12) Japan
until the summer.
for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
a) will host
b) will be the host country
c) is the country to hold
d) has been chosen to be
13) The Syrian government is concerned that their ambassador
a) is not going to be able to visit the refugees in
b) is going to stay too long on
c) will have to remain in the
d) will not be able to stay
14) In 2015, the Nobel Prize came with 8 million Swedish Kronor, which
a) roughly equivalent to 10 million yen
b) compensate for all expenses for research
c) be paid in small denominations
d) is almost 1 million US dollars
15) Japan’s elderly population
Germany.
.
the future of the Japanese pension system.
a) seems an insurmountable issue
b) poses a serious problem for
c) can be easily accounted for
d) appears to be a huge demographic hurdle to overcome
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Section 3: Choosing the best response to the prompt
INSTRUCTIONS
Choose the best response to the prompt.
Only ONE answer will be accepted.
If two or more answers are chosen for a question, ZERO points will be given for that question.
e.g. ‘Which city is bigger, Osaka or Tokyo?’
a) Osaka is not as big as New York.
b) The city is bigger.
c) Osaka and Tokyo are bigger than Nagoya.
d) Tokyo is bigger than Osaka.
The answer is d (Tokyo is bigger than Osaka).
Mark your answer on the sheet provided as indicated below (on the left).
1.
Section 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
1.
THE CORRECT WAY
FULL points
Section 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
THE INCORRECT WAY
ZERO points
If you have a problem, please ask for help.
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1) Can you give me directions to the nearest bank?
a) Go straight on this street for two blocks and then turn right. You’ll see the supermarket on the left.
b) The embankment is crowded this time of the day.
c) The nearest one is two blocks down this street.
d) You can bank on the place being closed since it’s already 6pm.
2) Why haven’t you done your homework?
a) I’m not good at doing chores around the house.
b) Unfortunately, I haven’t finished my homework.
c) The train was late this morning.
d) I was in the hospital for a week so I couldn’t do my homework.
3) What is the best way to study a foreign language?
a) I think living overseas is the best way to learn a language.
b) The best way is to do all your science homework early.
c) I have only been overseas once.
d) Foreign languages are much harder to study in Japan.
4) The Japanese government has once again announced that electricity prices will increase.
a) Naturally, people are complaining about the government’s announcement.
b) Although it is more expensive, people are using less power.
c) Regardless, more people are expected to conserve energy.
d) Despite this, power consumption is expected to decrease significantly.
5) How can I find the results of today’s exam?
a) You don’t have to worry about the confidentiality of the exam results.
b) I don’t have the answers for the exam now.
c) The exam results will be posted on the notice board next Friday.
d) You will find the exam room in the infirmary on the 3rd floor.
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6) Contrary to popular belief at the time, Copernicus proposed that the Earth was not the center of the
universe.
a) He was just following the popular opinion of the time.
b) He proposed that the Earth orbited the Sun and not the other way around.
c) He said that the Sun and the other planets orbited the Earth.
d) He agreed with many people at the time.
7) When will Mr. Tuang retire from his job at the tire company?
a) The tires on Mr. Tuang’s car will be replaced in April.
b) He’ll get new tires next month.
c) Mr. Tuang has been tired for a long time.
d) He has already retired, but he can’t stop working.
8) The cessation of hostilities between the two warring countries was only brought about because their
leaders reluctantly agreed to a temporary cease-fire for their religious holidays.
a) We are optimistic that the holiday period will be filled with peace and joy and that the war will end.
b) The leaders are likely to agree to a lasting peace between the two countries.
c) We can expect hostilities to resume as soon as the holiday ends.
d) Cessation of the war, while difficult, is probably going to happen because of their leadership.
9) Winston Churchill is thought to be one of the most inspiring speakers in history. This might have been
quite surprising to people who knew him when he was young.
a) In his youth, he delivered many rousing speeches
b) As he got older, Churchill found it more difficult to give speeches.
c) When he was young, Winston Churchill had an embarrassing speech impediment.
d) He wrote many of his greatest speeches when he was young.
10) The scientist from the Riken Institute, Haruko Obokata, has had her research into STAP cells
discredited because no one else can replicate any of her work.
a) Scientists have tried and failed over a hundred times to replicate her findings.
b) Obakata was given even more awards by Waseda University, her former college.
c) Because she is the only one who can make STAP cells, she will receive a Nobel Prize.
d) Obakata has credited her findings to the work done by her mentor, Yoshiki Sasai.
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Reading Comprehension
INSTRUCTIONS
Read the passages carefully and answer the questions on the following page.
Only ONE answer will be accepted.
If two or more answers are chosen for a question, ZERO points will be given for that question.
1
Osaka is a large city about 500 kilometers from Tokyo. It is bigger than other cities in the region
but it still is much smaller than Tokyo.
e.g. ‘Which sentence best summarizes the content of the passage?’
a) Osaka is a large city in Japan, but it is smaller than Tokyo.
b) Cities in Japan are large.
c) Tokyo is a wonderful city.
d) Osaka isn’t particularly far from Tokyo.
The answer is a (Osaka is a large city in Japan, but it is smaller than Tokyo).
Mark your answer on the sheet provided as indicated below (on the left).
1.
Reading 4
(a) (b) (c) (d)
1.
THE CORRECT WAY
FULL points
Reading 4
(a) (b) (c) (d)
THE INCORRECT WAY
ZERO points
If you have a problem, please ask for help.
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Reading A
Oda Nobunaga
Each paragraph below is numbered for your convenience.
1
Oda Nobunaga is one of the most famous people in Japanese history. He fought to unify Japan
under his rule but died before he could accomplish this goal.
2
He was born in 1534 in Owari Province, which is known today as Aichi Prefecture. His father was
a respected warlord who died in 1551. Nobunaga was said to have acted very badly at his father’s funeral
and many of his father’s followers and supporters were shocked and ashamed at Nobunaga’s behavior.
His mentor was so ashamed by Nobunaga that he committed ritual suicide, known in Japan as seppuku.
This profoundly impacted Nobunaga and he changed his behavior thereafter.
3
Nobunaga struggled to gain control of his own clan after his father’s death. He battled with his
uncle, Nobutomo, and also with his brother, Nobuyuki, for leadership of the Oda clan. Eventually, he
emerged victorious in 1559, gaining full and uncontested control of his clan.
4
In the years to come, many battles were fought and Nobunaga expanded his influence throughout
a large part of Japan. His power was at its height when he was about to launch an invasion of Echigo and
Shikoku in 1582. He ordered one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide, to help in the siege of Takamatsu
Castle in Shikoku.
5
Mitsuhide betrayed Nobunaga by sending some of his men to attack Nobunaga and other men to
assassinate his son at another location. Nobunaga, surrounded by Mitsuhide’s men, decided to commit
seppuku rather than be taken prisoner. Unbeknownst to him, his son was killed by Mitsuhide’s men.
6
Eleven days after Mitsuhide’s betrayal, Mitsuhide was killed by Hashiba Hideyoshi, a loyal
follower of Nobunaga. Hashiba Hideyoshi is more commonly known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and he was
able to successfully accomplish Nobunaga’s goal of unifying Japan under one ruler in 1590.
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Questions
1) Which sentence best summarizes the overall content of the passage?
a) The life and legacy of Oda Nobunaga.
b) The betrayal of Oda Nobunaga by Akechi Mitsuhide.
c) How Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan in 1590.
d) The reasons why people some people might commit seppuku.
2) Why did his mentor commit suicide ?
a) He committed seppuku because he was so ashamed of Nobunaga’s behavior.
b) This was done because he was ashamed that Nobunaga’s father died.
c) He did this because he had a profound respect for Nobunaga.
d) His mentor killed himself because he was overcome with grief.
3) Which of the sentences below most accurately describes the content of the third paragraph?
a) Nobotomo and Nobuyuki wrested control of the Oda clan from Nobunaga.
b) Nobunaga had to fight with members of his family over the right to lead his clan.
c) He emerged victorious and unified Japan in 1559.
d) Nobunaga easily gained control of his clan.
4) Why did Nobunaga commit seppuku’?
a) He probably committed seppuku’ because he didn’t want to be captured.
b) Nobunaga killed himself because he felt betrayed by Mitsuhide.
c) Nobunaga committed suicide because he knew his son was killed.
d) He did this in order to save his son from being murdered by Mitsuhide’s men.
5) What happened after Nobunaga’s death?
a) Mitsuhide switched allegiances and began to follow Hideyoshi.
b) Toyotomi Hideyoshi was unsuccessful in avenging the death of his leader.
c) Hashiba Hideyoshi killed Mitsuhide and unified Japan.
d) Hideyoshi joined forces with Mitsuhide and unified Japan.
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Reading B
Neil Armstrong
Each paragraph below is numbered for your convenience.
1
Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio on August
5th, 1930. He quickly developed a sense of adventure, and he earned his student pilot's license at the
relatively early age of 16.
2
Armstrong's university studies in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University were interrupted
in 1949 when he was called upon to serve in the Korean War. He served as a US Navy pilot, and during
this conflict he flew more than 70 combat missions. After leaving the service, he joined NASA - the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He served in a variety of capacities at this organization.
He was an engineer and also a test pilot, and he was able to fly high speed aircraft.
3
1969 marked a critical year for Armstrong and for the world. Along with two other astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins - he participated in the first manned mission to the moon on the rocket
Apollo 11. Armstrong was the mission commander, and on July 20, 1969, he piloted a section of their
space rocket called the "lunar module" down to the surface of the moon. At 10:56 pm he exited the
module and, after taking his first step, he spoke the words that electrified the world: "That's one small
step for man, and one giant leap for mankind."
4
In a later interview, Armstrong gave the following quote about his time on the moon: “It’s a
brilliant surface in that sunlight. The horizon seems quite close to you because the curvature is so much
more pronounced than here on earth. It’s an interesting place to be. I recommend it.”
5
For about two and a half hours, the team of astronauts conducted experiments and collected
samples. They also took many photographs, including the planted American flag and their own
footprints. The crew returned to earth in their rocket on July 24th, 1969, and landed in the Pacific Ocean
west of Hawaii. From that point they were put into quarantine for several weeks. They received a hero's
welcome after leaving quarantine. They were honored with a ticker tape parade, and Armstrong received
the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
6
Armstrong never lost his passion for studying and speaking about outer space. After leaving
NASA, he worked at the University of Cincinnati as a professor of aerospace engineering. Despite being
perhaps the most celebrated astronaut of all time however, Armstrong largely shied away from the
spotlight, and he only gave the occasional interview or speech. Nevertheless, his name will always be
associated with America's first step to conquer the "final frontier."
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Questions
1. Which sentence best describes the overall content of the passage?
a)
b)
c)
d)
It is an attempt to persuade the reader of the importance of space.
It is a biographical sketch that describes an American hero.
It is a short criticism of Neil Armstrong’s actions in the Korean War.
It is a description of the daily life of an astronaut.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Armstrong knew that he wanted to be an astronaut from childhood.
During the Korean War, Armstrong was severely injured.
Armstrong dropped out of school because he wanted adventure.
Armstrong had many adventurous early experiences.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Armstrong shared his love of space with many students.
Many Americans were not happy about their tax dollars going to space exploration.
NASA did not receive any important knowledge from the moon landing.
Nobody is sure which member of the Apollo crew first walked on the moon.
a)
b)
c)
d)
The return to Earth was nearly disastrous.
The findings of the Apollo team suggest there was once life on the moon.
The crew of Apollo 11 was warmly received by Americans.
Armstrong and his crewmates did little more than walk on the moon’s surface.
2. Which sentence most accurately represents the second paragraph?
3. Which of the below sentences is true?
4) Which sentence most accurately represents the fifth paragraph?
5) Which sentence is likely the most accurate description of Armstrong?
a)
b)
c)
d)
He was a gifted scientist who tested his theories in space.
The other crew members of the Apollo 11 became his lifelong friends.
Although he was famous, he was also a private man.
He was temperamental at times, but also a natural leader.
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