Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
introduction to reading
ISLPR reading scale
level 0+ texts and tasks
level 1- texts and tasks
level 1 texts and tasks
level 1+ texts and tasks
level 2 texts and tasks
level 3 texts and tasks
introduction
Welcome to the Japanese language self-assessment in reading skills site.
To help you with your self-assessment of reading, we have provided some
examples of texts that people can understand when they reach different
proficiency levels. We have also provided mini-tasks with each text. These
tasks aim to simulate a real-life context in which someone might read the
particular text; they also aim to indicate the kind of information that
someone at the proficiency level would be able to work out from the text.
A major reason for presenting these tasks is to reassure you that you
can extract useful meaning from a text in Japanese even if you don't
understand all the words.
We suggest that, when you have decided on a level that sounds like you,
you click to see the examples of actual texts. Do the tasks and then click to
see how well you did. If you did very well, maybe you should go through
the same process at a higher level. If you didn't do well, try the level
below.
Don't be tempted to 'peek' at the answers before you have tried to do the
complete set of mini-tasks that go with the text. That would defeat the
purpose. Do not use a dictionary.
This site is still under construction. Additional texts at various levels are
being added.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
introduction
Welcome to the Japanese language self-assessment in reading skills site.
To help you with your self-assessment of reading, we have provided some examples of texts that
people can understand when they reach different proficiency levels. We have also provided minitasks with each text. These tasks aim to simulate a real-life context in which someone might read the
particular text; they also aim to indicate the kind of information that someone at the proficiency level
would be able to work out from the text. A major reason for presenting these tasks is to reassure
you that you can extract useful meaning from a text in Japanese even if you don't understand
all the words.
We suggest that, when you have decided on a level that sounds like you, you click to see the
examples of actual texts. Do the tasks and then click to see how well you did. If you did very well,
maybe you should go through the same process at a higher level. If you didn't do well, try the level
below.
Don't be tempted to 'peek' at the answers before you have tried to do the complete set of mini-tasks
that go with the text. That would defeat the purpose. Do not use a dictionary.
This site is still under construction. Additional texts at various levels are being added.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
Reading
NB. The descriptions below assume that there would be no use of kana to support the meaning of
kanji except where this would normally be provided for adult native speakers of Japanese.
0
I can't understand anything at all when I read Japanese, however familiar the topic, and
however simple the text. There are no tasks at this level.
0
+
I recognise and understand a limited range of short, simple texts that I have often seen in
Japanese (e.g. the names of major cities, titles of familiar textbooks, common street signs).
For examples of texts and tasks at this level, click here.
I recognise and understand a range of short, simple texts that I have often seen in Japanese. I
can get the essential information in some very simple 'novel' (i.e. new to me) texts on very
1- familiar topics, provided they are very short (generally consisting of a single clause) and the
print or handwriting is a form I am familiar with. Any handwriting must be very neat.
For examples of texts and tasks at this level, click here.
1
I get the essential information in short, very simple 'novel' (i.e. new to me) texts in Japanese (e.
g. notices or advertisements for familiar events or products). I can follow short, very simple
instructions (e.g. consisting of a set of several single-clause sentences) about things I am
familiar with. I am lost with longer, more complicated texts on less familiar topics.
For examples of texts and tasks at this level, click here.
1
+
I get the essential information in simple texts on familiar topics in Japanese where the meaning
is clearly spelled out or where they are fairly predictable (e.g. circulars about routine events or
simple personal notes addressed to me). If the notes are handwritten, the handwriting style must
be familiar to me, and the writing must be neat. I can understand some complex sentences (e.g.
with an "if" or "because" clause).
For examples of texts and tasks at this level, click here.
2
I get the essential information in a limited range of texts from the mass media (e.g. short,
simple human-interest news stories from a popular Japanese daily paper on familiar topics). I
get the sense of personal letters to me about everyday events; if these are handwritten, the
writing must be in a standard style and it must be neat. I can follow simple sequential
instructions about everyday goods or a service I need, provided they are clearly presented (e.g.
with labelled diagrams); I may need to use a dictionary to help with unfamiliar key items.
For examples of texts and tasks at this level, click here.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
2
+
I am midway between the description above and the one below.
3
I understand almost everything in most news stories in a popular Japanese daily paper,
including those on fairly complex and abstract topics (e.g. international political events or a
medical breakthrough) and almost everything in semi-technical texts in familiar fields (e.g.
middle school text books in a subject I am interested in). I don't need a dictionary unless I want
a total understanding of these (e.g. to do a translation). I can read short popular Japanese novels
for enjoyment, although I need more time than a similarly educated native speaker would.
For examples of texts and tasks at this level, click here.
3
+
I am midway between the description above and the one below.
4
I understand quite complex texts aimed at a general audience (e.g. editorials in an 'intellectual'
newspaper) and very detailed articles in my own fields of interest. I read these texts nearly as
fast as a similarly educated native speaker does. I sometimes fail to understand references to
aspects of the culture such as less important institutions, and events or symbols from literary
classics. I also miss subtle plays on words. I cope with most forms of print and handwriting.
4
+
I am midway between the description above and the one below.
5
I understand the written Japanese just as well as similarly educated native speakers do. I
understand cultural references and subtleties, and cope with decorative scripts or non-standard
or untidy handwriting just as well as they do.
Copyright 2000 Elaine Wylie and David Ingram.
This self-assessment version of the ISLPR is published on this web-site to assist Griffith University
students of Japanese to select their subjects. The authors' permission is required for any other use.
Please contact Elaine Wylie at [email protected]
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
More texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 0+
If you are at or above ISLPR Level 0+, you will probably be able to work out from the text below
●
●
which afternoons you can see the doctor (you have Japanese classes in the morning)
which telephone number you would ring to make an appointment
Click here to see how well you did.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
More texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 1-
If you are at or above ISLPR Level 1-, you will be able to understand this sign.
Click here to see how well you did.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
more texts and tasks at level 1
If you are at or above ISLPR Level 1, you will be able to work out from the text below
●
●
where you might see this sign
why someone would ring the telephone number
Click here to see how well you did.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
More texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 1+
This sign was found in a Japanese supermarket at the Gold Coast.
If you are at or above ISLPR Level 1+, you will be able to work out
●
●
which of the supermarket's customers the sign is addressing
what it is telling them
Click here to see how well you did.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
More texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 2
You are in a supermarket, looking at this packet on the dessert shelf. If you are at or above ISLPR Level 2, you will be able to
work out
●
●
●
●
The flavour of the dessert
What other ingredients you might need to buy if you wanted to make it.
Whether you would have enough time if you wanted to serve it to guests about 8.30pm, but couldn't start making it until
6pm.
What you are told to do in Step 2 of the instructions on the packet.
Click here to see how well you did.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
More texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 3
Texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 3 will be added here soon.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
more texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 0+
The doctor is available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons between 3pm - 6pm.
You would phone 06 848 0057 for an appointment. The other phone number is the doctor's home
number.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
More texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 1-
If you are at or above ISLPR Level 1-, you be able to understand the meaning of this sign found in
the street.
Click here to see how well you did.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
more texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 1-
This sign is advising you not to climb on the stones.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
more texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 1
This sign was originally in the window of a sushi bar. A person would ring the telephone number
because they were interested in working as a waitress.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
This supermarket offers a free internet service to its customers. The sign say that customers who
haven't registered for the service should approach the check-out staff.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
More texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 2
You see this sign on a wall at a street corner.
If you are at or above ISLPR Level 2, you will be able to work out
●
●
●
How putting out rubbish in this part of Japan differs from where you live in Australia
How to dispose of an old bookcase
If any of the rubbish put out is likely to be recycled
Click here to see how well you did.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
more texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 2
It's green tea icecream mix.
You would need to buy milk and eggs if you didn't have them at home.
The instructions say it needs to be in the freezer for at least 3 hours, so you won't really have enough
time.
Combine the contents of the packet with the mixture made in Step 1. Beat until it reaches a creamy
consistency (2 minutes). If it not combining well, stand your bowl in iced water.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
more texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 1-
This sign advises that trucks enter and leave from this exit.
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Self-assessment of Japanese reading skills
more texts and tasks at ISLPR Level 2
It differs in that rubbish is routinely collected on four days. Burnable and non-burnable material must
be put out on different days - food scraps and paper on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and
plastic, glass, cans etc. on Thursdays.
By telephoning the sanitation office, you can make arrangements for large items to be collected from
your house. Please don't leave your bookcase on the street next to the sign.
There is no mention of recycling.
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