About This Lesson
Use Preparing for a Short Test to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
短いテストがありますよね。
mee-jee-KAI teh-SOO-toh ah-ree-MAHSS yoh NEH We have a short test coming up, right?
B
このユニットの主なセクションが出ます。
KOH-no yoo-NEET-toh no OH-MOH-nah seh-KOO-shon gah deh-MAHSS It covers the main sections from this unit.
A
どのセクションを最初に復習すればいいですか。
DOH-no seh-KOO-shon o sai-SHOH-nee foo-koo-SHOO soo-reh-BAH ee-DEHSS-kah Which section should I review first?
B
ふつう点数に影響するので、リスニングから始めましょう。
foo-TSOO TEN-soo nee ay-KYOH soo-roo NOH-deh, ree-soo-NEEN-goo kah-RAH hah-jee-meh-ma-SHOH Start with listening, since it usually affects your score.
A
一緒に練習問題を解いてみませんか。
ees-SHOH-nee ren-SHOO MON-dai o TOH-ee-teh mee-mah-SEN-kah Can we try some practice questions together?
B
短い問題をいくつか使って、答えを一つずつ確認できます。
mee-jee-KAI MON-dai o ee-KOO-tsoo-kah tsoo-KAHT-teh, koh-TAH-eh o hee-TOH-tsoo ZOO-tsoo kah-koo-NEEN deh-KEE-mahss We can use a few short questions and check each answer.
A
一問ごとに、自分の間違いを見直します。
ee-MON goh-toh-nee, jee-BUN no mah-chee-GAI o mee-NAH-oh-SHEE-mahss I will review my mistakes after each one.
B
それで、準備に役立つはずです。
soh-REH-deh, joon-BEE nee yah-koo-DAH-tsoo hah-zoo DEHSS That should help you prepare.Word by Word
短い
「短い」 describes テスト as short in 「短いテスト」. It comes before the noun it describes, so it can be reused when specifying the length of a test or another thing. A learner would use it when describing something that is not long.
テスト
「テスト」 means test in 「短いテスト」. It is the classroom assessment that the speakers are preparing for. Use it when talking about a test or exam in a learning setting.
が
「が」 marks 「短いテスト」 as the thing that exists in 「短いテストがありますよね」. It identifies what is being announced rather than adding the meaning “test.” A useful reuse pattern is a noun followed by 「が」 and 「あります」 when saying that something exists or is available.
あります
「あります」 says that the short test exists or is scheduled in 「短いテストがありますよね」. It is the polite form related to 「ある」 and is used here for the existence of an event. A useful reuse pattern is to announce something with a noun followed by 「があります」.
よ
In 「ありますよね」, 「よ」 adds an assertive tone, presenting the test as information for the listener. It is useful when reminding or informing someone. The following 「ね」 separately invites agreement.
ね
In 「ありますよね」, 「ね」 invites the listener to agree or confirm the shared point that the test exists. It is useful when checking agreement about information both speakers can consider. 「よ」 supplies the assertive presentation, so 「ね」 is not responsible for the whole expression by itself.
この
「この」 points to the unit being referred to as “this unit” in 「このユニット」. It appears directly before a noun. Use it when identifying a nearby or currently relevant thing.
ユニット
「ユニット」 means unit in 「このユニット」. Here it refers to the current section of the language course from which the test content comes. Use it when referring to one organized part of a course or study material.
の
「の」 connects 「このユニット」 and 「主なセクション」 in 「このユニットの主なセクション」, showing the relationship between the unit and its sections. A useful reuse point is to place 「の」 between two nouns when the second noun is associated with the first.
主な
「主な」 describes the sections as the main or central ones in 「主なセクション」. This form comes directly before the noun it modifies. Use it when selecting the central parts of a unit or topic.
セクション
「セクション」 means section in 「主なセクション」. It refers to an organized part of the unit that may appear on the test. Use it when dividing a lesson, document, or course into parts.
出ます
「出ます」 means that the sections will appear on or be included in the test in 「セクションが出ます」. Here it is not about physically going out; it describes test content appearing. A useful reuse pattern is to put the test content before 「が出ます」.
どの
「どの」 means which in 「どのセクション」. It asks the listener to select one section from the available sections. Use it directly before a noun when asking which one.
を
「を」 marks 「どのセクション」 as the thing to be reviewed in 「どのセクションを最初に復習すればいいですか」. It identifies the object of the review action. A useful reuse pattern is to place the thing acted on before 「を」 and the verb.
最初
「最初」 identifies the beginning or first position in 「最初に復習すればいいですか」. With 「に」, it marks reviewing first in the order of study. Use it when deciding which task or activity comes first.
に
In 「最初に」, 「に」 marks the point in the order at which the review should happen: first. This is a timing or order use of the particle. Use it after an expression of time or order when indicating when an action occurs.
復習
「復習」 means reviewing previously learned material in 「復習すればいいですか」. It is the study action the speaker is deciding to do before the test. Use it when going over material that has already been studied.
すれば
「すれば」 is the conditional form of 「する」 in 「復習すればいいですか」. Together with 「いいですか」, it asks what action would be appropriate: whether reviewing is the right thing to do. A useful reusable pattern is an action followed by 「すればいいですか」 when asking what one should do.
いい
In 「すればいいですか」, 「いい」 means acceptable or the recommended choice, not simply “good” as a general description. It helps form a question about the appropriate action. Use it in this pattern when asking for advice about what to do.
です
「です」 is the polite copula in 「いいですか」, making the question about the appropriate action polite. Here it follows 「いい」 and supports the question ending with 「か」. It is useful in polite statements or questions whose predicate is 「いい」.
か
「か」 marks 「いいですか」 as a question. It turns the polite statement into a request for advice about which section to review. Use it at the end of a polite question.
ふつう
「ふつう」 means usually or normally in 「ふつう点数に影響するので」. It limits the claim to what generally happens rather than every possible case. Use it when describing a typical frequency or tendency.
点数
「点数」 means score in 「点数に影響する」. It refers to the result a learner receives on the test. Use it when talking about the numerical result of a test or other evaluation.
影響
「影響」 names the effect on the score in 「点数に影響する」. With 「に」, the score is identified as what is affected. A useful reuse point is to place the affected result before 「に影響する」.
する
In 「点数に影響する」, 「する」 completes 「影響する」 and gives the meaning “affect” or “have an effect,” not the generic meaning “do.” It is in the plain form before the reason connector 「ので」. Use 「影響する」 when describing something affecting a result.
ので
「ので」 connects 「点数に影響する」 to the reason for starting with listening: “since it affects the score.” A clause before 「ので」 gives the reason for the following recommendation or action. Use it when explaining why something is done.
リスニング
「リスニング」 means listening in 「リスニングから始めましょう」. It refers to the listening section of the test or study material. Use it when talking about listening practice or a listening part of a language test.
から
In 「リスニングから始めましょう」, 「から」 marks listening as the starting point. It is attached to the item chosen first, not a source of movement here. Use it after a selected activity when saying that an activity will begin with that item.
始めましょう
「始めましょう」 is a polite “let’s start” proposal in 「リスニングから始めましょう」. It proposes that the speaker and listener begin the activity together. Use it when suggesting a shared starting action.
一緒
「一緒」 means together in 「一緒に練習問題を解いてみませんか」. With 「に」, it describes doing the action together. Use it when inviting someone to do an activity with you.
練習問題
「練習問題」 means practice questions: 「練習」 contributes the purpose of practice, and 「問題」 contributes the questions or tasks to solve. In 「練習問題を解いてみませんか」, it is the object of solving. Use this compound for questions prepared for practice.
解いて
「解いて」 is the te-form of 「解く」, meaning solve or answer in 「練習問題を解いてみませんか」. The te-form links the solving action to 「みませんか」. Use it with a question or problem when describing solving it.
みません
In 「解いてみませんか」, 「みませんか」 forms a polite invitation to try the preceding action: “Would you try solving it?” Here 「み」 comes from 「みる」 in the try-doing construction, while 「ませんか」 makes it an invitation question. Use a te-form followed by 「みませんか」 to suggest trying an action politely.
問題
「問題」 means question or problem in 「短い問題をいくつか使って」. Here it refers to the short practice items the speakers will use. Use it when referring to a question or task that someone must answer or solve.
いくつか
「いくつか」 indicates an unspecified small number in 「短い問題をいくつか使って」. It shows that several questions will be used without giving an exact number. Use it when the precise number is not important.
使って
「使って」 is the te-form of 「使う」 and means using the short questions in 「短い問題をいくつか使って」. It links this action to the following checking action. Use it when describing one action done with a tool or material before another connected action.
答え
「答え」 means answer in 「答えを一つずつ確認できます」. It refers to the response for each practice question. Use it when checking or discussing the response to a question.
一つずつ
「一つずつ」 means one by one: 「一つ」 supplies one item and 「ずつ」 distributes the action across items. In 「答えを一つずつ確認できます」, each answer is checked separately. Use a quantity followed by 「ずつ」 when doing something in individual portions.
確認
「確認」 means checking or confirming the answer in 「答えを一つずつ確認できます」. It names the checking action before the polite ability form 「できます」. Use it when verifying whether information or an answer is correct.
できます
「できます」 means can check or be able to check in 「確認できます」. It is the polite form of 「できる」 and expresses ability or possibility here. Use it after an action such as 「確認」 when saying that the action can be done.
一問ごとに
「一問ごとに」 means for or after each question: 「一問」 supplies one question and 「ごとに」 distributes the action by each question. In 「一問ごとに、自分の間違いを見直します」, the review happens after each question. Use a noun followed by 「ごとに」 when the same action is repeated for every item in a set.
自分
「自分」 refers to the speaker's own self in 「自分の間違い」, so here it means my own mistakes. It is followed by 「の」 to connect the person to what belongs to or concerns them. Use it before a noun when identifying one's own relevant thing.
間違い
「間違い」 means mistake in 「自分の間違い」. It is what the speaker reviews after each question. Use it when referring to an incorrect answer or another error.
見直します
「見直します」 is the polite form of 「見直す」 and means review or look over again in 「自分の間違いを見直します」. The meaning of looking again fits checking mistakes after each question. Use it with something that needs to be checked or reconsidered.
それで
「それで」 refers back to the checking and reviewing just described and presents it as leading to the result in 「それで、準備に役立つはずです」. Here it can be understood as “with that” or “therefore,” connecting the preceding method to its expected benefit. Use it to connect an earlier action or situation with a resulting point.
準備
「準備」 means preparation in 「準備に役立つはずです」, specifically preparation for the short test. It is the area that benefits from the review. Use it when talking about getting ready for an event, task, or test.
役立つ
「役立つ」 means be useful or help in 「準備に役立つはずです」. With 「に」, it identifies the purpose or area for which something is useful. Use it when saying that something helps with a task or goal.
はず
In 「役立つはずです」, 「はず」 expresses the speaker's expectation that the review method will be useful for preparation. It does not itself mean “help”; that meaning comes from 「役立つ」, while 「です」 makes the expression polite. Use 「はずです」 when you expect something based on the situation or information available.
Grammar Points
〜ば、〜
最初に復習すれば、点数に影響します。
sai-SHOH-nee foo-koo-SHOO soo-reh-BAH, TEN-soo nee ay-KYOH shee-mahssIf you review first, it will affect your score.
〜ば expresses a condition: if the verb action happens, the following result occurs.
〜はずです
準備は役立つはずです。
joon-BEE wa yah-koo-DAH-tsoo hah-zoo DEHSSThe preparation should be useful.
はずです expresses an expectation based on a reason or available information.
Japanese Vocabulary
セクション
noun
seh-KOO-shon
section
テスト
noun
teh-SOO-toh
test
ふつう
adv
foo-TSOO
usually
ユニット
noun
yoo-NEET-toh
unit
一緒に
adv
ees-SHOH-nee
together
影響する
verb
ay-KYOH soo-roo
affect
最初に
adv
sai-SHOH-nee
first
主な
adj
OH-MOH-nah
main
短い
adj
mee-jee-KAI
short
点数
noun
TEN-soo
score
復習する
verb
foo-koo-SHOO soo-roo
review
復習すれば
練習問題
noun
ren-SHOO MON-dai
practice questions
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
unit
Show Answer
ユニットreview
Show Answer
復習すればsection
Show Answer
セクションpractice questions