Japanese placement test
PURPOSE OF THE TEST
This test is designed to assess your current Japanese ability so that you can enrol in the appropriate level at Monash.
The result of this test will have absolutely NO influence on your marks. It is important that you follow the instructions carefully to ensure that the result is an accurate reflection of your ability. It is in your interest to strictly follow the instructions to avoid being placed in an inappropriate level.
IMPORTANT: Please read and adhere to the following instructions before commencing the test.
- You must NOT use a dictionary during any parts of this test.
- How long you take to complete this test is a key indicator of ability. Therefore, please do the following:
- Do the whole test without stopping for breaks.
- The test has the following time limits:
- PART 1 (for everyone): 60 minutes maximum
- PART 1 & 2 (complete PART 2 if you have studied keigo (honorifics) before): 90 minutes maximum
- The multiple choice questions in the test have an option for "I don't know..." and for the questions where you select from the drop-box, the default is "...". Please choose "I don't know" or "..." if you do not know the answer and move on to the next question. It does not matter if you choose this option many times. This is important for us to determine your level, so be honest. Even if you are a beginner, you must attempt all questions in PART 1.
FORMAT
- Placement Test
- PART 1 (everyone must complete)
- PART 2 (do this if you have studied keigo (honorifics) before)
- Self-assessment (everyone must complete; no time limit)
- Questionnaire (everyone must complete; no time limit)
Please complete the test below and click "SUBMIT". You will receive an entry point recommendation based on your result via email.
Part 1: All levels
All applicants please complete this section. Remember, if you really don't know the answer, leave the answer blank, or select "I don't know".
I. CHARACTERS (ALL LEVELS)
1) Choose the correct spelling in hiragana of the words in the alphabet.
Part 2:
Reminder: if you have studied keigo (honorifics) before, please continue with Part 2 below. Otherwise, please click here to skip to the self-assessment page.
I. KEIGO - HONORIFICS
Choose the most appropriate answer.
Remember, if you really don't know the answer, leave the answer blank, or select "I don't know".
71. What do you say when YOU (working part-time at McDonald's in Japan) ask a customer, whether she wants to eat in.
72. What do you say when you (an exchange student at a Japanese university) accept an offer and borrow a book from a professor.
II. KANJI AND VOCABULARY
1) Choose the most appropriate kanji character to complete the word.
2) Choose the kanji which has the same sound of the coloured kanji.
III. GRAMMAR
1) Choose the most appropriate particle to complete the sentence.
2) Choose the most appropriate word or phrase to complete the sentence.
89. [In the train]
90. [Two friends are talking]
Choose the most appropriate verb form.
IV. READING
Reading 1: Read the short passage below. Then, based on the content of the passage, choose the most appropriate answers for the following questions.
ベティーは、日本でホームステイをした時、スリッパの使い方になれるまで、ずいぶん時間がかかった。家に帰って、げんかんでくつをぬいで上がると、スリッパがたくさんおいてあって、その一足をはく。[ ① ]、そのスリッパは、ろうか*と洋室*のためだけで、和室*に入る時にはぬがなければならない。最初はよくスリッパをはいて、たたみの部屋に入ってしまい、家族の人たちに注意された。
一番よくわからなかったのは、トイレのスリッパだった。トイレのドアの外で自分のスリッパをぬいでから、ドアを開けて中に入り、トイレのためのとくべつなスリッパをはかなければならない。[ ② ]、終わったら、そのスリッパをぬいで、ろうかにぬいでおいた自分のスリッパをもう一度はく。日本人にはこれがふつうのことで、考えないでぬいだり、はいたりできるが、なれていない外国人にはむずかしい。ある日、ベティーがトイレのスリッパをはいて、リビング・ルームに入っていったら、ホームステイの兄弟たちは、③それを見て大きな声で笑った。ベティーはこの日本の習かんになれるまで、二、三週間もかかってしまった。
Vocabulary: ろうか corridor, 洋室 Western-style room, 和室 Japanese-style room
96. What is the main topic of this passage?
97. Which words are the most appropriate for the brackets [ ① ] and [ ② ]in the passage?
98. What does the word “③それ” refer to?
Reading 2: Read the short passage below. Then, based on the content of the passage, choose the most appropriate answers for the following questions.
日本では、「少子化」や「高れい化」が大きな問題だ。「少子化」というのは、子どものかずが少なくなることで、「高れい化」は65歳以上の人のかずが多くなることだ。高れい化がすすむ*と、おとしよりが多くなり、家族や社会や国からのサポートが必要な人が多くなる。たとえば、生活するためのお金を家族や国からもらったり、病院やおとしよりをたすけるためのサービスなどが便利でなければならない。しかし、若者のかずも少なくなっているので、働ける人が少なくて、日本の経ざいはあまりよくない。それに若者のかずがおとしよりよりも少ないので、サービスが間に合わない。
日本では、60歳になったら仕事をやめる人が多い。だから、60歳までに国にお金を払って、60歳になったら国からお金をもらう。でも、60歳になった時にもらうお金は、その時60歳以下の人が払っているお金だ。だから、おとしよりがたくさんいるのに、若者が少ないと、払った分のお金がもらえなくなるかもしれない。①そのような問題も心配されている。
「少子化」や「高れい化」は他の国でも見られるが、この2つの問題が同時にあることが②日本の大きな社会問題だろう。
Vocabulary: すすむ progress
99. What does the word “①そのような問題” refer to?
100. What does “②日本の大きな社会問題” refer to?
Self-Assessment
Please answer the questions considering how well you can do them in Japanese.
Questionnaire
A. Personal Information
B. Student Status
If you speak Japanese at home, you should email Naomi Kurata (naomi.kurata@monash.edu.au) to find out more about the Japanese for Background Speakers course.
D. Japanese Background
When and how long have you studied Japanese (other than Monash)?
| When (Check if applicable) | Where (Institution name and country) | How Long (e.g. Feb09-Nov11) | Why (e.g. VCE, JLPT, working purpose, etc) | Textbook (Until which lesson/chapter did you complete?) | Grade (VCE, JLPT, IB, etc) |
E. Travel Experience in Japan
→ If yes,
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Submit
Thank you for taking the Japanese placement test. Please provide your email address and press "submit".
You will receive an automated email with the results of your assessment.
Please Note: The test is NOT designed to place upper level students (Proficient 2 to Advanced 6). If you recieve a recommendation to start from Proficient 1, please see the unit content carefully. If you find Proficient 1/2 too easy, you should email Dr Shimako Iwasaki (shimako.iwasaki@monash.edu.au) to find out more about Japanese Advanced 1/2. If you speak Japanese at home or have had more than two years of formal education in Japan, you should email Dr Naomi Kurata (naomi.kurata@monash.edu.au) to find out more about the Japanese for Background Speakers course.