Lesson 20: JFT-Basic Section 4: Reading, Strategy and Timing

In Reading Comprehension you read short, practical texts: notices, schedules, emails, signs and forms. You do not need to understand every word. You need to find the key facts (who, what, when, where, how much) and answer the question. This final lesson also shows how to use your time and how to prepare for the test day.

These are original practice questions written for this course in the style of the topic. They are not copied from any real test, and the real test may use a different layout. Use the Japan Foundation's official sample questions as well.

A 4-step method

1. Read the question first, so you know what to look for (a date? a place? a reason?).
2. Scan the text for the key word or number. Ignore the words you do not know.
3. Read around the key words carefully: words like まで, から, ただし (however), いがい (except) can change the answer.
4. Check the answer against the text, and cross out choices that are not in the text.

Four short texts

Text 1: a notice from the factory

おしらせ
８がつ １３にち（もくようび）から １６にち（にちようび）まで、こうじょうは やすみです。
１７にち（げつようび）は ８じから しごとです。
やすみの あいだ、きかいの スイッチを きって ください。

Text 2: an email from a colleague

おつかれさまです。 たなかです。
あした ごご ３じから かいぎです。 ばしょは ２かいの かいぎしつです。
かいぎの まえに、しりょうを よんで おいて ください。 しりょうは メールに ついて います。
よろしく おねがいします。

Text 3: the bus timetable

Text 4: a shop sale sign

セール
９がつ ３にち（もくようび）から ９がつ ６にち（にちようび）まで
ぜんぶ １０パーセント わりびき
ただし、ざっしと しんぶんは わりびきが ありません。

Now answer the 12 questions in the Check yourself section. Give yourself about 15 minutes.

Managing the 60 minutes

• The test has about 50 to 60 questions in 60 minutes, so you have about one minute for each. If a question takes more than two minutes, mark it, guess, and move on.
• Never leave an answer blank. A guess has a chance of being right, and a blank has none.
• Do the sections in the order shown by the computer. Keep an eye on the clock between sections, not during each question.
• In Listening you cannot go back: stay focused and do not think about the last question while the next one plays.

Your last 8 weeks

Before and on the test day

• Read the official JFT-Basic website for how to register, the fee, the dates, and the places in Nepal. Rules and dates can change.
• Bring the ID document named in the rules (usually your passport) and arrive early. Do not bring forbidden items; follow the staff.
• It is a computer-based test: practise using a mouse and reading on a screen. Use the official practice page to see how the screen looks.
• Remember: the pass mark is 200 out of 250, according to the Japan Foundation. If you do not pass, study your weak section and try again.

Well done. If you have studied all three courses, you have learned the scripts, everyday grammar, workplace and life Japanese, and the test skills. Keep using Japanese every day: speak, listen, read and write a little each day. がんばって ください!

Ready for a full test? Open the MeroSir app, go to Tests, choose Interactive and take JFT-Basic Practice Test 1 to 5 (free). Each has 50 questions in the four sections and 60 minutes, and afterwards you can review every answer with an explanation in English and Nepali. They are original practice tests, not official ones.

Every ▶ button plays a clear computer voice, which is good for learning sounds and rhythm but is not a native speaker. Pitch (the rise and fall of the voice) can sound a little flat. Also listen to real Japanese as often as you can: videos, news for learners (NHK Easy), and Japanese people around you.

Check yourself

Read the texts above, then choose the best answer, A, B, C or D.

1. Text 1: Until what date is the factory closed?
   A) ８がつ １３にち
   B) ８がつ １６にち
   C) ８がつ １７にち
   D) ８がつ ２０にち
2. Text 1: What time does work start on the 17th?
   A) ７じ
   B) ８じ
   C) ９じ
   D) １０じ
3. Text 1: What should workers do during the holiday?
   A) Clean the factory
   B) Switch off the machines
   C) Come at 8
   D) Call the leader
4. Text 2: When is the meeting?
   A) Tomorrow at 3 p.m.
   B) Today at 3 p.m.
   C) Tomorrow at 3 a.m.
   D) Next week
5. Text 2: Where is the meeting?
   A) On the 1st floor
   B) In a meeting room on the 2nd floor
   C) In the office
   D) At the station
6. Text 2: What should you do before the meeting?
   A) Write a report
   B) Read the document in advance
   C) Call Mr Tanaka
   D) Clean the room
7. Bus timetable: You must be at the factory by 8:00. Which bus is the latest you can take?
   A) Bus 1 (7:10)
   B) Bus 2 (7:30)
   C) Bus 3 (7:50)
   D) Bus 4 (8:10)
8. Bus timetable: How long is the bus ride?
   A) 10 minutes
   B) 20 minutes
   C) 30 minutes
   D) 40 minutes
9. Sale notice: How long does the sale last?
   A) From Sep 3 to Sep 6
   B) Only on Sep 3
   C) From Sep 6
   D) All of September
10. Sale notice: What is not discounted?
    A) Food
    B) Magazines and newspapers
    C) Clothes
    D) Shoes
11. Sale notice: How much is the discount?
    A) 5%
    B) 10%
    C) 20%
    D) Half price
12. In Text 1, what day of the week is August 13?
    A) Monday
    B) Wednesday
    C) Thursday
    D) Sunday

Answers

Count your correct answers. If you got fewer than 8 out of 12, read the lesson again and listen to the audio once more.

1. B) August 16 (Sunday). Work starts on the 17th.
2. B) 8 o'clock (８じから).
3. B) Switch off the machines (きかいの スイッチを きって ください).
4. A) Tomorrow (あした) at 3 p.m. (ごご ３じ).
5. B) In a meeting room on the 2nd floor (２かいの かいぎしつ).
6. B) Read the document in advance (しりょうを よんで おいて ください).
7. B) Bus 2 arrives at 7:50. Bus 3 arrives at 8:10, which is too late.
8. B) 20 minutes (7:10 to 7:30).
9. A) From September 3 to 6.
10. B) Magazines and newspapers (ざっしと しんぶん).
11. B) 10 percent (１０パーセント わりびき).
12. C) Thursday (もくようび).