JLPT N4 Grammar Test 5

Answers and Explanations

1. 乗のって
   Explanation:

   The て-form of a verb can indicate the means or method by which an action is performed. Here, 「バスに乗って」 (basu ni notte - by riding the bus) is the means of going to school. Construction: Verb-て form + (following action).

2. なかなか来ない
   Explanation:

   「なかなか～ない」 (nakanaka ~nai) means that something desired or expected does not happen easily or quickly. It implies a sense of difficulty or delay. 「なかなか来ない」 means 'does not come easily/readily' or 'is slow to come'.

3. 毎日のように
   Explanation:

   「毎～のように」 (mai... no you ni) means 'almost every ~' or 'as if every ~'. It indicates a very high frequency, close to every instance of the time period mentioned. 「毎日のように」 means 'almost every day'.

4. 行こう
   Explanation:

   The volitional form of a verb followed by と思います (to omoimasu) expresses the speaker's intention or plan. The verb 行く (iku), 'to go', is a Group 1 verb (u-verb). Its volitional form is made by changing the final 'u' sound to an 'o' sound and adding 'う', resulting in 行こう (ikou). Therefore, 「行こうと思います」 means 'I am thinking of going'.

5. までに
   Explanation:

   「までに」 (made ni) indicates a time limit or deadline. It means that an action must be completed by a certain point in time. In this sentence, the book must be returned by Friday. Pattern: Time expression + までに.

6. ばかり
   Explanation:

   「Verb-た form + ばかり」 (bakari) is used to express that an action has just recently been completed. In this sentence, 「食べたばかり」 (tabeta bakari) means 'just ate.' The speaker is expressing surprise (のに、もう - noni, mou) that they are already hungry despite having eaten very recently. The pattern is: Verb-た form + ばかり.

7. 食べよう
   Explanation:

   The volitional form is used to express an intention or make a suggestion. For Group 2 verbs (verbs ending in -eru or -iru like 食べる), change the final る (ru) to よう (you). 「食べよう」 (tabeyou) is the volitional form of 「食べる」 (taberu). It's used here with 「〜と 思っています」 (to omotte imasu) to express an intention: 'I'm thinking of eating.'

8. 参まいります
   Explanation:

   「参る」 (mairu) is the humble (謙譲語 - Kenjougo) equivalent of 「行く」 (iku - to go). It's used when speaking about your own actions to someone of higher status. Since the action is happening tomorrow (未来 - future), the non-past polite form 「参ります」 is correct. In polite conversation, especially in business or formal situations, そちら is often used to refer to the listener's location, which can be their office, home, or wherever they are.

9. 各かく
   Explanation:

   「各」 (kaku) is a prefix meaning 'each' or 'every'. It is attached to nouns to indicate individual items or members of a group. Here, 「[各]{かく}テーブル」 means 'each table'. Construction: 各 + Noun.

10. ように祈いのっています
    Explanation:

    「〜ように祈る」 (you ni inoru) means 'to pray that...' or 'to wish earnestly that...'. It expresses a strong hope for a particular outcome. Construction: Verb (ます-form or dictionary form) + ように祈る.