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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #957 Katakana
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear: Select the appropriate answer choice for each blank.
In  recent  years,  an  eccentric  mix  of  English,  German  and  French  has  entered  Japanese  usage.  ,  a  “Kariya”  woman  is  a  career  woman,  and  a  “manshon”  is  an  apartment.  This  increasing  use  of  katakana,  or  unique  Japanese  version  of  Western  words,  and  the  younger  generation's  more  casual  use  of  the  Japanese  language  are  causing  worry  in  government  circles.  ,  an  official  panel  is  proposing  to  publish  a  manual  on  how  to  speak  proper  Japanese.  Foreign  words  become  katakana  Japanese    no  existing  Japanese  words  could  quite  capture  a  specific  meaning  or  feeling,  ,  they  don't  always  retain  the  same  meaning  they  had  in  their  original  language.  When  the  word  “cool”  traveled  east,  all  of  its  English  connotations  did  not  make  the  journey.  A  kuru  person  in  Japan  is  someone  who  is  calm  and  never  gets  upset.  ,  a  hotto  person  is  one  who  is  easily  excitable,  but  not  necessarily  a  popular  person  or  personality  of  the  moment.  Researching  and  monitoring  changes  in  the  Japanese  language,  including  the  influx  of  foreign  words,  has  been  the  responsibility  of  the  National  Institute  of  Japanese  Language,  established  in  1948.  According  to  its  president,  Seiju  Sugito,  since  the  late  1950s  the  use  of  Katakana  words  has  tripled.  Older  people  are  especially  alarmed  by  this  trend.  For  one  thing,  they  find  many  of  these  new  words  are  difficult  to  understand.  ,  their  casual  and  ready  acceptance  by  the  younger  generation  has  come  in  tandem  with  its  increasing  tendency  not  to  use  the  more  respectful  Japanese  grammatical  forms.

Result:

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct answer: For instance

Explanation: 'For instance' introduces examples that clarify or illustrate a point, fitting grammatically and contextually as it precedes specific examples of words in Japanese usage.

Meaning: 'For instance' means 'for example,' used to provide specific cases that support a statement.

Wrong options:

  • Likewise: 'Likewise' suggests similarity but does not introduce examples, making it contextually inappropriate here.
  • All the same: 'All the same' indicates contrast or concession, which does not align with the intent of providing examples.
  • Furthermore: 'Furthermore' adds information but does not specifically introduce examples, making it less suitable in this context.
Correct answer: As a result

Explanation: 'As a result' indicates a consequence of the previous statement, fitting grammatically and logically as it connects the concern about language changes to the proposed action.

Meaning: 'As a result' means 'because of this,' showing that the following statement is a direct outcome of the previous information.

Wrong options:

  • On the contrary: 'On the contrary' suggests opposition, which does not fit the context of a consequence.
  • Unless: 'Unless' introduces a condition, which is not relevant in this context where a result is being stated.
  • In other hand: 'In other hand' is not a standard phrase; the correct form is 'on the other hand,' which indicates contrast rather than consequence.
Correct answer: because

Explanation: 'Because' introduces a reason, fitting grammatically and contextually as it explains why foreign words become katakana Japanese.

Meaning: 'Because' means 'for the reason that,' used to provide justification for a statement.

Wrong options:

  • although: 'Although' introduces a contrast, which does not align with the explanatory nature of this sentence.
  • whereas: 'Whereas' indicates a comparison or contrast, which is not suitable for explaining a cause.
  • so that: 'So that' indicates purpose, which does not fit the context of providing a reason for a phenomenon.
Correct answer: however

Explanation: 'However' introduces a contrast to the previous statement, fitting grammatically and contextually as it indicates that despite the introduction of foreign words, their meanings may differ.

Meaning: 'However' means 'nevertheless,' used to present a statement that contrasts with what has been previously mentioned.

Wrong options:

  • next: 'Next' indicates a sequence rather than a contrast, making it inappropriate in this context.
  • consequently: 'Consequently' suggests a result, which does not fit the contrasting nature of the statement that follows.
  • In fact: 'In fact' emphasizes a statement but does not indicate contrast, making it unsuitable here.
Correct answer: Similarly

Explanation: 'Similarly' indicates a comparison, fitting grammatically and contextually as it connects the description of a 'kuru' person to that of a 'hotto' person.

Meaning: 'Similarly' means 'in a similar way,' used to draw a parallel between two ideas or descriptions.

Wrong options:

  • Besides: 'Besides' adds information but does not indicate similarity, making it less suitable in this context.
  • Nevertheless: 'Nevertheless' suggests contrast, which does not align with the intent of drawing a comparison.
  • For example: 'For example' introduces specific instances rather than indicating similarity, making it inappropriate here.
Correct answer: In addition

Explanation: 'In addition' introduces supplementary information, fitting grammatically and contextually as it adds to the previous statement about older people's concerns.

Meaning: 'In addition' means 'also,' used to introduce an extra point that complements what has been said.

Wrong options:

  • As a consequence: 'As a consequence' indicates a result, which does not fit the context of adding information.
  • On the other hand: 'On the other hand' suggests contrast, which is not suitable for adding information in this context.
  • In conclusion: 'In conclusion' indicates a summary or final point, which does not align with the intent of adding further information.

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