Duolingo Japanese Practice Test 3 β Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are Japanese counters (ε©ζ°θ© josΕ«shi) and why are they important?
- They are mathematical symbols
- They are special words used with numbers to count specific types of objects (Correct answer)
- They are punctuation marks
- They are honorific prefixes for names
Correct answer: They are special words used with numbers to count specific types of objects
Japanese counters are special words paired with numbers when counting specific types of items. For example, εΉ (hiki) for small animals, ζ¬ (hon) for long thin objects, ζ (mai) for flat objects. Using the wrong counter is a common learner mistake.
Question 2: In the Japanese sentence 'ζζ₯ζ±δΊ¬γ«θ‘γγΎγ' (Ashita Tokyo ni ikimasu), what does the particle γ« (ni) indicate?
- The subject of the sentence
- The destination or direction of movement (Correct answer)
- The topic of the sentence
- The object being acted upon
Correct answer: The destination or direction of movement
The particle γ« (ni) indicates the destination or target of movement when used with motion verbs like θ‘γ (iku = to go). 'Tokyo ni ikimasu' means 'I will go to Tokyo.' γ« has many uses including location, time, and indirect objects.
Question 3: What is the γ¦-form (te-form) of Japanese verbs used for?
- Only for making past tense
- Connecting actions, making requests, describing ongoing states, and forming compound verbs (Correct answer)
- Only for negative sentences
- Only for formal writing
Correct answer: Connecting actions, making requests, describing ongoing states, and forming compound verbs
The γ¦-form is one of the most versatile verb forms in Japanese. It connects sequential actions (ι£γΉγ¦ι£²γ = eat and drink), forms requests (ι£γΉγ¦γγ γγ = please eat), shows ongoing states (ι£γΉγ¦γγ = is eating), and builds many grammar patterns.
Question 4: How does Japanese express the concept of 'want to do something'?
- By adding γ»γγ (hoshii) after the dictionary form
- By changing the verb stem to γγ (tai) form (Correct answer)
- By using the word 'want' translated directly
- By adding γ§γ (desu) to any verb
Correct answer: By changing the verb stem to γγ (tai) form
To express wanting to do something, the verb stem + γγ (tai) is used: ι£γΉγ (taberu = to eat) β ι£γΉγγ (tabetai = want to eat). Note that γγ conjugates like an γ-adjective and is typically only used for first-person desires.
Question 5: What is the significance of keigo (ζ¬θͺ) in Japanese, and how does Duolingo introduce it?
- Keigo is slang that Duolingo avoids teaching
- Keigo is the honorific/polite language system; Duolingo introduces the polite (γ§γ/γΎγ) level first (Correct answer)
- Keigo is only used in ancient Japanese texts
- Keigo means casual speech
Correct answer: Keigo is the honorific/polite language system; Duolingo introduces the polite (γ§γ/γΎγ) level first
Keigo (ζ¬θͺ) is the Japanese honorific language system with three levels: sonkeigo (respectful), kenjΕgo (humble), and teineigo (polite). Duolingo primarily teaches teineigo (the γ§γ/γΎγ polite forms) as the most practical starting point for learners.
Question 6: In Japanese, what is the difference between the particles γ― (wa) and γ (ga) in the sentences 'η«γ―ιγε₯½γγ§γ' (Neko wa sakana ga suki desu)?
- They mean the same thing
- γ― marks the topic (cat) and γ marks the object of the emotion (fish) β 'As for the cat, fish is liked' (Correct answer)
- γ― is the subject and γ is the object
- γ― indicates past tense and γ indicates present tense
Correct answer: γ― marks the topic (cat) and γ marks the object of the emotion (fish) β 'As for the cat, fish is liked'
In this sentence, γ― marks η« (neko/cat) as the topic being discussed, while γ marks ι (sakana/fish) as the thing that is liked. The literal structure is 'As for the cat, fish is likable.' This γ―/γ distinction is one of the most nuanced aspects of Japanese grammar.
Duolingo Japanese Practice Test 3
What are Japanese counters (ε©ζ°θ© josΕ«shi) and why are they important?