Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the function of the Korean particle '은/는' (eun/neun)?

It marks the object of the sentence
It marks the topic of the sentence (Correct answer)
It marks the subject performing an action
It indicates location

Correct answer: It marks the topic of the sentence

The particle 은/는 is the topic marker in Korean, indicating what the sentence is about. It's different from the subject marker 이/가.

Question 2: What counter is used for counting people (general) in Korean?

마리 (mari)
분 (bun)
명 (myeong) (Correct answer)
개 (gae)

Correct answer: 명 (myeong)

명 is the general counter for counting people, as in '학생 세 명' (three students).

Question 3: 서양

dislike, hate
news
western, west (Correct answer)
stress

Correct answer: western, west

The Korean word '서양' (seoyang) refers to 'the West' or 'Western countries.' It is commonly used to distinguish Western culture, geography, or people from those of East Asia. This term is important for understanding cultural and geographical references in Korean language and society.

Question 4: The word "날씨" (nalssi) is most related to which topic?

Transportation
Food
Weather (Correct answer)
Family

Correct answer: Weather

"날씨" means "weather."

Question 5: What is the meaning of "물" (mul) in Korean?

Fire
Water (Correct answer)
Wind
Earth

Correct answer: Water

"물" means "water," a basic TOPIK I noun.

Question 6: When 이/가 is used instead of 은/는, what function does it typically serve?

Highlighting new or focused information about the subject (Correct answer)
Contrasting two known topics
Indicating the general ongoing topic
Marking repeated or background information

Correct answer: Highlighting new or focused information about the subject

이/가 typically focuses on new or emphasized information, while 은/는 is used for known information or contrast between topics.

Question 7: In the phrase '학교에서 집까지,' what meaning do 에서 and 까지 convey together?

At school until home time
From school to home (Correct answer)
Near school and near home
At school and at home

Correct answer: From school to home

에서 marks the starting point ('from school') and 까지 marks the endpoint ('to/until home'), together expressing movement from one place to another.

Question 8: Which Korean word means "restaurant"?

교실
식당 (Correct answer)
도서관
사무실

Correct answer: 식당

"식당" means "restaurant/dining hall"; 도서관 library, 교실 classroom, 사무실 office.

Question 9: In Korean, the consonant cluster rule (겹받침) means that when two final consonants appear, which one is generally pronounced?

Always the left consonant
Both consonants are always pronounced
The one determined by the following sound (Correct answer)
Always the right consonant

Correct answer: The one determined by the following sound

Which consonant in a 겹받침 cluster is pronounced depends on what follows—a consonant or a vowel.

Question 10: How are Sino-Korean vocabulary words typically structured?

Combinations of Chinese-origin character readings, often appearing in formal and academic contexts (Correct answer)
Borrowed English words written in Hangul
Regional dialect variations
Random combinations of native Korean sounds

Correct answer: Combinations of Chinese-origin character readings, often appearing in formal and academic contexts

Sino-Korean words are formed from combinations of Chinese character readings (한자), making up approximately 60% of Korean vocabulary, particularly common in academic, scientific, and formal contexts.

Question 11: Which particle marks the direct object receiving the action of a verb?

에서
로/으로
의
을/를 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 을/를

을/를 is the object marker in Korean, indicating the noun directly receiving the verb's action.

Question 12: 내 동생은 아직 여기에 없어요. 자매 ().

압니다.
보냅니다
가르칩니다
기다립니다 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 기다립니다

The first sentence, '내 동생은 아직 여기에 없어요' (My younger sibling is not here yet), implies an expectation of their arrival. Therefore, the most logical action for the speaker to be doing is '기다립니다' (gidarimnida), which means 'waits' or 'is waiting'. This verb perfectly matches the situation of someone not yet present.

Question 13: 가다 . 리한 씨는 현재 고향으로 돌아가고 있다고 말했습니다. 그렇다면 어떻게? 그러니 곧 축하 행사를 열어야 할 것 같습니다.

환영
생일
환송 (Correct answer)
승진

Correct answer: 환송

The sentence states that Mr. Rihan is '고향으로 돌아가고 있다' (returning to his hometown), which implies he is leaving his current location. Therefore, a '축하 행사' (celebration/event) for someone who is leaving would be a '환송' (farewell) party. This type of event is held to bid a person goodbye and wish them well on their departure.

Question 14: 오늘은 월요일이에요. 내일은 _________입니다.

화요일 (Correct answer)
금요일
목요일
수요일

Correct answer: 화요일

This is a basic question about the sequence of the days of the week. If today is Monday ('월요일'), then the day immediately following Monday is Tuesday ('화요일'). This is a fundamental concept in Korean vocabulary and calendar knowledge.

Question 15: 언제

when (Correct answer)
go up
hard, enthusiastic
drive

Correct answer: when

The Korean interrogative pronoun '언제' (eonje) means 'when.' It is used to ask about the time or date of an event. This is a fundamental question word in Korean, essential for forming temporal inquiries.

Question 16: What does "맛있다" (masitda) mean?

Spicy
Salty
Delicious (Correct answer)
Bitter

Correct answer: Delicious

"맛있다" means "to be delicious/tasty."

Question 17: 오늘도 역시 인주시로 여행을 떠납니다. 오후부터 저녁까지 나뿐이야. 내일은 맑은 하늘을 보이겠습니다.

오늘 오후에 비가 오지 않을 겁니다
오늘 밤에 비가 많이 올 겁니다
인주시에 오랜만에 비가 내릴 겁니다
내일은 비가 내리지 않을 겁니다 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 내일은 비가 내리지 않을 겁니다

The last sentence of the passage clearly states, '내일은 맑은 하늘을 보이겠습니다' (Tomorrow will show clear skies). Clear skies directly imply that there will be no rain. Therefore, '내일은 비가 내리지 않을 겁니다' (It will not rain tomorrow) is the correct inference based on the weather forecast provided.

Question 18: Which Korean word means "happy"?

슬프다
화나다
무섭다
행복하다 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 행복하다

"행복하다" means "to be happy"; 슬프다 sad, 화나다 angry, 무섭다 scared.

Question 19: How are Korean verbs conjugated for past tense?

Korean verbs don't change for tense
By placing a past tense word before the verb
By adding -았/었/였 to the verb stem before the ending (Correct answer)
By changing the first syllable of the verb

Correct answer: By adding -았/었/였 to the verb stem before the ending

Past tense in Korean is formed by adding -았/었 (or -였 for 하다 verbs) to the verb stem. The choice depends on the last vowel of the verb stem: 아/오 takes 았, others take 었.

Question 20: What is the proper structure for a TOPIK essay?

A list of vocabulary words
Only one or two sentences expressing an opinion
A single long paragraph without structure
Introduction (thesis), body (supporting arguments with examples), and conclusion (summary and restatement) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Introduction (thesis), body (supporting arguments with examples), and conclusion (summary and restatement)

A well-structured TOPIK essay includes an introduction presenting the topic and thesis, 2-3 body paragraphs with supporting arguments and examples, and a conclusion summarizing the position — following standard academic essay structure.

Question 21: How do you say 'two pairs of shoes' in Korean using the correct counter?

신발 두 켤레 (Correct answer)
신발 두 벌
신발 두 족
신발 두 개

Correct answer: 신발 두 켤레

켤레 is the counter for pairs of shoes, socks, or gloves — so 'two pairs of shoes' is 신발 두 켤레.

Question 22: Which organization develops and administers the TOPIK exam?

Korea Tourism Organization
National Institute of Korean Language
Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) (Correct answer)
King Sejong Institute

Correct answer: Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI)

The TOPIK exam is developed and administered by the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) under the Ministry of Education.

Question 23: TOPIK I is designed to evaluate learners at which proficiency range?

Levels 3–4 (intermediate)
Levels 1–2 (beginner) (Correct answer)
Levels 5–6 (advanced)
Levels 1–4 (beginner to intermediate)

Correct answer: Levels 1–2 (beginner)

TOPIK I targets beginner learners and assesses Levels 1 and 2.

Question 24: What cultural knowledge is useful for TOPIK reading and listening comprehension?

Western cultural references translated into Korean
Understanding of Korean customs, holidays, social etiquette, education system, and daily life practices (Correct answer)
Ancient Korean history exclusively
Only knowledge of K-pop and Korean dramas

Correct answer: Understanding of Korean customs, holidays, social etiquette, education system, and daily life practices

TOPIK passages frequently reference Korean cultural contexts including traditional customs (설날, 추석), social norms (age hierarchy, group culture), the education system, family relationships, and contemporary social issues.

Question 25: In Korean, how is the phrase 'the second month' (February) correctly expressed?

둘째 월
이월 (Correct answer)
이 개월
두 번째 달

Correct answer: 이월

Months of the year use Sino-Korean numbers + 월, so February is 이월 (二月).

Question 26: What connective expressions are essential for TOPIK reading at intermediate level?

Mathematical symbols only
English transition words written in Korean
Conjunctions like 그러나 (however), 그래서 (so), 그런데 (but/by the way), 그리고 (and) (Correct answer)
Only simple words like yes and no

Correct answer: Conjunctions like 그러나 (however), 그래서 (so), 그런데 (but/by the way), 그리고 (and)

Intermediate TOPIK reading requires understanding conjunctive adverbs and connective expressions that signal relationships between ideas: contrast (그러나), cause-effect (그래서), addition (그리고), and topic change (그런데).

Question 27: What does the Korean word "지하철" (jihacheol) mean?

Taxi
Train
Subway (Correct answer)
Bus

Correct answer: Subway

"지하철" means "subway/metro," literally underground rail.

Question 28: Which of the following correctly uses a counter for ordering food at a restaurant?

비빔밥 한 장 주세요
비빔밥 한 명 주세요
비빔밥 한 권 주세요
비빔밥 한 그릇 주세요 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 비빔밥 한 그릇 주세요

그릇 is the counter for bowls of food, so '비빔밥 한 그릇' means one bowl of bibimbap.

Question 29: The Korean expression '식은 죽 먹기' is equivalent to which English expression?

Under the weather
A piece of cake (Correct answer)
Bite the bullet
Kill two birds with one stone

Correct answer: A piece of cake

'식은 죽 먹기' (eating cold porridge) means something is very easy to do, equivalent to 'a piece of cake.'

Question 30: Which sound change explains why '같이' is pronounced [가치] in Korean?

Tensification
Lateralization
Nasalization
Palatalization (구개음화) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Palatalization (구개음화)

Palatalization (구개음화) causes ㄷ or ㅌ before the vowel ㅣ to shift to [ㅈ] or [ㅊ].

Question 31: What is sound change (음운변동) and why is it important for listening comprehension?

Differences between Korean dialects
Changes in meaning of words over time
Volume changes in spoken Korean
Pronunciation changes when consonants interact at syllable boundaries, essential for understanding spoken Korean (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pronunciation changes when consonants interact at syllable boundaries, essential for understanding spoken Korean

Sound changes (nasalization, palatalization, aspiration, tensification) occur when consonants meet at syllable boundaries, making actual pronunciation differ significantly from the written form — critical for listening comprehension.

Question 32: What is the basic Korean sentence structure?

Verb-Subject-Object (VSO)
Object-Subject-Verb (OSV)
Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)
Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Subject-Object-Verb (SOV)

Korean follows Subject-Object-Verb word order, meaning the verb always comes at the end of the sentence, unlike English which uses Subject-Verb-Object.

Question 33: The proverb '가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다' teaches which lesson?

Travel teaches you humility
Actions are more important than words
Treat others the way you want to be treated (Correct answer)
Silence is golden

Correct answer: Treat others the way you want to be treated

This proverb — 'for kind words to come back, kind words must go first' — teaches reciprocity and treating others well.

Question 34: What does '공든 탑이 무너지랴' mean?

A tower built with effort will not collapse — hard work pays off (Correct answer)
Tall structures are dangerous
Never build structures without a foundation
Competition destroys cooperation

Correct answer: A tower built with effort will not collapse — hard work pays off

'공든 탑이 무너지랴' means a tower built with great effort will not fall — used to say sincere effort brings lasting results.

Question 35: Which Sino-Korean number combination correctly expresses 'the year 2024' in Korean?

이천이십사 년 (Correct answer)
이십이사 년
이이이사 년
이천사 년

Correct answer: 이천이십사 년

2024 in Sino-Korean is 이천이십사 (2,000 + 20 + 4), so the year is 이천이십사 년.

Question 36: How long is a TOPIK certificate valid?

1 year
2 years
5 years (Correct answer)
It does not expire

Correct answer: 5 years

TOPIK certificates are valid for 2 years from the date of issue.

Question 37: 현재는 아침입니다. 8시가 되었습니다.

사람
계절
시간 (Correct answer)
나이

Correct answer: 시간

The sentence explicitly states '8시가 되었습니다' (It is 8 o'clock), which refers to a specific point in time. The word '시간' (shi-gan) directly translates to 'time' and is the most appropriate term to describe the concept being discussed in the sentence. The other options like '나이' (age), '사람' (person), or '계절' (season) are unrelated to the numerical indication of the hour.

Question 38: Which TOPIK level is commonly required for skilled worker immigration visas to South Korea?

Level 4
Level 3 (Correct answer)
Level 2
Level 5

Correct answer: Level 3

Level 3 is the minimum TOPIK requirement cited for many South Korean skilled worker (E-series) visa categories.

Question 39: A: 달러를 한국돈으로 바꾸고 싶어요. 다음에 무엇을 해야 합니까? 나: 은행에서는 _________할 수 있습니다. 은행을 방문하세요.

편지
송금
환전 (Correct answer)
통장

Correct answer: 환전

The speaker explicitly states they want to '바꾸고 싶어요' (want to exchange) dollars for Korean money. The term '환전' (hwan-jeon) specifically means currency exchange, which is the service offered by banks for converting one currency to another. Therefore, it is the most appropriate word to fill in the blank, indicating what one can do at a bank when wanting to exchange money.

Question 40: Which TOPIK level is typically required for admission to a Korean university undergraduate program?

Level 2
Level 3
Level 1
Level 4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Level 4

Most Korean universities require at least TOPIK Level 4 for undergraduate admission.

Question 41: What types of listening passages appear on TOPIK I (beginner level)?

Short everyday dialogues about greetings, shopping, directions, and daily activities (Correct answer)
Professional business negotiations
Academic lectures on Korean history
News broadcasts about international politics

Correct answer: Short everyday dialogues about greetings, shopping, directions, and daily activities

TOPIK I listening includes short, practical dialogues covering daily life situations such as self-introductions, shopping, ordering food, asking directions, and making appointments.

Question 42: Which number system is used for dates, months, and years in Korean?

Native Korean numbers
A mixed system
Roman numerals adapted to Korean
Sino-Korean numbers (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sino-Korean numbers

Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼…) are used for dates, months, and years.

Question 43: How many questions are in the TOPIK I Listening section?

40 questions (Correct answer)
30 questions
50 questions
20 questions

Correct answer: 40 questions

The TOPIK I Listening section contains 40 questions.

Question 44: Which Korean word means "airport"?

항구
기차역
공항 (Correct answer)
정류장

Correct answer: 공항

"공항" means "airport"; 기차역 train station, 정류장 bus stop, 항구 harbor.

Question 45: 나는 바지를 좋아한다. 나는 치마를 거의 입지 않는다.

값
값
옷 (Correct answer)
집

Correct answer: 옷

The sentences '나는 바지를 좋아한다' (I like pants) and '나는 치마를 거의 입지 않는다' (I hardly ever wear skirts) both refer to types of garments. '옷' (ot) is the Korean word for 'clothes' or 'clothing'. Therefore, '옷' is the most appropriate category for both pants and skirts, making it the correct answer.

Question 46: In Hangul, what is the placeholder consonant used when a syllable begins with a vowel sound?

ㄴ
ㅇ (Correct answer)
ㄱ
ㅎ

Correct answer: ㅇ

ㅇ is used as a silent placeholder in the initial position of a syllable that starts with a vowel.

Question 47: Adding 도 to an interrogative word like 누구, 어디, or 뭐 in a negative sentence creates what meaning?

A distributive meaning applied to each noun
An emphatic affirmative about the noun
An indefinite pronoun meaning 'no one,' 'nowhere,' or 'nothing' (Correct answer)
A specific question about the noun

Correct answer: An indefinite pronoun meaning 'no one,' 'nowhere,' or 'nothing'

In negative sentences, 도 added to interrogative words creates negative indefinites: 누구도 없다 ('there is no one'), 어디도 없다 ('nowhere exists').

Question 48: Which word means "friend" in Korean?

가족
친구 (Correct answer)
이웃
선생님

Correct answer: 친구

"친구" means "friend"; 선생님 is teacher, 가족 is family, 이웃 is neighbor.

Question 49: 붙이다

April
small, cow
attach, stick (Correct answer)
life

Correct answer: attach, stick

The Korean verb '붙이다' (butida) means 'to attach,' 'to stick,' or 'to glue.' It describes the action of joining one thing to another, often with an adhesive. This is a versatile verb with various applications in daily communication.

Question 50: On what basis is TOPIK Writing scored for TOPIK II?

Computer-scored typing accuracy
Multiple choice answers only
Voice recording evaluated by AI
Short-answer and essay responses graded by human raters (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Short-answer and essay responses graded by human raters

TOPIK II Writing includes short-answer fill-in tasks and longer essays that are evaluated by human graders.

Question 51: The Korean word "학교" (hakgyo) refers to which place?

Bank
Hospital
Market
School (Correct answer)

Correct answer: School

"학교" means "school," combining 학 (study) and 교 (institution).

Question 52: How is the number 99 expressed using Native Korean numbers?

아홉아홉
구십구
아흔아홉 (Correct answer)
육십육

Correct answer: 아흔아홉

In the Native Korean system, 90 is 아흔 and 9 is 아홉, so 99 is 아흔아홉.

Question 53: Which counter is used for clothing items or sets of clothes in Korean?

개
장
켤레
벌 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 벌

벌 is the counter for articles or sets of clothing, such as '옷 한 벌' (one set/outfit of clothes).

Question 54: Which counter is used when counting floors of a building in Korean?

층 (cheung) (Correct answer)
칸 (kan)
동 (dong)
채 (chae)

Correct answer: 층 (cheung)

층 is the counter for floors or stories of a building, as in '3층' (third floor).

Question 55: How does Korean intonation affect meaning in spoken Korean?

Only volume matters, not pitch
Rising intonation indicates questions; falling intonation indicates statements; specific patterns convey emotions (Correct answer)
All Korean sentences use the same flat intonation
Intonation has no effect on meaning

Correct answer: Rising intonation indicates questions; falling intonation indicates statements; specific patterns convey emotions

Korean intonation patterns distinguish questions from statements (especially in informal speech where endings are the same), convey emotions and attitudes, and help listeners parse sentence boundaries in connected speech.

Question 56: Which particle marks an animate recipient of an action (giving, showing, telling something to a person)?

에게/한테 (Correct answer)
에서
에
로/으로

Correct answer: 에게/한테

에게 (formal) or 한테 (informal) marks the animate recipient of an action, equivalent to 'to' when giving or telling someone something.

Question 57: The verb "기다리다" (gidarida) means what?

To call
To leave
To wait (Correct answer)
To arrive

Correct answer: To wait

"기다리다" means "to wait."

Question 58: Which particle means 'also,' 'too,' or 'even,' adding the noun to an existing set?

만
조차
도 (Correct answer)
마다

Correct answer: 도

도 is an additive particle meaning 'also,' 'too,' or 'even,' indicating inclusion alongside something already mentioned.

Question 59: What does the Korean expression '입이 무겁다' mean?

To speak very slowly
To eat a lot
To be stubborn in arguments
To be discreet and not share secrets easily (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To be discreet and not share secrets easily

'입이 무겁다' means 'heavy mouth' and describes a person who is discreet and keeps secrets well.

Question 60: Which particle is used to connect nouns meaning 'and' or 'with' in formal or written Korean?

도
랑/이랑
와/과 (Correct answer)
하고

Correct answer: 와/과

와/과 is the formal conjunction particle meaning 'and/with,' used primarily in written or formal contexts.

Question 61: 저는 ( )에 갑니다. 공부를 합니다.

편의점
학교 (Correct answer)
약국
여행사

Correct answer: 학교

The second sentence, '공부를 합니다' (I study), clearly indicates the activity being performed. Among the given options, '학교' (hakgyo) means 'school', which is the primary place where one goes to study. The other options (convenience store, pharmacy, travel agency) are not typically associated with studying.

Question 62: Which particle marks an animate source from whom something is received, meaning 'from (a person)'?

로부터
에서
에게서/한테서 (Correct answer)
에게/한테

Correct answer: 에게서/한테서

에게서/한테서 marks the animate source from whom something is received, distinct from 에게/한테 which marks the recipient.

Question 63: How many basic consonant letters are in the Korean alphabet (Hangul)?

21 basic consonants
14 basic consonants (Correct answer)
19 basic consonants
10 basic consonants

Correct answer: 14 basic consonants

Hangul has 14 basic consonant letters (ㄱ,ㄴ,ㄷ,ㄹ,ㅁ,ㅂ,ㅅ,ㅇ,ㅈ,ㅊ,ㅋ,ㅌ,ㅍ,ㅎ) and 5 double consonants, totaling 19 consonant letters.

Question 64: What distinguishes TOPIK II listening from TOPIK I in terms of difficulty?

There is no difference in difficulty
TOPIK II includes longer monologues, lectures, news reports, and discussions with more complex grammar and vocabulary (Correct answer)
TOPIK II has fewer questions
TOPIK II is easier because students have more experience

Correct answer: TOPIK II includes longer monologues, lectures, news reports, and discussions with more complex grammar and vocabulary

TOPIK II listening features longer passages including academic lectures, news broadcasts, interviews, and panel discussions, requiring understanding of nuanced opinions, implied meanings, and complex sentence structures.

Question 65: Which consonant pair demonstrates aspirate assimilation, where a plain stop followed by ㅎ becomes aspirated?

ㄱ + ㄴ → [ㅇ]
ㄷ + ㄴ → [ㄴ]
ㅂ + ㄹ → [ㅁ]
ㄱ + ㅎ → [ㅋ] (Correct answer)

Correct answer: ㄱ + ㅎ → [ㅋ]

When ㄱ is followed by ㅎ (or vice versa), they merge into the aspirated [ㅋ].

Question 66: 집에서 식사 준비를 도와드릴게요. 다양한 나라의 음식을 설명할 수 있고, 한식 요리에도 능숙하다. 나는 사랑하는 사람들과 함께 요리하고 식사를 나누는 것을 즐깁니다.

저는 한국 음식을 잘 만듭니다 (Correct answer)
저는 다른 나라 음식을 잘 못 만듭니다
가족들은 매일 요리를 합니다
가족들은 한국 음식을 안 먹습니다

Correct answer: 저는 한국 음식을 잘 만듭니다

The passage explicitly states, '한식 요리에도 능숙하다' (I am also skilled at Korean cooking). This directly translates to '저는 한국 음식을 잘 만듭니다' (I am good at making Korean food). The other options contradict or are not supported by the information provided in the text, making this the only accurate statement based on the passage.

Question 67: Which of the following means 'to procrastinate' or 'to keep putting something off' in Korean?

손을 놓다
미루고 미루다 (Correct answer)
발 벗고 나서다
눈코 뜰 새 없다

Correct answer: 미루고 미루다

'미루고 미루다' means repeatedly postponing or procrastinating on a task.

Question 68: Which English word matches the Korean verb "먹다" (meokda)?

To eat (Correct answer)
To sleep
To run
To write

Correct answer: To eat

"먹다" is the dictionary form meaning "to eat."

Question 69: Which particle expresses possession, equivalent to 'of' or the English possessive 's?

의 (Correct answer)
에서
이/가
에

Correct answer: 의

의 is the possessive particle in Korean, linking a possessor to a possessed noun, as in 선생님의 책 ('the teacher's book').

Question 70: What is the minimum score required to pass TOPIK I Level 1?

70 points
80 points (Correct answer)
100 points
50 points

Correct answer: 80 points

A score of 80 points (out of 200) is the minimum needed to achieve TOPIK I Level 1.

Question 71: Why is '먹어요' pronounced [머거요] rather than [먹어요] in natural speech?

Nasalization
Liaison (연음) (Correct answer)
Tensification
Palatalization

Correct answer: Liaison (연음)

Liaison causes the final ㄱ of 먹 to link to the initial vowel ㅓ of 어, producing [머거요].

Question 72: What does "비싸다" (bissada) mean?

Expensive (Correct answer)
Cheap
Heavy
Delicious

Correct answer: Expensive

"비싸다" means "to be expensive"; its opposite is 싸다 (cheap).

Question 73: Which expression is used in Korean to describe someone who is a know-it-all or overestimates their abilities?

가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다
우물 안 개구리 (Correct answer)
낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다
공든 탑이 무너지랴

Correct answer: 우물 안 개구리

'우물 안 개구리' (frog in a well) describes someone with a limited worldview who overestimates their knowledge.

Question 74: Korean has three series of stops and affricates — plain, aspirated, and tensed. Which series produces the 'pp' sound as in 빠르다?

Nasal
Plain (평음)
Aspirated (격음)
Tensed (경음) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Tensed (경음)

The tensed (경음) series, written with double consonants like ㅃ, produces the tense 'pp' sound.

Question 75: 신용카드로 결제가 가능한가요? 사과드립니다. 카드는 사용할 수 없습니다. ______로 계산해주세요.

세금
현금 (Correct answer)
도장
영수증

Correct answer: 현금

The dialogue indicates that credit cards cannot be used for payment, as the speaker apologizes and states '카드는 사용할 수 없습니다.' In such a situation, the alternative method of payment is typically cash. Therefore, '현금' (cash) is the most logical word to fill the blank, instructing the customer to pay using cash.

Question 76: The word "돈" (don) means what in Korean?

Field
Money (Correct answer)
Stone
Door

Correct answer: Money

"돈" means "money."

Question 77: Which particle means 'only' or 'just,' restricting meaning exclusively to the marked noun?

쯤
마다
도
만 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 만

만 is a limiting particle meaning 'only' or 'just,' excluding everything other than the marked noun.

Question 78: How is the TOPIK writing section scored?

Only on handwriting neatness
Only on the number of characters written
Based on speed of completion
Based on content relevance, organizational structure, grammar accuracy, and vocabulary appropriateness (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Based on content relevance, organizational structure, grammar accuracy, and vocabulary appropriateness

TOPIK writing is scored on four criteria: content (addressing the topic appropriately), organization (logical structure and coherence), language use (grammar accuracy and variety), and vocabulary (appropriate and varied word choice).

Question 79: What does the idiom '손이 크다' convey in Korean?

To be skilled with tools
To be generous or cook/buy in large quantities (Correct answer)
To be physically strong
To be greedy

Correct answer: To be generous or cook/buy in large quantities

'손이 크다' (big hands) idiomatically means being generous, especially cooking large amounts of food.

Question 80: What is the purpose of TOPIK reading section?

To evaluate handwriting quality
To test speaking fluency only
To assess the ability to understand various Korean texts including advertisements, articles, and academic writing (Correct answer)
To measure typing speed in Korean

Correct answer: To assess the ability to understand various Korean texts including advertisements, articles, and academic writing

The TOPIK reading section evaluates comprehension of diverse text types from everyday notices and advertisements to news articles and academic texts, testing understanding of main ideas, details, and inferences.

Question 81: What is batchim (받침) in Korean?

A final consonant at the bottom of a syllable block (Correct answer)
A formal speech ending
A type of Korean punctuation
The first letter of a Korean word

Correct answer: A final consonant at the bottom of a syllable block

Batchim refers to the consonant(s) placed at the bottom of a Hangul syllable block as the final sound, affecting pronunciation and determining which particles and verb conjugations to use.

Question 82: What does the verb "만나다" (mannada) mean?

To meet (Correct answer)
To work
To leave
To sell

Correct answer: To meet

"만나다" means "to meet."

Question 83: 집에서 현금화 (). 집이 코앞입니다.

넓습니다
시원합니다
깨끗합니다
가깝습니다 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 가깝습니다

The second sentence, '집이 코앞입니다' (The house is right in front of me / very close), directly describes the proximity of the house. Therefore, the most fitting word to complete the first sentence is '가깝습니다' (gakkapssŭmnida), which means 'is close'. This accurately reflects the information given about the house's location.

Question 84: What does the Korean word "책" (chaek) mean?

Pen
Chair
Desk
Book (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Book

"책" means "book" and is a common TOPIK I vocabulary item.

Question 85: What is the total possible score on the TOPIK II exam?

200 points
400 points
300 points (Correct answer)
500 points

Correct answer: 300 points

TOPIK II has a total of 300 possible points (100 each for Listening, Reading, and Writing).

Question 86: What listening strategy helps identify the main purpose of a Korean dialogue?

Paying attention to speech level, key verbs, and question patterns that indicate the speaker's intent (Correct answer)
Counting the number of sentences spoken
Ignoring tone and focusing only on vocabulary
Only focusing on the last word of each sentence

Correct answer: Paying attention to speech level, key verbs, and question patterns that indicate the speaker's intent

Identifying the purpose requires attention to speech level (formal vs. casual), action verbs (requesting, suggesting, explaining), and sentence-ending patterns (questions, proposals, commands) that reveal communicative intent.

Question 87: What is the term for the rule that makes ㅂ pronounced as [m] in '합니다'?

Nasalization (Correct answer)
Tensification
Aspiration
Liaison

Correct answer: Nasalization

Nasalization (비음화) changes the final ㅂ of 합 to [m] before the nasal ㄴ of 니다, yielding [함니다].

Question 88: Which of the following Hangul vowels represents the sound [we] as in 'way'?

ㅟ
ㅚ
ㅘ
ㅞ (Correct answer)

Correct answer: ㅞ

ㅞ represents the [we] compound vowel in Korean.

Question 89: What is the validity period of a TOPIK score?

2 years from the date of the results announcement (Correct answer)
Lifetime validity
6 months
5 years

Correct answer: 2 years from the date of the results announcement

TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the date the results are officially announced. After expiration, the test must be retaken for official purposes such as university admission or employment.

Question 90: What note-taking strategy is recommended during TOPIK listening sections?

Only drawing pictures of what you hear
Jotting down key numbers, names, and relationship words while focusing on understanding overall context (Correct answer)
Not taking any notes and relying on memory
Writing down every word you hear

Correct answer: Jotting down key numbers, names, and relationship words while focusing on understanding overall context

Effective TOPIK listening strategies include noting key information (numbers, dates, locations, names), identifying speaker relationships and settings, and capturing main ideas without trying to transcribe everything.

Question 91: What does the Korean word "시간" (sigan) mean?

Place
Money
Weather
Time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Time

"시간" means "time" or "hour."

Question 92: What reading strategy is most important for TOPIK reading comprehension?

Identifying the main idea and supporting details through context clues and text structure (Correct answer)
Only focusing on vocabulary you already know
Reading every word slowly and carefully
Translating each word into your native language

Correct answer: Identifying the main idea and supporting details through context clues and text structure

Effective TOPIK reading strategy involves quickly identifying the main topic and purpose, using context clues for unknown vocabulary, recognizing text structures, and focusing on key information rather than word-by-word translation.

Question 93: 나는 친구들과 함께 타고 있습니다. () 기차를 타요.

가끔
항상
아주
빨리 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 빨리

The first sentence, '나는 친구들과 함께 타고 있습니다' (I am riding with my friends), describes the current activity. The second sentence, '() 기차를 타요' (I take the train), specifies the mode of transport. '빨리' (ppalli) means 'quickly' and is an adverb that modifies the verb '타요' (to take/ride), indicating the speed or manner in which the train is taken. This suggests they are either taking the train in a hurry or that the journey itself is fast.

Question 94: What time management strategy is recommended for the TOPIK reading section?

Read every passage completely before looking at questions
Start with the most difficult questions first
Answer easier questions first, allocate more time for longer passages, and mark uncertain answers for review (Correct answer)
Spend equal time on every question

Correct answer: Answer easier questions first, allocate more time for longer passages, and mark uncertain answers for review

Effective time management involves quickly answering straightforward questions, allocating proportionally more time to longer/complex passages, and using a two-pass strategy (easy first, then difficult) to maximize the score.

Question 95: How often is TOPIK administered and where can it be taken?

Once a year only in Seoul
Only available online
Every month at any school
6 times per year in Korea, 2-4 times internationally at designated test centers worldwide (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 6 times per year in Korea, 2-4 times internationally at designated test centers worldwide

TOPIK is administered 6 times annually in Korea and 2-4 times per year at overseas test centers in approximately 90 countries, with registration handled through the official TOPIK website.

Question 96: How many Writing tasks appear in the TOPIK II Writing section?

5 tasks
2 tasks
4 tasks (Correct answer)
3 tasks

Correct answer: 4 tasks

TOPIK II Writing has 4 tasks: two short sentence-completion items and two essays.

Question 97: 혼자

degree
student ID card
Chusoku (Korean Thanksgiving Day)
alone (Correct answer)

Correct answer: alone

The Korean word '혼자' (honja) means 'alone' or 'by oneself.' It indicates that an action is performed without the company of others or that someone is in solitude. This is a common adverb used to describe independent action or a state of being solitary.

Question 98: Which Korean expression means 'to turn a blind eye' or 'to pretend not to see'?

귀가 얇다
눈을 감다 (Correct answer)
발을 빼다
모르는 척하다

Correct answer: 눈을 감다

'눈을 감다' literally means 'to close one's eyes' and is used to mean ignoring or overlooking something intentionally.

Question 99: How long is the Listening section of TOPIK II?

45 minutes
90 minutes
30 minutes
60 minutes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 60 minutes

The TOPIK II Listening section lasts 60 minutes.

Question 100: 우리 회사의 업무는 월요일부터 금요일까지 이루어지며 ________ 및 일요일은 휴무입니다.

수요일
목요일
화요일
토요일 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 토요일

The sentence states that work is done from Monday to Friday, implying that the weekend days are holidays. Therefore, if Sunday is already mentioned as a holiday, the other common weekend holiday is Saturday. '토요일' (Saturday) logically completes the sentence to indicate the full weekend as non-working days for the company.

Question 101: What phonological process causes the final consonant 'ㄱ' to be pronounced as 'ㅇ' before a following vowel?

Liaison (연음) (Correct answer)
Aspiration
Nasalization
Tensification

Correct answer: Liaison (연음)

Liaison (연음, yeonum) causes a final consonant to link to the initial vowel of the next syllable.

Question 102: What counter is used for counting long, thin objects such as pencils or sticks?

편
자루 (Correct answer)
권
개

Correct answer: 자루

자루 is the counter for long, thin objects with handles such as pencils, brushes, and umbrellas.

Question 103: Which particle indicates the location where an action or event takes place?

에게
와/과
에
에서 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 에서

에서 marks the location where an action occurs, distinguishing it from 에 which marks static location of existence.

Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK)

The TOPIK evaluates the Korean language proficiency of non-native speakers, covering reading, listening, and writing skills for academic and professional purposes.

104

Questions

180 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

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