JLPT N4 listening practice

7 papers195 questions3 hours of audio

Shuffle

Hear the question, then a conversation, and decide what the speaker will do first. The options are printed, as words or pictures.

The question is played once, so catch まず, この後 or 最初に: you are looking for the first step.
Cross out options as you listen: done already, someone else will do it, or it comes later.
The action after とりあえず, 先に or その前に is usually the answer.
Common mistake: Every option comes up in the conversation; the usual mistake is picking something that happens later or that someone else will do.

Sample · December 2021, Mondai 1

Hear the question, read the printed options, then listen for the one point asked about: a reason, what started it, a feeling or what matters most.

While reading the options, decide whether you are listening for a reason, a purpose or a trigger.
Speakers often deny one or two ideas before giving the real reason; listen closely after 実は and というより.
The answer is usually reworded, not said exactly as the option puts it.
Common mistake: Every option is mentioned, but only one answers the question; if it asks how something started, don't pick what came later.

Sample · December 2021, Mondai 2

Look at a picture and choose, from three phrases, what the person the arrow points to should say.

Read the situation from the picture first: asking, apologizing, inviting or greeting.
Work out whether the speaker is offering to do something or asking someone else to.
Know the difference between 〜てください, 〜ましょうか and 〜てもいいですか.
Common mistake: Mixing up the roles and choosing what the other person would say.

Sample · December 2021, Mondai 3

Hear one line and choose the most natural reply of three. Nothing is printed and you have only a few seconds.

First decide what the line is doing: asking, inviting, complaining, apologizing or praising.
Listen for keigo and giving/receiving forms: 〜てもらえる？ and 〜ていただけますか ask the listener to do something.
Higher levels test set phrases such as 〜なしには〜ない and 〜わけにはいかない; hear them the wrong way round and you pick the wrong reply.
Common mistake: Wrong replies often repeat words from the line, so they sound right but don't answer it.

Sample · December 2021, Mondai 4

All from the listening section of the JLPT N4 past papers, 2010–2021: 7 papers, 195 questions, each paper in printed order.

All 7 papers are free.