Understanding Quick Response
Quick response questions test your ability to choose an appropriate immediate reply in various situations. Unlike other listening sections, you must respond quickly without hearing options first. This simulates real conversation where you need to understand and respond instantly. Success requires strong comprehension and knowledge of natural Japanese conversation patterns.
🎯 Key Strategies for Quick Response
1. Question Format
- You hear a short situation description
- You hear someone say ONE sentence
- Immediately choose appropriate response (no visual options until after)
- Must understand and decide FAST
2. What Makes This Different
- Faster pace - simulates real conversation
- No time to overthink
- Tests natural conversation instincts
- Must process meaning + choose response simultaneously
3. Types of Statements You'll Hear
- Questions (質問)
- Requests (依頼)
- Offers (申し出)
- Apologies (謝罪)
- Compliments (褒める)
- Information (情報提供)
- Suggestions (提案)
4. Response Strategies
- Identify statement type immediately
- Consider relationship (formal/casual)
- Match the expected response type
- Choose natural, contextually appropriate reply
5. Common Response Patterns
- Question → Answer or polite acknowledgment
- Request → Accept or politely refuse
- Offer → Accept gratefully or politely decline
- Apology → Accept and reassure
- Compliment → Humble response (Japanese style)
- Information → Show interest or thanks
- Suggestion → Consider or agree❓ Practice Scenario 1: Question Response
Listening Setup
【状況】
会社で、同僚が話しています。
【音声】
明日の会議、何時からだっけ？
【選択肢】
1. 10時からだよ。
2. 昨日だったよ。
3. 会議室でやるよ。Analysis
正解：1
Correct Answer: 1 - 10時からだよ (From 10 o'clock)
Reasoning:
Statement type: Question asking for TIME (何時から = from what time)
Key word: だっけ = casual question form "what was it again?"
Expected response: Provide the TIME information
Option 1: 10時からだよ ✓
- Directly answers TIME question
- 〜から = from (matches question format)
- だよ = casual, appropriate for 同僚
Option 2: 昨日だったよ (It was yesterday)
- Doesn't make sense - question asks about TOMORROW's meeting
- Wrong timeframe
Option 3: 会議室でやるよ (We're doing it in the conference room)
- Answers WHERE, not WHEN
- Doesn't match the question
Quick decision key: 何時 = need time answer
Reasoning:
Statement type: Question asking for TIME (何時から = from what time)
Key word: だっけ = casual question form "what was it again?"
Expected response: Provide the TIME information
Option 1: 10時からだよ ✓
- Directly answers TIME question
- 〜から = from (matches question format)
- だよ = casual, appropriate for 同僚
Option 2: 昨日だったよ (It was yesterday)
- Doesn't make sense - question asks about TOMORROW's meeting
- Wrong timeframe
Option 3: 会議室でやるよ (We're doing it in the conference room)
- Answers WHERE, not WHEN
- Doesn't match the question
Quick decision key: 何時 = need time answer
🙏 Practice Scenario 2: Request Response
Listening Setup
【状況】
友達が話しています。
【音声】
ちょっと、これ持ってくれる？
【選択肢】
1. 持ってるよ。
2. いいよ、何？
3. 持ってきたの？Analysis
正解：2
Correct Answer: 2 - いいよ、何？(Sure, what is it?)
Reasoning:
Statement type: REQUEST (〜てくれる？= can you do ~ for me?)
Relationship: 友達 (friend) = casual OK
Expected response: Accept or refuse the request
Option 1: 持ってるよ (I'm holding it)
- Wrong tense/form
- 持ってる = currently holding (state)
- Request is to hold something (action)
- Doesn't respond to the request
Option 2: いいよ、何？✓
- いいよ = sure, okay (accepts request casually)
- 何？= what is it? (natural follow-up)
- Appropriate casual acceptance from friend
- Natural conversational flow
Option 3: 持ってきたの？(Did you bring it?)
- Asks if friend brought something
- Doesn't respond to the request
- Wrong context
Quick decision key: 〜てくれる？= request → accept/refuse
Reasoning:
Statement type: REQUEST (〜てくれる？= can you do ~ for me?)
Relationship: 友達 (friend) = casual OK
Expected response: Accept or refuse the request
Option 1: 持ってるよ (I'm holding it)
- Wrong tense/form
- 持ってる = currently holding (state)
- Request is to hold something (action)
- Doesn't respond to the request
Option 2: いいよ、何？✓
- いいよ = sure, okay (accepts request casually)
- 何？= what is it? (natural follow-up)
- Appropriate casual acceptance from friend
- Natural conversational flow
Option 3: 持ってきたの？(Did you bring it?)
- Asks if friend brought something
- Doesn't respond to the request
- Wrong context
Quick decision key: 〜てくれる？= request → accept/refuse
💝 Practice Scenario 3: Offer Response
Listening Setup
【状況】
先生が学生に話しています。
【音声】
分からないところがあったら、いつでも聞いてくださいね。
【選択肢】
1. はい、ありがとうございます。
2. いいえ、聞きません。
3. 先生、分かりますか。Analysis
正解：1
Correct Answer: 1 - はい、ありがとうございます (Yes, thank you)
Reasoning:
Statement type: OFFER of help/availability
Relationship: 先生 → 学生 (teacher to student) = polite response needed
Expected response: Grateful acknowledgment
Option 1: はい、ありがとうございます ✓
- はい = polite acknowledgment
- ありがとうございます = thanks for the offer
- Appropriate politeness level for teacher
- Standard response to kind offer
Option 2: いいえ、聞きません (No, I won't ask)
- Too direct/blunt
- Sounds like rejecting teacher's kindness
- Inappropriate response to offer
- Would seem rude
Option 3: 先生、分かりますか (Teacher, do you understand?)
- Reverses the situation
- Student asking if teacher understands (nonsensical)
- Inappropriate role reversal
Quick decision key: Kind offer → thank graciously
Reasoning:
Statement type: OFFER of help/availability
Relationship: 先生 → 学生 (teacher to student) = polite response needed
Expected response: Grateful acknowledgment
Option 1: はい、ありがとうございます ✓
- はい = polite acknowledgment
- ありがとうございます = thanks for the offer
- Appropriate politeness level for teacher
- Standard response to kind offer
Option 2: いいえ、聞きません (No, I won't ask)
- Too direct/blunt
- Sounds like rejecting teacher's kindness
- Inappropriate response to offer
- Would seem rude
Option 3: 先生、分かりますか (Teacher, do you understand?)
- Reverses the situation
- Student asking if teacher understands (nonsensical)
- Inappropriate role reversal
Quick decision key: Kind offer → thank graciously
😊 Practice Scenario 4: Compliment Response
Listening Setup
【状況】
友達が話しています。
【音声】
日本語、上手だね！
【選択肢】
1. そうだね、すごいでしょ。
2. いやいや、まだまだだよ。
3. ありがとう、下手でしょ。Analysis
正解：2
Correct Answer: 2 - いやいや、まだまだだよ (No no, I still have a long way to go)
Reasoning:
Statement type: COMPLIMENT (褒め言葉)
Cultural context: Japanese tend to respond humbly to compliments
Expected response: Humble acknowledgment
Option 1: そうだね、すごいでしょ (Right, it's amazing isn't it)
- Too arrogant
- Agreeing with own greatness = not humble
- Culturally inappropriate in Japanese context
- Would seem conceited
Option 2: いやいや、まだまだだよ ✓
- いやいや = humble denial (not really)
- まだまだ = still have far to go
- Classic humble Japanese response
- だよ = casual, appropriate for friend
- Shows modesty
Option 3: ありがとう、下手でしょ (Thanks, it's poor isn't it)
- Contradictory (thanking but then saying bad)
- 下手でしょ = asking agreement that you're bad
- Unnatural and awkward
- Sounds like fishing for more compliments
Quick decision key: Compliment → humble response in Japanese
Reasoning:
Statement type: COMPLIMENT (褒め言葉)
Cultural context: Japanese tend to respond humbly to compliments
Expected response: Humble acknowledgment
Option 1: そうだね、すごいでしょ (Right, it's amazing isn't it)
- Too arrogant
- Agreeing with own greatness = not humble
- Culturally inappropriate in Japanese context
- Would seem conceited
Option 2: いやいや、まだまだだよ ✓
- いやいや = humble denial (not really)
- まだまだ = still have far to go
- Classic humble Japanese response
- だよ = casual, appropriate for friend
- Shows modesty
Option 3: ありがとう、下手でしょ (Thanks, it's poor isn't it)
- Contradictory (thanking but then saying bad)
- 下手でしょ = asking agreement that you're bad
- Unnatural and awkward
- Sounds like fishing for more compliments
Quick decision key: Compliment → humble response in Japanese
😢 Practice Scenario 5: Apology Response
Listening Setup
【状況】
後輩が先輩に話しています。
【音声】
すみません、書類、間違えてしまいました。
【選択肢】
1. 何やってるんだよ！
2. 大丈夫、次から気をつけて。
3. 間違えたの？知らなかった。Analysis
正解：2
Correct Answer: 2 - 大丈夫、次から気をつけて (It's okay, be careful from next time)
Reasoning:
Statement type: APOLOGY (謝罪)
Relationship: 後輩 → 先輩 (junior to senior)
Expected response: Accept apology, possibly guide/reassure
Option 1: 何やってるんだよ！(What are you doing!)
- Harsh and angry
- While senior could be stern, this is too aggressive
- Doesn't accept the apology
- Not constructive
Option 2: 大丈夫、次から気をつけて ✓
- 大丈夫 = reassures (it's okay)
- 次から気をつけて = guidance (be careful next time)
- Accepts apology graciously
- Shows senior's supportive attitude
- Balanced response (forgives but reminds to improve)
Option 3: 間違えたの？知らなかった (You made mistake? I didn't know)
- Doesn't acknowledge the apology
- Simply stating lack of knowledge
- Doesn't resolve the situation
- Leaves junior hanging
Quick decision key: Apology → accept + reassure/guide
Reasoning:
Statement type: APOLOGY (謝罪)
Relationship: 後輩 → 先輩 (junior to senior)
Expected response: Accept apology, possibly guide/reassure
Option 1: 何やってるんだよ！(What are you doing!)
- Harsh and angry
- While senior could be stern, this is too aggressive
- Doesn't accept the apology
- Not constructive
Option 2: 大丈夫、次から気をつけて ✓
- 大丈夫 = reassures (it's okay)
- 次から気をつけて = guidance (be careful next time)
- Accepts apology graciously
- Shows senior's supportive attitude
- Balanced response (forgives but reminds to improve)
Option 3: 間違えたの？知らなかった (You made mistake? I didn't know)
- Doesn't acknowledge the apology
- Simply stating lack of knowledge
- Doesn't resolve the situation
- Leaves junior hanging
Quick decision key: Apology → accept + reassure/guide
📰 Practice Scenario 6: Information Response
Listening Setup
【状況】
友達が話しています。
【音声】
聞いた？田中さん、来月結婚するんだって。
【選択肢】
1. え、本当？知らなかった！
2. 来月だね。
3. 結婚したいな。Analysis
正解：1
Correct Answer: 1 - え、本当？知らなかった！(Huh, really? I didn't know!)
Reasoning:
Statement type: SHARING NEWS/INFORMATION
Key phrase: 聞いた？(Did you hear?) = trying to share news
Expected response: Show surprise/interest + engage with information
Option 1: え、本当？知らなかった！✓
- え = shows surprise
- 本当？= asks for confirmation (natural response to surprising news)
- 知らなかった = I didn't know (engages with the information)
- Natural excited response to news
- Encourages friend to share more
Option 2: 来月だね (It's next month, right)
- Simply confirms the detail
- Lacks emotional response
- Too flat for exciting news
- Doesn't show interest
Option 3: 結婚したいな (I want to get married)
- Makes it about self, not about Tanaka
- Doesn't engage with friend's news
- Self-centered response
- Socially awkward
Quick decision key: 聞いた？= sharing news → show surprise/interest
Reasoning:
Statement type: SHARING NEWS/INFORMATION
Key phrase: 聞いた？(Did you hear?) = trying to share news
Expected response: Show surprise/interest + engage with information
Option 1: え、本当？知らなかった！✓
- え = shows surprise
- 本当？= asks for confirmation (natural response to surprising news)
- 知らなかった = I didn't know (engages with the information)
- Natural excited response to news
- Encourages friend to share more
Option 2: 来月だね (It's next month, right)
- Simply confirms the detail
- Lacks emotional response
- Too flat for exciting news
- Doesn't show interest
Option 3: 結婚したいな (I want to get married)
- Makes it about self, not about Tanaka
- Doesn't engage with friend's news
- Self-centered response
- Socially awkward
Quick decision key: 聞いた？= sharing news → show surprise/interest
💡 Practice Scenario 7: Suggestion Response
Listening Setup
【状況】
同僚が話しています。
【音声】
今日、仕事の後、飲みに行かない？
【選択肢】
1. 行かないよ。
2. いいね、行こう！
3. 仕事の後だね。Analysis
正解：2
Correct Answer: 2 - いいね、行こう！(Sounds good, let's go!)
Reasoning:
Statement type: INVITATION/SUGGESTION
Form: 〜ない？= casual invitation form
Expected response: Accept enthusiastically or politely decline
Option 1: 行かないよ (I'm not going)
- Too blunt/direct refusal
- No reason or apology
- Sounds unfriendly to colleague
- Would damage relationship
Option 2: いいね、行こう！✓
- いいね = that sounds good
- 行こう = let's go (enthusiastic agreement)
- Positive and friendly
- Natural acceptance of invitation
- Appropriate for colleague
Option 3: 仕事の後だね (It's after work, right)
- Just confirms the detail
- Doesn't answer yes or no
- Leaves colleague hanging
- Not a proper response to invitation
Quick decision key: 〜ない？invitation → accept clearly or refuse politely
Reasoning:
Statement type: INVITATION/SUGGESTION
Form: 〜ない？= casual invitation form
Expected response: Accept enthusiastically or politely decline
Option 1: 行かないよ (I'm not going)
- Too blunt/direct refusal
- No reason or apology
- Sounds unfriendly to colleague
- Would damage relationship
Option 2: いいね、行こう！✓
- いいね = that sounds good
- 行こう = let's go (enthusiastic agreement)
- Positive and friendly
- Natural acceptance of invitation
- Appropriate for colleague
Option 3: 仕事の後だね (It's after work, right)
- Just confirms the detail
- Doesn't answer yes or no
- Leaves colleague hanging
- Not a proper response to invitation
Quick decision key: 〜ない？invitation → accept clearly or refuse politely
🔄 Response Pattern Quick Reference
╔════════════════╦═════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Statement Type ║ Expected Response ║
╠════════════════╬═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Question ║ Direct answer to what's asked ║
║ (質問) ║ 何時? → time / どこ? → place ║
╠════════════════╬═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Request ║ Accept: いいよ / はい、分かりました ║
║ (依頼) ║ Refuse: すみません、ちょっと... ║
╠════════════════╬═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Offer ║ Accept: ありがとうございます ║
║ (申し出) ║ Decline: 大丈夫です、ありがとうございます ║
╠════════════════╬═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Compliment ║ Humble: いやいや、まだまだです ║
║ (褒め言葉) ║ Japanese culture = modesty ║
╠════════════════╬═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Apology ║ Accept: 大丈夫です / 気にしないで ║
║ (謝罪) ║ Reassure speaker ║
╠════════════════╬═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Information ║ Show interest: え、本当? / そうなんだ ║
║ (情報提供) ║ Engage with the news ║
╠════════════════╬═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Suggestion ║ Accept: いいね / そうしよう ║
║ (提案) ║ Decline: ごめん、ちょっと... ║
╚════════════════╩═════════════════════════════════════════════╝⚡ Quick Recognition Phrases
Questions to Recognize:
- 〜か/かな/だっけ (question markers)
- 何/いつ/どこ/誰/どう (question words)
- Example: 何時からだっけ？→ need TIME answer
Requests to Recognize:
- 〜てくれる？/〜てもらえる？
- 〜てください
- Example: 持ってくれる？→ accept or refuse
Offers to Recognize:
- 〜ましょうか？
- 〜てあげようか？
- Example: 手伝いましょうか？→ thank and accept/decline
Invitations to Recognize:
- 〜ない？/〜ませんか？
- 〜行こう/〜しよう
- Example: 映画見に行かない？→ accept or refuse
News/Information to Recognize:
- 聞いた？/知ってる？
- 〜んだって/〜らしい
- Example: 聞いた？→ show surprise/interest
Apologies to Recognize:
- すみません/ごめんなさい
- 申し訳ありません
- Example: すみません→ reassure⚠️ Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not Matching Question Type
Question: どこで会議をしますか？(WHERE will we meet?)
Wrong: 3時からです (From 3 o'clock - TIME answer)
Correct: 会議室でやります (In conference room - PLACE answer)
Wrong: 3時からです (From 3 o'clock - TIME answer)
Correct: 会議室でやります (In conference room - PLACE answer)
Identify question word (何/いつ/どこ) first
Match your answer type to question type
Match your answer type to question type
Mistake 2: Being Too Blunt
Invitation: 飲みに行かない？(Want to go drinking?)
Wrong: 行かない (Not going - too blunt)
Correct: ごめん、今日はちょっと... (Sorry, today is a bit...)
Wrong: 行かない (Not going - too blunt)
Correct: ごめん、今日はちょっと... (Sorry, today is a bit...)
Use softening phrases even with friends
Japanese communication values indirectness
Japanese communication values indirectness
Mistake 3: Western Response to Compliments
Compliment: 上手ですね (You're good at it)
Western style: ありがとう！(Thanks! - direct acceptance)
Japanese style: いえいえ、まだまだです (No no, still learning)
Western style: ありがとう！(Thanks! - direct acceptance)
Japanese style: いえいえ、まだまだです (No no, still learning)
Japanese culture = humble responses to praise
Agreeing with compliment = arrogant
Agreeing with compliment = arrogant
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Identify statement type instantly: Question/request/offer/compliment/apology/info/suggestion
- Match answer to question: 何時 needs time, どこ needs place
- Accept or refuse clearly: Don't leave requests/invitations unanswered
- Humble responses to compliments: まだまだです is appropriate
- Accept apologies graciously: 大丈夫 + reassurance
- Show interest in news: え、本当？engages conversation
- Consider formality quickly: Match relationship level
- Natural flow over perfection: Choose what sounds most natural in context