Reading
Complete a passage in context
Seemile Easy TOPIK I · reading · pp. 109–118
Understand the task
A passage blank connects events or ideas on both sides. It may test a verb phrase, an ending or a conjunction. Decide the relationship first: result, contrast, sequence, condition or an additional example. Then compare the choices for tense, possibility and meaning.
Read the lines before and after the blank. Decide whether the missing expression should show cause, contrast, sequence or a repeated idea.
How to solve this question type
- Read at least the sentence before and the sentence after the blank. Later details can confirm what actually happened.
- For a conjunction, name the relationship in plain language before choosing: ‘because of that’, ‘but’, ‘and another example’ or ‘afterwards’.
- For a verb ending, distinguish a completed sequence from a condition or alternative. 졸업하고 나서 gives ‘after graduating’.
Grammar and expressions
그래서 / 하지만 / 그리고
그래서 introduces a result, 하지만 a contrast and 그리고 an addition.
비가 왔습니다. 그래서 우산을 가져갔습니다.
It rained. So I took an umbrella.
V-고 나서
Put the second action after the first has finished.
졸업하고 나서 이사를 갔습니다.
After graduating, I moved.
V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다
Express ability or possibility. Check whether later events show that it was possible.
공연을 볼 수 있었습니다.
I was able to see the performance.
Vocabulary for this type
- 오랜만에
- after a long time
- 거의
- almost or hardly, with a negative
- 요즘
- these days
- 끝나다
- to finish
- 우산
- umbrella
- 나서다
- to set off
A worked example
일이 빨리 끝나서 친구와 공연을 보러 갔습니다. 공연은 정말 좋았습니다.
Work finished early, so I went to a performance with a friend. The performance was very good.
- The final evaluation confirms that the writer attended the performance.
- A choice meaning ‘could not see it’ would contradict that outcome.
- 보러 갔습니다 combines a purpose with movement and fits the completed event.
Try it yourself
Practice 1
아침에 비가 많이 왔습니다. ( ) 우산을 가지고 집을 나섰습니다. 학교에 도착할 때도 비가 왔습니다.
It rained heavily in the morning. So I left home with an umbrella. It was still raining when I arrived at school.
Choose the best expression.
- 하지만
- 그래서
- 또는
- 예를 들면
Answer and explanation
2. 그래서
The rain explains why the person took an umbrella. 그래서 introduces the result.
- 하지만 would signal a contrast; taking an umbrella is instead a consequence of the rain.
- 그래서 links the rainy weather to the decision to take an umbrella.
- 또는 offers an alternative, which is not the relationship between these sentences.
- 예를 들면 introduces an example, not the consequence required here.
Review your reasoning
- Option 1: 하지만 would signal a contrast; taking an umbrella is instead a consequence of the rain.
- Option 2: 그래서 links the rainy weather to the decision to take an umbrella.
- Option 3: 또는 offers an alternative, which is not the relationship between these sentences.
- Option 4: 예를 들면 introduces an example, not the consequence required here.
Try the question again with the explanation closed. Identify the exact phrase that supports the answer, then explain which detail makes each other option unsuitable.