No. 1
Do you like sports? Why or why not?
Ideal Answer (Yes)
Yes, I like sports because they are fun and good for my health.
I play soccer with my friends every weekend at the park.
I want to get better at soccer in the future.
Ideal Answer (No)
No, I don't like sports because I'm not very good at them.
I prefer reading books or playing video games at home.
But I think sports are important for staying healthy.
A well-explained No is completely valid. S1: Yes/No + because → S2: example → S3: feeling or opinion
Key vocab: because, prefer, important, health, future, good at
No. 2
What do you usually do on weekends?
Ideal Answer
On weekends, I usually play video games at home with my friends.
I like playing online because it is exciting and we can talk together.
I really enjoy weekends because I can relax and have fun.
Alternative
On weekends, I usually help my parents clean the house.
I clean my room and sometimes do the laundry for my family.
I don't always enjoy it, but I think it is important.
S1: On weekends, I usually ~ → S2: detail + because → S3: overall feeling
Key vocab: usually, because, exciting, relax, enjoy, important
No. 3
Which do you prefer, summer or winter? Why?
Ideal Answer (Summer)
I prefer summer because I can swim in the sea and play outside.
I love going to the beach with my family during summer vacation.
Summer is my favourite season because it is exciting and fun.
Ideal Answer (Winter)
I prefer winter because I like cold weather and snow.
I enjoy drinking hot chocolate and playing in the snow with my friends.
Winter is also special because of the New Year holidays.
"I prefer ~ because" in S1 is the core pattern — check every student uses it. Student must choose one.
Key vocab: prefer, because, favourite, special, enjoy, during, exciting
No. 4
What is your favourite food? Why do you like it?
Ideal Answer
My favourite food is sushi because it is delicious and healthy.
I love the fresh taste of salmon and tuna the most.
My family often goes to a sushi restaurant on special occasions.
Alternative
My favourite food is ramen because it is warm and filling.
I like spicy miso ramen best, especially in cold weather.
My mother makes ramen for me when I am tired or sick.
S1: My favourite food is ~ because → S2: specific detail → S3: when/where/who with. Personal memory in S3 is excellent.
Key vocab: favourite, delicious, healthy, fresh, filling, special, occasion
No. 5
What do you want to do in the future? Why?
Ideal Answer
In the future, I want to be a doctor because I want to help sick people.
I think helping others is very rewarding and important work.
So now I study hard at school, especially science and English.
Alternative
In the future, I want to live in another country because I like different cultures.
I think it would be exciting to make friends from all over the world.
So I am studying English hard and reading books about other countries.
S1: In the future, I want to ~ because → S2: expanded reason → S3: "So now I ~" connects dream to present action.
Key vocab: future, want to, because, rewarding, important, exciting, culture
No. 6
Do you like studying English? Why or why not?
Ideal Answer (Yes)
Yes, I like studying English because it is useful and interesting.
I enjoy talking with people from other countries in English.
In the future, I want to use English for my job.
Ideal Answer (No)
No, I don't like studying English because it is difficult for me.
Grammar and spelling are especially hard to remember.
But I know English is important, so I try my best.
Honest No with positive S3 finish shows maturity — reward it. S1: Yes/No + because → S2: reason → S3: purpose or effort
Key vocab: useful, interesting, enjoy, difficult, especially, important, grammar
No. 7
What is your favourite school subject? Why?
Ideal Answer
My favourite subject is science because I love doing experiments.
I find it exciting to learn how the world works around us.
I sometimes do simple experiments at home to learn more.
Alternative
My favourite subject is PE because I can move my body and have fun.
I especially enjoy playing team sports with my classmates.
I feel much more energetic and happy after PE class.
S1: My favourite subject is ~ because → S2: specific detail → S3: how it extends outside class. Feeling adjectives in S3 are good.
Key vocab: favourite, subject, experiment, exciting, energetic, especially
No. 8
Which do you prefer, cats or dogs? Why?
Ideal Answer (Dogs)
I prefer dogs because they are friendly, playful, and loyal.
I love taking dogs for walks and playing fetch in the park.
My dream is to have a big dog of my own one day.
Ideal Answer (Cats)
I prefer cats because they are quiet and easy to look after.
I like that cats are clean and comfortable to have at home.
My family has a cat and she makes me feel calm and happy.
Using a real pet name in S3 is great — encourage personal details. Student must choose one.
Key vocab: prefer, friendly, playful, loyal, independent, quiet, look after
No. 9
Tell me about your family.
Ideal Answer
I have four people in my family — my father, mother, older brother, and me.
My mother is kind and always cooks delicious meals for us.
On weekends we sometimes go hiking or watch movies together.
Alternative
There are three people in my family — my mother, my grandmother, and me.
My grandmother is very funny and always tells me interesting stories.
I love spending time with her because she teaches me a lot.
S1: family size + members → S2: describe one member → S3: something you do together. Accept any family structure.
Key vocab: kind, delicious, together, funny, interesting, spend time
No. 10
What did you do last weekend?
Ideal Answer
Last weekend, I went to the shopping mall with my mother.
We bought new clothes and had lunch at an Italian restaurant.
I had a great time and I want to go back there again soon.
Alternative
Last weekend, I stayed home because it was raining all day.
I watched movies and played games with my younger brother.
It was quiet but I enjoyed it because I could relax completely.
PAST TENSE — check carefully: went, bought, had, stayed, watched, played, was. This is the first past tense question.
Key vocab: went, bought, had, stayed, watched, enjoyed, relaxed, completely
No. 11
Do you like your town or city? Why or why not?
Ideal Answer (Yes)
Yes, I like my town because it is quiet and safe to live in.
There are many nice parks and good restaurants near my house.
I hope my town will have more fun events for young people in the future.
Ideal Answer (No)
No, I don't like my town very much because it is too quiet and boring.
There is not much to do for young people on weekends.
I would like to live in a bigger city with more shops and events someday.
S1: Yes/No + because → S2: specific detail → S3: hope or wish for the future. Honest negative is excellent.
Key vocab: quiet, safe, boring, events, hope, future, someday, improve
No. 12
What kind of music do you like? Why?
Ideal Answer
I like J-pop music because the songs are catchy and easy to sing along to.
My favourite artist is Yoasobi because their songs have interesting stories.
I usually listen to music on my phone when I am on the train or studying.
Alternative
I like game music because it makes me feel excited and focused.
I often listen to it while studying because it helps me concentrate.
I think music is very powerful because it can change how you feel.
S1: I like ~ because → S2: artist or specific example → S3: when/where. Accept any genre.
Key vocab: catchy, favourite, artist, concentrate, powerful, focused, usually
No. 13
Which do you prefer, morning or night? Why?
Ideal Answer (Night)
I prefer night because I can relax and do what I want after school.
I like reading manga, playing games, and talking with my friends online.
The night feels peaceful and quiet, which helps me feel calm.
Ideal Answer (Morning)
I prefer morning because the air is fresh and I feel full of energy.
I like eating a good breakfast and going for a short walk before school.
Starting the day well makes me feel positive and ready to work hard.
S1: I prefer ~ because → S2: what you do at that time → S3: how it makes you feel. Teach feeling adjectives: calm, peaceful, energetic, positive.
Key vocab: peaceful, calm, energetic, positive, fresh, prefer, relax
No. 14
What is your favourite place to visit? Why?
Ideal Answer
My favourite place to visit is the beach because it is beautiful and relaxing.
I love swimming in the sea and collecting shells with my family.
I feel very happy and free when I am at the beach.
Alternative
My favourite place to visit is my grandparents' house in the countryside.
I love helping in their garden and eating my grandmother's home-cooked food.
I always feel warm and comfortable there, like everything is peaceful.
S1: My favourite place is ~ because → S2: what you do there → S3: who you go with and how you feel.
Key vocab: favourite, beautiful, relaxing, collecting, comfortable, peaceful, countryside
No. 15
Do you think it is important to exercise? Why?
Ideal Answer (Yes)
Yes, I think it is very important to exercise because it keeps our bodies healthy.
Exercise also helps us feel less stressed and sleep better at night.
I try to walk or ride my bike every day to stay active.
Ideal Answer (No)
No, I don't think exercise is the most important thing for health.
I think eating well and sleeping enough is more important than exercise.
But I do try to move my body a little every day to stay healthy.
S1: Yes/No — I think ~ because → S2: specific reason → S3: what you personally do. Disagreeing with the premise is fine if well explained.
Key vocab: important, exercise, healthy, stressed, active, enough, personally
No. 16
What is something you are good at? How did you get good at it?
Ideal Answer
I am good at drawing because I have practised it since I was young.
I draw in my sketchbook almost every day, especially characters from manga.
When I finish a good drawing, I feel very proud and satisfied.
Alternative
I am good at cooking because my mother taught me when I was in primary school.
I can make simple Japanese dishes like miso soup, tamagoyaki, and fried rice.
Cooking makes me feel useful and I enjoy making food for my family.
S1: I am good at ~ because → S2: how/when you practise → S3: how it makes you feel. "Proud" and "satisfied" are great EIKEN feeling words.
Key vocab: good at, practise, since, almost, especially, proud, satisfied, useful
No. 17
Which do you prefer, city or countryside? Why?
Ideal Answer (City)
I prefer the city because there are many shops, restaurants, and fun places to go.
I love the energy of a busy city and I enjoy meeting lots of different people.
I find the countryside too quiet and there is not much to do there.
Ideal Answer (Countryside)
I prefer the countryside because the air is clean and nature is beautiful.
I love hiking in the mountains and swimming in rivers in summer.
I think city life is too noisy and stressful for me.
S1: I prefer ~ because → S2: specific reason → S3: what you dislike about the other. Student must choose one.
Key vocab: prefer, energy, nature, hiking, stressful, noisy, peaceful, countryside
No. 18
Tell me about your best friend.
Ideal Answer
My best friend is Yuki and we have been friends since primary school.
She is very kind, funny, and always makes me feel better when I am sad.
Last month we went to a summer festival together and had a wonderful time.
Alternative
My best friend is Kenji and we met at soccer club in first year of junior high.
He is very energetic, honest, and always works hard in everything he does.
We often study together after school and help each other with difficult subjects.
S1: My best friend is ~ and we... → S2: personality + what you like about them → S3: recent activity together (past tense). Check past tense in S3.
Key vocab: kind, funny, energetic, honest, wonderful, recently, together, since
No. 19
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Why?
Ideal Answer
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Australia because it is beautiful and exciting.
I would love to see kangaroos, visit the Great Barrier Reef, and swim at Bondi Beach.
I would want to go with my best friend so we could share the adventure together.
Alternative
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Italy because I love history and food.
I would visit the Colosseum in Rome and eat real Italian pasta and pizza every day.
I would go with my family because travelling together creates the best memories.
S1: If I could travel anywhere, I would go to ~ because → S2: what you would do or see → S3: who you would go with. "Would" is the key grammar pattern here.
Key vocab: travel, anywhere, would, adventure, memories, together, visit, beautiful
No. 20
What do you think is the most important thing in life? Why?
Ideal Answer
I think family is the most important thing in life because they always support you.
When I have problems, my family is always there to help me and give me advice.
I try to spend as much time as possible with my family and show them I love them.
Alternative
I think health is the most important thing in life because without it nothing is possible.
If you are not healthy, you cannot work, study, or enjoy time with the people you love.
So I try to eat well, sleep enough, and exercise a little every day.
S1: I think ~ is the most important because → S2: reason or example → S3: what you personally do. This is the most open question — accept any thoughtful answer. Good for discussion after marking.
Key vocab: important, support, advice, health, possible, without, personally, enough