TOPIK II Grammar and Vocabulary Question Practice

Type 2: Choosing a similar expression

The second type asks you to choose an expression that is interchangeable in meaning with the given grammar. You need to know synonymous grammar forms that share a core meaning but look different.

Strategy 1: Summarize the core meaning in one word

Boil the underlined grammar down to a single word β€” reason, inference, intention, ongoing action β€” and you can quickly find the options in the same meaning group.

ν•˜λŠ˜μ„ λ³΄λ‹ˆ 곧 λΉ„κ°€ 올 λͺ¨μ–‘이닀.
haneul-eul boni got bi-ga ol moyang-ida.
Looking at the sky, it seems it will rain soon.

'-(으)γ„Ή λͺ¨μ–‘이닀' (moyang-ida) expresses inference based on evidence, so '-(으)γ„Ή 것 κ°™λ‹€' and '-λ‚˜ 보닀' are interchangeable with it.

Strategy 2: Group the inference forms

For inference, '-λ‚˜ 보닀', '-(으)γ„΄κ°€ 보닀', '-(으)γ„Ή 것 κ°™λ‹€', '-(으)γ„Ή λͺ¨μ–‘이닀', and '-(으)γ„΄/λŠ” λ“―ν•˜λ‹€' are all similar. Memorize them as one set.

ꡐ싀이 μ‘°μš©ν•œ κ±Έ λ³΄λ‹ˆ 학생듀이 μ‹œν—˜μ„ λ³΄λŠ” λ“―ν•˜λ‹€.
gyosil-i joyonghan geol boni haksaengdeul-i siheom-eul boneun deuthada.
Given how quiet the classroom is, the students seem to be taking an exam.

Strategy 3: Distinguish the intention forms

For intention, '-(으)λ €κ³  ν•˜λ‹€', '-(으)γ„Ή 생각이닀', and '-(으)γ„Ή κ³„νšμ΄λ‹€' group together. Note that '-(으)렀던 참이닀' (ryeodeon cham-ida) adds the nuance of being right on the verge of acting.

마침 λ„ˆμ—κ²Œ μ—°λ½ν•˜λ €λ˜ μ°Έμ΄μ—ˆλŠ”λ° λ„€κ°€ λ¨Όμ € μ „ν™”ν–ˆκ΅¬λ‚˜.
machim neo-ege yeollakhaeryeodeon cham-ieotneunde ni-ga meonjeo jeonhwahaetguna.
I was just about to contact you, and you called first.
GroupSimilar formsNote
Inference-λ‚˜ 보닀 / -(으)γ„Ή λͺ¨μ–‘이닀 / -λŠ” λ“―ν•˜λ‹€κ·Όκ±° ν•„μš”
Intention-(으)λ €κ³  ν•˜λ‹€ / -(으)γ„Ή 생각이닀주어=ν™”μž
Completion / experience-(으)γ„΄ 적이 μžˆλ‹€ / -μ•„/μ–΄ λ΄€λ‹€κ³Όκ±° κ²½ν—˜

Strategy 4: Pair the immediacy and degree forms

'-자마자' is interchangeable with '-λŠ” λŒ€λ‘œ', and '-(으)γ„Ήμˆ˜λ‘' with '-(으)λ©΄ -(으)γ„Ήμˆ˜λ‘'. Even when the forms differ, if the core meaning (immediacy or proportion) is the same, they're in the answer group.

집에 λ„μ°©ν•˜μžλ§ˆμž 잠이 λ“€μ—ˆλ‹€.
jib-e dochakhaja maja jam-i deureotda.
As soon as I got home, I fell asleep.
μ•Œλ©΄ μ•Œμˆ˜λ‘ κ·Έ λΆ„μ•Όκ°€ ν₯λ―Έλ‘­λ‹€.
almyeon alsurok geu bunya-ga heungmiropda.
The more I learn, the more interesting the field is.
이 일은 λ‚˜λ°–μ— ν•  μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ μ—†λ‹€.
i il-eun na bakke hal saram-i eopda.
There's no one but me to do this work.
πŸ’‘ Tip: The options include traps that are close in meaning but differ in time frame, such as inference versus certainty. Always compare whether there's supporting evidence and how confident the speaker is.
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