Tip 1 for “Fill the gap (logic)” questions?

Read the gap sentence first and note the connector before it (그래서, 따라서, 그러나, 즉, 이처럼, 결국): it tells you whether the gap is a result, a contrast, a summary or a conclusion.

Tip 2 for “Fill the gap (logic)” questions?

The answer is almost always 'proved' by the sentence right before or after the gap (an example, or an explanation with -기 때문이다). Underline that phrase and compare it with the options.

Tip 3 for “Fill the gap (logic)” questions?

Watch contrast patterns -기보다, -는 반면, A가 아니라 B: the gap is usually the opposite of what the writer criticises.

Tip 4 for “Fill the gap (logic)” questions?

Traps: an option repeating the misconception being rejected, an option that is true but irrelevant, or one that covers only a minor detail.

TOPIK II · Reading · Questions 28–31 · Level 5

Fill the gap (logic)

빈칸에 들어갈 내용 고르기 (논리)

Read a 4–5 sentence informative or argumentative paragraph (Q28–31) and choose the phrase or clause that fits the gap logically.

Test tips

Read the gap sentence first and note the connector before it (그래서, 따라서, 그러나, 즉, 이처럼, 결국): it tells you whether the gap is a result, a contrast, a summary or a conclusion.
The answer is almost always 'proved' by the sentence right before or after the gap (an example, or an explanation with -기 때문이다). Underline that phrase and compare it with the options.
Watch contrast patterns -기보다, -는 반면, A가 아니라 B: the gap is usually the opposite of what the writer criticises.
Traps: an option repeating the misconception being rejected, an option that is true but irrelevant, or one that covers only a minor detail.
After choosing, reread the whole sentence with your answer to check the connecting grammar (-는 것이, -기 때문이다, -ㄹ 수 있다) sounds natural.
Suggested time: about 1 minute 30 seconds per question.

Signal words and patterns

When you see these in a question, they point to the answer or to a trap.

따라서
그래서
그러나
즉
이처럼
결국
-기보다
-는 반면
-기 때문이다
-ㄴ 셈이다

Worked examples

도시마다 해마다 수많은 나무를 새로 심는다. 그러나 심은 지 몇 년 안에 말라 죽는 나무가 적지 않다. 나무를 심는 행사는 사진을 찍고 홍보하기 좋지만, 그 뒤에 물을 주고 병충해를 살피는 일은 눈에 잘 띄지 않아 예산과 인력이 충분히 배정되지 않기 때문이다. 결국 도시의 녹지를 늘리는 데 중요한 것은 ( ) 일이다. 한 그루를 심더라도 끝까지 책임지고 가꾸어야 비로소 숲이 만들어진다.

Translation

Every year cities plant a great many new trees. Yet quite a few of them dry up and die within a few years. Planting events are good for photos and publicity, but the watering and pest checks that follow go unnoticed, so they do not get enough budget or staff. In the end, what matters in expanding urban green space is ( ). Even for a single tree, a forest only takes shape when someone takes responsibility for tending it to the end.

다음을 읽고 ( )에 들어갈 내용으로 가장 알맞은 것을 고르십시오.

Explanation

Step 1: the gap sentence '결국 ... 중요한 것은 ( ) 일이다' is the conclusion of the whole text. Step 2: find the cause the writer gives – trees die because '물을 주고 병충해를 살피는 일' (watering and checking for pests) after planting is neglected. Step 3: the next sentence confirms it: '끝까지 책임지고 가꾸어야' (you must tend it to the end). So the answer is 3, '심은 나무를 꾸준히 돌보는'. Options 1 and 4 describe exactly what the writer criticises (focusing on planting events), and option 2 (fast-growing imported trees) is never mentioned.

Words in this question · sign in to save words

녹지
병충해
예산
배정되다
가꾸다
비로소

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27 questions in the bank

5 questions per round, each checked immediately with the explanation, translation and key words.