Study Guide

Field 057: World Languages—Japanese
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

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Objective 0004
Cultural Understanding (Standard 5)

1. Murasaki Shikibu's novel The Tale of Genji would provide perspective in a study of which of the following aspects of Japanese history?

  1. the relationship between feudal lords and peasant farmers of the Kamakura era
  2. the customs and cultural values of urban life during the Tokugawa period
  3. the ethical codes of the samurai in the era of the Ashikaga shogunate
  4. the lifestyles and values of court society during the Heian period
Answer and Rationale
Correct Response: D.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate understanding of significant products of the target cultures, such as major literary works, and how they reflect the perspectives of the target cultures. The Tale of Genji was written by Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period. The plot of this novel centers around the son of a Japanese emperor and much of the tale focuses on the customs of the aristocratic courtiers of the time.
Objective 0004
Cultural Understanding (Standard 5)

2. The pavilion of Kinkaku-ji most reflects which of the following aspects of Japanese culture in its architecture and function as a Buddhist temple?

  1. the ability to incorporate elements of other cultures into Japanese forms
  2. the historical tendency of most Japanese people to practice more than one religion
  3. traditional practices that are no longer common in Japanese culture
  4. nationalistic perspectives that value indigenous traditions
Answer and Rationale
Correct Response: A.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate understanding of important geographical sites related to the target cultures and their influence on the development of the target cultures. The pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, located in the northern hills of Kyoto, consists of three floors, each incorporating a distinct style of architecture. In particular, the third floor of this structure illustrates a strong influence of Chinese architecture into this otherwise Japanese form.
Objective 0005
Language Acquisition (Standard 1)

3. According to Stephen Krashen's Input Hypothesis, a world language teacher would best promote the development of students' vocabulary in the target language by:

  1. having students look up new words in a dictionary.
  2. posting lists of frequently used words in the classroom.
  3. emphasizing accurate pronunciation of new words.
  4. using new words along with words that students know.
Answer and Rationale
Correct Response: D.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate understanding of major theories of first- and second-language acquisition. Stephen Krashen's Input Hypothesis stresses the importance of having language input that is slightly more advanced than the level of the learner's current competence. When a teacher uses new words that students may not know in addition to words that they already know, students have the opportunity to learn new vocabulary through the process of determining meaning through context.
Objective 0006
Instruction and Assessment (Standard 6)

4. At the beginning of the semester, a high school world language teacher divides the class into small groups and has each group pick a different country or geographical area where the target language is spoken. Throughout the semester, the students present news of events that have happened in that area and research what regional linguistic differences exist. This approach improves students' understanding of the relationship between language and culture by:

  1. demonstrating to students the geographical and demographic expansion of the target culture along a period of time.
  2. providing opportunities for students to practice culturally appropriate interpersonal communication in the target language.
  3. allowing students to better understand and identify with the target language in a specific cultural context.
  4. encouraging students to do research on a relevant cultural topic for an academic presentation.
Answer and Rationale
Correct Response: C.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for promoting students' understanding of the target cultures, ability to make comparisons between the target cultures and their own culture, ability to make connections between the target language and cultures and other disciplines, and participation in target-language communities within and beyond the school setting. Providing students with the opportunity to do their own research and present news and current events in a particular area would best help students to have a deeper, richer understanding of the culture within the unique regional contexts that languages exist.
Objective 0006
Instruction and Assessment (Standard 6)

5. In a beginning-level world language class, the teacher can best facilitate an immersion experience for the students by:

  1. providing dictionaries for use during class.
  2. responding to all students' questions in the target language.
  3. penalizing students for using their primary language.
  4. having speakers of the target language visit frequently.
Answer and Rationale
Correct Response: B.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of major methods, approaches, and tools used in world language instruction and assessment. Language immersion is a method in which as much classroom instruction and interaction as possible takes place in the target language. The focus of a language immersion experience should be to emphasize the use of the target language in all possible contexts. The best way to provide that experience in a beginning-level world language class would be to use the target language whenever possible, such as by providing responses to students' questions in the target language.