Grade 5 is the first target level for English-language learners taking the EIKEN test. This level is mainly aimed at first-year Japanese junior high school students. Examinees are expected to understand and use basic words, phrases, and simple sentences. The tested material is foundational and essential for future learning. As a first step in English-language learning, the Grade 5 examination consists of Stage 1 (a written examination including a listening section) only. The second-stage test is not given for Grade 5.
Level Description: Can understand and use basic words, phrases, and simple sentences.
Topics: Family, friends, school, hobbies, travel, shopping, sports, movies, music, food, weather, giving directions, introducing oneself, plans for a holiday, one’s recent activities, etc.
📌 2016 Update: A new online speaking test, where examinees record their answers, was introduced in 2016. The speaking test is not required to pass Grade 5, but each person who registers for the first stage of the Grade 5 test has the opportunity to take the Grade 5 speaking test.
Test Content
First Stage
Reading
Duration: 25 minutes.
- Sentence Completion (15 questions)
Short texts (one or two sentences/dialogues) from which one word or phrase has been omitted with four multiple choice answers.
Example (2024-1):
Ms. Marley’s favorite season is winter. She likes the beautiful Christmas (_____) at the station.
1. summer
2. nose
3. tree ✅
4. ear
- Dialogue Gap Fill (5 questions)
Short texts (dialogues) from which one or two phrases have been omitted with four multiple choice answers.
Example (2024-1):
Boy: Kate, who is that man?
Girl: (_____) I like his science class.
1. It’s his textbook.
2. You can see him.
3. He’s my teacher. ✅
4. I don’t know him.
- Word Reordering (5 questions)
A sentence is provided from which four words have been removed and are scrambled. Examinees reorder the words to complete the sentence. They choose the correct order from four answer options. A Japanese translation of the sentence is also provided.
Example (2024-1):
(Note: In this question, the first and third gaps are emphasized.)
私は朝、コーヒーを一杯飲みます。
( ① cup ② a ③ drink ④ of )
I (_____) (_____) (_____) (_____) coffee in the morning.
1. ③ – ① ✅
2. ③ – ④
3. ① – ②
4. ② – ③
Listening
Duration: ~20 minutes.
- Conversation Completion (10 questions)
Examinees listen to short conversations and choose the best response from three audio-based options to complete the conversation. All conversations are heard twice. An illustration provides contextual information about the situation.
Example (2024-1, 🔊2024-1):
🔊 Excuse me. Where is the post office?
🔊 1. I can’t run.
🔊 2. No, I’m not.
🔊 3. I don’t know. ✅
- Dialogue Listening Questions (5 questions)
Recorded conversations followed by questions with four multiple choice answers. All conversations are heard twice.
Example (2024-1, 🔊2024-1):
🔊 Hi, I want some chocolate pie, please.
🔊 That’s $2.60.
🔊 Question: How much is the chocolate pie?
1. $2.00.
2. $2.06.
3. $2.16.
4. $2.60. ✅
- Matching Visuals Comprehension (10 questions)
Illustrations are provided in the test booklet. Examinees listen to three short statements for each illustration and choose the statement that best describes the action or situation in the illustration. All statements are heard twice.
Example (2024-1, 🔊2024-1):
🔊 1. Tim works in a restaurant.
🔊 2. Tim works in a post office.
🔊 3. Tim works in a museum. ✅
Second Stage
The second stage is not administered for Grade 5.
Speaking Test
Internet-based recorded interview.
Duration: ~3 min.
Evaluation Criteria:
Examinees are evaluated on their responses to each of the tasks. The following categories are also taken into account: pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. There will be one examiner.
- Oral reading task.
Preparation: The examinee reads the passage on the question card silently for 20 seconds.
Reading aloud: The examinee then reads the passage (approximately 20 words) aloud.
Example (EIKEN Website):
- Question 1: Examiner asks a question based on the content of the passage.
Example (EIKEN Website):
Q: Please look at the passage. How old is Sam?
A: He is 10 years old.
- Question 2: Examiner asks a question based on the content of the passage.
Example (EIKEN Website):
Q: What color is Lisa?
A: She is black.
- Question 3: Examiner asks a question to elicit examinee’s opinion about a topic related to everyday life (may not be related to the topic of the passage).
Example (EIKEN Website):
Q: What animal do you like?
A: I like lions.
Fox Resources
Here are some helpful resources from The EIKEN Fox to support teaching Grade 5 content.