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TOPIK I reading question [31-33] – choose the topic

작성자:
TOPIK I reading question [34-39] 

📌 Prefer to read in Korean? 한국어로 공부하고 싶어요? 👉 [한국말로 배워요!]

Welcome! 😊

In TOPIK I reading, questions 31–33 ask one thing: “What is this text about?”

You read a short text and choose its topic from four choices. Each question is worth 2 points.

These TOPIK I reading questions are all about vocabulary. If you know the words, you can answer very fast.

Today you will learn a simple “category box” method, and then practice.
Try each question first, then open the answer to check.

① Remember just one thing

When you read, find which “box (category)” the words go into.
Two words share a box → that box is the answer!
e.g. 사과 (apple), 바나나 (banana) → both go in the “과일 (fruit)” box 👉 answer: fruit.

② Category card (quick reference)

⭐ 3 signal units — see it, and you know the answer right away:
  • ~원 (won) → 값 (price) — eg. 오천 원 (5,000 won)
  • ~살 (years old) → 나이 (age) — eg. 스무 살 (20 years old)
  • ~시 (o’clock) → 시간 (time) — eg. 열두 시 (12 o’clock)

Box (the answer word)When you see these words…
음식 (food)김치, 라면, 불고기, 비빔밥
과일 (fruit)사과, 바나나, 수박, 포도
나라 (country)한국, 미국, 미얀마 (“~에서 왔습니다”)
직업 (job)선생님, 의사, 회사원, 요리사
날씨 (weather)비, 눈, 바람, 춥다, 덥다
취미 (hobby)운동, 등산, 그림 (“좋아합니다”, “자주 합니다”)

Practice: TOPIK I reading questions 31–33

Try each TOPIK I reading question first.

Read the short text, choose the topic, then open the box to check.

Question 1

김치가 맛있습니다. 라면도 맛있습니다.

① 요일② 나라③ 음식④ 값


🔽 See the answer (Question 1)

Q: 김치가 맛있습니다. 라면도 맛있습니다. (Kimchi is delicious. Ramyeon is delicious too.) 👉 “김치”, “라면” → things you eat.

A: ③ 음식 (food) → Both are food! ✅

① 요일 (day) = no words like Monday or Tuesday.

② 나라 (country) = no words like Korea or Japan.

④ 값 (price) = no words like “~원 (won)”.

💡 Tip: When you see food names → the “음식 (food)” box!

Question 2

저는 미국에서 왔습니다. 친구는 미얀마에서 왔습니다.

① 나라② 음식③ 요일④ 선물


🔽 See the answer (Question 2)

Q: 저는 미국에서 왔습니다. 친구는 미얀마에서 왔습니다. (I am from US. My friend is from Myanmar.) 👉 “미국”, “미얀마” → country names.

A: ① 나라 (country) → Both are countries! ✅

② 음식 / ③ 요일 / ④ 선물 = no such words here.

💡 Tip: “~에서 왔습니다 (I came from ~)” + a country name → the “나라 (country)” box!

Question 3

수미 씨는 요리를 합니다. 식당 요리사입니다.

① 가족② 직업③ 이름④ 나이


🔽 See the answer (Question 3)

Q: 수미 씨는 요리를 합니다. 식당 요리사입니다. (Sumi cooks. She is a restaurant cook.) 👉 “요리사 (cook)” → the work someone does.

A: ② 직업 (job) → “cook” is a job! ✅

① 가족 (family) = no words like father or sibling.

③ 이름 / ④ 나이 = no such words here.

💡 Tip: When you see a job name (cook, doctor, teacher) → the “직업 (job)” box!

Question 4

저는 열 살입니다. 동생은 여덟 살입니다.

① 날짜② 시간③ 나이④ 이름


🔽 See the answer (Question 4)

Q: 저는 열 살입니다. 동생은 여덟 살입니다. (I am ten years old. My younger sibling is eight years old.) 👉 “열 살”, “여덟 살” → “~살 (years old)”!

A: ③ 나이 (age) → “~살” means age! ✅

① 날짜 / ② 시간 / ④ 이름 = no such words here.

💡 Tip: ⭐ When you see “~살” → always the “나이 (age)” box!

Question 5

커피는 사천 원입니다. 우유는 이천 원입니다.

① 맛② 옷③ 값④ 일


🔽 See the answer (Question 5)

Q: 커피는 사천 원입니다. 우유는 이천 원입니다. (Coffee is 4,000 won. Milk is 2,000 won.) 👉 “사천 원”, “이천 원” → “~원 (won)”!

A: ③ 값 (price) → “~원” means price! ✅

① 맛 / ② 옷 / ④ 일 = no such words here.

💡 Tip: ⭐ When you see “~원 (won)” → always the “값 (price)” box!

Question 6

지금은 점심입니다. 열두 시입니다.

① 시간② 요일③ 직업④ 휴일


🔽 See the answer (Question 6)

Q: 지금은 점심입니다. 열두 시입니다. (It is lunchtime now. It is twelve o’clock.) 👉 “점심”, “열두 시” → a time (“~시”).

A: ① 시간 (time) → “twelve o’clock” is a time! ✅

② 요일 / ③ 직업 / ④ 휴일 = no such words here.

💡 Tip: ⭐ When you see “~시 (o’clock)” → always the “시간 (time)” box!

Question 7

오늘은 눈이 옵니다. 아주 춥습니다.

① 계획② 날씨③ 방학④ 계절


🔽 See the answer (Question 7)

Q: 오늘은 눈이 옵니다. 아주 춥습니다. (It is snowing today. It is very cold.) 👉 “눈 (snow)”, “춥다 (cold)” → about the weather.

A: ② 날씨 (weather) → snow and cold are weather! ✅

① 계획 / ③ 방학 = no such words here.

④ 계절 (season) = needs words like spring, summer, fall, winter. They are not here.

💡 Tip: rain, snow, wind, hot, cold → the “날씨 (weather)” box! (Do not confuse it with “season”.)

Question 8

저는 그림을 좋아합니다. 주말에 자주 그립니다.

① 쇼핑② 장소③ 취미④ 날씨


🔽 See the answer (Question 8)

Q: 저는 그림을 좋아합니다. 주말에 자주 그립니다. (I like drawing. I often draw on weekends.) 👉 “그림 (drawing)”, “자주 그립니다 (often draw)” → something you enjoy doing.

A: ③ 취미 (hobby) → drawing is a hobby! ✅

① 쇼핑 / ② 장소 / ④ 날씨 = no such words here.

💡 Tip: “좋아합니다 (like)” + “자주 합니다 (often do)” → the “취미 (hobby)” box!

③ How to memorize the words easily

Now you have practiced, here is the fastest way to build your TOPIK I reading vocabulary.

  1. Group by box. Don’t memorize words one by one. Put 김치, 라면, 불고기 together in the “food” box — about 3–5 words per box.
  2. Make pairs. One word + one box: doctor–job, snow–weather, apple–fruit.
  3. Learn the 3 signal units first: ~원 → 값, ~살 → 나이, ~시 → 시간. When you see them, you already know the answer!
  4. Quiz yourself. Cover the box name, look at a word, and say the box.

🤖Practice with AI: a listening game 🎧

Here is a new game — a listening game. The AI reads two short Korean sentences, and you say the topic in one Korean word. You only need one word, so it is easy — and you train your ears too!

First, turn on the AI’s voice (read-aloud). The AI reads in Korean; you answer with one Korean word out loud.

🗣️“Let’s play a topic listening game. Read TWO short, easy Korean sentences out loud (beginner level, slowly). I will listen and say the topic in ONE Korean word. Then tell me if I am right in English. For example, you read ‘사과가 맛있어요. 바나나도 맛있어요.’ and I should say ‘과일 (fruit)’. Pick topics from: food, fruit, country, job, family, weather, hobby, clothes, price, age, time. Give me 5 rounds and count my score.”

⚠️ AI can make mistakes. Always check with real past exams at the end. AI is for practice; the past exams are the answer key.th real past exams at the end. AI is for practice; the past exams are the answer key.

Summary

  • Find the “box (category)” of the words. Two words, one box = the answer!
  • Remember the 3 signal units: ~원 → 값, ~살 → 나이, ~시 → 시간.
  • Study a little TOPIK I reading every day. Learn one box each day — that is enough!

OK! You Work hard Today!

Don’t give up. Keep practicing, and you can all pass TOPIK Level 2. 🎉

If you have any questions, leave a comment.

See you in the next lesson! 🌱

📢 want to practice TOPIKⅠ Listening next? 👉 [ TOPIKⅠ Listening ]

FAQ

Q: What are TOPIK I reading questions 31–33?

A: You read a short text and choose its topic (화제) from four choices. Each question is worth 2 points.

Q: How do I find the topic fast?

A: Find which “box (category)” the words go into. When two words share the same box, that box is the answer (사과, 바나나 → 과일 / fruit).

Q: Which words give the answer away instantly?

A: Signal units: ~원 → 값 (price), ~살 → 나이 (age), ~시 → 시간 (time). When you see them, you already know the answer.

TOPIK I Listening: Questions [1–4] Made Easy

작성자:
TOPIK I Listening

Welcome!

This TOPIK I listening guide covers the first four questions *[1~4] of the test.

In these questions, you hear a short question in Korean and choose the answer that fits.

They look easy, but these TOPIK I listening questions are worth 14 points together

(Questions 1 and 2 are 4 points each; Questions 3 and 4 are 3 points each).

Today we will learn one simple skill, and then practice a lot.

Try each question first.

Then open the answer to check. 😊

📌쉬운 한국말로 공부해요. 👉 [한국어]

Remember just one thing

When you listen, ask yourself: “What is the question asking?”

  • If there is a question word (when, where, who, what, how…) → give the matching information.
  • If there is no question word → answer with “네 (yes)” or “아니요 (no)”.

Practice: TOPIK I listening questions 1–4

Try each TOPIK I listening question first.

Listen (or read the question), pick your answer, then open the box to check.

<Example>

Question 1

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 네, 책이에요.    ② 아니요, 책이 있어요.
③ 네, 책이 많아요.    ④ 아니요, 책이 좋아요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 1)

Answer is ③

Q : 책이 많아요? (Are there many books?) 👉 This asks if there are many books.
A : ③ 네, 책이 많아요. → It matches the question. ✅

① 책이에요 = says what it is. Not about “many”.
② 책이 있어요 = says the books are there or not. Different from “many”.
④ 책이 좋아요 = says you like books. Different from “many”.

💡 Tips: Same word “책”, but the question asks about number: many or few.

Question 2

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 네, 주스가 없어요.    ② 아니요, 주스를 좋아해요.
③ 네, 주스가 아니에요.    ④ 아니요, 주스를 안 마셔요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 2)

Answer is ④

Q: 주스를 마셔요? (Do you drink juice?) 👉 This asks if you really drink juice.
A: ④ 아니요, 주스를 안 마셔요 → “안” makes “drink” negative. ✅ (You need to listen carefully to “안”!)

① 주스가 없어요 = there is no juice. Not “drink”.
② 주스를 좋아해요 = you like juice. You can like it but not drink it now.
③ 주스가 아니에요 = says what it is (it is not juice).

💡 Tips: 마시다 (to drink) and 좋아하다 (to like) are different. A common trap!

Question 3

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 내일 만나요.    ② 교실에서 만나요.
③ 학생을 만나요.    ④ 동생하고 만나요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 3)

Answer is ①

Q: 언제 친구를 만나요? (When do you meet your friend?) 👉 “언제 (when)” asks for a time.
A: ① 내일 만나요 → a time! ✅

② 교실에서 = a place (answer to “where”)
③ 학생을 = a person (answer to “whom”)
④ 동생하고 = a person you go with (answer to “with whom”)

💡 Tips: All four are correct Korean sentences. But only one gives a time.

Question 4

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 지금 가요.    ② 학교에 가요.
③ 버스로 가요.    ④ 선생님이 가요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 4)

Answer is ③

Q: 집에 어떻게 가요? (How do you go home?) 👉 “어떻게 (how)” asks for a method. The place is already “home”.
A: ③ 버스로 가요 → a method! ✅

① 지금 = a time (answer to “when”)
② 학교에 = changes the place to “school” (but the question is “home”!)
④ 선생님이 = the person who goes (answer to “who”)

💡 Tips: “-로/으로” (by bus, by subway) is often the method answer.

More Questions

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 네, 사과가 싸요.    ② 네, 사과가 있어요.
③ 아니요, 사과가 좋아요.    ④ 아니요, 사과예요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 5)

Answer is ①

Q: 사과가 싸요? (Are the apples cheap?) 👉 This asks if the apples are cheap (price).
A: ① 네, 사과가 싸요 → It matches the question. ✅

② 사과가 있어요 = the apples are there or not. Not price.
③ 사과가 좋아요 = you like apples. Not price.
④ 사과예요 = says what it is. Not price.

💡 Tips: The question asks only one thing: price (cheap / expensive).

More Question

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 네, 텔레비전이 없어요.    ② 아니요, 텔레비전을 좋아해요.
③ 네, 텔레비전이 아니에요.    ④ 아니요, 텔레비전을 안 봐요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 6)

Answer is ④

Q: 텔레비전을 봐요? (Do you watch TV?) 👉 This asks if you really watch TV.
A: ④ 아니요, 텔레비전을 안 봐요 → “안” makes “watch” negative. ✅ (You need to listen carefully to “안”!)

① 텔레비전이 없어요 = there is no TV. Not “watch”.
② 텔레비전을 좋아해요 = you like TV. You can like it but not watch it now.
③ 텔레비전이 아니에요 = says what it is (it is not a TV).

💡 Tip: 보다 (to watch) and 좋아하다 (to like) are different. A common trap!

More Question

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 지금 먹어요.    ② 식당에서 먹어요.
③ 친구하고 먹어요.    ④ 김밥을 먹어요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 7)

Answer is ②

Q: 어디에서 밥을 먹어요? (Where do you eat?) 👉 “어디에서 (where)” asks for a place.
A: ② 식당에서 먹어요 → a place! ✅

① 지금 = a time (answer to “when”)
③ 친구하고 = a person you eat with (answer to “with whom”)
④ 김밥을 = a food (answer to “what”)

💡 Tip: All four are correct. But only one gives a place.

More Question

🔊 [Audio: listen to the question]

① 아홉 시에 와요.    ② 집에서 와요.
③ 자전거로 와요.    ④ 동생이 와요.

👉 Click! See the answer (Question 8)

Answer is ③

Q: 학교에 어떻게 와요? (How do you come to school?) 👉 “어떻게 (how)” asks for a method.
A: ③ 자전거로 와요 → a method! ✅

① 아홉 시에 = a time (answer to “when”)
② 집에서 = the place you come from (answer to “where”)
④ 동생이 = the person who comes (answer to “who”)

💡 Tip: “-로/으로” (by bike, by bus) is often the method answer.

Key expression card

When you hear…Look for this answer
언제 / 몇 시 (when / what time)a time — eg. 내일 (tomorrow), 세 시에 (at 3), 주말에 (on the weekend)
어디에서 (where)a place — eg. 학교에서 (at school), 식당에서 (at a restaurant)
누구하고 / 누가 (who)a person — eg. 친구하고 (with a friend), 동생이 (my sibling)
뭐 / 무엇 (what)a thing or action — eg. 김밥을 (gimbap), 편지를 써요 (write a letter)
어떻게 (how)a method — eg. 버스로 (by bus), 걸어서 (on foot)
무슨 / 며칠 (what kind / what date)a type or a date
(no question word)“네 (yes)” / “아니요 (no)”

⚠️ Always listen for: “안” (not), “못” (cannot), “없다” (there isn’t), “아니다” (is not). One of these small words can change the answer!

Practice TOPIK I listening with AI

You can practice TOPIK I listening alone, anytime. Copy the sentences below and send them to an AI (like ChatGPT or Claude).

① Make new questions 🤖

“Please make 5 practice questions like TOPIK I listening questions 1–4 (‘choose the correct answer’). Rules: use only beginner Korean words; one sentence for each question; four choices; only one correct answer; make the wrong choices grammatically correct but with a different type of information (time, place, person, method); do not tell me the answer until I answer first.”

② Check the question 🤖

“Please check if this question has only one correct answer. Look at each of the four choices one by one, and see if it can answer the question naturally.”

⚠️ AI can make mistakes. Always check with real past exams at the end. AI is for practice; the past exams are the answer key.

Summary

  • Question word? → give the matching information. No question word? → “네 (yes)” / “아니요 (no)”.
  • Always listen for “안”, “못”, “없다”, “아니다”.
  • Study a little TOPIK I listening every day, and questions 1–4 will feel easy!

You can do it 화이팅!

If you have any questions, leave a comment!

See you in the next lesson! 🌱

Next post:

TOPIK I Listening Questions 5–6

— “Choose the Next Words.”

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