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100+ Free EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Practice Questions

Pass your EIKEN Grade Pre-1 (EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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After the scandal broke, the politician's reputation was ( ) beyond repair, and he resigned within a week.

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Key Facts: EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Exam

EIKEN Grade Pre-1 is an advanced (CEFR B2, CSE 2304) English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan; this free bank drills the Stage 1 Reading and Listening multiple-choice sections that test high-level vocabulary and academic comprehension.

Sample EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your EIKEN Grade Pre-1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1After years of overfishing, the once-abundant cod population began to ( ) rapidly, alarming local fishermen.
A.dwindle
B.flourish
C.linger
D.emerge
Explanation: "Dwindle" means to gradually become smaller or fewer, which fits a population shrinking after overfishing. The clue word "rapidly" and the alarm of the fishermen signal decline. This is a high-frequency Grade Pre-1 vocabulary item testing precise word choice in context.
2The committee found the proposal ( ); it offered no concrete benefits and merely repeated points made in earlier reports.
A.ingenious
B.redundant
C.compelling
D.pivotal
Explanation: "Redundant" means unnecessary because it repeats something already present, matching a proposal that "merely repeated" earlier points. The semicolon introduces an explanation confirming the choice. Reading the clause after the blank is key to Grade Pre-1 sentence-completion items.
3The negotiator's ( ) tone helped both sides relax, and within an hour a tense dispute had become a friendly discussion.
A.belligerent
B.indifferent
C.conciliatory
D.evasive
Explanation: "Conciliatory" means intended to placate or win goodwill, which explains why both sides relaxed and the dispute eased. The result clause describes a calming effect. Distinguishing tone adjectives is a core Grade Pre-1 skill.
4Although the evidence seemed strong, the detective remained ( ), insisting that nothing be concluded until every alibi was checked.
A.gullible
B.reckless
C.apathetic
D.skeptical
Explanation: "Skeptical" means inclined to doubt or question, which fits a detective who refuses to conclude anything prematurely. The phrase "Although the evidence seemed strong" sets up a contrast with cautious doubt. Recognizing contrast signals guides the answer.
5The new manager tried to ( ) the outdated procedures, replacing slow paperwork with a streamlined digital system.
A.overhaul
B.reinforce
C.tolerate
D.conceal
Explanation: "Overhaul" means to thoroughly revise or renovate, which matches replacing slow paperwork with a new digital system. The contrast between "outdated" and "streamlined" signals major change. This tests verbs of reform common at Grade Pre-1.
6The professor's lectures were so ( ) that students often left more confused than when they had arrived.
A.lucid
B.convoluted
C.concise
D.engaging
Explanation: "Convoluted" means extremely complex and difficult to follow, which explains why students left confused. The result clause about confusion confirms the intended meaning. Negative-consequence clues are a reliable strategy here.
7Heavy rain throughout the season caused the river to ( ) its banks, flooding several nearby farms.
A.evaporate
B.narrow
C.overflow
D.freeze
Explanation: "Overflow" means to flow over the edges, which directly explains the flooding of nearby farms. The cause "heavy rain" and effect "flooding" frame the answer. This is a literal, accessible Grade Pre-1 item.
8The witness gave a ( ) account of the accident, recalling the exact time, the car colors, and even the weather.
A.vague
B.biased
C.fabricated
D.meticulous
Explanation: "Meticulous" means showing great attention to detail, which fits recalling exact times, colors, and weather. The list of precise details supports the choice. Matching an adjective to supporting examples is essential at this level.
9Government officials moved quickly to ( ) public fears after the chemical leak, releasing data showing the air was safe.
A.allay
B.provoke
C.ignore
D.exaggerate
Explanation: "Allay" means to reduce or relieve fear or concern, which fits releasing reassuring safety data. The purpose of the action is to calm the public. "Allay fears" is a frequent Grade Pre-1 collocation.
10The critic praised the novel's ( ) plot, noting how every minor event eventually connected to the surprising ending.
A.tedious
B.intricate
C.predictable
D.disjointed
Explanation: "Intricate" means having many complex, interrelated parts, which matches minor events connecting to a surprising ending. The praise and the description of interconnection confirm the meaning. Positive evaluative adjectives are tested often here.

About the EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Exam

EIKEN Grade Pre-1 is an advanced level of the EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency administered by the Eiken Foundation of Japan, sitting just below the top Grade 1 and aligned to CEFR B2 and roughly EIKEN CSE 2304. It is widely used by Japanese university students and professionals and serves as a Ministry of Education benchmark for English instructors. The test is divided into Stage 1, a written test of Reading, Writing and Listening, and Stage 2, a face-to-face speaking interview that candidates reach only after passing Stage 1. Stage 1 Reading uses four-option multiple choice across 18 sentence-completion vocabulary items, 6 passage gap-fill items and 7 passage-comprehension items, while Listening adds 12 dialogue items, 12 monologue items and 5 real-life items. This free practice bank covers only the Stage 1 Reading and Listening multiple-choice components, mirroring the advanced vocabulary and academic English of official past papers. Writing and the Stage 2 speaking interview are excluded because they are not multiple choice.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Stage 1: Reading and Writing 90 minutes plus Listening approximately 30 minutes. This practice bank is untimed.

Passing Score

Determined by EIKEN CSE Scores rather than a fixed percentage; Grade Pre-1 maps to about CSE 2304 and CEFR B2. Candidates must pass Stage 1 before taking the Stage 2 speaking interview.

Exam Fee

Approximately 12,500 yen for combined Stage 1 and Stage 2 at a public test site (2024-25); EIKEN S-CBT is priced separately by Eiken. (Eiken Foundation of Japan)

EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Exam Content Outline

30%

Reading: Sentence Completion (Vocabulary)

18 short texts or dialogues with a missing word or phrase, testing advanced vocabulary, idioms and phrasal verbs in social, academic and professional contexts.

10%

Reading: Passage Gap-Fill

Two passages with several phrases removed, testing discourse markers, cohesion and logical connections between ideas.

12%

Reading: Passage Comprehension

Two passages with questions on main ideas, details, inference, author attitude and word meaning in context.

20%

Listening Part 1: Dialogues

Twelve recorded conversations, each with one question on intention, plans, opinions and implied meaning.

20%

Listening Part 2: Monologues

Six announcements, advertisements, news stories or short lectures with two questions each on facts, causes and main points.

8%

Listening Part 3: Real-Life

Five real-life situations where you read the situation and question first, then choose the best action from the audio.

How to Pass the EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Determined by EIKEN CSE Scores rather than a fixed percentage; Grade Pre-1 maps to about CSE 2304 and CEFR B2. Candidates must pass Stage 1 before taking the Stage 2 speaking interview.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Stage 1: Reading and Writing 90 minutes plus Listening approximately 30 minutes. This practice bank is untimed.
  • Exam fee: Approximately 12,500 yen for combined Stage 1 and Stage 2 at a public test site (2024-25); EIKEN S-CBT is priced separately by Eiken.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

EIKEN Grade Pre-1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build advanced vocabulary systematically, since 18 of the Reading items test precise word choice in context; learn words with their collocations, not in isolation.
2Practise reading academic and news English daily so you can move quickly through the comprehension passages within the 90-minute Stage 1 limit.
3For gap-fill items, focus on discourse markers and how ideas connect, choosing the option that fits the logical flow between sentences.
4Train your listening by taking notes during dialogues and lectures, because each audio is played and you have only about ten seconds to answer.
5In Real-Life Listening, read the printed situation and question before the audio begins so you know exactly what information to listen for.
6Take full timed practice sets to build the stamina needed for back-to-back Reading, Writing and Listening in one Stage 1 sitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level is EIKEN Grade Pre-1?

EIKEN Grade Pre-1 is an advanced level aligned to CEFR B2 and roughly EIKEN CSE 2304, sitting just below the top Grade 1. It targets university students and professionals and is a government benchmark for English instructors in Japan.

What sections does Stage 1 of EIKEN Grade Pre-1 include?

Stage 1 has Reading (18 sentence-completion, 6 gap-fill and 7 comprehension multiple-choice items), Writing (a summary and an essay), and Listening (12 dialogue, 12 monologue and 5 real-life multiple-choice items). This bank covers only the Reading and Listening multiple choice.

How is EIKEN Grade Pre-1 scored?

Results are reported as EIKEN CSE Scores and a pass or fail rather than a fixed percentage. Grade Pre-1 corresponds to about CSE 2304. Candidates must pass Stage 1 before being allowed to take the Stage 2 speaking interview.

How long is the EIKEN Grade Pre-1 test?

Stage 1 allows 90 minutes for Reading and Writing and about 30 minutes for Listening. The separate Stage 2 speaking interview lasts about eight minutes. This practice bank itself is untimed so you can study at your own pace.

How much does EIKEN Grade Pre-1 cost?

For the 2024-25 academic year, the combined Stage 1 and Stage 2 fee at a public test site is about 12,500 yen. EIKEN S-CBT, which tests all four skills in a single computer-based sitting, is priced separately by Eiken.

Does this practice bank cover the writing and speaking parts?

No. This free bank focuses on the Stage 1 Reading and Listening multiple-choice questions. The Stage 1 Writing tasks and the Stage 2 speaking interview are not multiple choice and are therefore not included here.