5.4 Integrated Comprehension & Information Retrieval (統合理解・情報検索)

Two Very Different Formats in One Section

The final stretch of the N2 reading section contains two task types that feel unlike the passage questions before them: integrated comprehension (統合理解, tōgō rikai) and information retrieval (情報検索, jōhō kensaku). Integrated comprehension asks you to read two texts on the same theme and compare them; information retrieval asks you to scan a real-world document — an advertisement, notice, class schedule, or application leaflet — and pick the choice that satisfies a set of conditions. Neither rewards a linear cover-to-cover read. Both reward a targeted strategy, and because they sit at the end of a 105-minute block, students who have burned their time on earlier passages often rush them and lose easy points.

統合理解: Comparing Two Texts (A and B)

In the 統合理解 task you are given Text A and Text B, each about 200-300 characters, written by different authors on one shared topic — for example remote versus in-person work, paper versus electronic dictionaries, or city versus rural living. A typical question asks AとBの両方が述べていること (what both A and B state), AとBの違い (how they differ), or それぞれの立場 (each author's stance). The reliable method has three steps:

1. Read Text A alone and summarise its stance in one phrase (what does A value or claim?).
2. Read Text B alone and do the same, without letting A colour your reading.
3. Only then compare: do they agree, disagree, or emphasise different aspects of the same issue?

The single most common correct answer is that A and B highlight different merits of the same thing rather than one being flatly superior — options phrased like それぞれに異なる魅力があり性質が違う (each has a different appeal; their nature differs) are frequent right answers. Beware distractors that force a ranking ('A is better than B') when neither author actually claims superiority, and distractors that swap the two stances.

Worked 統合理解 example (原文と訳)

A: 「対面授業の良さは、教室という同じ空間で学ぶことにある。先生の表情や声の調子から理解の度合いを直接確認でき、その場で質問もしやすい。友人と偶然交わす会話から学びが広がることも多い。」

B: 「オンライン授業の大きな利点は、通学の負担がなく、住む場所に関係なく質の高い授業を受けられることだ。録画を繰り返し見られるので、自分のペースで復習できる。ただ、集中を保つには本人の強い意志が求められる。」

Translation — A: The strength of in-person classes lies in learning together in the same space, a classroom. You can directly gauge understanding from the teacher's expression and tone of voice, and it is easy to ask questions on the spot. Learning often expands through casual conversation happening to be exchanged with friends. B: The great advantage of online classes is that there is no commuting burden and you can receive high-quality lessons regardless of where you live. Because you can watch recordings repeatedly, you can review at your own pace. However, keeping your concentration up demands strong personal willpower.

Worked question: AとBの立場について正しいものはどれか。 Summarise each first: A values the direct, in-person interaction of a shared classroom; B values the flexibility of online study (no commute, self-paced review). Neither declares the other worthless. The correct option is therefore Aは対面の直接的なやり取りを、Bはオンラインの柔軟さを評価している — A praises direct interaction while B praises online flexibility. Options claiming both prefer the classroom, or that swap the two positions, contradict the texts.

情報検索: Reading Notices, Schedules, and Leaflets

The 情報検索 item gives one practical document plus a question describing a person with specific conditions (their level, availability, budget, residency, or membership). Do not read the document top to bottom. The winning routine is:

• Read the question first and list the person's conditions (e.g. N2 level, only free Saturdays, wants both reading and conversation, works in the city but lives outside it).
• Scan the table for rows that satisfy each condition, eliminating rows that fail even one.
• Read every ※ / 注意事項 footnote — eligibility limits, discounts, deadlines, and 'residents only' rules live there, and the answer almost always turns on one of them.

Worked 情報検索 example (案内文)

市民日本語教室 2026年度 講座案内:

注意事項: ※ 平日クラスは市内在住者のみ。土曜クラスは市内在勤・在学者も申込可。 ※ 中級クラスと会話クラスは同じ土曜のため両方申込可。 ※ 申込は先着順、定員に達し次第締め切り。

Translation: Citizens' Japanese Class, 2026 course guide. Introductory (beginner-N5), Tue 10:00-11:30, free. Elementary (N5-N4), Thu 19:00-20:30, 3,000 yen. Intermediate (N3-N2), Sat 13:00-14:30, 5,000 yen. Conversation (N3 and above), Sat 15:00-16:30, 4,000 yen. Notes: Weekday classes are for city residents only; Saturday classes also accept those who work or study in the city. The Intermediate and Conversation classes are both on Saturday, so you may enrol in both. Applications are first-come, first-served and close once full.

Worked question: 会社員の王さんはN2レベルで、市外に住み市内の会社に勤めている。土曜日のみ受講でき、読み書きと会話の両方を学びたい。王さんが申し込めるのはどれか。 Check the conditions against the footnotes: Wang lives outside the city, so weekday 'residents-only' classes are out — but he works in the city, and the footnote says Saturday classes accept those who work in the city. He is only free Saturdays, is N2, and wants both writing and conversation. The Intermediate class (N3-N2, Saturday) covers reading/writing and the Conversation class (N3 and above, Saturday) covers speaking, and the second footnote confirms both may be taken together. The answer is 中級クラスと会話クラスの両方. A choice offering the Introductory or Elementary class fails the level and residency conditions.

Common Traps and Timing

The recurring 情報検索 trap is ignoring a footnote: a candidate who reads only the schedule rows would wrongly rule Wang out for living outside the city, missing the 在勤者 exception. In 統合理解, the trap is forcing a winner where the texts only differ in emphasis. Because both tasks close the reading section, reserve about 8-10 minutes for them so you can match conditions carefully rather than guessing under pressure.