TOPIK I Reading: (Filling in the Blanks)

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TOPIK I Prep
🎯
TL;DR — TOPIK I Reading Q34–39: Filling in the Blanks
  • 🧩 Choose the word/phrase that makes the sentence most natural (collocation + grammar), not just “kind of correct.”
  • 🔁 Use a 3-check filter: grammar fit → meaning fit → tone/register fit.
  • 🛑 The #1 trap is picking an option that matches one keyword but breaks the sentence’s logic or typical pairing.
🔊
🎧 Helper Note
Read the sentence with the blank out loud twice: once before choosing and once after inserting your choice. If the rhythm feels awkward, it’s often the wrong collocation — especially with common pairs like 예약하다 + 하다, 시간 + 걸리다, 비 + 오다.

🔑 The Big Picture

In TOPIK I Reading Q34–39, you fill in blanks inside short sentences or mini-texts. These questions test:
  • basic grammar (particles, endings, connectors),
  • everyday vocabulary,
  • and natural “word pairing” (collocations).
A good answer should make the sentence feel like something a native speaker would actually write in a simple notice, message, or description.

🧩 Core Concepts / Patterns

1) Three filters (fast + reliable)

1) Grammar fit: Does it match the structure? (particle, ending, connector)
2) Meaning fit: Does the sentence’s logic stay consistent?
3) Natural fit: Is it the common pairing Koreans use?
If an option fails any one filter, reject it even if you recognize the word.

2) The “collocation hint” words

Some words strongly predict the missing piece:
  • -아/어서 often wants a cause that naturally leads to the result
  • 그래서 often signals “cause → result”
  • 하지만 signals contrast; the missing part must “flip” the direction
  • ~기 때문에 is written/neutral “because,” common in notices

3) Tone/register check (TOPIK I)

TOPIK I often uses polite-neutral written style:
  • ~습니다, ~세요 (not slang)
So a casual-only option (like a very chatty phrase) is often wrong.

✅ Exam Strategy

20-second method (Q34–39)

1) Read the whole sentence and decide the “story” (cause/result, request, schedule, warning).
2) Predict the blank in your head in simple English first.
3) Plug in each option quickly:
  • Cross out grammar mismatches immediately.
  • Cross out meaning mismatches next.
  • If two remain, choose the more common pairing.

Common distractors

  • Near-synonyms: both “mean” similar things, but only one is used in that sentence frame
  • Wrong particle: looks familiar but the sentence needs a different relationship
  • Wrong connector: e.g., using 그래서 where contrast is needed

⚠️ Pitfalls

  • ❌ Choosing by “I know this word” → ✅ Choose by sentence logic + natural pairing
  • ❌ Ignoring endings like -아/어서 / -기 때문에 → ✅ Use them as structure clues
  • ❌ Overusing “broad” answers like “good/important” → ✅ TOPIK blanks usually need a specific function word or a common phrase
  • ❌ Forgetting tone: notices/messages often use ~습니다/~세요 → ✅ Avoid overly casual phrasing
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — TOPIK I Reading Q34–39 (Filling in the Blanks)
This 50-question drill builds the exact reflex you need for Q34–39: fast grammar filtering + meaning logic + native-like collocations. 🧠
📝 Instructions: For each item, read the sentence (or mini-text) and choose the best option (A–D). Then open the Answer toggle to see the correct choice and a short reason.

Exercise 1 — Grammar fit (particles/endings) 🧩

A. 저는 오늘 친구___ 만납니다.
I’m meeting a friend today. 👋
(A) 가 (B) 를 (C) 에 (D) 도
<details><summary>Answer</summary>B — 친구를 만나다 uses the object particle.</details>
B. 비가 ___ 우산을 가져가세요.
It’s raining, so take an umbrella. 🌧️
(A) 오면 (B) 오고 (C) 와서 (D) 오지만
<details><summary>Answer</summary>C — Cause → result: 비가 와서.</details>
C. 시간이 없___ 빨리 가야 합니다.
There’s no time, so we have to go quickly. ⏱️
(A) 어서 (B) 으면 (C) 지만 (D) 고
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — 없어서 is the natural “because there isn’t (time).”</details>
D. 여기는 조용하___ 공부하기 좋습니다.
It’s quiet here, so it’s good for studying. 🤫
(A) 지만 (B) 니까 (C) 면 (D) 고
<details><summary>Answer</summary>B — Reason → evaluation: 조용하니까.</details>
E. 내일은 회사에 안 ___ 됩니다.
I don’t have to go to work tomorrow. 🗓️
(A) 가면 (B) 가도 (C) 가기 (D) 가면 안
<details><summary>Answer</summary>C — Pattern is 안 가도 됩니다.</details>
F. 지금 사람이 많___ 조금 기다려 주세요.
There are many people now, so please wait a bit. 👥
(A) 으면 (B) 아서 (C) 지만 (D) 고
<details><summary>Answer</summary>B — Cause → request: 많아서.</details>
G. 이 길은 위험하___ 가지 마세요.
This road is dangerous, so don’t go. ⚠️
(A) 지만 (B) 고 (C) 니까 (D) 면
<details><summary>Answer</summary>C — Reason → prohibition: 위험하니까.</details>
H. 저는 한국어를 ___ 공부합니다.
I study Korean every day. 📚
(A) 매일 (B) 어제 (C) 지금 (D) 아직
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Frequency adverb.</details>
I. 주말___ 가족을 만났습니다.
I met my family on the weekend. 👨‍👩‍👧
(A) 에 (B) 을 (C) 이 (D) 도
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Time point: 주말에.</details>
J. 책을 읽___ 음악을 들어요.
I read a book and listen to music. 🎧
(A) 서 (B) 고 (C) 지만 (D) 면
<details><summary>Answer</summary>B — Simple listing: 읽고.</details>
Key clues
  • -아서/어서 = because → result
  • -니까 = because (often advice/request)
  • -고 = and (listing)
Tip 💡 Eliminate anything that breaks the sentence frame first.

Exercise 2 — Meaning logic (cause/result, contrast) ⚖️

A. 날씨가 좋아서 사람들이 공원에 ___.
The weather is good, so people go to the park. 🌤️
(A) 갑니다 (B) 잤습니다 (C) 비쌉니다 (D) 고장입니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Only one matches the cause/result meaning.</details>
B. 버스가 늦게 와서 약속에 ___.
The bus came late, so I was late for the appointment. ⏰
(A) 늦었습니다 (B) 빠릅니다 (C) 넓습니다 (D) 같습니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Natural consequence.</details>
C. 이 길은 공사 중입니다. ___ 다른 길로 가세요.
This road is under construction. So, take another way. 🚧
(A) 하지만 (B) 그래서 (C) 그리고 (D) 그런데
<details><summary>Answer</summary>B — Result connector.</details>
D. 커피를 마셨지만 잠이 ___.
I drank coffee, but I can’t sleep. ☕
(A) 옵니다 (B) 안 와요 (C) 싸요 (D) 많아요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>B — Contrast: coffee → sleep doesn’t come.</details>
E. 배가 고파서 밥을 ___.
I was hungry, so I ate. 🍚
(A) 먹었습니다 (B) 닫았습니다 (C) 고쳤습니다 (D) 작았습니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Correct verb for hunger → eat.</details>
F. 비가 오면 길이 미끄러우니까 ___.
If it rains the road is slippery, so be careful. 🌧️
(A) 조심하세요 (B) 닫으세요 (C) 파세요 (D) 넣으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Advice fits.</details>
G. 가격이 비싸지만 품질이 ___.
It’s expensive, but the quality is good. 💎
(A) 좋아요 (B) 멀어요 (C) 늦어요 (D) 작아요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Common contrast pair.</details>
H. 사람이 많아서 자리___.
There are many people, so there are no seats. 🪑
(A) 없어요 (B) 있어요 (C) 읽어요 (D) 써요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Cause implies lack of seats.</details>
I. 시간이 없으니까 택시를 ___.
There’s no time, so (I’ll) take a taxi. 🚕
(A) 탑니다 (B) 씁니다 (C) 접습니다 (D) 돕니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Action fits the situation.</details>
J. 조용한 곳이라서 공부하기 ___.
It’s a quiet place, so it’s good for studying. 📖
(A) 좋아요 (B) 아파요 (C) 써요 (D) 엽니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Evaluation fits.</details>
Logic cues
  • 하지만 = contrast
  • 그래서 = result
  • -니까 often leads to advice
Tip 💡 Build the “story” first, then choose.

Exercise 3 — Common collocations (natural pairing) 🔗

A. 식당에 가기 전에 ___을/를 해야 합니다.
Before going to a restaurant, you need to make a reservation. 📅
(A) 예약 (B) 우산 (C) 신발 (D) 사진
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — 예약을 하다.</details>
B. 약속 시간에 늦지 않게 빨리 ___.
Hurry and leave so you’re not late. 🏃
(A) 나가세요 (B) 쓰세요 (C) 보세요 (D) 사세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Natural verb for “leave/go out.”</details>
C. 이 버스는 10분마다 옵니다. 그래서 ___ 시간이 짧습니다.
This bus comes every 10 minutes, so the waiting time is short. 🚌
(A) 기다리는 (B) 만드는 (C) 씻는 (D) 닫는
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — 기다리는 시간 collocation.</details>
D. 감기에 걸리지 않게 손을 자주 ___.
Wash your hands often so you don’t catch a cold. 🧼
(A) 씻으세요 (B) 여세요 (C) 파세요 (D) 읽으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — 손을 씻다.</details>
E. 이 약은 하루에 두 번 ___.
Take this medicine twice a day. 💊
(A) 드세요 (B) 타세요 (C) 입으세요 (D) 만드세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Polite for taking medicine: 약을 드시다.</details>
F. 길이 미끄러우니까 조심해서 ___.
The road is slippery, so walk carefully. 🧊
(A) 걸으세요 (B) 웃으세요 (C) 자세요 (D) 먹으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Natural pairing.</details>
G. 시험을 잘 보려면 미리 ___.
To do well on an exam, study in advance. 📝
(A) 공부하세요 (B) 닫으세요 (C) 파세요 (D) 씻으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — 미리 공부하다.</details>
H. 사진을 찍을 때는 카메라를 잘 ___.
When taking photos, hold the camera well. 📷
(A) 잡으세요 (B) 여세요 (C) 타세요 (D) 막으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — 카메라를 잡다.</details>
I. 지하철은 빠르니까 많이 ___.
The subway is fast, so many people use it. 🚇
(A) 이용합니다 (B) 씻습니다 (C) 씁니다 (D) 팝니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — 지하철을 이용하다.</details>
J. 물이 차가우니까 따뜻한 물로 ___.
The water is cold, so wash with warm water. 🚿
(A) 씻으세요 (B) 타세요 (C) 여세요 (D) 적으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Natural action with water + washing.</details>
Collocation list
  • 예약을 하다 → make a reservation
  • 기다리는 시간 → waiting time
  • 손을 씻다 → wash hands
  • 지하철을 이용하다 → use the subway
Tip 💡 If it sounds “textbook-weird,” it’s usually the wrong pairing.

Exercise 4 — Short notices/messages (TOPIK style) 🗒️

A. 오늘은 비가 오니 우산을 ___.
It’s raining today, so bring an umbrella. ☔
(A) 가져가세요 (B) 팔아요 (C) 닫아요 (D) 읽어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Notice-style instruction.</details>
B. 여기는 금연입니다. 담배를 피우지 ___.
No smoking here. Do not smoke. 🚭
(A) 마세요 (B) 가세요 (C) 보세요 (D) 드세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Prohibition pattern.</details>
C. 문을 닫습니다. 이용해 주셔서 ___.
We’re closing. Thank you for using (us). 🙇
(A) 감사합니다 (B) 고맙습니다 (C) 반갑습니다 (D) 맛있습니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Most common closing phrase.</details>
D. 수업이 10분 후에 시작합니다. 늦지 않게 ___.
Class starts in 10 minutes. Please come on time. 🏫
(A) 오세요 (B) 자세요 (C) 파세요 (D) 씻으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Natural instruction.</details>
E. 지금은 사람이 많습니다. 잠시만 ___.
It’s crowded now. Please wait a moment. ⌛
(A) 기다려 주세요 (B) 써 주세요 (C) 타 주세요 (D) 열어 주세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Standard phrase.</details>
F. 음식물 쓰레기는 여기___ 버리세요.
Throw food waste here. 🗑️
(A) 에 (B) 를 (C) 이 (D) 도
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Location particle.</details>
G. 시험 중에는 휴대폰을 사용하지 ___.
Do not use your phone during the exam. 📵
(A) 마세요 (B) 가세요 (C) 드세요 (D) 타세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Prohibition.</details>
H. 자리에서 일어나실 때 조심___.
Be careful when getting up from your seat. 🪑
(A) 하세요 (B) 마세요 (C) 파세요 (D) 쓰세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Fixed polite instruction.</details>
I. 이용 시간은 9시부터 6시까지___.
Usage hours are from 9 to 6. 🕘
(A) 입니다 (B) 먹습니다 (C) 갑니다 (D) 쉽니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Copula for info notices.</details>
J. 분실물은 안내 데스크에서 ___.
Lost items can be found at the information desk. 🧾
(A) 받으세요 (B) 찾으세요 (C) 씻으세요 (D) 여세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>B — Natural instruction: “please find/pick up.”</details>
Notice patterns
  • ~하지 마세요 → do not…
  • ~해 주세요 → please do…
  • ~입니다 → is/are (info)
Tip 💡 TOPIK notices love polite-neutral phrasing.

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. 비가 오___ 우산을 가져가세요.
If it rains, take an umbrella. ☔
(A) 면 (B) 고 (C) 지만 (D) 도
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Conditional: 오면. (Pitfall: 오고 is “and” not “if.”)</details>
B. 시간이 없어서 밥을 못 ___.
There was no time, so I couldn’t eat. 🍚
(A) 먹었어요 (B) 먹어요 (C) 먹었습니다 (D) 먹기
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Past + casual polite: 못 먹었어요. (Pitfall: mixing tense/ending.)</details>
C. 여기는 조용하니까 소리를 ___.
It’s quiet here, so don’t make noise. 🤫
(A) 내지 마세요 (B) 내세요 (C) 내고 (D) 내면
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Prohibition fits the “quiet” logic.</details>
D. 버스가 자주 와서 기다리는 시간이 ___.
The bus comes often, so waiting time is short. 🚌
(A) 짧습니다 (B) 어렵습니다 (C) 뜨겁습니다 (D) 큽니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Natural consequence + common phrase.</details>
E. 사람이 많지만 자리가 ___.
There are many people, but there are seats. 🪑
(A) 있어요 (B) 없어요 (C) 씻어요 (D) 들어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Contrast: crowded but still seats exist.</details>
F. 감기에 걸리지 않게 손을 자주 ___.
Wash your hands often so you don’t catch a cold. 🧼
(A) 씻으세요 (B) 타세요 (C) 여세요 (D) 적으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Collocation.</details>
G. 약속에 늦어서 친구에게 ___.
I was late, so I apologized to my friend. 🙇
(A) 사과했어요 (B) 샀어요 (C) 살아요 (D) 씻었어요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Meaning fit (apology) + common verb 사과하다.</details>
H. 지금은 문을 닫습니다. 다음에 다시 ___.
We’re closing now. Please come again next time. 🚪
(A) 오세요 (B) 자세요 (C) 타세요 (D) 씻으세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Standard closing message.</details>
I. 길이 미끄러우니까 천천히 ___.
The road is slippery, so walk slowly. ❄️
(A) 걸으세요 (B) 보세요 (C) 파세요 (D) 드세요
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Safety instruction.</details>
J. 가격이 싸서 사람들이 많이 ___.
It’s cheap, so many people come. 💰
(A) 옵니다 (B) 씻습니다 (C) 자습니다 (D) 씁니다
<details><summary>Answer</summary>A — Meaning + natural pairing.</details>
Pitfall reminders
  • Grammar frame first, then meaning
  • Watch connectors (그래서 vs 하지만)
  • Prefer common collocations
Tip 💡 If two answers feel possible, pick the more “notice-like” TOPIK style.