How should I best use reading mode when I only understand part of the sentence?

Bunpro
#1

I’m currently experimenting with switching to reading mode for all my grammar and vocab reviews.

One thing I’m running into is what to do when I understand the part of the sentence it’s trying to test me on, but maybe not the sentence as a whole:

誘っても来ようとしないから、誘われなくなっちゃったんだよ。(来る)

For example, this sentence is testing the Verb［おう］+ としない pattern. When I encountered it, I was able to understand what the first part containing the grammar point meant: “Since you wouldn’t be willing to come even if I invite you, …” but I had difficulty parsing the latter half without looking it up since it was a casual contraction of a combo of conjugation/grammar I haven’t studied enough of yet.

I felt inclined to mark my understanding as “Good” in this case since I feel like I understood the part that it was testing me on, but wondering what people who’ve used reading mode feel like is better long term.

1 Like
#2

It depends on your vocab knowledge. If I was at N4 or N5 I would just test the vocab.

I’m a purist, so anything I don’t get right, I mark wrong. I’m working through the N1 reading examples and perhaps 1/5 use a vocab I haven’t heard of. So I must get the kanji readings and meanings right to mark it right. Because of this if I get 70% of the questions right I’m pretty happy. I think if you’re okay with marking something wrong in spite it not being your fault I think it’s a good method. The immediate feedback is very helpful and forcing myself to comprehend the sentence helps that skill too.

It’s fairly easy to pick up on words in context, especially in kanji, but I don’t think this is as easy at lower levels. I would suggest having furigana on for words if your kanji isn’t super strong.

I will say my reading ability has dramatically improved having done this for more or less a year, just going off of my mock test performance on N1 compared to N2 last year.

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#3

unless the part you don’t understand changes the nuance of the part you are reviewing in a significant way, you should just mark the review as good as long as you understand the highlighted part.

the full sentence is really just for clarifying context as well as some reading comprehension practice. it’s not actually part of the review itself, so you shouldn’t grade yourself on it.

4 Likes
#4

I think this is good too. In any case, as long as you engage with the sentence, try to read it, and see if you understood it - you’ll progress in capability.