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N3

Topic Shifts and Contrast in Text

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Keeping the Same Topic

A topic introduced with は often continues across the next sentence or two, even when it is not repeated. Repeated omission is normal when the topic is stable.

  1. Target signal

    日本の電車は便利だ。時間も正確だ。

    Japanese trains are convenient. The times are accurate too.

    The topic remains 日本の電車 in the second sentence.

    Vocabulary notes
    便利べんり
    convenient
    日本にほん
    Japan
    時間じかん
    time; hour(s)

  2. Compare in context

    この店は安い。料理も早く出てくる。

    This restaurant is cheap. The food comes quickly too.

    The topic remains この店 while the second sentence adds a service-related point.

    Vocabulary notes
    出てくるでてくる
    to come out; to appear
    てくる〜てくる
    to come to ...; to start to ...
    くる
    to come

Section 2 of 3

Signals of Contrast

Writers often use は, が, でも, しかし, and 一方で to contrast two topics or two viewpoints. At N3, seeing contrast early helps you avoid reading both sides as if they support the same claim.

  1. Target signal

    東京はにぎやかだが、京都は落ち着いている。

    Tokyo is lively, but Kyoto is calm.

    Two topics are being contrasted directly.

    Vocabulary notes
    にぎやか
    lively; bustling
    ている〜ている
    to be doing; to be in a resulting state
    いる
    to exist; to be

  2. Preview

    この店は安い。一方で、サービスは少し遅い。

    This place is inexpensive. On the other hand, the service is a little slow.

    一方で clearly signals a shift to a contrasting point.

    Vocabulary notes
    一方でいっぽうで
    on the other hand
    この
    this
    安いやすい
    cheap; inexpensive

Section 3 of 3

How Paragraphs Shift Topic

A new name, a phrase like その一方で, or a move from one category to another often signals a topic shift. In reading, pause when you see one of these markers and ask what the new focus is.

  1. Target signal

    山田さんは車で通勤している。佐藤さんは電車を使っている。

    Yamada commutes by car. Sato uses the train.

    The second sentence introduces a new person and therefore a new topic.

    Vocabulary notes
    佐藤さんさとうさん
    Ms. Sato; Mr. Sato
    山田さんやまださん
    Mr. or Ms. Yamada
    ている〜ている
    to be doing; to be in a resulting state

  2. Preview

    この町は冬が長い。しかし、夏は観光客でにぎわう。

    This town has a long winter. However, in summer it becomes lively with tourists.

    しかし marks a shift in viewpoint within the same broad topic.

    Vocabulary notes
    しかし
    however
    この
    this
    しか
    only; nothing but

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Topic Shifts and Contrast in Text changes the meaning before you check the translation.

日本の電車は便利だ。時間も正確だ。 この店は安い。料理も早く出てくる。 東京はにぎやかだが、京都は落ち着いている。 この店は安い。一方で、サービスは少し遅い。 山田さんは車で通勤している。佐藤さんは電車を使っている。 この町は冬が長い。しかし、夏は観光客でにぎわう。

Show English translation

Japanese trains are convenient. The times are accurate too. This restaurant is cheap. The food comes quickly too. Tokyo is lively, but Kyoto is calm. This place is inexpensive. On the other hand, the service is a little slow. Yamada commutes by car. Sato uses the train. This town has a long winter. However, in summer it becomes lively with tourists.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Topic Shifts and Contrast in Text changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Topic Shifts and Contrast in Text changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Topic Shifts and Contrast in Text in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

In 「日本の電車は便利だ。時間も正確だ。」 what is the topic of the second sentence?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Topic Shifts and Contrast in Text).

日本の電車は＿＿＿だ。時間も正確だ。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1この店は安い。料理も早く出てくる。
  2. 2東京はにぎやかだが、京都は落ち着いている。
  3. 3日本の電車は便利だ。時間も正確だ。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Topic Shifts and Contrast in Text in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4

In 「日本の電車は便利だ。時間も正確だ。」 what is the topic of the second sentence?