Read once for the problem, then look again for the details that lead to the ending.
The idea
かぎ means key, 店の人 means shop staff, and 椅子の下 means under the chair. ありません introduces the problem; ありました tells us the key was there.
Read the text
花子さんは喫茶店でお茶を飲みます。帰る時、かぎがありません。花子さんは店の人に聞きます。
店の人は机の下を見ます。かぎは椅子の下にありました。花子さんは「ありがとうございます」と言います。
Examples
- 花子さんは喫茶店でお茶を飲みます。Hanako drinks tea at a café.
- 帰る時、かぎがありません。When it is time to go home, the key is missing.
- 花子さんは店の人に聞きます。Hanako asks a staff member.
- 店の人は机の下を見ます。The staff member looks under the table.
- かぎは椅子の下にありました。The key was under the chair.
- 花子さんは「ありがとうございます」と言います。Hanako says “Thank you.”
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Watch out
The staff member looks under the table; the text then specifies the chair as the key’s location.
Try it yourself
Where does Hanako drink tea? 「喫茶店（きっさてん）／駅（えき）」
Show answer or example answer
喫茶店
The story gives the clue: Hanako drinks tea at a café.
Where was the key? 「椅子（いす）の下（した）／駅（えき）」
Show answer or example answer
椅子の下
The story gives the clue: The key was under the chair.
What does Hanako say at the end? 「ありがとうございます／こんばんは」
Show answer or example answer
ありがとうございます
The story gives the clue: Hanako says “Thank you.”
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Where does Hanako drink tea? 「喫茶店（きっさてん）／駅（えき）」
Where was the key? 「椅子（いす）の下（した）／駅（えき）」
What does Hanako say at the end? 「ありがとうございます／こんばんは」
ありがとうございます
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Retell the problem, the clue and the ending in your own words.