こんにちは、ちか先生です。

Konnichiwa, it’s Chika Sensei.

 

Today, I’m sharing a practice from my exclusive course. This one’s for pre-advanced learners(JLPT N2)! Can you answer correctly?

 

 

[Practice Question]

このセーターは高い（＿＿＿）、色も形もとてもいい。

 

1 くせに
2 ばかりに
3 だけに
4 あげくに

 

*高い：たかい
色：いろ
形：かたち

 

 

 

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[Answer]

 

このセーターは高い（3 だけに）、色も形もとてもいい。

This sweater is expensive, which is precisely why its color and design are excellent.

 

 

The correct answer is 3 だけに, which means “because of that very reason” or “all the more because.”

In this sentence, it means “because it is expensive, its color and design are especially good.”

 

Explanation of Other Choices:

くせに
Used to express contrast in a negative or critical way, like “even though” or “despite.”
e.g.

値段(ねだん)が高(たか)いくせに、デザインが悪(わる)い。
Even though it’s expensive, the design is bad.

 

ばかりに
Used to show a negative result caused by a specific reason.
e.g.

試験(しけん)に落(お)ちたばかりに、留学(りゅうがく)できなかった。
Because I failed the exam, I couldn’t study abroad.

 

あげくに
Used to describe a final negative result after a long process.
e.g.

長(なが)い間(あいだ)けんかしたあげくに、別(わか)れてしまった。
After a long argument they ended up breaking up.

 

 

I hope this explanation helps! 😊