TOPIK Practice – TOPIK I 어휘 [어휘] 1–5 (11/30/2025) – austin theory

정답: B. 약속

How to solve: This question is about understanding that some words perform an action. The phrase '내일 꼭 갈게' (I will definitely go tomorrow) is not just a statement, but the act of making a promise. The word that means 'promise' is '약속'. Austin's theory highlights that saying something can be the same as doing something, like how saying 'I promise' is the act of promising.

A — '이야기' means 'story' or 'talk'. While the person is talking, the specific action they are performing is making a promise, not just telling a story.

B — '약속' means 'promise'. Saying 'I will definitely go tomorrow' is a way of making a promise. This is the correct answer.

C — '질문' means 'question'. The sentence is a statement of intent, not a question.

D — '소개' means 'introduction'. The speaker is not introducing anyone or anything.

정답: C. 물어봤어요

How to solve: This question relates to the function of an utterance. When you don't know something ('모르는 것'), the appropriate action is to ask. The verb for 'to ask' is '물어보다'. In Austin's theory, an utterance like 'What is this?' is an illocutionary act of questioning. The sentence describes the context for this act.

A — '들었어요' means 'listened' or 'heard'. You listen to an answer, but you first need to ask.

B — '가르쳤어요' means 'taught'. The student asks, the teacher teaches.

C — '물어봤어요' means 'asked'. This is the correct action to take when you don't know something and want to find out from a teacher.

D — '대답했어요' means 'answered'. The teacher answers the student's question.

정답: A. 뜻

How to solve: This question is about the intended meaning (illocutionary force) behind a statement. The friend literally says 'The room is too cold' (locutionary act), but the intended meaning is a request to close the window. The word for 'meaning' or 'intention' is '뜻'. This concept is central to Austin's theory, which distinguishes between what is said and what is meant or done by saying it.

A — '뜻' means 'meaning' or 'intention'. The underlying meaning of 'The room is cold' is a request. This is the correct answer.

B — '장소' means 'place'. The meaning of the words is not a place.

C — '시간' means 'time'. The meaning of the words is not a time.

D — '이유' means 'reason'. The statement itself is a reason for wanting the window closed, but the blank asks for the meaning of the statement itself.

정답: D. 사과

How to solve: This question focuses on performative utterances, where saying the words constitutes the action. Saying '미안해' (I'm sorry) is the act of apologizing. The noun for 'apology' is '사과'. Austin called such utterances 'performatives' because they perform an action.

A — '감사' means 'gratitude' or 'thanks'. You would say '고마워' (thank you) to express gratitude.

B — '축하' means 'congratulations'. You would say '축하해' (congratulations) for a happy event.

C — '부탁' means 'request' or 'favor'. You would ask for something, not say you're sorry.

D — '사과' means 'apology'. Saying '미안해' (I'm sorry) is how you make an apology. This is the correct answer.

정답: B. 말했어요

How to solve: This question examines how speech directs action. The boss's statement '회의 시작합니다' (The meeting is starting) is not just information; it is a declaration that performs the action of officially starting the meeting. The most general and fitting verb for this act of speaking is '말했어요' (said/spoke). Austin's theory would analyze this as a declarative speech act.

A — '도와줬어요' means 'helped'. The boss is not helping in this context, but speaking.

B — '말했어요' means 'said' or 'spoke'. This is the fundamental action being described. The boss spoke the words to start the meeting.

C — '보여줬어요' means 'showed'. The boss is using words, not showing something visually.

D — '기다렸어요' means 'waited'. The boss is initiating the action, not waiting for it.