[For Seniors] Fun and Lively! Recommended Quiz Questions

Kanji quiz with the fish radical

[Obscure Fish Kanji] A tough quiz on fish-related kanji! 25 in a row!

Here are some ideas for a tricky quiz on kanji with the “fish” radical.

The exact count varies depending on the dictionary and what you include, but it seems there are actually more than 200 such characters.

We might think we know the kanji for fish that commonly appear on the dining table, but if you don’t fish or work with fish, many of them can be quite difficult.

For example, there’s a quiz with 25 questions where a fish-radical kanji is shown and you’re asked, “How do you read this kanji?” The questions get more difficult in the latter half, but it really piques your curiosity.

Compound-word quiz: idioms that repeat the same kanji twice

[Difficult Kanji Quiz] 25 Questions! Reduplicated Words Using the Same Kanji Twice (Jougo) [For Seniors]

If you can read them, awesome! Here’s an idea for a quiz featuring compound words that repeat the same kanji twice.

The origins of kanji and the ways they combine each carry meaning and are fascinating, right? This time, there might even be questions that make you think, “There’s a combination like that?!” For example, you might see the word 「細々」 and be asked, “How do you read this kanji?” There are 25 such questions.

The difficulty increases in the latter half, so it could be a good idea to discuss and work together to figure out the answers.

Kanji Fill-in-the-Blank Quiz

[Fill-in-the-Blank Kanji Quiz] 15 Questions! Brain Training with Fun Kanji Puzzle Quiz [Four Two-Character Compounds] #9

A kanji fill-in-the-blank quiz where kanji are written in a cross pattern, but only the center square is blank.

In this quiz, you insert a single kanji into the empty square so that, when combined with the kanji written above, below, left, and right, each forms a valid compound word.

It may seem easy, but looking at four kanji at once can be confusing—so take your time and enjoy thinking it through.

If you write it out on a whiteboard, it’s a great activity to enjoy with a group.

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utatane

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difficult/obscure kanji

[20 Challenging Kanji Questions] Commonly Used but Hard to Read! Introducing Kanji That Seem Readable but Aren’t [For Adults & Seniors]

Are there any kanji you’ve seen before but don’t know how to read, or that you remember incorrectly? Some people might even apply the reading of a similar-looking character.

Recently, quiz shows on TV have become more common, and difficult-to-read kanji are becoming a staple on those programs.

So let’s try posing some hard-to-read kanji to older adults as well.

Reading questions are easier to tackle than writing ones.

People who enjoy reading may even know some of the more difficult characters.

By getting tough questions right, they can also feel a sense of accomplishment.

And by learning previously unknown kanji and readings through quizzes, it can lead to the fun of gaining new knowledge.

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Nakajima Junko

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Obscure Kanji Quiz: Food

[Difficult Kanji] Food Edition! Introducing 20 tricky kanji reading questions that are hard to read when written in kanji

Let’s think based on the hints! Here are some ideas for a quiz on difficult food-related kanji.

With a focused theme, it’s easier to answer the questions.

This time, the theme is food: a quiz on hard-to-read kanji.

Even if you don’t get it right away, it’ll feel satisfying to reach the answer by relying on the hints.

For example, a word like “御田” is shown and you’re asked, “How do you read this kanji?” There are 20 questions in total.

The time limit is 10 seconds, but there are hints, so feel free to take on the challenge.

Common Knowledge Kanji Quiz

[20-Question Kanji Quiz] You’ll Be Embarrassed If You Can’t Read These! Introducing Slightly Difficult Everyday Kanji [Fun Problems]

Is being able to read it a given!? Here are some ideas for a common-knowledge kanji quiz.

Even with so-called common kanji, everyone makes mistakes… Try training your brain while taking on the quiz.

For example, you might see the word “出汁” and get a question like, “How do you read this kanji?” There are 20 such questions.

Try to focus and take on the quiz so you can answer within the 10-second time limit.

Getting the answers right might even boost your self-esteem!

Letter Rearrangement Quiz

[Word Scramble Quiz] A brain-training game for seniors! Rearrange the hiragana characters to complete the words! [Dementia Prevention] #8

A quiz where scrambled hiragana are rearranged into the correct order to form proper words.

It’s perfect for brain teasers and mental training, but starting with too many characters can be confusing.

How about beginning with three or four characters? As you get used to it, increase the number of characters.

Naturally, the difficulty rises as the character count grows, so if it feels too hard, consider adding hints.

Thinking through the puzzles activates the brain and makes for effective brain training.

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Fairy Tale Guessing Quiz

(Folk tale) [15 Rearrangement Quizzes] Simple brain training! Dementia prevention for seniors 151

Did today’s seniors also hear folktales from their families or teachers when they were young? Some of those stories may even have been included in school lessons.

Here is a fun quiz featuring folktales familiar to older adults.

We jumble the titles of folktales and ask participants to rearrange the letters to figure out which story it is.

Offering hints based on the plot or characters makes it easier to answer.

Because the quiz uses familiar topics, it’s easy for seniors to participate.

Thinking through the answers helps activate the brain and can contribute to dementia prevention.

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Nakajima Junko

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Kanji Reading Problems

[Difficult Kanji Quiz] Perfect for brain training!! Fruit Kanji Quiz: 10 questions in total. How many can you read?

Many people may find writing difficult but are good at reading kanji.

Let’s try a quiz where you read slightly challenging, hard-to-read kanji! There are lots of quiz questions—like fish names—that are difficult or similar to each other.

If that’s a bit too hard, enjoy reading quizzes limited to vegetables or fruits, or other food-related kanji.

If the answer doesn’t come easily, try giving hints like, “It’s a red food,” and so on!

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utatane

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Food Names Crossword Fill-in

[Food Names Crossword Fill-in] Easy Brain Training! Dementia Prevention for Seniors 114

Let’s jump in casually! Here are some ideas for a food-name cross fill-in puzzle.

It’s a quiz we’d love people with years of cooking experience or confidence in ingredient names to try.

Try making a cross fill-in with food names.

For example, imagine a 9-by-9 grid filled with hiragana, with the center square left blank.

When you put the correct hiragana into the center square, it completes two words—it’s a unique fill-in-the-blank puzzle! Getting the right answer will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied, won’t it?