QUARTET II is the second volume of the QUARTET series, covering Lessons 7 to 12. It picks up from roughly N3 and works toward N2, with some material touching N1. The book introduces 65 grammar patterns and expressions, 330 kanji, and around 900 new vocabulary items across 348 pages (including a 70-page detachable supplement). Audio runs about 180 minutes, available as a free MP3 download from the Japan Times Book Club site or through the OTO Navi app. There's also a companion Quartet 2 Vocab & Kanji app for iOS and Android.
The structure mirrors QUARTET I: each lesson is built around a single theme and divided into four sections for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The key difference is that most of the reading passages in QUARTET II come from real-life sources rather than being written specifically for the textbook, so the difficulty jump is noticeable. The Brush Up sections shift focus too. Where QUARTET I reviewed elementary grammar, QUARTET II instead includes 上級へのチャレンジ (activities for expanding your range of expression) alongside kanji strategy work. The detachable supplement contains vocabulary and kanji lists, and the book includes listening comprehension answers and full audio scripts at the back. Learners in forums consistently note that QUARTET's vocabulary feels practical and JLPT-relevant, and the 上級へのチャレンジ sections are specifically designed to prepare you for independent study at an advanced level.
QUARTET II assumes around 350 to 400 hours of prior study (including beginner level). As with the first volume, the speaking and writing sections work best in a classroom or with a teacher or conversation partner. Self-studiers will get the most from the reading and grammar sections. The workbook and Vocab & Kanji app help round things out. There is no standalone answer key in this series. Answers are in the Teacher's Guide.
