Gaokao Exam Classical Chinese Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In classical Chinese, the particle '之' (zhī) can function as which of the following?

A structural particle, a pronoun, or a verb meaning 'to go to' (Correct answer)
Only a personal pronoun
Only a possessive particle
Only a sentence-final modal particle

Correct answer: A structural particle, a pronoun, or a verb meaning 'to go to'

'之' has multiple grammatical functions in classical Chinese: as a structural particle (like 的), a third-person pronoun (it/him/her), or occasionally a verb meaning 'to go to a place.'

In classical Chinese, '之' is one of the most common and versatile characters. As a structural particle, it connects modifier and noun (e.g., 大王之命 'the king's order'). As a pronoun, it represents 'him/her/it/them' (e.g., 爱之 'love it'). In early classical texts, it can also appear as a verb meaning 'to go to' (e.g., 吾将之楚 'I shall go to Chu'). Recognizing context is essential for correct interpretation.

Question 2: What does the phrase '不亦乐乎' (bù yì lè hū) from the Analects of Confucius mean?

Is it not a pleasure? (Correct answer)
It is not joyful
Perhaps not happy
Not yet happy

Correct answer: Is it not a pleasure?

'不亦…乎' is a classical rhetorical pattern meaning 'Is it not…?' or 'Isn't it…?' The phrase means 'Is it not a pleasure/joy?'

The phrase comes from the opening lines of the Analects (论语·学而): '学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？' The pattern '不亦…乎' (bù yì…hū) is a classical rhetorical question meaning 'Is it not…?' or 'Isn't it the case that…?' Here '乐' means joy or pleasure, so '不亦乐乎' means 'Is it not a pleasure?' This phrase is now used colloquially in modern Chinese to humorously indicate excess.

Question 3: In classical Chinese grammar, '者' (zhě) most commonly functions as:

A nominalizer turning verbs/adjectives into nouns meaning 'one who…' (Correct answer)
A possessive particle
A sentence-final question particle
A past tense marker

Correct answer: A nominalizer turning verbs/adjectives into nouns meaning 'one who…'

'者' is a nominalizer. For example, '学者' means 'one who studies' (a scholar), and '勇者' means 'one who is brave' (a brave person).

In classical Chinese, '者' (zhě) is a nominalizing particle that follows verbs, adjectives, or clauses to create noun phrases. '仁者' means 'a benevolent person,' '来者' means 'one who comes,' and '失败者' means 'one who fails.' This usage creates subject-like noun phrases and is distinct from '所' (which nominalizes the object). Understanding '者' is crucial for parsing classical Chinese sentences correctly in Gaokao comprehension passages.

Question 4: The classical Chinese term '古文' (gǔwén) in the context of the Gaokao refers to:

Classical prose written in the literary Chinese style predating the vernacular movement (Correct answer)
Oracle bone script and ancient inscriptions
Any text written before the Tang Dynasty
Poetry from the Han Dynasty only

Correct answer: Classical prose written in the literary Chinese style predating the vernacular movement

'古文' in Gaokao context refers to classical literary Chinese prose, including historical texts, philosophical writings, and essays using pre-modern grammar and vocabulary.

In the Gaokao Chinese language paper, '古文' (classical Chinese reading comprehension) refers to passages written in the classical literary language (文言文, wényánwén), which was the written standard in China for roughly 2,500 years. These texts include historical chronicles (史记, Zuo Zhuan), philosophical works (论语, Mengzi), and prose essays. They use archaic grammar, specialized vocabulary, and differ significantly from modern vernacular Chinese (白话文).

Question 5: In the sentence '其恕乎！己所不欲，勿施于人' from the Analects, '恕' (shù) refers to:

Empathy or reciprocity — treating others as you wish to be treated (Correct answer)
Forgiveness after wrongdoing
Strict discipline
Ritual propriety

Correct answer: Empathy or reciprocity — treating others as you wish to be treated

'恕' is Confucius's concept of reciprocity: 'What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.' It embodies empathy and the Golden Rule in Confucian ethics.

This passage from Analects (论语·卫灵公) defines '恕' (shù) through the negative Golden Rule: '己所不欲，勿施于人' (What you yourself do not desire, do not do to others). Confucius identifies '恕' as a one-word summary of his ethical teaching — it represents empathy, consideration, and reciprocity in human relations. This concept is central to Confucian social ethics and frequently appears in Gaokao classical reading sections.

Question 6: The word '走' (zǒu) in classical Chinese most commonly means:

To run (Correct answer)
To walk
To leave
To travel

Correct answer: To run

In classical Chinese, '走' means 'to run' (rapid movement). 'To walk' in classical Chinese is '行' (xíng) or '步' (bù). Modern Chinese '走' means 'to walk,' illustrating semantic change.

Classical Chinese '走' (zǒu) means 'to run' or 'to flee/escape quickly,' as seen in texts like '走马观花' (gallop on horseback to view flowers — i.e., a hasty, superficial look). In modern Mandarin, '走' has shifted to mean 'to walk.' In classical texts, 'to walk' is expressed by '行' (xíng) or '步行' (bùxíng). Recognizing these semantic shifts between classical and modern Chinese is an important skill for the Gaokao classical reading section.

Gaokao Exam Classical Chinese Reading Comprehension 2

In classical Chinese, the particle '之' (zhī) can function as which of the following?