Gaokao Exam Classical Chinese Reading Comprehension 2

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Only a personal pronoun

Answer

Only a possessive particle

Answer

Only a sentence-final modal particle

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Is it not a pleasure?

Answer

It is not joyful

Answer

Perhaps not happy

Answer

Not yet happy

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

A possessive particle

Answer

A sentence-final question particle

Answer

A past tense marker

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Classical prose written in the literary Chinese style predating the vernacular movement

Answer

Oracle bone script and ancient inscriptions

Answer

Any text written before the Tang Dynasty

Answer

Poetry from the Han Dynasty only

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Forgiveness after wrongdoing

Answer

Strict discipline

Answer

Ritual propriety

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

To run

Answer

To walk

Answer

To leave

Answer

To travel