AP Chinese Chinese: Interpretive Listening & Reading 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A reading passage discusses Chinese character evolution: '汉字从甲骨文发展到现代简体字，经历了几千年的演变。' What does this passage describe?
- The invention of Chinese pinyin romanization system
- The thousands of years of evolution from oracle bone script to modern simplified characters (Correct answer)
- The differences between Mandarin and Cantonese writing systems
- How Chinese characters were adopted by Japan and Korea
Correct answer: The thousands of years of evolution from oracle bone script to modern simplified characters
甲骨文 (oracle bone script) to 现代简体字 (modern simplified characters) represents 几千年的演变 (thousands of years of evolution).
Question 2: In a listening phone call, the caller says '我想预约明天下午三点的医生。' What is the caller trying to do?
- Cancel an existing doctor's appointment
- Make a doctor's appointment for 3 PM tomorrow (Correct answer)
- Ask about the doctor's qualifications
- Inquire about hospital visiting hours
Correct answer: Make a doctor's appointment for 3 PM tomorrow
预约 means to make a reservation/appointment, and 明天下午三点 specifies the time as 3 PM tomorrow.
Question 3: A cultural reading passage explains: '中国人在送礼时，通常不当着对方的面打开礼物，这与西方习惯不同。' What cultural difference is highlighted?
- Chinese people always give cash instead of wrapped gifts
- Unlike Western customs, Chinese people typically do not open gifts in front of the giver (Correct answer)
- Chinese gift-giving only occurs during major holidays
- It is considered rude to give gifts in China
Correct answer: Unlike Western customs, Chinese people typically do not open gifts in front of the giver
不当着对方的面打开礼物 means not opening gifts in front of the giver, described as different from Western habits (与西方习惯不同).
Question 4: In a listening news report, an announcer says '这次地震震级为六点二级，震源深度约十公里，已有数百人受伤。' What detail is NOT mentioned in the report?
- The magnitude of the earthquake
- The depth of the epicenter
- The number of injured people
- The exact location of the earthquake (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The exact location of the earthquake
The report mentions magnitude (六点二级), depth (十公里), and injuries (数百人受伤) but does not specify the exact location.
Question 5: A reading passage about Chinese architecture states '四合院是北京传统民居，由四面房屋围成一个方形院子。' What is the defining feature of a 四合院?
- A single large hall with a high ceiling
- Four buildings surrounding a square courtyard (Correct answer)
- A garden with a central pond and pavilion
- Multiple stories connected by internal staircases
Correct answer: Four buildings surrounding a square courtyard
四合院 is defined by 四面房屋围成一个方形院子, meaning four buildings surrounding a square courtyard.
Question 6: In a listening dialogue, a student tells her roommate '宿舍明天早上八点要断电维修，记得提前给手机充好电。' What should the roommate do before tomorrow morning?
- Move to a different dormitory room temporarily
- Fully charge her phone before the power outage (Correct answer)
- Report the issue to the dormitory management
- Buy candles in case of extended darkness
Correct answer: Fully charge her phone before the power outage
断电 means power outage/cut, and 提前给手机充好电 means to charge the phone fully in advance before it happens.
Question 7: A reading passage compares two cities: '上海是中国的经济中心，而北京是政治和文化中心。' According to the passage, which city is described as China's economic center?
- Beijing
- Guangzhou
- Shanghai (Correct answer)
- Shenzhen
Correct answer: Shanghai
上海是中国的经济中心 directly states that Shanghai is China's economic center.
AP Chinese Chinese: Interpretive Listening & Reading 5
A reading passage discusses Chinese character evolution: '汉字从甲骨文发展到现代简体字，经历了几千年的演变。' What does this passage describe?