FREE Gaokao Classical Chinese Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following passage from 《送东阳马生序》: 余幼时即嗜学。家贫，无从致书以观，每假借于藏书之家，手自笔录，计日以还。天大寒，砚冰坚，手指不可屈伸，弗之怠。录毕，走送之，不敢稍逾约。以是人多以书假余，余因得遍观群书。

What is the meaning of the character "致" (zhì) in the phrase "无从致书以观"?

Accepted Answer

To obtain/acquire (取得)

Answer

In this context, "致" means to obtain or acquire. The author is stating that because his family was poor, he had no way to get books to read. The other options represent different, incorrect meanings of the character.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most accurate translation of "手指不可屈伸，弗之怠"?

Accepted Answer

My fingers were so stiff they could not bend, but I did not slacken because of it. (手指冻僵了不能弯曲伸直，但我没有因此而懈怠)

Answer

This sentence describes the extreme cold: the author's fingers were too stiff to bend. "弗之怠" is an inversion of "弗怠之", meaning "did not slacken because of this". Therefore, the best translation captures both the physical hardship and his perseverance.

Question 3

What character trait of the author is primarily highlighted by the sentence "录毕，走送之，不敢稍逾约"?

Accepted Answer

His trustworthiness and punctuality (守信守时)

Answer

This sentence means "After finishing the copying, I would run to return it, not daring to be even slightly late." This action demonstrates his strong sense of responsibility and trustworthiness, which was crucial for people to continue lending him books. While diligence is shown, the focus on returning the book on time specifically points to his reliability.

Question 4

According to the passage, what was the main reason the author was ultimately able to "遍观群书" (read a wide range of books)?

Accepted Answer

He earned people's trust through his diligence and punctuality, so they were willing to lend him books.

Answer

The passage links his ability to borrow more books directly to his behavior. The sentence "以是人多以书假余" means "Because of this, many people lent books to me." The "this" refers to his diligent copying and punctual returning of books, which established his reputation as trustworthy.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the function word "以" in the passage is correct?

Accepted Answer

Its meaning and grammatical function are different in each of the three instances mentioned.

Answer

The word "以" has multiple functions. In "以观", it means "in order to" (表目的). In "以是", it means "because of this" (表原因). In "以书假余", it introduces the object, meaning "(take) books and lend them to me" (表处置). Therefore, its meaning and function are different in each case.

Gaokao Exam Practice Test

Gaokao Exam Practice Test

FREE Gaokao Classical Chinese Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers