TOCFL Advanced Literary Excerpts 2

Question 1

In classical Chinese poetry, the technique of using natural imagery to evoke human emotions is called 借景抒情 (jiè jǐng shū qíng). Which of the following best describes this literary device?

Accepted Answer

Borrowing scenery to express inner feelings

Answer

借景抒情 literally means 'borrowing scenery to express emotion,' a cornerstone technique in classical Chinese literature.

Question 2

Lu Xun's short story 'A Madman's Diary' (狂人日記) is significant in modern Chinese literature primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Was the first modern Chinese story written entirely in vernacular Chinese (白話)

Answer

Published in 1918, 'A Madman's Diary' was groundbreaking as the first modern Chinese short story written in vernacular Chinese, departing from classical literary Chinese.

Question 3

When reading a TOCFL-level excerpt that uses the phrase 物是人非 (wù shì rén fēi), which emotional theme is most likely being conveyed?

Accepted Answer

Nostalgia and melancholy at finding familiar places but changed relationships

Answer

物是人非 means 'things remain but people have changed,' expressing the bittersweet feeling of time's passage and loss.

Question 4

In Chinese literary criticism, 起承轉合 (qǐ chéng zhuǎn hé) refers to a four-part essay structure. What does the third element 轉 (zhuǎn) specifically represent?

Accepted Answer

The turn or pivot that introduces a new perspective or contrast

Answer

轉 means 'turn' and represents the crucial pivot in the structure where the argument shifts or introduces an unexpected angle.

Question 5

Advanced TOCFL reading passages from Tang Dynasty poetry often feature 對仗 (duì zhàng). This refers to:

Accepted Answer

Parallel couplets where corresponding words mirror each other in grammar and meaning

Answer

對仗 is the parallel couplet structure in regulated verse where each word in one line corresponds grammatically and semantically to the word in the same position in the paired line.

(TOCFL) Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language Reading Practice Test

(TOCFL) Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language Reading Practice Test

TOCFL Advanced Literary Excerpts 2