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Reading in Mandarin

MFL, Mandarin reading. Usually met in years 7 to 11.

Read a short Mandarin text, such as a message or a description, and answer a question on what it says.

What you practise

Starts with a few sentences on everyday topics and builds to longer texts with opinions and tenses. Practice moves up a level when a round goes well and down when it does not.

Sample questions

Each sample comes with the method and the reason every wrong option is wrong. Real practice rounds are ten questions at your level.

Sample question, level 2 of 5

Read this: “去年夏天，我和朋友去了上海。我们坐火车去，住在一个酒店。天气很热，我们每天都去公园。” How did they travel?

  1. By boat
  2. By car
  3. By train
  4. By bike
  5. By plane
Show the answer and method

Answer: C, By train

The method: The text says so: the answer is ‘By train’.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A, By boat: A boat is 船.
  • B, By car: A car is 汽车.
  • D, By bike: A bike is 自行车.
  • E, By plane: A plane is 飞机; they say 火车.

Sample question, level 4 of 5

Read this: “我的学校很大，有很多学生。我最喜欢的科目是数学，因为老师很好。我不喜欢历史，因为太难了。我们每天下午三点半放学。” What is their favourite subject?

  1. History
  2. Maths
  3. English
  4. Science
  5. Art
Show the answer and method

Answer: B, Maths

The method: The text says so: the answer is ‘Maths’.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A, History: They do not like 历史, history.
  • C, English: English would be 英语.
  • D, Science: Science would be 科学.
  • E, Art: Art would be 美术.

See where this fits: every language topic and Key Stage 3.