Primary 6 PSLE Chinese Practice Paper 4

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Chinese Primary 6 PSLE

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper (AI)

Subject: Chinese Language (华文)
Level: Primary 6 PSLE
Paper: Practice Paper Version 4 of 5
Duration: 50 minutes
Total Marks: 60 marks

Name: _________________________ Class: _________ Date: _____________

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Instructions

1. This practice paper consists of THREE sections: Section A, Section B, and Section C.
2. Answer all questions.
3. Write your answers clearly in the spaces provided.
4. For multiple-choice questions, circle the correct answer.
5. Pay attention to the marks allocated for each question.
6. Read all passages carefully before answering the questions.

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Section A: Vocabulary and Sentence Structure (词语和句子) (20 marks)

Questions 1–10. Time suggested: 15 minutes

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Question 1 (2 marks)

Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank. Explain your choice in the space provided.

面对困难，我们要__________，不能轻易放弃。

A. 坚持不懈
B. 锲而不舍
C. 持之以恒
D. 百折不挠

Answer: _________

Explanation: _________________________________________________________

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Question 2 (2 marks)

Write sentences using the following words to show you understand their different meanings and usages.

(a) 懊悔 (1 mark)

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(b) 后悔 (1 mark)

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Question 3 (2 marks)

Rephrase the following sentence using "被" (被字句) without changing the meaning.

Original: 一场大雨淋湿了我的衣服。

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Question 4 (2 marks)

The following sentence contains a grammatical error. Rewrite it correctly and explain the error.

Original: 我和朋友一起走去学校的时候，突然下雨了起来。

Corrected sentence: _________________________________________________

Explanation of error: ________________________________________________

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Question 5 (2 marks)

Choose the correct idiom for each situation. Write the letter in the box.

(a) 小明平时不努力学习，考试时才发现自己什么问题都不会。

□ A. 临时抱佛脚
□ B. 对牛弹琴
□ C. 守株待兔
□ D. 画蛇添足

(b) 小红很有绘画天赋，她的作品每次都能得到老师的赞赏。

□ A. 班门弄斧
□ B. 画龙点睛
□ C. 胸有成竹
□ D. 妙笔生花

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Question 6 (2 marks)

Arrange the following sentences into a coherent paragraph. Write the numbers 1–4 in the correct order.

① 经过几个月的努力训练，我终于学会了骑自行车。
② 记得第一次学骑车时，我摔了很多次，身上都是伤口。
③ 但是爸爸总是鼓励我："失败是成功之母，不要放弃。"
④ 学骑自行车的经历让我明白了一个道理：只要坚持，就一定能成功。

Correct order: ______ → ______ → ______ → ______

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Question 7 (2 marks)

Complete the following sentence using an appropriate conjunction (关联词).

____________________ 天气多么糟糕，____________________ 我们都要按时上学。

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Question 8 (2 marks)

Explain the difference between "安静" and "宁静" in terms of usage and context. Give an example for each.

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安静 example: _________________________________________________

宁静 example: _________________________________________________

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Question 9 (2 marks)

Rewrite the following complex sentence as two simple sentences without changing the meaning.

Original: 虽然这次比赛我们没有获得冠军，但是我们都学到了团队合作的重要性。

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Question 10 (2 marks)

The phrase "时间就是金钱" is a common saying. Explain its meaning and give a real-life example to illustrate it.

Meaning: _________________________________________________________

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Example: _________________________________________________________

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Section B: Reading Comprehension (阅读理解) (28 marks)

Questions 11–18. Time suggested: 25 minutes

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions.

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Passage (华文短文)

《来得及的母爱》

<image_placeholder> id: Q11-fig1 type: figure linked_question: Q11-Q18 description: A warm illustration showing an elderly mother looking at a photo album with her adult daughter, with a clock on the wall showing afternoon time, soft lighting through a window, memories and emotional connection theme labels: "母亲" (mother, elderly), "女儿" (daughter, adult), photo album, wall clock, window with sunlight values: clock showing approximately 3:00 PM must_show: Both characters engaged in shared activity, photo album open on table, warm domestic setting suggesting cherished memories </image_placeholder>

我小时候，妈妈总是在天还没亮的时候就起床，为我们准备早餐。那时候我觉得这一切都是理所当然的，从来没有对她说过一声"谢谢"。

上小学后，妈妈每天骑自行车送我去学校。不管是刮风还是下雨，她从来没有迟到过。我坐在自行车后座，紧紧抱着她的腰，感觉她的背是那么的温暖和安全。可是我却常常因为她的自行车旧、衣服朴素而在同学面前感到不好意思。有一次，我甚至对她说："妈妈，你以后不要来接我了，我可以自己走回家。"我记得她当时愣了一下，然后轻轻地点了点头，说："好吧，但你一定要注意安全。"

从那以后，妈妈真的不再来接我了。我开始觉得自由，觉得再也不用因为妈妈的朴素而感到难堪。然而有一天，下起了倾盆大雨，我站在学校门口等了很久，同学们都被家长接走了。正当我准备冒雨跑回家时，我看见远处一个熟悉的身影正骑着那辆旧自行车，艰难地向我驶来。是妈妈！她的衣服全湿透了，头发上还滴着雨水，但她一看到我就笑着说："等久了吧？快上车，别感冒了。"那一刻，我的眼泪忍不住流了下来。

后来我上了中学、大学，离开了家，见面的次数越来越少。每次打电话回家，妈妈总是说："不用担心我，你好好学习，注意身体。"而我总是匆匆忙忙地挂断电话，忙着各种各样的事情。

直到有一天，医院打来电话，说妈妈病得很重。我连夜赶回家，看到她躺在病床上，瘦了很多，头发也白了许多。她握着我的手，轻轻地说："孩子，妈妈没什么遗憾，就是希望你以后能照顾好自己。"

如今，妈妈已经退休多年。我每个周末都会带着孩子去看她。我们一起做饭、聊天、翻看旧照片。我终于学会了对她说"我爱你"，学会了给她拥抱，学会了珍惜和她在一起的每一分每一秒。

有人说，母爱就像空气，平时感觉不到，失去了才知道珍贵。我很庆幸，我醒悟得还不算太晚。来得及的母爱，我会用余生来回报。

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Question 11 (2 marks)

According to the passage, what time did the mother usually get up to prepare breakfast? Find the relevant sentence in the passage and copy it below.

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Question 12 (3 marks)

Why did the narrator ask her mother not to pick her up from school anymore? Explain using your own words, with evidence from the passage.

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Question 13 (3 marks)

Describe what happened on the rainy day when the mother came to pick up the narrator. What does this incident show about the mother's character?

What happened: ___________________________________________________

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What this shows about mother's character: ______________________________

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Question 14 (3 marks)

The narrator mentions that "每次打电话回家，妈妈总是说：'不用担心我，你好好学习，注意身体。'" What does the mother's repeated response reveal about her? Analyze the mother's psychological state.

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Question 15 (4 marks)

Explain the meaning of the phrase "母爱就像空气，平时感觉不到，失去了才知道珍贵" in the context of the passage. How does this comparison help readers understand the narrator's realisation?

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Question 16 (4 marks)

The title of this passage is "来得及的母爱". Why do you think the author chose this title? In your answer, consider:

• What "来得及" refers to in the story
• Why the word "来得及" is important to the theme

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Question 17 (4 marks)

Compare the narrator's attitude towards her mother when she was young with her attitude now. What caused the change in her attitude? Support your answer with details from the passage.

Young attitude: ____________________________________________________

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Current attitude: ___________________________________________________

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What caused the change: ______________________________________________

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Question 18 (5 marks)

This passage explores the theme of filial piety (孝顺). Based on your understanding of the passage and your own experiences, discuss what you think children can do to show gratitude to their parents before it is "too late". Give at least two specific suggestions with explanations.

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Section C: Classical Chinese and Literary Appreciation (古文与文学欣赏) (12 marks)

Questions 19–20. Time suggested: 10 minutes

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Question 19 (6 marks)

Read the following classical Chinese passage and answer the questions.

《论语》选段

子曰："学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？人不知而不愠，不亦君子乎？"

(a) Translate the following phrase into modern Chinese: "学而时习之，不亦说乎？" (2 marks)

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(b) What does "人不知而不愠" mean? Explain what kind of person Confucius considers a "君子" based on this statement. (2 marks)

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(c) In modern life, which of these three sentences do you think is most relevant to students today? Explain your choice with a real example. (2 marks)

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Question 20 (6 marks)

Read the following poem and answer the questions.

《游子吟》
[唐] 孟郊

慈母手中线，游子身上衣。
临行密密缝，意恐迟迟归。
谁言寸草心，报得三春晖。

(a) Explain the meaning of "意恐迟迟归" in your own words. What emotion does this line express? (2 marks)

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(b) The last two lines use a metaphor. Identify the metaphor and explain what the poet is trying to express. (2 marks)

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(c) How does this poem connect thematically with the passage in Section B ("来得及的母爱")? Discuss at least one similarity in how both texts portray motherly love. (2 marks)

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END OF PAPER

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Total Marks: 60

Section A: 20 marks | Section B: 28 marks | Section C: 12 marks

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Chinese Primary 6 PSLE

Answer Key Version 4 of 5

Subject: Chinese Language (华文)
Level: Primary 6 PSLE
Total Marks: 60 marks

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Section A: Vocabulary and Sentence Structure (词语和句子) (20 marks)

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Question 1 (2 marks)

Answer: D. 百折不挠

Explanation (1 mark for correct choice, 1 mark for explanation):

"百折不挠" (bǎi zhé bù náo) means to persist despite numerous setbacks and failures, emphasizing resilience in the face of difficulties. It is the most appropriate choice because:

• "坚持不懈" means persistent and unremitting effort
• "锲而不舍" means to carve without stopping (perseverance)
• "持之以恒" means to persevere consistently
• "百折不挠" specifically emphasizes overcoming setbacks and failures, which matches "面对困难" (facing difficulties) most precisely

Common mistake: Choosing A, B, or C without recognizing that the context specifically mentions "difficulties" and "not giving up easily," which requires a word about overcoming挫折 (setbacks).

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Question 2 (2 marks)

Marking note: Accept any grammatically correct sentences that demonstrate distinct usage. Must show that "懊悔" is stronger, more internal, often about moral/serious matters, while "后悔" is more general regret.

Sample answers:

(a) 懊悔 (1 mark)

我因为撒谎骗了奶奶，心里充满了懊悔。

(Demonstrates: deeper emotional guilt, moral dimension)

(b) 后悔 (1 mark)

我真后悔昨天没有认真复习，今天的考试很多题都不会做。

(Demonstrates: general regret about a past action)

Teaching note: "懊悔" carries stronger emotional weight and often involves a sense of moral failing or deep internal pain. "后悔" is more commonly used for everyday situations where one wishes they had acted differently.

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Question 3 (2 marks)

Answer: 我的衣服被一场大雨淋湿了。

Teaching note: The transformation requires:

1. Moving the object "我的衣服" to subject position
2. Adding "被" before the doer (or omitting doer if unknown)
3. Keeping the verb "淋湿" at the end
4. Original structure: [Doer] + [Verb] + [Object] → New structure: [Object] + 被 + [Doer] + [Verb]

Marking: 1 mark for correct 被字句 structure; 1 mark for maintaining original meaning without adding/omitting key information.

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Question 4 (2 marks)

Corrected sentence (1 mark): 我和朋友一起走去学校的时候，突然下起雨来了。

Explanation of error (1 mark): The original sentence "突然下雨了起来" is grammatically incorrect because "了" and "起来" are both resultative/completive markers that conflict. The correct pattern is either "下起雨来了" (rain started falling, with ongoing sense) or "下雨了" (it rained).

Alternative correct answer: 我和朋友一起走去学校的时候，突然下雨了。

Teaching note: 了 indicates completion or new situation; 起来 indicates the beginning of an action. They cannot be stacked together in standard Mandarin grammar. "下起雨来" is a fixed expression indicating rain began to fall.

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Question 5 (2 marks)

(a) A. 临时抱佛脚 (1 mark)

Explanation: This idiom means cramming at the last minute, praying for Buddha's help only when in trouble—perfectly describes Xiaoming who didn't study regularly.

(b) D. 妙笔生花 (1 mark)

Explanation: This idiom means brilliant writing/painting that makes flowers bloom—describes someone with exceptional artistic talent. "画龙点睛" (B) is about adding the crucial finishing touch, not general talent. "胸有成竹" (C) means having a well-thought-out plan.

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Question 6 (2 marks)

Correct order: ② → ③ → ① → ④

Marking: All correct = 2 marks; any error = 0 marks (no partial credit as sequence must be fully logical)

Logical flow analysis:

• ②: Sets up the situation (learning to ride, falling many times)
• ③: Father's encouragement despite difficulties (转折点 turning point)
• ①: Result of persistence (learned successfully)
• ④: Lesson/moral drawn from experience

Common mistake: Putting ④ before ① (conclusion before result) or starting with ① (beginning with conclusion).

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Question 7 (2 marks)

Answer: 不管 天气多么糟糕，我们都要按时上学。

Alternative: 无论……我们/大家……

Teaching note: "多么……都/也……" is a conditional pattern indicating "no matter how... still..." The first blank requires 不管/无论/不论 (all acceptable). The second blank requires a pronoun/noun + 都/也.

Marking: 1 mark for correct conjunction pair; 1 mark for correct sentence completion.

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Question 8 (2 marks)

Explanation (1 mark for distinction, 0.5 mark per example):

Aspect	安静	宁静
Primary meaning	no sound, no noise	peaceful, tranquil
Usage context	environments, people behaving	moods, atmospheres, natural scenes
Emotional quality	neutral (absence of noise)	positive (serene, composed)
Typical collocations	安静的地方、请安静、安静地看书	宁静的夜晚、心情宁静、宁静致远

安静 example (0.5 mark): 图书馆里很安静，大家都在认真地看书。

宁静 example (0.5 mark): 乡村的夜晚十分宁静，只听见虫鸣和风声。

Teaching note: 安静 emphasizes absence of sound; 宁静 emphasizes inner/outer peace and tranquility. 安静 can describe people (请安静); 宁静 is rarely used as a direct command to people.

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Question 9 (2 marks)

Answer:

Sentence 1: 这次比赛我们没有获得冠军。

Sentence 2: 但是我们都学到了团队合作的重要性。

Alternative acceptable version: 我们没有获得这次比赛的冠军。我们都学到了团队合作的重要性。

Teaching note: The original "虽然……但是……" is a complex sentence with a concessive relationship. Splitting requires:

1. Separating the two clauses at the conjunction boundary
2. Ensuring each simple sentence has complete subject-predicate structure
3. Removing the conjunction markers (虽然, 但是) or replacing with appropriate punctuation

Marking: 1 mark per grammatically correct simple sentence.

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Question 10 (2 marks)

Meaning (1 mark): Time is as precious as money; wasting time is like wasting money. It emphasizes that time has value and should be used efficiently.

Example (1 mark, must be concrete and realistic):

Sample answer: 小明每天放学后先完成作业，而不是先玩游戏。这样他既能保证学习质量，又有时间发展自己的兴趣爱好。如果他把时间浪费在手机上，作业就要拖到深夜，第二天上课也没有精神。

Teaching note: The saying originated from Benjamin Franklin's "Time is money" but has become naturalized in Chinese. Good answers connect time management to concrete consequences, not vague statements.

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Section B: Reading Comprehension (阅读理解) (28 marks)

Passage summary for marking reference: A first-person narrative about growing up with a mother's constant care, initially taking it for granted, even feeling embarrassed by mother's simplicity, then gradually awakening to maternal love through a rain incident, hospital scare, and eventual appreciation as an adult. Theme: filial piety, gratitude, not taking parents for granted.

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Question 11 (2 marks)

Answer: 妈妈总是在天还没亮的时候就起床，为我们准备早餐。

Marking:

• 1 mark for quoting correct sentence or substantially correct sentence
• 1 mark for identifying "天还没亮的时候" or equivalent time indicator

Teaching note: This is a direct information retrieval question. Students must locate the explicit statement in paragraph 1. Accept minor paraphrasing if time element is preserved (e.g., "清晨，天还没亮").

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Question 12 (3 marks)

Answer structure:

Reason (2 marks): The narrator felt embarrassed because her mother's bicycle was old and her clothes were plain/simple. She was concerned about what her classmates would think.

Evidence (1 mark): 从"我却常常因为她的自行车旧、衣服朴素而在同学面前感到不好意思"可以看出。

Sample complete answer: The narrator asked her mother not to pick her up because she felt embarrassed by her mother's appearance. The passage states that she often felt不好意思 (uncomfortable/embarrassed) in front of classmates because of her mother's old bicycle and plain clothes. She cared too much about what others thought and didn't appreciate her mother's efforts.

Marking breakdown:

• Identified embarrassment/shame: 1 mark
• Connected to mother's bicycle/clothing: 1 mark
• Quoted or paraphrased relevant evidence: 1 mark

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Question 13 (3 marks)

What happened (1.5 marks):

• It was raining heavily (倾盆大雨)
• The narrator waited long, all classmates were picked up
• She saw her mother riding the old bicycle艰难地 (with difficulty) toward her
• Mother was completely soaked (衣服全湿透了, 头发上还滴着雨水)
• Mother smiled and worried about narrator getting cold, not her own condition

What this shows (1.5 marks):

• Selfless love: mother thinks of child first, herself last
• Persistence/dedication: comes despite heavy rain, old bicycle, physical difficulty
• Forgiveness: mother had been told not to come, still came when needed
• Unconditional care: no resentment for previous rejection

Teaching note: This is a character analysis question requiring evidence-based inference. Look for specific details (smiled despite being soaked, "别感冒了" for child not self).

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Question 14 (3 marks)

Analysis of mother's psychological state:

Surface meaning (1 mark): The mother always tells the child not to worry about her, to focus on studies and health.

Deeper analysis (2 marks):

• Self-suppression of needs: The mother consistently puts her own emotional and physical needs secondary to her child's success and well-being
• Fear of being a burden: She doesn't want to distract her child from important school work
• Loneliness masked by encouragement: The repetition suggests a pattern of stoicism—she may actually miss her child and wish for more contact, but reframes this into "don't worry about me"
• Conditional love expressed as unconditional: Her love is given without requiring reciprocation or even attention

Key phrase for marking: "总是" (always) indicates this is a habitual pattern, not a one-time statement, suggesting deep-seated maternal self-sacrifice.

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Question 15 (4 marks)

Meaning explanation (2 marks):

• Motherly love is compared to air
• Air is invisible, taken for granted, constantly present without notice
• Only when air is absent (difficult to breathe) do we realize its necessity
• Similarly, the narrator only truly appreciated her mother's love when faced with potential loss (hospital scene)

How comparison helps understanding (2 marks):

• Makes abstract emotion (love) concrete and universal through everyday experience
• Creates emotional resonance: readers have all experienced breathing, can relate to "not noticing"
• Highlights the tragedy of人类 (human) tendency to overlook what's always present
• Sets up the narrative arc: from unconscious taking-for-granted → conscious appreciation → active gratitude

Literary technique note: This is an extended metaphor (明喻/暗喻). The comparison's power lies in its universality—every reader understands air, making the abstract concept of "unappreciated love" immediately accessible.

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Question 16 (4 marks)

What "来得及" refers to (2 marks):

• The narrator realized her mother's importance before her mother passed away/had serious health consequences
• She has time now (退休多年, 每个周末) to actively show love, say "我爱你", give hugs, spend time together
• Contrast with "来不及" situations where children regret not expressing love before parent's death

Why important to theme (2 marks):

• Creates hope rather than tragedy: story could have been "来不及的母爱" with regret, but is redemptive
• Emphasizes agency: the narrator chooses to change her behavior, showing that觉醒 (awakening) leads to action
• Universal message to readers: it's never too late to start appreciating parents
• "来得及" implies urgency masked as reassurance—encourages readers to act now, not assume they have unlimited time

Alternative interpretation (acceptable if well-argued): The title carries subtle tension—the word "来得及" itself acknowledges that it was close, that things could have gone differently, making the current gratitude more precious.

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Question 17 (4 marks)

Young attitude (1 mark): Embarrassed, taking mother's care for granted (理所当然), ashamed of mother's appearance, wanting to distance herself from mother (不要来接我了)

Current attitude (1 mark): Actively loving, expressing gratitude verbally ("我爱你"), physical affection (拥抱), spending quality time (每个周末都去看她), valuing every moment (珍惜每一分每一秒)

What caused the change (2 marks, need TWO specific causes):

Cause 1: The rainy day incident (1 mark)

• Mother's selfless appearance despite being told not to come
• Visual impact of mother soaked but smiling
• Emotional breakthrough: "眼泪忍不住流了下来"—first moment of recognizing love

Cause 2: The hospital scare (1 mark)

• Mortality awareness: hospital call made potential loss real
• Witnessing mother's physical vulnerability (瘦了很多, 头发白)
• Mother's words about "no regrets" except child's well-being—pure love revealed at life's vulnerable moment

Additional acceptable cause: Time and maturity (长大了, 离开家后思念), becoming a parent herself (带着孩子去看她—gaining perspective through own parenthood)

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Question 18 (5 marks)

Marking descriptors:

Score	Description
5	Two distinct, specific, actionable suggestions with clear explanations connecting to "before too late"; references passage; own experience or insight included
4	Two suggestions with explanations, but one may be vague or less well-connected to passage
3	Two suggestions but explanations thin, or only one well-developed suggestion
2	One suggestion with some explanation, or two very brief suggestions
1	Vague generalities about "being good" without specific actions
0	Irrelevant or no answer

Sample high-scoring answer:

第一，主动表达爱意。像文中作者后来学会的那样，我们应该直接对父母说"我爱你"和"谢谢"。很多时候我们以为父母知道我们的感情，但实际上语言确认很重要。我每周会给妈妈写一张小纸条，告诉她我感激她的事情。

第二，创造共同回忆的时光。陪伴是最实际的爱。文中作者现在每周带孩子去看母亲。我们可以安排固定的"家庭时间"，比如一起做饭或散步，而不是只在自己的房间玩手机。这样父母能感受到被重视，我们也不会在未来后悔没有共度时光。

Teaching note for students: Good answers move beyond generic filial actions (help with housework, get good grades) to specific, personalizable practices that demonstrate understanding of the passage's deeper theme—expression and presence before loss.

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Section C: Classical Chinese and Literary Appreciation (古文与文学欣赏) (12 marks)

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Question 19 (6 marks)

(a) Translation (2 marks)

Translation: 学习了知识然后按时温习它，不也是很愉快的吗？

Marking breakdown:

• 学而时习之: "学习然后按时复习/温习" — 1 mark (must capture "学"=study/learn, "时"=on time/regularly, "习"=review/practice)
• 不亦说乎: "不也是很高兴/愉快的吗" — 1 mark (must capture rhetorical question format and "说"=悦=pleased)

Teaching note: "时" is crucial—does not mean "sometimes" but "at appropriate times, regularly." "说" is ancient variant of 悦 (yuè), meaning pleased/happy, not shuō.

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(b) Meaning and character analysis (2 marks)

Meaning of "人不知而不愠" (1 mark): Others do not understand/know me, yet I am not angry or resentful.

"君子" analysis (1 mark):

• A true gentleman/junzi maintains inner composure and moral integrity regardless of external recognition
• Does not depend on others' validation for self-worth
• Demonstrates forbearance (忍) and self-cultivation rather than reactive emotion

Teaching note: This defines Confucian 君子 not by status but by moral character—specifically emotional self-regulation and independence from external judgment.

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(c) Modern relevance with example (2 marks)

Choice (0.5 mark): Must identify one of the three sentences clearly.

Explanation (1.5 marks): Must include:

• Why relevant to students today
• Concrete personal or observed example

Sample high-scoring answer:

我选择"学而时习之，不亦说乎？"这句话。作为学生，我们每天学习新知识，但如果只是上课听讲而不复习，很快就会忘记。通过定期复习，知识才能真正成为自己的。例如，我每天早上花十五分钟复习前一天的数学公式和语文词语，周末再做总结。这样考试时我不需要临时抱佛脚，平时学习也变得更有成就感，确实感到"说"（愉快）。

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Question 20 (6 marks)

(a) "意恐迟迟归" meaning and emotion (2 marks)

Meaning (1 mark): (The mother) worries/fears that (her child) will return late/delay her return. She sews tightly before departure because she is afraid the travel will be prolonged and the clothes won't last.

Emotion (1 mark):

• Deep anxiety/concern for child's well-being away from home
• Reluctance to part mixed with practical care
• Mother's love expressed through physical labor (sewing), transferring care into tangible object

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(b) Metaphor analysis (2 marks)

Identification (1 mark):

• 寸草心 = the heart of small grass = child's gratitude/repayment ability (small, limited)
• 三春晖 = the sunshine of three springs = mother's love (vast, warm, life-giving, sustained)

Expression (1 mark): The poet expresses that:

• Child's repayment ability is tiny and inadequate compared to mother's immense love
• Self-aware humility—acknowledging the impossibility of full repayment
• Gratitude tinged with guilt/regret for insufficient return
• Eternal truth about parent-child asymmetry in love given vs. love returned

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(c) Thematic connection (2 marks)

Similarity identified (1 mark): Both texts portray motherly love as:

• Selfless and giving without expectation of repayment
• Expressed through ordinary, physical actions (sewing clothes / cooking breakfast, riding bicycle)
• Underappreciated by children until later reflection

Evidence connection (1 mark):

• Poem: mother sews tightly, fears late return, child recognizes inadequacy of repayment (寸草心 vs 三春晖)
• Passage: mother rises early, rides in rain, suppresses own needs; narrator finally sees this and wants to "用余生来回报"

Deeper analysis (bonus point in borderline cases): Both use the device of retrospective realization—the adult speaker looking back to understand what they couldn't appreciate as children. This structurally reinforces the theme: maturation enables true comprehension of maternal love.

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Marking Summary

Section	Marks	Questions
A	20	1–10
B	28	11–18
C	12	19–20
Total	60

Duration check: 50 minutes

• Section A: 15 minutes (10 questions, ~1.5 min each)
• Section B: 25 minutes (passage reading + 8 questions, needs careful analysis)
• Section C: 10 minutes (classical/literary, shorter texts but dense)

Time buffer: Built into estimates; stronger students may finish with 5 minutes review.