Are you preparing for the HSK 7-9 exams and feeling overwhelmed by the challenging reading sections? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Reading is one of the most demanding skills at this level, but with the right strategies, you can turn it into one of your strengths. Here are some practical strategies to help you quickly understand key points and excel in reading advanced Chinese texts for the HSK 7-9 exams.
Why Reading Matters in HSK 7-9
The HSK 7-9 exams assess advanced language proficiency, and reading plays a pivotal role. These levels require you to analyze complex grammar, decode nuanced vocabulary, and navigate lengthy texts—all under strict time constraints.
Common challenges include:
- Managing time effectively for dense reading passages.
- Understanding advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.
- Distinguishing main ideas from supporting details.
Mastering the reading component is crucial not just for the exam but for achieving real-world fluency in Chinese.
Efficient Reading Strategies
1. Skimming & Scanning
When faced with dense passages, avoid reading every word. Instead:
- Skim: Quickly read the text to grasp the main idea, focusing on the first and last sentences of paragraphs.
- Scan: Search for specific keywords or phrases related to the questions, such as names or numbers.
Example:
wèn tí： “zuìjìn quánqiú qìhòu biànnuǎn de zhǔyào yuányīn shì shénme?”
问题：“最近全球气候变暖的主要原因是什么？”
Question: “What is the main cause of recent global warming?”
- Skim the text for sections mentioning yuányīn (原因, causes).
- Scan for keywords like qìhòu biànnuǎn (气候变暖, global warming).
This lets you pinpoint the relevant section without reading unrelated details.
2. Focus on Key Information in Questions
Questions often guide you toward the information you need.
- Highlight key terms in the question, such as names, dates, or specific concepts.
- Use these “anchors” to locate relevant parts of the passage.
Example:
wèn tí： “Lǐ jiàoshòu zài 2020 nián jiànyì de chéngshì guīhuà shì shénme?”
问题：“李教授在2020年建议的城市规划是什么？”
Question: “What urban planning suggestions did Professor Li make in 2020?”
Focus on Lǐ jiàoshòu (李教授, Professor Li) and 2020 nián (2020). These keywords anchor your search within the text, saving time and reducing unnecessary reading.
3. Using Context Clues
When encountering unfamiliar words:
- Look at the surrounding text for hints about the meaning.
- Pay attention to tone, synonyms, or antonyms.
Example:
Zhè piàn tǔdì yóuyú gānhàn biàn de huāngwú, jīhū méiyǒu zhíwù cún huó.
这片土地由于干旱变得荒芜，几乎没有植物存活。
This land became barren due to drought, with almost no plants surviving.
Even if you don’t know huāngwú (荒芜, barren), the context of gānhàn (干旱, drought) and méiyǒu zhíwù cún huó (没有植物存活, no plants surviving) provides enough clues to infer its meaning.
4. Breaking Down Sentences
Chinese sentences can be long and intricate, especially in academic texts. Simplify by:
- Identifying the main subject, verb, and object.
- Breaking the sentence into smaller, digestible parts.
Example:
Jìnnián lái, suízhe quánqiú qìhòu biànhuà jiājù, jíduān tiānqì xiànxiàng de pínlǜ hé qiángdù jūn yǒu suǒ zēngjiā, duì rénlèi shēnghuó hé shēngtài xìtǒng zàochéngle yánzhòng yǐngxiǎng.
近年来，随着全球气候变化加剧，极端天气现象的频率和强度均有所增加，对人类生活和生态系统造成了严重影响。
In recent years, as global climate change intensifies, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased, causing severe impacts on human life and ecosystems.
Break it down:
- Subject: Jìnnián lái (近年来, In recent years).
- Main action: Jíduān tiānqì xiànxiàng… zēngjiā (极端天气现象…增加, extreme weather events have increased).
- Result: Zàochéng yánzhòng yǐngxiǎng (造成严重影响, caused severe impacts).
This approach simplifies understanding without losing meaning.
5. Question-First Approach
Before reading the passage, review the questions to know what to focus on.
- Pay attention to specific information requested in the questions.
- Use these as guides to find relevant text sections quickly.
Example:
wèn tí：”zuòzhě zěnyàng kàn dài kě zàishēng néngyuán?”
问题：“作者怎样看待可再生能源？”
Question: “What is the author’s view on renewable energy?”
Focus on mentions of kě zàishēng néngyuán (可再生能源, renewable energy) and sentences indicating the author’s opinion (e.g., Zuòzhě rènwéi… 作者认为…, The author believes…).
6. Time Allocation
Don’t spend too long on one difficult section.
- Answer easier questions first to secure points.
- Mark harder questions to revisit later if time allows.
By securing easier points, you avoid running out of time while struggling with harder sections.
Mastering the reading section in HSK 7-9 requires a combination of effective strategies, consistent practice, and the right resources. By skimming, focusing on question-provided details, and using context clues, you can approach complex texts with confidence.
To make your preparation even more effective, try eChineseLearning’s personalized lessons. Our one-on-one sessions focus on your unique challenges, whether it’s building advanced vocabulary, understanding complex grammar, or honing test-taking skills. Start your journey to HSK success today with a free trial class! Let’s make advanced Chinese reading your strength and unlock new opportunities together.
