You know the Chinese usually communicate in an indirect style and they really care about “guanxi”–relationship among them. So how do you soften your statements and make them more euphemistic?
1. A: Usain Bolt is really a fast runner! Lydia, nǐ zhīdào tā mɑ?
B: Zhīdào yì diǎnr. Tā hěn lìhai!
Which of the following can be inferred from the dialogue? Please choose the best answer.
A. Lydia knows Usain Bolt very well.
B. Lydia knows nothing about Usain Bolt.
C. Lydia knows a little bit about Usain Bolt.
2. A: Joanna, xià ɡe yuè wǒ yào qù Xībānyá, wǒ xiǎnɡ xiān xué diǎnr Xībānyáyǔ.
B: En, Lisa, Xībānyáyǔ bù nán, nǐ huì hěn kuài xué huì de.
Which of the following statements is true according to the dialogue? Please choose the best answer.
A. Lisa de Xībānyáyǔ hěn hǎo.
B. Lisa bú huì Xībānyáyǔ.
C. Lisa xué le Xībānyáyǔ.
3. A: Jane, zǎoshɑnɡ hǎo.
B: Candy, nǐ hái hǎo bɑ? Qù mǎi diǎnr yào bɑ?
Which of the following can be inferred from the dialogue? Please choose the best answer.
A. Jane strongly recommends Candy to buy some medicine.
B. Jane advises that Candy buy some medicine.
C. Jane demands Candy to buy some medicine at once.
4. A: Wánɡ Yīnɡ, wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐnɡ bɑ!
B: Hǎo de, Lǐ Lán. Nǐ è bu è? Wǒmen xiān qù chī diǎnr dōnɡxi bɑ.
Which of the following statements is true according to the dialogue? Please choose the best answer.
A. Wang Ying doesn’t want to go see a movie at all.
B. Wang Ying wants Li Lan to watch the movie right now.
C. Wang Ying suggests to eat something first.
5. A: Lisa, today is my treat! Nǐ xiǎnɡ hē shénme?
B: Mary, wǒ xiǎnɡ hē diǎnr hónɡjiǔ.
A: Méi wèntí!
Which of the following statements is true according to the dialogue? Please choose the best answer.
A. Lisa asks for some wine.
B. Lisa doesn’t want any wine.
C. Mary doesn’t allow Lisa to drink any wine.