2025 HKDSE 中國語文 Practice Paper | DSE Mock

Explain the meaning of the bolded word in the following sentence: 君子**病**無能焉，不病人之不己知也。 (《論仁、論孝、論君子》)

Explain the meaning of the bolded word in the following sentence: 餘嘉其能行古道，作《師說》以**貽**之。 (《師說》)

Explain the meaning of the bolded word in the following sentence: 思**厥**先祖父，暴霜露，斬荊棘，以有尺寸之地。 (《六國論》)

Explain the meaning of the bolded word in the following sentence: 隨意春芳**歇**，王孫自可留。 (《山居秋暝》)

According to "On Benevolence, On Filial Piety, and On the Gentleman", which of the following statements about the relationship between "Gentleman" (君子) and "Benevolence" (仁) are correct?

(1) Benevolence is the fundamental defining characteristic of a gentleman's reputation.
(2) A gentleman only manifests benevolence during moments of crisis and hardship.
(3) A gentleman strictly adheres to benevolence at all times, never departing from it even for a moment.
(4) Practicing benevolence is a goal set by a gentleman solely to surpass the mean man (小人).

In "Shan Ju Qiu Ming" (山居秋暝), the lines "Bright moon shines between the pines, clear spring flows over the rocks" (明月松間照，清泉石上流) are highly acclaimed. Which of the following descriptions of these two lines is/are correct?

(1) "Bright moon shines between the pines" independently employs the contrast between movement and stillness.
(2) The two lines form a neat parallel couplet (antithesis).
(3) By depicting a quiet and fresh autumn scene, the poet expresses his noble and pure personal aspirations.
(4) The poet uses the rushing sound of the clear spring to contrast and highlight the noisiness of the forest.

In "Liu Guo Lun" (六國論), Su Xun quotes an ancient saying: "Serving Qin with land is like embracing firewood to put out a fire; as long as the firewood is not exhausted, the fire will not go out." (以地事秦，猶抱薪救火，薪不盡，火不滅。) Which of the following best explains the rhetorical effect and purpose of quoting this sentence?

According to "On the Gentleman", how does Confucius think a gentleman should handle the relationship between "speech" (言) and "action" (行)? Explain with reference to the original text.

In "On Benevolence", Confucius points out that "Those who are not benevolent cannot long endure adversity, nor can they long enjoy prosperity" (「不仁者不可以久處約，不可以長處樂」). Explain this statement from both the aspects of "adversity" (約) and "prosperity" (樂).

In Wang Wei's "Shan Ju Qiu Ming", the couplet "The bright moon shines through the pines; the clear spring flows over the stones" (「明月松間照，清泉石上流」) is highly acclaimed. How does this couplet reflect the poet's personal character? Explain with reference to the specific imagery in the poem.

In "Liu Guo Lun", Su Xun uses the analogy "serving Qin with territory is like using firewood to put out a fire; as long as the firewood is not exhausted, the fire will not go out" (「以地事秦，猶抱薪救火，薪不盡，火不滅」). Explain how this analogy illustrates the consequences of bribing Qin, and analyze its rhetorical effect.

In the first paragraph of an unseen modern prose, the author compares "the moldy smell of old wooden pillars" to "a silent historical whisper". What does this comparison imply?

In a modern essay, the author describes "the suffocating dense fog" at the start of a mountain climb and later writes about "the vast, radiant sea of clouds under the sun" at the summit. What emotional transformation does this shift in scenery represent?

In the sentence "The old banyan tree stood there like an elderly guardian who had witnessed all the joys and sorrows of the village, silent but firm", which of the following correctly analyzes the rhetorical device and its effect?

In the classical fable "Zhao Ren Reared Cats" (趙人患鼠), the father insists on keeping the rat-catching cat despite it eating all his chickens. What is his primary reason?

In the classical sentence "盍去諸" (hé qù zhū) from the text, what is the meaning and grammatical function of the word "盍"?

In the sentence "是非子之所知也" (shì fēi zǐ zhī suǒ zhī yě) from the classical passage, what does the word "是" mean?

In modern essays, authors sometimes write a single-sentence transitional paragraph such as: "However, is the value of cultural heritage truly measured only by its economic returns?" What is the main structural function of this paragraph?

In a modern prose passage, the author describes a river that "flows silently under the frozen winter ice, still moving forward despite the heavy constraints." What does this image of the "under-ice river" symbolize?

In the classical sentence "不亦傷於無雞乎？" (bù yì shāng yú wú jī hū), which of the following correctly describes the tone and structure?

In the unseen passage, the author describes the state of "forgetting words when hearing the pines" (聽松忘言) in the quiet mountain. How does this spiritual state compare with Wang Wei's sentiment expressed in the couplet "竹喧歸浣女，蓮動下漁舟" (Bamboo rustles as washing girls return, lotuses move as fishing boats descend) from "Shan Ju Qiu Ming" (山居秋暝)? Explain briefly.

In the unseen passage, the master craftsman insists on carving jade daily without fail, saying: "Though the daily change is invisible, a decade of persistence turns a pebble into a sacred vessel." Which ideas of accumulation (積) and perseverance (舍/不舍) from Xunzi's "Quan Xue" (勸學) does this statement align with? Elucidate.

In the unseen historical text, the Duke of Qi argues: "To pacify the enemy by surrendering border towns is like pouring oil on a fire to extinguish it." In "Liu Guo Lun" (六國論), Su Xun writes: "Serving Qin with land is like holding firewood to put out a fire." Compare the persuasive power of these two metaphors.

In the unseen modern essay, the author describes "the scattered, broken shadows of dead leaves in the courtyard" to express the grief of bereavement. In "Sheng Sheng Man" (聲聲慢‧秋情), Li Qingzhao writes "滿地黃花堆積，憔悴損，如今有誰堪摘" (Yellow flowers are piled up on the ground, withered and ruined, who is there to pluck them now?). Contrast how the two writers use plant imagery to convey internal grief.

In the unseen classical biography, the loyal official Lin refuses to associate with corrupt courtiers, warning the Emperor: "If your Majesty values sweet words over harsh truths, the state will rot from within." How does this advice echo Zhuge Liang's admonition to "親賢臣，遠小人" (be close to virtuous ministers and distant from vile people) in "Chu Shi Biao" (出師表)? Explain based on both texts.

In the unseen classical narrative, a starving traveler refuses soup from a wealthy man who mocks him, choosing to die of hunger instead. How does the traveler's choice illustrate Mencius's concept of "捨生取義" (sacrificing life for righteousness) and "本心" (the original heart) in "Yu Wo Suo Yu Ye" (魚我所欲也)?

In the unseen text, a highly renowned scholar bows to a young shepherd to learn how to navigate the mountains safely. Explain how the scholar's behavior directly reflects Han Yu's standard for choosing a teacher in "Shi Shuo" (師說): "無貴無賤，無長無少，道之所存，師之所存也" (No matter status or age, where the Truth lies, there the teacher is).

In the unseen classical travelogue, the author clambered up a lonely, untrodden cliff and felt that "all my past honors and political disgrace dissolved into the vast wind." Compare this spiritual release with Liu Zongyuan's feeling of "心凝形釋，與萬化冥合" (the mind became frozen, the physical form dissolved, blending into the boundless universe) in "Shi De Xi Shan Yan You Ji" (始得西山宴遊記).

In the passage, the author compares the artistic technique of 'leaving blank spaces' (留白) in traditional Chinese painting with the rhythm of modern life. Based on the passage, analyze how the author uses this artistic concept to critique the lifestyle of modern people, and explain the deeper reflection this comparison aims to evoke. (4 marks)

In the classical passage, the villagers view the 'crooked tree' as useless, whereas Master Zhao utilizes its natural curvature to support an uneven thatched cottage. Based on their dialogue, analyze the differences in their perspectives on 'usefulness' and evaluate how Master Zhao's approach demonstrates the philosophical wisdom of 'adapting to nature' (因任自然). (4 marks)

Scenario: You are Li Si-nga, President of the Student Union of Heung Kong Secondary School. The school is organizing a 'Healthy Campus Life Week,' and you are invited to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony to promote well-being to all teachers and students. Read the following materials and complete the writing task. Material 1 (Survey Report): 80% of students sleep less than 7 hours a day; 65% feel heavy academic pressure; over half lack channels to release stress. Material 2 (Proposed Activities): 'Mindful Reading Room' (quiet space with inspirational books to relax) and 'Teacher-Student Sports Day' (fun sports competitions to release stress). Material 3 (Guidance Counselor Mr. Cheung's Suggestion): One-off activities are insufficient; a daily 'Sustainable Well-being Initiative' is needed. Requirements: 1. Analyze students' health issues based on Materials 1 & 2, explaining how the two activities address these issues. (Integration & Extension) 2. Propose a sustainable, long-term 'Well-being Initiative' for daily school life and argue how it promotes long-term well-being. (Personal Insights & Argumentation) 3. Write around 500-800 words in the format of a speech.

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On the canvas of life, some strive to fill every inch of blank space, pursuing fulfillment and perfection; others intentionally leave vast margins, pursuing harmony and tranquility. Write an essay titled 'Leaving Space Blank and Filling It Up' to discuss your views and experiences of these two attitudes towards life. (Minimum 650 words, including punctuation.)