Introduction to the Short Writing Task

Welcome! In this section of your Paper 4 (Writing) exam, you will tackle Question 2. This task asks you to write a short passage based on four bullet points. It is designed to test your ability to communicate simple information clearly in Chinese. While it might seem intimidating to write in characters, this task is actually a fantastic opportunity to pick up 16 marks with just about 30 characters. That is roughly 7 or 8 characters per bullet point!

What is the Task?

The exam paper will give you a brief context (in English) and four bullet points (also in English). You must write a response in Chinese that covers all four points.

The Basics:

  • Target Length: Approximately 30 characters.
  • Total Marks: 16 marks.
  • Weighting: 10 marks for Content and 6 marks for Quality of Language.
  • Tier: This task appears on the Foundation Tier paper.

How You Are Marked

Understanding how the examiner marks your work helps you focus on what matters most:

1. Content (10 Marks): The examiner looks for whether you have addressed all four bullet points. If you miss a bullet point, you lose marks. Even if your Chinese isn't perfect, as long as the meaning is clear, you can score well here!

2. Quality of Language (6 Marks): This is about your grammar, character accuracy, and how well you use different structures. Note: If you get 0 for Content, you automatically get 0 for Quality of Language, so always make sure you answer the prompts!

Step-by-Step Strategy

Don't worry if you find writing characters difficult; follow these steps to stay on track:

Step 1: Decode the Bullets

Read the four bullet points carefully. Identify what Theme they belong to (e.g., Family, Free Time, or School). This helps you "unlock" the vocabulary you need.

Step 2: Plan Your Points

For each bullet point, think of one simple sentence. You do not need to write complex stories. For example, if the bullet says "Your favorite hobby," simply write "I like swimming" (我喜欢游泳 - 5 characters).

Step 3: Keep it Simple and Accurate

It is better to write a simple sentence correctly than a complicated one with many mistakes. Stick to high-frequency words that you know how to write perfectly.

Step 4: Check Your Character Count

While the exam says "approximately 30 characters," this is a guide, not a strict limit. If you write 25 or 40, you won't be penalised, but 30 is the "sweet spot" for covering the content without making too many errors.

Essential Language Tools

To succeed in this task, you should have these "building blocks" ready to use:

Key Verbs:

  • 是 (shì): To be (am/is/are)
  • 有 (yǒu): To have / there is
  • 喜欢 (xǐ huan): To like
  • 去 (qù): To go
  • 吃/喝 (chī/hē): To eat/drink

Simple Connectives:

  • 和 (hé): and (joins nouns)
  • 因为...所以... (yīn wèi... suǒ yǐ...): Because... therefore...
  • 但是 (dàn shì): But

Time Phrases:

  • 昨天 (zuó tiān): Yesterday
  • 明天 (míng tiān): Tomorrow
  • 现在 (xiàn zài): Now

Example Task and Model Answer

The Context: You are writing to a Chinese friend about your school life.

The Bullet Points:

  • What subjects you study
  • Your favorite teacher
  • What you did at school yesterday
  • Your plans for next year

Model Answer (~32 characters):
我学习中文和美术。我最喜欢数学老师。昨天我去了运动场。明年我打算去中国。
(I study Chinese and Art. I like the maths teacher most. Yesterday I went to the sports field. Next year I plan to go to China.)

Why this works: It hits all four bullets, uses a mix of time frames (past/future), and stays close to the character target.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Missing a bullet point: This is the easiest way to lose marks. Check them off as you write!

2. Over-complicating: You don't get extra marks for writing 100 characters. In fact, writing too much increases the chance of making "major errors" (errors that make it hard for the examiner to understand you).

3. Forgetting the 'Time Frame': If a bullet point asks what you did (past) or what you want to do (future), make sure you use words like 了 (le) for completed actions or 想 (xiǎng) / 打算 (dǎ suàn) for future plans.

Quick Review: Top Tips

  • Aim for 7-8 characters per bullet point.
  • Address all four points clearly.
  • Prioritize accuracy over complexity.
  • Use 'I like' (我喜欢) or 'I have' (我有) if you get stuck—they are very versatile!

Note: For longer writing tasks, such as the 75-character or 125-character questions, please refer to the specific chapters on Structured and Open-ended writing.