Literary and authentic extracts (contemporary and historical)

Introduction to Literary and Authentic Extracts

Welcome to the world of Chinese reading! In your Paper 3 (Reading) exam, you won't just see advertisements and posters; you will also encounter literary and authentic extracts. This sounds fancy, but "literary" simply means stories or poems, and "authentic" means real-world texts like blogs, letters, or news articles. These extracts can be contemporary (modern) or historical (from the past).

The goal is to show that you can understand the overall message, pick out specific details, and even "read between the lines" to find opinions. Don't worry if this sounds a bit difficult—this guide will break down exactly how to handle these texts with confidence!

1. What Kinds of Texts Will You See?

The exam uses a mix of sources that have been adapted and abridged (shortened and simplified) to match your level. You will find texts related to the three main themes: Identity and culture, Local and global interests, and Study and employment.

Contemporary Extracts (Modern Day)

These reflect modern life in Chinese-speaking communities. Examples include:
• Blogs or social media posts: Someone talking about their hobbies or a festival.
• Letters or emails: Friends discussing their school life or future plans.
• Magazine articles: Short pieces about environmental issues or technology.

Historical Extracts (The Past)

These might be adapted from older stories or traditional tales. They often focus on:
• Customs and Festivals: The history behind Chinese New Year or the Mid-Autumn Festival.
• Traditional Narratives: Simple stories that teach a lesson or describe life in old China.

2. Key Skills for Success

When you are faced with a longer piece of Chinese text, follow these steps to stay calm and find the answers:

A. Scan for the "Big Picture"

Before reading every single character, scan the text. Look for keywords that tell you which Theme the text belongs to.
• If you see 学校 (xuéxiào - school) or 老师 (lǎoshī - teacher), it’s about Theme 3 (Study).
• If you see 春节 (chūnjié - Spring Festival) or 饺子 (jiǎozi - dumplings), it’s about Theme 1 (Customs).

B. Identify Opinions

Questions often ask what a person thinks. Look for "opinion markers" like:
• 觉得 (juéde): to feel/think
• 认为 (rènwéi): to believe/opine
• 比较 (bǐjiào): relatively (often used to compare things)
• 最 (zuì): the most (shows a strong preference)

C. Follow the Timeline

Literary texts often tell a story that moves through time. Look for grammar markers to see if something already happened or will happen:
• Past/Completed: Look for 了 (le) or 过 (guò).
• Present/Ongoing: Look for 在 (zài) or 正在 (zhèngzài).
• Future/Intentions: Look for 要 (yào), 想 (xiǎng), or 打算 (dǎsuàn).

3. Handling Unfamiliar Language

Even the best students will see characters they don't recognise! The exam is designed to test if you can deduce meaning.
• Use Radicals: If you see the "water" radical 氵 on the left of an unknown character, it probably relates to liquid or the sea.
• Check the English: In Section A, the questions are in English. They often provide massive clues about what the Chinese text is saying!
• Context: If the sentence says "I went to the [unknown word] to buy bread," you can guess the unknown word is a shop or bakery.

4. Structure of the Exam Questions

For these extracts in Section A of Paper 3:
• Language: Questions are in English.
• Answers: You must answer in English or non-verbally (like ticking a box or writing a letter).
• Marks: You get marks for showing you understood the key points and details. Don't worry about perfect English grammar in your answers—just make sure your meaning is clear!

Quick Tip: The Power of Connectives

Literary texts use connectives to link ideas. Spotting these can help you understand the logic of the story:
• 虽然…但是… (suīrán… dànshì…): Although… but… (shows a contrast).
• 因为…所以… (yīnwèi… suǒyǐ…): Because… therefore… (shows cause and effect).
• 不但…而且… (búdàn… érqiě…): Not only… but also… (adds more information).

5. Summary Checklist

When practicing with literary and authentic extracts, ask yourself:
1. Who is the main character or narrator?
2. What is the main event or topic?
3. When is it happening (past, present, or future)?
4. Why is the person writing this (to share an opinion, tell a story, or give information)?

Key Takeaway: You don't need to know every single character to succeed. Focus on the characters you DO know, use the English questions as a map, and look for "opinion" and "time" words to piece the story together!

Note: For more practice on translating shorter sentences, see the "Section B: Translation from Chinese into English" chapter. For tips on finding specific facts quickly, check the "Scanning, organising and presenting relevant details" chapter.