These seven original questions practise the skills in the literary response lessons. They start with naming an image and end with a theme answer.
Write each answer by hand before opening the sample. You can set up a timed session with the timed original practice session builder.
Questions
1. Name the image
雨停了，屋檐还在一滴一滴地落水。母亲坐在门口，手里的毛衣织了一半。
What are two images, and what is their effect?
Answer
Two images: 屋檐落水 and 织了一半的毛衣. The first creates a slow, quiet pace. The second suggests waiting, since the work is unfinished. Together they create a patient, waiting mood.
2. State the tone
黄昏的街上，小贩一家一家收了摊，只剩我一个人抱着书包慢慢走。
What is the tone? Quote one detail.
Answer
Tone: 孤单. “只剩我一个人” shows he is alone while others go home. “慢慢走” suggests he has nowhere urgent to go.
3. Explain a verb
爷爷把钥匙攥在手心里，迟迟没有交给我。
What does “攥” show?
Answer
“攥” means gripping tightly. It shows that 爷爷 is reluctant to let go of the key, which suggests the key matters to him. A plain word like 拿 would not show this.
4. Contrast word
她笑着说没事，眼睛却红了。
What does “却” do?
Answer
“却” sets the words against the eyes. She says she is fine, but her eyes show sadness. The contrast reveals that she is hiding her feelings.
5. Sentence length
门开了。没有人。桌上的茶还是热的。
Why are the sentences short?
Answer
The short sentences slow the pace and leave a pause after each one. They create tension and mystery, especially the last detail that the tea is still hot, which implies that someone just left.
6. Theme or plot?
Decide whether this is a theme or a plot sentence: 阿珍把捡到的钱包交给了老师。Then rewrite it as a theme.
Answer
Plot. Theme version: 这件事表现了诚实比金钱更重要。阿珍捡到钱包后没有占为己有，而是交给老师，说明她重视诚信。
7. Write a theme answer
Story in brief: 弟弟每天偷偷把哥哥的球鞋擦干净，哥哥一直不知道。比赛那天，哥哥穿着干净的球鞋赢了球，回家后发现鞋带里夹着一张纸条，写着“加油”。
State the theme and support it with two events.
Answer
Theme: 无声的关心最动人。Support: 弟弟每天偷偷擦鞋，不求哥哥知道，说明他默默付出。纸条上的“加油”在比赛后才被发现，表现了他含蓄的鼓励。
If you got these wrong
- Questions 1 and 2: explaining imagery and tone with evidence.
- Questions 3 to 5: relating language choices to meaning.
- Questions 6 and 7: distinguishing theme from plot summary.
To confirm which texts apply to you, read checking prescribed texts and current assessment requirements. Log errors with the mistake log and paper-error review, or ask about online one-to-one Chinese tuition.