Today we are pleased to present a regular fill-in-the-blank test designed for students preparing to take the Beginner HSK. The grammar points tested here are considered foundational to learning proper mandarin. Consequently, you will find these questions on both the new and older versions of the HSK test.As always, basic subscribers are encouraged to download these tests as part of our regular lesson PDF. If you are a premium subscriber, in addition to taking these tests online, you can review questions you've answered incorrectly by visiting our test review page. This is an effective way to reinforce your weak points. As you work through our archive in preparation for taking the exam, we encourage you to incorporate a weekly review into your routine. It only takes a few moments but will keep you from forgetting key points.
toneandcolor
said on March 17, 2010
Could we have some more examples of the grammar pattern below? 即使麦当劳再好吃，我就不喜欢。
ckw4y
said on March 17, 2010
Good test, I've gone back and reviewed 地 and 着 and am much clearer on them now.
Gail天堂的声音
said on March 17, 2010
@toneandcolor,
actually the sentence structure is 即使……也……
here are some examples:
即使下雨，我也要出去。
I will go out even if it rains.
即使在沙漠里，这种植物也能生长。
This kind of plant can grow even if it's in the desert.
即使你不高兴，我也要告诉你。
I will tell you even if you don't feel good about it.
即使他不在这儿，你也不应该说他的坏话。
You should not talk behind his back even if he's not here.
I hope this helps.
toneandcolor
said on March 17, 2010
@Gail
原来是“也”...怪不得我不太清楚。我以为答案是“就”。谢谢你的解释！
Tristan
said on April 4, 2010
Can anyone explain why 他们高兴得出去玩了一天 isn't possible for question 1? I thought "They were so happy that they went out for a whole day" was about as plausible an answer as "They happily went out for a whole day".
Is it just that 他们高兴地出去玩了一天 is a more natural answer or am I missing something grammatically?
Thanks.
paglino9
said on April 5, 2010
@Tristanchin
One trick to distinguish 地 from 得 is that 地 is placed after an adjective and before a verb. 得 however is placed after a verb and before an adjective.
One other note is that 地 has to follow a 2 syllable adjective. 慢地说 won't work. It has to be 慢慢地说.
Good Luck in your studies!
barrister
said on April 5, 2010
I'd assume tristanchin knows what you're pointing out paglino9. He's asking a more difficult question. If you search Google you'll find plenty of uses of 高兴得 where the 得 leads into indicates the result of being happy. Why is it considered inappropriate in that specific question? Echo? Gail?
paglino9
said on April 5, 2010
@Tristanchin, Barrister
Well I wouldn't assume anything. Since it is a national holiday in China, Gail and Echo are enjoying their day off. Since I don't have any paper money to burn for dead relatives I thought I would provide a speedy reply.
In this instance 他们高兴地出去玩了一天, the adverbial modifier 高兴 is placing emphasis on the verb 出去.
However some lazy youngsters will sometimes use 得 to modify verbs in text messages since it shares the same pronunciation with 地.
Yes, from a google search you will find that 得 will place emphasis on mood or sentiment. But the internet is not always 100% accurate.
Using 地 after an adjective, and before a verb is right grammar, and the best option when taking a test with a short time limit.
Gail and Echo are welcome to add to what I've said, but in a simple sentence like this it is best to not over think things.
Tristan
said on April 5, 2010
@paglin09, barrister,
Thanks for the responses guys.
paglin09, I get why 他们高兴地出去玩了一天 is an accurate sentence. I'm really asking why it's not possible to use 得 to make a sentence of the type
subject + verb/adverbial verb + 得 + verb
..subject is so ....... that they ........
for example:
她高兴得说不出话来了
She was so happy that she couldn't speak
他冷得发抖了
He was so cold that he was shivering
I agree that on the HSK it'd probably be better not to over-complicate things, I'm just curious why 他们高兴得出去玩了一天 isn't an appropriate answer here.
Echo
said on April 5, 2010
@tristanchin,得1. It can be used after a verb or an adjective to indicate the degree of something. The basic formula should be a verb/an adjective + 得 + compliment(which indicates the degree).Like your sample sentences: 她高兴得说不出话来了She was so happy that she couldn't speak他冷得发抖了He was so cold that he was shivering 2. 得 can be used after a verb to indicate the result of the action. Like 我记得这个人。(I remember this guy.) 我懂得你的意思。(I understand what you mean)3. 得 can be used in between a verb and its compliment to indicate the possibility. Such as 我吃得了(I 'm able to eat). 你看得清楚吗？（Are you able to see it clearly)地地 is used after the adverbial adjunct. Such as 慢慢地走(walk slowly), 开心地说（say happily), 合理地安排(arrange properly)."出去玩了一天" is not the degree of an action, so we can't use "高兴得".--Echoecho@popupchinese.com
Tristan
said on April 7, 2010
@Echo, Thanks, I think I kind of get it now. It's tricky though! In English you could say "They were so happy that they went out for the whole day" to show the degree. It would be a slightly unusual sentence but you could say it. Anyway, thanks for your help. Tristan
