A bank of words is printed at the top, labelled A to F, and each sentence below has a gap marked （ ）. You choose the word that completes each sentence.
The part tests usage rather than meaning alone: a measure word, a verb that takes the object in the sentence, an adverb in the right position. The words in the bank are of different kinds, so working out which kind of word the gap needs narrows it down quickly.
The instruction on the paper
选词填空。
Choose the word that fills each blank.
HSK 3 Reading Part 2 sample questions with answers
5 questions from our practice bank, in the format of the real paper. Try each one before opening the answer.
Sample 15 questions
A 认真
B 终于
C 影响
D 带
E 习惯
经过三个月的努力，他（ ）通过了考试。
jīng guò sān gè yuè de nǔ lì ， tā （ ） tōng guò le kǎo shì 。
After three months of effort he finally passed.
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B 终于
我已经（ ）了每天早起。
wǒ yǐ jīng （ ） le měi tiān zǎo qǐ 。
I am used to getting up early.
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E 习惯
天气会（ ）我们的旅行计划。
tiān qì huì （ ） wǒ men de lǚ xíng jì huà 。
The weather affects our travel plans.
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C 影响
出门的时候别忘了（ ）伞。
chū mén de shí hòu bié wàng le （ ） sǎn 。
Do not forget to take an umbrella.
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D 带
他工作很（ ），从来不迟到。
tā gōng zuò hěn （ ）， cóng lái bù chí dào 。
He works conscientiously and is never late.
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A 认真
How to approach it
Before reading the sentences, note what each bank word is: verb, noun, measure word, adverb.
For each gap, decide from the words around it what kind of word it needs.
Try the likely word in the gap and read the whole sentence.
Fill the certain gaps first, then the rest from what is left.
Common mistakes
Choosing a word whose meaning fits but whose grammar does not — a noun where a verb is needed.
Using the word already taken by the example.
Working strictly in order and getting stuck on a hard gap.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in HSK 3 Reading Part 2?
10. It is part 2 of 3 in the HSK 3 Reading section, which has 30 questions and lasts about 30 minutes, for 100 points.
How is HSK 3 Reading Part 2 marked?
Automatically. Every question has one correct answer and all carry the same weight. A wrong answer costs nothing more than a blank one, so never leave a question empty.
Is pinyin printed at HSK 3?
No. At HSK 3 the paper is printed in characters only, so you need to recognise the characters themselves.
Is each word used once?
Yes. Each word fills one gap, and one is used in the example or left spare.
How do I prepare for this part?
Learn words in short phrases — 坐飞机, 一本书, 很喜欢 — rather than alone. The gaps test exactly those combinations.
Can I practise HSK 3 Reading Part 2 online?
Yes. HSK Test has practice sets for this part, built like the real paper. Create a free account to start; your answers and scores are saved, so you can see how you are improving.