Sample 1
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BAC · 出门的时候他才发现衬衫脏了，所以他决定先回家换一件。结果上班迟到了半个小时。
He noticed the stain, went home to change, and was late.
HSK 3.0 · HSK 4 · Reading · Part 2
HSK 4 Reading Part 2: Put the Sentences in Order
This part tests whether you understand how Chinese sentences link together. 10 questions — answer format: write the order of three sentences, such as BAC.
10Questions in this part
Part 2 of 3Reading section
~40 minWhole Reading section
AutomaticMarking
Not printedPinyin
How HSK 4 Reading Part 2 works
Three sentences, A, B and C, are printed out of order. You write the order that makes a coherent short paragraph, such as BAC.
The clues are the linking words and references: a sentence beginning with 所以, 但是 or 结果 cannot come first; 他 needs a person introduced before it; 虽然 is followed by 但是. Find the sentence that can open on its own, then chain the others.
The instruction on the paper
排列顺序。
Put the three sentences into the right order.
HSK 4 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 2
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BCA · 第一次见到他的时候，我以为他是老师，因为他看起来比同学成熟很多。后来我才知道那是他弟弟。
He looked mature, I mistook him for a teacher.
Sample 3
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BCA · 从我家到公司只有三公里，所以我每天都骑自行车上班。这样既省钱又能锻炼身体。
Three kilometres, so he cycles; cheap and good exercise.
Sample 4
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BAC · 刚开始学游泳的时候他很怕水，但是他一直没有放弃。现在他已经能游一千米了。
Afraid of water at first, never gave up, now swims a kilometre.
Sample 5
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BCA · 天气预报说明天有雨，而且气温会降到十度左右。我建议你带一把伞。
Rain and ten degrees tomorrow, take an umbrella.
How to approach it
- Find the opening: the sentence that introduces the subject and starts with no connector.
- Find the closing: it often starts with 所以, 结果 or 因此, or gives the outcome.
- Check pronouns — 他, 这, 那 refer back to something already mentioned.
- Read the three in your order to make sure the story flows.
Common mistakes
- Putting a sentence that starts with a connector first.
- Ignoring what a pronoun refers to.
- Choosing an order that is grammatical but out of sequence in time.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in HSK 4 Reading Part 2?
10. It is part 2 of 3 in the HSK 4 Reading section, which has 40 questions and lasts about 40 minutes, for 100 points.
How is HSK 4 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 4?
No. At HSK 4 the paper is printed in characters only, so you need to recognise the characters themselves.
Is there credit for getting two out of three right?
No. The order is marked as a whole: it is right or wrong.
How many sentences are there?
Three in each question.
Can I practise HSK 4 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.
Every part of HSK 4
Listening
Reading
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