Read a passage and answer questions on it, choosing from printed options. At HSK 3 the passages are two or three sentences with one question; higher up they are full paragraphs or longer texts with several questions each.
Questions cover the main idea (这段话主要说什么), details, the meaning of a phrase in context and the writer’s attitude. Wrong options typically go too far, reverse a detail or say something the text never claims.
The instruction on the paper
读短文，选出正确的答案。
Read the passage and choose the correct answer.
HSK 4 Reading Part 3 sample questions with answers
4 questions from our practice bank, in the format of the real paper. Try each one before opening the answer.
zài zhōng guó de hěn duō chéng shì ， gòng xiǎng zì xíng chē yǐ jīng chéng le duǎn jù lí chū xíng zuì fāng biàn de xuǎn zé 。 yòng shǒu jī sǎo yī xià jiù néng qí zǒu ， dào le dì fāng tíng zài lù biān jí kě 。 bù guò ， suí biàn luàn tíng huì gěi bié rén dài lái má fán ， suǒ yǐ xiàn zài hěn duō chéng shì dōu huà chū le zhuān mén de tíng chē qū yù 。
Shared bicycles are convenient for short trips, but cities now mark parking areas because careless parking causes problems.
Question
共享自行车最适合什么样的出行？
gòng xiǎng zì xíng chē zuì shì hé shén me yàng de chū xíng ？
A 搬家
B 出差
C 长途旅行
D 短距离出行
Show the answer
D 短距离出行
Question
为什么城市要划停车区域？
wèi shén me chéng shì yào huà tíng chē qū yù ？
A 为了修车
B 为了收费
C 为了减少数量
D 为了乱停给别人带来麻烦
Show the answer
D 为了乱停给别人带来麻烦
How to approach it
Read the question before the passage so you know what you are looking for.
For main-idea questions, look closely at the first and last sentences.
For detail questions, find the sentence and compare it with each option.
Rule out options that are true but unstated, or that overstate the text with 总是, 一定 or 都.
Common mistakes
Choosing an option that repeats words from the text but changes their meaning.
Reading in an interpretation the text does not support.
Spending too long on one passage — reading time is tight at every level.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in HSK 4 Reading Part 3?
20. It is part 3 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 3 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.
How many options are there?
Three at HSK 3 and four from HSK 4 up.
Should I read the whole passage first?
For short passages, yes. For long ones, read the questions first and then read the passage with them in mind.
Can I practise HSK 4 Reading Part 3 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.