HSK 5 key terms

Marks the decisive reason behind a situation, close to "after all" or "the fact is." Speakers use it to justify a conclusion or excuse a fault that listeners might otherwise question.

Introduces a lucky circumstance that prevented something bad, meaning "fortunately" or "thanks to." It normally comes before the subject and points to a cause the speaker feels grateful for.

Says that something unpleasant cannot realistically be avoided, close to "hard to avoid" or "inevitable." It often follows a statement of a difficult situation and precedes the unwanted result.

The attitude or emotion a speaker conveys through voice, word choice, and stress, such as being firm, gentle, doubtful, or annoyed. Listeners use it to judge whether a statement is a request, a refusal, or a joke.

To express dissatisfaction about something or someone, usually to a third party rather than directly to the person responsible. In dialogue it often signals the speaker's mood and the source of a problem.

To cut into someone's speech before it finishes. In conversations this can show impatience, urgency, or excitement, so the reason for it often matters in listening questions.

To hint at something indirectly instead of stating it. A speaker who hints expects the listener to infer the real meaning from tone, context, or a carefully chosen detail.

To ask around in order to get information, such as a price, a schedule, or a person's situation. It suggests informal questions put to several people rather than a formal enquiry.

To state the main point of a passage briefly, leaving out details and examples. A summary answer should cover the whole text rather than one sentence near the beginning.

To reach a conclusion from clues that are not stated directly. Reading questions that ask what the writer implies require this step rather than simple matching of words.

A situation in which two statements, facts, or wishes cannot both be true or cannot both be satisfied. Noticing such clashes helps readers spot the writer's argument or a character's inner conflict.

An observable event or pattern in the world, especially one that many people notice and that may need explanation. Writers often introduce a phenomenon and then discuss its causes or effects.

The general direction in which something is changing over time, such as prices rising or habits shifting. Passages about society and the economy often describe a trend and its likely results.

Facts, examples, or data that support a claim. A strong answer in a reading task can usually point to the specific evidence the writer used rather than to personal opinion.

The judgement reached at the end of reasoning or research. In a passage it is often signalled by phrases meaning "therefore" or "in short", and it answers the question the text raised.

To fail to give proper attention to something important, usually without intending to. Writers often warn that ignoring a factor leads to problems that could have been prevented.

To accept and carry a duty, cost, or consequence. It is commonly used with words for responsibility, risk, and expense, and it stresses that the person does not avoid the burden.

To recommend a practice or idea publicly so that others will adopt it. It differs from forcing, since the writer or speaker is persuading rather than requiring.

To help something develop or improve faster, for example trade, understanding, or health. It appears in passages about cooperation and policy, where one factor makes another grow.

The amount of useful work done compared with the time, money, or effort spent. A passage may argue that a new method or tool raises efficiency and saves resources.

A short plan listing the points an essay will cover, in the order they will appear. Preparing one before writing keeps the text organised and prevents repetition or missing content.

A group of sentences about one main idea, separated from other groups by a new line. Each paragraph in an exam essay should have a clear focus that supports the whole topic.

A word, phrase, or sentence that links one idea or paragraph to the next. Good transitions show the reader whether the writer is adding, contrasting, or concluding.

Expressing an idea with few words and no unnecessary repetition. In exam writing, clear and concise sentences reduce grammar errors and make the main point easy to find.

Giving exact details such as names, numbers, times, or examples instead of vague general words. Specific writing is more convincing and shows that the writer really understands the topic.

To tell about events in order, describing what happened. Narrative writing in an exam usually needs a clear beginning, a development, and an ending that shows the result.

The central idea that a whole piece of writing is about. Every sentence should support it; a paragraph that drifts away from the topic weakens the score.

The marks used in written Chinese, such as commas, full stops, question marks, and quotation marks. Correct punctuation prevents misreading and is part of the writing score.

To read your own text again and improve it by fixing errors, deleting repetition, and reordering sentences. Time for this step should be planned before the writing task ends.

To say what someone or something is like, using sensory detail and clear features. It differs from narration because it presents a scene or appearance rather than a sequence of events.