Grammar and Vocabulary
What grammar and vocabulary questions test
This domain checks control of core Mandarin structures: measure words, the three 的/得/地, aspect particles 了/过/着, basic complements, and sentence patterns such as 把, 被, 比 and 是…的. Vocabulary items test collocations and word class rather than isolated glosses.
Rules to keep active
- Measure words agree with nouns: 一本书, 一支笔, 一张纸, 一辆车, 一件衣服, 一双鞋.
- 的 links a modifier to a noun (我的书); 得 links a verb or adjective to a degree complement (跑得很快); 地 links an adverbial to a verb (慢慢地走).
- 了 marks completion or change, 过 marks experience, 着 marks an ongoing state. Do not stack them randomly.
- 把 moves a definite object before the verb when the sentence describes disposal or result: 我把书放在桌子上.
- 比 compares without 很: 他比我高, not 他比我很高.
- 是…的 highlights time, place or manner of a past event: 他是昨天来的.
Worked example
Choose the correct particle: 他唱____很好。 Options: 的 / 得 / 地. Reasoning: The word after the gap is 很好, a degree evaluation of the verb 唱. Verb + 得 + complement is the pattern for describing how well an action is done, so 得 is correct. 的 would need a noun after it; 地 would need an adverb before a verb.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing 他比我很高 by carrying English “much taller” structure literally.
- Using 了 in every past sentence; Chinese often uses time words instead.
- Confusing 的 and 得 in writing because they sound similar.
- Choosing a vocabulary item that is grammatical but collocationally wrong.