Ex1: precise detail, right perspective
Exercise 1 = complete a notice, form or notes from a passage. Two marks-deciders: (1) give the PRECISE detail asked -- an exact time, place, quantity or word, not a vague category: if the passage says 六岁以上的儿童 (liù suì yǐshàng de értóng, children aged six and above), the bare 儿童 is not precise enough. (2) Read from the stated perspective: if written as 我 (I), fill the form as that writer, and do not invent a name the passage never gives.
Ex2: own words, and reason vs result
Exercise 2 asks short questions on detail, opinion or implied meaning. Two skills: first, select the exact point and re-express it briefly -- copying a whole sentence risks the mark even when the right words are present. Second, tell REASON from RESULT: 因为 (yīnwèi) marks the reason, 结果 (jiéguǒ) marks the outcome. 因为地铁出了故障，我走路去学校，结果迟到了。(Yīnwèi dìtiě chūle gùzhàng, wǒ zǒulù qù xuéxiào, jiéguǒ chídàole.) A reason question must not be answered with the result.
Ex3: skim, then scan; beware distractors
Exercise 3 gives several short texts to match to statements. Skim all texts for each person's general view, then scan for the exact detail proving a match. One text can mention several ideas, so the FIRST detail you notice is not automatically the answer -- read the whole text before deciding. If you change a match, cross out the old letter clearly and write the new one alongside.
Drawn from real examiner reports.
Overwriting a changed Ex3 answer
In Ex3, if you change a match, do not overwrite one letter on top of another -- an ambiguous, overwritten answer may not be credited. Cross out the old letter clearly with a single line and write the final letter alongside it, so exactly one answer is legible to the examiner.
Digest S1 Ex3: when changing an answer, cross out clearly rather than overwrite (s22 Ex3).
Lifting instead of re-expressing
Weaker candidates copy a whole sentence rather than the exact point that answers the question. Lifting shows no understanding, and extra or contradicting material can cost the mark even when the right words are inside it. Passage: 我觉得住在城市里很方便，因为什么都在附近，不过有时候也很吵。Q: 为什么方便？✗ the whole sentence (with 有时候也很吵). ✓ 因为什么都在附近。(Yīnwèi shénme dōu zài fùjìn.)
Digest cross-cutting: lifting a whole sentence is not credited (s22 Q9/Q13/Q14; s23 Q9/Q12).
Giving the result when asked the reason
Candidates give the consequence when the question asks for the cause, or name the wrong cause among several. 因为地铁站关闭维修，我迟到了，结果错过了考试的开始。(Yīnwèi dìtiě zhàn guānbì wéixiū, wǒ chídàole, jiéguǒ cuòguòle kǎoshì de kāishǐ.) Asked for the REASON, answer 地铁站关闭维修 (the station was closed for repairs), not 错过了考试的开始 (missed the start), which is the RESULT.
Digest cross-cutting: candidates gave the result when asked the reason (s22 Q11; s23 Q13).
A near-synonym, not the precise key word
Ex1/Ex2 marks turn on the EXACT key word, not an approximation. Passage: 活动一共需要两个星期。Field 时长 (duration): ✗ 长 (too vague, not a duration) ✓ 两个星期 (liǎng gè xīngqī) — two weeks. Likewise, if the passage names 骑自行车 (qí zìxíngchē, cycling) as transport, the broad category 交通工具 (jiāotōng gōngjù, means of transport) does not score -- give the precise word.
Digest S1 Ex1 / precise key word: a near-synonym or sub-category lost the mark (s23 Ex1 Q3/Q5; s22 Ex1 Q1/Q4).
Answering more than asked cancels the point
Extra, contradictory or ambiguous material can cancel a correct point: the mark cannot be given if the examiner has to pick the right answer out of a longer response. Keep short answers on-target -- state only what the question asks. A precise 因为什么都在附近 (yīnwèi shénme dōu zài fùjìn) beats a rambling answer that also drags in the noise, the rent and the neighbours.
Digest cross-cutting: the mark cannot be awarded if the examiner must choose from a longer response (s22 & s23 Key messages).
Ex1 form filled from the wrong perspective
In Ex1, fill the form from the STATED perspective. If the passage is a diary written as 我 (I), complete each field as that writer -- and do NOT invent a name for a Name field the passage never fills in. Give only details actually present; a blank the passage does not supply is not yours to guess. Reading the wrong party's details into a field loses the mark.
Digest S1 Ex1: fill from the stated perspective and omit the protagonist's own name (s23 Ex1).
Copying the whole sentence is safe
Many learners think lifting a whole sentence is safe: if the right words are in there, the examiner will find them. Wrong -- copying does not show WHICH part answers the question, and the mark is lost if the examiner must pick the point from a longer response. Asked only for the reason in 因为地铁出了故障，我走路去学校，结果迟到了, answer 地铁出了故障 (dìtiě chūle gùzhàng) alone.
The first detail is always the match
Learners stop reading as soon as they spot one plausible detail. In fact one text can mention several ideas, and a statement may target a detail mentioned LATER. 小美：我周末喜欢去公园跑步，运动能让我心情变好，我有时候也看电视放松一下。A statement about improving mood through exercise matches the RUNNING detail, not the later TV mention -- read the whole text first.
Read the questions and fields FIRST
Read the questions and form fields FIRST, before reading the passage closely, so you know the exact type of information to hunt for -- a time, a reason, a precise noun, an attitude. Then scan for that exact detail rather than reading aimlessly.
Decide reason or result, then own words
For a short answer, first decide whether the question wants a REASON (因为) or a RESULT (结果), then write a brief answer in your OWN words -- never lift the whole sentence. Selecting the precise point and re-expressing it concisely is what earns the mark.
Read each Ex3 text whole before matching
For Ex3 multiple-matching, read the WHOLE of each text before matching -- one text can mention several ideas, only one the precise match. Skim for the general view, then scan for the proving detail. If you change an answer, cross it out clearly.
Paper 1 opens with three reading exercises, all assessing AO1 Reading (identifying and selecting information, understanding ideas/opinions, connections between ideas, and what is implied but not stated):
What is the Chinese word for "duration/length of time" (useful for an Ex1 form field), and how do you use it in a sentence?
阅读下面的通知，并填写表格中的空格：
「学校游泳俱乐部通知：本俱乐部每星期三下午四点在学校游泳池活动，费用是每次二十元，欢迎所有学生参加，请提前一天报名。」
表格： 活动时间：______ 地点：______ 费用：______
Level-of-response questions with model answers and mark scheme rubrics.
阅读上面的通知，完成下面的任务（共10分）：
（一）填写表格（每空1分，共4分）： 集合时间：______ 集合地点：______ 需要自带的东西：______ 如果下雨，讲座部分会改到哪里举行？______
（二）用自己的话简短回答（不要整句抄写，共4分）： 学校举办这次活动的目的是什么？
（三）根据短文判断（2分）： 下面哪一句最准确地概括了这次活动可能发生的变化？ A. 无论天气如何，活动流程完全不变。 B. 下雨的话，只有讲座部分会换到室内举行。 请写出正确的字母，并用一句话说明为什么另一句不对（不用抄写原文整句）。
