Standard Course HSK 4 (Chinese Language Book)

The HSK 4 is the fourth level of the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) exam and is intended for learners who have already acquired a strong foundation in Chinese. At this level, students are expected to have a vocabulary of 1,200 words and be able to engage in conversations on a variety of topics in both spoken and written forms.

A Standard Course HSK 4 book is designed to help learners prepare for this exam by focusing on advanced vocabulary, grammar structures, listening comprehension, reading, and writing skills. The content usually includes more in-depth lessons and exercises to help students pass the HSK 4 exam and continue building their Chinese proficiency.

Key Details of HSK 4:

1. Vocabulary: HSK 4 requires knowledge of 1,200 words. These words cover a wide range of topics, such as daily life, work, relationships, and society, and are generally more abstract than those at lower levels.
2. Grammar: Learners at this level are introduced to more advanced grammar, including complex sentence structures, subordinate clauses, and conjunctions that express cause, effect, and contrast.
3. Skills Tested:
   • Listening: Understanding conversations on a variety of topics, including more complex scenarios in daily life, work, and social interactions.
   • Reading: Reading longer passages and understanding main ideas and details, including more sophisticated content like news articles and simple essays.
   • Writing: Writing short essays and filling in forms, including more nuanced expression of opinions and explanations.
4. Duration: The test lasts around 105 minutes and consists of three sections: listening, reading, and writing.
5. Test Format:
   • Listening Section (35 questions): Longer dialogues, announcements, and conversations with multiple-choice questions.
   • Reading Section (40 questions): Multiple-choice questions and short answer questions based on longer passages.
   • Writing Section (10 questions): Short essays and sentence completions.

Preparing for HSK 4:

A standard course for HSK 4 will cover the following areas:

1. Vocabulary:

• 1,200 words: These words extend your vocabulary to cover a variety of social, cultural, professional, and academic topics. Example categories include:
  • Daily life: 电视 (diànshì – television), 社交 (shèjiāo – socializing)
  • Work: 工作 (gōngzuò – work), 会议 (huìyì – meeting)
  • Feelings and opinions: 高兴 (gāoxìng – happy), 了解 (liǎojiě – understand)
  • Technology: 电脑 (diànnǎo – computer), 网络 (wǎngluò – internet)

2. Grammar:

• Complex sentence structures:
  • Subordinate clauses: Using 但是 (dànshì – but), 因为 (yīnwèi – because), 如果 (rúguǒ – if).
  • Indirect speech: Using 说 (shuō) and 问 (wèn) to report speech.
  • Resultative complements: Verbs like 看见 (kànjiàn – to see), 听懂 (tīng dǒng – to understand by listening).
  • Passive constructions: Using 被 (bèi) to indicate the object of the action is emphasized.
  • Expressing hypothetical situations: Using 如果 (rúguǒ – if), 可能 (kěnéng – possibly).

3. Reading:

• Longer and more complex passages: Learners will read news articles, stories, and informational texts.
• Understanding main ideas and supporting details: You will be asked to answer questions about the content and meaning of the texts, which will require understanding not only the vocabulary but also the structure of the passage.

4. Listening:

• Listening exercises will include conversations, discussions, and announcements on a wide range of topics, from social issues to personal experiences. The focus will be on comprehending the main idea, specific details, and the speaker’s attitude.

5. Writing:

• At this level, you will need to write more complex compositions (short essays) on familiar topics. You may also be asked to complete sentences or fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

Suggested Textbooks for HSK 4:

1. HSK Standard Course 4 (Chinese Edition):
   • This is the most commonly recommended textbook for preparing for the HSK 4 exam. It includes lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and practical exercises. The book provides detailed explanations of the grammar points, and each chapter is focused on a specific theme (such as work, health, or relationships).
   • It comes with listening exercises and practice tests to help you become familiar with the exam format.
2. Integrated Chinese (Level 2, Part 2):
   • This is a popular textbook series for intermediate learners. The second part of Level 2 covers much of the material found in the HSK 4. The textbook focuses on conversation, writing, and reading, and includes extensive vocabulary and grammar lessons.
   • The exercises are designed to reinforce both language skills and cultural knowledge.
3. Chinese Made Easy (Book 4):
   • A useful textbook for learners at the intermediate level, this book focuses on building vocabulary and grammar while introducing more complex sentence patterns and structures.
   • Each chapter includes a wide variety of practice exercises and listening activities.
4. New Practical Chinese Reader (Book 4):
   • This book offers a more comprehensive approach to intermediate Chinese learning, with detailed chapters on grammar, vocabulary, and cultural insights. It is ideal for students who are moving toward advanced proficiency.
   • It includes exercises on reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
5. HSK 4 Chinese Grammar:
   • A grammar-focused book specifically aimed at learners preparing for HSK 4. It breaks down the key grammar points required for the exam, with examples, explanations, and practice exercises.
6. Chinese for Beginners (by Yi Ren):
   • This series is another great option for learners transitioning to HSK 4. It provides both grammar and vocabulary practice while also offering plenty of writing and reading exercises.
7. Apps and Online Resources:
   • Skritter: Helps with character writing and memorizing vocabulary.
   • HelloChinese: An interactive app that covers the vocabulary and grammar for HSK 4, including listening and speaking practice.
   • ChineseSkill: Another great app for reinforcing HSK 4 material with fun, game-based exercises.

What to Expect at HSK 4:

By the end of HSK 4, you should be able to:

• Understand and discuss a variety of topics in Chinese, such as work, daily life, and social issues.
• Read more advanced texts and understand key ideas and supporting details.
• Write short essays and express your thoughts on familiar topics.
• Understand conversations involving multiple speakers and follow discussions with ease.

A typical HSK 4 curriculum will focus on:

• Mastering 1,200 words.
• Engaging in complex reading and listening comprehension tasks.
• Writing short essays and completing grammar exercises.
• Regular mock exams to familiarize yourself with the HSK 4 format.

Would you like more details on any specific textbook, resource, or strategy for preparing for HSK 4?