P3 Chinese similar words practice
Singapore Primary 3 Chinese, similar words (词语辨析): separate words that are close in meaning but used differently, testing fine differences of sense, tone of approval and settled pairings — one of the most demanding types in primary Chinese. Everything here follows the MOE syllabus. You can try one set free without signing up, and it is marked as you go — get one wrong and the same point comes back asked a different way, so your child can make steady progress on distinguishing words. This page has 11 skill points and 21 questions.
What is tested in P3 similar words
In P3 and P4 this is the most demanding type in the language-use section. It tests differences of meaning, tone of approval and what each word can attach to — 改正 against 改变, 发现 against 发觉. The item is short with no story around it, so only the word itself can settle it.
Common traps
- Two words one character apart, close in meaning, attaching to different things.
- Approving and disapproving words used the wrong way round, like 果断 and 武断.
- Different parts of speech — one takes an object and the other does not.
How to practise
Record by pair, three things each: where the meanings differ, what each attaches to, and one sentence apiece. One page per pair, and before the paper read only that book.
P3 similar words · worked examples
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（调查）
- ✓ 老师调查了同学们喜欢什么颜色，然后记下来。
- ・弟弟调查了这道数学题，终于算出了答案。
- ・小乐调查了妈妈今天煮什么菜，就去厨房帮忙。
- ・爸爸调查了天气，决定带我们去海边玩。
Why: The answer is “老师调查了同学们喜欢什么颜色，然后记下来。”. “调查” means to find out the real situation by asking many people, looking into things and collecting information. The teacher asks the whole class about their favourite colours and records the answers, which is collecting information, so it is correct. “小乐调查了妈妈今天煮什么菜，就去厨房帮忙。” is wrong: to know what Mum is cooking, Xiao Le only needs to ask her once; this is too small a thing for 调查. It could be 小乐问了妈妈今天煮什么菜. “弟弟调查了这道数学题，终于算出了答案。” is wrong: solving a maths question is thinking it through yourself, not finding out information from others. “爸爸调查了天气，决定带我们去海边玩。” is wrong: to know the weather, you just look at the sky or the weather forecast; you do not ask people to find out. It could be 爸爸看了天气预报.
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（兴奋）
- ・老师兴奋地告诉我们要安静地看书。
- ・鱼尾狮兴奋地喷着水，吸引了许多游客。
- ・小明兴奋地完成了所有功课，然后去睡觉。
- ✓ 同学们兴奋地讨论着国庆日的庆祝活动。
Why: The answer is “同学们兴奋地讨论着国庆日的庆祝活动。”. “兴奋” means very excited and happy. The National Day celebrations are something to look forward to, so the classmates discuss them excitedly, which fits. “小明兴奋地完成了所有功课，然后去睡觉。” is wrong: finishing homework and going to bed is an ordinary thing that does not make people excited, and an excited person would not go straight to sleep. “老师兴奋地告诉我们要安静地看书。” is wrong: asking the class to read quietly is a calm reminder, not something exciting. “鱼尾狮兴奋地喷着水，吸引了许多游客。” is wrong: the Merlion is a statue, and a statue has no feelings, so it cannot be 兴奋.
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（冒出冷汗）
- ・弟弟在操场上跑完步，热得冒出冷汗。
- ✓ 小安在台上讲故事，紧张得冒出冷汗。
- ・小和看到满分考卷，开心得冒出冷汗。
- ・妈妈在厨房里煮好汤，锅里冒出冷汗。
Why: The answer is “小安在台上讲故事，紧张得冒出冷汗。”. “冒出冷汗” is sweating from nerves or fear; Xiao An is nervous telling a story on stage. “弟弟在操场上跑完步，热得冒出冷汗。” is wrong: sweat after running comes from heat, not cold sweat. “妈妈在厨房里煮好汤，锅里冒出冷汗。” is wrong: a pot cannot sweat; what comes out is steam. “小和看到满分考卷，开心得冒出冷汗。” is wrong: being happy about full marks does not make you break into a cold sweat.
Learn each word with a sentence attached; how a word is used tells you more than its definition.
Skill points on this page (11)
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 1 question
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 1 question
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 1 question
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（实现）