P4 Chinese similar words practice
Singapore Primary 4 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 12 skill points and 25 questions.
What is tested in P4 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.
P4 similar words · worked examples
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（充实）
- ・这杯水倒得很充实，弟弟一口气把它喝完了。
- ・哥哥的假期过得很充实，每天都在家里发呆。
- ✓ 小乐把假期安排得很充实，每天都学新东西。
- ・妈妈煮的晚饭很充实，一家人都吃得饱饱的。
Why: The answer is “小乐把假期安排得很充实，每天都学新东西。”. “充实” means full and fruitful, usually of time or life; Xiao Le learns something new every day of the holidays. “这杯水倒得很充实，弟弟一口气把它喝完了。” is wrong: a glass filled to the top is “满”, not “充实”. “妈妈煮的晚饭很充实，一家人都吃得饱饱的。” is wrong: a big, rich meal is “丰盛”, not “充实”. “哥哥的假期过得很充实，每天都在家里发呆。” is wrong: daydreaming at home every day means the holiday is empty, which contradicts “充实”.
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（凉爽）
- ✓ 下过雨后天气凉爽，适合到户外走走。
- ・老师凉爽地走进课室，叫大家安静下来。
- ・弟弟把风扇开到最大，凉爽了整个房间。
- ・妹妹喝了一口凉爽的水，觉得味道很好。
Why: The answer is “下过雨后天气凉爽，适合到户外走走。” “凉爽” means cool and comfortable weather, and this fits after rain. “老师凉爽地走进课室” is wrong because “凉爽” cannot describe a person. “妹妹喝了一口凉爽的水” is wrong, water should be described as “冰凉” (ice-cold). “弟弟把风扇开到最大，凉爽了整个房间” is wrong because “凉爽” is an adjective, not a verb.
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（特点）
- ・老师特点地给我们讲解了动物的生活习性。
- ・星期天，妈妈特点煮了我最爱吃的红烧鸡翅。
- ・小明很特点，每天早上总是第一个来到学校。
- ✓ 壁虎的特点是能在墙壁和天花板上爬来爬去。
Why: The answer is “壁虎的特点是能在墙壁和天花板上爬来爬去。”. “特点” is a noun meaning a distinctive feature; being able to crawl on walls and ceilings is the gecko’s feature. “小明很特点，每天早上总是第一个来到学校。” is wrong: “特点” is a noun and cannot follow “很” to describe a person; say 小明很特别. “星期天，妈妈特点煮了我最爱吃的红烧鸡翅。” is wrong: this means Mum cooked it specially, so it should be 特地; “特点” is a noun. “老师特点地给我们讲解了动物的生活习性。” is wrong: “特点” is a noun and cannot take “地” before a verb; say 特地 or 详细地.
Learn each word with a sentence attached; how a word is used tells you more than its definition.
Skill points on this page (12)
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 1 question
- 上L06·词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 上L09·词语辨析 · 1 question
- 下L16·词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（归还处）