P5 Chinese similar words practice
Singapore Primary 5 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 push towards the PSLE on distinguishing words. This page has 11 skill points and 40 questions.
What is tested in P5 similar words
In P5 and P6 this is a fixed type, and it tests patience in reading the item. The testing is on fine differences of strength, tone of approval, what the word applies to, and part of speech, drawn from upper-primary vocabulary and common idioms.
Common traps
- Each of the four options looks right on its own; only one attaches properly once it is in the item.
- Two synonyms both make sense here, but only one matches the feeling of the sentence.
- A spoken-register word is mixed in — familiar from daily speech, not used in writing.
How to practise
Settle three things before looking at the options: is the item approving or disapproving, strong or mild, about a person or about a thing. At this level the mistakes usually come not from an unknown word but from choosing before the item was read to the end.
P5 similar words · worked examples
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（幽默）
- ・弟弟很幽默，每天都会准时起床。
- ✓ 老师讲了一个幽默的笑话，大家都笑了。
- ・小安幽默地跑完了一圈，累得气喘吁吁。
- ・这棵树长得很幽默，叶子都掉光了。
Why: The answer is "老师讲了一个幽默的笑话，大家都笑了。" Humorous means funny and makes people laugh. A joke makes people laugh, so it is correct. "弟弟很幽默，每天都会准时起床" is wrong because getting up on time has nothing to do with humor. "这棵树长得很幽默" is wrong because trees cannot be humorous. "小安幽默地跑完了一圈" is wrong because running cannot be described as humorous.
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（坚固）
- ・他坚固地答应了妈妈的要求，一定会按时回家。
- ・老师坚固地告诉我们，考试前一定要好好准备。
- ・小安的性格非常坚固，从来不会轻易改变想法。
- ✓ 这座组屋的墙壁很坚固，住了几十年都没问题。
Why: The answer is “这座组屋的墙壁很坚固，住了几十年都没问题。”. 坚固 means solid and sturdy, used for objects; walls that have lasted decades fit. “他坚固地答应了妈妈的要求，一定会按时回家。” is wrong: 坚固 describes sturdy things, not the way someone promises; use 坚定地. “老师坚固地告诉我们，考试前一定要好好准备。” is wrong: 坚固 cannot describe the way someone speaks; use 认真地. “小安的性格非常坚固，从来不会轻易改变想法。” is wrong: 坚固 describes objects, not personality; use 坚定.
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（增添）
- ・小和增添了一个早上，终于把功课写完了。
- ・小乐把书包增添得很整齐，才出门去上学。
- ・弟弟的个子增添了，去年的裤子都穿不下了。
- ✓ 墙上贴了几张画，为课室增添了不少色彩。
Why: The answer is "墙上贴了几张画，为课室增添了不少色彩。". This means "A few pictures were put up on the wall, adding a lot of colour to the classroom." The word 增添 means to add something extra to what is already there, so it fits here because the pictures add colour to the room. "小和增添了一个早上，终于把功课写完了。" is wrong because you cannot use 增添 for spending time on homework. "弟弟的个子增添了，去年的裤子都穿不下了。" is wrong because growing taller should use 长高, not 增添. "小乐把书包增添得很整齐，才出门去上学。" is wrong because tidying a bag should use 收拾, not 增添.
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 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 7 questions
- 词语辨析 · 4 questions
- 上L05·词语辨析 · 5 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 词语辨析 · 4 questions
- 词语辨析 · 2 questions
- 词语辨析 · 3 questions
- 上L08·词语辨析 · 4 questions
以下哪一个句子是正确的？（充实）