Free resources · GCSE Mandarin topics
GCSE Mandarin: My studies
Free vocabulary, grammar and Higher model answers with exam tips for the GCSE Mandarin topic “My studies” (school subjects and opinions). Click a section to open it.
Key vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| School subjects | ||
| 科目 | kēmù | subject |
| 英文 | yīngwén | English |
| 英语 | yīngyǔ | English |
| 汉语 | hànyǔ | Chinese (Mandarin) |
| 中文 | zhōngwén | Chinese |
| 法文 | fǎwén | French |
| 德文 | déwén | German |
| 意大利文 | yìdàlì wén | Italian |
| 西班牙文 | Xībānyáwén | Spanish (language) |
| 数学 | shùxué | maths |
| 科学 | kēxué | science |
| 物理 | wùlǐ | physics |
| 化学 | huàxué | chemistry |
| 生物 | shēngwù | biology |
| 历史 | lìshǐ | history |
| 地理 | dìlǐ | geography |
| 美术 | měishù | art |
| 音乐 | yīnyuè | music |
| 体育 | tǐyù | PE |
| 电脑 | diànnǎo | computer |
| 手工 | shǒugōng | DT |
| 戏剧 | xìjù | drama |
| 经济 | jīngjì | economics |
| 书法 | shūfǎ | calligraphy |
| 国画 | guóhuà | traditional Chinese painting |
| Learning | ||
| 老师 | lǎoshī | teacher |
| 学生 | xuésheng | student |
| 男学生 | nán xuésheng | male student |
| 女学生 | nǚ xuésheng | female student |
| 同学 | tóngxué | classmate |
| 班 | bān | class |
| 课 | kè | lesson |
| 节 | jié | measure word for lesson |
| 作业 | zuòyè | homework |
| 做作业 | zuò zuò yè | to do homework |
| 考试 | kǎoshì | exam |
| 教 | jiāo | to teach |
| 学 | xué | to learn/to study |
| 练习 | liànxí | to practise; exercise |
| 汉字 | hànzì | Chinese character(s) |
| 得到好成绩 | dédào hǎo chéngjì | achieve good results |
| Opinions about subjects | ||
| 有意思 | yǒu yì si | interesting |
| 没意思 | méi yì si | boring |
| 有趣 | yǒuqù | interesting, amusing |
| 容易 | róngyì | easy |
| 难 | nán | difficult |
| 聪明 | cōngming | clever |
| Exams and success | ||
| 压力 | yālì | pressure |
| 庆祝 | qìngzhù | to celebrate |
| 成功 | chénggōng | to succeed |
| 中学会考 | zhōngxué huìkǎo | secondary school exams (like GCSEs) |
| 高考 | gāokǎo | university entrance exam (in China) |
| 第一名 | dì-yī míng | first place |
Grammar and complex structures
Use these in your speaking and writing.
| Structure | Meaning | Example for this topic |
|---|---|---|
| 越……越…… | the more … the more … | 我越学越喜欢中文。 The more I learn, the more I like Chinese. |
| A 比 B + adj | A is more … than B | 数学比历史难。 Maths is harder than history. |
| 对……有兴趣 | to be interested in … | 我对科学很有兴趣。 I am very interested in science. |
| 为了…… | in order to … | 为了得到好成绩，我每天练习写汉字。 To get good results, I practise writing characters every day. |
| 我以前觉得……，但是现在…… | I used to think …, but now … | 我以前觉得数学很难，但是现在觉得很有意思。 I used to think maths was hard, but now I find it interesting. |
| 除了……以外，还…… | apart from …, also … | 除了中文以外，我还学法文。 Apart from Chinese, I also study French. |
Speaking questions and model answers
Try answering each question yourself first, then click it to see a Higher model answer and an exam tip.
Photo card
The photo card task follows the AQA format, but the same skills are useful for the picture-based task in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Chinese speaking exam.
A photo of a classroom with some students and a teacher.
Photo card照片里有什么？What is in the photo? Show model answer
照片里有一个教室，有几个学生和一个老师。老师在帮助一个学生。学生们看起来很忙，因为他们都在看桌子上的东西。
The photo shows a classroom with some students and a teacher. The teacher is helping a student. The students look busy, because they are all looking at the things on the table.
Exam tip: Describe only what you can see. Complex structures: 在 + verb (老师在帮助一个学生), 看起来…… (学生们看起来很忙), and ……，因为…… with something you can see (他们都在看桌子上的东西).
Edexcel tip: Describe what you can see in the picture first, and read each question carefully for key words.
General conversation
Questions your teacher may ask about this topic.
General conversation你最喜欢什么科目？为什么？What is your favourite subject? Why? Show model answer
我最喜欢的科目是历史，因为历史很有意思，我们的历史老师又幽默又亲切。我不太喜欢数学，因为数学比历史难多了。除了历史以外，我还喜欢中文，因为汉字很漂亮。
My favourite subject is history, because it is interesting and our history teacher is both funny and kind. I don’t really like maths, because it is much harder than history. Apart from history, I also like Chinese, because Chinese characters are beautiful.
Exam tip: Complex structures: 最喜欢的……是……, 又……又…… (又幽默又亲切), A 比 B + adjective + 多了 (数学比历史难多了 – “much harder than”), 除了……以外，还…… (除了历史以外，我还喜欢中文).
General conversation你觉得哪个科目最难？Which subject do you find hardest? Show model answer
我觉得物理最难，因为要学很多东西。因为上次考试我的物理不太好，所以现在我每个星期多练习一个小时。下次考试我希望能得到好成绩。
I think physics is the hardest, because there is a lot to learn. Because my physics result in the last exam wasn’t very good, I now practise for an extra hour every week. In the next exam I hope to get good results.
Exam tip: Complex structures: 因为……，所以…… (因为上次考试我的物理不太好，所以……), 希望能 + verb (希望能得到好成绩). Time frames: past (上次考试……) and future (下次考试我希望……). Vocabulary: 得到好成绩.
General conversation你学中文学了多久了？为什么学中文？How long have you been learning Chinese? Why? Show model answer
我从七年级开始学中文，已经学了四年了。我学中文是因为我想去中国旅行，而且中文又有用又有意思。虽然汉字很难写，但是我越来越喜欢。将来我想用中文和中国人聊天。
I started learning Chinese in Year 7, so I have been learning it for four years. I learn Chinese because I want to travel to China, and Chinese is both useful and interesting. Although characters are hard to write, I like it more and more. In the future I want to chat with Chinese people in Chinese.
Exam tip: Complex structures: 从……开始 + 已经……了 (从七年级开始学中文，已经学了四年了), 是因为……, 又……又…… (又有用又有意思), 虽然……但是……, 越来越 + verb (越来越喜欢). Time frames: past (从七年级开始……学了四年了) and future (将来我想……).
General conversation明年你打算学什么科目？What subjects are you planning to study next year? Show model answer
明年我打算学数学、化学和中文，因为我将来想做医生。去年我参加了学校的科学比赛，还得了第一名，所以我对科学很有兴趣。我知道明年会很忙，但是我会努力学习。
Next year I plan to study maths, chemistry and Chinese, because I want to be a doctor. Last year I took part in the school science competition and came first, so I am very interested in science. I know next year will be busy, but I will study hard.
Exam tip: Complex structures: ……，所以…… (所以我对科学很有兴趣), 对……有兴趣, ……，但是…… (contrast). Time frames: past (去年我参加了……) and future (明年我打算……).
More general conversation questions to practise
- 你学了什么语言？为什么学语言？ (What languages have you learned? Why do you learn languages?)
- 你觉得什么样的老师是好老师？ (What kind of teacher do you think is a good teacher?)
- 你上次考试考得怎么样？ (How did you do in your last exam?)
- 小学的时候，你最喜欢什么课？现在呢？ (What was your favourite lesson at primary school? What about now?)
- 你喜欢你的学校吗？为什么？ (Do you like your school? Why?)
- GCSE考试以后，你会怎么庆祝？ (How will you celebrate after your GCSE exams?)
- 你将来想用中文做什么？ (What would you like to do with Chinese in the future?)
- 将来你想上大学吗？为什么？ (Would you like to go to university in the future? Why?)
Questions about this topic
What does the topic “My studies” cover in GCSE Mandarin?
It covers school subjects and opinions. The topic can come up in speaking, writing, reading and listening, so learn the vocabulary and practise the speaking questions out loud.
What is the difference between the photo card and the general conversation?
In the photo card task you describe a photo and answer questions about it. In the general conversation your teacher asks questions about the topic, and you should give opinions, reasons and use past, present and future time frames. This page has model answers for both.
How can I make my answers sound more advanced?
Give opinions with reasons, use past, present and future time frames, join ideas with connectives such as 虽然……但是……, and add specific details or examples.