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Every reading sits at the level where most of its words are taught
Series at HSK 5
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All readings at HSK 5
Page 1 of 2 · 1–12 of 19
Story · 2 min audio楼道里的灯The stairwell lightA broken light, a busy group chat, and a note on a neighbour’s door.HSK 5
Story · 2 min audio塞翁失马The old man who lost his horseA horse runs off. The neighbours call it bad luck. The old man is not so sure.HSK 5
Article · 2 min audio中国人为什么怕数字四？Why is 4 unlucky in China?A lift with no fourth floor. A phone number that sold for 2.33 million yuan. And a message that just says 88.HSK 5
Story · 2 min audio嫦娥奔月The legend of Chang’eTen suns in the sky. One elixir. And the woman China looks for on the moon every Mid-Autumn.HSK 5
Article · 2 min audio中国人为什么爱喝热水？Why do Chinese people drink hot water?Got a cold? Drink more hot water. Had a row? Drink more hot water. China’s favourite four words, from tiger stoves to a rock drummer’s thermos.HSK 5
Article · 2 min audio中国人的名字有什么讲究？How do Chinese names work?Shout “Zhang Wei” in China and heads turn. Five surnames cover nearly a third of the country. And “Old Zhang” is no insult.HSK 5
Article · 2 min audio广场舞为什么这么火？Why do Chinese aunties dance in public squares?After dinner, the music starts downstairs. Dozens of aunties, one small speaker, every step in time. Upstairs, not everyone is dancing.HSK 5
Story · 3 min audio木兰从军The real story of MulanA girl at her loom. Her father’s name on every army list. Twelve years at war, and no one guesses.HSK 5
Story · 3 min audio空城计The Empty Fort Strategy: Zhuge Liang's famous bluffTwo and a half thousand soldiers. A hundred and fifty thousand at the gate. Zhuge Liang opens the doors and starts to play music.HSK 5
Story · 3 min audio草船借箭Borrowing arrows with straw boatsMake 100,000 arrows in ten days, or die. Zhuge Liang says three days will do, then does nothing for two.HSK 5
Article · 2 min audio兵马俑是什么？What is the Terracotta Army?In a dry spring in 1974, farmers dug a well and found a clay face looking back at them. Behind it stood eight thousand more.HSK 5
Story · 2 min audio牛的舌头Judge Bao and the case of the cut ox tongueSomeone has cut out a farmer's ox's tongue. Judge Bao Zheng gives the strangest advice: go home and kill the ox.HSK 5
