Er has so many uses; how do I choose?

Ask whether the two actions run the same way: same way sequences, opposite turns, and a modifier marks manner.

How do I spot a putative verb?

An adjective or noun taking an object, and reading as regard as, is usually putative.

S4 Chinese, Classical Chinese, Paper 4: Analects lines and putative verbs

2026-10-31

Ten review items on er as sequence, gu in its old sense, wei as the verb to be, the reading of hao, junzi as character, shi yi as a fronted form, si as a demonstrative and 20 minutes by marks.

Focus　Read er by the direction of the actions; fix gu from the sentence; wei can judge; the reading of hao settles its sense; junzi means character; shi yi is a fixed fronted form; demonstratives come from context; a putative verb reads regard as.

01　Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10
Suggested time	25
Difficulty mix	Foundation 4 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 2 · Error redo 1
Chapter	Chapter: S4 Chinese: Classical Chinese
Level	S4 to S6

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationIn the line to learn and practise it in time, what does er mark?
FoundationIn the line reviewing the old to know the new, what does gu mean?
FoundationIn the line to know it as knowing it, what is wei doing?
FoundationIn the line quick and fond of learning, how is hao read and what does it mean?
IntermediateIn the line is he not a noble man, what does junzi mean?
IntermediateIn the line therefore it is called wen, how is shi yi to be read?
IntermediateIn the line it flows on like this, what does si point to?
ChallengeA classical paper has three passages worth 27 marks in 45 minutes, and passage A is worth 12: how long for A?
ChallengeA 600 character classical passage with 18 minutes including answering: how much per minute, to one decimal?
Error redoA candidate renders chi in the line about asking inferiors as shame: what is wrong?

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	A sequence: learning first, then regular practice	Er can sequence, turn or modify; first ask whether the two actions run the same way.
2	What is already known, the old, set against the new	Old and modern senses differ; here gu is neither cause nor on purpose.
3	It is the verb to be, joining the two sides of a judgement	Classical judgements use wei, nai or ze; the word shi is not required.
4	Read in the fourth tone, meaning to be fond of	One graph, two readings, two meanings; the reading is itself a clue.
5	A person of moral worth, not the son of a ruler	In the Analects junzi means character; splitting it as ruler son is a classic slip.
6	It is yi shi reversed, meaning for this reason, a fixed fronted form	Shi yi and shi gu are fixed forms, not to be glossed word by word.
7	A demonstrative pointing at the river before the speaker, meaning this	A demonstrative is resolved from context; reading it as the modern word cultured is a sound alike error.
8	20 minutes	45 times 12 over 27 is 20 minutes; classical reading overruns easily, so fix a cap per passage.
9	About 33.3 characters per minute	600 divided by 18 is about 33.3, before glosses and translation, so the real pace must be quicker.
10	Chi is a putative verb meaning to regard as shameful, so the line says he did not count asking inferiors a disgrace	A putative verb is rendered as regard as; leaving it a noun breaks the sentence.

04　What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

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