HSK 4 Reading Practice: Tips, Passages, and Resources

The HSK 4 reading section challenges learners with longer passages and more complex vocabulary. To succeed, you’ll need more than memorized words—you’ll need real comprehension skills. This guide provides clear strategies, sample texts, and tools to help you master reading at this level.

I. What to Expect from the HSK 4 Reading Section

The reading section of the HSK 4 exam assesses your ability to understand written Chinese across various real-life situations. It includes longer sentences, more complex grammar, and a broader range of vocabulary than in HSK 3. Here's what you need to know before diving into serious reading practice.

Reading Section Structure

The HSK 4 reading section is divided into three parts, with a total of 40 multiple-choice questions. You’ll be given about 35 minutes to complete this section.

• Part I (15 questions): Choose the correct sentence order or sentence completion.
• Part II (10 questions): Match short passages with correct statements or responses.
• Part III (15 questions): Answer comprehension questions based on full reading passages (200–300 characters each).

The passages in HSK 4 simulate real-life written communication and include:

• Notices and announcements
• Short articles or emails
• Everyday dialogues and descriptive scenarios
• Paragraphs involving opinions, actions, or transitions in time, place, or feeling

These texts may contain idiomatic language, soft emotional tone, or indirect structures that require inference and contextual understanding.

Vocabulary and Language Difficulty

HSK 4 uses a pool of around 1,200 vocabulary words, including:

• All 600+ words from HSK 1–3
• Approximately 600 new HSK 4-level words

You'll be expected to recognize compound words, abstract meanings, and verb-object structures. Many reading questions will also test your ability to distinguish nuanced words, such as different conjunctions or time expressions.

Key Grammar and Sentence Patterns

Be prepared to handle grammar structures including:

• 把 / 被 (sentence emphasis and passive voice)
• 了 / 着 / 过 (aspect markers)
• 虽然…但是, 不但…而且 (compound sentences)
• 会 / 能 / 要 / 应该 (modals for ability, intention, suggestion)

Pay close attention to word order, logical connectors, and implied meanings. Often, reading comprehension questions check whether you understand not just what is said — but what is meant.

II. Effective Strategies for HSK 4 Reading Practice

To succeed in the HSK 4 reading section, you’ll need more than just vocabulary knowledge—you’ll need reading strategies that help you move quickly, understand accurately, and avoid traps. The techniques below will help you build both speed and comprehension effectively.

Skimming and Scanning Techniques

The HSK reading section is time-limited, so learning to skim (quickly reading to get the main idea) and scan (locating key details) is essential.

• Practice reading the first and last sentences of each paragraph to get the gist.
• Look for keywords in both the questions and passage: names, time markers, or verbs.
• Don't try to understand every word—focus on structure and meaning as a whole.

Learning to identify where the answer is likely to appear saves precious seconds for each question.

Understanding Context and Inferring Meaning

At this level, many words in the passage might be unfamiliar. Context helps you guess meaning.

• Pay attention to grammar clues or sentence patterns, especially words before and after the unknown word.
• Look for cause-effect relationships, contrasts (e.g., 但是, 虽然), or examples that explain prior statements.
• Practice identifying the function of a sentence—narration, opinion, result, etc.—rather than translating every word.

Understanding intent is as important as understanding vocabulary.

Time Management During the Test

HSK 4 gives about 35 minutes for 40 reading questions, or roughly 50 seconds per question—and some passages are long.

• Don’t spend more than 1 minute on a single question. If stuck, guess and mark for review.
• Start with sections you find easiest. Many students begin with Part I to build confidence.
• Practice timed reading drills weekly. Give yourself real pressure to simulate exam conditions.

The better your strategy, the less likely you are to panic, slow down, or miss easy points.

III. Sample HSK 4 Reading Passages with Questions

Practicing with real reading materials is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the HSK 4 exam. Below, you’ll find example passages that closely match the format and difficulty of the actual test. Each passage includes comprehension questions to help you check your understanding.

Short Reading Passage with Comprehension Questions

These are short texts (~120–150 characters), ideal for practicing speed and accuracy on individual sentences or simple dialogues.

Example: 李老师每天六点起床，吃完早餐后会去公园散步三十分钟。然后他回家准备一天的工作。

Questions:

1. 李老师几点起床？
   A. 五点
   B. 六点
   C. 七点

2. 他回家做什么？
   A. 吃晚饭
   B. 看电视
   C. 准备工作

Answers: 1 – B; 2 – C

Medium-Length Passage with Key Vocabulary Highlighted

These passages (~200–250 characters) resemble those in Part III of the HSK 4 reading section and include more descriptive language and connected ideas.

Example: 小王的公司最近给他安排了一个新的工作任务，他需要跟三个不同部门的人合作。虽然这个任务很难，但是他觉得这是一次很好的机会，可以提高自己的能力。

Highlight Vocabulary: 安排 (to assign), 合作 (to cooperate), 能力 (ability)

Question: 为什么小王愿意接受这个任务？
A. 因为他认识很多同事。
B. 因为能帮他提高能力。
C. 因为任务很简单。

Answer: B

Practice Questions Modeled After the Exam

You can also design mock sets of 3–5 questions based on one longer dialogue or passage. This helps simulate a real reading environment and test endurance.

Tips for use:

• Time yourself while answering. Aim to finish each question in under 60 seconds.
• Focus not only on the correct answer, but ask yourself: why is this the best choice?
• Try rephrasing each passage in your own words using HSK 4 vocabulary.

Regular exposure to well-designed practice passages increases fluency, confidence, and familiarity with the exam format.

IV. Recommended Platforms and Tools for HSK 4 Reading Practice

Using the right tools can make a huge difference in how effectively you improve your reading skills for HSK 4. Whether you're looking for mock tests that simulate the official exam or daily reading apps that build your vocabulary in context, these platforms can support your learning at every level.

Mock Tests with HSK 4 Reading Sections

Taking realistic practice exams helps you get used to time limits, question types, and pressure.

• HSK Online (App & Website): Offers full mock exams, including separate sections for Reading. Instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking are built in.
• Hanban Official Practice Papers: Look for downloadable PDFs from Hanban or Confucius Institute websites that mirror the real test format.
• Ninchanese (HSK Mode): Includes HSK-specific leveling and timed practice sections with reading comprehension tailored to HSK 4 vocabulary.
• HSKMock.com: A browser-based platform offering free exam-style reading practice with scoring and analytics.

These tools help you build test-taking confidence while tracking your reading speed and accuracy.

Best Websites and Apps for Daily Reading in Chinese

Beyond test prep, consistent reading input will increase fluency and vocabulary retention. These platforms provide engaging content written at the HSK 4 level, ideal for daily use.

• Du Chinese: Graded reading passages with optional pinyin and full English translations. Easily filter articles by HSK level.
• The Chairman’s Bao: News-based articles designed for learners. Includes audio, vocab lists, and comprehension questions per reading.
• Readibu or ChineseLevel: These tools analyze any text (like news or blogs) and estimate its HSK level, helping you read authentic content that matches your ability.
• Pleco (Reader Add-on): Allows you to upload texts and tap on unknown words for instant definitions and audio. Great for building reading input from anywhere.

By combining exam-focused platforms with content-rich reading apps, you'll build both the skill and the habit of strong Mandarin reading—one paragraph, article, and passage at a time.

Improving your HSK 4 reading skills isn’t just about doing more exercises—it’s about reading with purpose, building confidence, and knowing how to approach each text with clarity. Keep pushing forward with PREP’s curated reading resources, mock tests, and hands-on strategies—designed to help you build confidence step by step, one passage, one paragraph, and one successful exam at a time.