B2, Lesson 5: Grammar

Question 1

。。（还）为时过早/为时已晚

Answer 1

.. (hai) wei shi guo zao/wei shi yi wan
‘it is (still) too soon to.. /it is already too late to..’

Question 2

让/令原本（已经）。。的。。又/更。。

Answer 2

Rang/ling yuan ben (yi jing).. de.. you/ geng
‘to make the.. Which is already.. Even more..’

Question 3

非但不。。，反而。。

Answer 3

Fei dan bu.., fan er..
‘not only.. not.., to the contrary..’

Question 4

数以。。计

Answer 4

Shu yi.. she..
‘.. (number units) of’

Question 5

特定 vs. 特殊 vs. 特别

Answer 5

特定 (te4 ding4)
Used to describe something that is specifically defined, fixed, or pre-assigned — usually in a formal or limited context

特殊 (te4 shu1)
Used to describe something that is different from the norm, unique, or out of the ordinary

特别 (te4 bie2)
Can be used as an adverb or adjective:
• As an adverb: “especially” or “very”
• As an adjective: “special”

Question 6

结晶 vs. 结果

Answer 6

结晶 (jie2 jing1)
“Crystallization” — metaphorically, it means the precious result of effort, wisdom, or collaboration.

结果 (jie2 guo3)
Result; outcome; consequence

Question 7

筛选 vs. 挑选

Answer 7

筛选 (shai1 xuan3)
To filter (through); to screen; to sort through (from a large assortment)

挑选 (tiao1 xuan3)
To pick; to choose (careful personal judgement)

Question 8

至于 vs. 关于

Answer 8

至于 (zhi4 yu2)
As for…; speaking of…; when it comes to…
Introduces a shift of topic or contrast
• Often used in the middle of a paragraph to talk about another aspect or issue
• Implies “Now let’s talk about…” or “As for this part…”

关于 (guan1 yu2)
About; regarding; concerning
Introduces the topic of a sentence
• Often appears at the beginning
• Used in formal writing, titles, statements, and introductions

Question 9

考量 vs. 考虑

Answer 9

考量 (kao3 liang2)
To evaluate; to take into account
More formal, often in written or business/legal contexts
• Emphasizes weighing pros and cons, deeper analysis
• Sometimes used as a noun or verb

考虑 (kao3 lv4)
To think over; to consider
Very common in spoken and written Chinese
• Often used for personal decisions, opinions, plans
• Tone is casual and general

Question 10

假以时日 vs. 久而久之

Answer 10

jia3 yi3 shi2 ri4
“given some time..”
To give (someone or something) some time - implying that with sufficient time something happen or improve.

jiu3’ er2 jiu3 zhi1
“over a long period of time..”
Describing gradual change or effect happening after a long time.

Question 11

胜任

Answer 11

Shengren
To be competent or qualified to doing a certain job or task successfully.

Question 12

反观

Answer 12

Fan guan
To look back at something for comparison or to contrast something else.
(compares two situations highlighting differences reflecting on the second one.)

Question 13

服从

Answer 13

Fu cong
To obey, comply with or submit to orders, rules or authority.

Question 14

激化

Answer 14

Ji hua
To worsen or intensify a situation (often used for conflicts, contradictions or problems)

Question 15

沦为

Answer 15

Lun wei
To be reduced to or to sink to a lower, undesirable status or condition.

Question 16

天方夜谭

Answer 16

Tian ye fang tan
“Arabian nights”
Describes something that’s absurd or unbelievable.

Question 17

接踵而至

Answer 17

Jie zhong er zhi
“one after another, with heels follows heels”
Often used to describe events that come nonstop or in quick succession one after another.

Question 18

当仁不让

Answer 18

Danren bu rang
“to not decline responsibly when it’s your duty”
To take responsibility without hesitation; rise up to the occasion.

Question 19

有道而驰

Answer 19

You dao er chi
To go against what’s right; describes someone who refuses to follow moral standards.