Reading Grammar Mandarin IIC

Question 1

[date] + 底/末

[date] + 初

Answer 1

• the end of (date)

- the beginning of (date)

Question 2

到 X (為)止

Answer 2

until X

- indicates the end point of a process over a course of time

Question 3

高達 X

Answer 3

attain a height of X, be as high as X

Question 4

更加 X

Answer 4

even more X, still more X

- X cannot be monosyllabic

Question 5

在 X 看來

Answer 5

according to X, in X’s opinion

Question 6

與其 X 不如 Y (來得 adj)

Answer 6

rather than X, Y

- after balancing pros and cons, Y is the preference, which can be clarified with the part at the end

Question 7

提到

説到

Answer 7

to mention

• used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a topic
• the latter is more spoken style

Question 8

凡是 X，都 Y

Answer 8

fan2shi
every X, does Y
all X, has Y

Question 9

verb + 出

Answer 9

• indicates how a result is brought about because of a related action
• preferably has no object behind it, therefore often passive or with 把 construction, however it is not incorrect to have an object behind it

Question 10

verb + 於

ex. 位於，生於

Answer 10

serves to indicate the time or place that the action takes place

Question 11

既 X, 也 Y

既 X, 又 Y

Answer 11

not only X, but also Y

- second one is only with adjectives

Question 12

X(,) 為的是 Y

X(,) 是為了 Y

Answer 12

X is for the purpose of Y

- used to introduce a purpose after the action

Question 13

才 X ，就 Y

Answer 13

only X, already Y

• used to convey that a certain event or action is taking place sooner, quicker or easier than expected
• X = a numeral phrase or verb phrase that indicates the short length of time or low amount involved

Question 14

X 出頭

Answer 14

a little over X

- usually X is 十，百，千，萬，億

Question 15

大 + Verb + numeral + Measure word

• 大吵幾回
• 大吃一頓
• 大罵一頓

Answer 15

to do/have something big

• to have a couple of fights
• to have a huge meal
• to call someone everything under the sun

Question 16

只是

Answer 16

merely, just

- sometimes can also indicate one being stubbornly persistent in doing something, ‘but’ is here a better translation

Question 17

何況

Answer 17

moreover; let alone

- it can be used to introduce an additional reason

Question 18

X 由 Y

Answer 18

X is being done by Y

X is from Y

Question 19

不過（是）

Answer 19

just, merely

- often combined with 就 when 不過 is followed by a numeral phrase

Question 20

1. 除非 X 否則 Y

2. 除非 X 否則不 Y

Answer 20

1. unless X, Y

2. unless X, otherwise Y cannot

Question 21

常常

往往

Answer 21

first one means ‘often’, second one means ‘usually’ or ‘always’
- second one expresses that something is bound to happen given certain circumstances

Question 22

1. X 是 Y 的 【number】 倍

2. X 比 Y 多/高/大 【number】 倍

Answer 22

1. X is [number] times Y
2. X is [number] times more/higher/larger than Y
   - in the first construction 一倍 and 兩倍 both mean ‘double’

Question 23

就

Answer 23

indicating a large amount

Question 24

照這樣 X 下去

Answer 24

if X continues like this

- indicates that if the action goes on in this way, it will lead to a particular outcome

Question 25

• 性
  1. 可能性
  2. 普遍性

Answer 25

• ity, -ness
• is usually attached to a noun or an adjective to form a noun phrase
  1. possible –> possibility
  2. universal –> universality
• will often have 具有 before the noun phrase with 性

Question 26

• 於
  1. 相當於
  2. 等於
  3. 處於
  4. 位於

Answer 26

in, at, to, than

1. to be equal to, to be well-matched
2. to be equal to, to be equivalent to
3. to be in a certain position or state
4. to be located in/at, to be situated in/at

Question 27

便

Answer 27

then, thus

Question 28

早在 X 就 Y

Answer 28

as soon/early as X, Y happened

- used only when talking about the past

Question 29

X 佔 Y。。。

Answer 29

X takes up Y …

X takes up … of Y

Question 30

不禁

忍不住

Answer 30

cannot but, cannot refrain from

- first one is more formal written style

Question 31

numeral 1 比 numeral 2

Answer 31

numeral 1 to numeral 2

- indicates a ratio, usually at the end of a sentence

Question 32

從而

Answer 32

thus, thereby, so that

- used in the second clause to introduce the result on the basis of the preceding sentences