Reading comprehension is the best way to check whether overseas students master the Chinese languageor not. Therefore, reading is an essential practice for students who learn Chinese in China to improve theirChinese language skills.

There are many kinds of questioning ways in reading comprehension. The following one is popular in HSKPreparation Program in China. We will take some examples to explain in detail,

Firstly, students read the given materials carefully and try to understand what the materials talk about. Here is one example to help students learn Chinese:
宫保鸡丁是四川传统名菜，也是来华的留学生们最喜欢的中国菜之一。关于宫保鸡丁名字的由来，据说和中国清代一位担任“宫保”职位的官员有关。宫保鸡丁由鸡丁、干辣椒、花生米等炒制而成，它的味道是辣中略带甜酸。

After finishing reading and understanding the material provided, four options will be given for students who study Chinese to choose the one has the right contents according to the paragraph.
A 留学生不喜欢四川菜
B 做宫保鸡丁需要用辣椒
C 中国人不喜欢吃宫保鸡丁
D “宫保”是一个老百姓的名字

This exercise is set to check students’ ability of capturing the details. Let me explain in detail for students who study in China. the material focus on a typical Sichuan cuisine named “宫保鸡丁”. According to the material, we know that making this dish needs chili, so we choose B.

Now let’s move on to the next exercise of the same type.
以前，中国人喝咖啡还是一件稀罕事，可现在，朋友见面、恋人约会时，一起喝杯咖啡已是司空见惯的事情。在咖啡馆优雅的环境里，喝着香浓的咖啡，悠闲又舒服。居家或办公时，冲杯咖啡提提神也是很平常的事情了。
A 咖啡使人心情糟糕
B 中国人只在咖啡馆喝咖啡
C 以前中国人很喜欢喝咖啡
D 现在喝咖啡是很平常的事了

To help those who learn Mandarin Chinese understand the content of this passage, let me explain it in detail. The passage says that Chinese people don’t like coffee before, but nowadays, they drink coffee in the coffee house or home to relax. So it is obviously that only the option D expresses the right meaning.

In the following parts, one more example will be illustrated to help students study Mandarin Chinese. Let’s take a look an example about the different thinking ways between Chinese people and the westerners.

由于社会和文化体系的不同，东西方人在思维上总会存在一些差异。中国人更多地注重整体或团体，而西方人更多地注重个体。两种思维方式没有优劣之分，只有互相了解，才更有利于交流。
A 西方人的思维更好
B 西方人不喜欢个体差异
C 东西方人之间需要更多的交流
D 东西方人的思维方式没有差异

This passage aims at training students to seize both the main idea and details when they learn Mandarin. It talks about the difference between two ways of thinking. The material emphasizes that neither thinking way is superior to another but more understanding is needed to gain communication between each other. So, only option C is completely correct that more communication needed between two people.

After reading this passage, students gain ability of reading. But the most important thing is that they learn knowledge from it. That’s what teacher will stress in one-on-one Chinese learning programs that to learn knowledge by reading.

What’s more, as it is the information age now, many knowledge and reading skills shared on the Internet. Therefore, students can learn Chinese online free to improve themselves.

After mastering some reading skills by the practice with detail explanation above, students can try more exercises independently.