100+ Free HSK 1 Practice Questions
Pass your HSK Level 1 — Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
听力理解（第二部分 · 看图选择）：录音播放："现在是早上七点 (xiànzài shì zǎoshang qī diǎn — it is now seven in the morning)。"请选出一致的图片。 (Listening, Part 2 — Picture Matching: The audio plays: 'It is now seven in the morning.' Choose the matching picture.)
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Key Facts: HSK 1 Exam
HSK 1 is China's official beginner Chinese certification: 40 multiple-choice questions across Listening and Reading, all shown with pinyin; a score of 120/200 passes and it tests a ~150-word vocabulary at CEFR A1.
Sample HSK 1 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your HSK 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：录音播放一个词语。你看到的图片是一个苹果。录音说："苹果 (píngguǒ)。"请问图片和录音一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: A picture shows an apple. The audio says: '苹果 píngguǒ — apple.' Does the picture match the audio?)
2听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是一只小猫 (a cat)。录音说："狗 (gǒu — dog)。"请问图片和录音一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows a cat. The audio says: '狗 gǒu — dog.' Does the picture match the audio?)
3听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是一个人在打电话 (someone making a phone call)。录音说："打电话 (dǎ diànhuà — make a phone call)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows a person making a phone call. The audio says: '打电话 dǎ diànhuà — make a phone call.' Does it match?)
4听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是一杯热茶 (a cup of hot tea)。录音说："水 (shuǐ — water)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows a cup of tea. The audio says: '水 shuǐ — water.' Does it match?)
5听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是三本书 (three books)。录音说："三本书 (sān běn shū — three books)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows three books. The audio says: '三本书 sān běn shū — three books.' Does it match?)
6听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是一个学生在写字 (a student writing)。录音说："看书 (kàn shū — read a book)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows a student writing characters. The audio says: '看书 kàn shū — read a book.' Does it match?)
7听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是下雨 (it is raining)。录音说："今天下雨 (jīntiān xià yǔ — it is raining today)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows rain falling. The audio says: '今天下雨 jīntiān xià yǔ — it is raining today.' Does it match?)
8听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是五个人 (five people)。录音说："四个人 (sì gè rén — four people)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows five people. The audio says: '四个人 sì gè rén — four people.' Does it match?)
9听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是一个人在睡觉 (someone sleeping)。录音说："睡觉 (shuìjiào — sleep)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows a person sleeping. The audio says: '睡觉 shuìjiào — to sleep.' Does it match?)
10听力理解（第一部分 · 判断对错）：图片是一辆出租车 (a taxi)。录音说："飞机 (fēijī — airplane)。"请问一致吗？ (Listening, Part 1 — True/False: The picture shows a taxi. The audio says: '飞机 fēijī — airplane.' Does it match?)
About the HSK 1 Exam
HSK Level 1 (汉语水平考试一级) is the entry level of the classic six-level Chinese Proficiency Test administered by Chinese Testing International (CTI) under China's Ministry of Education. It assesses the ability of absolute beginners to understand and use very simple Chinese words and phrases for everyday communication, and corresponds to CEFR A1 and Level I of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages. Candidates are expected to have mastered approximately 150 commonly used words and basic grammar patterns. The exam contains 40 multiple-choice questions split evenly between Listening (20 questions) and Reading (20 questions); HSK 1 has no writing section. Crucially, every Chinese character on the HSK 1 paper is printed together with its pinyin, so learners who cannot yet read characters can still take the test. The total possible score is 200 points (100 Listening + 100 Reading), and 120 or above is a pass. The classic six-level HSK (Levels 1–6) remains widely administered at test centers worldwide throughout 2026, while the new nine-level HSK 3.0 standard begins rolling out from July 2026. HSK 1 score reports are valid for two years, and the certificate itself does not expire.
Questions
40 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 40 minutes total (Listening ~15 minutes, Reading ~17 minutes, plus about 5 minutes for personal information). Listening recordings are played twice.
Passing Score
120 out of 200 (60%); Listening (100 points) and Reading (100 points) are added together, with no separate per-section minimum at Level 1.
Exam Fee
Approximately 150 CNY in mainland China; USD 20–30 at international centers. Fees vary by country — verify current fees at ChineseTest.cn or with your local test center. (Chinese Testing International (CTI), Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), Ministry of Education, China)
HSK 1 Exam Content Outline
Listening Comprehension
20 MCQs across 4 parts: word-picture true/false, sentence-to-picture matching, short-dialogue picture matching, and statement-plus-question multiple choice. Each recording plays twice.
Reading Comprehension
20 MCQs across 4 parts: word-picture true/false judgment, sentence-to-picture matching, question-and-reply matching, and choosing a word to fill a blank. All text is printed with pinyin.
How to Pass the HSK 1 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 120 out of 200 (60%); Listening (100 points) and Reading (100 points) are added together, with no separate per-section minimum at Level 1.
- Exam length: 40 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 40 minutes total (Listening ~15 minutes, Reading ~17 minutes, plus about 5 minutes for personal information). Listening recordings are played twice.
- Exam fee: Approximately 150 CNY in mainland China; USD 20–30 at international centers. Fees vary by country — verify current fees at ChineseTest.cn or with your local test center.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
HSK 1 Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HSK 1 exam and who administers it?
HSK Level 1 is the beginner level of the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (汉语水平考试), China's official Chinese proficiency test. It is administered by Chinese Testing International (CTI) under the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), which operates under China's Ministry of Education. Registration is through ChineseTest.cn.
What score do I need to pass HSK 1?
The passing score is 120 out of 200 (60%). Listening is worth 100 points and Reading is worth 100 points, and the two are combined into your total. At HSK 1 there is no separate per-section minimum. Score reports are valid for two years.
What is the format of the HSK 1 exam?
HSK 1 has 40 multiple-choice questions: Listening (20 questions, ~15 minutes) and Reading (20 questions, ~17 minutes), for about 40 minutes total. There is no writing section. The test is available as a paper-based or internet-based exam at an authorized center, and listening recordings play twice.
Does HSK 1 include pinyin?
Yes. Every Chinese character on the HSK 1 test paper is printed together with its pinyin (romanization). This is a defining feature of Level 1 and means learners who have not yet learned to read characters can still take and pass the exam by relying on pinyin.
How many words do I need to know for HSK 1?
HSK 1 requires approximately 150 commonly used words, covering everyday topics such as greetings, numbers, family, time and dates, food and drink, basic verbs, and simple question words like 吗 (ma), 什么 (shénme), 几 (jǐ), and 哪 (nǎ).
Is the classic HSK 1 (six-level) still available in 2026?
Yes. The classic six-level HSK (Levels 1–6) continues to be offered at test centers worldwide throughout 2026. The new nine-level HSK 3.0 standard begins rolling out from July 2026, and both systems will coexist during a transition period. Check ChineseTest.cn for the test calendar at your center.