9.3 Use of Chinese: Near-Synonyms and Word Choice (詞句運用：詞語選用)
Key Takeaways
The 詞句運用 part is the largest part of the Use of Chinese paper, with 15 questions testing the use of words and sentences.
In the CSB sample, 阻隔 is correct in 「地理上的阻隔並沒有令我們產生隔膜」, because 隔閡 and 隔膜 describe emotional distance and 阻礙 describes obstruction of progress.
Near-synonyms differ in intensity (失望 and 絕望), scope, collocation (改善環境 and 改進方法), emotional colour (成果 and 後果), register and part of speech.
截止 marks the end of a deadline (報名於八月七日截止), while 截至 means 'up to' a point in time (截至六月底).
以致 introduces an unwanted result, as in 粗心大意，以致出錯, while 以至 means 'even' or 'up to', as in 由主管以至前線員工.
9.3 Use of Chinese: Near-Synonyms and Word Choice (詞句運用：詞語選用)
Quick Answer: 詞句運用 is the largest part of the Use of Chinese paper, with 15 questions. The CSB says it tests the use of words and sentences (測試考生對詞語及句子運用的能力). Its samples include three item styles: choosing the right word for a blank, choosing the right sentence for a blank, and putting sentences in order. This section covers word choice. To choose between near-synonyms, compare their intensity, scope, collocation, emotional colour, register and part of speech, then test each option in the sentence.
The official sample, explained
我們自小青梅竹馬，地理上的＿＿＿＿並沒有令我們產生隔膜。 A 阻礙 B 隔閡 C 隔膜 D 阻隔 答案：D
| Option | Meaning | Why it fits or fails |
|---|---|---|
| 阻礙 | To obstruct progress (a verb, or a noun for an obstacle to action) | Geography does not obstruct an action here. The sentence describes separation |
| 隔閡 | Emotional estrangement or misunderstanding | Describes the result (being estranged), not the geographical cause, and repeats the idea of 隔膜 |
| 隔膜 | Emotional distance | Already used later in the sentence; repeating it makes no sense |
| 阻隔 | Physical separation, being cut off | Fits 地理上的: distance separated them, but did not estrange them |
The sample shows two habits worth copying. First, match the modifier: 地理上的 needs a word about physical separation. Second, read the whole sentence: the later 隔膜 rules out both 隔膜 and its near-synonym 隔閡.
Six ways near-synonyms differ
| Dimension | Contrast | Example pair |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity (輕重) | Mild or strong | 失望 (disappointed) versus 絕望 (despairing); 批評 (criticise) versus 批判 (denounce) |
| Scope (範圍) | Narrow or broad | 事故 (an accident) versus 事件 (any incident) |
| Collocation (搭配) | Which nouns it takes | 改善環境／生活／關係 versus 改進方法／技術／工作 |
| Emotional colour (感情色彩) | Positive, neutral or negative | 成果 (positive), 結果 (neutral), 後果 (negative) |
| Register (語體) | Formal or colloquial | 擬 (formal "plan to") versus 打算 (everyday) |
| Part of speech (詞性) | Adverb, verb, noun | 必須 (adverb: must) versus 必需 (verb or adjective: necessary, as in 必需品) |
High-frequency pairs in formal Chinese
| Pair | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 截止 / 截至 | 截止 = a deadline ends; 截至 = up to a point in time | 報名於八月七日截止 / 截至六月底，共收到五百份申請 |
| 以致 / 以至 | 以致 = leading to an (unwanted) result; 以至 = even, or up to | 他粗心大意，以致文件出錯 / 由部門主管以至前線員工都須出席 |
| 反映 / 反應 | 反映 = to convey views or reflect; 反應 = a reaction | 居民向當局反映意見 / 市民對新措施反應熱烈 |
| 權利 / 權力 | 權利 = rights; 權力 = power or authority | 市民的合法權利 / 法例賦予的權力 |
| 啟事 / 啟示 | 啟事 = a notice; 啟示 = an insight or lesson | 招聘啟事 / 這次事件給我們很大的啟示 |
| 考察 / 考查 | 考察 = to inspect on site; 考查 = to examine or assess | 實地考察 / 考查學生的程度 |
| 發揮 / 發揚 | 發揮 = to bring into play; 發揚 = to carry forward a spirit or tradition | 發揮作用 / 發揚團隊精神 |
| 履行 / 執行 / 實行 | 履行 duties or promises; 執行 orders or policies; 實行 systems or plans | 履行職責 / 執行命令 / 實行新制度 |
| 度過 / 渡過 | 度過 = to spend time; 渡過 = to get across or through | 度過假期 / 渡過難關 |
| 鼓勵 / 煽動 | Positive versus negative urging | 鼓勵市民參與 / 煽動他人鬧事 |
Register in official writing
Government notices prefer concise formal words. Knowing them helps both in word-choice items and in sentence-filling items:
| Everyday word | Formal equivalent | Example in a notice |
|---|---|---|
| 打算 | 擬 | 本署擬於下月推出新服務 |
| 一定要 | 須 | 申請人須於限期前遞交文件 |
| 到時 | 屆時 | 屆時將另行通知 |
| 過了期限 | 逾期 | 逾期申請，恕不受理 |
| 給 | 予以 | 予以考慮 |
| 問 | 查詢 | 如有查詢，請致電本署 |
A routine for word-choice items
- Read the whole sentence first, including what follows the blank. The sample's answer depended on a word near the end.
- Find the governing word: the subject, verb or modifier that the blank must collocate with (地理上的 in the sample).
- Classify the options by the six dimensions. Usually two options fail on collocation or part of speech straight away.
- Test the last two in the sentence. Check emotional colour against the context: a positive context needs a positive or neutral word.
- Avoid repetition: an option that repeats a nearby word, or a near-synonym of it, is rarely correct.
Worked example: three blanks in one notice
本署＿＿①＿＿於下月推出網上預約服務。截至本月底，已有逾千名市民登記試用，各界＿＿②＿＿正面。服務推出後，市民須在預約時段內＿＿③＿＿身份證明文件。
- Blank 1 needs a formal word for "plan to". 擬 fits a government notice, while 打算 is too colloquial for one.
- Blank 2 needs a noun for public response that can be described as 正面. 反應 fits (反應正面); 反映 is a verb meaning to convey views, so 反映正面 does not work.
- Blank 3 needs a verb for handing over documents. 出示 (to show) suits identity documents; 提交 (to submit) would suggest handing them in to be kept.
The routine is the same each time: find the governing word, check collocation and part of speech, then check register and tone.
Building your own near-synonym list
The CSB publishes no word list, and the possible pairs are endless, so memorising a long list is inefficient. A better approach is to keep a short personal list of pairs you have actually confused, each with a model phrase showing its collocation (for example 改善環境 next to 改進方法). Review the list in the final week. When you meet a new pair in practice, ask which of the six dimensions separates the two words; usually one dimension is decisive.
「本年度資助計劃的申請將於本月三十日＿＿＿＿，逾期遞交的申請恕不受理。」
截至
截止
終止
停止
「他處理文件時粗心大意，＿＿＿＿報告出現多處錯誤，須重新審閱。」
以便
以免
以至
以致
「區內居民踴躍出席諮詢會，向當局＿＿＿＿對新交通安排的意見。」
反映
反應
反響
反對
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.