Advisory Worksheet Answers
Xunzi's "Exhortation to Learning" is one of the twelve sample essays for the DSE Chinese subject. This paper provides a detailed translation, commentary on the Chinese characters and vocabulary, an analysis of the main ideas, and examination key points to help students gain a full understanding of the text and easily prepare for the DSE examination. Whether you need to complete a worksheet, prepare for a test or revise for an exam, this comprehensive resource of persuasive worksheet answers will help you.
Advisory Worksheet Answers - Full Text Translation
The gentleman said: Learning cannot be done. Green, taken from the blue, and blue in the blue; ice, water for it, and cold in the water. Wood straight rope, wheel band for the wheel, its curved in the rules; although there is a haggard and violent, not again quite, wheel band makes it so. Therefore, when wood is subjected to a rope, it will be straight; when gold is sharpened, it will be sharp; when a gentleman learns from the world and studies himself, he will know and act without fault.
Paragraph 1: Importance and Role of Learning
The gentleman said, "Learning cannot be stopped. The green colour is taken from the blue grass, but it is more green than the blue grass; ice is made from the condensation of water, but it is colder than water. The wood is straight enough to fit the standard of cordage, and when it is bent by fire to make a wheel, it is bent to fit the standard of roundness; and even if it is again dried and exposed to the sun, it will not be straight again, for this is the way the bending process has made it. Therefore, when wood is corrected by rope and ink, it will be straight, and when a sword is sharpened, it will be sharp; and when a gentleman learns all kinds of knowledge extensively, and reflects on himself many times a day, he will be wise and enlightened, and his behaviour will be without fault.
I try to think all day long, not as good as a short time to learn; I try to crawl and look forward to, not as good as climbing high to see. If I climb up high, my arms are not longer, but the people I see are far away. If you call out to the wind, your voice will not be faster, but you will be heard. If you pretend to be a horse or a mule, you will not be able to make a thousand miles, and if you pretend to be an oar or a boat, you will not be able to use the water, but you will not be able to use the river. A gentleman is not born differently, but he is good at pretending to be something else.
Paragraph 2: Learning methods and effects
I have thought all day long, but I have not learnt as much as I have learnt in a few moments; I have stood on tiptoe and looked into the distance, but I have not seen as much as I have seen when I have ascended to a high place. I have been on tiptoe and looked afar off, but I have not seen as much as I have climbed on high. When I have climbed on high and beckoned, my arm is not lengthened, but those who are afar off can see it; when I have called to the wind, my voice is not particularly loud, but those who hear it can hear it clearly. He who has the help of a chariot or a horse is not particularly swift of foot, but he can reach a thousand miles; and he who has the help of a ship is not a particularly good swimmer, but he can cross a river. The nature of a gentleman is no different from that of an ordinary man, except that he is good at making use of external objects.
If you accumulate earth to form a mountain, the wind and rain will rise; if you accumulate water to form an abyss, the dragon will arise; if you accumulate goodness to form virtue, the gods will be able to obtain it, and the holy heart will be ready. Therefore, if you don't accumulate short steps, you won't be able to reach a thousand miles; if you don't accumulate small streams, you won't be able to make a river or an ocean. A single leap with a heavy weight is not enough for ten steps; a ten-horse drive is a matter of perseverance. If one is persistent, a rotten tree will not be broken; if one is persistent, a stone can be chased. The earthworm is not as strong as his claws and teeth, or as strong as his sinews and bones, but he eats from the earth above and drinks from the yellow spring below, and he does so with the same intention. The crab, with its six knees and two chelae, can't be entrusted with anything other than a snake's den.
Paragraph 3: Attitudes and Approaches to Learning
If you pile up mud to become a mountain, wind and rain will rise from here; if you gather flowing water to become an abyss, the dragon will grow here; if you accumulate good deeds to cultivate virtues, your spirit will reach a high state of enlightenment, and the state of mind of a saint will be ready. So if you don't accumulate one step and a half, you can't reach a thousand miles; if you don't gather small streams of water, you can't become a river and an ocean. A stallion cannot jump ten paces without a single leap; an inferior horse walks for ten days in a row; its success lies in not giving up. If you give up halfway when carving, you will not be able to carve a piece of rotten wood; if you are persistent, you will be able to carve a piece of metal stone. The earthworm has no sharp claws and teeth, no strong muscles and bones, but it can eat upwards to the soil and drink downwards to the groundwater, because it is dedicated. The crab has six legs and two big claws, but if there is no snake eel in its burrow, there is no place to hide, because it is restless.
Advisory Worksheet Answers - Annotated Chinese Characters and Vocabulary
Focus on Real Words
- afterwards: To stop, to interrupt. Example: "Learning can't be done."
- Green on Blue: More green than bluegrass, referring to going beyond the original foundation. Example: "Green, taken from the blue, is greener than blue".
- wheel band: Bending wood over a fire. Example: "wheel band". Conjugation: to get a result
- compliancyExample: "The song is in the middle of the standard". Example: "The song is in the right order".
- province of Canada (old)Example: "To examine and reflect on oneself on a number of occasions". Example: "To examine oneself on a daily basis".
- sixth (extra) toe: To stand on tiptoe. Example: "I'm trying to stand on tiptoe and look forward to it."
Focus on Vocabulary
- andExample：「而青於藍」(inflection, parallelism, modification). Example: "And the blue is blue" (transitive)
- where: A verbal auxiliary, equivalent to "ah". Example: "The wind and the rain are rising."
- becauseExample: "參省乎己" means "to examine oneself", "to examine oneself" means "to examine oneself". Example: "To refer to one's own self".
- carry on: Pronunciation auxiliaries, indicating completion. Example: "There is nothing wrong with the line.
- her: A pronoun that refers to something that has been mentioned before it. Example: "Taken from the blue"
Tongjizi
- Knowledge → Wisdom: Wisdom. Example: "If you know what you are doing, you can do it without any faults".
- birth → sex: Nature. Example: "A gentleman is born without differences."
- Yes → Also: again, again. Example: "Though there is a haystack."
- storm → exposureEx: Exposure to the sun. Example: "Though there is a haggard storm."
- wheel band → resultantExample: To bend a piece of wood by roasting it over a fire. Example: "wheel band"
Commonly used words and phrases in DSE exams
DSE Chinese Paper 1 often assesses the following words and phrases from the Exhortation: "已", "青於藍", "須臾", "跂", "善假於物", "鍥而不舍", "用心一", and so on. Mastering the meaning and usage of these key words and phrases is the key to gaining high marks.
Advisory Worksheet Answers - Text Analysis
Article gist
Through a variety of argumentative and rhetorical techniques, "Exhortation to Learning" elaborates on the importance of learning, embodies Xunzi's educational idea of "the theory of sex and evil", and emphasises the important role of acquired learning in changing human nature and upgrading character.
core idea
- The Need for Learning:"Learning is not an end in itself", emphasising that learning is a lifelong endeavour.
- The Role of Learning:It can change the nature of people and improve their character.
- Learning Methods:Be good at using external objects and make use of all kinds of learning conditions.
- Attitude towards learning:You have to be persistent, dedicated, and make a lot out of a little.
- Learning Objectives:To attain the state of a gentleman, to have the character of a saint.
Paragraph to the effect
| paragraph | central phrase | Paragraph to the effect |
| Paragraph 1 | "Learning can't be done." | Through the analogies of "green is out of blue", "ice is colder than water" and the processing of wood, it is illustrated that learning can change one's nature and enhance one's character. |
| second paragraph | "Goodness is in the form of things." | Through contrasting arguments and a number of metaphors, it illustrates the importance of learning with the help of external objects and emphasises the importance of method. |
| third paragraph | "Goodness is goodness." | Through a number of metaphors and comparisons, it emphasises the importance of perseverance, dedication and accumulation of small amounts, which is echoed in the first paragraph, "Learning is not an end in itself". |
Analysis of Argumentation Methods
metaphorical argument
- The Blue is the New Blue: Learning Beyond the Basics
- Ice Cold in Water: Learning Changes Nature
- Wood processing: Learning to transform nature
- Learning to expand your horizons: A study that expands your horizons.
- Tools: Learning to make the best use of external objects
- Building up a mountain: Learning has to be continuous and cumulative
comparative argument
- Think in a Day vs Learn in a Moment: Learning is Better than Wondering
- Crawling vs Seeing: The method determines the effect
- A leap of faith vs. ten rides of a horse: persistence over talent
- Unrelenting vs Unrelenting: Attitude determines success or failure
- Earthworms vs Crabs: Concentration over Conditions
Advisory Worksheet Answers - Analysis of Rhetorical Devices
symbolism
- Cyan:Symbolising the fruits and realms of learning
- Bluegrass:Symbolising the foundation and starting point of learning
- Ice:Symbolises character after learning and transformation.
- Water:Symbolising primitive nature.
- Wheels:Symbolises the personality shaped by education
- Alpine:Symbolising the accumulation of learning achievements
parallelism
tripartite parallelism (grammar)
Example sentence:"Green is taken from the blue, but it is greener than the blue; ice is made from water, but it is colder than water. Wood is straight as a rope, wheel band as a wheel, and its curvature as a rule."
Role:Enhanced language to emphasise the changing role of learning
Contrasting Prose
Example sentence:"A heavy weight cannot take ten steps, and a horse can take ten rides without giving up."
Role:Highlighting the importance of perseverance through comparison
Progressive Ratio
Example sentence:"When the earth is built up into a mountain, the wind and rain will rise; when the water is built up into an abyss, the dragon will arise; when goodness is built up into virtue, the gods will be enlightened."
Role:The importance of accumulation is illustrated in a step-by-step manner.
dualistic device
| type | Example sentences | analysed |
| Right. | "Wood is straightened by ropes, and gold is sharpened by礪"。 | The two sentences are similar in meaning, both stating the effect of external forces. |
| Objection | "If you make a dogged effort, you can't break it; if you don't make a dogged effort, you can make a stone." | The two sentences have opposite meanings, comparing the results of perseverance and abandonment. |
| Streaming | "You can't make a thousand miles without short steps, and you can't make an ocean without a small stream." | The meaning of the preceding and following sentences is coherent, emphasising the importance of accumulation. |
Persuasive Worksheet Answers - DSE Exam Highlights
Common Exam Question Types
- The question of interpretation:Translate a given sentence or paragraph
- Explanation of words and phrases:Explanation of Chinese Characters and Unusual Characters
- Content Understanding:Analysing the main idea, the meaning of the paragraph, the method of argumentation
- Rhetorical device:Identify symbolism, prose, couplets, etc.
- Thought Analysis:Understanding Xunzi's Educational Thought
- Comparative Analysis:Comparison with other paradigms or thinkers
Question and Answer Techniques
Key Points for High Score Answers
- The translation should be accurate and complete, maintaining the philosophical nature of the original text.
- Explanations of words and phrases should be contextualised.
- Analyse with reason and cite the original text to support the argument
- Understanding the background of Xunzi's "Theory of Sexual Evil".
- Mastering the characteristics of metaphorical and contrastive argumentation
Common Failure Traps
- Over-verbalisation of the translation and loss of the characteristics of the Chinese language
- Only interpreting the literal meaning and ignoring the deeper meaning
- Superficial analyses that fail to integrate the context of ideas
- Confusing Features of Different Methods of Argumentation
- Failure to accurately identify hyponyms and multiple meanings of words
Example of DSE true title
DSE 2018 True Questions
Title:Synthesising the whole text of "Persuasion", what techniques does the author use to reason?
(1) Contrast (2) Simile (3) Question (4) Setting off
A. (1), (2) B. (1), (4) C. (2), (3) D. (2), (4)
Answer:A
Analysis:Persuasion mainly employs the two methods of argumentation, namely, contrast and metaphor. Contrasts such as "a single leap of a giant horse" and "ten rides of a horse", and metaphors such as "green comes out of the blue" and "ice freezes in the water" are used in the Exhortation.
DSE Real Questions 2019
Title:Try to explain the words in bold in the following sentence: "I try to think about it all day long.in a jiffyThe way I learnt it.
Answer:A moment / a time / a short period of time
Analysis:"A moment" is a commonly used Chinese word for a very short period of time. This phrase emphasises that learning in a short time is better than dreaming for a long time, highlighting the efficiency and importance of learning.
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Find a Chinese tutor nowAdvisory Worksheet Answers - Mock Exam Questions
The following mock examination questions are provided to help students consolidate what they have learnt:
Interpretation
Question 1:Translation: "When goodness is accumulated and virtue is attained, God's light is obtained and the heart of the saint is prepared.
Answer:By accumulating good deeds and cultivating virtues, the spirit will reach a high state of enlightenment, and the state of mind of a saint will be attained.
Analysis:"Accumulate goodness" means to accumulate good deeds; "Godly self-realisation" means to reach a high spiritual state; "Sacred heart" means to be equipped with the character of a saint.
Question 2:Translation: "The earthworm is not as strong as his claws and teeth, or as strong as his sinews and bones, but he eats the earth above and drinks the yellow springs below, and he has the same intention.
Answer:The earthworm has no sharp claws and teeth, no strong muscles and bones, but it can eat upwards to the soil and drink downwards to the groundwater, because it is dedicated to its purpose.
Analysis:The word "earthworm" refers to earthworms; "earth" refers to soil; "yellow spring" refers to underground water; and "heart" refers to dedication.
Content Comprehension Questions
Question 3:Why did Xunzi emphasise that "learning is not an option"?
Answer:It is because Xunzi believed that human nature is inherently evil and that only through continuous learning can one improve one's character and attain the state of a gentleman. Learning is the only way to transform human nature and enhance cultivation, so it cannot be stopped.
Analysis:It has to be understood in the context of Xunzi's theory of sex and evil.
Question 4:What does the comparison between earthworms and crabs illustrate?
Answer:It illustrates the principle that one must be dedicated to learning. The earthworm is not as well endowed as the crab, but it can survive because it is dedicated to its task; the crab is better endowed, but it has no place to live because it is fickle in its mind.
Analysis:This contrast emphasises that learning attitude is more important than natural ability.
Analytical questions
Question 5:Analyse the argumentative structure and logical hierarchy of the paper.
Answer:The whole text adopts a total division structure. The first paragraph puts forward the central thesis, "Learning cannot be done", and proves the role of learning; the second paragraph proves the method of learning, "Goodness is assumed to be in things"; the third paragraph proves the attitude of learning, which is to be persevering and concentrating. The third paragraph discusses the attitude of learning, which is to be persistent and dedicated. The three paragraphs are in-depth and logical.
Analysis:To analyse the overall structure of the text and the logical relationships between paragraphs.
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Persuasive Worksheets Answers - Tips for Revision
Familiarise yourself with the original text
Read aloud the original text repeatedly to understand the rhythm and rhyme of the language. It is recommended to read aloud 5-10 times a day until you are able to recite the whole text fluently.
Mastery of Words
They should focus on mastering real and imaginary words and generic characters in the Chinese language and make cards for regular revision. The students should pay special attention to the multiple meanings of words and the different meanings of words in ancient and modern times.
understandings
Understand Xunzi's theory of sex and evils and his ideas on education, and analyse the deeper meanings of the metaphors. You can make a mind map to help you remember.
Practice Answers
Do more practice questions and familiarise yourself with the techniques of answering various types of questions. In particular, you should practise translation and analysis questions to improve your presentation skills.
Contact Reality
Think about the modern significance of the article and relate it to contemporary educational concepts. Consider how Xunzi's concept of learning can inspire modern learning.
Regular review
Make a revision plan and review what you have learnt on a regular basis. It is recommended that you use spaced revision to improve your memory.
Memory Skills: Metaphorical Classification
Classify the metaphors in the Exhortation into three categories:
- Learning Role Category:Green in the blue, cold in the water, woodworking.
- Learning Methods category:To climb high, to shout into the wind, to use tools.
- Learning Attitude Category:The earth becomes a mountain, the horse is a bad horse, the carving of gold and stone, the earthworm and the crab.
Categorising in this way will help you to understand and remember the text in a more systematic way.
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