Yueyanglou Records Worksheet | Complete Translation Analysis + DSE Exam Highlights
Professional Chinese tutors provide detailed answers to help you gain a deeper understanding of Fan Zhongyan's classic prose and achieve good results in DSE Chinese Language. Yueyanglou Ji is one of the twelve sample essays of DSE Chinese Language. This page provides complete worksheet answers, translation analysis and examination highlights to help you grasp the essence of the essays with ease.
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Professional Translation Analysis
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Book a free consultationStandard Answers to Yueyanglou Kei Worksheet
Here are the standard answers and solutions to the common worksheet questions on "The Chronicle of Yueyanglou" to help you grasp the main points of the text and improve your ability to answer the questions.
Question 1: Explain the following Chinese characters and words (10 marks)
| Chinese Characters and Words | Standard Answer | Ideas for solving the problem |
| operate in an operational environment | Deposed officer stationed in the garrison | The word "謫" means to depose an official, and "守" is the abbreviation of "太守", which together means to become a governor after being deposed. |
| utensil | All, all, all. | Fu" means "all" in "百廢具興", meaning "all" in "百廢具興". |
| belong to | Please, please, please. | "屬" means "will" in "屬予作文以記之". |
| victory shape | Beautiful view. | "Sheng" means beautiful, "狀" means appearance, shape, together they mean beautiful scenery |
| migrant workers | Degraded Officials and Disillusioned Literati | The word "遷" means to move, "客" means a person who lives in another country, and "騷人" means a poet or a disillusioned writer. |
【 Instructor Tip 】 When interpreting Chinese words and phrases, it is important to understand the meaning of the words and phrases in context, rather than just memorising them by rote. In the DSE examination, questions on the interpretation of literary words and phrases usually take up 3-5 marks and are easier to score.
Question 2: Translate the following sentences (6 marks)
| original | Standard Language Interpretation | Scoring Points |
| To worry before the world worries, and to rejoice after the world rejoices. | Worry before the world worries, and be happy after the world is happy. | Accurately translating the temporal relationship between "first" and "last" to express the spirit of thinking for the people. |
| If you live high up in the temple, you worry about your people; if you live far away in the jungle, you worry about your ruler. | When he was an official at the court, he worried about the people; when he was far away from the court, he worried about the king. | The accurate translation of the contrast between "temple" and "jianghu" shows that no matter where you are, you are always concerned about your country. |
| Who will return to me? | Without such a man, to whom will I turn? | The accurate translation of "微" as "没有" expresses the author's desire for like-minded people. |
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2023 HKDSE Examination Candidates
Question 3: Article Structure Analysis (8 marks)
| paragraph | Content Summary | Structural effects |
| Paragraph 1 | Record of the background to the restoration of Yueyanglou and the reasons for the record. | Explain the origin of the writing and introduce the following |
| second paragraph | Summarise the scenery of Yueyanglou, and extend it to the following with "The feeling of looking at things is no different from that of the other". | Carrying on from the above, leading to the following description of the scenery and mood in different weather conditions. |
| third paragraph | It describes the sadness of a traveller who climbs up a building and sees the stormy and gloomy scenery. | Echoing the above "the feeling of looking at things", showing the side of emotions arising from the scenery |
| fourth paragraph | It describes the joy that a traveller or a poet feels when he climbs up the stairs and sees the beautiful spring scenery. | Contrasting with the third paragraph, it further demonstrates the other side of emotions arising from the scenery |
| Paragraph 5 | Discussing the fact that a man of honour will not be happy or sad because of the scenery of the time or the situation of his career, expressing the author's feelings and political aspirations of worrying about the world before the world and being happy after the world. | Summarise the whole text, point out the main idea and express the author's political ideals. |
Question 4: Analysis of Writing Techniques (6 marks)
Contrast
Rhetoric
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We provide a complete worksheet analysis of "A Record of the House of Yueyang" to help you fully grasp the key points of the text.
Download the full worksheetTranslation of the Records of the Yueyang Mansion
The following is a comparison of the original text and the modern Chinese translation of Yueyanglou Ji to help you understand the text in depth.
Paragraph 1
In the spring of the fourth year of the Qingli period, Teng Zijing was in charge of Baling County. In the next year, the government was in harmony, and all kinds of wastes were being rebuilt. Teng Zijing rebuilt Yueyang Mansion, added to its old system, and engraved poems of Tang scholars and present-day artists on it. I was given the honour of writing a poem to mark the occasion.
In the spring of the fourth year of the Qingli period, Teng Zijing was demoted to the post of governor of Baling County. In the next year, the government was successful, the people were happy, and all kinds of deserted undertakings were revived. So he rebuilt Yueyang Tower, enlarged its size, engraved poems of the Tang Dynasty and contemporary celebrities on it, and asked me to write an article to record this event.
second paragraph
I look at the victory of Baling, a lake in Dongting. Articulate distant mountains, swallow the Yangtze River, the vastness of the soup, across the endless end of the world; sunrise and sunset yin, the atmosphere of a thousand. This is a great view of Yueyanglou, the former statement is ready. However, the north through the Wushan Gorge, the south pole Ruo Xiang, migrant harassers, more will be in this, the feeling of visiting things, no difference?
The beauty of Baling County is centred on the Dongting Lake, which joins the distant mountains and swallows the Yangtze River. It connects to the distant mountains, swallowing the Yangtze River's current, the water is vast, boundless, the day morning and evening, rainy and sunny, the scenery is ever-changing. This is the majestic scenery of Yueyanglou. The account of the previous generation has been very detailed. Nevertheless, as it leads to the Wu Gorge in the north, and to the Xiao and Xiang waters in the south, where most of the deposed and exiled officials and disillusioned poets gathered, were their emotions triggered by the appreciation of the natural scenery not different?
third paragraph
If the heavy rain falls and the moon does not open; the wind is blowing furiously and the turbid waves are discharging into the sky; the sun and the stars are hidden and the mountains are hidden; the merchants and travellers are not able to travel and the oars are destroyed; and the twilight is dark and the tigers and apes are crying. When you climb the stairs, you will be nostalgic for your home country, worried about the status quo and fearful of the consequences, and your eyes will be full of depression and sadness.
When it is cloudy and rainy for months on end, when the cold winds roar and the waves surge up to the sky, when the sun and stars hide their light and the forms of the mountains disappear, when merchants and travellers are unable to move forward, when the masts of ships fall and the oars are broken, when the sky is dark in the evening, when the tigers wail, and the apes and monkeys cry, when one climbs up to this building, he will feel like leaving the capital and miss his homeland, and he is afraid of the irony and the criticism from others, and he is filled with sadness at the extreme of his feelings. The scene is full of depressions and sadness to the extreme.
fourth paragraph
If the spring and the scenery are clear, the waves are not alarmed, the sky is bright, the blue sky is ten thousand hectares; the seagulls are gathering, the scales are swimming, the banks are full of dahurian orchids, and the landscape is lush and green. Or the long smoke in the sky, the white moon thousands of miles, floating light leaping gold, quiet shadow sinking jewellery; fishermen's songs and answering each other, this is the ultimate joy! Ascending the building, there is a sense of relaxation, forgetting all pets and insults, wine in the wind, and the joy of it.
When the spring wind is warm and the sun is shining, the lake is calm, the surface of the lake does not raise half a wave, the sky and the lake are connected with each other, a turquoise green, vast and boundless; the gulls on the sandbar sometimes fly, sometimes stop, the fish swim around, the herbs on the shore and the orchids on the small continent, the fragrance is fragrant, the grass and the trees are luxuriant. Sometimes the pervasive fog dissipates, and the bright moon shines on the surface of the lake in golden light, the quiet moon looks like a jade sunk in the water, and the fishermen's songs are sung in unison, so the pleasure is really endless! At this time to climb this building, will feel happy mood, happy spirit, favour and humiliation are all forgotten, take up a glass of wine, face the wind, really happy and happy.
Paragraph 5
Contempt! I try to seek the heart of the ancient benevolent people, or different from the behaviour of the two. Why? Not to be happy with things, not to be sad with oneself. In the height of the temple, then worry about its people; in the far reaches of the river and lake, then worry about its ruler. If you are worried when you go in and worried when you go out, then when will you be happy? It must be said, "To worry before the world worries, and to be happy after the world is happy"! Yelp! Who will return to me?
Alas! I have explored the ancient virtues of those noble, worried about the country and the people's state of mind, perhaps different from the performance of the migrant, the showman, why is it? This is because they do not because of the good and bad of external things and their own gains and losses and either happy or sad. When he was an official at the court, he worried about the people; when he was far away from the court, he worried about the king. When they are at court, they worry for the people; when they are far away from the court, they worry for the king. When will they be happy? They will surely say, "Worry before the world worries, and be happy after the world is happy! Without such people, to whom will I turn?
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Book a tutor nowNotes on Key Chinese Characters and Words
The following is a list of key Chinese words and phrases in "The Records of the Yueyang Mansion". Grasping the meanings of these words and phrases will help you to understand the content of the text.
Key words in the first paragraph
Key words in the second paragraph
Key words in the third and fourth paragraphs
【 Instructor Tip 】 In the DSE, questions on the interpretation of Chinese characters and words appear frequently, so it is recommended that you focus on mastering them. In particular, "謫守", "具", "屬", "遷客騷人" and "遷客騷人" are the most frequently asked questions in the DSE.
Analysis of Writing Techniques
The following is an analysis of the main writing techniques used in The Records of Yueyang Mansion.
Contrast
| Comparison | Embodied in the text | effect |
| Scenery Comparison | On a cloudy day, "heavy rain or sleet falls, and the moon never opens" and on a sunny day, "spring and scenery are clear, and the waves are not alarming". | Highlighting the differences in scenery under different weather conditions, paving the way for the emotional contrast below. |
| Emotional Comparison | A cloudy day is "sad" and a sunny day is "happy". | To express the characteristic of a traveller's emotions arising from the scenery, and to make a contrast with the state of mind of the Ancient Benevolent Man below. |
| Comparison of State of Mind | The "joy of things, sorrow of self" of the migrant and the "not joy of things, not sorrow of self" of the ancient kind-hearted people | Highlighting the noble character and broad-mindedness of the ancient benevolent people and expressing the author's political ideals |
borrow scenery to express emotion
By describing the scenery of Dongting Lake under different weather conditions, the author expresses different emotions. On cloudy and rainy days, the scenery is cruel, which triggers the sadness of the people who move in and out of the lake; on sunny days, the scenery is beautiful, which triggers the joy of the people who move in and out of the lake. This technique of expressing emotions through scenery makes the essay a mixture of scenario and far-reaching meaning.
Rhetoric
dyad
four-character sentence
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Article Structure Analysis
The following is a detailed analysis of the structure of the article Yueyang Lou Zhi, which is structured in a strict and well-defined manner.
Overall Structure
| Structural features | illustrate |
| echo one another | At the beginning of the essay, Teng Zijing is mentioned as "operating in Baling County", and at the end of the essay, he is mentioned as "being far away from the rivers and lakes, I am worried about my king", which forms an echo and expresses the author's encouragement to his friend. |
| Layer by Layer | From recounting the restoration of Yueyang Tower, to describing the scenery of Dongting Lake, to the feelings of the migrants, and finally to the state of mind of the Ancient Benevolent One, the theme is deepened in a progressive manner. |
| Contrasting Structures | The third paragraph contrasts with the fourth paragraph, and the third and fourth paragraphs also contrast with the fifth paragraph, highlighting the main idea through contrasts |
role of paragraphs
- Explain the background and origin of the writing
- Describing the magnificent scenery of Yueyanglou
- The question "Is there no difference in the way we look at things?
First and second paragraphs (introductory part)
- Describing the scenery of rainy and sunny days
- Expressing the characteristic of a traveller's emotions arising from the scenery
- To pave the way for the state of mind of the Ancient Benefactor below
Third and fourth paragraphs (exhibits)
- Presenting the state of mind of the ancient benevolent man who "did not take things for granted and did not feel sorry for himself".
- To express the political ideal of "worrying about the world before the world worries and rejoicing after the world rejoices".
- Summarise the whole text and point out the main idea
Fifth paragraph (conclusion)
【 Instructor Tip 】 In the DSE, questions on structural analysis of essays usually take up 4-6 marks. When answering the questions, you should pay attention to analysing the relationship between paragraphs, especially the role of carrying on and starting off, and how to highlight the main idea through the structural arrangement.
DSE Exam Key Points Analysis
Yueyanglou Zhi is one of the twelve sample essays in DSE Chinese Language. The following is an analysis of the examination focuses and test-taking strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Topic Type | Test Points | weighting | Question and Answer Techniques |
| Explanation of Characters and Words | Operating system, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with, with | 3-5 points | Accurately explain the meaning of words and phrases, paying attention to hyponyms and multiple meanings. |
| language translation | Famous lines such as "To worry before the world worries, and to rejoice after the world rejoices". | 3-6 points | Accurate translations that preserve the meaning of the original text and express it in modern languages |
| Writing Techniques | Contrasting techniques, expressing emotions through scenery, rhetorical techniques, etc. | 4-6 points | Name the techniques, give examples and analyse their effects. |
| Keynote analysis | The state of mind, political ideals, etc. of the ancient benevolent people | 5-8 points | Analysing "not to be happy with things, not to be sad with oneself" and "to worry before the world worries, and to be happy after the world's happiness" |
Analysis of Recent Exam Questions
| years | topic | analysed |
| 2022 | "Usage Analysis of the Word "者 | Examining the usage of Chinese fictional words requires mastering the different uses of "者" in different sentences |
| 2020 | Explanation of the word "屬" and the target of "憂" in "進也憂，退也憂". | Examining generic and contextual understanding, it is necessary to accurately understand that the opposites of "憂" are "民" and "君". |
| 2019 | "Translation of the phrase "Who will I be with? | To examine the translation of famous sentences, it is necessary to accurately understand the meaning of "微" as "没有"("有"). |
Answer template
Writing techniques analysis questions
1. Point out the techniques: this article uses (name of technique)
2. Illustrative examples: e.g., "(original example)"
3. Analytical function: the function of this technique is (analytical function)
4. Integration of the main idea: This is related to the expression (main idea) of the article.
Keynote analysis questions
1. Summarise the main idea: The main idea of this paper is (main idea)
2. Argument from example: This is exemplified by the text "(sic example)".
3. In-depth analysis: the author emphasises (deeper meaning) through (analytical techniques)
4. The context of the union: the biographical background of the collaborators, which reflects (the significance of the times).
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A complete series of twelve model texts
In addition to Yueyanglou Ji, we also provide detailed analyses of 12 sample essays of other DSE Chinese subjects to help you fully prepare for the DSE Chinese examination.
classical Chinese as a literary model, esp. in Tang and Song prose
Three Tang Poems
Need a full set of 12 sample worksheets?
We provide complete DSE Chinese 12 Sample Worksheets and Answers to help you fully prepare for the DSE.
Download the full set of worksheetsFrequently Asked Questions
The following questions and answers are commonly asked by students when learning about "The Records of Yueyang House".
What is the main theme of "The Records of Yueyang House"?
The main theme of "The Records of Yueyang Tower" is to express the author's broad-mindedness of "not to be happy with things and not to be sad with oneself" and his political ambition of "worrying about the world before the world worries, and rejoicing after the world rejoices". By describing the scenery of Dongting Lake under different weather conditions and the different feelings of the migrants, the author compares the state of mind of the Ancient Benevolent People and expresses his own political ideals and attitude towards life.
How to understand the deeper meaning of "worrying before the world and rejoicing after the world"?
The deeper meaning of these words is that they express a noble political ideal and attitude towards life. The phrase "to worry before the world worries" means to worry about the sufferings of the world before the world worries; "to be happy after the world is happy" means to be happy only after the world is happy. This embodies the spirit of the ancient scholars who "took the world as their own responsibility" and expresses the author's willingness to dedicate himself to the country and the people.
What are the common types of questions asked in DSE Exam for "The Records of Yueyang House"?
In the DSE, the common question types of "The Records of Yueyanglou" include: word interpretation questions (e.g. "謫守", "具", "屬", etc.), translation questions (e.g. famous lines such as "worrying before the world, and rejoicing after the world", etc.), writing techniques analysis questions (e.g. the technique of contrast, the use of scenery to express emotion, etc.), and main idea analysis questions (e.g. the state of mind of the ancient benevolence and the political ideals of the ancient benevolence and the filial piety, etc.). In addition, comparative analyses may be conducted with other sample texts, e.g. comparison with the chapter "On the Gentleman" in On Ren, On Filial Piety and On the Gentleman.
How to study "The Records of Yueyang House" effectively?
Ways to effectively learn the Book of Yueyanglou include:
- Familiarise yourself with the original text and understand its meaning
- Mastery of key words and phrases, especially generic words and multi-meaning words.
- Analyse the structure of the text and understand the relationship between paragraphs.
- Mastering the techniques of writing, especially the use of contrasts and the use of scenery to express emotion.
- Understand the main idea and grasp the deeper meaning of "not to be happy with things, not to be sad with oneself" and "to worry before the world and to be happy after the world".
- Do previous years' DSE questions to familiarise yourself with the question types and answering techniques.
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