Answers to "When is the Moon?" Worksheet

In-depth analyses of Su Shi's famous words, mastering the essence of the literary language and making it easy for the DSE Chinese Language Exam.

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When is the Moon in the Song of Water - Classical Architecture under the Moonlight at Mid-Autumn Festival

Content of this page

Original text and context - full text of the lyrics and the context of their creation

About the Author

Su Shi (1037-1101), Chinese poet and writer, author of "The Sacred Heart" (蘇軾)He was a native of Meishan, Meizhou (present-day Meishan, Sichuan). He was a famous writer, calligrapher and painter of the Northern Song Dynasty, and one of the Eight Great Poets of the Tang and Song dynasties.

  • Lexical innovation:Created the school of Magnificence and Expansion of the subject matter of the word
  • Prose Achievement:Ou and Su, together with Ouyang Xiu
  • Poetry:He and Huang Tingjian were also known as "Su Huang".
  • The art of calligraphy:One of the Four Schools of Song (Su, Huang, Mi and Cai)

Background

Creation time:Mid-Autumn Festival in the 9th year of Emperor Xining of the Song Dynasty (1076)

Place of creation:Mizhou (present-day Lucheng, Shandong)

The reason for the creation:

  • Su Shi was the governor of Mizhou and was politically disillusioned.
  • Mid-Autumn Festival Thinking of My Brother, Su Lu (Ziyu)
  • I was drunk all night to drown my sorrows.
  • Expressing thoughts of loved ones and insights into life.
Su Shi Calligraphy - When is the Moon in the Watery Harmony Song?

"In Dong Po's words, he has washed away all the fragrance of chiropractic, and his sentiments are endless, and there is a different heaven and earth."

--Chen Tingzhuo, Baiyu zhai zhi yu (Remarks of the Baiyu齋).

Historical Status

The Song of Songs in Water Tunes - When Will the Moon Come?" is known as "the greatest of all mid-autumn poems" and is one of the most famous mid-autumn poems in the history of ancient Chinese literature, embodying the typical characteristics of Su Shi's bold and unrestrained style of lyrics.

Original text

preface

In the mid-autumn of the year B-chen, I was drunk and had a good time drinking. I wrote this piece for Ziyu.

first film

When will the moon shine? Ask the sky with a glass of wine.
I don't know what year it is when I see the palace in the sky.
I want to go home by the wind, but I am afraid that it is not cold enough to stay in the agitated buildings.
The dance of the shadow of a clear sky is like a human being's world!

stop screening a film

I am not sleepless, but I am in a state of shock.
We should not have any hatred. Why should we always look back to the other time?
People have their sorrows and joys, and the moon has its yin and yang, and this is not always the case.
I wish that people would stay together for a long time, and that they would be together for thousands of miles.

Translation Comparison - Detailed Sentence-by-Sentence Translation

original language translation
In the mid-autumn of the year B-chen, I was drunk and had a good time drinking. I wrote this piece for Ziyu. On the Mid-Autumn Festival in the year B-chen, he drank happily until the next morning, and when he was very drunk, he wrote this poem while thinking of his younger brother Su Lu.
When will the moon shine? Ask the sky with a glass of wine. Since when has the bright moon existed? I raised my glass of wine and asked the sky.
I don't know what year it is when I see the palace in the sky. I wonder what year it is tonight in the heavenly palace.
I want to go home by the wind, but I am afraid that it is not cold enough to stay in the agitated buildings. I want to go back to heaven with the fresh wind, but I am afraid that the building made of beautiful jade will not be able to withstand the cold at the high place.
The dance of the shadow of a clear sky is like a human being's world! Dancing and enjoying the moonlight, how can I compare to being in the human world?
I am not sleepless, but I am in a state of shock. The moon turned over the vermilion-coloured pavilion and hung low over the carved windows, illuminating his sleepless self.
We should not have any hatred. Why should we always look back to the other time? The moon shouldn't hold a grudge against people, why does it only get full when people are leaving?
People have their sorrows and joys, and the moon has its yin and yang, and this is not always the case. People have sadness and joy, and the moon has its own changes, and it is difficult to be thorough in this kind of thing.
I wish that people would stay together for a long time, and that they would be together for thousands of miles. I only hope that all my relatives in this world are safe and healthy, and that they can share this beautiful moonlight even though they are thousands of miles apart.
When is the Moon in the Song of Water - Ancient Literati under the Moon at Mid-Autumn Festival

Character Notes - Key Chinese Vocabulary Analysis

Focus on Real Words

  • Dardan: to the morning; to early morning.
  • Zi Yu (1907-1984), the founder of a Chinese communist party: Characters of Su Shi's younger brother, Su Lu (蘇轍).
  • raise one's wine cup: To hold up a glass of wine. To put, to hold, to hold.
  • palace: Ancient palace and its palace gates, in this case the palace in the middle of the moon.
  • a jade palace with agitated roofs: A building made of beautiful jade, referring to an imaginary fairy palace.
  • be victorious: unable to withstand. Victory: to undertake, to withstand.
  • make clear the situation: To play with the figure in the moonlight. To make: to play with.

Focus on Vocabulary

  • how similarI don't know where to begin.
  • what business?Why?
  • long term direction: Always at... Time. Long: often; Towards: at... Time.
  • No.I don't think so.
  • but: only, only.
  • common: together, together.

Analysis of famous sentences

  • Chukwok (place name)The cinnabar-red ornate mansion.
  • Peggy's house: Ornately carved windows and doors.
  • lit. light a sleepless night: Shine on the one who has no sleep (referring to the psalmist himself).
  • Jennifer.: Refers to the moon, the good moonlight.
  • It is hard to argue with this.: This is something that has been difficult to perfect since the beginning of time.
Answers to "The Song of Water" - Ancient Chinese Vocabulary Explanatory Chart

Literary Analysis - Main Ideas and Artistic Features

main idea

  • Thinking of My RelativesThe lyricist pines for his younger brother Su Lu, who is thousands of miles away, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, expressing his deep love for his brother. "Reminiscing about Ziyu" illustrates the motivation of the composition, and "Wishing for a long life, a thousand miles together" expresses the good wishes for his relatives.
  • life lessonsThrough observing the moon's fullness and shortness, the poet realises that life's sorrows, joys and reunions are natural laws, and embodies his open-minded attitude towards life. "People have their sorrows and joys, and the moon is full and the moon is full, and this matter cannot be resolved forever.
  • The Paradox of Being Out of the World and Into the WorldThe first piece shows the complex psychology of the lyricist who wants to escape from the world ("I want to go back by the wind"), but is also fond of the human world ("Why is it like being in the human world?"), reflecting his inner struggle after his political disappointment.
  • Best WishesThe ending of the poem, "But I wish that people would stay together for a long time, and that they would be together for thousands of miles" is not only a blessing for my brother, but also a wish for all those who are leaving each other in the world, and it embodies the greatness of the lyricist's heart.
Water Tune Song Leader: When Will the Moon Be Bright - A Structural Analysis of the Lyrics

Structural Analysis

Previous：Riding the wind and asking for the moon, hovering between ideal and reality

The next piece: writing about the moon and remembering people, from sadness to blessing.

Analysis of the first filmThe lyricist begins with a question about the moon, and by imagining himself returning on the wind and worrying about the cold in the sky, he finally chooses the human world, showing the contradiction between the thoughts of the worldly and the worldly.

Analysis of the next pieceFrom the moonlight shining on his sleepless self, to complaining about why the moon is always full at the time of parting, to realising the philosophy of life, and finally ending with a good wish, the emotions are progressive and the realm of the world continues to rise.

Artistic Features

bold and free style of lyricism

Breaking away from the traditional euphemistic style of the lyrics, he expressed his feelings in a bold and free style, creating a precedent for the bold and free school of lyrics. There are both romantic imagination and philosophical discourse in the lyrics.

have strange imaginations

Sentences such as "I want to go home by the wind" and "I wonder what year it is when the palace is in heaven" are full of romanticism, with strange imagery and a broader meaning.

exuberant in feeling and reason

There are both deep feelings (thinking of my brother) and profound philosophy (life lessons), which makes it both emotional and touching.

Excellent language

The use of words is refined and the rhymes are harmonious. For example, "But I wish that people would stay together for a long time, and that they would be together for a long time" has become a famous line that has been recited for thousands of years.

Writing Techniques - Rhetorical Skills and Expressive Techniques

Rhetoric

Rhetoric Example sentences effect
Ask a question When will the moon shine? Ask the sky with a glass of wine. The opening question arouses the reader's thoughts, creates a romantic atmosphere, and sets the tone for the whole word.
rhetorical question We should not have any hatred. Why should we always look back to the other time? The expression of complaints about the moon is actually a lament about the pain of parting, which enhances the tone.
dyad People have their sorrows and joys, and the moon has its fullness. The sentences are neat and harmonious, and the contrast between human and natural phenomena is philosophical.
proposer There should be no hate. Giving the moon human emotions makes the description more vivid and graphic.
exaggerate I want to go home by the wind. It is an exaggerated expression of the desire to transcend the world, embodying the colours of romanticism.

presentation

borrow scenery to express emotion

The whole poem expresses emotions through the description of the full moon:

  • first filmThe moon is a bright, full moon, and the idea of transcending the mundane is a reflection of the contradiction between the idea of "leaving the world" and the idea of "entering the world".
  • stop screening a filmThe following is a description of a scene: from a long sleepless night to the full moon shining in the sky, one thinks of one's brother who has been away for a long time, and expresses one's longing for him.

Combining the virtual and the real

Virtual: Imaginative descriptions such as "I want to go home by the wind" and "the agitated jade palace".

ActualThe real-life depictions such as "Turning to the vermilion pavilion and the lowly, beautiful room, where you can't sleep.

effectThe combination of the real and the virtual enhances the artistic impact and imagination of the words.

blend of scenarios

The perfect fusion of personal feelings and natural scenery makes the lyrics both objective descriptions of scenery and subjective expression of emotions, achieving the artistic realm of blending of scenes.

Answers to the "Song of Water" - Rhetorical Devices Analysis Chart

Worksheet Answers - Complete Question Answers

Question 1: The author lamented that the moon appeared only when people could not be reunited, but what did he realise afterwards?

This is just like the moon having yin and yang, which is unavoidable since ancient times. The author realises that there are always sorrows and joys in life, and that there is no impermanence in life, and that there is no perfection in the world. The author realises that there are always sadness and joy in life, and that the moon is full and sunny, which is unavoidable since ancient times. This shows that the author realises that this is the law of nature, which cannot be changed, and therefore he should face it with an open mind.

Question 2: Why does the author feel this way?

During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, Su Shi was an official of the Ministry of Rites, but he was arrested and imprisoned for the crime of "slandering the court" in a poem against Wang Anshi's reforms, and was demoted to the state of Huangzhou after his release from prison. He was arrested and imprisoned for opposing Wang Anshi's reforms, and after his release from prison, he was deported to Huangzhou. He was later deposed to Huizhou and Danzhou. He died in Changzhou in the second year after his return to the north. For a politically disillusioned person, it is inevitable that he would be dissatisfied with the reality. However, Su Shi was open-minded and not pessimistic, and the concluding lines fully express the poet's good wishes.

Question 3: "There should not be any hatred, why should things always be rounded up at the end of time? What kind of emotion does the author express?

This line expresses the author's resentment towards the moon, which is in fact a lament about the pain of parting. The author thinks that the moon should not have any grudges against people, but it is full only when people are leaving, which adds to the bitterness of parting. This kind of anthropomorphic expression projects the inner loss and helplessness onto the moon, showing the author's regret and longing for not being able to be reunited with his brother.

Question 4: What philosophy is embodied in the saying "People have their sorrows and joys, the moon has its waxing and waning, and there is no such thing as a perfect balance"?

These words embody a profound philosophy of life:

  • Laws of NatureThe sadness and joy of people and the waxing and waning of the moon are natural laws that cannot be avoided.
  • life lessonsNothing is perfect. Life can't be perfect.
  • Open-mindednessSince this is a difficult thing to do, we should face it with an open mind.
  • Philosophical Sublimation: from the pain of personal separation to the realisation of the universal laws of life.

Question 5: What kind of emotion does the author express in "Wishing for a long time, a thousand miles to be with you"?

This line expresses the author's good wishes for his family and friends, wishing that all of them will be safe and healthy, and that they will be able to enjoy the beautiful moonlight together even if they are thousands of miles apart. This sentence embodies:

  • Deeply Affectionate: Deepest thoughts and blessings to my brother Sutro
  • open-mindedness: From complaining about the moon to wishing the best, emotions are sublimated!
  • Universal SentimentsThis is not only a blessing for my brother, but also a wish for all those who are leaving us.
  • OptimismThough we are parted, we can still be connected by watching the moon together.
Answers to the worksheet "When is the Moon?" - Student Learning Scenarios

DSE Exam Highlights - Question Analyses and Exam Techniques

Importance of DSE in Chinese Language Examination

Shui Tiao Ge Tou (水調歌頭-明月幾時有) is one of the DSE Chinese Literature sample texts, which has an important status in the examination:

  • Compulsory Essay: A designated chapter in the Chinese language, which must be mastered well.
  • High Frequency Test Points: Often found in reading comprehension and literary translation questions.
  • Writing Materials: can be used as a source of argumentative and lyrical material
  • Cultural Heritage: Embodying the deep heritage of Chinese culture

Frequently Asked Questions

Word and Phrase Interpretation Questions

Examination highlights: Meanings and Usage of Key Chinese Vocabularies

VocabularyWine, Going Home, Unwinnable, What a Wonderful Life, and Beautiful, etc.

Exam Tips: Understand the meaning of words in context, paying attention to ancient and modern anagrams and multiple meanings of words.

Sentence Translation

Examination highlights: Accurate translation of important sentences

Common Sentences: Famous lines such as "But I wish people would stay together for a long time, and they would be together for thousands of miles".

Exam Tips: direct translation, supported by Italian translation, with attention to language fluency

Content Comprehension Questions

Examination highlights: the main idea and emotional content of the composition

Frequently Asked Questions: background of creation, ideological contradictions, life lessons, etc.

Exam Tips: To understand the content in context and to grasp the pulse of emotional changes.

Artistic Approach

Examination highlights: the use of rhetorical and expressive devices

common practiceQuestioning, pairing, expressing emotions through scenery, combining the virtual and the real, etc.

Exam Tips: identify the techniques accurately and analyse their expressive effects

Water Tune Songtou When Is the Moon Working Paper Answers - DSE Exam Preparation Tips

Examples of DSE past questions

years topic Reference Answer
2023 Explain the meanings of the words in the following sentence: "I want to ride the wind".go homeI'm afraid that the king-sized buildings and the high places are not as good as they used to be.be victoriousCold." go home: go back, go back to heaven.
be victoriousI can't take it. I can't take it.
2022 What kind of emotion does the author express in "Wishing for a long time, a thousand miles to be together"? This line expresses the author's good wishes for his family and friends, hoping that all of them will be safe and healthy, and that even though they are thousands of miles apart, they can still enjoy the beautiful moonlight together. It reflects the author's broad-mindedness and his desire for a better life.
2021 Analyse the rhetorical devices used and their effects in the phrase "People have their sorrows and joys, the moon has its yin and yang, the moon is full and the moon is full and the moon is full and the moon is full and the moon is full and the moon is full and the moon is full". Rhetoric: Pairs
effectIt is a philosophical statement that the imperfection of the world is a natural law, and it embodies the author's open-minded attitude towards life.

Extended Learning - Related Works and Cultural Contexts

Other representative works of Su Shi

Nian Nujiao - Reminiscences of the Red Cliffs

StylesWords

Theme: Reminiscing about the past and the present

celebrated phrase"As the great river goes east, the waves are exhausted, and a thousand windswept men and women have passed through the ages."

feature: A masterpiece of the bold style of lyricism

"Jiangchengzi" - "The Hunting in Mizhou".

StylesWords

Theme: Expressing the ambition to serve the country

celebrated phrase"The old man's got to be a teenager."

feature: bold, impassioned, and majestic

Red Cliff Founder

Styles: Prose

Theme: Philosophy of Life, Sense of the Universe

celebrated phrase"The past is the past, and the future is not yet the past."

feature: beautifully worded and philosophical

Title of the Western Forest Wall

Styles: Poetry

Theme: Philosophical Thoughts

celebrated phrase"I don't know the true face of Mount Lushan, but only because I'm here."

feature: A thought-provoking view with a rationale.

Answers to "When is the Moon?" Worksheet - Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Context

Comparative Reading

work (of art) author Similarities Differences
Silent Night Thoughts Li Bai They are all about the moon, and they all use the moon to express their feelings. Li Bai: direct lyricism, simple language
Su Shi: Philosophical and discursive, with an open mind.
Reminiscence of the Moon Zhang Jiu Ling (1890-1989), founding member of the Ming dynasty They all look at the moon in mid-autumn and miss people far away. Zhang Jiu Ling: Deeply emotional, more subtle
Su Shi: bold, free and philosophical
The Drunken Blossom. Li Qingzhao We're all sad about leaving each other. Li Qingzhao: A gentle, subtle, sorrowful woman
Su Shi: open-minded and cheerful, turning sorrows into wishes
Answers to "When is the Moon?" Worksheet - Song Dynasty Cultural Background

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