# A Level Chinese Translation and Essay Practice: Into English, Into Chinese and the Essay on a Work Translation passages both ways with model answers and traps, and the A level Chinese critical essay step by step with analytical language and plans, with audio Source: https://www.saymei.app/resources/downloads/a-level-chinese-translation-and-essay-practice ## At a glance - Level: A level (about HSK 5-6) - Format: Workbook · PDF · 16 pages · US Letter (prints on A4) - Price: Free · free with a saymei account · updated Nov 4, 2026 ## Download Free with a SayMei account, on the workbook's page: https://www.saymei.app/resources/downloads/a-level-chinese-translation-and-essay-practice. SayMei emails a copy too. ## A line from the workbook 这部电影让我思考了很多。 (Zhè bù diànyǐng ràng wǒ sīkǎole hěn duō.) — This film made me think a lot. ## By the end you can - Know what each written task asks of you. Paper 1 ends with a translation into English. Paper 2 has a translation into Chinese and essays on the works you studied. Translate meaning, not single words, and argue instead of retelling the plot. 翻译要准确，作文要有观点。 (Fānyì yào zhǔnquè, zuòwén yào yǒu guāndiǎn.): A translation must be accurate; an essay must have a point of view. - Avoid ten common traps when translating into English. Topic-first word order, measure words, 了 for a change, two 了 for something still going on, 被, tense from context, and idioms like 入乡随俗. 我学了三年中文了。 (Wǒ xuéle sān nián Zhōngwén le.): I have been learning Chinese for three years. - Translate two passages into natural English. A grandfather who learns to order takeaway on his phone, and a family making zongzi at the Dragon Boat Festival, each with a Model answer to compare. 对我来说，节日的意义在于和谁一起过。 (Duì wǒ lái shuō, jiérì de yìyì zàiyú hé shéi yìqǐ guò.): For me, the meaning of a festival lies in who you spend it with. - Translate into Chinese with the key structures. A passage on young people moving to big cities and one on paper-cutting going online, with 随着, 虽然……但是 and 不但……而且, and fixes for slips like the time after the verb. 这句话怎么说更自然？ (Zhè jù huà zěnme shuō gèng zìrán?): How can I say this sentence more naturally? - Build a critical essay paragraph by paragraph. A point that answers the question, evidence in your own words, analysis of how and why, and a link back. Read the task word first: 分析, 评价 or 讨论. 作者通过这个细节表现了人物的孤独。 (Zuòzhě tōngguò zhège xìjié biǎoxiànle rénwù de gūdú.): Through this detail, the author shows the character's loneliness. - Use analytical language for themes, characters and film. Ten lines for theme, character development, contrast, symbol, viewpoint, close-up shots, endings, purpose, evaluation and a counter-argument. 两代人的想法形成了鲜明的对比。 (Liǎng dài rén de xiǎngfǎ xíngchéngle xiānmíng de duìbǐ.): The two generations' views form a sharp contrast. - Plan an essay on a story, then on your own set work. Plan and write key parts of an essay on a short SayMei story, 《旧钢琴》, then fill in frames for your own set text or film and present the plan aloud in two minutes. 在我看来，钢琴代表奶奶的回忆。最后它去了小学，说明回忆可以传下去。 (Zài wǒ kànlái, gāngqín dàibiǎo nǎinai de huíyì. Zuìhòu tā qùle xiǎoxué, shuōmíng huíyì kěyǐ chuán xiàqu.): To me, the piano stands for Grandma's memories. In the end it goes to the school, which shows memories can be passed on. ## What's inside - The papers: The Written Papers in One Page - Into English: Ten Traps Into English · Two Passages Into English - Into Chinese: Into Chinese: Moving to the City · Into Chinese: An Old Art Online - The essay: Build a Critical Essay · Analytical Language · Plan an Essay on a Short Story · Frames for Your Own Set Work - Review: Present Your Essay Plan - Plan: Your Eight-Week Written Plan ## How to use this book Work in order: into English, into Chinese, then the essay. Try each task before you look at the Model answers in the key, and say every model aloud with the free audio. The book's own plan takes eight weeks. - Weeks 1–2: Into English. Learn the ten traps on page 4, translate two short paragraphs, then redo page 5 without the key and start a list of your own mistakes. - Week 3: Into Chinese. Redo pages 6 and 7, then write ten sentences of your own with 随着, 虽然……但是 and 不但……而且. - Week 4: Your set work. Reread your set text or rewatch your film, and note three key scenes, one symbol and one technique in Chinese. - Weeks 5–6: Frames and a plan talk. Complete the frames on page 11 for your own work, write one full analysis paragraph, then present a timed essay plan aloud in two minutes. - Week 7: A timed essay. Write one complete essay in timed conditions, check it against the traps on pages 4, 6 and 7, and ask your teacher to mark it. - Week 8: Daily timed practice. One timed translation each way and one essay plan a day, reading your mistakes list first. ## Who it's for Students taking Pearson Edexcel A level Chinese (9CN0) who want to practise both translations and the essay on a literary text or film, and teachers who want passages and essay frames with model answers. Before you start: Chinese at about HSK 5 to 6. The traps and the analytical lines have pinyin and English, and the free audio reads every Chinese line with a pause to say it back. Check the essay word guide and your set works with your teacher. ## Which parts of the A level does it cover? The translation into English at the end of Paper 1, and the translation into Chinese and the essay on a literary text or film in Paper 2. SayMei wrote every passage, question and model answer. ## Can I use it with my own set text or film? Yes. The essay pages first use a short SayMei story, 《旧钢琴》, so you can see a whole plan. Page 11 then gives frames for your own set text and for a film, and the plan has you note scenes, a symbol and a technique from your own work. ## Does it help with the speaking exam? This book is for the written papers, though it ends with presenting an essay plan aloud in two minutes. For the speaking exam, see A Level Chinese Speaking Practice. ## Is this workbook free? Yes. The whole 16-page PDF is free, and you can look through its pages here before you download. There's no card and nothing to pay. ## Do I need a SayMei account? Yes, to download the PDF, and the account is free: sign up with Google, Apple or your email address. With it we email you a copy of the workbook, keep every workbook you download on your account on all your devices, save your place in the free online practice, and you can practise speaking with Mei Lin, SayMei's AI tutor. ## How do I print it? The PDF is US Letter size. On A4 paper, choose "Fit to page" (or "Scale to fit") in the print dialog so nothing is cut off. Print the whole workbook or only the pages you need; colour looks best, and black and white works too. ## Can I print copies for my class? Yes. Print as many copies as you like for your own class or family. To share it, send this page: everyone can download their own copy. This is an independent practice resource by SayMei. It is not produced or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel. Pearson Edexcel is a trademark of Pearson Education Limited. Version 2026-11, updated Nov 4, 2026.