Chinese

This is a complete, free study companion for Chinese — built around what the exam actually asks. The topics examiners repeat most are 阅读理解：约150字短文的主旨与细节, 作文写作：短文结构、叙述、描写和观点表达, and 书信写作：正式信与非正式信格式. The syllabus runs to 26 chapters. Below you'll find the full topic-frequency ranking, the exam paper pattern, every chapter, a step-by-step study plan, and the official downloads — everything in one place.

Everything here is free. We're an independent student resource, not the official ICSE & ISC body, so always confirm the current syllabus and exam dates on the official ICSE & ISC website before you rely on them.

Most important topics (by past-paper frequency)

#	Topic	Times asked	Likelihood
1	阅读理解：约150字短文的主旨与细节	2	100%
2	作文写作：短文结构、叙述、描写和观点表达	2	100%
3	书信写作：正式信与非正式信格式	2	100%
4	语法造句：词语运用和正确句法	2	100%
5	翻译：中文译英文	2	100%
6	翻译：英文译中文	2	100%
7	对话写作：日常生活情景交流	2	100%
8	语法：量词、介词、副词、连词和助词	2	100%
9	语法：了、过、着、在、正在的用法	2	100%
10	问路和指路：方向词与路线说明	2	100%
11	日常生活：作息、时间词和顺序表达	2	100%
12	环境：污染、节约资源和环保建议	2	100%

Based on how often each topic appeared in official previous-year question papers.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: 作文写作
Chapter 2: 书信写作
Chapter 3: 阅读理解
Chapter 4: 语法、词汇和句法
Chapter 5: 翻译与对话写作
Chapter 6: 自我、家庭和朋友
Chapter 7: 重要事件
Chapter 8: 兴趣和爱好
Chapter 9: 家庭和所在地
Chapter 10: 日常生活
Chapter 11: 学校生活
Chapter 12: 旅行、交通和旅游
Chapter 13: 住宿
Chapter 14: 餐馆
Chapter 15: 问路和指路
Chapter 16: 假期活动
Chapter 17: 服务
Chapter 18: 家庭生活
Chapter 19: 日常生活与健康
Chapter 20: 工作经验
Chapter 21: 休闲
Chapter 22: 购物
Chapter 23: 环境
Chapter 24: 听力技能
Chapter 25: 口语表达
Chapter 26: 创意写作

Official textbook

Chinese — official textbook / study material — Free download from the official source.

How to study Chinese and score well

Start with the highest-frequency topics — In Chinese, 阅读理解：约150字短文的主旨与细节, 作文写作：短文结构、叙述、描写和观点表达, 书信写作：正式信与非正式信格式, and 语法造句：词语运用和正确句法 appear again and again in past papers. Master these first — they return the most marks for the time you put in.
Practise with previous-year papers — Solve the last 5–10 years of ICSE & ISC Chinese papers under timed, exam-like conditions. Past papers show exactly which topics repeat and how questions are worded.
Revise actively, not passively — Write a one-page summary for each of the 26 chapters — key definitions, formulas and the points examiners reward — then re-test yourself instead of re-reading.
Mark your answers with the official scheme — After each practice paper, score yourself against the official marking scheme. It shows how marks are awarded step-by-step, so you learn to present answers the way examiners expect.

Exam tips: how to score higher in Chinese

Where students lose marks: rushing the high-weightage questions, skipping the steps the marking scheme rewards, and saving easy sections for last. Read the whole paper first, attempt your strongest section early to bank marks, and always show your working.

Manage your time: split your time in proportion to the marks each section carries, keep a few minutes at the end to check, and never leave a question blank — a partial, structured answer still earns partial marks.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important topics in Chinese?

Based on past papers, the most frequently asked topics include 阅读理解：约150字短文的主旨与细节, 作文写作：短文结构、叙述、描写和观点表达, 书信写作：正式信与非正式信格式. The full ranked list with how often each appears is in the "Most important topics" section above.

Where can I download Chinese previous-year question papers?

Official ICSE & ISC previous-year question papers are available on the official ICSE & ISC website. Open the Question Papers section for the direct link, plus the exam pattern and the topics that repeat most.

How can I prepare for Chinese faster?

Start with the highest-frequency topics, learn the exam pattern so you know how each section is marked, and practise with past papers. A subject-aware study tutor can quiz you on exactly these topics.

A Gyani AI tutor trained on the Chinese syllabus and past papers can quiz you on the most-asked topics and show you exactly what to revise.