HSK 2 reading practice

Every passage here is written inside HSK 2 — the grammar and the vocabulary stay in the level, so you read rather than decode. Shortest first.

I Forgot My Password我忘了密码Chen Jing is locked out of her phone and can't remember her password. Her friend Wang Lei walks her through trying the phone number, then the email, b…HSK 2 · 153 characters · 2 min · techThe Great Wall Is Long长城很长Xiao Hong asks Wang Ming to go to the Great Wall with her next Saturday. She has never been; he went last year and tells her how long it really is, ho…HSK 2 · 186 characters · 2 min · historyThe Eighth Floor八楼最贵A couple house-hunting with an agent discovers that the eighth floor costs more than the ninth, and the fourth costs least of all. The agent explains…HSK 2 · 225 characters · 3 min · cultureThe Exam Is Over考试已经完了Lili is upset about a bad exam result and can't stop replaying it in her head. Her friend Qiangqiang helps her see the line between the finished exam…HSK 2 · 248 characters · 3 min · philosophyThe Group Chat Is Too Busy群里的消息太多了Two coworkers complain that their company group chat gets hundreds of messages a day. One has turned off notifications for relief; the other worries a…HSK 2 · 248 characters · 3 min · techThe Well That Is Still There还在的那口井A grandmother explains why the old well in her courtyard has never been filled in, even though the family now drinks tap water. It is not useless, she…HSK 2 · 255 characters · 3 min · historyUgly Dumplings不好看的饺子A mother and daughter invite a friend to wrap dumplings with the family for the first time. Her dumplings come out ugly, with the meat falling out, an…HSK 2 · 257 characters · 3 min · foodThe High Speed Train坐高铁去上海Anna takes the high speed train to Shanghai for the first time and tells her friend Li Qiang how fast it is and what she saw from the window. He asks…HSK 2 · 266 characters · 3 min · current-eventsThe Shop That Closed关门的小店A small noodle shop near the school has closed, and a phone shop has opened in its place. Two regular customers notice the change on their street and…HSK 2 · 273 characters · 3 min · current-eventsTea in the Afternoon下午喝茶David visits Wang Fang's home in the afternoon and she makes tea. Talking about why her family always does this for a guest turns into the real point…HSK 2 · 286 characters · 3 min · cultureWe Read the Same Story一样的新闻，不一样的看法Two colleagues both read the same short news story about apple prices this morning, and they come away with opposite opinions about whether it is good…HSK 2 · 307 characters · 3 min · current-eventsHow Much Goes in the Red Envelope红包给多少A young couple preparing red envelopes for the new year disagrees on the amount. He wants a big round number because more money makes the kids happy.…HSK 2 · 308 characters · 3 min · cultureClass Online or in the Room网课还是教室里的课A university student now takes some classes online and some in the classroom. A friend who chose an all-in-person program asks if she really learns as…HSK 2 · 319 characters · 4 min · current-eventsLi Bai Looked at the Moon李白看月亮Two friends talk about Li Bai, a poet from more than a thousand years ago. One friend has never heard of him and asks why his poems still matter today…HSK 2 · 321 characters · 4 min · literatureEveryone Is My Teacher谁都能教我A boy tells his friend that his eight-year-old sister could not possibly teach him anything. Then he admits she beat him at basketball and his grandmo…HSK 2 · 329 characters · 4 min · philosophy

What is in HSK 2 reading practice

15 passages, each between 153 and 329 characters (2 to 4 minutes). Themes: current-events, culture, tech, history, philosophy and food. The shortest is I Forgot My Password; the longest is Everyone Is My Teacher.

How to read HSK 2 passages

Start with the shortest and work up. Each passage ends in comprehension questions (55 across this level), so you find out whether you followed it before you move on. They flag 79 new words between them. Unknown words are worth looking up in the dictionary.

Around HSK 2

HSK 1 readings · HSK 3 readings · printable HSK 2 word list · HSK 2 grammar · how to pass HSK 2 · free HSK 2 practice test

Questions about HSK 2 readings

How many HSK 2 readings are there?

15 passages, from 153 to 329 characters.

How long does a passage at HSK 2 take?

About 2 to 4 minutes.

What is in each HSK 2 reading?

Pinyin, a full English translation, narration, a new-word list and comprehension questions. This page shows titles and summaries; the full text opens in the study room.

Where should I start at HSK 2?

With I Forgot My Password, the shortest. Then work up by length.