Chalk up another first for the Chinese language. Hard as it is to believe, there is actually a category of question on the HSK test that consists of nothing more than picking the only non-nonsensical sentence provided from a list. Yes, the Chinese consider their language hard enough that simply identifying an intelligible sentence is considered a challenge suitable for Beginner and Intermediate students.

We don't place an emphasize these questions here on Popup Chinese because we teach grammar and know most of you don't have trouble with these. Still, we'd be remiss to not include them completely. So you grammar fiends can consider today's HSK test a break from the usual hard slogging, but also a measure of your progress. On the other hand, if you find this material challenging, it's a sign you need to pay more attention to the parts of speech of the words you're learning and review the minimal ways they are typically combined in Chinese. Then you'll be getting perfect in no time.