Directions: In this task, you will be asked to write in Chinese for a specific purpose and to a specific person. You should write in as complete and culturally appropriate a manner as possible, taking into account the purpose and the person described.
The four pictures present a story. Imagine you are telling the story to your pen pal in China, Li Hua. Narrate a complete story as suggested by the pictures. Give your story a beginning, a middle, and an end.
What the Story Narration asks
Story Narration is FRQ 3 on the AP Chinese exam starting in May 2027. You get four pictures and write a complete story in Chinese, with a beginning, middle, and end that fit all four.
Task completion, organization, register, and language use, judged together
6 pts
How Story Narration practice works
Each question follows the exam’s format, from the full prompt to a score on every part.
1
Look at the four pictures
The prompt and all four pictures, laid out the way the exam shows them.
2
Write on a 15-minute timer
The time to plan for on exam day. Pause it or turn it off, and your response saves as you go.
3
Submit for a score out of 6
Your response is scored against the scoring guidelines written for that question. Your first score is included.
Questions about the Story Narration
How many responses can I get scored?
You can read every question without a plan. Your first scored response is included. A plan unlocks unlimited scoring.
How do I type in Chinese?
Use the pinyin or bopomofo input above the editor, or your computer’s own Chinese keyboard. You can also switch to handwrite, write on paper, and add a photo of your page.
Can I write in traditional characters?
Yes. Simplified and traditional characters are scored the same. The pinyin input above the editor has a traditional option.
How is Story Narration different from the Email Response?
Story Narration asks you to tell a story from four pictures. The Email Response asks you to answer every request in an email, in a register that fits the sender.
What makes a strong story?
A clear beginning, middle, and end that stay consistent with all four pictures. Sequence words and a sentence on what changes from one picture to the next hold it together.
More AP Chinese practice
Email Response practice
Email Response prompts with the full email and both requests.
