There has been a suggestion recently that tests in classical Chinese language are unnecessary. The reasons are: First, classical Chinese has almost completely vanished from daily written and verbal communication. Second, the tests signal a cultural regression and may lead to chaos in daily language usage. Third, students now are overloaded, and hence we should drop the unnecessary burden on their shoulders.

But has classical Chinese been really completely removed by the modern language? In effect, old Chinese sayings, proverbs and verses are still very fashionable in society. Words in classical Chinese can be seen at many tourist attractions. If we don't know classical Chinese, how can we understand and enjoy them?

There is a joke about a tourist attraction of the former residence of Hua Tuo, an ancient Chinese physician. A plaque there reads "Zai Xian Hua Tuo "(Seeing Hua Tuo again), but the guide who was ignorant of classical Chinese interpreted it as "Zai Jian Hua Tuo" which means "Goodbye Hua Tuo "!