WANG YANG BU LAO / WEI YU CHOU MOU — TIMING PRACTICE
Original Chinese Chengyu Dictionary worksheet. Dictionary forms: 亡羊补牢 wáng yáng bǔ láo; 未雨绸缪 wèi yǔ chóu móu.

FIRST MARK THE EVENT
Earlier mistake or loss:
Specific corrective action:
Possible later difficulty or need:
Advance preparation:
Which event does my sentence emphasize?
Chosen wording and reason:

QUESTIONS — TRY BEFORE READING ANSWERS

1. A lost file reveals a weak saving process. The team changes that process after the loss. Which phrase emphasizes the correction?
My choice and reason:

2. Before a planned event, a team prepares a backup in case a possible equipment failure occurs. Which expression emphasizes readiness?
My choice and reason:

3. A person feels bad about a mistake but changes nothing. Does that alone establish 亡羊补牢?
My choice and reason:

4. Someone finishes reading a novel early. No possible difficulty or precaution is mentioned. Must this be 未雨绸缪?
My choice and reason:

5. A checklist is introduced after one failed event and before the next. Must one idiom be wrong in every description?
My choice and reason:

6. A report says 亡羊补牢 proves the earlier financial loss will be recovered. Is that part of the idiom’s meaning?
My choice and reason:

7. Translate a gently encouraging 亡羊补牢 sentence as “It is pointless now; the horse has already bolted.” Is the attitude preserved?
My choice and reason:

8. Can 未雨绸缪 describe preparation for an examination or a possible supply problem rather than literal rain?
My choice and reason:

9. A learner reads the final character of 未雨绸缪 as miù and writes 未雨绸谬. What should be corrected?
My choice and reason:

10. Make “They should 亡羊补牢” clearer without inventing a guarantee. What information should you add?
My choice and reason:

ANSWER NOTES

1. 亡羊补牢.
The earlier loss and later corrective action are both present. The sentence values fixing the weakness rather than reversing the past.

2. 未雨绸缪.
The relevant difficulty is anticipated. The preparation precedes it and has a stated precautionary purpose.

3. No; the repair is missing.
Regret may accompany a correction, but the facts given contain no corrective action. Describe regret directly.

4. No; more context is needed.
Early completion alone does not establish advance preparation against a risk or later need.

5. No. The sentence can focus on different events.
亡羊补牢 can emphasize correcting the earlier weakness; 未雨绸缪 can emphasize preparing for the next event. Name the time reference.

6. No.
Timely correction may reduce later repetition. The expression does not guarantee compensation for an earlier loss or success of a repair.

7. No.
That English wording dismisses further action, whereas this Chinese context values a useful late correction. Use a fuller explanation or “better late than never” if it fits.

8. Yes.
Rain belongs to the literal image. Figurative use concerns preparation in advance for a relevant later difficulty or need.

9. Use wèi yǔ chóu móu and the correct headword 未雨绸缪.
MOE specifically distinguishes 繆 in 綢繆 from 謬. Pronunciation and character choice must follow this idiom, not another word.

10. Name the earlier mistake and the specific corrective action.
For example, an omitted attachment followed by a submission checklist. Keep the focus on the correction rather than promising that all future errors disappear.

REWRITE ONE CHECKLIST ACTION
Backward-looking sentence:
Forward-looking sentence:
Plain wording if neither fits:

The idioms describe timing and purpose. They do not guarantee future success or recovery of an earlier loss.