Chapter 5: "The Investigation Continues"

WHAT TO BRING TO A PARTY
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
饮料    (yǐn liào) drink; beverage

把    (bǎ) classifier for objects with handle

水果    (shuǐ guǒ) fruit

花    (huā) flower; blossom; fancy pattern

Sentences:
  • A：那我带什么东西？B：饮料或者水果都可以。
  • 那我带一些饮料，再买一把花儿。
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: role-play two friends going to a party together. Talk about what you brought.

WRITE: write an email to your friend, dividing up a list of things that you each will bring to a birthday party.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 饮料，一把花，水果
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • A：那我带什么东西？B：饮料或者水果都可以。
  • 那我带一些饮料，再买一把花儿。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about things to take to a party or other get-together.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 6: "The Adventure of the Smelly Fruit"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT FRUITS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
苹果    (píng guǒ) apple

梨    (lí) pear

西瓜    (xī guā) watermelon

重    (zhòng) heavy; serious

Sentences:
  • 小音爱吃水果，我再买一些苹果，梨和西瓜吧。
  • 你住的地方离小音家很远，水果很重，我开车来接你，我们一起去吧。
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: talk about your favorite and least favorite fruits. Give reasons.

WRITE: write a short story with the title "The Mysteriously Heavy Fruits."
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 苹果，西瓜，梨，重
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 小音爱吃水果，我再买一些苹果，梨和西瓜吧。
  • 你住的地方离小音家很远，水果很重，我开车来接你，我们一起去吧。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about different types of fruits.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

​Chapter 7: "Watson! My Friend, Undying Vengeance"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PERSONALITY
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
聪明    (cōng míng) intelligent; bright; smart; clever

用功    (yòng gōng) diligent; industrious (in one's studies); to make great effort

又...又...     (yòu... yòu...) both... and...    

Sentences:
  • 你好，王朋。文中和小音都说你又聪明又用功。
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:​
  • 又...又...​

SPEAK: compliment each other on specific personality traits using "又...又..."

WRITE: write a detailed description of your ideal personality (for a friend or significant other). Give reasons!
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 聪明，用功，又...又...
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: She's both smart and hardworking.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 你好，王朋。文中和小音都说你又聪明又用功。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about the personality of different people.
    • Praise someone's personality.
    • Criticize someone's personality.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 8: "Race Against the Clock"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT DURATION OF TIME
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
多长时间?    (duō cháng shí jiān) how long a time?
  • (subject + verb + [object + verb] + 了 ＋ duration of time) OR (subject + verb + 了 + duration of time + 的 + object)
  • NOTE 1: in this structure, the duration of time always comes AFTER the verb. The duration of time here can be thought as a TIME COMPLEMENT (remember, complements follow the verb).
  • NOTE 2: to form a question with time duration, use the phrase "多长时间" [how much time?]

钟头    (zhōng tóu) [one] hour

是...的    (shì...de) "The situation is that..." [structure to ask for details about the past]
  • structure: "Subject＋是＋Information to be Emphasized＋Verb＋的"
  • This is a very complex structure used to emphasize the time, place, manner, purpose, or agent of an action that we know already happened. When it is a known fact that an action has taken place, in order to ask or explain the particulars of the action, use "是... 的" instead of 了.
    • ​NOTE 1: "是... 的" is often used to ask questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasizing a particular detail. It is not generally used for reporting new information.
    • NOTE 2: "是... 的" MUST be used to ask for details about the past or to explain details about the past (such as time, manner, or place). This is the natural way to ask such questions in Chinese. The "是...的" cannot be omitted.
    • NOTE 3: Do not use "了" in a "是...的" structure. The "是...的" structure already implies a completed action.
    • NOTE 4: The 是 is nearly always optional (except when the structure is being negated). You will often hear this structure with 是 omitted, so be aware.
    • NOTE 5: "是... 的" sentences are negated with 不 ["不是...的"]. This negation creates the implication that the action in the sentence was carried out, and only the detail emphasized by "是... 的" is being denied. Imagine a detective drama where the mystery hinges on a single detail.
  • For more details, see the Chinese Grammar Wiki.

Sentences:
  • Q：小音，你每天练习英文练习多长时间？
    • A：三个半钟头。还看两个钟头的英文电视。
  • Q：哎，你们两个是什么时候到的？
    • A：刚到。
  • Q：你的中文说得真好，是在哪儿学的？
    • A：我的中文是在暑期班学的。
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
TRAIN: write 5 sentences each using the following grammar structures:​
  • Duration of Time
    • ...多长时间？
    • subject + verb + [object + verb] + 了 ＋ duration of time
    • subject + verb + 了 + duration of time + 的 + object)
  • 是...的

SPEAK: discuss your daily Chinese study routine. How long do you spend on each aspect of your study? Use specific examples from the recent past.

WRITE: write a letter of complaint to the owner of a restaurant, where you were kept waiting for a very long time. Make sure to specify how much of your time was wasted!

WRITE: write a story about a detective investigating a crime. Summarize the details of the crime (who, what, when, where, why?) using "是...的".
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 多长时间？，钟头，是...的
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Time Duration:
    • Rule: In English, explain in detail the structure (including word order) for duration of time. Give examples.
    • Translate: Little Hong, how much time do you spend practicing English every day?
    • Translate: I watch two hours of English-language TV [every day].
  • 是...的:
    • Rule: In English, explain the "是... 的" structure and when it should be used. Give examples.
    • Translate: He was born last year. [Previously Known Event]
    • Translate: When did the two of you arrive? [Previously Known Event]
    • Scenario: You are talking to Hai Lun and you find out she went to a Chinese restaurant yesterday. However, you don't know the DETAILS of this event. Ask Hai Lun at least two questions about the details.
    • Scenario: You meet a new person. Ask him details about his background, including where he was born and where he grew up.​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 grammar mistake.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • Q：小红，你每天练习英文练习多长时间？
    • A：三个半钟头。还看两个钟头的英文电视。
  • Q：你的中文说得真好，是在哪儿学的？
    • A：我的中文是在暑期班学的。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about for how long you do things.
  • Talk about the details of past events.
    • First, establish the general existence of a past event.
    • Then ask for details about that past event. 
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 9: "The Crucial Clue (Ominous Revelation)"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT LATE GUESTS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
还    (hái) still, yet [adv]
  • 他还没来？我以为她已经来了。

以为    (yǐ wéi) to think [wrongly]

一定    (yí dìng) surely; certainly
  • 妈妈这么漂亮，儿子也一定很帅。
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
​WRITE: write an apologetic/frantic text to your friend, explaining that you will be very late to her party.

​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • Two friends have arrived first at a party.
  • However, the other guests don't seem to have arrived yet...
  • Will they come at all?​ Maybe you made a mistake!
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 还，以为，一定
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: He still hasn't come yet?
  • Translate: It's 11 AM, and he's still sleeping.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 他还没来？我以为她已经来了。
  • 妈妈这么漂亮，儿子也一定很帅。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about making incorrect assumptions, and why.
  • Criticize someone for doing things too slowly or incorrectly.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #2: ACT 2 REVIEW

Picture
Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Praise and criticize someone's personality.
    • Talk about different foods and drinks.
    • Talk about the duration of time you do things.
    • Ask for details about a past event, including time, place, and manner [using 是...的]
  • TARGET: at least a 3 in ALL categories.

BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!