Chinese Language Quest
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    • Level 0: Introduction to Chinese >
      • L0 Act 1
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      • L3 Act 1
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      • L4 Act 1
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      • L5 Act 1
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      • L6 Act 1
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      • L7 Act 1
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      • L8 Act 1
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      • L9 Act 1
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    • Level 10: Transportation >
      • L10 Act 1
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  • Book 2
    • Level 11: Weather >
      • L11 Act 1
      • L11 Act 2
      • L11 Boss Fights
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    • Level 12: Dining >
      • L12 Act 1
      • L12 Act 2
      • L12 Act 3
      • L12 Boss Fights
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    • Level 13: Asking Directions >
      • L13 Act 1
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      • L13 Act 3
      • L13 Boss Fights
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    • Level 14: Birthday Party >
      • L14 Act 1
      • L14 Act 2
      • L14 Act 3
      • L14: Boss Fights
      • L14 Projects
    • Level 15: Seeing a Doctor >
      • L15 Act 1
      • L15 Act 2
      • L15 Act 3
      • L15 Act 4
      • L15 Boss Fights
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    • Level 16: Dating >
      • L16 Act 1
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    • Level 17: Renting an Apartment >
      • L17 Act 1
      • L17 Act 2
      • L17 Act 3
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    • Level 18: Sports >
      • L18 Act 1
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      • L18 Act 3
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    • Level 19: Travel >
      • L19 Act 1
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      • L19 Act 3
      • L19 Act 4
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    • Level 20: At the Airport >
      • L20 Act 1
      • L20 Act 2
      • L20 Boss Fights
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  • Book 3
    • Level 21: Starting School >
      • L21 Act 1
      • L21 Act 2
      • L21 Boss Fights
      • L21 Projects
    • Level 22: Dorm Life >
      • L22 Act 1
      • L22 Act 2
      • L22 Boss Fights
      • L22 Projects
    • Level 23: At the Restaurant >
      • L23 Act 1
      • L23 Act 2
      • L23 Act 3
      • L23 Boss Fights
      • L23 Projects
    • Level 24: Buying Things >
      • L24 Act 1
      • L24 Act 2
      • L24 Boss Fights
      • L24 Projects
    • Level 25: Choosing Classes >
      • L25 Act 1
      • L25 Act 2
      • L25 Act 3
      • L25 Boss Fights
      • L25 Projects
    • Level 26: Romance >
      • L26 Act 1
      • L26 Act 2
      • L26 Act 3
      • L26 Boss Fights
      • L26 Projects
    • Level 27: Computers and the Internet >
      • L27 Act 1
      • L27 Act 2
      • L27 Act 3
      • L27 Boss Fights
      • L27 Projects
    • Level 28: Working >
      • L28 Act 1
      • L28 Act 2
      • L28 Act 3
      • L28 Boss Fights
      • L28 Projects
    • Level 29: Education >
      • L29 Act 1
      • L29 Act 2
      • L29 Act 3
      • L29 Boss Fights
      • L29 Projects
    • Level 30: Chinese Geography >
      • L30 Act 1
      • L30 Act 2
      • L30 Act 3
      • L30 Act 4
      • L30 Act 5
      • L30 Boss Fights
      • L30 Projects
  • Book 4
    • Level 31: Chinese Holidays >
      • L31 Act 1
      • L31 Act 2
      • L31 Act 3
      • L31 Act 4
      • L31 Boss Fights
      • L31 Projects
    • Level 32: Changes in China >
      • L32 Act 1
      • L32 Act 2
      • L32 Act 3
      • L32 Act 4
      • L32 Boss Fights
      • L32 Projects
    • Level 33: A Trip to Yunnan >
      • L33 Act 1
      • L33 Act 2
      • L33 Act 3
      • L33 Boss Fights
      • L33 Projects
    • Level 34: Lifestyle and Health >
      • L34 Act 1
      • L34 Act 2
      • L34 Act 3
      • L34 Boss Fights
      • L34 Projects
    • Level 35: Gender Equality >
      • L35 Act 1
      • L35 Act 2
      • L35 Act 3
      • L35 Boss Fights
      • L35 Projects
    • Level 36: Environmental Protection >
      • L36 Act 1
      • L36 Act 2
      • L36 Act 3
      • L36 Act 4
      • L36 Boss Fights
      • L36 Projects
    • Level 37: Wealth Management >
      • L37 Act 1
      • L37 Act 2
      • L37 Act 3
      • L37 Boss Fights
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  • Special Units
    • Distance Learning
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    • 听:Listening >
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  • Resources
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A​CT ONE: CAPTURE

 

​Chapter 1: "Purgatory"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT STARTING SCHOOL
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
监狱    (jiān yù) prison

逃跑    (táo pǎo) to escape    

开学    (kāi xué) to begin a new semester; to start school [VO]    

新生    (xīn shēng) new student

生活    (shēng huó) life [n]; to live [v]

Sentences:
  • 昨天几十个犯人从监狱逃跑出来。
  • 快开学了, 他家离大学很远, 得坐飞机去学校。
  • 张天明是大学一年级的新生。
  • 不, 这是新生宿舍, 我住在校外。
  • 你刚来, 在学校住对你有好处, 可以适应一下学校的生活。​
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click: Chapter 1 STORY QUEST
Picture
Click: Chapter 1 LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: role-play two students talking about the start of the new semester. There's a new student. Rumor has it s/he escaped from prison! Discuss if you think s/he can adjust to life at your school.

WRITE: write a letter of distress to your parents. You just started at a new school, but you hate it. You want to escape...
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 监狱,逃跑,开学,新生,生活
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 昨天几十个人从监狱逃跑出来。
  • 快开学了, 他家离大学很远, 得坐飞机去学校。
  • 张天明是大学一年级的新生。
  • 不, 这是新生宿舍。
  • 你刚来, 在学校住好, 可以试一下学校的生活。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • ​​Ask about somebody’s student status. 
  • Talk about starting school; talk about life at school.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

Chapter 2: "The Zhang Tianming Redemption"

HOW TO EXPLAIN HOW TO WRITE CHINESE NAMES
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
张天明    (zhāng tiān míng) [name]

柯林    (kē lín) [name]

弓    (gōng) bow    

长    (cháng) long

“弓长张” =  "Gong + Chang = Zhang."

研究生    (yán jiū shēng) graduate student

​Sentences:
  • 我叫张天明。
  • 我正在学中文, 我的中文名字是柯林。
  • A:你的名字是哪三个字?
  • B:张天明:张是弓长张,就是一张纸的张, 天是天气的天, 明是明天的明。
  • 我是研究生。在这儿帮新生搬东西。
Lesson
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Click: Chapter 2 STORY QUEST
Picture
Click: Chapter 2 LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: explain to each other how to write your Chinese name, character  by character. Then actually write it!

WRITE: write an explanation for how to write at least three different Chinese names.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 张天明,柯林,"弓长长",研究生
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Culture: Explain how to handwrite your Chinese name, including each individual character.
  • Culture: Actually handwrite your Chinese name. Explain the meaning of each individual character in Chinese.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • A: 我叫张天明。
  • B: 我正在学中文, 我的中文名字是柯林。
  • A:你的名字是哪三个字?
  • B:张是弓长张,就是一张纸的张, 天是天气的天, 明是明天的明。
  • A: 我是研究生。在这儿帮新生搬东西。
  • TARGET: no more than 2 mistakes, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Explain how to write your Chinese name.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

Chapter 3: "Behind the Walls"

HOW TO ADJUST TO NEW PLACES
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
适应    (shì yìng) to adapt; to become accustomed to

帮忙    (bāng máng) to help [VO]

除了A以外,还B    (chú le... yǐ wài, hái...) In addition to A, also B

除了A以外,都B    (chú le... yǐ wài, dōu...) Except for A, all B

Sentences:
  • 你刚来, 在学校住对你有好处, 可以适应一下学校的生活。
  • 好吧, 我以后要是搬家, 一定请你帮忙。
  • 我住在校外, 除了想省点儿钱以外, 还为了自由。
  • 除了张天明以外,大学新生都住在学校宿舍。
  • 除了小柯以外,我们班的同学都去过中国。
Lesson
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Click: Chapter 3 STORY QUEST
Picture
Click: Chapter 3 LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures:
  • 除了A以外,还B 
  • 除了A以外,都B

WRITE: write an article listing 10 tips for new students to adjust to life at your school.

​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • A is a new student, and is not fitting in well...
  • B wants to help A adjust to life at a new school.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 适应,帮忙,[除了A以外,还B],[除了A以外,都B]
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • RULE (in English): Explain the differences between "除了A以外,还B" vs. "除了A以外,都B". Give examples of each structure.
  • Translate: I live off campus. Besides wanting to save some money, I also want my freedom.
  • Translate: Except for Little Ke, every student in our class has been to China.
  • TARGET: no more than 1 major grammar mistake.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 你刚来, 在学校住好, 可以适应一下学校的生活。
  • 好吧, 我以后一定请你帮忙。
  • 除了小柯以外,我们班的同学都去过中国。
  • 我住在学校,除了舒服以外, 还很安静。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about adjusting to new places, situations, or events.
  • Talk about helping other people adjust, or about the people who have helped you adjust.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

Chapter 4: "The Message"

HOW TO ASK ABOUT THE DETAILS OF AN EVENT
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
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.

出生    (chū shēng) to be born
  • 张天明(是)在美国出生的。= Zhang Tianming was born in America.
    • ​NOTE: That Zhang Tianming was already born is a given. The point of the statement is to identify WHERE he was born. You must use the 是...的 structure.

长大    (zhǎng dà) to grow up    
  • 张天明(是)在美国长大的。= Zhang Tianming grew up in America.
    • NOTE: That Zhang Tianming grew up is a given. The point of the statement is to identify WHERE he grew up. You must use the 是...的 structure.

Sentences:
  • 是在[X place]出生的
  • 是在[X place]长大的
  • 对, 我爸爸妈妈是从中国来的。
  • 可是我是在美国出生, 在美国长大的。
Lesson
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Click: Chapter 4 STORY QUEST
Picture
Click: Chapter 4 LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: ask each other for more details about your past. (Where were you born? Where did you grow up? etc.)

​WRITE: write a story about a detective investigating a crime. Summarize the details of the crime (who, what, when, where, why?) using "是...的".

WRITE: write a self-introduction introducing your background, using the "​是...的" structure. Use the following picture for reference.
Picture
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 是...的,出生,长大
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): Explain the "是...的" structure. Talk about how and when to use it, and why it's important. Give specific examples.
  • Translate: I was born and grew up in America.
  • Scenario: You meet a new person at Peking University. Ask him details about his background, including where he was born and where he grew up.​
  • Scenario: You know Zhang Tian Ming went to a Chinese restaurant yesterday. Ask Zhang Tian Ming about the details.
  • TARGET: no more than 2 major grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 张天明是在美国出生的。
  • 柯林在北京长大的。
  • 对, 我爸爸妈妈是从中国来的。
  • 可是我是在美国出生, 在美国长大的。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about where you were born and grew up.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

 MINIBOSS #1: ACT 1 REVIEW

Picture
Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar):
  • ​Take the "Level 21 Miniboss #1: Vocab/Grammar Quiz."
    • There are two versions, one for Handwriting and one for Definition.
  • TARGET: see rubric.
​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Exchange small talk with another person. Discuss your student status.
    • Explain how to write your Chinese name.
    • Talk about where you were born and where you grew up.
    • Talk about adjusting to life at a new school. (Did anyone help you?)
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!
  • ​GRAVITY: Play Level 21: Act 1 Gravity to 150,000 points or a #1 score.
© 2019 Hugo Xiong. hugo@chineselanguagequest.com
  • About
  • Book 1
    • Level 0: Introduction to Chinese >
      • L0 Act 1
      • L0 Act 2
      • L0 Act 3
      • L0 Boss Fights
      • L0 Projects
    • Level 1: Greetings >
      • L1 Act 1
      • L1 Act 2
      • L1 Boss Fights
      • L1 Projects
    • Level 2: Family >
      • L2 Act 1
      • L2 Act 2
      • L2 Act 3
      • L2 Boss Fights
      • L2 Projects
    • Level 3: Dates and Time >
      • L3 Act 1
      • L3 Act 2
      • L3 Act 3
      • L3 Act 4
      • L3 Boss Fights
      • L3 Projects
    • Level 4: Hobbies >
      • L4 Act 1
      • L4 Act 2
      • L4 Boss Fights
      • L4 Projects
    • Level 5: Visiting Friends >
      • L5 Act 1
      • L5 Act 2
      • L5 Act 3
      • L5 Boss Fights
      • L5 Projects
    • Level 6: Making Appointments >
      • L6 Act 1
      • L6 Act 2
      • L6 Act 3
      • L6 Boss Fights
      • L6 Projects
    • Level 7: Studying Chinese >
      • L7 Act 1
      • L7 Act 2
      • L7 Act 3
      • L7 Boss Fights
      • L7 Projects
    • Level 8: School Life >
      • L8 Act 1
      • L8 Act 2
      • L8 Act 3
      • L8 Boss Fights
      • L8 Projects
    • Level 9: Shopping >
      • L9 Act 1
      • L9 Act 2
      • L9 Act 3
      • L9 Act 4
      • L9 Boss Fights
      • L9 Projects
    • Level 10: Transportation >
      • L10 Act 1
      • L10 Act 2
      • L10 Act 3
      • L10 Boss Fights
      • L10 Projects
  • Book 2
    • Level 11: Weather >
      • L11 Act 1
      • L11 Act 2
      • L11 Boss Fights
      • L11 Projects
    • Level 12: Dining >
      • L12 Act 1
      • L12 Act 2
      • L12 Act 3
      • L12 Boss Fights
      • L12 Projects
    • Level 13: Asking Directions >
      • L13 Act 1
      • L13 Act 2
      • L13 Act 3
      • L13 Boss Fights
      • L13 Projects
    • Level 14: Birthday Party >
      • L14 Act 1
      • L14 Act 2
      • L14 Act 3
      • L14: Boss Fights
      • L14 Projects
    • Level 15: Seeing a Doctor >
      • L15 Act 1
      • L15 Act 2
      • L15 Act 3
      • L15 Act 4
      • L15 Boss Fights
      • L15 Projects
    • Level 16: Dating >
      • L16 Act 1
      • L16 Act 2
      • L16 Boss Fights
      • L16 Projects
    • Level 17: Renting an Apartment >
      • L17 Act 1
      • L17 Act 2
      • L17 Act 3
      • L17 Boss Fights
      • L17 Projects
    • Level 18: Sports >
      • L18 Act 1
      • L18 Act 2
      • L18 Act 3
      • L18 Boss Fights
      • L18 Projects
    • Level 19: Travel >
      • L19 Act 1
      • L19 Act 2
      • L19 Act 3
      • L19 Act 4
      • L19 Boss Fights
      • L19 Projects
    • Level 20: At the Airport >
      • L20 Act 1
      • L20 Act 2
      • L20 Boss Fights
      • L20 Projects
  • Book 3
    • Level 21: Starting School >
      • L21 Act 1
      • L21 Act 2
      • L21 Boss Fights
      • L21 Projects
    • Level 22: Dorm Life >
      • L22 Act 1
      • L22 Act 2
      • L22 Boss Fights
      • L22 Projects
    • Level 23: At the Restaurant >
      • L23 Act 1
      • L23 Act 2
      • L23 Act 3
      • L23 Boss Fights
      • L23 Projects
    • Level 24: Buying Things >
      • L24 Act 1
      • L24 Act 2
      • L24 Boss Fights
      • L24 Projects
    • Level 25: Choosing Classes >
      • L25 Act 1
      • L25 Act 2
      • L25 Act 3
      • L25 Boss Fights
      • L25 Projects
    • Level 26: Romance >
      • L26 Act 1
      • L26 Act 2
      • L26 Act 3
      • L26 Boss Fights
      • L26 Projects
    • Level 27: Computers and the Internet >
      • L27 Act 1
      • L27 Act 2
      • L27 Act 3
      • L27 Boss Fights
      • L27 Projects
    • Level 28: Working >
      • L28 Act 1
      • L28 Act 2
      • L28 Act 3
      • L28 Boss Fights
      • L28 Projects
    • Level 29: Education >
      • L29 Act 1
      • L29 Act 2
      • L29 Act 3
      • L29 Boss Fights
      • L29 Projects
    • Level 30: Chinese Geography >
      • L30 Act 1
      • L30 Act 2
      • L30 Act 3
      • L30 Act 4
      • L30 Act 5
      • L30 Boss Fights
      • L30 Projects
  • Book 4
    • Level 31: Chinese Holidays >
      • L31 Act 1
      • L31 Act 2
      • L31 Act 3
      • L31 Act 4
      • L31 Boss Fights
      • L31 Projects
    • Level 32: Changes in China >
      • L32 Act 1
      • L32 Act 2
      • L32 Act 3
      • L32 Act 4
      • L32 Boss Fights
      • L32 Projects
    • Level 33: A Trip to Yunnan >
      • L33 Act 1
      • L33 Act 2
      • L33 Act 3
      • L33 Boss Fights
      • L33 Projects
    • Level 34: Lifestyle and Health >
      • L34 Act 1
      • L34 Act 2
      • L34 Act 3
      • L34 Boss Fights
      • L34 Projects
    • Level 35: Gender Equality >
      • L35 Act 1
      • L35 Act 2
      • L35 Act 3
      • L35 Boss Fights
      • L35 Projects
    • Level 36: Environmental Protection >
      • L36 Act 1
      • L36 Act 2
      • L36 Act 3
      • L36 Act 4
      • L36 Boss Fights
      • L36 Projects
    • Level 37: Wealth Management >
      • L37 Act 1
      • L37 Act 2
      • L37 Act 3
      • L37 Boss Fights
      • L37 Projects
  • Special Units
    • Distance Learning
    • The Coronavirus
    • Identity
  • AP Exam
    • 听:Listening >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
      • Test Strategies
    • 读:Reading >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
      • Test Strategies
    • 说:Speaking >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
      • Test Strategies
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