​Chapter 1: "The Maze Runner"

HOW TO DESCRIBE ROOMS AND APARTMENTS
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迷宫    (mí gōng) labyrinth

REVIEW *Starred* words from previous levels

*公寓*    (gōng yù) apartment

*一套公寓*:    one apartment

*X房X厅*        (X fáng X tīng) X bedrooms and X living rooms
  • *一房一厅*: one bedroom and one living room

*宿舍*    (sù shè) dormitory

*房子*    (fáng zi) house, building, apartment

​*房间*    (fáng jiān) room

*家具*    (jiā jù) furniture

*卧室*    (wò shì) bedroom

*厨房*    (chú fáng) kitchen
*卫生间*    (wèi shēng jiān) bathroom

*客厅*    (kè tīng) living room

*书桌*    (shū zhuō) writing desk

*饭桌*    (fàn zhuō) dining table

*椅子*    (yǐ zi) chair

*书架*    (shū jià) bookshelf

*沙发*    (shā fā) sofa

​*床*    (chuáng) bed

Sentences:
  • 房间里家具不多，靠窗户摆着两张书桌，每张桌子的前边有一把椅子。
  • 书桌的旁边是床，床上有被子和毯子。
  • 床前有两个衣柜，柜子里挂着一些衣服。
  • 门旁边放着两个书架，书架还是空的。
  • 张天明的卧室太乱了，就像迷宫一样。找不到出口！​
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DRAW: review housing and furniture words from previous levels. Draw a picture of your house or apartment with as many different such words as you can, then label them.

WRITE: write an advertisement, seeking an apartment to rent. Be specific in your descriptions. Talk about your ideal living space: how many rooms? what kind of furniture? What price is acceptable to you?
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 迷宫，一套公寓，一房一厅，宿舍，房子，房间，家具...
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 张天明宿舍的房间不太大，住两个人。
  • 房间里家具不多，只有两张书桌，每张桌子的前边有一把椅子。
  • 书桌的旁边是床。
  • 沙发旁边放着两个书架。
  • 张天明的卧室太乱了，就像迷宫一样。找不到出口！
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Describe the layout of your house, apartment, or dorm room.
  • Describe the furniture in your living quarters.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 2: "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Part 1"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT WHERE WE PUT THINGS
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Existential Sentences
  • An existential sentence describes the existence of an object in a specific location or place. The structure is different from that of a typical Chinese sentence.
  • Place Word/Phrase + Verb + (了/着) + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun
  • NOTE 1: Existential sentences have three kinds of verbs: 有 (to have), 是 (to be), and verbs that express bodily gestures or actions like 拿，站，坐，躺，放，摆.
  • NOTE 2: 有 and 是 are used differently in existential sentences. 是 is used to describe a singular, or one object existing somewhere. 有 can refer to multiple objects/people.
  • Examples:
    • 1. 桌子上是三支笔 = On the desk are three pencils.
    • 2. 桌子的旁边是衣柜 = Next to the desk there is a wardrobe.
    • 3. 床前有一把椅子 = In front of the bed there is a chair.
    • 4. 书架上摆着三张照片 = On the bookshelf there are placed three photos.
    • 5. 那个男孩子手里拿了一个小飞机 = That boy in his hand is holding a model plane.
    • 6. 桌子上有一支笔，一份报和一些纸 = On the desk there's a pen, a newspaper, and some paper. (There may be other items on the desk as well).
  • For more information on existential sentences, see this link: https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Existential_Sentences

摆    (bǎi) to put, to place
  • NOTE: the verb 摆" is very similar to "放", but it has a more "neat" connotation.

挂    (guà) to hang, suspend

靠    (kào) to lean against or on

着    (zhe) an "aspect particle" that indicates an action or state in progress
  • In an existential sentence 着 is used like "-ing" ending in English

Existential Sentences with 摆，挂，and 靠
  • "Location + 摆 + 了/着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun" = NOUN is being placed at LOCATION
  • "Location + 挂 + 了/着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun" = NOUN is hanging from LOCATION
  • "Location + 靠 + 了/着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun" = NOUN is leaning against LOCATION

Sentences:
  • 房间里家具不多，靠窗户摆着两张书桌，每张桌子的前边有一把椅子。
  • 床前有两个衣柜，柜子里挂着一些衣服。
  • ​门旁边靠着两个书架。
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures:​
  •  Existential Sentences with 摆，挂，and 靠:
    • "Location + 摆 + 了/着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun"
    • "Location + 挂 + 了/着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun"
    • "Location + 靠 + 了/着 + Numeral + Measure Word + Noun"

SPEAK: use existential sentences to describe your dorm room to your partner.

WRITE: write a description of the room pictured below, using existential sentences:
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 摆，挂，靠，着
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): Explain what an "existential sentence" is, and when to use it. Explain the structure in detail. Give examples.
  • Translate: Against the windows are placed two desks.
  • Translate: In the wardrobe hangs a few clothes.
  • Translate: Next to the door leans two bookshelves.
  • Detective (find and fix the mistakes): 房间里家具不多，靠窗户摆两张书桌，每张桌子的前边挂一把椅子。
  • Detective (find and fix the mistakes): 书桌是床的旁边，上床是着被子和毯子。两个衣柜床前有。
  • TARGET: no more than 2 grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 张天明宿舍的房间不太大，住两个人。
  • 房间里家具不多，靠床摆着两张书桌，每张桌子的前边有一把椅子。 ​
  • 床前...挂着一些衣服。
  • ​沙发旁边靠着两个书架。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: describe the layout of the following living quarters [using existential sentences]. 
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 3: "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Part 2"

HOW TO DESCRIBE MORE FURNITURE
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窗户    (chuāng hu) window

门    (mén) door

衣柜    (yī guì) wardrobe, closet

柜子    (guì zi) cabinet

被子    (bèi zi) [n] comforter, quilt
  • NOTE: "被" is also a passive grammar marker; don't confuse the two meanings!

毯子    (tǎn zi) [n] blanket

​Sentences:
  • 房间里家具不多，靠窗户摆着两张书桌，每张桌子的前边有一把椅子。
  • 书桌的旁边是床，床上有被子和毯子。
  • 床前有两个衣柜，柜子里挂着一些衣服。
  • 门旁边放着两个书架，书架还是空的。​
Lesson
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SPEAK: talk about the furniture in your room, and describe where it is located relative to the rest of the room. Use the words in Chapter 3.

WRITE: write a description of the furniture in the room pictured below:
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 窗户，门，衣柜，柜子，被子，毯子
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 房间里家具不多，靠窗户摆着两张书桌，每张桌子的前边有一把椅子。
  • 书桌的旁边是床，床上摆着一本书。
  • 床前有两个衣柜，柜子里挂着一些衣服。
  • 门旁边放着两个书架。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: describe the layout of the following living quarters [using existential sentences and new words]. 
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 4: "The Scorch Trials"

HOW TO DESCRIBE EVEN MORE FURNITURE
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台    (tái) [MW] measure word for machines

洗衣机    (xǐ yī jī) washing machine
  • NOTE: 洗 = wash, 机 = machine

烘干机    (hōng gān jī) dryer

​空调    (kōng tiáo) air conditioning
  • NOTE: 空 has two pronunciations, "kōng" (air/empty) and "kòng" (spare time). Do not confuse the two meanings.

Sentences:
  • 真热！房间里怎么没有空调？
  • 方便得很。这层楼有三台洗衣机和三台烘干机。
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SPEAK: discuss the need to have an air conditioner, washing machine, and/or dryer in your living quarters. Can you go without these household appliances? Explain.

WRITE: you're holding a home appliance sale! Write an advertisement to promote it.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 台，洗衣机，烘干机，空调
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 真热！房间里怎么没有空调？
  • 有三台洗衣机和三台烘干机。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Describe your use of washers, dryers, and air conditioners.
  • Compare the use of washers, dryers, and air conditioners around the world.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

​Chapter 5: "As the World Falls Down"

HOW TO DESCRIBE FLOORS AND BUILDINGS
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楼    (lóu) building, floor
  • NOTE: can be used to mean "floor" OR "a whole building"
  • Talbott教室楼有两层楼。／ Talbott教室楼是一栋楼。

​栋    (dòng) measure word for buildings
  • 一栋楼 = one building (used to describe the whole building)

层    (céng) measure word for floor of a building
  • 一层楼 = the first floor/one floor [of a building]
  • 三层楼 = three floors of a building
  • 这层楼 = this floor of the building

旧    (jiù) old, worn out
  • NOTE: only used for objects or things. There is a different word (老) to describe elderly people.

楼上    (lóu shàng) upstairs
  • NOTE: 楼＝floor, 上＝up [direction word]
楼下    (lóu xià) downstairs
  • NOTE: 楼＝floor, 下＝down [direction word]

Sentences:
  • 这栋楼比较旧，我大一的时候在这儿住过。
  • 这层楼有三台洗衣机和三台烘干机。
  • 学生餐厅就在楼下，餐厅旁边有一个小商店，卖日用品和文具。
  • 楼上的房间没人住，所以这间也很安静。​
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SPEAK: discuss the buildings on a school campus. How many floors? What's upstairs/downstairs?
​
WRITE: write a description of the Empire State Building, pictured below: 
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 一栋栋，一层楼，楼下，楼上，旧
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 这栋楼比较旧，我大一的时候在这儿住过。
  • 这层楼有三台洗衣机和三台烘干机。
  • 学生餐厅就在楼下。
  • 楼上的房间没人住，所以这间也很安静。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Describe the layout, size, and appearance of the following buildings.
  • Describe the buildings at your school or place of residence.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #1: ACT 1 REVIEW

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Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Describe in detail the layout of these living quarters  [using existential sentences].
    • Describe in detail the layout of your own living quarters [using existential sentences].
    • Describe the layout, size, and appearance of the following buildings.
    • Compare living quarters and buildings around the world.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

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