Chapter 6: "The Death Cure"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT OUR ROOMMATES
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同屋    (tóng wū) roommate
  • NOTE 1: 屋 = 房间 , 同屋 = 住同一个房间的人。
  • NOTE 2: also called "室友" (shì yǒu).

**室友** (shì yǒu) roommate [more commonly used word]​
  • This is an extra optional word.
  • 室友 is the more commonly used word by Chinese speakers in general, especially for dormitories.

文具    (wén jù) stationery, writing supplies
  • NOTE: "具" = item or tool [i.e. 家具]

日用品 (rì yòng pǐn) daily household necessities

一般    (yì bān) generally, average [adj]; "generally speaking" [adv]
  • NOTE: 一般 can be an adjective OR an adverb. We'll use both.
  • Adverb:
    • 我听说学校餐厅的饭一般都不太好。
    • 新生一般都没有车，差不多都找老生开车带他们去买东西。
    • 周末学校宿舍一般都有一点儿吵，图书馆比较安静。
  • Adjective:
    • 我的中文一般，没有我哥哥好。
    • 这个学校很一般，不太有名。

Sentences:
  • 张天明宿舍的房间不太大，住两个人。他的同屋已经来了。
  • 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。
  • 听说学校餐厅的饭一般都不太好。这儿的呢？​
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures:​
  • 一般 (adverb)
  • 一般 (adjective)

SPEAK: would you rather have or not have a roommate? Explain.

WRITE: write a letter to your parents, complaining about your awful new roommate.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 同屋，**室友，文具，日用品，一般
  • 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。他的同屋已经来了。
  • 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。
  • 听说学校餐厅的饭一般都不太好。这儿的呢？
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about roommates (your own or in general).
  • Talk about daily household necessities.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 7: "Home At Last"

HOW TO DESCRIBE DORMITORY LIFE
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吵    (chǎo) [adj] noisy; [v] to quarrel

安静    (ān jìng) [adj] quiet

不怎么样    (bù zěn me yàng) [phrase] not that great, nothing special
  • NOTE: remember that 怎么样? = "How is it?" The reply "不怎么样" is used to express a negative opinion (equivalent to "不太好")

adj+得很    (de hěn) "extremely"
  • Adj + 得很: expresses a great or extreme degree. Can be either positive or negative.
  • Very similar to "adj + 死了", "非常 + adj", etc.
  • Examples: 好得很，好吃得很，快得很，难看得很，高兴得很，高得很，容易得很，便宜得很，疼得很

Sentences:
  • 这儿吵不吵？
  • 不吵，这儿离大马路很远，很安静。
  • 卫生间也比较小。住在这儿恐怕很不方便吧？
  • 不，这儿很方便。
  • 方便得很。
  • 你说对了，餐厅的饭真的不怎么样。​
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:​
  • adj+得很 

​SPEAK: talk about your (real or hypothetical) dormitory life. How is it? Be specific.

WRITE: write a review of a dormitory, in the style of a Yelp review.

​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • Two friends are both having problems with their roommates. Complain vigorously to each other.
  • One friend's roommate is too quiet...
  • The other friend's roommate is too loud!
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 吵，安静，不怎么样，方便得很
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: 
    • Q: Is it convenient to do laundry here?
    • A: Extremely convenient.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • A: 这儿吵不吵？
  • B: 不吵，很安静。
  • A: 卫生间也比较小。住在这儿...很不方便吧？
  • B: 不，这儿很方便。方便得很。
  • 你说对了，餐厅的饭不怎么样。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about the pros and cons of on-campus vs. off-campus living.
  • Consider noise, space, surroundings, roommates, safety, freedom, convenience, cost.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 8: "The Kill Order"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT ANXIETY
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空    (kōng) empty
  • NOTE: 空 has two pronunciations, "kōng" (air/empty) and "kòng" (spare time). Do not confuse the two meanings.
  • 空房间 = empty room

着急    (zháo jí) worry, feel anxious

恐怕    (kǒng pà) [adv] I'm afraid that, I think perhaps
  • The adverb 恐怕 is used to express the speaker's assessment of or concern about a particular situation.
  • Structure: 恐怕 + sentence (i.e. subject, object, verb, etc.)
  • NOTE: Never say "我恐怕". This is WRONG. The subject (you) is already implied.
  • Examples:
    • 下雨了，恐怕我们不能打球了。
    • 这儿没空调，恐怕夏天很热吗？
    • 窗户外有一条路，这儿恐怕很吵吧？

差不多    (chà bu duō) [adv] roughly, approximately, [adj] almost the same
  • NOTE: 差不多 can be an adjective OR an adverb. We'll use both.
  • Adverb:
    • 1. 我跟姐姐差不多高。
    • 2. A: 你同屋的书架上一共有几本书？B: 差不多有一百本。
    • 3. 电影两点开始，现在差不多一点半了，快走吧。
  • Adjective:
    • 1. A: 你弟弟长得什么样？B: 跟我差不多。
    • 2. 今天的天气跟昨天差不多，不冷不热，很舒服。

Sentences:
  • 门旁边放着两个书架，书架还是空的。
  • A：真的？那怎么办？B：你别着急。附近有很多饭馆儿，还有一家中国餐馆儿呢。
  • 卫生间也比较小。住在这儿恐怕很不方便吧？
  • 教室离这儿不远，走路差不多五、六分钟。​
Lesson
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures:​
  • 恐怕 + sentence

WRITE: write a letter of complaint to your dorm head. Your roommate is driving you crazy! You want to switch rooms.

​WRITE: translate the following dialogue:
  • A: Mom, I don't want to be a doctor.
  • B: Then how about studying computer science?
  • A: I'm not interested in that, either.
  • B: Then don't study anything. Stay home, cook, and do laundry!
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 空，着急，恐怕，差不多
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: The bathroom is pretty small, too. I'm afraid that it must be very inconvenient to live here, right?
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 门旁边放着两个书架，书架还是空的。
  • A：那怎么办？B：你别着急。附近有很多饭馆儿。
  • 卫生间也比较小。住在这儿恐怕很不方便吧？
  • 教室离这儿不远，走路差不多五、六分钟。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about anxieties. Explain what you are anxious about and why.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 9: "The Underground"

HOW TO DESCRIBE OUR SURROUNDINGS
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附近     (fù jìn) nearby

马路    (mǎ lù) [n] road
  • 马=horse, 路=road, 马路="horse road" because travel used to be by horse. Now it means any fairly large road, especially one that cars can travel on

商店    (shāng diàn) store

真的    (zhēn de) [adv] really, truly

真 vs. 真的
  • "真 + adj" is an adverb of degree. 真 expresses an affirmative, exclamatory tone of voice ("really!")
  • It is used before adj or verbs about thoughts or feelings. It has an emphatic tone and does NOT give new information.
  • "真的 + adj" is an adverb that means "truly, honestly." It's not used to express degree, but to express truthfulness or truth.
  • Examples:
    • 1) 真+adj: 真热！真好！真酷！真好玩儿！真便宜！真舒服！
    • 2) 真的+adj: A: 餐厅的饭真的不怎么样。 B: 真的？C: 真的！

Sentences:
  • 你别着急。附近有很多饭馆儿，还有一家中国餐馆儿呢。
  • 附近那家中国餐馆儿的菜就很地道。我和我的女朋友常去。
  • 不吵，这儿离大马路很远，很安静。
  • 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。
  • 真热！房间里怎么没有空调？
  • 你说对了，餐厅的饭真的不怎么样。
  • 真的吗？
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SPEAK: take turns describing the surroundings of your school.

TRAIN: Write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures, showing your understanding of the distinction between them:​
  • ​真
  • 真的

WRITE: write a paragraph describing the surroundings of this university campus.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 附近，马路，商店，真的
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): explain the differences between 真 vs. 真的. Give examples of each in context.
  • Translate: You're right. The food in the cafeteria is really not that good.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 你别着急。附近有很多饭馆儿。
  • 宿舍不吵，这儿离大马路很远，很安静。
  • 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。
  • 真热！房间里怎么没有空调？
  • 你说对了，餐厅的饭真的不怎么样。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: describe the layout and surroundings of Peking University. (NOTE: this is a big map. You can zoom in/out, search for locations, and use the index.)
  • Identify several major buildings (including the dormitories).
  • Identify the roads and campus gates.
  • Identify stores.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 10: "The Fever Code"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT RESTAURANTS
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餐馆儿    (cān guǎn r) restaurant
  • 餐馆 is a more fancy way of saying 饭馆

地道    (dì dao) [adj] authentic
  • usually used to describe food or someone's accent

过几天    (guò jǐ tiān) in a few days
  • this is a time phrase
  • used to express a FUTURE state, meaning "a few days from now"

Sentences:
  • 你别着急。附近有很多饭馆儿，还有一家中国餐馆儿呢。
  • 我觉得美国的中国餐馆儿，好吃的不多。    
  • 那也不见得。附近那家中国餐馆儿的菜就很地道。我和我的女朋友常去。
  • 真的吗？那么过几天你带我去那儿看看，好吗？
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SPEAK: talk about nearby restaurants. Are they authentic? Why/why not? Make plans to go eat at one.

WRITE: write a letter to your crush, asking them to accompany you to a local restaurant you like.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 餐馆儿，地道，过几天
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

​READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • ​你别着急。附近有很多饭馆儿，还有一家中国餐馆儿呢。
  • 我觉得美国的中国餐馆儿，好吃的不多。    
  • 那也不见得。附近那家中国餐馆儿的菜就很地道。我和我的女朋友常去。
  • 真的吗？那么过几天你带我去那儿看看，好吗？
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about restaurants that you like or dislike; explain why.
  • Talk about your plans a few days from now.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #2: ACT 2 REVIEW

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Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • Talk about the pros and cons of on-campus vs. off-campus living.​ Consider factors like noise, space, roommates, safety, freedom, convenience, and cost.
  • Describe in detail the layout and surroundings of Peking University (NOTE: this is a big map. You can zoom in/out, search for locations, and use the index.)
    • Identify several major buildings (including the dormitories).
    • Identify the roads and campus gates.
    • Identify the restaurants and other stores. 
    • Talk about your impressions of the Peking University campus.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

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