​Chapter 9: "Secret Sauce​"

HOW TO COMPARE DIFFERENT CUISINES
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考虑    (kǎo lǜ) to consider    
  • 去中国旅行，吃中国菜？可以考虑。
  • 这个主意不错，我也可以考虑。
  • 有吃有玩儿？我当然可以考虑。    

口味    (kǒu wèi) [n] dietary preference; personal taste

各个    (gè ge) [pronoun] each; every
  • 我听我父母说中国各个地方的菜不一样，哪儿的菜最好吃？    

这就要看    [phrase] That depends on…
  • A: 中国那儿的菜最好吃？
    • B: 这就要看你的口味了。
  • 这就要看你的口味了    That depends on your personal taste
  • 这就要看你的口味了。比如我爱吃甜的，就喜欢上海菜；柯林爱吃辣的，就喜欢四川菜，湖南菜。

杭州    (háng zhōu) Hangzhou [capital of China’s Zhejiang province]
  • 这个饭馆儿的菜是不错，但是没有我们杭州的饭馆儿好吃。
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DEBATE: using your own personal taste preferences, debate which is the best Chinese cuisine. Each person should take a side!

WRITE: write an article arguing that personal taste is highly varied, and everyone should just enjoy their preferred cuisine without looking down on others for having different tastes.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 考虑，口味，各个，这就要看，杭州​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: Q: Which place has the best food? // A: That depends on your personal (taste) preferences.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • ​去中国旅行，吃中国菜？可以考虑。
  • ​有吃有玩儿？我当然可以考虑。    
  • 我听我父母说中国各个地方的菜不一样，哪儿的菜最好吃？    
  • 这就要看你的口味了。比如我爱吃甜的，就喜欢上海菜；柯林爱吃辣的，就喜欢四川菜，湖南菜。
  • 这个饭馆儿的菜是不错，但是没有我们杭州的饭馆儿好吃。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about your own personal taste preferences.
  • Talk about the diversity of cuisines around the world.
  • Argue that everyone has their own favorite cuisines.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 10: "The Hunger Games, Part 2"

HOW TO MAKE REQUESTS IN A RESTAURANT
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餐巾    (cān jīn) napkin    

筷子 (kuài zi) chopsticks
  • 一双筷子 = one set of chopsticks
  • 麻烦你先来四倍冰水，给我们四双筷子。Please bring us four glasses of ice water first, and also four sets of chopsticks.

麻烦(你)    (má fán nǐ) "Can I trouble you to..." / "Would you please..."
  • This structure is used when making a polite request of another person. It's quite similar to the usage of "请" ＝please. However, it's a little more formal, and is specifically used when asking others for help.
  • NOTE: this structure is different from the adjective "麻烦" ＝troublesome
  • Examples:
    • 1. 麻烦你告诉老师我病了，不能去上课了。
    • 2. 麻烦先来四杯冰水，再多给我一些餐巾纸。

叫菜    (jiào cài) [VO] to order food/dishes
  • 叫 = to order, 菜 = dish
  • 当然可以，这儿的菠菜豆腐汤做得很好，叫一个吧。= Of course. Their spinach and tofu soup is very good. Let's order one.
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WRITE: write a note making various requests of a waiter at a restaurant.

​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue between a patient waiter and a demanding customer at a restaurant. The customer has endless requests to make and is never satisfied. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 餐巾，筷子，麻烦你／您，叫(菜)
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: Waiter, please give us some napkins.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 雪梅，你别说了，我的口水都快流出来了...
  • 麻烦先来四杯冰水，再多给我们一些餐巾纸。
  • 当然可以，这儿的菠菜豆腐汤做得很好，叫一个吧。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Make requests in a restaurant.
    • Ask the waiter politely for the menu and napkins.
    • Ask the waiter politely to hurry up with the order.
    • Explain how hungry you are (your mouth is watering)!
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks. ​

Chapter 11: "May the Force Be With You"

HOW TO PAY AT A RESTAURANT
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付钱    (fù qián) [VO] to pay money

买单    (mǎi dān) [VO] bring the check/bill
  • NOTE: 买=to buy, 单=bill

我请客    (wǒ qǐng kè) My treat
  • NOTE: literally "I'll invite the guest"

AA制    (AA zhì) [phrase] split the bill/go dutch
  • NOTE: literally "Algebraic Average System"​
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LEARN MORE: watch the preview videos about Chinese dining etiquette or paying for the bill. Write a paragraph summarizing what you learned!

​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue about two customers at a restaurant. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • The "host" prepares to pay for the meal.
  • The "guest" argues with the host; fight over who pays!
  • The "host" pays in the end..

​WRITE: translate the following sentences into Chinese:
  • Waiter! Bring the check please.
  • No, no, no. My treat. I will pay.
  • Friends should split the bill at a restaurant.
  • Let me find you $10.50 in change. Here.

WRITE: write a humorous short story based on the picture below, under the headline, "AA制还是我请客？":
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 付钱，买单，我请客，AA制
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Ask for the bill.
  • Argue about who should pay for the bill.
  • Talk about how to pay the bill (with cash or card?).
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 12: "The Best of Both Worlds"

HOW TO COME UP WITH IDEAS
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留学生    (liú xué shēng) international student; student studying abroad
  • 留 = stay or leave behind, 学生 = student
  • 张天明和丽莎上车一看，车里还有一个女孩子，柯林介绍说，她是从中国来的留学生，叫林雪梅。

主意    (zhǔ yì) [n] idea    
  • 这个主意不错 = this idea is pretty good
  • 这个主意不错，我也可以考虑。

正好    (zhèng hǎo) coincidentally, happen to [adv]; 2) just right [adj]
  • in this level, 正好 is primarily an adverb:
  • Structure: "sub + 正好 + verb"
  • Examples:
    • 1. 我今天正好有时间，我跟你去买衣服吧。
    • 2. 张天明给柯林打电话，说她和她的女朋友丽莎想吃中国反。柯林说正好他也想吃中国饭，就让张天明在宿舍门口等着，他开车来接他。
    • 柯林说正好他也想吃中国饭 = Colin says he also happens to want to eat Chinese food

丽莎    (Lì shā) Lisa [personal name]
  • NOTE: transliterated from the English name
  • ​今天是周末，功课也做完了，张天明就给柯林发微信，说他和他的女朋友丽莎想吃中国饭，问他想不想去。
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:
  • 正好

TRANSLATE: "Ke Lin says it so happens that he also wants to have Chinese food."

WRITE: write a letter to your parents, telling them about an amazing idea you came up with while studying abroad.

SPEAK: talk about studying abroad. Is this something you are interested in doing: why or why not?

​​SPEAK: imagine you want to open a new restaurant in China. Brainstorm creative ideas for this restaurant!
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 留学生，主意，正好，丽莎
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 有一个女孩子，柯林介绍说，她是从中国来的留学生，叫林雪梅。
  • 这个主意不错，我也可以考虑。
  • 柯林说正好他也想吃中国饭，就让张天明在宿舍门口等着，他开车来接他。
  • 今天是周末，功课也做完了，张天明就给柯林发微信，说他和他的女朋友丽莎想吃中国饭，问他想不想去。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about studying abroad.
  • Talk about how to come up with ideas.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 13: "Cooking with Mao Mao"

HOW TO COOK CHINESE MEALS
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微信        (wēi xìn) [n]; Wechat mobile text messaging app
  • 发微信 = to send a Wechat message

有机        (yǒu jī) [adj]; organic
  • Q: 小白菜怎么样？    How about baby bok choy?    
    ​A: 是有机的吗？ Is it organic？
​
​Topic-Comment Sentences
  • This is a special type of Chinese sentence structure. When a noun or noun phrase has become established as a noun element in a conversation, it can occur at the beginning of the sentence as the "topic," with the rest of the sentence functioning as the "comment" on it. This forms what is known as a "topic-comment sentence."
  • In such a sentence, the object can the verb can be brought forward to serve as the topic of the sentence.
  • Examples:
    • A: 我昨天买了一枝笔。
    • B: 那枝笔你用了吗？[那枝笔 = topic, 你用了吗? = comment]
    • A: 你知道我的衬衫在哪儿吗？
    • B: 你的衬衫我给你妈妈了。[你的衬衫 = topic, 我给你妈妈了 = comment]
    • 功课也做完了 = The homework is also finished [Topic-Comment Sentence]
      • NOTE: a "regular sentence order" would be written as 也做完了功课 [sub + verb + object]

BONUS: 一... 就...    (yī... jiù...) as soon as... then...
  • [一 ＋ verb 1 ＋ 就 ＋ verb 2] ＝ one action followed immediately by another action
  • NOTE: there is a difference between the "一＋V" structure and the full "一＋V1＋就＋V2" structure. In the first instance, "一＋V" expresses the completion of a brief action. It must be followed by a second clause, which is not necessarily another action but could be a statement about follows the first action.
  • Examples:
    • 1. 我一吃味精，就得喝很多水。= As soon as I eat MSG, then I need to drink a lot of water.
    • 2. 张天明和丽莎上车一看，车里还有一个女孩子。= As soon as Zhang Tianming and Lisa get in the car and look, [they see that] there's a girl inside the car.

BONUS: Reaffirmative 是    
  • 是 is usually NOT used before adjectives as predicates (i.e. 我很好). However, there is a special emphatic usage of 是 before an adjective. This requires 1) that the 是 be stressed, and 2) that the topic was already mentioned in the conversation.
  • The emphatic 是＋adj in this context is very similar to the usage of "真＋adj" as an affirmative, exclamatory expression.
  • Example:
    • A: 住在这个宿舍很方便。= This dorm is really convenient.
    • B: 住在宿舍是方便，去上课，去医院，去餐厅都不远。= This dorm really is very convenient! It's not far from school, the hospital, and restaurants.
  • A: 这儿中国菜很地道，是真的吗？= A: This place's Chinese food is very authentic, is that true?
  • B: 这个饭馆儿的菜是不错。    = B: This restaurant's food really is not bad. [Emphatic 是]
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences each using the following grammar structures:
  • Topic-Comment Sentences 
  • Reaffirmative 是
  • "一＋V"
  • "一＋V1＋就＋V2"

SPEAK: talk about WeChat. What is the significance of WeChat in modern Chinese society?

WRITE: write a detailed recipe for how to cook a Chinese meal.
Mastery
Chapter 13 Mastery Test:

​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 微信，有机，*一...就...*
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule: Explain what a "topic-comment sentence" is, and give examples.
  • Translate:  Today is a weekend, Zhang Tianming has already finished his homework. [TOPIC COMMENT]
  • BONUS (Rule): in English, explain what the "reaffirmative 是" is, and how to use it. Give examples.
  • BONUS (Rule): in English, explain the differences between "一＋V" and the full "一... 就..." structure. Give examples.
  • BONUS (Translate): As soon as Zhang Tianming and Lisa get in the car and look, [they see that] there's a girl inside the car.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 半个钟头以后，柯林的汽车到了。张天明和丽莎上车一看，车里还有一个女孩子。
  • 今天是周末，功课也做完了，张天明就给柯林发微信，说他和他的女朋友丽莎想吃中国饭，问他想不想去。
  • 小白菜是有机的吗？
  • A: 林雪梅，柯林说这儿中国菜很地道，是真的吗？
  • B: 这个饭馆儿的菜是不错，但是不如我们杭州的饭馆儿。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

 MINIBOSS #3: ACT 3 REVIEW

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Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • Perform the following role-play at a restaurant:
    • Talk about your own personal taste preferences.
    • Make requests of the waiter (the menu, napkins, etc).
    • Talk about your ideas for studying abroad.
    • Request the bill. How will you pay?
    • Argue with a friend about who should pay for the bill.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

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