Chinese Language Quest
  • 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
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  • AP Exam
    • 听:Listening >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
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    • 读:Reading >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
      • Test Strategies
    • 说:Speaking >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
      • Test Strategies
    • 写:Writing >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
      • Test Strategies
  • Resources
    • Class Activities and Games
    • Discovery Quests
    • Online Resources

ACT ONE: NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

 

​Chapter 1: "Pokémon Universe"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT SOCIETY
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
社会    (shè huì) society
  • 一个人当然应该有快乐的童年,但是也应该成为社会需要的人才。

梦想 (mèng xiǎng) [n] dream; aspiration
  • 今最好的大学是我的梦想。

小学    (xiǎo xué) elementary school; grade school
  • 我侄女才小学三年级。

认为    (rèn wéi) to think; to consider
  • similar to “sub+觉得...”, but more formal
    他认为对孩子来说,最重要的是有一个快乐的童年。 = He believes as far as children are concerned, the most important thing is to have a happy childhood.
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: talk about the society that you live in. What kind of society is it? What attitude do you have toward this society, and why? Compare and contrast different societies.

WRITE: write a story or dialogue based on the following picture, using the words in Chapter 1: 
Picture
Picture
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 社会,梦想,小学,认为
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: He believes as far as children are concerned, the most important thing is to have a happy childhood. [认为]
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • ​​一个人当然应该有快乐的童年,但是也应该成为社会需要的人才。
  • 今最好的大学是我的梦想。
  • 我侄女才小学三年级。
  • 他认为对孩子来说,最重要的是有一个快乐的童年。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about different societies.
  • Talk about the importance of education.
  • Talk about your dreams and aspirations.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

Chapter 2: "Gotta Catch ‘Em All"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PARENTS' PLANS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
最好    (zuì hǎo) [adverb] had better; it's best that...
  • 这部电影很受欢迎,看的人多,如果想看,最好早点买票。= This film is very popular [received a great welcome], many people want to see it. If you want to see it, you'd better get a ticket soon.
  • 孩子最好还是在学校多学一些知识。= It’s best for children to learn as much as they can in school.

设计    (shèjì) to design; design
  • 哥哥是电脑博士,设计软件、管理网站。    His brother has a PhD in Computer Science--he designs software and manages websites.

不是A, 而是B        (bú shì...ér shì...) is not A, but B
  • This structure is used when, in responding to a statement or situation, the speaker wishes to strongly negate A and affirm B.
  • NOTE: see also the "不是A,就是B" structure. The two structures have very different meanings.
  • 有些知识不是在学校里或者从书本上学的,而是从社会,从生活中学的。    some knowledge is not learned in school or from books, but is learned from society, from life
  • Examples:
  • ​1. 可是你别忘了,有些知识不是从书上学的,而是从社会、从生活中学的。= But don’t forget: some knowledge isn't learned from book. It must be learned from society, from life.
  • 2. 我不是不希望孩子将来有一番大事业,而是不想给他太大的压力。= It's not that I don't want my child to have a great career in the future, it's just that I don't want to put too much pressure on him.

​“不是...,而是...” vs. “不是...,就是...”:

1. 不是A,就是B = Either A or B; If it's not A, it's B
  • This is a pattern used to list two predictable or habitual scenarios. Both A and B are true events.
  • 她不是叫外卖,就是跟同学饭馆,还经常乱买东西,乱花钱。

2. 不是A,而是B = It's not A, but B
  • This is a pattern used when, in responding to a statement or situation, the speaker wishes to strongly negate A (not true) and affirm B (true).
  • 有些知识不是在学校里或者从书本上学的,而是从社会、从生活中学的。
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:
  • 不是...而是... ​

SPEAK
: talk about your parents' plans for you/your siblings. Do you think parents should have plans for their children, or is it best to let children decide for themselves? 

​WRITE: based on the image below, write an advice column for parents on designing plans for their children.
Picture
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 最好,设计,不是...而是...
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): Explain the differences between the "不是A,就是B" vs. the "不是A,而是B" structures. Describe their usage in context. Give examples of each structure.
  • Translate: Some knowledge *is not* learned from books, *but is* learned from society, from life.
  • TARGET: no more than 1 grammar mistake.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 孩子最好还是在学校多学一些知识。
  • 她的设计真好!
  • 哥哥是电脑博士,设计软件、管理网站。
  • 有些知识不是在学校里或者从书本上学的,而是从社会、从生活中学的。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about parents' plans for their children.
  • Contradict someone in response to their statement (using 不是...,而是...).
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

Chapter 3: "Prodigy"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
弹    (tán) to play [a musical instrument]

钢琴    (gāng qín) piano

画画儿    (huà huàr)
to draw or paint [a picture]
  • 画 = to draw
  • 画儿 = picture, drawing, painting

补习班    (bǔ xí bān) cram class; after-school class

课外活动    (kè wài huó dòng) extracurricular activities

Sentences:
  • 星期一学钢琴,星期二学画画儿,星期三学游泳,星期四学滑冰,星期五好不容易休息一下,星期六又叫他去上中文学校。
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: talk about after-school programs at your school. What are your extracurricular activities, and why?

WRITE: Write a sample schedule for after-school programs.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 弹钢琴,画画儿,补习班,课外活动
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 星期一学钢琴,星期二学画画儿,星期三学游泳,星期四学滑冰,星期五好不容易休息一下,星期六又叫他去上中文学校。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about after-school programs.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
 

Chapter 4: "Thunderstorm"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT OVERSCHEDULING
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
安排    (ān pái) to arrange

满    (mǎn) full

把时间安排得满满的    arranged [a time schedule] fully
  • 我侄女才小学三年级,我嫂子就把她的时间安排得满满的。

完全    (wán quán) completely; fully; complete; whole
  • 我不完全同意 = I don’t fully agree

才    (cài) [adverb] only; used before numbers to express a small quantity
  • (cái) [adverb] only; used before numbers to express a small quantity
  • ​"sub + 才 + # + MW + obj"

Examples:
1. 她才小学三年级 = she's is only in elementary school 3rd grade
2. 你今年才二十岁,就想结婚?= You are only twenty years old, and you already want to get married?
3. 我哥哥已经拿到硕士学位了,而我才高中毕业。= My older brother has already gotten his master's degree. On the other hand, I have only graduated from high school.
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: talk about overscheduling. Are your schedules too full, or just right?
​
WRITE: to get into Stanford, you think you need to cram your schedule full of activities. Write a paragraph justifying this and explaining your busy life!
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 把时间安排得满满的,完全,才三年级
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: My niece is only in her third year of elementary school.
  • BONUS (Rule): in English, describe at least two different ways we've learned to use the adverb 才. Give examples in context. 
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 女儿才小学三年级,妈妈就把她的时间安排得满满的。
  • 你说得有道理,但是,我还是不完全同意。​​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about overscheduling.
  • Talk about exceptionally small quantities (using 才).
  • 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 29 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:
    • Talk about society and the college rat race.
    • Talk about the importance of education.
    • Talk about parents' plans for their children.
    • Talk about after-school programs.
    • Talk about overscheduling.​
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!
  • ​GRAVITY: Play Level 29: 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
    • 写:Writing >
      • Vocab and Grammar
      • Practice Questions
      • Test Strategies
  • Resources
    • Class Activities and Games
    • Discovery Quests
    • Online Resources