Chapter 10: "City of the Golden Flower"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT YUNNAN'S DALI
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大理    (dà lǐ) - Dali [city in Yunnan]

古城    (gǔ chéng) [n] old city; ancient city

古老    (gǔ lǎo)［adj] ancient; old

三塔    (sān tǎ) Three Pagodas [of Dali]

​Sentences:
  • 这是大理三塔，建筑很古老，很有名。
  • 大理城里有很多卖纪念品的商店，导游把我们带到那儿，希望大家多买东西。
  • 这个古城不大，从东边走到西边不过一两个小时。
Lesson
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Practice
SPEAK: imagine you are planning a trip to Yunnan. Discuss whether or not you want to visit Dali. What do you want to do there, if so?

WRITE: write a letter to your Chinese pen pal, telling him/her about what you did and saw in Dali.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 大理，古城，古老，三塔
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 这是大理三塔，建筑很古老，很有名。
  • 大理城里有很多商店，导游把我们带到那儿，希望大家多买东西。
  • 这个古城不大，从东边走到西边不过一两个小时。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about Yunnan's Dali.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 11: "The Great Wall"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT THE DRAWBACKS OF A PACKAGE TOUR
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购物点    (gòu wù diǎn) "shopping point"
  • 购物＝shopping，点＝地点＝location
  • NOTE: 购物点 are a common feature of Chinese package tours. They are stops on the tour specifically designed to sell souvenirs and other items to tourists. This is a way for the travel agency to make more money.

纪念品    (jì niàn pǐn) [n] souvenir; memento
  • 大理城里有很多卖纪念品的商店，导游把我们带到那儿，希望大家多买东西。
  • 雪梅和丽莎很高兴，买了不少纪念品，而我跟柯林受不了，就抱怨说太浪费时间了。

自由行    (zì yóu xíng) [phrase] independent travel; self-guided travel

自助游    (zì zhù yóu) [phrase] independent travel; self-guided travel
  • 下次你们到中国旅游找旅行团，一定要先问清楚，千万别找有 “购物” 的团。你们可以自助游，那样就自由多了。​

千万(别)    (qiān wàn [bié]) [adv] by all means [DO NOT]; absolutely must [NOT]
  • NOTE: "千万" by itself means "absolutely must." It is used in imperative sentences to give commands or advice.
  • While it can be used positively, "千万" is usually used in the negative structure "千万别":
    • sub＋千万别＋verb"＝"absolutely must NOT [verb]"
  • 下次千万别找有 "购物" 的团 = next time absolutely must not look for "shopping" package tours​
Lesson
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following sentence structure:
  • "千万(别)..."

SPEAK: imagine you are planning a trip to Yunnan. Decide if you will travel to Yunnan on your own, or with a "package tour" group. Explain why.

WRITE: write a letter to your Chinese pen pal, warning them against taking a package tour to Yunnan.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 购物点，纪念品，自由行，自助游，千万(别)
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: Next time you absolutely must not look for "shopping" package tours.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 大理城里有很多卖纪念品的商店，导游把我们带到那儿，希望大家多买东西。
  • 雪梅和丽莎很高兴，买了不少纪念品，而我跟柯林受不了，就抱怨说太浪费时间了。
  • 下次你们到中国旅游找旅行团，一定要先问清楚，千万别找有 “购物” 的团。你们可以自助游，那样就自由多了。​
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Explain the purpose of a "购物点."
  • Talk about the benefits and drawbacks of a package tour.
  • Talk about the benefits and drawbacks of independent travel.
  • Talk about buying souvenirs.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 12: "The Flowers of Lijiang"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT YUNNAN'S LIJIANG
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丽江    (lì jiāng) Lijiang [city in Yunnan]

河    (hé) [n] river
  • 一条小河 = one small river

茶馆    (chá guǎn) [n] teahouse

灯笼    (dēng long) [n] lantern

房东    (fáng dōng) [n] landlord or landlady
  • NOTE: 房 = room, 东 = east. Traditionally, the host was seated on the east (more auspicious) and the guest seated on the right. So 东 here has the additional meaning of "host."​

Sentences:
  • 第三天，到了有名的丽江古城，我们非常喜欢这里。
  • 最特别的是有一条非常干净的小河从城中间流过。小河两边有很多商店，茶馆，小饭馆。
  • 那天晚上，我们在一个很有云南特色的茶馆里喝茶，看着外边的小河，门旁的红灯笼，还有来来往往的游客，都不想回旅馆去睡觉了。
  • 在丽江，我们住了两天家庭旅馆。房间虽然很小，但是很干净，也能上网。房东还给我们做了些家常菜，辣辣的，味道很不错。
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
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Practice
SPEAK: imagine you are planning a trip to Yunnan. Discuss whether or not you want to visit Lijiang. What do you want to do there, if so?

WRITE: write a letter to your Chinese pen pal, telling them about what you did/saw in Lijiang.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 丽江，河，茶馆，灯笼，房东
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 第三天，到了有名的丽江古城，我们非常喜欢这里。
  • 最特别的是有一条非常干净的小河从城中间流过。小河两边有很多商店，茶馆，小饭馆。
  • 那天晚上，我们在一个很有云南特色的茶馆里喝茶，看着外边的小河，门旁的红灯笼，还有来来往往的游客，都不想回旅馆去睡觉了。
  • 在丽江，我们住了两天家庭旅馆。房间虽然很小，但是很干净，也能上网。房东还给我们做了些家常菜，辣辣的，味道很不错。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about Yunnan's Lijiang.
  • Talk about the benefits and drawbacks of family-run hotels.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 13: "The Story of My People"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT CUSTOMS
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风俗    (fēng sú) [n] custom
  • NOTE: similar to 传统, but more specifically refers to social customs/behaviors

习惯    (xí guàn) [n] habit
  • 风俗习惯    (fēng sú xí guàn) [phrase] customs
  • 来云南旅游，可以亲眼看看不同民族的建筑，服装，饮食，了解各个民族的风俗习惯。

不过    (bú guò) [adv] however; no more than
  • NOTE: We've previously learned 不过 as a conjunction indicating a turn in thought (like 但是/可是). In Level 33, however, 不过 is an adverb meaning "only, no more than." It can be modified by 只.
  • Examples:
    • 1. 这个古城不大，从东边走到西边不过一两个小时。＝ This ancient town is not big. It only takes a couple of hours to go from the east to the west side.
    • 2. 我不过是跟你开玩笑，你怎么哭了？＝ I was only joking with you. Why are you crying?
  • 不过一两个小时 = no more than one or two hours
Lesson
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following sentence structure:
  • 不过

SPEAK: imagine you are planning a trip to Yunnan. Discuss the unique customs and culture of Yunnan. What are you particularly interested in seeing for yourself?

WRITE: write a letter to your Chinese pen pal, telling them about the unique culture and customs of Yunnan that you witnessed in person while you were there.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 风俗，习惯，不过
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: When touring Yunnan, you can see with your own eyes the architecture, clothing, cuisine, and customs of different ethnicities.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 来云南旅游，可以亲眼看看不同民族的建筑，服装，饮食，了解各个民族的风俗习惯。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about Yunnan’s distinctive customs.
  • Talk about the customs of your own culture.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 14: "To Live"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT FULFILLMENT IN LIFE
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分享    (fēn xiǎng) [v] to share (joy, happiness, benefits, etc.)
  • NOTE: the object of 分享 is usually an abstract noun (ie. 分享快乐，分享幸福). When used intransitively, the verb often occurs in the pattern A跟B分享.
  • Example:
    • 张天明每天写博客，让朋友们分享自己的快乐。= Zhang Tianming wrote [new entries in] his blog every day, so as to share his own happiness with his friends.​

幽默    (yōu mò) [adj] humorous
  • 说话很幽默 = talks very humorously​

拥抱    (yōng bào) [v] to embrace; to hug
  • 高兴地拥抱起来 = happily began to hug
  • 我们一见面，大家就高兴地拥抱起来，虽然才分别几天，可是好像好久不见了。
Lesson
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SPEAK: imagine you are planning a trip to Yunnan. Tell each other why you're happy to be traveling with your friend instead of alone. What experiences can you share with your friend?

WRITE: write a letter to your Chinese pen pal, telling them how happy you are that you will finally be able to meet in a few days. Describe your emotions, as well as what you plan to do upon meeting.

READ: read the text below and answer the following questions:
  1. What is the subject and purpose of the text?
  2. How would the author of the text respond to the statement, "It's better to travel on your own, stay in cheap backpacker hostels, and take long trips via sleeper train?" Explain your answer in detail.
  3. Give examples of three positive comments, and one negative comment, made by the author of the text.
  4. According to the text, what made the deepest impression on the author?

​云南昆明+大理+丽江6日5晚跟团游·无自费 温泉 3飞 国际五星 淡季实惠价
​3599 起

这条线路属于经典的云南旅游线路之一，三地的景点属于有代表性的景点，值得一去。旅行社的服务也很到位，从接机到送机，每一阶段都有专人负责，让人放心。我与朋友比较注重酒店住宿，安排的酒店基本都是五星标准，干净舒适，很不错。唯一遗憾的是，大理一地安排得比较匆忙，如果能多一天，那就完美了。最喜欢丽江一地，雪山的俊美、印象丽江表演让人震撼、丽江古城的热闹，都给我们留下了深刻的印象。

[交通线路] 线路安排合理，景点选择经典。三飞减少了旅途的劳顿，否则车程太长，真的很累。唯一不足就是大理一地走马观花，时间太少。建议总行程增加一天。

[住宿餐食] 住宿都是五星，很不错，物有所值。餐食安排的地方，干净卫生，个别地方还有表演，十分有特色。

​[导游讲解] 云南旅游的特色，每个地方、景点都有自己的导游或讲解。全程有一个导游，很负责，介绍了很多云南当地的风俗习惯。从大理前往安宁的那天是初六，高速严重堵车，如果不是导游的事先提醒与安排，我们可能会睡在高速上了；为了减缓大家的不适，他还很细心的准备了薰衣草精油。丽江的导游是个90后纳西族小伙，语言风趣幽默，说话实在。
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 分享，幽默，拥抱
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 张天明每天写博客，让朋友们分享自己的快乐。
  • 我们的导游说话很幽默，常逗得大家哈哈大笑。不过有时他说的话我们三个人都听不懂，雪梅只好给我们当翻译。
  • 我们一见面，大家就高兴地拥抱起来，虽然才分别几天，可是好像好久不见了。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about fulfillment in life.
  • Talk about humor.
  • Talk about sharing your life with others.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #3: ACT 3 REVIEW

Picture
Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​​Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Talk about traveling through Yunnan (including Dali and Lijiang).
    • Talk about Yunnan’s culture and customs.
    • Talk about buying souvenirs. What about at "shopping points"?
    • Discuss the pros and cons of a Chinese package tour vs. independent travel.
    • Talk about fulfillment in life, and how to share that with others.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!