Chapter 10: "Final Gambit: The Duel of Destiny!"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT COMPETITIONS
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冠军    (guàn jūn) champion; first place in a competition
  • 冠军队(duì=team) = championship team
  • 世界冠军队 = world championship team
  • 我刚看网上的消息说，中国男足昨天赢了世界冠军队。
  • 那这个世界冠军队是巴西还是意大利队？

输    (shū) to lose; to be defeated
  • 我输了 = I lost
  • 别老说中国男足输球了。

赢    (yíng) to win
  • 我赢了 = I won
  • 比赛结束前一分钟，中国男足才踢进一球，以1比0赢了比赛。​

比分    (bǐ fēn) score
  • This is a noun.
  • Used in this structure: “比分是 [#] 比 [#] =The score is [#] against [#]”
  • 网上说，这次中国男足踢得不错，比分一直是0比0。= It says online that this time the Chinese men’s soccer team played quite well. The score was 0 to 0.

结婚    (jié hūn) to marry; to get married
  • This is a verb object. 结＝get，婚＝marriage
  • 她结婚了吗？= Did she marry?
  • 我要跟你结婚 = I want to marry you​
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DETECTIVE: find and fix the mistakes (highlight to see the correct answer):
  • 网上说，这次中国男足队赢了，5比分0！
  • Answer: 比分是5比0 (比分 is a noun, cannot be used as a comparison) 

WATCH AND REPORT: Watch a famous ping-pong match such as this one. Write a description of the match, including the players and the final score.

RESEARCH AND REPORT: Go to www.hupu.com, a Chinese basketball website, and look at scores for different NBA games. Describe the score and flow of the game as if you were a Chinese sportscaster:
  • 现在比分＃比＃，XX队赢X分
  • 某某某打／踢得不错／跑得很快
  • 比赛还剩下＃分钟
  • 比赛结束了，结果＃比＃，XX队赢了
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 冠军，输，赢，比分，结婚
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 我刚看网上的消息说，中国男足昨天赢了世界冠军队。
  • 那这个世界冠军队是巴西还是意大利队？
  • 别老说中国男足输球了。
  • 我要跟你结婚。
  • 网上说，这次中国男足踢得不错，比分一直是0比0。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about winning and losing.
  • Talk about the score of a sports competition.
  • Talk about the champion of a sports competition.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

​Chapter 11: "Twenty Years Later"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PAST CHANGES
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以来    (yǐ lái) ... since
  • can be more precisely translated as "from... till now"
  • structure：[specific time or event] + 以来,  [things that have occurred since then]
  • Used in a similar context as “以后,” but with a different meaning.
  • Examples:
    • 年初以来，已经下了好几次雪了。= Since the beginning of the year, it has already snowed several times.
    • 丽莎自从住在李文家以来，已经逐渐习惯中国人的生活了。= Ever since Lisa started living at Li Wen’s place, she’s gradually been getting used to the lifestyles of Chinese people.
    • 改革开放以来，中国的经济发生了很大的变化。= Sine the beginning of the Reform and Opening-Up period, China’s economy has gone through a great deal of changes.

出现    (chū xiàn) to appear; to arise; to emerge

现象    (xiàn xiàng) phenomenon; appearance
  • We’re using this phrase: “出现…现象” = to appear… a phenomenon.
  • structure: [context] (i.e. time/place/event), 出现 + [noun phrase/adj] + 的 + 现象
  • Examples: 
    • 在我们的学校，出现了学生常常熬夜的现象 = At our school, there has appeared the phenomenon of students often staying up late.
    • 但是改革开放以来，在某些企业和事业单位，又出现了男女不平等的现象。= Since the Reform and Opening-Up [started], in certain for-profit and nonprofit enterprises, the phenomenon of gender inequity has resurfaced.​
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:
  • ...以来
  • ​出现...现象​

SPEAK: talk about a recent phenomenon that has appeared in your school or society. Why did this phenomenon appear?
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • ...以来，出现...现象
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: Since Reform and Opening-Up, there has again emerged the phenomenon of gender inequality.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 改革开放以来，中国的经济发生了很大的变化。
  • 年初以来，已经下了好几次雪了。
  • 在我们的学校，出现了学生常常熬夜的现象。
  • 改革开放以来，在一些企业事业单位，又出现了男女不平等的现象。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about the emergence of different phenomena [using 出现...现象].
  • Talk about things that have been true since a certain time [using ...以来].
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 12: "Starship Couples Therapy"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS
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丈夫    (zhàng fū) husband [formal]

妻子    (qī zi) wife [formal]
  • 丈夫 ＋ 妻子 ＝ 夫妻 ＝ husband and wife
  • 但是在很多中国家庭中，丈夫和妻子都是互相照顾，所以，家庭可能是现在中国社会男女最平等的地方。    = Nowadays, in Chinese households, many couples are considerate to each other. Therefore, within the family is perhaps where men and women are most equal in Chinese society.

讨厌    (tǎo yàn) to dislike, to loathe
  • 我最讨厌不公平的社会 = I most despise unjust societies.  
  • 我最讨厌那些男足队员了，平常骄傲得不得了，可是比赛的时候老输球。I really detest those men’s soccer players. They are so arrogant. But come game time, they always lose. 

**Other Words for Husbands and Wives [BONUS]**:
**先生    (xiān shēng) husband [neutral]
**太太    (tài tai) wife [neutral]
**老公    (lǎo gōng) husband [informal]
**老婆    (lǎo pó) wife [informal]
**媳妇    (xí fu) wife [informal in Northern China]
**爱人    (ài rén) lover (in Taiwan); spouse (used Mainland China) ​
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SPEAK: discuss the relationship between husbands and wives. What are some things you would find annoying in your future spouses? What would you consider a "model husband" or a "model wife"?

CLASS INTERVIEW: ask your classmates what habits or ticks they most dislike. Why?

SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue between a quarreling husband and wife. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • The husband has many complaints about his wife: doesn't make enough money, meddlesome, etc.
  • The wife has many complaints about her husband: doesn't do chores, is a slob, etc.
  • Can they make up?

READ: read the passage and answer the questions:

怎样才是真正的男女平等？有人说，男女应该是平等的，因为男人能做的事，女人也能做；女人能做的事，男人也能做。但是真的是这样吗？我认为不一定。比如，搬家的时候，丈夫能搬一个书架，妻子一般来说只能搬比较轻的家具；而做家务的时候，一般来说妻子做饭做得比丈夫更好，洗碗洗得比丈夫更干净。所以我认为，男女应该是平等的，但是男人跟女人是不一样的。

True/False:
a. The writer believes that men and women can do all things equally well.
b. The writer is doubtful that men and women should do equal kinds of housework.
c. The writer argues that men and women have different strengths and weaknesses.
d. The writer does not believe in gender equality.
e. The writer discusses men and women's roles in the family, rather than in society.

Answer Key:
a. false b. true c. true d. false e. true
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 丈夫，妻子，讨厌，*先生*，*太太*，*老公*，*老婆*，*媳妇*，*爱人*
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 但是在很多中国家庭中，丈夫和妻子都是互相照顾，所以，家庭可能是现在中国社会男女最平等的地方。
  • 我最讨厌不公平的社会 。
  • 我最讨厌那些男足队员了，平常骄傲得不得了，可是比赛的时候老输球。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about husbands and wives.
  • Talk about different kinds of martial relationships.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 13: "The Enterprise Stolen!"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT UNEQUAL PAY
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同工同酬    (tóng gōng tóng chóu) equal pay for equal work
  • 同＝equal，工＝work，同＝equal，酬＝pay
  • Used as a noun or adjective
  • 找工作的时候，妇女常常比男人更难；一些工厂和公司还没有做到男女同工同酬= For example, when looking for work, women tend to have more difficulty than men. Some factories and companies haven’t implemented equal pay for equal work.

薪水    (xīn shuǐ) salary; pay; wages
  • Very similar to “工资”, but more formal and used for higher-wage or more prestigious jobs
    老师的薪水不如律师的高 = Teachers’ salaries are not as high as lawyers 
    美国职业女篮队员的薪水跟职业男篮比，也少多了。 Don’t forget, their income is determined by the market economy. The American women’s professional basketball teams’ salaries are also much lower than the men’s teams’ salaries. 

市场    (shì chǎng) market
  • literally, “city square”. 市＝城市，场＝field or square
  • 衣服市场＝ clothing market
  • 市场经济 ＝ market economy (as opposed to a planned economy, i.e. “计划经济”)
  • 别忘了，他们的收入是由市场经济决定的。= Don’t forget, their income is determined by the market economy.​
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WRITE: you are a woman who just discovered that a man with the same position as you has a higher salary. Write a letter to the CEO of your company, asking for equal pay for equal work.

DEBATE: Can equal pay for equal work realistically can be achieved in the workplace? Take a strong position on each sides!

DEEP DISCUSSION: the Market, Opportunity, and Change. Have an in-depth discussion with a partner or small group about the following topics:
  • 哪儿的工作机会比较多？为什么？
  • 什么职业的收入高？这些职业的心碎是由什么决定的？
  • 美国做到同工同酬了吗？中国呢？为什么？
  • 职业球员的工资比科学家的工资高得多，你觉得这公平吗？
  • 有人说中国经济会很快超过美国，你相信不相信？
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 同工同酬，薪水，市场(经济)
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 找工作的时候，妇女常常比男人更难；一些工厂和公司还没有做到男女同工同酬。
  • 老师的薪水没有律师的高。
  • 美国职业女篮队员的薪水跟职业男篮比，也少多了。
  • 别忘了，他们的收入是由市场经济来决定的。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Discuss the issue of "equal pay for equal work" in the workplace.
  • Talk about the fairness of the market economy: "Is it right for salaries to be determined by the market?"
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 14: "Restart the Revolution? An End to War..."

HOW TO TALK ABOUT GRADUAL CHANGE
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情况    (qíng kuàng) situation; condition; circumstances
  • 情况变了 = The situation has changed.
  • 在这种情况下，我们必须注意身体 = Under these circumstances, we must pay attention to our bodies.
  • 一九五〇年以后，情况逐渐发生了变化。 After 1950 the situation changed gradually.

逐渐    (zhú jiàn) gradually; little by little
  • “sub + 逐渐 + verb [action that gradually happens]”​
  • Examples:
    • 他对情况逐渐熟悉起来了 = He’s gradually getting better acquainted with the situation
    • 春天了，天气逐渐暖和了 = It’s spring, and the weather has gradually begun to warm up
    • 我开始有点儿讨厌我的同屋，后来对他逐渐了解了，也逐渐喜欢他了。= I didn’t like my roommate all that much at first, but later I got to know him more and more, and began to like him more and more.
    • 柯林到北京一两个月了，对这个城市逐渐不再感觉陌生了。= Ke Lin has been in Beijing for a couple of months now. He is slowly beginning to feel more and more at home.

发生    (fā shēng) to occur, to take place
  • 发生了新的困难 = New difficulties arose/occurred.
    逐渐发生... = to gradually occur… [something]
    发生关系 = have sexual relations with someone (not as husband and wife)
    一九五〇年以后，情况逐渐发生了变化。 After 1950 the situation changed gradually.​
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SPEAK: discuss a current problematic situation in your life or in society. Is this situation changing for the better? Is it changing gradually or quickly? Share your perspective.

WRITE: write a letter to your Chinese pen pal, telling him/her about a new romance developing in your life. Ask him/her for advice. Use the words in Chapter 14.

READ: read the following short history of women's rights in 20th Century China. Then answer the questions:

学生们，你对中国的情况熟悉吗？我们简单说说一下，二十世纪中国妇女的社会地位有了什么变化？1950年以前，中国妇女的社会地位和家庭地位都比男的低得多。1950年以后，女孩子逐渐和男孩子一样有受教育和工作的机会。社会地位有了很大的提高。改革开放以后，在工作上，又出现男女不平等的现象。不过，在城市家庭里，男女还算平等。

1. What was the state of women's rights before 1950?
2. What was the state of women's right's after 1950 but before Reform and Opening-Up?
3. What happened after Reform and Opening-Up?

Answer Key:
1. Women's social status was much lower than men's (it was a 重男轻女 society).
2. After 1950 (i.e. the establishment of the People's Republic of China), women gradually started to have the same educational and work opportunities as men. Greatly increased social status. 
3. After Reform and Opening-Up, gender inequality appeared again in the workplace. But, it's not too bad in the cities.
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Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 情况，逐渐，发生
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 在这种情况下，我们必须注意身体。
  • 一九五〇年以后，情况逐渐发生了变化。
  • 我开始有点儿讨厌我的同屋，后来对他逐渐了解了，也逐渐喜欢他了。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about changing situations or circumstances.
  • Discuss the occurrence of gradual changes.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 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 conversation tasks:
    • Discuss these issues [using structures like 出现...现象 and ...以来]:
      • "Equal pay for equal work" in the workplace.​
      • The fairness of the market economy.
      • The rapidness of different social changes.
      • Gender equality.
    • Talk about sports competitions: the score, the champion, and winners and losers.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!