​Chapter 1: "A Promising Tip"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT THE MEDIA
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采访    (cái fǎng) to interview, gather news
  • 她采访了马克·扎克伯格。= She interviewed Mark Zuckerberg.
  • 为什么你想采访我？= Why do you want to interview me?

记者    (jì zhé) journalist
  • 她是世界知名的记者。= She is a world renowned journalist.
  • 你是什么样的记者？= What kind of journalist are you?

调查记者    (diào chá jì zhé) investigative journalist
  • 新闻台有很多调查记者。= The news channel has many investigative journalists.

调查    (diào chá) to investigate; investigation
  • 柴静雾霾调查：穹顶之下 = Cai Jing’s Smog Investigation: Under the Dome
  • 她正在调查这个事情。＝ She is currently investigating this matter.
  • 你的调查方法很有趣。= Your investigative method is very interesting.
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RESEARCH: watch the news and summarize a recent local investigation.

WRITE: respond to the following question: "如果你是一个记者，你会采访谁呢？为什么？如果你是一个调查记者呢？会调查什么？"

SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • One person is a famous investigative journalist.
  • One person is a student who wants to learn more about the job.
  • The student asks for an interview with the journalist.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 采访，记者，调查，调查记者
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 为什么你想采访我？
  • 者采访了那位帮助儿童的少年。
  • 她是世界知名的记者。
  • 新闻台有很多调查记者。
  • 你的调查方法很有趣。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about reporting, interviews, and journalists.
  • Talk about investigations.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 2: "Legacy of Death"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT AIR POLLUTION
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空气    (kōng qì) air; atmosphere
  • 我不喜欢北京的空气质量。= I don’t like Beijing’s air quality.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 这儿的空气真新鲜！

污染    (wū rǎn) to pollute; to contaminate; pollution; contamination
  • 空气污染 = air pollution
  • [TEXTBOOK] 还有汽车，不但要用很多能源，而且还对空气造成严重污染。

雾霾    (wù mái) smog
  • 雾 = fog, 霾 = haze
  • 北京的雾霾天气很严重。＝ Beijing’s smoggy days are very serious.

严重    (yán zhòng) serious, grave
  • 这是一个严重的问题。＝ This is a serious problem.
  • 这儿的空气比城里好，雾霾也没有那么严重。= The air here is better than than in the city, and the smog isn’t as severe
  • [TEXTBOOK] 还有汽车，不但要用很多能源，而且还对空气造成严重污染。
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WRITE: you are studying abroad in Beijing. Write a letter to your parents complaining about the air pollution you are encountering in the city.

READ: read the Chairman's Bao article, "China Pollution: First Ever Red Alert Put Into Effect in Beijing". Answer the following questions:
  1. What does "红色预警" mean? What happens when it is put into effect?
  2. How many people in China have died for reasons related to air pollution?
  3. What are some reasons for air pollution?

SPEAK: compare and contrast the air pollution of cities in America relative to the air pollution of cities in China.

SPEAK: look at the following picture of a Chinese city and describe it in as much detail as possible.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 空气，污染，雾霾，严重
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 这儿的空气真新鲜！
  • 这儿的空气比城里好，雾霾也没有那么严重。
  • 还有汽车，不但要用很多能源，而且还对空气造成严重污染。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Describe air pollution in different places.
  • Discuss the seriousness of air pollution.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 3: "The Investigation Continues: Shocking Twist!"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
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保护    (bǎo hù) to protect; to safeguard
  • 哥哥总想保护妹妹。＝ Older brothers always want to protect their younger sisters.
  • 我们要保护自己的眼睛，不要躺在床上看书。= We should protect our eyes, don’t lie on the bed and read books.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 对，地球是我们的家，我们应该好好保护它！

环境保护    (huán jìng bǎo hù) environmental protection
  • 环境＝environment，保护＝protection
  • [TEXTBOOK] 大家马上就同意了，觉得骑自行车又能锻炼身体，又省钱，而且有益于环境保护。
  • When a two-syllable abstract verb and a two-syllable abstract noun are combined to form a four-character phrase in formal speech and writing, the noun usually comes before the verb. This is especially true when the phrase functions as the subject, object or attributive in a sentence.

环保    (huán bǎo) environmental protection [abr.]
  • Abbreviation of 环境保护
    • abbreviations are very common with four character abstract nouns or verbs
  • [TEXTBOOK] 大家都应该像我们这样，少开车，多骑车，多走路，有环保节能，又有益于健康。

媒体    (méi tǐ) media
  • 新闻媒体＝news media

报道    (bào dào) to report; report [v/n]
  • 媒体报道= Media reports [noun].
  • 北京媒体报道，70%的北京人不同意星巴克在北京故宫开店。＝ Bejing media reports, 70% of Beijing residents don’t agree that Starbucks should open a store in Beijing’s Forbidden Palace.
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RESEARCH AND DISCUSS: find a recent media report on the topic of environmental protection, and then discuss its findings.

WRITE: respond to the following question: "环境保护重要吗？为什么？我们怎么应该保护环境？你觉得经济发展(fā zhǎn=development)重要，还是环保重要？"
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 环境保护，保护，环保，媒体，报道
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 对，地球是我们的家，我们应该好好保护它！
  • 大家马上就同意了，觉得骑自行车又能锻炼身体，又省钱，而且有益于环境保护。
  • 新闻媒体很重要，但是可靠吗？
  • 北京媒体报道，70%的北京人不同意星巴克在北京故宫开店。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about media reports. Evaluate their source, accuracy, and importance.
  • Talk about protecting the environment.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 4: "Secret Engine"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT CONSERVING ENERGY
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节约    (jié yuē) to economize; to save; to conserve
  • 张天明比较节约，每个月的生活费不超过八百美元。＝ Zhang Tianming is pretty economical, his monthly expensives don’t exceed $800.
  • [TEXTBOOK］我们应该从小地方做起，比如随手关灯，节约用水。

能源    (néng yuán) energy; energy source
  • 这种汽车虽然比较贵，但是非常节约能源。= Although this type of car is fairly expensive, but it really saves a lot of energy.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 还要让大家知道，如果再继续浪费能源，继续污染环境，后果会不堪设想。

减少    (jiǎn shǎo) to reduce; to decrease; to lessen
  • 我们都应该随手关灯，节约用水，减少对能源的浪费. = We should all without extra effort close lights, save water use, and reduce our energy waste.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 对，现在中国超市不给塑料袋，要自己买，所以很多人都自己带包，这样一年不知道能减少多少白色污染！

暖气    (nuǎn qì) heating [n]
  • 很多中国南方家庭没有暖气。= A lot of homes in southern China don’t have heating.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 我听说中国政府规定办公室和公共场所，冬天暖气温度不能高于摄氏20度，夏天空调不能低于26度。
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RESEARCH AND DISCUSS: find out how much energy is being used at home, or in your dorm. Discuss with your partner ways to reduce energy consumption.

READ: read the Chairman's Bao article, "Shanghai Tower Recognised for Use of Green Technology". Answer the following questions:
  1. What is "绿色技术"? Why is it being used in 上海中心?
  2. How is water being conserved in the tower?
  3. Describe a form of temperature regulation being used in the tower.
  4. What is an alternative energy source being used to power the tower?

WRITE: compose a letter to your parents about ways to save energy in your house (for example, by reducing heating). Anticipate possible objections by your parents.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 节约，能源，减少，暖气
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 张天明比较节约，每个月的生活费不超过八百美元。
  • 我们应该从小地方做起，比如随手关灯，节约用水。
  • 还要让大家知道，如果再继续浪费能源，继续污染环境，后果会不堪设想。
  • 现在中国超市不给塑料袋，要自己买，减少白色污染！
  • 我听说中国政府规定办公室和公共场所，冬天暖气温度不能高于摄氏20度。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about your energy use (including heating).
  • Talk about ways to economize or reduce energy use.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 5: "Knock at Midnight"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT THE CRISIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
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气候变化    (qì hòu biàn huà) climate change
  • 气候 ＝ climate，变化＝change
  • 环保科学家认为，气候变化已经很难控制了 = Conservation scientists believe, climate change is already very difficult to control.

危机    (wēi jī) crisis
  • 你认为哪个危机更重要？经济危机还是气候变化危机？= What do you believe is more important? The economic crisis or the climate change crisis?
  • [TEXTBOOK] 现在世界上很多国家都在闹能源危机，太阳能可是取之不尽的啊！

马克    (mǎ kè) Mark [name]
  • Foreign loanword from English.
  • [TEXTBOOK] ...他说正好他的新朋友马克也想去。
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DEBATE: discuss the issue of climate change. One partner must argue that climate change is a serious crisis, while the other must argue that it is not. Take  a strong position on each side!

SPEAK: have an in-depth discussion with a partner or small group about the following topics:
  • 我们在每天的生活中应该怎么节约能源，减少能源的浪费？
  • 我们应该多利用什么能源？少林用什么能源？为什么？
  • 世纪科学家认为气候变化是一个很严重的危机。你同意吗？为什么？

WRITE: respond to the following question: "你认为什么是世界最严重的危机？为什么？"
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 气候变化，危机，马克
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 环保科学家认为，气候变化已经很难控制了
  • 你认为哪个危机更重要？经济危机还是气候变化危机？
  • 现在世界上很多国家都在闹能源危机，太阳能可是取之不尽的啊！
  • 他说正好他的新朋友马克也想去。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about different crises in the world.
  • Discuss the issue of climate change.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #1: ACT 1 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:
    • Talk about journalism:
      • Talk about investigative reporting.
      • Talk about the media. Evaluate different media outlets and journalists.
    • Talk about the environment:
      • Talk about air pollution.
      • Talk about energy use.
      • Talk about the crisis of climate change.
      • Talk about ways to protect the environment.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!