​Chapter 6: "Question... Everything"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT TEMPERATURE
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
温度    (wēn dù) temperature
  • 今天的最高温度是多少度？= What’s today’s highest temperature?

度        (dù) measure word for degrees of temperature, hardness, etc.

摄氏渡 (shè shì dù) Celsius; centigrade​
  • Foreign loanword from English.
  • 34摄氏度 = 34 degrees Celsius
  • [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。

**华氏度**    (huá shì dù) Fahrenheit
  • Foreign loanword from English.
  • 72华氏度 = 34 degrees Fahrenheit

adj+于    (adj + yú) more ADJ [indicating comparison]
  • subject A + adj + 于 + subject B
  • Used after an adjective, 于 means 比. 高于 is synonymous with 比...高. Likewise, 低于 means 比...低.

Examples:
1. 今天的气温低于昨天。= 今天的气温比昨天低。= Today’s temperature is lower than yesterday’s.
2. 四大于三。= 四比三大。= Four is larger than three.
3. 那个国家水甚至贵于油。= 那个国家的水甚至比油贵。= In that country water is even more expensive than oil.
​4. [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。
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: discuss your ideal climate, including temperature. Use the words in Chapter 6.

DETECTIVE: find and fix the errors (highlight for the correct answer):
  • A: 马克的成绩比90分高于。好棒！
  • B: 教室的暖气太不可靠了。今天好像于低0度！
  • C: 雪梅美比于妹妹。
​Answer:
---
  • A: 马克的成绩高于90分。好棒！
  • B: 教室的暖气太不可靠了。今天好像低于0度！
  • C: 雪梅美于妹妹。
---

CLASS INTERVIEW: what more could our school do to protect the environment? Ask each other:
  • 你觉得我们的宿舍环保吗？
  • 冬天我们宿舍空调的温度怎么样，能不能调低一点？你觉得多少度比较合适？
  • 夏天呢，空调的温度能不能调高一点？你觉得多少度比较合适？
  • 学校里垃圾回收筒够不够多？
  • 学校哪些地方可以用太阳能？
  • 学校在环境方面还可以做什么？

WRITE: look at the following weather report and then write it up using the words in Chapter 6.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 温度，摄氏度，*华氏度*，高于/低于...
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Offices aren't allowed to set the heat above 20 degrees Celsius in winter. [于]
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 今天的最高温度是多少度？
  • 今天的气温低于昨天。=== 今天的气温比昨天低。
  • 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。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about the temperature in different places or times.
  • Talk about high and low limits on temperature [using adj+于].
  • Discuss the crisis of climate change and its effects on global temperature using the chart below.
  • BONUS: Talk about the differences between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 7: "Landfill"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PLASTIC WASTE
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
超市    (chāo shì) supermarket
  • short for “超级市场”, 超＝超级（super），市＝市场（market）
  • [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！

瓶装水    (píng zhuāng shuǐ) bottle water
  • 瓶＝bottle，装＝hold/load，水＝water
  • NOTE: “矿泉水” (kuàng quán shuǐ = mineral water) is also a common way to say “bottled water”
  • [TEXTBOOK] 我好久没买瓶装水了。我们班有的同学建议，为了保护绿色的地球，自己带水喝，不买瓶装水。

塑料袋    (sù liào dài) plastic bag
  • 塑料＝plastic，袋＝bag
  • [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！

白色污染    (bái sè wū rǎn) white pollution [i.e. plastic litter]
  • 白色＝white，污染＝pollution
  • plastic is called “white pollution” because plastic is often white
  • [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！
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: imagine you are visiting the supermarket. Point out and discuss all the examples of plastic that you see. Brainstorm ways to reduce the use of plastic in supermarkets.

WRITE: respond to the following question: "加州政府想规定，超市不能再给人免费的塑料袋。你同意吗？为什么？"

WRITE: respond to the following question: "什么是白色污染？为什么白色污染影响环境？怎么减少白色污染？"

​READ: read and summarize the following passage:
  • "这个趋势将会使目前的一些环境保护措施相形见绌，例如英国最近所推行减少使用一次性购物袋的政策。与此同时，亚洲塑料需求增长也对环境保护组织造成打击因为这些组织希望减少人们对塑料制品的依赖。目前，很多国家的塑料垃圾处理方式不恰当，从而造成了环境污染。"

READ: read the passage below and answer the questions:

现在在中国的很多大学，教学楼里都装有可以灌热水或是凉水的公共饮水机。学生们不用买瓶装水，也不带家里装好的水去上课，而是只要带着自己的空杯子，就可以在教学楼里接到免费的水，喝完了就再去饮水机接。越来越多的同学都自己买被子接水，不再用去商店买瓶装水。喜欢喝水的同学还常常会在杯子里装上茶叶，再到教学楼里泡茶。这样真是既方便了同学，又保护了环境。

​1. What is this passage generally about?
2. What is the author's attitude toward the phenomenon described in the passage? Why? 

Answer Key:
1. In many Chinese colleges today, more and more students get free water from drinking fountains around campus, instead of buying bottled water or bringing water from home. Many students even put tea leaves in their cups to make tea.
2. The author thinks free water on campus is both convenient for students as well as beneficial for the environment. 
-------
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 超市，瓶装水，塑料袋，白色污染
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 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！
  • 我好久没买瓶装水了。我们班有的同学建议，为了保护绿色的地球，自己带水喝，不买瓶装水。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about shopping at the supermarket.
  • Talk about the environmental impact of "white pollution" (including bottled water and plastic bags).
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 8: "The Sum of all Fears"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT FOSSIL FUELS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
石油    (shí yóu) petroleum; oil
  • literally, “stone oil.” 石＝stone，油＝oil。Specifically refers to the fossil fuel petroleum, as opposed to cooking oil or other types of oil.
  • 中国石油＝PetroChina, one of the branches of Sinpoec, the largest state-owned oil and gas companies in the world.
  • 世界上哪地方的石油很多？= Where in the world is there a lot of oil?

煤        (méi) coal
  • 煤矿(kuàng)＝coal mine
  • [TEXTBOOK] 如果全世界都利用太阳能和风能，那能节约多少石油和煤啊！= =  If the whole world could use solar and wind energy, think of how much that would save on petroleum and coal!

发电    (fā diàn) to generate electricity
  • 发电厂＝power plant
  • 环保比较好的国家用什么发电呢？很少用煤来发电。= What do countries that protect the environment well use to generate electricity? They seldom use coal to generate electricity.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 用太阳能发电，太好了！= Using solar power to generate electricity--that’s great!
  • [TEXTBOOK] 要是自行车能利用太阳能发电，那多酷啊！= If bikes could also use solar energy to generate electricity, how cool would that be!

比如    (bǐ rú) for example...
  • used the same as "比如说" or "比方说", but a little bit more formal
  • statement, + 比如 + example
  • Examples:
    • 不同人喜欢吃不同的味道。比如我爱吃甜的味道，但是我妈妈爱吃嫩的味道。＝ Different people like different flavors. For example I like sweet flavors, but my mom loves to eat tender flavors.
    • 我们应该从小地方做起，比如随手关灯，节约用水。= We should start small. For example, we should turn off the lights [whenever we don’t need them] and conserve water.
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
RESEARCH: research the environmental costs of the oil and coal industries. Write a short report on your findings.

SPEAK: discuss with your partner the pros and cons of continuing to use petroleum and coal as major sources of energy.

DEEP DISCUSSION: discuss the following questions in pairs, on pain of perjury.
  •  谈谈再见或家人把钱投资在什么上？
  • 今天纽约或上海的股市涨了还是跌了？ 
  • 会攒钱的人和会享受生活的人矛盾吗？
  • 你的消费观念受什么影响？
  • 你签过或见过什么类型的合同？

WRITE: ​you are a coal mining engineer, but you are thinking about leaving the industry to work for PetroChina instead. Write a letter to your family asking them for advice.

WRITE: look at the picture and respond to the following question: "中国现在用什么能源发电？用多少（百分之）？"
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 石油，煤，发电，比如
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • For example, we should turn off the lights whenever it's convenient. [比如]
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • “中国石油“是中国最大的石油企业。
  • 世界上哪地方的石油很多？
  • 如果全世界都利用太阳能和风能，那能节约多少石油和煤啊！
  • 用太阳能发电，太好了！
  •  我们应该从小地方做起，比如随手关灯，节约用水。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about fossil fuels (including oil and coal).
  • Talk about the impact of the fossil fuels industries, both economically and environmentally. Give examples!
  • Talk about effective and feasible ways to generate electricity.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 9: "The Underground City"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT CHOPSTICK WASTE
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
餐具    (cān jù) eating utensils; tableware
  • 餐具包括什么？= What do eating utensils include?
  • 中国的餐具多还是西方餐具多？= Are Chinese utensils more or Western utensils more?​

一次性    (yí cì xìng) one-time
  • 一次＝one time，性＝nature of (-suffix), 一次性= noun
  • 一次性餐具＝one time use utensils
  • 一次性水瓶＝ one time use water bottle
  • [TEXTBOOK］我听说现在不少人去餐厅吃饭自带餐具，不用一次性的。= = I hear that nowadays many people bring their own utensils to restaurants instead of using disposable ones.

筷子    (kuài zi) chopsticks
  • 一次性筷子＝ one time use chopsticks (i.e. made of wood and designed to be thrown away)
  • [TEXTBOOK] 拿一次性筷子来说吧，每年要砍多少树啊？= = Besides bringing our own chopsticks, we have to bring our own bags when we go shopping.

砍树        (kǎn shù) to cut trees; to chop trees
  • ​砍 = to cut/chop；树 = tree
  • [TEXTBOOK] 这个做法非常好，要不然每年要砍多少树啊？ Zhang Tianming: That’s a great idea. Otherwise, every year, how many trees get cut down [to make them]?​
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
RESEARCH: research how many trees are cut down to make different kinds of chopsticks. Summarize your findings in a short report.

SPEAK: discuss these topics:
  • 中国的餐具多还是西餐的餐具多？
  • 你平常用筷子吃饭吗？
  • 你赞不赞成用一次性的餐具？

CAUSAL CONVERSATION: chat with a partner or small group about the following topics:
  • 中国的餐具多还是西餐的餐具多？
  • 你平常用筷子吃饭吗？
  • 你赞不赞成用一次性的餐具？
  • 只吃青菜不吃肉会对健康造成不好的影响吗？
  • 汽车太多会对什么造成污染？
  • 塑料袋有什么坏处？
  • 今天的最高温度是多少度？（摄氏度？华氏(huá shì=Fahrenheit)度？）

DEBATE: discuss the use of one-time-use chopsticks in Chinese restaurants. One partner should argue for, and the other should argue against. Take a strong position on each side! 

WRITE: respond to the following question: "现在不少人去餐厅吃饭自带餐具，不用一次性的，但是我觉得太麻烦了。你呢？为什么这么重视一次性餐具？"
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 餐具，一次性，筷子，砍树
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 中国的餐具多还是西方餐具多？
  • 一次性餐具，一次性水瓶对环境有什么影响？
  • 拿一次性筷子来说吧，每年要砍多少树啊？
  • 这个做法非常好，要不然每年要砍多少树啊？
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about the environmental impact of one-time use (i.e. disposable) items, like chopsticks, plastic bags, etc.
  • Talk about alternatives to one-time use items.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #2: ACT 2 REVIEW

Picture
Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​​Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Discuss the temperature:
      • Talk about the temperature in different places.
      • Talk about changes in temperature of time (due to the seasons or climate change).
      • Talk about temperature highs and lows on temperature [using adj+于].
    • Discuss the issue of "white pollution":
      • Talk about the impact of bottled water, plastic bags, and one-time use (disposable) utensils.
    • Discuss the issue of fossil fuels:
      • Talk about the importance of oil and coal.
      • Talk about the environmental impact of oil and coal.
    • ​TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!