Chapter 14: "The Measure of a Man"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT COOPERATION BETWEEN COUNTRIES
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
国家    (guó jiā) country; nation
  • 世界有一百九十六个国家。= The world has 196 countries.
  • [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！

规定    (guī dìng) to regulate; to specify; rules and regulations; provisions
  • 我们学校规定每个学生必须十一点钟以前睡觉。= Our school regulates that all students must go to sleep before 11 o’clock.
  • [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。

赞成    (zàn chéng) to approve
  • 赞成不赞成？我不赞成。= Approve or not? I don’t approve.
  • 举双手赞成 = “approve with both hands raised.” This is a set expression.
  • 我非常赞成上餐馆吃饭自带餐具的做法。= I very much approve of the practice of bringing your own utensils to a restaurant.

*V1的V1, V2的V2*        implies that everyone is doing something or other (i.e. both V1 and V2)
  • structure: “verb 1 + 的 + verb 1, verb 2 + 的 + verb 2, [therefore…]”
  • 上课的上课, 找工作的找工作 is equivalent to a noun. This kind of structure means, “Some people are taking classes; some are looking for jobs.” The implication is that everyone is doing something; no one is idle.

Examples:
1. 下班了，人们回家的回家，约朋友吃饭的约朋友吃饭，办公室很快就没有人了。＝ After work, some went home, and some made plans to eat out with friends. The office was soon empty [of people].
2. 运动场上学生们跟球的跟球，跑步的跑步，非常有活力。= On the athletic fields, some students are playing soccer and some are jogging. [The atmosphere] is full of vitality.
3. 硬卧车厢里旅客聊天儿的聊天儿，唱歌的唱歌，热闹极了。= Among the travelers in the hard-berth sleeper car, some are chatting and some are singing. It’s extremely boisterous.
​4. [TEXTBOOK］他们每天上课的上课，找工作的找工作，半个月没见面了，更没有机会接近大自然。
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: discuss any controversial rules in your country. Do you approve of these rules? Why or why not?
​
RESEARCH: research some famously strict laws around the world. Summarize your findings.

WRITE: respond to the following question: "现在世界上很多国家都在闹能源危机，也在闹气候变化危机。比如说，中国政府考虑控制用煤能源的发电厂。你赞成还是不赞成这个新的规定？"

READ: read the text and answer the following questions:

汽车使我们的生活变得方便了，可是现在汽车太多了。另外，开车的人也太多了，从十六岁到七，八十岁，差不多每个人都开车。这么多的人开车，不但要用很多能源，而且还造成了严重的空气污染。怎么解决这个问题呢？最近一位大学教授建议美国各州规定不到二十岁不能开车。他说这个新规定会使美国开车人减少一千多万。另外，他还建议各州政府规定每个家庭的汽车都不能多于两辆。我想很多美国人可能不会同意他的这些建议，可是我举双手赞成。

True/False:
a The writer celebrates the number of cars in American life.
b. The writer thinks that Americans start to drive too early and stop driving too late.
c. The professor estimates that over ten million Americans drive over the age of 60.
d. The professor proposes that each American family should have no more than three cars.
e. The writer disagrees with the professor's proposals.

Answer Key:
a. false b. true c. false d. true e. false
-----

​WATCH: listen to the following song, then whether you agree with the following song lyric:
  • "家是最小国，国是千万家!"
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 国家，规定，赞成
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • BONUS (Translate): Every day they are taking classes... they are looking for jobs... they haven't met for half a month.  [V1的V1, V2的V2]
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 世界有一百九十六个国家。
  • 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！
  • 我们学校规定每个学生必须十一点钟以前睡觉。
  • 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。
  • 赞成不赞成？我举双手赞成！
  • BONUS: 他们每天上课的上课，找工作的找工作，半个月没见面了，更没有机会接近大自然。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about different countries around the world.
  • Talk about cooperation between countries.
  • Talk about rules and regulations. Which do you approve or disapprove of? Why?
  • BONUS: Talk about how "everyone is busy doing something or other" [using V1的V1, V2的V2].
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

​Chapter 15: "And Now It Ends"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT BENEFICIAL ACTIONS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
公共场所    (gōng gòng chǎng suǒ) public place
  • 公共＝public，场所＝place or location
  • 美国政府规定，在公共场所不能吸烟。= The American government regulates, you can’t smoke in public places.
  • [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。

​有益    (yǒu yì) beneficial; useful

verb+于    (yú) to, for, toward [preposition]
  • “subject A + verb + 于 + subject B” = subject A is (verb) for subject B
  • The preposition 于 is generally used in written language. It is often used after a verb. 于 has many meanings. In 有益于, 于 means 对 (to).

有益于    (yǒu yì yú) beneficial to/for
  • 有益于 means 对...有好处 (good/beneficial for/to…).
  • “action A + 有益 + 于 + thing/action B” = A is (beneficial) for B​
  • Examples:
    • 多听录音，有益于中文学习。= Listening to recordings more helps [you] learn Chinese.
    • 多听别人意见，有益于与人相处。= Listening to others more helps [you] get along with people.
    • 体育运动有益于生体健康。= Sports are beneficial to your health.
    • [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。

亮        (liàng) bright; light [verb/adj]
  • 早上五点钟，小王房间里的灯就亮了。我知道她很早就去公园锻炼身体 = At 5 o’clock in the morning, Little Wang’s room light lights up. I know she goes really early to the park to exercise.
  • 王老师五岁的女儿很可爱，眼睛又大又亮。= Teacher Wang’s five year old daughter is really cute, her eyes are both big and bright.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 你们看，那边房子上有些亮亮的东西，是什么？
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
DETECTIVE: find and fix the mistakes (highlight to see the correct answer):
  • A: 每天锻炼肌肉有于身体素质。
  • B: 完成练习题语言学习有益于。
  • C: 于改变坏习惯有益工作效率。
Answer:
---
  • A: 每天锻炼肌肉有益于身体素质。
  • B: 完成练习题有益于语言学习。
  • C: 改变坏习惯有益于工作效率。
​---

SPEAK: discuss your favorite extracurricular activities or hobbies, and explain what they are beneficial for.

DEEP DISCUSSION: Crisis and Possibility. 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？
  • 你赞成不赞成买东西自己带包，否则得花钱买塑料袋的做法？
  • 有些人认为吸烟不但对自己的身体健康没有好处，而且污染空气，影响别人的健康，所以政府应该在公共场所规定不能吸烟。但是，也有些人认为吸烟是一种自由，不应该被政府控制。你认为呢？
  • 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: write a letter to your pen pal in China, describing an amazing new exercise routine that you just started.
​
WRITE: respond the following question: "什么有益于环境保护？为什么？我们可以利用什么样的资源？"
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 公共场所，有益于(环境保护)，亮
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: Everybody feels that biking is... beneficial for protecting the environment.
  • Rule (in English): Compare and contrast the structures "adj+于" and "verb+于". Explain the structure of each in relationship to the preposition 于. Give examples of each.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.
​
READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 美国政府规定，在公共场所不能吸烟。
  • 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。
  • 大家马上就同意了，觉得骑自行车又能锻炼省体，又省钱，而且有益于环境保护。
  • 你们看，那边房子上有些亮亮的东西，是什么？是太阳能板！
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about public places (like schools, hospitals, parks, stores, etc).
  • Discuss actions that are beneficial or useful for protecting the environment.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 16: “The Foundation of the World"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT RECYCLING
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
回收    (huí shōu) to recycle
  • 我们应该注意回收我们日用品 = We should pay attention to recycling our daily household items.
  • [TEXTBOOK］这儿有回收垃圾筒吗？空瓶子不能随便乱扔。

垃圾筒    (lā jī tǒng) trash can
  • 垃圾＝trash，筒＝can
    • 筒 (tǒng) thick tube-shaped object (often used to mean “can” or “container.”)
  • also called a 垃圾桶 (tǒng). Both 垃圾筒 and 垃圾桶 are widely used，though “垃圾桶” is the technically correct word.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 这儿有回收垃圾筒吗？空瓶子不能随便乱扔。

随手    (suí shǒu) without extra effort or motion; conveniently
  • 为什么不随手关灯？太容易了，也可以节约能源。= Why not conveniently close the lights? It’s too easy, and also you can save energy.
  • [TEXTBOOK] 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.​

扔    (rēng) to throw; to toss; to throw away
  • 请把垃圾扔到垃圾筒里，别扔到街上。= Please throw trash in the trash can, don’t throw it on the street.
  • ​[TEXTBOOK] 这儿有回收垃圾筒吗？空瓶子不能随便乱扔。

太阳    (tài yáng) sun
  • [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！
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: talk about ways to reduce litter in cities through recycling.

WATCH: watch the following video urging people to recycle, then write a paragraph summarizing the plot.
WRITE: look at the following picture and then describe what you see in as much detail as possible.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 回收，垃圾筒/垃圾桶，随手，仍，太阳
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 我们应该注意回收我们日用品。
  • 这儿有回收垃圾筒吗？空瓶子不能随便乱扔。
  • 为什么不随手关灯？太容易了，也可以节约能源。
  • 我们应该从小地方做起，比如随手关灯，节约用水。
  • 这儿有回收垃圾筒吗？空瓶子不能随便乱扔。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about the importance of recycling.
  • Talk about recyclable and non-recyclable trash.
  • Talk about convenient ("in passing") steps to protect the environment or conserve energy.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 17: “The Inner Light”

HOW TO TALK ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
再生能源 (zài shēng néng yuán) renewable energy
  • 再生 = to regenerate / regeneration, 能源 = energy
  • the opposite of 再生能源 = 非(fēi)再生能源 (non-renewable energy)​​

太阳能    (tài yáng néng) solar energy; solar power
  • 太阳＝sun，能＝能源＝energy
  • 可以用太阳能来做什么？= What can we use solar energy for?
  • [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！

太阳能板 (tài yáng néng bǎn) solar panel
  • 板 = panel, board, plank​

风    (fēng) wind
  • [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！

风能    (fēng néng) wind power
  • 风＝wind，能＝能源＝energy
  • [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！

水能    (shuǐ néng) water power

​取之不尽    (qǔ zhī bú jìn) [of resources] inexhaustible
  • This is a 成语 (four character idiom)
  • 取＝take or use，之＝的/possessive particle，不＝not，尽＝finished
  • [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！​= Today’s world many countries are making a ruckus about the energy crisis, but solar energy is inexhaustible!
Lesson
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
RESEARCH: research how renewable energy is or can be used at your school or in your neighborhood. Summarize your findings.

DEBATE: ​discuss whether or not to switch to alternative energy sources for most of the world's energy needs. Take a strong position on each side!

CIRCLE COMPETITION: Who is The Best Environmentalist?
  • In a group, compete to see who is the best environmentalist. What do you do to protect the environment?
  • Go around in a circle and list different ways you protect the environment. Each person can only list one thing at a time, and cannot repeat anything that has already been said. The more ridiculous and over-the-top your actions to protect the environment, the better. 
  • If you run out of things to say, then you are out of the circle.
  • Whoever is the last person in the circle is the best environmentalist!

WRITE: compare solar power with wind and water power. Which is the most preferable form of renewable energy, and why? Explain your reasoning. 

WRITE: look at the following picture and then describe what you see in as much detail as possible.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 再生能源，太阳能，太阳能板，风，风能，水能，取之不尽
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 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！
  • 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！
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about renewable energy (including solar, wind, and water power).
  • Talk about solar panels.
  • Talk about the benefits of renewable energy (including that it is inexhaustible).
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #4: ACT 4 REVIEW

Picture
Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​​Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Discuss ways to protect the environment:
      • Talk about rules and regulations for public places.
      • Talk about rules and regulations for recycling.
      • Talk about cooperation between countries.
      • Talk about promoting renewable energy.
      • Discuss other actions that are beneficial for protecting the environment.
    • ​TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!