​Chapter 5: "Too Big to Fail"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT SAVING MONEY IN A BANK
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存款 (cún kuǎn) [v/n] bank saving; to deposit money (in a bank)
  • 存 = to save [verb]，款 = funds/sum of money
  • 最近才发现我们的存款不见了。= Recently we discovered that our bank savings are missing.
  • 可是现在不一样了，很多人收入增加了，而且中国老百姓一向省吃俭用，所以很多家庭在银行都有存款。
  • [TEXTBOOK]  中国老百姓一般都比较节俭，所以不少家庭有存款。Ordinary Chinese people are generally very frugal. That’s why many families have savings in the bank.

利息    (lì xī) interest [of money]​
  • 钱存在银行，安全是安全，但利息太少，钱增加得太慢。
  • [TEXTBOOK] 一个老太太存了三十年钱，利息很少，钱增加得很慢，到了老年才买了一套房子 = An old lady who saved her money for thirty years. The interest rate was very low; her money increased very slowly. It wasn’t until she was very old that she bought an apartment.

增加    (zēng jiā) to increase​
  • 钱存在银行，安全是安全，但利息太少，钱增加得太慢。= Saving money in the bank, it’s true that it is safe, but the interest [rate] is too slow, the money increases too slow.​
Lesson
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CLASS INTERVIEW: interview your classmates. Do they usually save money? How? What are their reasons for saving? 
​
BRAINSTORM: in groups, research 5+ different methods of saving money. Make a list ranking the methods, with #1 being the most effective.

WRITE: you want to start a new bank with your partner. Write an advertisement for your bank to attract clients. Explain the benefits of your bank and why your clients should give all of their savings to you.

SPEAK: discuss this statement: "钱存在银行，安全是安全，但利息太少，钱增加得太慢." 你同意吗？为什么是／否？你觉得钱应该存在哪里呢？

WATCH: watch the following video, "樱桃小丸子 第647集 小丸子存钱", which tells the story of a little girl's struggle to save money (in order to buy a magazine). Write a reaction discussing ​how you thought 小丸子 could have done things differently to achieve her goal.
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 存款，利息，增加
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 最近才发现我们的存款不见了。
  • 可是现在不一样了，很多人收入增加了，而且中国老百姓一直省吃俭用，所以很多家庭在银行都有存款。
  • 中国老百姓一般都比较节俭，所以不少家庭有存款。
  • 一个老太太存了三十年钱，利息很少，钱增加得很慢，到了老年才买了一套房子。
  • 钱存在银行，安全是安全，但利息太少，钱增加得太慢。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about money deposits. What are the benefits (and downsides) of depositing money in a bank?
  • Talk about the interest rate of bank deposits.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 6: "Bull Market"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT INVESTING IN THE STOCK MARKET
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投资    (tóu zī) to invest [money]; investment​
  • [TEXTBOOK] 最近一些年，中国的房价涨得很快，买房子成为一些人投资的选择。
  • 丽莎：她想投资股市？ Lisa: Does she want to invest in the stock market?
  • 张天明：看来投资真不是一件简单的事，Tianming: It seems that investment isn’t a simple matter.
  • 让子女受到最好的教育，将来事业成功，生活幸福，才是最好的投资。= Letting their children receive the best education [possible so that they] will have a successful career and a happy life in the future is the best investment.
  • 买房子也是一种不错的投资啊。 Lisa: They were right! Besides, buying an apartment is not a bad investment.

股市    (gǔ shì) stock market​
  • 股 = 股票 (stocks)，市 = 市场 (market)
    [TEXTBOOK] 没想到股市一直跌，不到三个月，赔了一半。= But who would have imagined that the stock market would keep falling. Within three months he lost half [of the money].

股票    (gǔ piào) stock; share​
  • [TEXTBOOK] 跟李文父母一起打太极拳的一位老先生，把房子抵押给银行，然后把钱全买了股票。An old gentleman who practices tai chi with Li Wen’s parents mortgaged his house to the bank and used all of the money to buy stocks.
​
炒    (chǎo) to stir-fry
  • 自己做饭的时候应该多炒菜。是一个容易，健康的烹饪方式。= When cooking for yourself, you should stir-fry your food. It is an easy, healthy way to make food.

炒股    (chǎo gǔ) to speculate in stocks; "flipping stocks"
  • 炒 (chǎo) = to stir-fry​，股票 (gǔ piào) = stocks
  • [TEXTBOOK] 可是姑妈不知道炒股有风险吗？= But doesn’t your aunt know that flipping stocks is risky?
  • 有人看见别人“炒股”，也抄起股来 There are people who see others “flipping stocks,” so they begin to flip stocks, too.
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CLASS INTERVIEW: interview your classmates. Do they invest in the stock market? Why or why not? Have they had success? Will they continue to invest?

WRITE: write a brief article advising people on how to invest in the stock market.

WRITE: respond to the following question: 他买的股票突然跌了， 赔了很多钱。你们觉得为什么股市有风险，还有很多人要炒股呢？
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 投资，股市，股票，炒，炒股
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 想投资股市吗？这是不是一个好的投资方式？
  • 最近一些年，中国的房价涨得很快，买房子成为一些人投资的选择。
  • 让子女受到最好的教育，将来事业成功，生活幸福，才是最好的投资。
  • 买房子也是一种不错的投资啊。
  •  跟李文父母一起打太极拳的一位老先生，把房子抵押给银行，然后把钱全买了股票。
  • 可是姑妈不知道炒股有风险吗？
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Brainstorm different investment methods.
    • Talk about the pros and cons of investing in the stock market.
  • Explain the term "炒股" and why it's attractive to do.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 7: "Win-Win Scenario"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PERSUASION
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算(是)    (suàn) to count as, to be considered as​
  • The basic meaning of 算 is “to count.” In this lesson 算 means “to count as,” or “can be taken as.” 是 is optional.
  • 算是 sometimes means more or less the same as 是, as in examples 1 and 2. However, sometimes 算是 is not the same as 是. In example 3, “this child” is definitely not his biological son, but “is considered” his son.

Examples:
1. 姑妈要给表哥的未婚妻买一辆新车，算是结婚礼物。= Tianming’s aunt wanted to buy a new car for Tianming’s cousin’s fiancee as a wedding gift.
2. 这钱算我借给你的，你什么时候还给我都行。= Take this money as a loan from me. You can return it whenever.
3. 这个孩子算是他的儿子吧。= This child could be considered his son, I guess.
4. [TEXTBOOK] 好啊，问题算是解决了。= That’s great. Problem solved.

劝    (quàn) to persuade​
  • [TEXTBOOK] 他们劝姑妈买房子，说姑妈辛苦了几十年，应该住一套大一些的房子，舒舒服服地享受退休生活。= They urged my aunt to buy an apartment. They said that my aunt had worked hard for years. She should live in a bigger apartment and enjoy her retired life in comfort.

说服    (shuō fú) to persuade​
  • [TEXTBOOK] 对，表哥就用这个故事说服了姑妈，姑妈终于同意买房子了。= That’s right. My cousin used this story to persuade my aunt to finally buy an apartment.

NOTE: 说服 and 劝 can be interchangeable in some contexts; 劝 is more informal. However, they are often used quite differently. 说服 is used to emphasize persuading a person (i.e. successfully or not). 劝 is used to emphasize the action you’re trying to persuade someone to do.
  • 说服: ”sub 1 + 说服 + sub 2” = sub 1 persuaded/convinced sub 2 (successfully or not)
    • 我说服了他＝I convinced him (successfully)
    • 我没有说服他 = I didn’t convince him (successfully)
  • 劝: “sub 1 + 劝 + sub 2 + action” = sub 1 persuaded sub 2 to do [some action]
    • 我劝她买房子 = I (am trying to) persuade her to buy a house
    • 我劝他休息一下 = I (tried to) persuade him to take a rest
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INVESTIGATE: do you have what it takes to persuade a classmate to treat you to a meal? Try it! Then write at least one paragraph, reporting your success, or your failure.

WRITE: respond to the following question: 她花了很多时间劝她朋友和她一起投资， 她的朋友考虑后，同意了。她算是说服了她的朋友，一起合作。你们希望与人合作投资， 还是自己投资？ 为什么？

​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • Your partner is determined to invest all of his/her savings on the stock market.
  • Try to persuade him/her not to do such a risky thing!
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 算(是)，劝，说服
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: My aunt wants to buy a new car for my cousin's fiancee, which would be considered [or taken as] a wedding gift.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 姑妈要给表哥的未婚妻买一辆新车，算是结婚礼物。
  • 这钱算我借给你的，你什么时候还给我都行。
  • 好啊，问题算是解决了。
  •  他们劝姑妈买房子，说姑妈辛苦了几十年，应该住一套大一些的房子，舒舒服服地享受退休生活。
  • 表哥就用这个故事说服了姑妈，姑妈终于同意买房子了。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following role-play:
  • Grandparent: you've recently become addicted to "flipping stocks"...
    • Explain that "flipping stocks" more or less counts as... a safe investment method?
    • Tell your grandchild you can't be persuaded!
  • Grandchild: you're worried about your grandparent's risky investments.
    • Convince your grandparent to stop "flipping stocks."
    • Persuade your grandparent that bank deposits are much better!
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 8: "Dream House"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT REAL ESTATE
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房价    (fáng jià) house prices, cost of housing
  • 房 = 房子，价 = 价钱
    最近一些年，中国的房价涨得很快，买房子成为一些人投资的选择。
    [TEXTBOOK］房价太高的时候买房子，当然有风险。Buying an apartment when housing prices are too high naturally is risky.

涨(价)    (zhǎng) to go up [in price]​
  • [TEXTBOOK] 最近一些年，中国的房价涨得很快，买房子成为一些人投资的选择。也有人看见别人“炒股”，也抄起股来。 = In recent years China’s housing prices have risen rapidly. Buying real estate has become an investment choice for some people. There are also people who see others “flipping stocks,” so they begin to flip stocks, too.

抵押    (dǐ yā) to mortgage, to put up as collateral
  • 抵押贷款 = mortgage loan
  • [TEXTBOOK] 跟李文父母一起打太极拳的一位老先生，把房子抵押给银行，然后把钱全买了股票。= An old gentleman who practices tai chi with Li Wen’s parents mortgaged his house to the bank and used all of the money to buy stocks.
  • 他拥有一块可以抵押的土地 。= He owned a piece of land that may be mortgaged.
  • 他用房子作抵押向银行借款 。= He raised a mortgage on a house from a bank.
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RESEARCH: what are real estate prices like in your neighborhood? With a partner, write a report summarizing your findings.

WRITE: write a paragraph responding to the following statement: 经济好的时候， 房价会涨， 经济不好的时候， 房价会跌。如果和银行借钱（贷款）买房，长时间不按照合同还银行钱（按揭），房子会被银行拿（收）走， 作为还款抵押。

​​SKIT: in a group, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • You are looking to buy a new house.
  • Your partner is a real estate agent, who has just shown you a house you really like.
  • With your partner, discuss the price of the house, the likelihood for the price to increase or decrease, the mortgage, the current real estate market conditions, etc.

READ: read the passage and answer the following questions:

​现在很多中国人都开始投资理财。以前，人们习惯把钱存在银行，但是现在有的人用钱炒股票，有的人买房子，还有人把钱投资到子女的教育上。任何一种投资方式都是有风险的，所以投资真不是一件简单的事。

True/False
1. Nowadays, most Chinese people deposit their money in the bank.
2. People in China have started speculating on stocks to make money.
3. Purchasing real estate is the best way to manage money.
4. Since making investments is risky, depositing money in the bank is the safest option.

Answer Key:
1. False 2. True 3. False 4. False
-----

​READ: read the passage and answer the following questions:

近几年中国的房价一直很高， 而且一些城市的房价越来越高。买了几套房的人变得越来越有钱了，没有买房的人，买房子也越来越难了。中国政府一直在想办法规定房子不能涨，但政府也知道如果房价跌得太快，不但那些有房子的人会抱怨， 而且对中国的经济发展也没有好处。看来中国的房价真是一个很难解决的问题。

True / False
  1. According to the writer, house prices are one of the reasons for the widening gap between the rich and poor.
  2. The government has been trying to make housing more affordable.
  3. Based on the passage, housing prices in china will drop considerably in the near future.
  4. The writer offers some good suggestions for solving the problem of high housing prices in China.

Answer Key:
1. True 2. True 3. False 4. False
-----
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 房价，涨价，抵押
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • 最近一些年，中国的房价涨得很快，买房子成为一些人投资的选择。
  • 他用房子作抵押向银行借款 。
  • 跟李文父母一起打太极拳的一位老先生，把房子抵押给银行，然后把钱全买了股票。
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following role-play:
  • Brainstorm different investment methods.
    • Talk about the pros and cons of investing in real estate.
    • Research the cost of housing in China. Is it rising or falling?
  • Describe the process of buying a house by putting it up as collateral to a bank (to get a loan).
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 9: "No Turning Back"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT CONTRACTS
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签    (qiān) to sign

合同    (hé tóng) contract​
  • 签合同 = to sign a contract
  • [TEXTBOOK] 他们觉得有一套三室一厅两卫的房子不错，原来后天就要去签购房合同了，没想到姑妈的想法突然变了。= There was an apartment with three bedrooms, a living room and two bathrooms that they liked. Originally, they were going to sign the purchase agreement the day after tomorrow. Who could have imagined it? My aunt suddenly changed her mind.

未婚妻    (wèi hūn qī) fiancée​
  • A 未婚妻 is a woman who is engaged to be married, but not yet.
    • 未 = not yet; 婚=结婚; 妻=妻子
  • A fiancé (a man who is engaged to be married) is a "未婚夫" (夫=丈夫)
  • [TEXTBOOK] 表哥不是明年要结婚吗？姑妈要给表哥的未婚妻买一辆新车，算是结婚礼物。 Tianming: [You know how] my cousin is getting married next year, right? My aunt wanted to buy my cousin’s fiancée a new car as a wedding gift.
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DEBATE: discuss what is most important: money or love? Take a strong position on each side!

WRITE: respond to the following question: 他和未婚妻结婚前， 要求未婚妻签一份合同，用来保护他自己的结婚前的财产。 他的未婚妻应该签吗？ 

WRITE: you are an aspiring musician who's just signed a contract with a major record company. Write a letter to your fiancee, telling him or her the details of the contract you signed. 
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 签，合同，未婚妻
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 他们觉得有一套三室一厅两卫的房子不错，原来后天就要去签购房合同了，没想到姑妈的想法突然变了。
  • 表哥不是明年要结婚吗？姑妈要给表哥的未婚妻买一辆新车，算是结婚礼物。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about fiancées and fiancés.
  • Describe the step-by-step process of buying a house:
    • ​Research the right property, including design, size, cost, and location.
    • Arrange for a mortgage loan from the bank (by putting up the house as collateral).
    • Sign the contract.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 MINIBOSS #2: ACT 2 REVIEW

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Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar): ​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • ​​Perform the following role-play:
    • Fiancée: you and your fiancé want to buy a house, but you don't have enough money! You're more risk-taking than he is...
      • Complain about the high and rising cost of housing.
      • Persuade your fiancé to make speculative investments "flipping stocks."
      • Persuade your fiancé to take out a large mortgage to buy the house right away.
      • Make a final decision: do you sign a contract for a house or not?
    • Fiancé: you and your fiancée want to buy a house, but you don't have enough money! You're more cautious than she is...
      • Complain about the high and rising cost of housing.
      • Persuade your fiancée to deposit money safely in the bank.
      • Persuade your fiancée to wait and gradually save money until you don't need a mortgage to buy a house. (Think of the extra interest!)
  • ​​​TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!