​Chapter 5: "Close Reading"

HOW TO NARRATE A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER
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就    (jiù) then; as soon as; in that case; so; will [ADVERB]
  • 就 is a very important adverb in Chinese that has no direct translation in English. It has many complex uses!
  • In general, 就 is used to emphasize or to connect the relationship between two statements. One of these statements is an verb (which 就 modifies), and it is in some way a response to the preceding or following statement.
  • Specifically, we've learned how to use 就 in the following contexts:
    • 1. to emphasize that the second action happens as soon as the first action is completed
      • > 他今天早上起床以后就听中文录音了。
    • ​2. to emphasize that the connection between two actions is a causal /conditional relationship
      • > 开始我觉得中文很难，后来，王朋常常帮我练习中文，就觉得不难了。
    • ​3. to emphasize truth, definitiveness, or exactness [in the context of the current topic or conversation]
      • > Q：常老师在吗？A：我就是常老师。
    • ​4. to emphasize the (unexpected) promptness of an action
      • > 他明天七点就得上课。
  • See the Chinese Grammar Wiki for more details

了 at the end of a sequence of events    
  • In a series of past actions or events, 了 [for a completed action] usually appears ONCE at the end of the series, rather than after each of the verbs.
  • This is because it's unnecessary to repeat the 了 if the context is already clear.

Sentences:
  • [就] 早上七点半起床，洗了澡以后就吃早饭
  • [particle 了 at the end of a series] 第一节课是中文，[…] 还给了我们一篇新课文。
  • [series of verb phrases] 九点到教室去上课
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:
  • 就 [connecting two verbs indicating that the second action happens as soon as first one is completed]

SPEAK: talk about your daily study routine (in order from beginning to end).

WRITE: write a story based on the following picture:
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 就，了
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): Explain the complex meaning of the adverb "就." State at least two different uses of 就 that we've learned, and give examples of each usage. Explain how each usage is connected to the larger meaning of 就!
  • Rule: Explain the structure of the "V+了＋O＋以后＋就＋V＋O＋(了)" construction. Give an example.
  • Translate: (Right) after taking a shower, I had breakfast.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 你们这儿可以刷卡吗？
  • 对不起，我们不收信用卡。
  • 我找您九块六毛三。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Narrate a sequence of events in order.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 6: "In the Wee Hours"

HOW TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO IN THE MORNING
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起床    (qǐ chuáng) to get up

洗澡    (xǐ zǎo) to take a shower

早饭    (zǎo fàn) breakfast

洗了澡以后就吃早饭    eating breakfast (right) after taking a shower

一边 + action 1, 一边 + action 2    (yì biān... yì biān...)     simultaneously; two actions at the same time

Sentences:
  • 早上七点半起床，洗了澡以后就吃早饭。
  • 我这个学期很忙，除了专业课以外，还得学中文。
  • －边吃饭，一边听录音。我们一边吃，一边练习说中文。
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:​
  • ​一边 + action 1, 一边 + action 2

WRITE: write a paragraph about your daily morning routine.

WRITE: write a story based on the following picture:
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 起床，洗澡，早饭，[一边..., 一边...]
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: I was eating and listening to the sound recording [simultaneously].
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 早上七点半起床，洗了澡以后就吃早饭。
  • 我这个学期很忙，除了专业课以外，还得学中文。
  • 我们一边吃，一边练习说中文。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Describe what you do in the morning.
  • Describe multiple events that are happening at the same time. 
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 7: "Sunshine Glory"

HOW TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO IN THE AFTERNOON
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中午    (zhōng wǔ) noon

午饭    (wǔ fàn) lunch, midday meal
​
电脑    (diàn nǎo) computer

上网    (shàng wǎng) to go online; to surf the internet

Sentences:
  • 中午我和我的同学们一起到餐厅去吃午饭。
  • 第二节课是电脑课，很难.
  • 下午我到图书馆去上网。
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WRITE: write a paragraph about what you do in the afternoon, both on school days and on your days off.

​WRITE: write a story based on the following pictures:
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 中午，午饭，电脑，上网
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 中午我和我的同学们一起到餐厅去吃午饭。
  • 第二节课是电脑课，很难.
  • 下午我到图书馆去上网。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Describe what you do in the afternoon. 
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

Chapter 8: "Long Day's Journey Into Night"

HOW TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO AT NIGHT
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最近    (zuì jìn) recently [adverb]

最近怎么样?    How have you been recently?

音乐会    (yīn yuè huì) concert

用+tool/method + VO    (yòng) to use [tool/method] to [VO]

我用中文写信    I use Chinese to write letters

Sentences:
  • 你好！好久不见，最近怎么样？
  • 我用中文写信写得很不好。
  • 下个星期六，我们学校有一个音乐会，希望你能来。
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TRAIN: write 3 sentences using the following grammar structure:
  • ​用 + tool/method/means + VO​

SKIT: in groups, write a dialogue on the following prompt. Memorize your skit and perform in front of the class!
  • Two friends haven't seen each other in a while. 
  • Discuss what you have been doing at night since you last met.

WRITE: ​write a diary entry describing, in order, your daily routine on a school day.

WRITE: write a dialogue based on the following image:
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 最近怎么样？，音乐会，用
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Translate: I don't write letters well using Chinese.
  • TARGET: no mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 你好！好久不见，最近怎么样？
  • 我用中文写信写得很不好。
  • 下个星期六，我们学校有一个音乐会。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about using different skills or objects to perform tasks.
  • Describe what you do at night.
  • 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 conversation tasks:
    • Narrate a sequence of events in order (using ...以后就...).
    • Describe what you do in the morning, afternoon, and night.
    • Describe multiple events that are happening at the same time.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 in ALL categories.

BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!