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Upper-Intermediate - 1949

(D0148)

1949, .
Zed ong ` Tian Chengl ou anm Y jius` ao zai en jiu nian,M Renm ` o chengl` . Zhong u Zhonghu xuanb` a n Gongh egu Renm ang J le Kang ` ` guo n Jief` un y ngde R` Zhanzh eng Jief` ang Zhanzh ` ` , jief` ang Zhonggu he eng de shengl` o. In 1949 Mao Zedong announced the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China on Tian anmen Tower.


Gongch ` ang ` Guom ndang, Zhonggu o and dait` chengw ei ` chengw shehu` ` zhuy` a, zh zhengd ang, Zhonggu o ei guoji Zed ong Zhonggu jiansh ` ` cheng Mao de l xiang sh` ba o e ` de shehu` ` zhuy` a. y ge gongy` ehua guoji The Peoples Liberation Army won the War of Resistance against Japan and the War to Liberate China.

1976 ,
Zhux ` y qush` ` Deng ` Mao jiuq hou, Xiao zai liu ` nian ` zh Zhonggu Gongch ` ang p ng chengw ei o and de z ongshuji. ` ta xia, ` Zhonggu kuais ` u wei y de l Zai ngdao o azhan ge ` f ` aihu ` a ` de y es ` ede ` ` zhuy` a. xiand ou zhonggu ot shehu` guoji

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The Chinese Communist Party replaced the KMT, and became the governing party.


` xiand ` aihu ` a ` jiansh ` ` zhong, ` ng t Zai e Deng Xiaop chu ng b` ` S` ` aihu ` a. ` qiangdi ao ge Xiand China became a socialist country.


` aihu ` a, ` gongy` ` aihu ` a, ` guo T amen sh` nongy` e xiand e xiand ` aihu ` a ` he k ` aihu ` a. ` f ang xiand ej` xiand Mao Zedongs ideal was to build China into an industrialized socialist nation.

Key Vocabulary

` dait` ` zh zhengd ang ` zhuy` shehu` l xiang ` ... hua

to replace ruling party socialist ideal -ize (sufx)


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` qiangdi ao Ren Zhonggu o ang J m n Jief` un ang jief` ndang Guom qush` ` ` ` Kang R` Zhan zheng z ongshuji

to emphasize Chinese Peoples Liberation Army to liberate Kuomintang (KMT) to pass away War of Resistance Against Japan general secretary

Supplementary Vocabulary

` edang zaiy ` ao sanged aibi ongb bar ach

out-of-power party The Three Represents The Eight-honor and Eightshame National Peoples Congress CPPCC

a ` rend ` zhengxi e

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ngj` sh` changj

market economy

Expansion:

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Upper-Intermediate - The Monkey King


A:

(D0151)

` qu yum u W omen zhoum o ` da aoqi ba. Lets go and play badminton this weekend.

B:

y zhongy` ` Bux ou hen ao de sh` . ` ng, wo Cant do. I have something very important planned.

A:

? Y ou yuehu` You have a date?

B:

` X W o y` ao kan y ouj` . I am going to watch Journey to the West.

A:

bian ` le. N ao kan! ` chongb guo j Tianna! Dou o bai haiy` My goodness! Its been rerun hundreds of times. And you still want to watch it!

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B:


hai b` W o zu` x huan X y ouj` le. Xiaosh hou, wo u sh z` , ` ` Nage ` de jiu shang le X y ouj` lianhu anhu a. sh hou, wo ` m ` jiush` T mengxi ang ang seng, Sun uk ong tamen y q ` gen W` quj qu tian ` x ng. Journey to the West is my favorite. When I was a kid and couldnt read yet, I loved looking at the picture book version. Back then, my dream was to go with Tang Seng and Sun Wukong on a pilgrimage to the Western Paradise.

A:


` daosh` ` dou ` ong ng x Na . Meiger en huan zhezh tianm ax heshang, k ong de gushi. T ang Seng, Sun uk ong, Sha ` W` ` j ` y guai ` shej` ` de bash ` e y Zhu ngguo aomogu nan, Baji ` zhongy ` x ` le j qud zu` hou u tian ngshu. b` u dao ao ` Gushi ` c` e hai j dan j , erqi l` ren. True. Everyone is drawn to this kind of fantasy. Tang Seng, Sun Wu Kong, Sha Heshang and Zhubajie overcame 81 traps set by ghosts and demons to nally reach the Western Paradise and acquire the sacred scripture. Not only is the story fascinating, its inspiring too.

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B:


hen gaoxi ao ` ne. B guow ang xiang ` Hai ru o T ang Nu ergu Seng b hun ngjie. de q Its also pretty funny, like the plot where the Queen of the Country of Woman forced Tang Seng to marry her.

A:


` T zu` ao Sun Shuod ang seng, wo b` u x huan de jiush` ` ta. ` laoshi zhongx que W` uk ong du` ta ngengg eng, ta b` u l ng yuanwang ` j ` rang ` Sun nian q ng, hai ta, nguzh uk ong ou, W` ` ou Sun y ku. ch le zheme duo sh meiy uk ong da ao Q W` ` baoh u ` a, zaosh ` tamen guai, s` ge ren ang x tianle. ` daji Speaking of Tang Seng, I hate him the most. Sun Wu Kong treated him with complete loyalty. But Tang Seng never acknowledged him. He always did him wrong and recited the curse that would squeeze Sun Wu Kongs head in a metal vice. He put him through so much pain and grief. If it werent for Su Wu Kong ghting the ghosts and demons, the four of them would have died early on.

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B:


tongy` ` jiaq ` , diansh` ` jiu W anquan . Xiaosh hou, y dao tai ` ` xianz ` ai ` kan, ` x` X hu` bo y ouj` de diansh` ju. ran l de ` Su ` ao ` jianzh ` dansh` ` ba yuanzh w texi k exiao, ta anquan u ` de e pai dou le, chulai y ganju l meige y anyuan an huo le. X` ` esh` Liuxi ngtong ` an de Sun en tebi bany uk ong, meir ` aol W` ` ta. neng chaoyu e Totally agree. When I was young, every holiday, TV stations would air the TV series Journey to the West. Although the special effects seem laughable now, it really brought the original novel to life. Plus all the actors played their parts brilliantly, especially Liu Xiaolingtongs Sun Wukong. He is unsurpassable.

A:


y ` u Sun Ng, wo e zu` x huan ta. uk ong zhege renw ` ben W` de, y ` congming, e tebi ` e jiush` shen j ngcai oumo, erqi ` zu` jiangy` qi. Yeah, he is my favorite too. Sun Wukong really stands out from the rest of the characters in the story. Hes funny, smart, and incredibly loyal.

B:


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ren zu` de jieh e. Shuod ` sh` ao Sh` a, ta houzi he w anmei ` n ` ax ` y X y oumo, juede Zhou ngch de Dahu ou z enmey` ang? Totally. He is the perfect combination of monkey and human. Speaking of funny, do you like Stephen Chows movie A Chinese Odyssey?

A:


` b` ` ng chuncu` gaoxi ao, ` Zhe u diany jiush` mei ` wul tou ` ong. ` enme ` b` shenme neir Zhen u dong weish zheme duo x ren huan. The lm is pure slapstick without much content. I really dont understand why so many people like it so much.

B:


` ng dangr wul la. wo dao ` jue X Zhou ngch de diany an tou ` ong ` ` u de zhezh dianf ng chuangx n de. K ey rang nian` t liaoji e, x m q ngren huan gudi ngzhu. an ` It is a Stephen Chow lm. Of course it is slapstick. But I think this kind of spoof is quite innovative. It also allows the young generation to get to know and fall in love with literary classics.

A:

Liaoji e, x A? huan? M ngm ng sh` zaota.

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What? Get to know and fall in love with? It is clearly ruining them.

Key Vocabulary

taic quj ng ngk tianm ax ong

dialogue script to obtain the sacred texts powerful and unconstrained style loyal and devoted

zhongx ngeng geng jiang y` qi ` ` houhu moj chuncu` u dianf ` ` chuangx n

to have personal loyalty too late to regret pure to subvert to innovate

Supplementary Vocabulary

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` m s` da ngzhu `

the Four Chinese Classical Novels Dream of the Red Chamber Romance of the Three Kingdoms The Water Margin Journey to the West

oum ` Hongl eng any` Sangu oy

` Shu huzhu an X y ouj`

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Upper-Intermediate - Applying For a Visa


A:

(D0154)


zhel ` sh` zhu qian l N hao, Zhonggu o ngsh` guan ` Niuyu e ` zheng z xun n xuy` bangzh u? fuw u. ` N ` ao shenme Hello, this is the visa inquiry service at the Chinese consulate in New York. How can I help you?

B:

de qianzh ` u ng qu W o y` ao shenq o eng. Shoux ` Zhonggu ` sh` z enmey` ang de? I want to apply for a visa to China. What is the procedure?

A:


an, e y e b` n ng biaog Shouxi y` ao tianxi zhang shenq ng ` ` ` zhaopi ` an. ` Zai ` biaog e shang ` fush y zhang zhengji an ` ang ` ` , b` qianz` ng ful eng f` ei. n k ey cong w angshang ` qianzh ` ai ` shenq e, huozh ` e lai dash ` guan qianzh ` ng biaog xiaz eng e hou, ` n ` e chu ngqu. ancheng biaog k ey y ouj` huozh ` l W en d` benr jiao.

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First of all, you need to ll in an application form and attach a passport photo. Sign the form and pay the application fee. You may download the form from the internet or come to the embassy to pick it up. When you nish the form, you may submit it by post or in person.

B:

` qian? ao Qianzh eng f` ei duosh Y` ao z enme jiao? How much is the application fee? How do I pay?

A:

50
n. N jiej` ` ka huozh ` e ge` W ush meij k ey y` ong x` ny` ongka, zh ` W ` xianj ` n zh ou ren piao. omen b` u jiesh fu. ` Its 50 dollars. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or personal check. We do not accept cash payments.

B:

` neng ao ` qianzh ` W o shenmesh hou nad eng? When can I pick up the visa?

A:


` shoux u ` W Shoul liang zhou. omen hu` y shux` ` sh` n huo diany ` ou tongzh l zhe n lai ngqu. zh dao women de N d` zh ma?

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The processing time is 2 weeks. We will inform you by post or email when the visa is ready for pick-up. Do you know our address?

B:

` Zh dao. Xiexie n de bangzh u. ` Yes, I do. Thank you for your help.

A:

` Zaiji ` an. ` Buy` ` ong xie. You are welcome. Bye.

Key Vocabulary

l ngsh` guan ` qianzh eng z xun ng shenq u shoux ` ` fush ` ang ` ` zhengji an

consulate visa advisory to apply for procedure attach valid ID


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` ai ` xiaz ` ou jiesh zh fu ` d` jiao ` banl

download to accept to pay to hand in to handle

Supplementary Vocabulary

` huzh ` ao ` y ouxiaoq y anchang shench a ruj` ` ng chuj` ng

passport period of validity extend to examine to enter a country to leave the country

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Upper-Intermediate - World Cup Football


A:

(D0160)

?
` ei ` uh ` y` kanh ` ao na liuyu u Sh` jieb ao kaim j nnian ` eji ao ` le. N ge du` ? The World Cup opens on June 9th. Which team do you favor this year?

B:


l ` en, y zh o sh` y` azhour lunsh ang shuo nggai ch Y` aW ` juede sh` qiudu` zhou wo tamen de sh l` hai mei . Dansh` ` a he Ouzh ou ` e F Nanm huozh de qiubanf ou, eizh eizhou du` xiangb . I am Asian, so theoretically I should support the Asian teams. But I think that they still cant match the level of play of teams from Europe, South America, and Africa.

A:


` ` ` Hangu j` Dansh` shang jie o n le s` qiang. W o juede Y` a` j sh` chengw heim zhe a zhou zh du` wu y ou k eneng ei hai de. But Korea got into the semi-nals in the last tournament. I think these Asian teams might possibly create an upset.

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B:


` wo renw ` ei zhenzh ` hai sh` a Bugu eng de heim F eizhou ` o ` osh p ` Ouzh u zai de qiudu` yuan ngsh dou ou . Dadu ` du` ai ` t j` ` gao. lians qiu, zhansh u p ng hen suoy ` shu But I still think that the African teams are the underdogs that could go all the way. Most of their players are in European leagues. Their tactics and techniques are excellent.

A:

` n ` jie ` zu` guanj ` un Na juede zhe y ou x w` ang na de sh` nage du` ? Which team do you think has the greatest chance of winning this year?

B:


` b . T du` Bax amen de sh l` quesh q ta y` ao qiang hen ` ` an guanj ` un. Guaibude duo. sh` weimi Brazil. They are a cut above the other teams. Its no wonder they are the defending champions

A:

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ent an, Ag ng dou t W o juede Y nggel ng y ou x w` ang de. ou Degu o, dongd ` ` tian he, sh Haiy aozh u , d` l` , ren zhan b` an. ` Shang ` ` de Hangu jiush` juedu` uneng xiaok jie o ` zu` de l` hao zi. I think England and Argentina both have hope. Dont forget Germany. The hosting nation has all kinds of advantages, so they certainly cant be overlooked. Korea in the last World Cup is the best example.

B:


zu` ` en de hai sh` ` ong . T W o juede rem Bax amen de zhenr chus ` xiaoz u ` f ` e y ` hen enzu e tebi oul` . Dansh` , Y ng sai y e, ent an he Ag ` de jianzh ng f gel endao jiush` w ang zh zu. ` s a? N zh ch shei I still think Brazil is the best. Theyve got an excellent line-up and are in a good position in the small group. But England and Argentina are in tough groups. Which do you support?

A:


y jiu W ` qiuShei ou sh l` wo ch shei. o b` u xiang y ouxie ` zh ` ai. ` m name xia I support whoever plays well. I am not narrow-minded like some soccer fans.

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B:

ne? shei N shuo Who are you referring to?

Key Vocabulary

u kaim ` le zh ch sh l` ` jie a heim ai ` lians Ouzh ou shu p ng ` zhansh u ` Bax ` an weimi an Y nggel

to open to support strength / black horse Europe level tricks Brazil defend a title England
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ent ng Ag ` dongd aozh u an ` xiaok ` en rem ` ong zhenr ai ` xia

Argentina host look down upon hottest line-up narrow

Supplementary Vocabulary

b` mush` ` ` sai jiash u dianqi an ` caip hongp ai huangp ai f` angu ` en shem

closing ceremony overtime(OT) penalty kick referee red card yellow card foul shoot (at the goal)
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u jiaoqi eng qianf ` ei ` houw ang ` menji

corner kick foward fullback goalkeeper

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Upper-Intermediate - Bargaining
A:

(D0166)


qunzi kuai? ` N a, y Tian tiao y` ao wub xiang guangti an ai ` zh ` qiangqi a. huar` xia an My Gosh, 500 for a skirt? Youre trying to rob me in broad daylight.

B:


y ` a. ` zhe ` k N N n y` ao zh dao y f en qian f en huo n kan, e` m quan shoug ong ` zh zh` sh` Y` dal` ngpai, zuo di y` ou hao. You must know that you get what you pay for. This is an Italian brand. It is handmade and has a superior texture.

A:


meng le! Zhe ` tiao qunzi ` ong ` y wo y Bie zuog e b uguo ban, ` y ` e haok an, ` genb b` kuai. ` en y anse e b` u sh` tebi uzh wub ai luan ` kaiji ` le. a N bie Dont try to fool me! The tailoring of this skirt is just average. The color is not that pretty either. Its not worth 500. Dont give me that ridiculous price.

B:


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` qunzi ` de b` ` Zenme hu` ? Zhe k esh` y` ong shangh ao uliao ` de ren dou ` de zh zh` cheng de, sh huo dao, zhege p npai ` hao. y fu zh` liang du hen What? This skirt is made from the best fabric. Its clear to people who know clothing. The clothes of this brand are of top quality.

A:


chu ` tiao qunzi b` ` ruBie niu de y` angsh` hai ucuo, le. Zhe jiag ` e kuozh ` ong ` wo jiu le. N ` ge d ` guo dehua, bao jia ` mai ba. Stop tooting your own horn. The style of the skirt is nice. I would buy it if the price were OK. Just give me your bottom line.

B:


n wo gei n ge ba S` n xiang zhe. Rugu zhenx mai, da o kuai ` qian z bai enmey` ang? If you really want it, I can give you 20% off. How about 400?

A:


` ren b` sh` ` gu` liangb N zhege u sh zai. Hai tai le! Zu` duo ai ` Bu ` wo jiu kuai. ou le. ` mai ` z

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You are not being straight with me. Its still way too expensive. The most I can give is 200 or I am out of here.

B:


` jia hao ma? Sanb kuai ` z y ai Dengd eng, zai dian enme ` w ` hai la! y` ang? N k e b` uneng zai angxia Hang on! How about a bit more? 300? You cant drag the price below that!

Key Vocabulary

` guangti anhu ar` meng ` a kaiji ` ... dehua zu` duo ` b` ucuo sh zai ` zh` liang

broad daylight hoodwink name a price if at most not bad to be honest quality

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chu niu y` angsh`

brag type

Supplementary Vocabulary

kuansh` ` tu` huo ` kaik ou sh zi da

design, style, pattern to return merchandise daylight robbery

a ` huanji w` aihang ` ang neih

to haggle layman expert

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Upper-Intermediate - First Aid


A:

(D0171)

!
` lai, y yund le! Kuai ou ren ao Come here quick! Someone has fainted!

B:

!
` ba ta ou bao? ` zai ` ta f` de Ganku ai angp ng, y oumeiy Dian ` Zhey` ` ang k ` xue ` hu tu d xia. ey bangzh u ngmai liu. , ` j` Du` ` zhey` ` ang. n y , ganku ` jiao ` jiujiuxi men shei ou shouj ai ` ang ` y weixi de! Qianw` an bie hu` an huch ao ta, hen ` e. Lay him down at immediately. Does anyone have a bag? Put it under his legs to help blood in his veins circulate upwards. Yes, like this. Does anyone have a mobile phone? Call an ambulance right away! Make sure you dont shake him. Thats very dangerous!

A:

a, ta ang ` kunnan. ` y de hux Ay hen Zenme ban a? ` haoxi Oh no! Hes having trouble breathing. What should we do?

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B:


` ou ` bao ` ta, ta he shent ba de tou shaosh W o cong beih ao ao ` ang l` ` ai ` sh` y taig dian. Zhey` yu a xianz xiuk` hux . T e ` hunm ` ba chuang dak ai, ` a daji ban , n men ganku ai quan ` zhel ` . Y` eng. T b` uy` ao j zai ao baoch tongf a z enme hu` yund le? tur an ao Ill hold him from behind to keep his head and body slightly elevated. This helps breathing. He is in shock now. Open all the windows now. Dont crowd around him. We need to keep the air fresh. How did he faint all of a sudden?

A:


` genb b` ` daji ` a en Gangc dou Bu dao. wo u renshi ta. ai ` zh ` zhel ` paidu` , tur t ` peng ` an ` zai ngdao y sheng. Jiu ` kanji an a ` le. Y ` sh` n. daoxi ta e b` u zh dao shenme yuany I dont know. I dont know him at all. Just now we were standing in line and there was a thud. He was on the oor when I looked. I dont know what caused it.

B:

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` y ` T a de q ngkuang y ou k eneng hen anzhong. W o t ng le ` o, hen j ` ai ` jiu de maib baoch ta . W omen xianz ta ` bang ` ` dong ` y` B` zhege z sh` , b` uy` ao zai ta. mian w` ai. He might be in a very serious condition. I felt his pulse and its really quick. Lets keep him in this position and not move him anymore to avoid any accidents.

A:

10
` ` dah ao le. Jiuh ` jiu ` T sh hou Dianhu a f enzhong a ` uch ` e ` dao. ang ` ` , y` ` reng ong haoxi chuanbugu oq` aob` uy` ao zuo hux ? Theyve made the call and the ambulance will be here in 10 minutes. He seems to be struggling for breath. Should we give him articial respiration?

B:


y ta ai. ba de y RenT az` j hai ou hux fu k` ouzi jiek . Xian ` ong, y` ou z` gong hux uneng luany` ao du` meiy zhu hux b` a b` zuo. ` Aiy ta ou hux ` meiy de ren u hao, ban le. Zenme ` reng ong y a? W o y e b` uhu` zuo hux . He is still breathing on his own. Unbutton his shirt rst. Resuscitation cant be applied casually, and only do it to those who cant breathe on their own. Oh no, this is bad! He stopped breathing. What should we do? I dont know how to perform articial respiration.

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A:


` ai ` zai ` xianz ` ai ` zai ` he j W o xianz jiu n de y sheng ` zhongx ` W bao ` ta zuo. ` shuo de. N tonghu a. o lai lai I am on the phone right now with the doctor from the emergency center. I will repeat what she says and you do it.

B:

N ` lai bang ba ta f` Hao. ganku ai wo angp ng. OK. Come quick and help me lay him down at.

Key Vocabulary

yund ao kunnan ` baoch paidu` b` mian y` w` ai

to faint difculty to maintain to line up to avoid accident

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l` yu en genb an qianw`

be benecial to completely be sure to

Supplementary Vocabulary

` shoush ang baozh a guzh e n` shu ` ` j jiu a ` dianhu sh` j zhen

be injured dress a wound bone fracture to drown rst aid telephone emergency room

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Upper-Intermediate - Getting Tough on Employees


(D0181)

A:

` ai ` neng n W o xianz gen tantan ma? Can I talk to you for a minute?

B:

Dangr an. Of course.

A:


an ` b` ` hao. ` Zu` j` n, n de biaoxi utai Sh` bu sh` gongzu o ` shang y ou shenme kunnan? ` Your performance hasnt been very good recently. Are you having any trouble with work?

B:

ou. W Meiy o juede k ey y` ngfu. No, I can handle it.

A:


` x ou ansh ` baog ` ao. ` Zhe ` y Shang ngq n meiy w ancheng u duo ` ang ` hen c` j ng lianx asheng le. Sh` bu sh` gongzu oli ` f ` da ` le? tai

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You didnt nish that report on time last week. This has happened several times in a row already. Is the workload too heavy?

B:


k an, du` b` Hai ey . Laob buq . W o zu` j` n y ouxie u shufu. W o hu` j` nl` de. Its all right. Sir, Im sorry. Im not feeling very well these past few days. I will do my best.

A:


` ng ma? Xia ` x zhong` N qued` ngq , women y ou y ge hen ` hen duo ` Zhege ` x z y` ao de hu` y` . N y` ao zhunb liao. ng ei ` q wu ansh w ancheng ma? neng Are you sure? We have a very important meeting next week. You need to prepare a lot of documents for it. Can you nish all of them by this Friday?

B:

ent ` . meiw Y nggai I shouldnt have any problems.

A:


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` de da an. ` N ` neng bu neng W o xuy` ge m ngque daod ao y ` ` hao? ansh zhunb ei I need a clear answer. Can you or can you not nish the work on time?

B:

an, q W o y d` ng hu` j` nl` de. Laob ng f` angx n. I will try my best. Dont worry, sir.

A:


` u W o b` u sh` y` ao t ngj` nl` . W o xuy` q ngchu de gaos ` ao n n w renw ` u wo neng ancheng bu sh` y ou shenme ` ma? Sh` ` z kunnan? W o nengg ou enme bangzh u ? ` ` n I dont want to hear Ill try my best. What I need is a clear answer from you on whether or not you will be able to fnish the work on time. Are you having any difculties? How can I help you get the job done?

B:


an, q b` ` hu` ` Suoy tuo Laob sh y ou y ge b` ufen wo utai zuo. chang le hen sh jian. Sir, actually there is one part Im having trouble with. Thats why its dragged on so long.

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A:


` zai ` y ` ong ` ` u Xiac` ou zhezh q ngkuang, n b` xu sh gaos ` j W n Jiu ` n n wo. o k ey gei t gong xuy` yuan. ` suan ao de z w gongzu ` wo y ` t ` b` uneng ancheng o, e n` ngyuan ng sh hua, de hu Cong xianz ` ai ` kaish , n b` uy` ao t ng mohu da. y d` ng ` an. Hao ma? y` ao zhuy` ` zhedi Next time something like this happens you need to tell me as soon as possible. I can get you the resources you need. Even if you cant do the work, I much prefer straightforward answers to ambiguous ones. From now on you must pay attention to that. Got it?

B:

eng ` W o zh dao le. W o hu` gaizh de. I get it. Ill get it right.

A:

` Xiexie. Thank you.

Key Vocabulary

` n` ngyuan

would rather
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an ` biaoxi y` ngfu ` zhunb ei mohu z yuan tuo eng ` gaizh ` ansh

expression to deal with to prepare vague resources drag correct on time

Supplementary Vocabulary

y` ej` y al` ` baozh eng juedu` gongsh` s sh`

work achievement pressure guarantee utterly,absolutely work private affair


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gongs f enm ng

clearly demarcated between work and private affairs

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Upper-Intermediate - Traditional Residences


A:

(D0199)


Beij ng zhen ` ao. ` y chuan Lao ouweid Q zhe z` x ngche, ` hut ` he s` an ` jian, ` e neng t ` Bei tebi x ng zai heyu hu` dao ong renmen j ng de l` sh he de shenghu o. Old Beijing has such an alluring charm. You can really feel the citys history and how people live as you cycle through the hutong and siheyuan.

B:


` e ` m Meige y Sh` a. chengsh` dou ou z` j de tes nju. a T ` ` y jiuxi chengsh` de lian. N zh dao ma Shangh ai e ` ang ` s` an ` de jianzh ` ` sh Hut ` ` y ou leis` heyu u, kum zai ` jiao ` en. ong ` jiao ` longt ` ` ng de jianzh ` Shangh ai ang. Xiang Beij u y` ang, ` y y ` bie ou yunw ` ei. Thats true. Every city has its own distinct style of residence, which is like the face of the city. Do you know that Shanghai has its own version of the siheyuan, called shikumen. The hutong is known as a longtang there. They have their own unique beauty just like their counterparts in Beijing.

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A:


jian ` guo. He n e. Bugu ` Ng, wo y ou y y` ang de ganju ` o an ` de q b zao hen duo. ` W s` heyu yuan sh kum o kan ` en ` an ` Yuanch jiu s` shush shuo, heyu ao ou le. T a zh ` y ang jiao ` s` an, ` sh` ` f suoy heyu y nwei angwu y ou dongx sh` ei s` ` baow cheng ei, sh` nanb mian k ou z` x ng, zhongji an Dapi ` an ` de s` an ` zhongji ` de tongd ` jiao ` an. huayu heyu an ao n ` de q ma? hut Ai, zh dao sh kum yuan ong. ` en Yes, Ive seen those. I agree with you. Siheyuan have a much older origin than shikumen. According to a book I read, they date back to the Yuan Dynasty. They got their name because the rooms are surrounded on four sides by walls, forming a square shape. The garden is in the center. The lanes running through blocks of siheyuan are called hutong. Do you know the origin of shikumen?

B:

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qu ` de sh chuNg, wo ai hou t ng guo. Sh kum ` Shangh ` en ` yu ` nanm ` ` xian jiu j` zhong. Dangsh dap n y nwei sh sh` ang ` an ` dao ` Shangh ` zuji ` l duo ren dazh taon ai , b` xu e hen ` y xiao f uzh j zai suo angz l . Jiu ngcheng le erji , jiu ` x zhezh ` ong liang ceng lou de sh sh kum zh` f angwu. ` en Jia l ` y xiao de huayu jiao ` tianj an, ng. men mian ou y ge hen zhongji ` jiao ` longt ` x` ao Sh kum an chang de jied ang. Y ` en Beij ng he Shangh ` de dadu ` osh ` u zhuz qian, ai ` jum ` ai n dou ` e ong chuant zhexi m nju . l Yes, I heard about it when I was in Shanghai. Shikumen came into existence in the mid-19th century. There was an inux of war refugees eeing to the concessions in Shanghai. They had to cram into small houses. Over time, these evolved into a type of two-story house made from stone known as shikumen. There is a tiny garden inside the house called a tianjing. The long narrow lanes between shikumen houses are known as longtang. Most of the people in Beijing and Shanghai used to live in these traditional residences.

A:


` nian s` an ` he sh bei ` chai le hen K ex , zhej heyu kum ` en ` ai, ` xudu dou ` y u ` Xianz ren qiangli duo. e aoqiu o baoh ` zhe` jianzh xie u. ouz e, chengsh` hu` sh qu j baogu` de l` sh ` F ` z` gex` ` ng. hu y` he

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What a pity that many siheyuan and shikumen have been bulldozed in the past few years. A lot of people are strongly urging their protection and conservation. A city could lose its invaluable historical memory and identity without them.

Key Vocabulary

` ao ` y ouweid ng chuanx ` hut ong an ` s` heyu ` t hu` dao ` leis` ` jianzh u ` sh kum ` en ` longt ang y ` bie ou yunw ` ei q yuan

to have avor to go through hutong (alley) siheyuan (courtyard) to learn similar to architecture shikumen (courtyard) longtang (alley) have a lasting charm origin
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Yuanch ao zh suoy y ou ei baow cheng k ou z` x ng ` an ` dapi ` tongd ao ` dap ` nanm n ang ` dazh an ` taon ` zuji e uzh jiu erji sh zh`

Yuan Dynasty the reason that by surround to form square-shaped big space passage large quantities of refugee war ee from calamity concession as time went on made from stone

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ng tianj

tianjing (garden)

Supplementary Vocabulary

y oujiu gul ao u wenw ` guj` y liu ` kaozh eng an ` huaini un baoc ` lianch jiazh eng ` bao wuji azh

established ancient relic places of historic interest to leave behind to settle to cherish the memory of to conserve invaluable; priceless priceless treasure; invaluable asset

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Upper-Intermediate - Discussing Photography (D0206)

A:

` ` ` ng. Su z W o zu` j` n m shang shang le shey shen ongsh` ` zhe xiangj . dai Photography is my new passion. I always carry a camera around with me.

B:


` ng k da ` xuew en. ` N pai Sh` ma? Shey esh` y men sh` xia sh` ` ` xuex ? hai zhengjing zai Really? Photography encompasses a huge body of knowledge. Are you doing it for fun or seriously?

A:


` wo xianz ` ai ` zai ` ren` zh Gang kaish sh` x` ngqu. ` Bugu ` o, e juede ` aiyu e ` y y zhen anjiu. yuel ouqu. ` Erqi It was out of interest at rst. But I am studying it seriously now. The more I do it, the more interesting I nd it.

B:


` ng y ou shenme ` Shey ou meiy zhongy` ao de gu z e? Hai e? sh` zhuy` ng ganju ao p

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Are there any important rules in photography? Or is instinct primary?

A:


e dangr zhongy` ` ` ` Ganju an ao. Dansh` y d` ng y` ao zhangw o de j` j y xie ben qiao. Instinct is important for sure. But you must learn some basic skills and techniques really well.

B:

e ne? Y ou naxi What are they?

A:


` ` u, ` he q` Xian Zu` zhongy ao de y ou gout an cai. guangxi ` u, an ` quj gout de shuo jiush` shuo o du` jiand ` tonggu ngq` e de paish ` F ` u jul e. j ngwu ou xuanz angxiang, jiaod ` y ` he ` ` y u ` ng zhong zu` sh` zu` zhuy` nsu. chang ao de kaol ` Shey nf ` y f y` ong dehuangj enge a, jiush` o ge gongsh` ` tonggu ` de b gout ` u. hua l` lai

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The most principal ones are composition, lighting and equipment. Lets start with composition. To put it simply, its about making selective shots through the viewnder. Direction, angle, and distance are the key factors. The most commonly used method of the golden ratio uses a formula to calculate proportion and make the nal composition.

B:


yuanl ai ruc ` ` ne? Sh` E, guangxi an bu sh` y e hen . Name jiangjiu? I see. What about lighting? Is it also as complicated?

A:


la. Shey ` ng jiush` j zuo` he Dangr an ong guang ngwu ` y` ` lai ` Y ` f zhuy` aishu guangxi zhong, hua. banl o, an enwei ao san cegu ` ang. shungu ang, n` guang he L` ngw` ai, cong guang` ` shuo, y hai zh` shang lai ouy` ngguang, ruangu angzh f en. Absolutely. Photography is painting with light and objects. There are generally three types of light: frontlighting, backlight and sidelight. In addition, there are soft and hard light in terms of quality of light.

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B:


zhen oush` ` zhuany` e, shuo de tout e N hai dao. zhuany` ` ng sh` y` an, b` shey bu sh` dou ao y` ong jiaoju uneng y` ong angj ? shum ` axi You sound really professional with all your extensive knowledge. Is professional photography limited to using lm? Cant you use a digital camera?

A:


y` ` juede jiao b` Q sh y e b` u sh` shuo uneng ong. Dansh` wo ` de t ` shey ` ng leq ` u. ` ` neng juan gengh ao xian xian` Dansh` ` zhuany` angj ` de hen hao. e de shum y zai, e zuo B ru ` axi ao ` hen j ` de shu jiaoj u, shuo e neng dad ngque p ng. ` y Its not that you cant. But I nd using lm can better bring out the joy of photography. But now,a lot of digital cameras are very well-made. Take focal length for example its very precise.

B:


t sh` ` huaf` ` j` ei. Name W o hai ngshuo ngtou y b da shen cai suan ` hao? me j` ngtou Ive also heard that lenses are a big cost. What makes a quality lens?

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A:


f ` ng, y b` Q sh j` ngtou encheng xudu utong de leix sh` o b` ` xuy` e he utong de paish a sh` f eichang j ngm` de ao. T ` ng bensh y anliangy j` shu. sh shey en e sh` ruc u ` Q . Sany y k uq n shuob` ng. N rugu ou x` ngqu, ey gen x` shuo. o ` wo Actually there are many types of lenses for different uses. They are a very sophisticated work of art, like photography itself. You cant really get the full picture in just a few words. I can tell you in more details if you are interested.

Key Vocabulary

` m shang su shen ` zhengjing jiangjiu shungu ang ` n` guang

to become a fan of along with one earnestly detailed, particular frontlighting backlight

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` ang cegu oush` ` tout dao ` t xian anliangy sany u

sidelight clear and logical to embody in one or two words

Supplementary Vocabulary

rum ` en shuy ` u changsh y` shuji ` a f ancha ` ` zhaosh e e rouh ` s j` y` ngbei

learn the fundamentals technical term common knowledge artist contrast shine on, light up gentle, mild mechanically memorize

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Upper-Intermediate - Views on the News


A:

(D0215)

le, wo y` ` Zhongy de x anb o Y a, q dian ao kan angtai nwenli le. Its 7. Ive got to watch the CCTV national news.

B:

angd ` n ` ` n zhengzh` Bu ba? Meixi ao zheme guanx . ` sh` Are you serious? I didnt know that you cared so much about politics.

A:


y ` tebi ` e guanx ` meiti an n. Bugu w Q sh wo e b` u suan an` o dao ` q an, ` ge ` jia ` dou ` diansh` zai shang q dian dianb tai o de x anb o, ` bie Zhongy xiang zhuanb angtai nwenli kan de y e b` ux ng a. Well, I am not that into it. I watch the news since all the local networks broadcast the CCTV news from 7 to 7:30. You cant watch anything else even if you want to.

B:

` y tongch ` sh jiu Na e sh` . Suoy ang zhe hou wo b` u ` gancu` ` diansh` kai .

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Thats true. Thats why I normally just dont watch TV in that time slot.

A:


` x baod ` ao ` liaoji e xia ` guon ei ` he guo K esh` tonggu o nwen b` ` a. de x Zhongy j` de x ngsh` y e hen ucuo angtai nwen ` bianb` ` u quangu naizh` sh` ` ged` ` , k ` wo w angluo o jie ey rang e zu` ` dongt ` ` Hai y ` ai ` tep men liaoji x n de sh` jie ai. ou xudu o zhuanm benf an ` caif ang hou, ` f u j` zhe en ahu de d` ` qianxi baod ` ao, dou y jiazh ` . hen y shou ou x nwen But its good to use the news to get informed about whats happening in China and around the world. CCTV has extensive national and global coverage of the latest news keeping us up to date on the most recent world developments. They also have many correspondents hurrying to the front lines for interviews. The rsthand account reports they give are very informative.

B:

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b` ` guanzh ` er t ` guo K ex wo utai u W o zh ou ngdao ` zhexie. l an jiang x nwen tianti shenme BaYi3 chongt u, MeiYi1 ` ` y` guanx n xie zhanzh eng dengd eng. Kanlai wo ao duo a ` he guoj` y` b` jiu ` u dash` guoji aowen, uran ao luow ` y` le. Too bad that I dont really pay attention to that. I just occasionally hear about the conict between Israel and Palestine, or the war in Iraq. I guess I need to start paying attention to whats happening in China and around the world or Ill be really behind the times.

A:


` n ` x jiush` ` e kankan Na k ey duo zhengdi an nwen, ` naxi ` zhengdi de sh de x u jiandu zai an hou boch xie an n de y tongch zh rang ` n wen, ang y ou wu enzhong, j` neng liao f guoj` guon ei ` y` ` ei sh jie aosh` , y` ou b` u langf` jian. Then you can watch the hourly bulletin. Its a roundup of key news that usually lasts for just 5 minutes but gives a clear perspective on domestic and international affairs without wasting time.

B:

zhuyi, jiu wo . Zhensh` ge hao ntian j ` kaish That sounds good. Ill start today.

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Key Vocabulary

o zhuanb gancu` x ngsh` naizh` u benf ` ` u luow anb o x nwenli d` y shou Y Ba chongt u

to relay sharply circumstances and even to rush to outdated the CCTV national news most recent conict between Israel and Palestine

Supplementary Vocabulary

j sh x` ng qush`

immediateness; urgency trend

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Upper-Intermediate - Anthropology
A:

(D0224)


zhum eixu ` eji a, an Laid un Hel N zh dao ma? Guoj` ` ng renl ` ` e de Hengl` ` en ` ` y` women K` jiaosh daxu elais ou ao lai xue` y xiao anjiang le. Have you heard that Professor Henri Claessen, renowned anthropologist from Leyton University in the Netherlands, is coming to our school to give a speech?

B:


Shu gul ` en, q y ei` A? aw sh wo zh b` u dong renl ` wo ougu daod ` sh` xue y anjiu de? shenme What? Excuse my ignorance; I actually never knew what anthropology is all about.

A:


eixu ` e gum ei ` j de y Renl y` jiush` anjiu ren an` ngs ` y renl ` l` ` l` ` kaog u bian sh de y a. T a shej sh , wenhu a, duo deng ` de neir ` ong. f angmian Anthropology, as the name implies, is the study of the human species and its evolution. It touches on all sorts of disciplines from history and culture to archaeology.

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B:


` erw en de J` ` un ei` Da Zheme shuo nhual e sh` shuy ` y u renl de y xue b` uf` en? So Darwins Theory of Evolution is part of anthropology?

A:


guangy` eixu ` e b` ei, ` hai Dangr an, de renl u j n y anjiu renl ` , m ` de f y anjiu nzu, f angmian azhan. yuy an deng shehu` ` ` de f ` jiush` a jiaosh de q B ru ou angxiang yuan Hengl` ` guoji f ta ` zai ` zhengg ` renl eixu ` e de xue de zhuzu he azhan, e ` o ` dou ` de y chansh shuji eng jud ngxiang. ` e ` a Of course it is. Anthropology in a broad sense is the study of society, ethnicity, language and a lot of other things besides just human beings. Professor Claessen is an expert in the study of the origin of nation states and their development. His papers and books have had enormous inuence in academia.

B:


` women ao ` y` y lai Nangu ai xuexi ao y aoq ng ta anjiang ne, u zhensh` ge l` hai de renw ` a. No wonder our school invited him to give a speech. He sounds like an important gure.

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A:


o. ` T ` de xuesh u ` ao ` t zaoq guoji a Meicu a zhec` wei ` baog ganj n qu ` weizi, ` y anjiu o dei ch le k e jiu ` zhan ` mei . W ` zuo ` le. weizi Exactly. His speech is titled Study of the Early Nation States. I have to grab a seat now or there will be none left.

B:


t ` de. W ` hen y ao T ng q lai hai ng shen o dao ou x` ngqu ` qu ` ` ` jiang ` sh` t ng jiaosh ou jiang daod z enme y hu sh` . W o n he y q qu ` ba. It sounds pretty profound. I want to hear what the professor has to say. Im going with you.

Key Vocabulary

y anjiang shu ` ` en gul aw ougu

to lecture forgive ignorant and ill-informed

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gum y` ` ngs ` y anbian q yuan f azhan shuy u y zh ` f angmian b ru ` nangu ai ` zhan

as the name suggests development and change origin development to belong to continuously aspect for example no wonder that to occupy

Supplementary Vocabulary

raosh u ` zh shu y an ` wo jiuj` ng ` b` uzhou

forgive excuse me for being frank exactly step,move


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zh` shang

IQ

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Upper-Intermediate - Negotiating Rent


A:

(D0233)


` e ` n ` wo laik an ` f ` tao ` f ong dai Xiexi chouk` angzi. Zhe angzi xiang shufu, zhen jiush` y` ao de. ` wo Thank you for taking the time to show me the apartment. The apartment is really good, exactly what I want.

B:


` f ang ` k` ` dou Zhe Sh` a. angzi de chaoxi hao, et ng, zhuw o nan, dongnu ali ` ang, ang N ` chao anxi caigu y` ouhao. dian ` . neng f` ei dou sheng y dab It truly is. This apartment has excellent positioning. The living room and master bedroom all face south, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The apartment is also bright with natural light. You can save quite a bit on electricity bills.

A:

` f a? ao Zhe angzi f angl ng duosh How long has the building been around?

B:

2 24
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eryu ` ` jiaof y an. ` ` u ang, cai Quni e nianb Zhege xiaoq ` an e ` rongqi ` Erqi wu l hen dangc` gao, nju u a. dou ` xiangch fuz u ` an y` e fuw e hen s` xiaosh y ou bao u ` y ` e. Xiaoq ersh ao ` das ao y z zh q n, loud e hen x` . N ganggang z` j y e ` ao ` le, lian dat ` ng dou ganj` hen ng. kand It was nished last February, so only a year and a half. This is an upscale neighborhood, and all the neighbors get along well. The management is also very responsible. Security guards are on duty 24 hours a day, and the cleaning of public areas is very thorough. Even the lobby is spotless, as you just saw.

A:


zuf ` ` u Jiush` a, wo kanzh ong xiaoq ` y angzi zu` de zhengt ` ng. Zhel ` guanl de d ` b ` erqi e luhu ` y huanj` que ucuo, u e a Zhel ` y ` t Y ang hao. t j hu ou d` xia ngchech ma? ` a? Exactly. The overall environment of a neighborhood is at the top of my priorities. The management here really has done a great job, and all the greenery is nice. How many units does one elevator service? Is there any underground parking space?

B:

10

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q u f Y t liang hu, ngj` ng de. Xiaoq quan engb` ` hen sh` e ` ek ` zh shesh ` q jian` u, ru d` xiach jie quan, ` diant ` ku. ` Erqi ` y ang, sh` shenf nei ouy ongch , w angqiuch y` angy` ang ang u ` aich ` ang, ` y jiush` dou ou. Xiaoq an l gu dao` dam pangbi ong jiaot y e zh y ou sh f enzhong luch ` eng. Two units per elevator, so its really private. All of the parking space in the neighborhood is closed and underground, accessible directly by elevator. The neighborhood is also well-equipped with various facilities like a gym, indoor pool, tennis court... you name it. A shopping center is just around the corner. The subway station is only 10 minutes away.

A:


` shuo yue ` x wo le y N yue huan le. Y` aob` ush` zuj n gao wo k ` ` ushuo jiu dian, end` ng erhu ab` e. ` qianyu The more you tell me, the more I like it! Id sign the contract right away if only the rent was a bit cheaper.

B:

5000
` tao ` f xiaoq u le, zhe N Xiaojie a. z` j y e shuo angzi he sh` ` de shesh ` he d` ` wo zh y liu hao duan, shou de. Zheme ` juedu` chaozh kuai, wuqi . an

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Miss... you said yourself that this apartment and the neighborhood are of top quality. I am only charging 5000 yuan a month for such outstanding facilities and location. Its an amazing value.

A:

5000
` ` f liangf angy W o zh dao, dansh` n zhe angzi cai t ng, er mianji ` name ` Zaishu ` y zhuangxi qie xiao. o, u e hen ban. y zhuangxi ` ei ` y wuqi ` wo juedu` kuai Rugu u dian, o an daow ` gei. yuany` I know, but this is only a two-bedroom unit, plus the total area is quite small. Besides, its only modestly furnished. Id be absolutely willing to pay 5000 yuan if it was more completely furnished.

B:

9
` de zhuangxi erqi e y` f W o zhel u jianyu e engge, ong de sh` de caili ao. ` Bugu ` rugu n sh` dou zu` hao y c` x` ng fu ` o, o ` y de f k n ge jiu nian angzu, ey gei da zhe. wo This is minimalist style, and I used the best materials. But maybe I could give you 10% off if you paid a full years rent up front.

A:

8
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da ba wo xianz ` ai ` jiu zhe, y N rugu nian. o ` qian Id sign a full year contract right now if you gave me 20% off.

B:

88.5
b` sh` ` W ` f zhe zhe Ba ux ng, ba zu` d jia. o zhe angzi hen ` n u j nqiao, k e y` ao zhuazh hu` a. ` j 20% off I cant do. 15% off is the industrys bottom line. My place is in high demand. Dont pass up this opportunity.

Key Vocabulary

ong chouk` ang ` chaoxi k` et ng ` zhuw o a` dongnu anxi liang ang caigu

to nd time position living room master bedroom warm in winter, cool in summer lighting

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` ei dianf` f angl ng ` dangc` wuy` ` e u xiaoq an bao zuf angzi ` ` luhu u a ang t ngchech q ngj` ng ` ek u d` xiach ` ` shesh ` aich ` ang dam ` aot ong gu daoji zuj n

power bill age grade management area security guard to rent a house greenery parking lot quiet underground parking lot facilities shopping center subway station rent

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` ` ushuo erhu ab` qianyu e ` d` duan chaozh angy liangf t ng ` j nqiao

without delay to sign a contract location surpassing value a two-bedroom unit in demand

Supplementary Vocabulary

f angd` chan f chao ang

real estate articially inate real estate prices light illumination organization, agency

` guangxi an ` guangzh ao ` j gou

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Upper-Intermediate - Exotic Animals


A:

(D0244)


` pengyou ` e, ` ta ` b geng W o y ou wei ceng shuo, q zuanji ` y` ` huash ` . Jiu ` fu n` ngyuan ao k onglong dan u chu ` suan b` k ` jia ` li kankan xiao onglong, f` ang zai y e t ng ku ` de. A friend of mine once said that she would prefer having a dinosaur egg fossil over a diamond ring, because the egg would be cool to admire, even if it could never hatch a baby dinosaur.

B:


` k ` e ` a, ta t Hah ng congming de. K onglong dan e b zuanji duo ` sh` ` y le. Bugu zh qian shang y` aosh` zhende hai ou ` o ` guj` ` jiu k onglong cunz uhu` name xiang y` ao shou ai, ` b` ta ` le ba. cang k onglong dan Ha ha, shes pretty smart. A dinosaur egg is worth a whole lot more than a diamond ring. But if there really were dinosaurs still living on earth, she probably would rethink keeping a dinosaur egg.

A:


` osh du` ` u Sh` y a. W o xiang dadu x y ou dongw u ` ren ` dou ` y` ` sh` y` ou ai ou pa.

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Thats true. I think most people who profess affection for rare and exotic species both love and fear them at the same time.

B:


hao y ` de guob ao da` Q sh y e hai a. Xiang Zhonggu o ` de ma. Y` ` y` b` ou xiongm ao, ush` t ng k eai ou hanh ou wen` j shun, eai le. ` k Actually, its not always that bad. Take pandas for example, our national treasure. Arent they adorable? Theyre both cuddly and docile, as well as extremely cute.

A:


daxi ` ongm dou ` y zh A, ao a, sh` ren dao, b` u x q . N jian ma? Y ` Bugu ` xianz ` ai ` guo j ns hou e y y` ang j ling k eai. ` o de shuli ` le, f j ns hou y j ng b` u duo eichang zhengu` . ` ang Thats a different story, because people are familiar with pandas, theyre not that exotic. Have you ever seen a golden-haired monkey? They are also smart and cute, but there are not many of them left. They are extremely rare.

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B:


y ` ngy W o juede tongy` ang zhengu` de hai ou zangl ang. ` gaoyu d` ` zh ` T amen zh shengzh ang zai an dai, y ou zai X ` ` cai neng ` ao. ` ` k Zhonggu o zang y dai jiand Zhe e sh` tey ` ou de dongw ` ` guod ` u Zhonggu o u, ex y nwei usha ` k ` b ` ai ` y ` meiy ou le. xianz j ng kuai The same goes for Tibetan antelopes, also called Tibetan gazelles. They only inhabit plateaus. Tibet is the only place in China where they can be seen. They are a species unique to China, but sadly, they are on the verge of extinction due to poaching.

A:


` ` changji ` guang W o daosh` xiangq y zhong b jiao an, t ng langm ` ` de dongw ` m ngzi jiu an u: T a` hen ` yuanyang. ` y ` shu men z ongsh` chengshu angch engdu` de zai q , zai ` ` o de y tianm` shang kuaihu ou zhe. Zhen . Actually, Im thinking of an animal thats not so rare, but whose name has a distinctly romantic feel: the mandarin duck. They are always in pairs, swimming contentedly in the water. Its so sweet.

B:


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` Zhonggu y sh` Sh` y a, yuanyang zai o zh dou tianm` q ng ` ngc ` sh` ` yuanyang k lu , zhen ewei zh xian b` u de daim ` xian. xian Thats true. Mandarin ducks have always been the symbol of a loving couple in Chinese culture. Thats why theres the saying, a pair of mandarin ducks is more enviable than an immortal.

Key Vocabulary

ang shouc b usha ` ou hanh ` zh xian yuan` yang b` u xian xian ` huash k onglong wensh un ` j ns hou

to collect to capture and kill silly a pair of mandarin ducks is more enviable than an immortal fossil dinosaur docile golden monkey

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j ling ` ngy zangl ang gaoyu an

clever Tibetan antelope plateau

Supplementary Vocabulary

zhendu` x` ng ` e mieju b uzhuo uhu shah wensh un ` j` tuo ` u xianm ` xianz

focus, focalization become extinct catch, seize simpleminded, naive docile, meek, gentle place (ones hope etc.) on envy, admire female immortal, beautiful woman

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Upper-Intermediate - Translation Issues


A:

(D0251)


` le zheme ` de f ` hao N zuo jiu any` , y pian any` , zu` zhong f y` ao de biaozh un shenme? sh` Youve been doing translation for a long time. What is the ultimate standard for a good translation?

B:


sh` Y Zu` zhum an f any` jia an Fu ` ng de dangr ` xiansheng y zhongsh t chu n, da, al lun. x` njiush` ` ` shuo dex` en, e sh` ` a yuanw en, tieqi ede yuanw daz shuo biaod ash` a. ery zh y` ong y ouy a de yuy Renmen an biaod n, da, y ` zai ` zu ` sh` q chang bax` agua bian, sh , zhe hen dad ao ` de wenxu f ` Nengg ` da j` nan e any` zu` gao ngjie. ou ` zhege ` huangj n biaozh sh` y dao un, an f eichang ou dangr ` zh shu xiu any` . Bugu y ou Zhong Y ng wen p ng ` de f ` o, y ` j cain eng b` j gao, ngqie ou f engfu jian ngy` an de ren ` sh ao ` zhe ` y dad dian.

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The most well-known is of course translator Mr. Yan Fus theories of faithfulness to the original text, communication of ideas and literary elegance. People always talk about these, but actually these standards mark only literary translation of the highest quality, which is extremely difcult to achieve. Translation that can meet these ideal standards is, of course, excellent. But only those with high command of both the Chinese and English language along with years of practical experience can consistently maintain such a standard.

A:

` ` shenme an ` ne? de f Name y ban any` y` ao jub tiaoji ` ei What capacities does an average translator need to have then?

B:


` y` ` na zhong ` shang ` b Zhe ao kan f any` le. Dazh` f enwei y` f k ` y he ouy` . Er any` y` ou gezi ou b` utong de l ngyu. ru ` B ` f b e f shuo, y` y ou wenxu e any` , zhuany` any` , l` ru alu, u f y k e de f y` ao, k ej` dengd eng. Er ouy` chule enbie, zhuany` y he jiaochu de genb qu en hai ou tongsh engchu any` an bie.

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That depends on which kind of translation you are talking about. There are two general types: written translation and oral interpretation, each of which has its own specic elds. For example, written translation involves literary and professional translation, which includes the elds of law, medicine, technology, and so on. There is also professional interpretation, which is also further divided up into simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.

A:

2000
xianz ` ai ` k ` en zh Sh` T ongshengchu any` esh` rem y` e a! da, ` erqi e x W chang xuqi nshu y e f eichang gao. o hen u y ` liangqi tongchu t ngshuo, an ge xiaosh k ey zhuan an ` qian, sh` kuai zhendema? Simultaneous interpretation is a hot profession right now! There is huge market demand and its very well-paid. Ive heard that a simultaneous interpreter can make RMB an hour. Is it true?

B:

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` sh` ` zu` de f de changh Na zu` d ngjian any` zai d ngjian e. ` osh meiy ou zheme ` u de x Q sh , dadu an gao n` tongchu ` f ` sh` ` de hangy` ` shu . Bugu any` d que ge b` ucuo e. Dan` o, de f ` hen duo nul` sh` xiangy` ng de, hao any` b` xu ngguo , j e y` ` de j` ` x ` erqi ao b` uduan nb` u. Zhangw o n c hu` , b uduan ` an b` kuozh utong l ngyu shi. ` de zh Thats only the best interpreters at top events. Actually, most simultaneous interpreters dont get that kind of pay. However, translation is indeed a good profession. But at the same time, a good translator must work very hard and keep improving. They need to master new words, keep up with new developments and expand their knowledge of different professional elds.

A:


zuo ` k b ` N juede ouy` he y` de sh hou, zu` zhongy ao de he de sh` zu` nan shenme? What do you think are the most important and the most difcult things when doing written translation and interpretation?

B:

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` hai sh` zu` ` Bul shumi k outou, zhongy ao de jiush` ` un ` sh` ` an ` he tongsh ` liang le xudu an zhunqu e un. ge c baoh ` Zhe o zu` ` ` de xuex . Er engc` shenc de y` y` , geng xuy` uduan ao b de sh` ` meiy ou du` a. K nan yud y` ng de biaod esh` j ` ao ` angde, y ` zhongsh en, sh zhey` e y d` ng y` ao j nliang yuanw e f piaoliang. ` erqi any` de z` ran, For both written and spoken translation, the most important thing is accuracy and uency. These two words have many in-depth implications. Moreover, they require constant learning as a foundation. The most difcult is when there is no exact match for an expression you encounter. But even so, you must endeavor to stay faithful to the original text and translate in a natural and eloquent way.

A:


` Guaibude ` qiangp ` eng ` le, lei! de T ng q lai zhen n dou ozh an Zhong liang ` xiang mai meiti Y ng wen f en baozh , ba du` ` kan ` y ` tong de x nwen zhao bian. It does sound painstaking! No wonder youve got an obsessive compulsive disorder every day you get both the Chinese and English newspaper and read the same story in both languages.

B:

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e wo zh ` ao ` y eng Sh` y a. Erqi y` ao kand ge c , jiu benn ` hu` ` du` ` dang ` f de xiangd ao y` ng de f any` . Bugu wo any` chu ` o, ` sh` ` ganju e jiuxi ` wenzh y pian ang, huo y c` hu` y` hou, ` ang ai suoy ou de x le m` zh jiek ma, nku de. dou Yeah. Furthermore, whenever I see a word, I instinctively think about its corresponding translation. But when I complete a work of translation or a conference interpretation, I feel as if I have broken a secret code and all the hard work feels worthwhile.

Key Vocabulary

biaozh un f any` jia l lun ` zhongsh ` ede tieqi y ouy a ` zai ` zu gua bian ` j` ngjie

standard translator theory faithful to properly graceful ofter say extent

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f engfu ` ` j sh jian ngy` an ` jub ` ei ` shang ` dazh` b y` k ouy` l ngyu ` tongsh eng chuany` jiaochu an ` en rem sh` chang xuqi u d ngjian changh e xiangy` ng ` zhangw o

abundant practical experience/ to have approximately written translation oral interpretation sphere simultaneous translation

consecutive interpretation in demand market demand top event correspondingly grasp

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` an kuozh tongsh un ` ` eng ` qiangp ozh

to expand clear and coherent obsessive-compulsive disorder to contrast

` du` zhao

Supplementary Vocabulary

` tiaozh an l jie ` M Q ngmo nchu

challenge to comprehend between later Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China ideologist educationist information politics banking oath
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s xiangji a ` uji jiaoy ` a z xun ` ` sh zheng j nrong sh` y an

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Upper-Intermediate - Attitudes toward Religion (D0260)

A:

` ` guo ` de z Zhege zhoum o eny` ang? How was your weekend?

B:

ucuo. ` Zhour` hai he pengyou ` ang zuo ` l ` wo Haib` qu bai ` jiaot le. Not bad. On Sunday I went with a friend to church services.

A:

ai n Yuanl x` n J du a? Oh, youre a Christian?

B:


b` ` u. an d` sh` Bush` ng b` u sh` J du wo y ` de, wo Zuoti jiaot ` ang, d` ` ` a zheme c` qu y e sh` wo y c` canji zhengsh` de ` jiaot ` Zhe ` zhensh` ` e de t wo zhur` bai. y c` tebi y` an. Y uq shuo l ` cany ` de huod ong, ` b` u zai zhong z ongjiao hai uru ` y shuo shoud ` ao ` le y ` wenhu ` de xunt wo zhong z ongjiao a ao.

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No, Im not at all. Yesterday was my rst time in a church, and it was my rst time attending a formal Sunday service. It was really a special experience. Rather than saying I was participating in a kind of religious activity, it was more like receiving a kind of religious cultural experience.

A:


fuz wo congl ai dou canji ` ei ` mei a guo zhel T ng q lai hao ` a, ong, ` ` ei ` z ` wenhu ` y , j huod du` gel ongjiao a e y wusu nj n ozh ` Y ao ` he J ` zhe ` j zh dao F ojiao, s lanji duji ge zhum ` ng ao ` gengdu ` y le. z ongjiao, ode wo e jiang b` uchul ai It sounds pretty complicated. Ive never attended those kinds of activities, and dont know a thing about religious culture. I barely know anything about even the more famous religions like Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Other than those, I really dont know anything about any religions.

B:

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y ` b` ` liaoji e, k Q sh wo e sh` . W o du` z ongjiao ng b` u suan e hen ley` ` jiech ` b` ` wenhu ` W u wo utong de z ongjiao a. o ` dao ` de pengyou, duo ` x` sh y ou y xie ny ang z ongjiao hen hou dou wenhu ` de jiaod u f tamen sh` wo cong a enxiang de ` lai wo y ` ang j ngl` . He q qu de pengyou jiu ao ` jiaot ` congxi ` erqi e f x` ny ang J duji eichang qianch eng. ao, Actually, Im the same. I cant say I understand religion at all, but Im willing to have some contact with different religious cultures. I have some religious friends, and I often nd I can relate to their experiences on a cultural level. The friends I went to church with have been Christian since they were little, and theyre really devout.

A:

-
y dou banf ` a l zhezh ` ong mei W o xiang wo ongyuan jie ` x` ` en de z` b` qianch eng. Zongji ao ny ang sh` ger y ou, wo u` tamen, ` y ou banf ` a shenr u hu` gansh e dan e meiy zhong. ` q ` dai ` ren dadu ` osh ou z ` u sh` W omen zhey meiy ongjiao ` dou ` xianz ` ai ` x` ` de ren zai ` Zhong x` ny ang de. Bugu n J duji ` o ao zhensh` ` lai yue ` duo de le, xiangf an Zhonggu guo yue o ` z ` ` de jiaot ` u ` o y dou sh` d` yi1 da ongjiao-F ojiao lao dadu ` de ren le. bei

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I dont think Ill ever be able to understand that kind of devotion. Religious faith is a personal freedom, so I would never interfere with others faith, but I myself could never get that deeply involved. Most people of our generation arent very religious. However, nowadays more and more people in China are becoming Christians. On the other hand, the followers of Chinas primary religionBuddhismare mainly from the older generation.

B:


` jiu Sh` de. W o renshi de pengyou zhong y ou y b` uf` en ren ` ` shoud ` ao ` jiat ong de y er x` ng chuant sh` y nwei ngxiang n ` j duo he wo y ren f o huo du e y ou hen y` ang zh sh` de. Y wenhu ` de jiaod u kand ` ai ` Bugu ` wul z cong a ongjiao. ` lai ` o un ong ` wo dou ` ` zhuzh sh` hezh z ongjiao, y` ong zhengqu e ang ` ` zhezh ` ong b` ` en y de taidu du` dai x` ny ang, er uneng guof` ` lai. Yeah. Amongst my friends, there are some who are Buddhist or Christian because of the inuence of family tradition. But there are also many people who are like me, and just look at religion from a cultural perspective. Still, no matter what ones faith is, I will always advocate that people should maintain a proper attitude toward religion, but not be excessively dependent on it.

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Key Vocabulary

` l ` zuo bai x` n ` J duji ao ` u J du jiaot ` zhur` bai l t y` an yuq u cany ` ` z ongjiao b` uru xunt ao y wusu ozh

to attend religious services to believe in Christianity Christian Sunday service to learn through experience rather than to participate in religion not as good as to inuence (positively) to know nothing something barely Buddhism
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about

j nj n ` F ojiao

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ao ` Y s lanji ` ley` ` u jiech ` dao x` ny ang u jiaod ` f enxiang qianch eng ` gansh e u shenr ` ` dai ` zhey bei ` laoy ` ai ` kand zhuzh ang ` en guof` ` y lai

Islam to be happy to to make contact with to have faith in angle to share devout to interfere with to penetrate this generation older generation to regard as to advocate, stand for excessive to depend on

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Supplementary Vocabulary

x` ny ang ou y wusu oy qianch eng ` gansh e ` ai ` lian m sa

faith, belief not own a thing in the world pious, devout to interfere, intervene love, romantic attachment Catholic Mass

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Upper-Intermediate - Phobias
A:

(D0271)

` qu W omen zhoum o ouy ong ba! ` y Lets go swimming this weekend!

B:

y pa ` shu wo W o b` uhu` y ouy ong, laosh shuo oudian . I cant swim. To tell the truth, Im a little afraid of the water.

A:

n ` ` le, jur pa ` shu A, zheme da ? an What? Youre this old, and scared of the water?

B:


xiao ` wo. W N bie o sh` zhende du` shu k ongju. en ` Meiger dou ` a ` de dongxi. y nanmi an ou z` j haip N k end` ng y e y ou. Dont laugh at me. I really have a phobia of water. Everyone has a fear of something. You must be afraid of something too.

A:


` y ` W o d que ou. W o y ou k onggaozh eng. Cong gaoch u ` ` kan, ` wo mash ang ` hu` un, f w ang xia touy ao adou. shuangji

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I certainly am. I have acrophobia. When I look down from high places, I instantly get dizzy, and my legs start to shake.

B:


` e ang ` ` zhexi haoxi sh` Sh` a, dou tiansh eng de. Jiu ` suan ng zai ` da, ` y banf ` a k` duo hao nianl e mei efu. ru B shuo, y ` ` ` ren ou f eix ng k ongjuzh Q ngkuang y anzhong de ` eng. ` ` f ` duo ` y b` shenzh` b` uneng zuo eij . Zhe u f angbian a. Yes, it seems that these kinds of things are natural. Even as we get older, theres no way to overcome them. For example, a lot of people have a fear of ying. Its so serious that they cant even travel by plane. Its very inconvenient.

A:


wo de haop engyou ` ang. Hai y duo En, jiush` ou hao ` zhey` y ` ` xiaxi ao de k l ren ou y oub` k ongjuzh zai ongjian , jiu ` eng, ` e toubugu ` ` q` ` hu` ganju o , shenzh` y` ao zh` x . Yeah, my good friend is like that. There are also lots of people who have claustrophobia. When they are in conned spaces, they feel like they cant breathe, even to the point that they feel like they are going to suffocate.

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B:


` e ` changji ` de k ` dou sh` Zhexi b jiao an ongjuzh W o hai ` eng. ` y a k ` ` an ` toufa ` renshi ren ou maof` ongjuzh kanji jiu ` eng, ` xiang ` an ` gu an ` zhe z` ta meiti kan kanji y y` ang. N shuo j de tou ne? fa z enme shenghu o These are all the more common phobias. I also know some people have a phobia of hair. When they see hair, its just as scary to them as seeing a ghost. When they look at their own hair every day, how can they cope?

A:

` de q ` mei name ` Kanlai, Sh` a. women lia ngkuang hai ao. zaog Yeah. I guess our situations arent really that bad.

Key Vocabulary

` pa k ongju ` nanmi an ` k onggaozh eng

to be afraid of to fear to be hard to avoid acrophobia

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k` efu y oub` ` zheng ao xiaxi zh` x k ongju`

to overcome claustrophobia (fear of conned spaces) narrow to suffocate

Supplementary Vocabulary

` k ongjuzh ` eng ng kuangqu anb`

phobia rabies (lit. crazy dog disease) acrophobia enclosed, airtight bathtub prevent; avoid unexpectedly; to ones surprise unexpectedly; to ones surprise
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` k onggaozh eng m` b` yug ` ang mianch u jur an

j` ngran

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b` uk ezh` x` n x` jux` ` ng

cannot believe dramatic quality

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Upper-Intermediate - Exam Overview


A:

(D0280)


` q ` kaosh` ` ong. women J ntian zhuy` xia mo de neir ao jiangy ` de kaosh` ` j e t ` ` t Zhec` f en zhe ge b` ufen: xuanz , pandu an , ong t a t en sh` ersh ` tiank` , jiand , f enx t . Zongf y bai f en, y ` a y meige b` ufen de f enzh he w ang y y` ang, daji nggai q sh` hen ngchu le. Kaosh` de sh jian liang ge xiaosh . Today we will mainly talk about the content of the nal examination. This exam is divided up into the following sections: multiple choice questions, true/false questions, ll-in-the-blank questions, short answer questions, and an analysis question. There are a total of 120 points, and the amount of points for each section are the same as they have been for previous examinations, so everyone should be quite clear about that. The length of time for the test is two hours.

B:


` ` zhec` ` kaosh` sh` shu Jiaosh ou, de f` anwei zheng ben de ` ong xia ` ban ` xueq de? neir ma? Haish` Professor, will this exam cover the content of the entire textbook, or only the material from the second half of the semester?

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A:


` kao de sh` ` xueq de neir ` ong, ` Zhec` zhengg e dansh` ` zai ` d` ` d` ` a y` hua zhongdi an wu sh zhang. Daji ao duo dao ` ong b` ` q name ` Suo x kao xie nsi. neir u xiang zhong s ban. ` liaoji e xue guo de dongxi, y , n men y` ao zhenzh eng b` ng l yuny` qie nghuo ` ong. This exam is on the material from the entire semester, but the emphasis is on Chapters 5 through 10. Everyone needs to put some extra thought into this exam. The content is not as rigid as the mid-term exam, so you all need to really understand the material you have learned, and be able to apply it in a exible way.

B:

` ` l women Name, sh` bu sh` shuo b` u xuy` lun shi? ` zh ao bei So are you saying we dont have to memorize all the theory?

A:


ne? Xiang y` yuny` zhangN juede ao l nghuo u xian ` ong, b` ` l ` a ` an dou sh` de xuesheng wo lun enme x ng? Daji das ` z q f hen le, y nggai ngchu xuex angf a.

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What do you think? If you want to be able to apply the knowledge, how can you escape mastering the theories? You are all third year university students now, so you should be very familiar with the study methods.

B:


` ` zhec` ` de t le y Jiaosh ou, mu bu sh` nan dianr? W o ` sh` ` an ` ` zhe ` sh` das de kaosh` t ngshuo zu` zhongy` ao, y nwei ` sh zu` ` y das` x qian hou c` kaosh` . Professor, is the material this time a little bit more difcult? I have heard that the third year exam is the most important, because this is the last exam before the fourth year practicum starts.

A:


gaosu ` ` a, c` zhong` meiy hen W o zh xiang daji kaosh` dou ` zhe ` sh` chenggu de cesh` ` he y` ao, y nwei du` n z` j xuex o Buy` zhec` ` he y b ` meiy c` z ongjie. ongsh` na qian jiao, ` ao z ` ` Zhe ` sh` ` y` du` kaosh` dou ao renzh en dai. du` z` j fu eren. ` z I just want to tell everyone: every exam is very important, because exams test and assess what you have gained from your studies. Dont always compare this exam with previous exams. You must take every exam seriously. This is taking responsibility for yourself.

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B:


` ` fux neir ` ong zhongy` ` sh` Jiaosh ou, hou, k` eben ao hai ` de sh ` k` etang b j` zhongy` ao? Professor, when we are reviewing, what is more important: the textbook content or our notes from class?

A:


` ` hai sh` ` n le wen kao Zhege went y nggai men z` j . Dou ` z ` hai y c` zheme duo sh` le, y qian enmey` ang, zhec` y` ang. chengj` meiy ou jiej` ng. Daji ` a ao hu Zongzh , hao qu haoh fux ` ba. This is a question you should ask yourself. Youve all taken many exams, its the same now as it was then. In a word, there is no shortcut to good scores. Everyone go home and study hard.

Key Vocabulary

f enzh y w ang x ns

the amount of points in the past concern


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s ban l lun ` chenggu o ng jiej` e t xuanz ` ` t pandu an ong t tiank` a t jiand f enx t l nghuo sh x

rigid theory result shortcut multiple choice question true or false question ll-in-the-blank question short answer question analysis question exibly eld work

Supplementary Vocabulary

` ao moli k` ongbai y anxu `

nally, in the end blank space continue


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e xuek shengy` ng e zhuany` ` pubi an an kuanf`

subject stiff; rigid; harsh major universal, common general, covering a wide range (of meaning) abstract

` ang chouxi

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Upper-Intermediate - Chinese Antiques


A:

(D0289)

3
an ` ` kand ` ao ` y M ` de guang W o zuoti gud an, ba ngdai ongdi an kaiji ` sanw` jian ` de j a an, shuo sh` y zi. Laob shao ng` ai ` hai y ao ` zhenzh ` xianz p n. N shuo ou k eneng maid eng ` jiaj u de M ngdai ` ma? Yesterday I was looking around in an antique shop and I saw a chair from the Ming dynasty. The shop owner asked 300,000 yuan for it and claimed it was a rare and unique work of art. Do you think its still possible to buy authentic Ming dynasty furniture?

B:


jiaj de f l` ` ai ` u nian Zhonggu o ou shuqi azhan sh , xianz ` y ` an ` de jiaj u. sh` chang shang zhuy` M ng Q ng liang dai ao sh` ` jiaj ` zhuy` yu ai, ` caizh` , x u Gud ong ` de jiazh ao quju e niand z yu y ou x` ng, w anzhengx` ng deng. Suoy ongdelaishu o, ` jiaj ` jiaj ` gengg ` u u Q ngdai , M ngdai ao. ` xiangb ` de jiazh

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Chinese furniture has been developing for several thousand years, and the majority of furniture on the antique market today originates from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The value of a piece of antique furniture is mainly determined by age, quality of materials, rarity, intactness of the piece, etc. So, generally speaking, if you compare Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, Ming dynasty furniture is more valuable.

A:


ai sh` ` angde. Bugu ` xianz ` ai, ` hao duo guO, yuanl zhey` ` o ` de u sh` dong jiaj f angzh` p n. N y ou shenme f enbian ` dou ` ma? qiaom en Oh, I see. But nowadays a lot of antique furniture is just replicas. Do you have any tricks for distinguishing the two?

B:


an , zaox ` ng he gongy` de shuo, k Jiand ey cong caizh` ` lai f ` ` zaox ` ng f ` M f san angmian enbian. Zai angmian, ng` jiaj ao ` le y` ` u a, jianyu dad dai e, shu ngf eng. Zhe ` gaoy ` d ` dangsh ` ` o en shej` ` , y u y sh` y nwei de jiaj ou wenr nc ` dadu ` de s x` rongr u j dut xiang he ngge. ` le z` e

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To put it simply, you can distinguish them by looking at three things: the quality of the materials, the design, and the craftsmanship. With regards to the design, Ming dynasty furniture is elegant and precise, having reached a peak as an art form. During that time, furniture was mainly designed by scholars; therefore the design became a reection of their own unique philosophies and character.

A:


` jiaj ` jiu b` Q u Du` a, ngdai zh xia anquan utong le. ` xiangb ` w ` gengji ` shensh ` gongt fuz u Shej` a ou ng jiaj ngxiang. ` a, ` de y ` y dou ` diaok` f` de zhuoji ao, bei e de Jiusu zhang anzhuo ` an f eichang x` zh` . Yeah, in comparison, Qing dynasty furniture is completely different. The design is more complex, heavily inuenced by the furniture of the imperial court. Even a dining room table leg was meticulously carved.

B:


n ` liaoji e ma. Q u Ai, daosh` hen sh gud jiaj shen ong ` zu` ` gongy` q de jiush` zuo , b` uy` ong y k e d ngzi jiu ` zh` ` neng ` u ` w u. zuoch jian anzheng de jiaj ` y

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Wow, you really have a thorough understanding. Actually, the most amazing thing about antique furniture is the craftsmanship with which it was made. Without using a single nail, a complete piece of furniture could be crafted.

A:


` gud ` j hen shou ` huanu W o zh zh dao jiaj nian ong ` zhe ` u zh ` q ` y zh y ng, queb` dao zhong ou zheme duo shi. Zhen` u en de zh` p ` sh` peif hu` he nwei. qianr I only know that antique furniture in the past few years has been very popular, but I had no idea that there was so much to know about it. I really admire our forefathers wisdom and ne tastes.

Key Vocabulary

` guang ` gud an ongdi ` M ngdai ` a kaiji j ngp n

to browse merchandise antique store Ming Dynasty to quote a price quality goods

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u jiaj ` gud ong ` jiazh caizh` x y ou ` Q ngdai f angzh` p n ` qiaom en ` ng zaox gongy` a gaoy jianyu e d ngf eng e diaok` x` zh`

furniture antique value quality of the material rare Qing dynasty imitation trick design craftmanship elegant minimalist peak carved detailed

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` p nwei

taste

Supplementary Vocabulary

` an ` daji

large objects gage,furniture,etc.) at least to increase extensive

(lug-

zh` shao z engzhang an guangf` ` e bianbi

to differentiate; to discriminate lucky birthday peaches longevity secret of success, knack to combine the four great inventions pay close attention to
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

j xiang ` ao shout ` changsh ou ao ` jueqi e jieh ` f s` da am ng guanzh u `

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nqian heix ` guanm ngzheng` da

money earned through evil just and honorable

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Movie Genres


A:

(D0298)

` Zhensh` die! N y ou zheme duo ge y ngm . You have so many DVDs! You are really a real movie buff.

B:


gege ` a ` ng. W ` de diany le b` W o sh` shouj ushao guoji o te x ` Ouzh ` ng. T ` de dul` bie huan kan ou amen de gous diany dut ` y ` y ` chen q y que f eichang ouxie ngsong oumo, ouxie e, ` ` z shangy` ` f an, zhong hei ongzh he epian eichang b` utong. ` kan ` shenme ` ng? N ai diany I collect movies from quite a few different countries. I especially like to watch European independent lms. Their story lines are extremely unique. Some are light and humorous, whereas others are serious and dark. In a word, they are very different from commercial lms. What movies do you like to watch?

A:


` b ` dazh ` onghu ` ` x ` ` x W o de k ouwei jiao a, huan langm an ju ` dongzu ` ` an. ` aiw u ` ei ` diany ` ng dou pai de he opi Haol ` zhel ` Guon ei ` daoy an, wo zu` ang, b ucuo. x huan F eng Xiaog an zu` ` ta ` x de hesu` meini q dai ju. `

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B:


` n y` chuan pai le y Na j nnian ao sh w` ang le, ta b` u wuxi a ` w dianf W u q pian, anquan w ang de f engge. o zhen ` le y ` enme daoy an xianz ` ai ` y b` u m ngbai weish Zhonggu o wo` ei ` diany ` ng. Haish` w ` jianch zhel ei f engde qu angjiaw ` pai b` dou neng de f z` wo, utong t cai pai eichang y ou z` j de ` ng. gex` Well, this year you are going to be disappointed because he shot a medieval period style lm instead. Its completely different from his previous style. I really dont understand why all the Chinese directors are ocking to this type of lm now. Its Wang Kar-wai that stays true to himself. Different themes can all be lmed with ones own character.

A:


` ng zhende y T a de diany hen oux ng. Y ou sh hou su ran ` bu dong, ` hai sh` ` dut ` de q` kan dan hu` bei f en x y n. T a e ` ai ` zhengz ` ` Meigu o pai ` ` x y xianz ai b` u langm an ju, u zh ` b` ` hu` dao buhu` y anxu j de f engge. ` z`

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Thats true. His movies really have their own style. Although sometimes I dont understand them, I still get caught up in their distinctive moods. Hes in the United States right now shooting a romantic comedy. I wonder if he will continue with his own style.

B:


` guo ` wu ai ` de F chao diany ` ng ma? N kan aguo liush ` niand ` xiansh ` q ` changji ` shou b Du` yu guan zhuy` ta jiao an x he laishu sh` ` an. ` juedu` f a de ren o, y zhong zhenh Have you seen any French New Wave movies from the 50s or 60s? For those used to realism or other common styles, theyre just mind-blowing.

A:


` wo y ` bu dong. y ` ` Na d` ng kan Shenghu o al` zheme da, ` enme ao kan ` zhexi ` e ` naozi ` xuy` weish haiy` de dian ao dong wo hai sh` aopi ` an, ` k ` y ng? Suoy zu` x huan gaoxi ehuan` zhel ` ei ` q Hai y ang zhe` pian ngsong de t cai. ou zh huanw y ` y` ang de sh sh chuanq e b ucuo.

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I denitely wouldnt understand those. There are so many pressures in real life, why would I want to watch movies that require mental exertion? So, my favorites are still silly comedies, science ction, and similar light-hearted themes. Also, Lord of the Rings and similar legendary epic-style dramas are also pretty good.

B:

` ` d ` b` Kanlai women de x nshang k ouwei que uy y` ang. It looks like the styles of movies that we appreciate are really different.

Key Vocabulary

y ngm ` gous ` onghu ` ` dazh a x ju ` ` hesu`

movie fan intellectual structure popular comedy to bringing in the new year, New Years celebrations knight-errant to overturn
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

wuxi a u dianf `

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eng y wof y anxu ` ` an ` zhenh ` shangy` epian

like a swarm of bees to prolong mind-blowing commercial lm

Supplementary Vocabulary

eng xianf X Zhou ngch

vanguard Stephen Chow, a famous actor and director literature/art works thought, thinking be juxtaposed special comma used to set off items in a series dim, obscure standpoint swarming
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

zuop ` n weny` s wei ` b` nglie ` dunh ` ao

ong mengl l` chang eng y wof

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eng genf f engge W ang F ei f enwei

me-tooism style Faye Wong, a famous singer atmosphere

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Choosing a Wine


A:

(D0307)


jiu ` ` ai ` ma, gei wo y Rec X ng le, lengp en duo. f` en ` zheme ` axi e, ` zai ` lai y tangc u gu` yu, dazh ge tangc u ` songz liu ` zh ` ai, heiji ou shangt ` ao niuli Hao, xiaop ang x lanhu a. u, haiy ` ang. N ` y de putaoji jiu men zher ou shenme hao u. ` zhey` All right, thats enough appetizers. Hmm, for hot dishes, give me an order of fried sweet and sour mandarin sh with pine nuts, six hairy crabs, an order of sweet and sour baby ribs, a black pepper beef strips, and broccoli in soup. OK, thats all. What good wines do you have?

B:


` le duozh ong putaoji Xiansheng, women zhunb gaoj u, ei ` e b` de caiy ` ao he k` ` N peih utong eren de k ouwei. n y oumei y ou shenme x huan de jiu ne? Sir, we have on hand a lot of high grade wines to complement different foods and accommodate our guests different tastes. Do you have any wine preference?

A:


c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

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` dong dian de zhexi ` e ` u cai, W o b` utai putaoji u. genj N ` wo ` y ` ba. tu jian xia I dont really know much about wine. Based on the dishes I have ordered, can you recommend something for me?

B:

2004
de. N de cai ` b ` f b` dian Hao n j ntian jiao engfu, utong ` er ` gengh ` de t ` zhexi ` e ` P` k de jiu ou ao xian ouwei. eihe nengg xie, ` zu` de jiu ` l chanz` yu hesh` er ng l ng s` nian he sh` bog end` utaoji de shad angn f aguo baip u. Sure. You ordered quite an assortment of dishes today, and different kinds of wine can even better bring out all the different avors. To complement sh and crab, the most suitable wine is a French White Burgundy Chardonnay.

A:

` Na ` roul ` ei ` dap ` naxi e ` hao? ei jiu Ng, t ngq lai b ucuo. jiao b Hmm, that sounds pretty good. Now what about to go with the meat dishes? What kind of wine would be better?

B:

2004
` l chanz` nan aozh ` ` az he de shel hen Er ng l ng s` nian ou sh` . A Southern Australian Shiraz would be very suitable.

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A:


zhen le b` putaoji zhen hai xue J ntian ushao u shi, wo zh ` zhexi ` e jiu dengbuj y` ao p nwei ne. Today Ive really gained a lot of knowledge about wine. I really cant wait to taste these wines.

Key Vocabulary

lengp en tangc u ` tangc u ` gu` yu songz

appetizers sweet and sour sweet and sour mandarin sh with pine nuts sweet and sour baby ribs black pepper beef strips broccoli in soup

ai tangc u ` xiaop ao niuli heiji u ` shangt ang x lan hua putaoji u ` e peih

wine to complement

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

` ao caiy ` k ouwei ` tu jian chanz` end` bog angn shad utaoji baip u ` az Shel ` p nwei ` ei dap

dish taste to recommend be produced in Burgundy Chardonnay white wine Shiraz taste, savor match, go with

Supplementary Vocabulary

jianch eng

be called short brief

something

for

jianyu e u baiji

white (clear) rice liquor

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

zu` ` cai ` y dao ang huay` jiao hun l ngq ng

become drunk a course (at a banquet) pattern pour liquid on meat or sh feel grateful to sb.; appreciate a kindness reputation; prestige; face a particular year; vintage place of production satirize; mock

` mianzi en nianf` chand` f engc`

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - The Cocktail Party


A:

(D0314)


Zong, Jiuy ` ng. J zhen Chen n hao. n de dam ntian ang n ` ao ` n rongx` ng neng jiand n. Hello, Mr. Chen. Its a pleasure to meet you. Im very honored to be able to meet you today.

B:

b` ang. ` n Ai, u gand Q ng wen gu` x` ng? Oh, you atter me. Excuse me, your name is?

A:


` sh` de m ` n W o x` ng Zhang, zhe wo ngpian. J ntian n ` chengg ` n dou zai de jiuhu` tai ong le, meige jiab zhensh` zhen ` n ai zhoud ao. shuo n de anp My last name is Zhang. Heres my business card. Your cocktail party tonight is a huge success. All of your guests are saying that you planned it so perfectly.

B:

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

e ` y` ` daji ` a j e shangli de jiuhu` Zhe ao duoxi an! Erqi ntian sh` taitai ` T ` n ` ao. quan wo de gongl a t ngdao zheme shuo, kaix wo gei n ` ao ` y ` Xiao n. Lai, y d` ng hen men jiesh xia. ` wei ` sh` L n, zhe Zhang Xiaojie. I have to thank you all for coming! Also, all the credit for tonights cocktail party goes to my wife. If she heard what you said, she would be very pleased. Come, I will introduce the two of you. Xiao Lin, this is Miss Zhang.

C:


J ` w n ma? Zhaogu Zhang Xiaojie, n hao. ntian an de kaix q o baoh an! b` u zhou, ng n duodu Hello Miss Zhang. Are you enjoying yourself? Please bear with us if our preparations fall short.

A:


nali. Chen T` ` nengg ` le. J Nali, aitai, n n zhensh` tai an n dou w neng lai canji de jiuhu` hen a tian x` jie anmei, meige de rongx` ` ` Chen Zong sh` wo ng. N zheme piaoliang, he um ` zhensh` langc ain u ao! No, not at all. Mrs. Chen, you are so capable. Every detail of tonights cocktail party is perfect its my honor to attend. You are so beautiful. You and Mr. Chen are a perfect match.

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C:


a, Zhang ` ang. n jiu Ay Xiaojie guoji N w an de kaix ` hao. de dou ` ` a lai sh` J ntian zhege hangy` e de pengyou, daji ` y duo. ` ng, Zhang huat d` ng hen Xiaojie, n zheme nianq ` ` shangqu que ` hen y dansh` kan ou benshi. Oh my, you atter us, Miss Zhang. If youre having a good time, were happy. The friends who came today are all in this profession and everyone certainly has many interesting things to talk about. Miss Zhang, you are so young but it looks like you are very accomplished.

B:

500
kan ` ta ` ta ` ai ` y gangc de m xianz Sh` a, ai ngpian, j ng sh` y qiang gongs ` lao y wub j jia de gaoj ngl le. W o b` u ren e ai b` ux ng a. Yes, I just saw her business card. She is a high level manager of a Fortune 500 company. I cant help but admit that Im getting old.

A:


Zong, ` k` ` a Chen n n tai eq` le. N n de chengji u daji ` sh` ` de, y ` haiy` ao q ` women guanzh gongr en hou ng n n duo ao ngren. nianq

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Mr. Chen, youre too modest. Everyone acknowledges your achievements. We hope that in the future you will keep on looking after us young people.

B:


du` ` sh` ` y pengyou Na y d` ng de. En, buq , nar ouxie wo ge zhaohu. le. sh men y` ao qu Xian pei ` da Of course! Ah, excuse me, there are some friends over there that we need to say hello to. Excuse us please.

C:

n dianr! Zhang Xiaojie, n w an de kaix Miss Zhang, please enjoy yourself.

Key Vocabulary

jiuy ang rongx` ng ang b` u gand

to have heard about you honored dont deserve it, you atter me honored guest thorough
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

n jiab ` ao zhoud

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shangli an ao gongl an baoh w anmei um ` langc ain u ao

favor me with your presence contribution forgive perfect a perfect match between a man and a woman ability generally recognize, knowledge ac-

benshi ` gongr en

sh pei

sorry to have to leave, excuse me

Supplementary Vocabulary

huangji u

yellow rice or millet wine; Shaoxing wine polite words exclusive affected, articial
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

` hua ` k` etao zhuansh u ` zuozuo

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z ongcai y angsh` ` wu Tian1xia ei z

director-general; president look up at A World Without Thieves

a Liu Dehu

Andy Lau, famous Hong Kong singer and actor modest bear guest raise give face forgive show off list names by seniority

u qianx ` chengsh ou n laib ao taig mianzi ` gei ong baor ` ao xuany` ng paim

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - TV Commercials
A:

(D0324)


` ai ` de guangg ` zhensh` ` aiyu e ` kan ` b` Xianz ao yuel u dong le. ` ong chanp n jianzh shenme . Neir he mei lianx` More than ever, I just dont understand commercials these days. Theres simply no connection between the content of the commercial and the product.

B:


juede hao duo ` dou shen guangg mei Sh` ma? W o dao ao ` ` y dou sh` me chuangy` . B ru y f en guangg ao, ongyuan x ai ba shenshang ` zang, ` ou ` y ge xiaoh nong de hen ranh ` zhe y` ao ta x ng le. Duo mama weixi ong x y f en bang ganj` ao! ` laot Really? Actually, I feel like a lot of commercials dont have any creativity. For example, laundry detergent commercials are forever about a child who gets his clothes really dirty, and then the mother uses the laundry detergent to wash them clean, smiling the whole time. Its so cliched!

A:


c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

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e y y wo xiaosh erqi Sh` a, dian e b` u zhensh . Rugu hou o y ` ` ` mama ` wo ba fu nong de zheme zang, wo y d` ng ma ` zhezh ` ong ` daosh` ` rongy` y dun. Bugu guangg ao hen ` ` o zu` ` kan ` nazh ` ong de hen l` ` m ngbai, wo pa guy` nglei ` gao ` genb kan ` b` en de guangg ao, u dong. Thats true. Plus, its totally unrealistic. If I got my clothes that dirty when I was a child, I would really hear it from my mom. But these type of commercials are actually very easy to understand. The ones I really hate watching are the bizarre ones that are totally incomprehensible.

B:


y ` an de ne, jiush` ` ong ` de a Hai ou geng taoy` kuad ` nazh ` haoxi ang ` chanp n, sheng guangg ao, y` ong le y ge xiao y ` jiu le. N duo jia! huo xiazi anmei shuo ` w Even worse though are the commercials that totally exaggerate, as if when you use one little product, your life will suddenly become perfect. Its just so fake!

A:


o ` meicu o, ` wo y an zhezh ` ong. ` Meicu e zu` taoy` W o jiu ` kan guangg ` nage ` ren ch ` guo y ge k ouxiangt ang ao, le y kuai, an juede ` k shengzh laob ta ouq` q ngx n, jiu ta le. ` rang

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Exactly! I hate those ones the most too. I saw one commercial for chewing gum where the guy chews a piece of gum, and then his boss gives him a promotion just because of his clean, fresh breath!

B:


` zhensh` xiaof` dang ` tai ` zhe eizhe Ha, ba shazi. Bugu ` o, ong ` wo y ` uliao. B duo chuant de guangg ao e shoub` ru hen ` zh ` da q Kan ` zhe jiu guangg ao zh dao nq ng pai. an. ` f Ha! That really is taking the consumer for a fool. But I also cant take the overly traditional commercials either. For example, a lot of commercials just play the love angle. Just watching them is so annoying.

A:


` de guangg ` jiush` ` ong q Sh` a, sh zu` y ouxiao ao ba ` nazh bian ` de b` ` jiu ` p ngf an x` jie u p ngf an de, y xia rang ` neng j` ren zhu. Yeah, actually the most effective commercials are the ones that turn ordinary details into something extraordinary, instantly making them stick in peoples minds.

B:

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o, ` suoy hao de guangg ` y` an yu Meicu ao ao laiyu sheng dansh` ` ` yu huo, geng y` ao gao o. shenghu Exactly, good commercials are based on real life, but are even better than real life.

A:

zhensh` ` zhe shuohu ` b` a women Ha, lia zhan u y aoteng! Ha, for all of our talk, were not really doing a thing to help improve the situation at all.

Key Vocabulary

` chuangy` ao ` laot guy` ` ` l` nglei ` a kuad w anmei k ouq` q ngx n

creativity cliche deliberately artsy exaggerated perfect breath fresh


c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

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shengzh q nq ng an laiyu ` zhe shuo zhan ` b` hua u y aoteng

to be promoted familial love source, origin to stand

Supplementary Vocabulary

xuji a y aogun ` gongxi ao ` f` anlan wud ` ao en x` ny weizh ` anren daiy k ex` n

deceit rock and roll efcacy ooding to mislead accept sth. as true spokesperson creditableness

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Shanghai Expo


A:

(D0332)

2010
` an ` wo weish ` enme ` y Nati ou ge pengyou wen Shangh ai ` ` ` l de Sh` . W zheme zhongsh` er ng y l ng nian bohu` o hai ` ne. b` zhen u zh dao The other day, a friend asked me why Shanghai is taking the Expo so seriously. I honestly dont know.

B:


du` de ren dou de y` y Q sh Sh` bohu` b` utong ou b` utong y` . aix` ng, y ` Sh` jianz ` ao ` laob jiu B ru ouxie nwei bohu` shuo ` y chaiqi ` le gengh ` de f an, ban dao changgu an ao angzi l . Er ` zhege ` an, zu` ` de y` ` u jiu ai chengsh` ery da y` zaiy ` Shangh hu` cuj` ngj` de f azhan. ` n j Actually the Expo has different meanings for different people. For example, for some common citizens it means that their old homes will be torn down for construction sites, so they will be moved into better houses. In addition, with regard to Shanghai city itself, the most meaningful thing is that it will stimulate economic development.

A:


c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

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sh` b` x` W o hai b` u m ngbai, Sh` bohu` u jiush` ge guoj` ng ` y anhu` de zhanl ma? But I still dont understand. Isnt the Expo just an international exhibition?

B:


andeshu ` ruc ` Sh` sh` d Jiand o que bohu` y ou . Bugu ` o ` ` duo a ` guoj` zuzh ge guoji huo a de zhengf u zhub an, canji ` ng z ng zhanl an. y an b` de zhanl dax onghex` He ban u an ` de sh` ` , j ` he k ` zhanxi tong, ta shehu` ngj` , wenhu a ej` ge ` an sh` chang, ge l ngyu u. a de tedi sh jian gu ` de chengji ` T da, ` canzh guoji a duo, y mo an nc y ngxiang y e f eichang shenyu an. Simply put, yes it is. However, the Expo is hosted by the government. It is a large-scale comprehensive exhibition attended by many different countries and international organizations. The difference between this and other exhibits is that it presents achievements in social, economic, cultural, scientic and technological elds. Its special features are the long duration, the scale of the event, and the many countries that participate. The effects are extremely far-reaching.

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

A:


` unhu` ` ta xiang ` en de Aoy y O, na oudian renw . W omen ` ` ao ` laiz` b` a, b` neng kand utong guoji utong l ngyu ` de zhan he huod ong, ` ` ong f lan neir k end` ng hen engfu! ` Oh! Its almost like a cultural Olympics. We will be able to see exhibits and activities originating from different countries and various elds. The content will denitely not be lacking.

B:


o, ` zhey ` e jiush` ` enme neng zhuMeicu Sh` bohu` gei ` weish ` dail ` ai hen da ` de renq` he j ` . Q bangu o ngj` xiaoy` sh Sh` de choub ei ` xianz ` ai ` jiu duo le, hen bohu` j ng kaish ` y ` y ` jiansh ` ` dangzh ` j` shesh xianggu an j ng zai e ong. Zhe shehu` ` t duo an ` de jiuy` gei gong le hen hu` , y` ou gaish ` e j huanj` ng. le women de shenghu o Exactly. This is another reason why the Expo is able to bring so many benets to the economy and reputation of the host country. Actually the preparations for the Expo have already started. Many facilities related to the Expo are already under construction. This has already brought the community a lot of employment opportunities, and has also improved our living environment.

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

A:


` ` a ` Sh` jiu ` t O, guaibude daji dao bohu` x ngf` en. Ai, ` zheme Sh` sh` y meic` bohu` bu sh` dou ou zhut a? Oh, no wonder everyone gets so excited when they talk about the Expo. Oh, isnt there always a theme for every Expo?

B:


` de sh` ` geng ` Du` y a, zhec` chengsh` rang shenghu o mei ` sh duo a x hao. Dao hou x w` ang hu` y ou hen n de xiangf ` biande ` ` rang women de shenghu o gengh ao. Youre right. This time it is cities makes life better*. When the time comes, I hope there will be a lot of new ideas on how to make our lives better.

Key Vocabulary

an du` ... ery

an jiu ` ... ery

with regard to ...

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

an ery y ban an ery shangj j` nchuk ou ` zhub an renq` an zhanl ` xiaoy` an chaiqi

speaking on the same line speaking of commercial opportunity import export to host human spirit exhibition benet to pull down (an old house) and move its occupants elsewhere employment improvement preparation area facilities

jiuy` ` e an ` gaish ei ` choub u xiaoq ` shesh

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shenyu an

farreaching

Supplementary Vocabulary

` ol anhu` sh` jieb

World Fair

` ng dax an qianb f angd` chan b uchang ` ang chouxi zuzh k` ongzh` ao x nweng m ngk` e ao ` rend u cank `

large scale to move real estate to compensate abstract to be organized by to control press/news release to engrave on ones mind humanity cruel

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Upper-Intermediate - Marketing Proposal


:

(D0344)

` women n sh` pai Zhec` y` ao tu chu Zhenm ei de chanp ` shoush` f angzuan . The product were presenting this time is Truly Beautiful brand imitation diamond jewelry.


ta ` ` ` que ` y b` Su ran u sh` zhenzh eng de zuansh , dan ou ao de guangm ` x tongy` ang shany` ang, zu` rang ren ngf` en ` e f ` onghu ` ` de sh` jiag eichang dazh a. Although its not a real diamond, it has the same sparkling radiance. But the most exciting thing is the extremely accessible price.


ang ` ` ` sh` ` Zhenm eir y ongy ou zuansh b` uzai mengxi ang. ` ba zhe ` ge zuow ` ei maidi ` an, na ` quef jiu a Dansh` rugu o ` tai ` chuangy` le. Truly Beautiful makes owning a diamond no longer just a fantasy. However, if you made this your selling point, it would lack creativity.


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ang cai neng ` ong ` ` jiuZeny` x y n dazh de y anqiu ne? Zhe ` guangg ` cehu ` a ` de zhongdi ` sh` benc` ao an. So, how to attract the eyes of the masses then? That is the focus of this ad campaign.


` Zhenm f en zu` omen de guangg ao: ei angzuan nanr W de pengyou. hao The slogan of our ad campaign is: Truly Beautiful Imitation Diamondsa mans best friend.


` dush` ng. T xiaof` ei qun Mubi amen y d` ng dou ` ao wei bail m ` zu` de shux ju ngdian ngy anzuansh sh` nur u hao y ` j en pengyou. Our target consumer market is white-collar city dwellers. They will certainly all be familiar with the classic saying, diamonds are a girls best friend.


` zuansh ` ng, sh` en song` D que, neng z engj` n ganq nanr x ` de nur de zu` l gei nai u hao wu. en ` Certainly, diamonds can stir deep emotions, and are the best gift that a man can give to his beloved lady.

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` ` ng nanx` Dansh` , y ouyu f eichang anggu` , xudu zuansh o ` mai y ` ong. weile k e zuansh b` xu jiany` shengch However, due to the fact that diamonds are very costly, in order to buy one a lot of men have to pinch pennies.


women de jiush` ` b` ` Er zhud ufen xiangw ang y ongy ou a ` zhe ` ` j y ` de renq un. zuansh , dan ngj` nengl` ouxian So our key market is those who long to own a diamond, but whose economic capabilities are limited.


` tonggu ` nanx` ng jiaod u y W omen de guangg ao o ng` lai ng he nux` ` sh` ` xiang nanx` u y zhong yuzh u ng, zhe ongb` e y ` de f tong, erqi oumo angsh` . Through the male perspective, our advertisement inuences both the male and female, using this innovative and humorous approach.

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` chuangy` ` ` yu ` qu shoush` Y e sh` zai shang ta guangg ao q ` f en de zhongy` ao y` oush` . Furthermore, its creativity sets it apart from other jewelry advertisements, giving it a signicant advantage.

Key Vocabulary

` yuzh utong ongb` ao shany` guangm ang ` an maidi ` chuangy` ` a ` cehu ng bail anggu` shengch jiany` ong zhud a

out of the ordinary to glimmer ashes selling point creative ideas plot white collar expensive to live frugally

key market

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Supplementary Vocabulary

tu xiao ul` shuof tu guang ang mof shan y shany y` aoy an j duan ` echen f ashank

promote the sale of persuasiveness popularize; spread imitate twinkle dazzling extreme have nothing good/unusual to report use ones brains know deeply thrifty power; force; inuence from experience

` n dong naoj y shen ou t hu`

an jieji sh` l`

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Upper-Intermediate - Shaolin Temple


A:

(D0355)


` a ` zai ` women ` an de jiush` kan, shaoDaji mianqi an ` Songsh n wush . Y l ns` . T a sh` shaol ayuand` ouyu u ` de f chuy u n zhong, qu ns` congl suoy ngshaol . m Everyone look, in front of us is the Songshan Shaolin Temple. It is the birthplace of Shaolin Martial Arts. Because of its position in the middle of the forest, it was given the name Shaolin Temple.

B:

` ta l` y Na ou duoshao nian sh le? So, how old is it?

A:

495
ns` ` ao ` yu s` ush Hou` Shaol jianz an baiji Gongyu wu nian. Dam a zhel ` chuany ang chanz ong. Suoy , shaol ns` lai lai Chanz ong de f . y e sh` Zhonggu o ayuand` Shaolin Temple was built in 495 C.E. Afterwards, Dharma came here to spread the Chan sect. So, Shaolin Temple has also been called the birthplace of Chinese Chan Buddhism.

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C:


zhe ` wo hai b` ` ne. Shuod ` shaol ns` ` a ao E, u zh dao , daji ` de k xiangd zu` xian ao end` ng sh` gongfu. Oh, I didnt know that. When people talk about Shaolin Temple, the rst thing you think of is denitely kung fu.

A:


n gongf he chanz ong y da ` shaol Q sh a, u ouzhe hen huan . Y ` xiu y ` , de lianx` nwei e zhuzh xiuy ` ong chan ang shent ` jiashang ` ` de s` ` y u, zai zheme da yuan e xuy` ` suoy ao baoh ` x le chan wu de shaol n gongf zhuji ngcheng u. a an hey T ` wenhu ` de j n b` shenx ngzhong, sh` Zhonghu a a nghua. Actually, Shaolin Kung Fu still has a strong link to Chan Buddhism. Because the practice of Chan places importance on cultivation of the body, and such a large temple also needed protection, Chan and martial arts gradually merged into Shaolin Kung Fu. It lays equal stress on body and mind, and is the epitome of Chinese culture.

C:


ai women ` gongfu detianxi a Yuanl chang shuo chu shao` ang lai de. W t n sh l nsh` zhey` o hai ng guo shaol ba de shuofa, ` sh` na men shenme ne?

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So thats where the saying, all the worlds kung fu stems from Shaolin originally comes from. Ive also heard the expression Shaolins eighteen styles. What is that?

A:


` sh` n gongfu ` Shaol ge paiZhe shuo zhuy` ou sh ba ao y dou ` e. ` B ` f y bie, ou z` j de tes ru oude shanch ang quan a, y ` ` tamen ` y oude z e shanch ang tu gong. Bugu de gong` o sh` ` ` xiaos b` w jieh e le a, tongdi an dongzu o ngqie anmeidi z gongfu. chan ong he That is saying that Shaolin Kung Fu has eighteen principal schools, all with their own characteristics. For example, some excel at the art of boxing, others are better at footwork. Still, their common ground is that movements are unrestrained and elegant, and perfectly unite Chan Buddhism with kung fu.

B:


` ` en he w` en dou ` zhonggu bei Guaibude zheme duo or aiguor ` zhel ` x ` xianz ` ai ` Shaol ns` x y ndao wu. zh dao y ou duo N shao wus ma? eng No wonder so many Chinese people and foreigners alike come here to study martial arts. Do you know how many monks there are now at Shaolin Temple?

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A:


` nan tongj` le, y ` Shaol ns` y Zhege jiu nwei hai ou xu` hen ` u f ` ` Shaol ns` xiash duo enzh j gou. Bugu y zh dou he ` o juj de sengr Muqi tuan, y ou y ge wus hao en. eng ` le zu` ` an l ersh ` ` le tuan y ou y bai m ng wus T amen j ngguo eng. de xuanb a, gege dou ushu a. wenw y ange angqu an This is difcult to calculate, because Shaolin Temple has many subordinate and branch organizations. However, Shaolin Temple always has a group of martial artist monks, gathered from amongst the best Buddhist monks. At the moment, there are 120 monks in the group. They go through a strict selection process, and every one is well-versed in both military and literary matters.

C:


` zhensh` ` q ` le. W zhanz ` ai ` zher ` gan Zhe tai miao omen hai ` j` ma? Kuai nqu ` ba! This all is really amazing. What are we all still standing here for? Quick, lets go in!

Key Vocabulary

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Songsh an wush u ` f ayuand` n congl ` ao ` jianz a Dam ang chuany ong chanz ` s` yuan n shenx ` e paibi ` shanch ang f quan a tu gong a xiaos

Songshan Mountain martial arts source jungle to be built Bodhidharma to spread Zen cloister body and mind schools to be good at boxing kung fu footwork natural

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e jieh wus eng a xuanb ushu wenw ang quan ` q miao

to join up with martial artist monk to select well-versed in both military and literary matters marvelous, amazing

Supplementary Vocabulary

an Hen f ay ang xiux ng

Henan province develop; carry on practice Buddhism or Taoism be made one; merge into a single pay attention to sect Buddhist monk

erw ` eiy he

` zhuzh ` ong ai ` menp heshang

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Chinese Commuters


A:

(D0362)


` ` ao ` w u, ` daod ` y` kand W o daoch u a mal ai ao ` dou ` Shangh ` duoshao d` xian? ` zao tiao tie Everywhere I look I see roads being dug up, how many subway lines do they want to build in Shanghai anyways?

B:


ne! W ` ai ` de jiaot ong tiao dengbuj Sh duo o zhen le, xianz ` ` ` ` haish` zuo ` d` zu` ` zhuangku ang zheme cha, tie f angbian zu` shengsh . More than ten! I really cant wait. The state of trafc is so terrible now, taking the subway is still the most convenient and time-efcient.

A:


` daosh` ` ` j s tai ` kuai ` le. Dao` e f Na . Zhe nian, jiach azhan ` ` genb ganbush ` chengti en duch lu e ang, suoy an ` jiansh e. duo ` ai ` dou ` e pengyou houhu ne, W o de hao xianz maich ` xianz ` ai ` zai ` lushang geng ` duo. de sh f y nwei hua jian aner `

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Thats true. These past few years, the number of privately-owned cars has expanded too quickly. Road construction cannot keep up, so there are trafc jams all day long. A lot of my friends regret buying a car, since the time they now spend on the road is actually longer.

B:


e o. ` Erqi q` ` ` jiashang Meicu y ou zheme gu` , zai sh` zhong` suoy hao duo y` ren x n t ngche ou gu` y` ou b` u f angbian, ` ` an xuanz e zuo ` d` gongch ` ang haish` Zhey` shangxi ab tie, e. e jiaot ` ao. ong de j` k ey huanji y al` , y e geng huanb Thats right. Plus, fuel is so expensive, and on top of that parking in the downtown area is both expensive and inconvenient. So a lot of commuters still choose to take the subway or bus to and from work. This can alleviate trafc pressure, and is also better for the environment.

A:


y gongg ` hen b` ong x` Ng, q sh wo zh juede ongji aot tong u` Gu ` he d` ` jiaot Gongg ` ong a. cuo. dao mian s` tongb ad ong y de ched ` kai hai ao, de b hai q` che ou zhuanm en q` che e ` Erqi shouf` ei y kuai. e f eichang d .

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Uh-huh. Actually, Ive always felt that the public transportation system is pretty good. The light-rail and surface transportation go everywhere. The buses also have special lanes, so they go faster than the cars can. In addition, the fares are very low.

B:


` zhey` ` angde chaod ` ng chengsh` du` ax Sh` a, yu ai Shangh e jiaot ` , haish` y` ` d` ` y` ong laishu o, ao jieju went ao kao xia d` ` de gu ` aot j women ong. he mian daoji Qian nian, mang` ei zhey` ` angde chux ` e, renw mu qiu jiach angbian. ` zhu s ng f ` s e K esh` sh` sh zhengm ng wuzh ng de z engjia jiach j` ` jiaot huanj` ng dou ` ai le ong dail shuli b` ulun haish` ` ang ` gei ` ` y anzhong de hougu o. Yes, for a city as huge as Shanghai, to solve the trafc problem you need to rely on underground and aboveground light-rail transportation systems. These past few years, we blindly sought after private vehicles, because we felt they were convenient for travel. However the facts bear out that increasing the numbers of privately-owned vehicles to no end, heedless of trafc or the environment, has brought serious consequences.

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A:


` dou zh ` hu kanlai y` Sh` a, ren ao ch le kutou cai dao tou. j women tianti e an xiang ne. Qian nian z` j hai zhe maich ` ai ` cai zh ` hai sh` ` ong Xianz dao gongg ongji aot hao. Right, it seems people must suffer a bit before they come to their senses. These past few years we ourselves dreamed every day about buying a car. Only now do we realize that public transportation was better after all.

Key Vocabulary

sheng e s jiach ` houhu e huanji ` gu dao a s` tongb ad mangm u ` chux ng

to save private car to regret to ease routes to extend in all directions blindly to go out
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wu j` ng zh kutou ` ng ax chaod chengsh` ` aot ong gu daoji

to have no end, endless suffering, bitterness metropolis

rail transport

Supplementary Vocabulary

ong jiaot ` kuang ` e ` queqi

q ng-

trafc conditions

exact, precise ownership turn; change in views expressed oil environmental protection rail dividing line; limit

tongy ouquan zhuanzh e

sh y ou ng baoh u huanj` ` q nggu ` an ` jiexi

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Upper-Intermediate - Opening a Meeting


:

(D0374)

` ei ` l laib n, daji ` a hao! Zunj` ngdao, ng de gew Greetings to each of our esteemed leaders and guests!


f ao ` zhel ` . W wo J ntian, eichang rongx` ng neng laid o f ei zhel ` de f , renm chang x huan Zhonggu o, engj ng meil` n haok` ` e. y e hen I am very honored to be here today. I am very fond of China. The scenery here is beautiful, and the people are very hospitable.


y canl ` an ` de wen Zhonggu o ou l` sh y oujiu ng he de wenm ` erqi e j` de f y ` j ` hua, nj nian azhan e rangr en ngtan. Chinese civilization has a long history and a magnicent culture. Even so, the development of the past few years has really stunned people.

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lai, wo dou f ` xudu ` ` b` zai ` neng bianhu Meic` axian a, uguan o chengsh` ` ` l de j` j ngj` , fuw jiansh e ngyu, guo n u ` haish` ` gu` ` peifu. ` rangr b` u dou en Every time I come, I discover many changes. Regardless of what aspectthe economy, the service, or urban constructionyour countrys progress is laudable.


rongx` ` ` eng, ` u W o hen ng neng cany guoch geng ` zhege e ` gew ` ei ` l de zh ganxi ngdao ch . I feel truly honored to be able to participate in this process, and am even more grateful for all of your guidance and support.

` de nul` ` daji ` a ` ai shuangy dail W o hu` y zu` da ng. wei I will do everything in my power to bring the greatest mutual benets to all of us.


` ge ` wei ` y ` hezu o ` hu` n gengdu guoj` W o xiang y` ang, jianx` o ` ` gengh ` de m ` xiexie ` ` wei ` zun Zaic` chuangz ao ao ngtian. ge j` ng de l ngdao! Just as you all do, I rmly believe that continued international cooperation will create a better tomorrow. Again, thank you to all of you for your valuable guidance.

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Key Vocabulary

zunj` ng n laib rongx` ng y oujiu ` an ` canl ` j ngtan l ngyu ` ` peifu zh ch shuangy ng

respected guest honored long magnicent stunned aspect to admire support of benet to both sides, mutual benet

Supplementary Vocabulary

` shengyi zuo

do business

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u xuesh ` shang de u jiaoli ` zhengf u umen b` u jiech ` f ay an hua ` mosh` ` ` kanzh ong guanyu an ` x hao ` ong ` an ` xiaor canl zungu` ` daic ang deji u weizh

academic communication

governmental department contact speak; make a speech patterning regard as important, value government ofcial like; be fond of splendid smile honorable; respectable pronoun win a prize give prominence to

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Upper-Intermediate - New Years Resolutions


A:

(D0382)


y y` ` le. W langf` ` ei le y Ai, nian ou guoqu o y` ou zhengzh eng J y ao ` Nul` j` nian! nnian d` ng y d` ng y` ao haoh hua. gong` kuail ` e ` shenghu zuo, o. Wow, another year has passed. I have once again completely wasted a year. This year I have got to plan ahead. Work hard, enjoy life.

B:


y zu` ` ` jiush` Ng, wo e sh` ! W o j nnian zhongy` ao de j` hua ` y hao. W ng canji a Y y d` ng y` ao ba ngyu o jued` ngyu xue an, an ` z` du ` meiti bei fud dian, ngyu . W o jiu u aob y baozh ` b` b` Y ` yuy ` , wo y ` o ` x` n xue u hao! nwei j ng cuogu an de went j le hao ge shengzh j hu` . Yeah, me too. This year, my most important plan is to learn English. I have decided to join an English tutorial class, memorize words from the dictionary every day, and read the English newspaper. I just wont believe I cant learn it! Because of language problems, I have already missed out on several promotion opportunities.

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C:

? ??
o, n shuo ` ` en! an n de zheme sh` Aiy bie xiar Meini dou eng ` yudi xiao . Guang ` shuo ` da zu de piaoleish shang an n ` ang xia ` liang y ou shenme y` ong? Quni b` u y e zhey` ` an n, k o ne?San u, ` ang, tian day shaiw juex e jiegu tian liang xialai ` shenme gan ` cheng. wo de j` y nian y e mei Qiao, ` jiu jiand an, y` ` an. Meiti an s` shao hua ge z` -wo ao jiey ` hen xialai, ` jiu jiedi ` ao ` le. j chou k ou, y nian wo ey w anquan ` k Yikes, dont make it sound so terrifying! Every year you are all talk but no action. What is the use of only saying nice-sounding words? Last year didnt you also make this kind of a resolution, and what was the result? You didnt stick with it. A year went by and you didnt accomplish anything. Look, my plan is very simple, just four words: I will quit smoking. I will smoke a little bit less every day. Over the year, I will be able to totally give it up.

A:

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` jiu juex n ma. Y` ` jiu en Suanleba! N genb ao jie, ao ` mei ` y` ` . Shuo y b` jiu Hai ched u chou, u chou. ou n , rang zhe ` b` y ` gei wo liang le, n xue ngyu e b` u sh` y tian tian dao y ` shou y ` kan ` n men louy a. F anzheng wo men liang ge dou ` mei x ` sh` k ouq` da, ngdong. Forget it! Yours is not a resolution at all. If you want to quit, you must give it up completely. If you say youre not going to smoke, just dont smoke. And then theres you, going off about studying English. Its not something you can do in just a few days. Show us any progress youve made! Anyhow, I think the two of you are just all big talk and no action.

B:


` ` sh` women? Y un, z enme zheme shuo W o zhec` y d` ng ` zuod ` ao. ` sh` ou y` ` went ` de ao shuod Quni meiy shidao ` an ` b` ao le Y y anzhongx` ng, k e j nnian uy y` ang le. Xueh ngyu, ` y j zhe wo ne! N b` u zh dao ou duoshao hao hu` deng ma, ` shuoshuo ` n engshu zh hu` pol , n dao kan y ou shenme ` j` hua?

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Hey, how can you say that about us? This time Im really going to follow through on what I say. Last year it was that I wasnt aware of the seriousness of the problem. But this year its different. Once Ive learned English, who knows how many good opportunities are waiting for me. Youre just bashing our ideas. Why dont you tell us what plans you have then?

C:


` zhe shuohu ` b` a W o y e z enme juede n zhan u y aoteng? ` K women b` N shuo zh shuo u zuo. e n z` j ne? Quni ` an shuo mai f un. ` ai ` ne, lian n y` hai ao cunqi ang, jieh an Xianz kanji ` an? ` mei x nf ang de y ngzi dou And you know why I also think that youre all talk? You say we only talk about it but dont do anything, but what about you? Last year you said you wanted to save your money to buy a house and get married. Now, how come we dont see even a trace of a new house?

A:

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` k ` wo a! ` hu` ` an y W Zhe e b` uneng guai o zai zhuanqi e bu shang ` ` y ` hai hao, gan mengzh ang de f angjia a! Bugu ` o ` ` ` j f ` y zhengf u j ng y ou le zhengc e, nnian angjia ou k eneng y ` W zai ` cun dehua, ` y k hu` hu luo. o j nnian nian nggai ey y le. Bugu ` beic de sh` y` an u mai , wo ou y` ao jiank nian ` o y j chulai le. Ai, nnian f` an, n men liang ge k e y` ao z` jue ch an a! maid You cant blame that on me! No matter how much money I make I still wont be able to keep up with the soaring housing costs. But, its all right. The government has already instituted a new policy, so maybe this year the housing prices will go back down. If I save up for another year this year, I should be able to buy one. But the horrible thing is that I have to tough it out for another year! Hey, this year when we go out to eat, you two can handle the bill.

B:

y gu` W o xue ngyu de! hen My English studies are really expensive!

C:

jiey ` an y qian! b` Ng, wo e y` ao hua ushao Yeah, and to quit smoking I also have to spend a lot of money.

A:


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tai ` b` ` engyou ` z W` ei, n men lia u goup le! Zai enmezhe, y e ou wo mai f ` de xueb ` en da ` ba. meiy ang xia Well! You two are not true friends! No matter what you have to spend, it still wont compare to the fortune I have to spend buying a house.

Key Vocabulary

shengzh eng ` yu leish da xiao dian u, san tian day ` shaitian liang w ang ` ched rang ` shou louy ` y` shidao engshu pol

promotion much talk but little action

work by ts and starts

thoroughly to shout about show off ones skill to be aware of to throw cold water on

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` zhe shuo zhan ` b` hua u y aoteng mengzh ang ` hu luo

just talk while others do the work to rise suddenly fall after a rise; drop (of prices, etc.) hard earned money; a big sum of money; a fortune

` en xueb

Supplementary Vocabulary

p ngan p ng wen z xun ` suy u b uyu yug y gen an yuf u ` ` taiy ` ang liang zai ` d xia

safe and peaceful steady information common idiom catch sh a shing rod sherman dry under the sun

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ou nash zhendu` x` ng ` ng zhenj biany` xunm eng ` xiongm eng

good at focus, focalization shock derogatory meaning swift and violent violent; ferocious

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Upper-Intermediate - Intellectual Property Lawsuits


(D0396)

A:


angti ` gang qu eidian, hai W o qianli an ge kaf kaish ` le y sh` dao ` sh` ao ` de! T e ne, sheizh y wei x ngbak` jiam a de zhengp ` y y` ` b` j zhe shangbi ao hu ai moy ang. N shuo, u he de q ma? sh` m ngxian nquan A couple of days ago I went to a coffee shop. At rst I thought it was a Starbucks. Who knew that it was just posing as a Starbucks! Its logo was almost identical to the real Starbucks logo. Dont you think thats obvious infringement?

B:

50
W y zhezh ` ong mei le. J A? o hai wei sh` qing zao nnian, o x ` Shangh ` y e gao y` Meigu ngbak` ai jia ong le xiangt ong ` jiegu o f ` pan ` Shangh ` x eidian, m ngzi de kaf ayuan ai ngba peich ang erqi e l` k` e q nquan, wush an yuan, j t ngzh w` zhen ` angd ` sh` meixi sh y` ong zhege m ngzi. Ai, ao, chang ` sh` ` angde maop ` aihu o. ` shang hai y ou zhey`

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Huh? I thought that this type of thing wasnt happening anymore. This year, Starbucks America sued a Shanghai coffee shop that was using the same name. The outcome was that the court ruled that the Shanghai Starbucks infringed on the rights of Starbucks, and had to pay compensation in the amount of 500,000 yuan. Furthermore, they were to immediately stop using the same name. Wow, I had no idea there were still these kinds of imitations on the market.

A:


` zhensh` suo mian` Ng, kanlai zh shichanqu an Zhonggu o ` ` went ` . Y f ` suoy l n zhe de y ge da qian alu u jianqu an, b` ` bu dao ` baoh u. ` ai, ` f shangji de haodu o a esh` xianz alu ` K ` hai sh` ` zuan k` j` nb` u le, dan y ou name duo ongzi de ren. ` ang xiaqu ` du` de j gai Changq zhey` Zhonggu o ngj` f azhan sh` duome b` ul` a. Uh-huh. It seems like intellectual property rights are really a big problem that China faces. Before, the laws were not as strong, so a lot of businesses couldnt get protection. Now, the laws have improved, but there are still a lot of people looking for loopholes. This is detrimental to longterm economic development.

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B:


e, hen duo eiw` ` ai changsh Erqi guon Sh` a. ang j ngchang ` zh bei ` q ` , xiang ` hu` yud shichanqu an nf` an de went ` ao zhuanl` ` sh` banqu dengd shangbi ao, an, eng. Sh zai l` ng danx ` b` le w` ` Zhong n a. Zhe zai ren uj n y ngxiang aishang de touz , du` ei ` de q wenhu ` sh` guo guon y` e he a chang y e ` le hen da ` de sunsh ` hangy` zaoch eng . Y ou haodu o e shen wuf zh` y nc er un a shengc ne. Also, also a lot of domestic and international rms frequently encounter problems with respect to intellectual property rights; whether its trademark, copyright or patent issues. This has not only affected foreign investment in China, but has also caused huge losses to domestic enterprises and the cultural market. Consequently, there have even been a lot of professions that were not able to survive.

A:

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` wo xiang y ` y ` a ` hu` Du` du` du` . Bugu hou nggai y ou jiaod ` o an jiar ` uzh ` zhengf ` ba. Zhonggu u gaigu o maoz hou, u ` sh` y ` aiyu e ` zhongsh` ` de baoh u yuel zh shichanqu an ng` le. T a chengl` le xianggu women zhuanm b` shuo guoji en an u e j` ` f ` de guanl he jiand y u. men, nx ng zhe angmian e Erqi ` ` x de f ong jiazh le du` q nquan ngwei alu chuf a. Right, right. But I think that hereafter it should improve somewhat. Ever since China joined the WTO, the government has taken protection of intellectual property rights more and more seriously. I have heard that the government has specially set up a correlating department to carry out the supervision and oversight of these matters. Furthermore, they have also made the penalties for violation of infringement laws more serious.

B:


` y kan, ` guanl zhongy` ` Zhendema? Bugu wo ao, renmen ` o ` ` shenghu de y` shi y e tongy` ang zhongy` ao. W omen zai o zuo ` guo y duodu osh aosh q zhong dou ao xie nf` an zh shi de sh` ` ai y ` mai daob ` an xiaz chanqu an , b ru nyue, shuo mai y m shenmede. wo xiang y` jia die, xie ngpai Suoy ao ` e went ` , daji ` a y ao hai haoh de gu zhenzh eng jieju nggai caix ng. f` an gu f` an z` j de x ngwei

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Really? In my opinion supervision is important, but public awareness is equally as important. In our daily lives, we have all done something to infringe on intellectual property rights to some degree, for example: download music, buy pirated DVDs, buy fake brand name goods, etc. So, I think that if we genuinely want to solve this problem, everyone has to diligently regulate their own behavior.

Key Vocabulary

y` y ang moy q nquan ` pan ` jianqu an k` zuan ongzi an gaigu u jiand ` ong jiazh chuf a q nf` an

identical infringement of rights to judge strong to look for loopholes change in perspective to oversee to become more serious to penalize to violate
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gu f` an shangbi ao ` aihu o ` maop banqu an chanqu an zhuanl` ` an die danb

regulate; standardize logo imitation copyright property rights patent pirated DVD or CD

Supplementary Vocabulary

q nf` an

violate; rights) invade

infringe on (sb.s

` q nlu e ` ` gaozhu ang

sue someone; complain to sb.s superior about someone judge; determine aspect; phase; situation

` ` pandu an ` jumi an

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a chengf zunsh ou

punish; penalize abide by; comply with

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Upper-Intermediate - Exchange Rates


A:

(D0410)


` nian shengzh ` W l kuai! Renm nb` zhey de zhen o shou n dou bianzh le! de meij haodu o The Chinese yuan has gone up really quickly this year! My American dollars have depreciated a lot!

B:

jiao ` n huan ` renm ` ai ` ch Shei b` u zao nb` ? Xianz ku le ba! Nobody stopped you from exchanging them for Chinese yuan sooner. Now youll have to take your losses!

A:


b` ` ` hu` ` ong ` hen nan shuo, na liaoded ` ` wo En, uguo lu ao biand e wo juede renm meij n zhezh ` ong qiangsh` Erqi a? nb` he ` hai sh` ` wend` ng de. huob` b jiao Yeah, but exchange rate uctuations are hard to predict, how could I have known? Plus, I think that these kinds of major currencies, such as the Chinese yuan and American dollar, are still relatively stable.

B:


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n ` . Ai, ` xianz ` ai ` y du` ` duo Y ou daol zh dao Ouyu an huan shao renm nb` ma? That makes sense. Hey, do you know the conversion for one euro into Chinese yuan now?

A:

` ai ` sh ` duo Zhey ` nian l y Dag kuai dian. y e zhang le hao duo. Roughly 10 point something. Its gone up this year a lot too.

B:

` gangb` Na ne? What about the Hong Kong dollar?

A:


` ai ` he renm ` bu duo hao duo le. Suoy Xianz nb` y j ng cha qu ` u ka, y ` sh` y` ren ang gouw ong y nlian nwei ` Xiangg ` dou ` ` dangr` an. ` Zhey` ` angy k mair u an hu` lu lai, ey b` mian jiesu ` maich ` u ` he eng de sunsh . zaoch Its about the same as the Chinese yuan now. So a lot of people that go shopping in Hong Kong use a China Union Pay bank card, because it calculates according to that days exchange rate. This way they can avoid losses buying and selling the currency.

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B:


hu` ` biand ` ong ` ` dongxi ` tout eng. Ai, lu zhe zhensh` rang ren du` ` w` l de ren laishu x` T` ebiesh` zuo aihu` touz cai o, wei ` ` a. ` dou guanx` zhongd Huanch de zhangdi e a eng sh` wo, de x ` ` bu liao zhey` ` ang de y wo nzang k e shou al` . Yikes, these currency uctuations really are a headache. Especially for those in foreign investment banking, slight uctuations have a signicant effect. If it were me, my heart couldnt take that kind of pressure.

A:


` n ou l toun ao. Q ` l ` k W o kan sh` meiy cai sh zhe mian esh` ` a. wuxi shangj an I can see you dont have a mind for nancial management. Actually, there are limitless business opportunities in this eld.

Key Vocabulary

shengzh bianzh

appreciate to become devaluated


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ch ku ` hu` lu ` du` huan ka y nlian

suffer loss exchange rate to exchange China UnionPay bank card calculate slight foreign exchange

an ` jiesu x` wei aihu` w`

Supplementary Vocabulary

j sh fuch ` u ` yuli ` ao ` j z` dong t kuan

timely pay out expect, predict ATM

` j gou ` w angluo

organization network
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qianc ai guanl

manage nances

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Upper-Intermediate - Black Market Gun Deal


A:

(D0428)

jiahuo Xiang mai ma? Wanna buy a piece?

B:

` dao ` zher ` lai jiush` zhege. ` F` eihua, N y ou ma? ` weile What do you thinkthats what people come here for. Got any?

A:

` ai ` jiu ` dou sh` Y` ao shenme y ou shenme. Xianz ey kan, ` k ` ` xianhu o. You want it, we got it. You can take a look now. Everythings in stock.

B:

ma? Anqu an Is it safe?

A:

z wo F` angx n ba. Gen ou. Relax. Come with me.

B:

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` zhensh` y W a, n zher shenme dou ou. Whoa! You really have everything here.

A:

` Zenmey` ang, zhang jianshi le ba! Thats what I told you, right?

B:

` e dou sh` Zhexi shenme qiang? What kind of guns are these?

A:


` ba sh` ang. ` ba sh` engZhe wus` shouqi Na chongf sh` os z de. Zh` ` y qiang, cong elu ous j` nlai liang juedu` liu! This one is a Type 54 handgun. That one is a submachine gun, smuggled in from Russia. The quality is totally topnotch.

B:


` a! zhezh ` ong Lian Kanlai, n danzi k e b` u xiao dongxi dou f` ` jial . gan ang zai Seems youve got a lot of nerve! You even keep this kind of thing in your home.

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A:


zai ` jiangh ` women ` ong ren uy Hai, u ouj . Zuo zhezh shenb` ai ` jiush` de. N shenme f maim ao dan engxian xiang mai ` y` qiang? Hey, people in this line of work have no choice. When you do this kind of business you have to take risks. Which gun do you wanna buy?

B:

f k ang de. Xiao Y` onglai angshen ouj` ng shouqi jiu ng. ` x Its for self-protection. A small caliber handgun would be ne.

A:

` ` ba z N kankan zhe enmey` ang? What do you think of this one?

C:


` lai! N ` tej ` ng b` Bux J uq shou y j ng bei udu` bao` u dong! le. wei Dont move! Put up your hands! Youve been surrounded by the special forces police unit!

B:

ai ` qiangzh ` ai ` jub N f eif a maim , women xianz . u n

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Youre illegally trafcking in rearms. You are now under arrest.

A:

` ! Shenme? N sh` wod What? Youre an undercover agent!

Key Vocabulary

engqiang chongf ` ` xianhu o ` zhang jianshi z ous y liu zai ` jiangh ren u uy shenb` ouj f engxian f angshen k xiao ouj` ng

submachine gun in stock to have gained experience to smuggle top-grade people in this line of work have no choice risk self-protection small-caliber

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jub u ` wod

to arrest undercover agent; cover under-

Supplementary Vocabulary

` ao ` daih u xuesh ` j q nshen ngl` z engzhang ` zhang gezi ` p ` da liang j qiang ` suhu a a hef ` a daxi wug ong

codename learning, academia personal experience increase; grow get taller large quantity machine gun common saying; proverb lawful knight-errant gest

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` ehu` heish chengd an x` jux` ` ng ` j ngf eipian

criminal underworld bear; undertake dramatic cop and robber movie

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Recognizing an Employee (D0438)

A:


` ong he p hu` J ntian y` de zhuy` jiush` ongjie nggu ao neir ` z ` u de gongzu ` Shouxi an, y` ` ao wo guoq nian o. ao daibi ` y e ` daji ` a de nul` wei ` gongs ` u quni gongs ganxi zuoch ` an he ` ` T` sh` W an ` f de gongxi an. ebie Xiao ang, biaoxi eichang tu ` a ` . dou neng xuex chu. w` ang daji xiang ta X The main content of todays meeting is to summarize and evaluate the past years work. First, on behalf of the company I want to thank everyone for their hard work and the contributions theyve made to the company in the past year. In particular, Mr. Wang has performed outstandingly. I hope that everyone can learn from him.

B:


` ` ang ` wei ` tongsh` Xiexie j ngl , n n guoji le. Q sh ge dou le wo hen da ` de bangzh ` sh` ` gei u. women zhengg e ` Zhe o, b` ger ` en de. tuandu` nul` u sh` wo de jiegu Thank you, director; you atter me. Actually, every one of my colleagues has given me a lot of help. This is the result of our entire teams hard work, not only my own.

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A:


shuo hao, daji ` a y ` ao ` de hen de nul` kand En, e dou wo ` zhel ` zaic` ` ganxi e ` daji ` a sanhu` ` le. Hao, le. W o zai . Xiao ` wo bang ` ongsh` y ` u W ang, n dand lai xia. dao Uh-huh, you are right. I have also noticed everyones hard work. I am here to thank everyone once again. All right, this meeting is adjourned. Mr. Wang, please come on your own to my ofce for a moment.

B:


J ` ` le Hao. ngl , zhensh` xiexie n n de gul` o zh sh` zuo . W ` de sh` ` neng ao ` gongs n f` ennei , dan ded he n de shang zhende sh , wo juede f eichang x` ngyun. n f` angx n, wo ` N an ` de geng ` hu` j` xu hao. ` nul` , biaoxi OK. Director, I really want to thank you for your encouragement. I am just doing my job, but I feel truly fortunate to be able to receive the companys and your recognition. Be assured that I will continue to work hard and to perform even better.

A:


wo jiu ` ong ` e, En, nshang n zhezh taidu. J` ngy` e, zhuany` ` x ` b` ` ao. z` x` n dan u jiao

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Hmm, I really appreciate your attitude: hard-working, professional, condent yet not arrogant.

B:


` shuo dou si le. W y duo wo b` N n zai uhaoy` o hai ou hen ` ge ` wei ` tongsh` ne. d` fang y` ao xiang n n he xuex If you keep talking like this I will feel embarrassed. I still have many things to learn from you and each of my colleagues.

A:

ao ` gongs n gan, Zongzh n haoh y d` ng hu` gei y ngde . de jiangl` Put it this way: if you keep it up, the company will certainly give you the reward you deserve.

Key Vocabulary

z ongjie p nggu tuch u ` sanhu`

to summarize to evaluate to stand out meeting adjourned

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u dand ` f` ennei shangsh j` ngy` e ` ao jiao

alone one appreciation work ethic, respect for work arrogant; arrogance

Supplementary Vocabulary

ang yuan biaoy gong ` xiansh guanl gul` ` p ngjia ` k outou shangmian de x` zh` wus

praise an employee

real, realistic manage encourage appraise; evaluate oral

careful, meticulous unselsh


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tuandu` j ngshen en benf` f` enw` ai ai gew` zhuanzh u ` yu p ngheng ` shang wenhu a de chay`

team spirit ones duty not ones duty; particularly especially give sole attention to balance differences in culture

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Upper-Intermediate - Closing a Meeting


:

(D0452)

` ao ` jiu ` zhel ` . W o de jiesh ` dao This brings my introduction to an end.

` ganxi e ` gew ` ei ` l y canji hu` a benc` Zaic` ngdao aoq ng wo y` . I would like to again thank all the leaders for inviting me to attend this meeting.


` duan ` sh duanz an, ` que ` rang ` j` su Zhe jian ran wo ny b` u e le Zhonggu tongsh ` y le wo y liaoji o, dahu` e gei ge f ei baogu` jiesh ` ao ` women chang de j hu` lai gongs de fuw u. ` Although the time has been short, I have been able to further acquaint myself with China. At the same time, this conference has given me a very precious opportunity to introduce our companys services to you.


he sh` ` egu ` o zh ` ai de jiech u Su zhe Zhonggu o jieg jian ` yuel ` j xiang ` angde guoj` hezu o ` du` yue nm` , wo zhey` shuang sh` f ang dou sh f en y oul` de.

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As contact between China and all the countries of the world becomes closer and closer, I think that this type of international cooperation is extremely advantageous to both sides.


ou chengyu dou de suoy C w` ai, women tuandu` zhong an ` de nul` zhege ` ` ` hao. hu` j` n zu` da xiangm u ba ` zuo Moreover, every member of our team will do his utmost to bring this project to completion.

` ao gongs ceng e ` ge ` wei ` j W o y e daibi guanl ganxi yu de zh ch . On behalf of the management of our company, I would like to thank all of you for your support.


` ` women ` de hezu o ` Zu` hou, zhongx nde zhuyu zhec` ` an ` shunl` x ` hai hu` nengg ou w` ang b` ng xiangx` n j nhou ` , wo ` ` angde hezu o! ` zhey` y ou gengdu o Finally, I wholeheartedly wish our collaboration success. I hope and believe that henceforth there will be much more of this kind of cooperation.

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Key Vocabulary

ben an ` duanz j` ny b` u baogu` u jiech ` j nm` j` n j yu zhongx n

this short to go a step further precious contact inseparably close to put forth to render wholeheartedly

Supplementary Vocabulary

hua ` mosh` b` uru ` e liaoji gengji a ` ei dap

to routinize it would be better to understand more collocation, combination


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f asheng ` y chuan chuc w` ai zh du` wu u de l` quanb` liang

to happen a string, a cluster in addition team whole strength

` ou jiesh ou suoy chengx n de

to receive whole-hearted sincerity

zhongx ngeng geng ` n f az` neix ` b` nglie sh y` ong

loyal and devoted

to come from ones heart to stand side by side practical

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Upper-Intermediate - Chinese Identity


A:

(D0466)

zhen ` z` b` Y oush hou wo u zh dao j shuy u nali. Sometimes I really dont know where I belong.

B:

Zenme shuo? What do you mean?

A:


wo zai ` Meigu o zhangd ` dansh` ` ` Su ran a, women sh` na ` e chuant ong en jiat ng. W zhong tebi de huar o y zh dou bam ` a o de fum zhu le. he q . T amen b Meigu anl` duo ` y ` u y wo b` ` Meigu o pengyou ` ` Suoy u xiang name z` y ou. Dansh` , he bam ` a sh` q de guanxi wo hai hen nm` de. Even though I grew up in the States, ours is a very traditional Chinese family. Ive always lived with my mother and father. Theyre a lot stricter than other American parents, so Im not as free as my American friends. Still, Im really close to my parents.

B:


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` n Zhonggu xue Zhongw sh` ng Na lai o en n z` j de jued` sh` ` n de? hai tamen jiao lai Then was coming to China to learn Chinese your own decision, or did they tell you to do it?

A:


` wo lai de. Q b` , wo Sh` tamen jiao sh y kaish ng b` u q ng` l juede ` sh` ` shang ` Jiazh ou, wo yuan kai na sh` jie zu` hao ` ` ai ` wo f geng ` xiangsh ` zhel ` de d` fang. Dansh` xianz aner ou xuex , jiao pengyou. de z` y ou. W o k ey dul` o, de shenghu They told me to do it. Actually, I wasnt at all eager to leave California at rst. I felt it was the best place in the world. Now, though, I really appreciate my freedom here. I can live independently, study, make friends.

B:

` b` hao ma? Zhe u sh` hen So isnt that good?

A:

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du` kunhu ` Zai ` zher, ` daji ` a en hen K esh` wo z` j de shenf` o. ` wo dangch zhonggu en, zhe ` rang ` wo heny ou ba dou eng or de hen duo a he zuof ` a dou o xiangf meigu y al` . Q sh wo ` le, suoy cong ` f ` laishu b` wo hua zhe angmian o, ng b` u sh` en. y ge zhonggu or But I feel confused about my own identity. Here, everyone treats me like a Chinese person, and that gives me a lot of pressure. In reality, a lot of my ideas and habits are very American, so in that regard Im really not Chinese at all.

B:

sh` ` n ` Meigu o zhangd ` N dangr an , zh b` uguo zai a. Of course youre Chinese. You just grew up in the USA.

A:

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zhe ` jiush` un ` Ai, fang. W o changch ang wen ` maod ` de d` ` sh` guo ren? sh` z` j daod na W o j` b` u w anquan mei en, y` sh` en. y guor ou b` u w anquan zhonggu or Hai ou y ` went ` , jiush` de weil ` ai. W engyou ge da o nanp sh` ge ` wo en. ng hen tush uzh de zhonggu or W omen ganq engt ang Dansh` ` zuo ` ge w de Zhong jia x hao. ta w` ang wo anmei taitai. ` de x` tai ` dul` banf ` a jie guo K esh` wo ngge le, mei ` tamen a. W ` b` shou de xiangf o shenzh` dou u xiangy` ao xianz ` ai ` wo de naozi ` m neng haizi. Ai, y pian mang. Shei ` daod ` gai ` ne? z gaosu wo enme ban (sigh) Thats where the contradiction lies. I often ask myself: where am I really from? Im not completely American, but not totally Chinese either. And theres another big question: my future. My boyfriend is a local Chinese guy. We are really happy together, but his family wants me to be a perfect Chinese wife. My personality is too independent; I just cant accept their ideas. I dont even want children. (sigh) My thoughts are such a mess. Who can possibly tell me what Im supposed to do?

B:

` ba. Shunq Q sh n y e b` uy` ong xiang zheme duo. ran ` z` Actually, you dont need to overanalyze it. Just do what comes naturally.

Key Vocabulary

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shuy u ong chuant en huar y anl` b` ng b` u ` yuan f aner ` kunhu o ` dangch eng un maod ` tush uzh engt ang de w anmei ` shenzh` ` daod m mang q ng-

to belong to traditional Chinese strict not willing to

instead confused as contradiction locally born and bred perfect even in the end perplexed

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shunq ran ` z`

let something happen naturally

Supplementary Vocabulary

` ong rent Huay` huar en Meij ` n` ngyuan m huo wuji ` e ` ` gongxi an ao ` laot ` j ` y pian ngxiang ` k` y pian ongbai shuny` ` ng q ngxu `

identity ethnic Chinese American-Chinese would rather to puzzle misunderstanding to contribute old things piece blank space comply with sentiment

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - State-Owned and Privately-Owned Enterprises (D0479)


A:


q ` ng sh ` tai ` duo ` de wo z le, hai Zhonggu o y` e de leix zai en bu q me y e gao ngchu. There are just too many different types of enterprises in China. How can I ever keep them straight?

B:


da ` de f ` laishu q Zhonggu Sh` a. Cong angmian o, o y` e k ey ` , gang ` tai z w` zhe ` j f encheng neiz ao he aishang touz ` ei. ` Q dal ` ei ` y` ` x` dal zhong meiy ou k ey bei f en cheng hen de leix ` ng. xiao duo Exactly. Speaking about the larger ones, Chinese enterprises can be broken up into these categories: domestically invested, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan invested, and foreign investedany of these major categories. Each of these major categories can also be further divided up into many smaller categories.

A:


o, n x` congt aish wo bie gei Aiy xian f en le, haish` ouk shuoshuo ` q lai jiang ba. W omen xian neiz y` e, z enmey` ang?

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Yikes, dont break them down yet. How about you start from the beginning again and explain them to me. Lets rst talk about domestically invested enterprises, how about that?

B:


` neiz ` q ao Haode. Shuod y` e, q sh women j ngchang t ng` de guoy ouq ` y ` Du` dao y` e, s y ngq y` e jiu lei. le, ` shuy u zhe ` shenme ` guoy ouq n zh dao jiao y` e ma? All right. Speaking of domestically invested enterprises, actually the state-owned enterprises and privately-owned enterprises we frequently hear about belong to this category. Oh, do you know what state-owned enterprises refer to?

A:


q ` wo daosh` ` Bu hen ngchu, b` uguo changch ang t ng` sh` ` guany ouq e de xiaoxi. u dao y` e gaig guoy Im not really clear on that, but I do often hear news about state-owned enterprise reform.

B:

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` wo jiu n ` guoy ouq Na shuoshuo shenme jiao y` e ba. ` gei ouq u z gu a suoGuoy y` e sh` zh q y` e quanb` chan guoji y ou de j ngj` zuzh . Then I will explain for you what state-owned enterprise refers to. A state-owned enterprise is just a business where all the capital belongs to the state economic system.

A:


ai sh` ` ang, m ` s Yuanl zhey` ngbai le, m ngbai le. Na y ngq y` e ne? Oh, so thats how it is. I see, I see. So, what about privately-owned enterprises then?

B:


shel` ` huo ` k` T a sh` zh y ou gongm n touz onggu, guy y ` ong ong ` j laod wei chu ngl` x` ng j ngj` zuzh de y . That refers to enterprises established and invested in by citizens, or held by citizens, which are based on wage labor prot-earning economic organization.

A:


` ` Zhonggu guoy ouq s Name zai o y` e he y ngq y` e xiangb , y ` ne? na zhong gengdu o

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So in China, in comparison which are there more of: state-owned enterprises or privately-owned enterprises?

B:


` ai ` y ` ` Zhonggu de chabudu Dansh` Xianz nggai o. y qian o ou de. J` lai, su sh` q y` e j hu guoy n sh j nian zhe dou j e de shenr ` ai u, Zhonggu o ngj` t zh` gaig y ngq y` e yuel ` s ` duo a ` tu ` guoq gaig e, guo le. T dal` yue ongsh guoji dong ` ` ud k ` q de shuli cheng daf ao, esh` zh` liang he ` ang u ` jiansh ` t duo. le hen sh l` que gao Now its about the same. But, in the past, Chinas enterprises were almost all state-owned. In the last ten years or so, in the wake of China entering into economic system reform, there have been more and more privately-owned enterprises. Meanwhile, as the state has been vigorously pushing for state-owned enterprise reform, the number of state-owned enterprises has presented to a great extent a decrease. However, their quality and actual strength have, on the other hand, gone up a lot.

A:

500

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` y wo y ` j` u Zhe dian e t ngshuoguo, nengg ou nru ` caif ` wub ai q ouq ` wo sh` qiang de Zhonggu o y` e dou guoy y` e. Bugu ` o ` ao Zhonggu de s ` eni an y e t ng kanh o y ngq y` e de. Zhexi xuns e zai ` b` de l s y ngq y` e b` uj n f azhan utong ngyu ` u, ` erqi ` y ` ei. hen dou ou zuow This point Ive heard before. Those Chinese enterprises that have been able to become Fortune 500 companies are all state-owned enterprises. But I also anticipate great things from Chinas privately-owned enterprises. These past few years, privately-owned enterprises have not only developed rapidly, but have also been able to make outstanding achievements in different elds.

B:


o. ` Zhengsh` ` ` guoy ou he s Meicu y nwei y ngq y` e de peng f Zhonggu de j hu` ` bo azhan, o ngj` cai zheme f anrong. Thats right. Its precisely because of state-owned and privately-owned enterprises vigorous development, that Chinas economy has become so prosperous.

Key Vocabulary

` neiz ` tai z gang ao

domestic capital Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan capital


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w` aishang touz x` f en z chan gu ouq guoy y` e s y ngq y` e k` onggu ` shel` guy ` ong y ngl` x` ng j ngj` t zh` u shenr `

foreign business capital to divide up capital to belong to state-owned enterprise privately-owned enterprise to control shares to set up employment for-prot economic system to penetrate into, to go deep into vigorously to emerge achievement

` dal` cheng ` ei zuow

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pengb o

ourishing

Supplementary Vocabulary

q sanz y` e

foreign, private, and joint ventures purchase of shares in enterprises mergers and acquisitions property rights to develop vigorously to reform a system property key enterprises

u cang

` b` nggou chanqu an ` ng zhenx gaizh` e chany` q longt ou y` e

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Upper-Intermediate - Chinese Geography


A:

(D0483)


` le hao duo ` de z ` Xianz ` ai, ` d` W o zu` j` n kan l f angmian liao. du` a ` ` de d` wo women guoji l q ngkuang y q ngerch u ! Lately Ive read a lot of material about geography. Now, I am very clear about our countrys geography!

B:

de? de haishi Zhen jia Is that really true, or are you making it up?

A:


shuo n a ` gei y Bu n wo t ng y a! W omen guoji ou s` da ` x` s` ` p he san ` pend` . da gaoyu an, da ngyuan If you dont believe me Ill tell you about it. Our country has four main plateaus, four main plains, and three main basins.

B:


` jiu sh` Denghu` r, denghu` r. D` y ju u du` ! Y nggai s` ` hua ` b` ` gaoyu san ` p he s` ` pendi. da da an, ngyuan da

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Wait a second, wait a second. The rst thing you said is already wrong. It should be four main plateaus, three main plains and four main basins.

A:

` ng? N qued` Are you sure?

B:

lo. Gaok de sh ` zhege ` ` ao Dangr an hou, bei jiu bei ` xiang shunk ` ouliu. Of course. When I was taking my university entrance exams, I memorized this just as if I was memorizing a jingle.

A:

8000
a, f ` s` ` bu duo. ` t he cha N Ay anzheng san dou zai ng shuo, sh` a. Zhonggu shan de guoji Q wo o ge duo ng` gaoyu sh` ` shang ` haib a zu` de gaoyu zang an sh` jie gao an, a zai ` baqi ` an m p ngjun y shang. haib Oh my, well anyways, three or four, its more or less the same. Listen, Ill tell you more: China is a mountainous country. The Tibetan plateau is the plateau with the highest elevation in the world, with an average elevation of more than 8,000 meters.

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B:

8800 4000
` le. Na ` sh` Shenme? N t ngting, y` ou cuo Zhum ` ang ul f guoji a ` ang chongx ma eng! Quni n celi le Zhu eng de ` an f Q duo ` u, an bab ai m gaod baqi . Er ngzang gaoyu an ` sh` a sh` m de p ngjun s` qian . haib What? Listen, youre wrong again. That is Mount Everest! Last year the government measured the altitude of Mount Everest againits over 8,800 meters. Furthermore, the average elevation of the Tibetan plateau is 4,000 meters.

A:

` zh Sh` ma? N z enme y` angy` ang dou dao? Is it? How do you know all of this?

B:


Q ` u shang ` meit an dou Quni ngzang tiel e, tianti ` an ` tongch ` e xiaoxi. sh` zhexi Last year when the Tibetan Railway opened for service, this kind of information was in the media every day.

A:

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n lai name ` gongfu ` baozh ` ` xian N na duo kan ? Ai, zai shuo ` y ` ju ` juedu` meicu o: ` X xia t ng wo ju. njiang ` Zhe ` hua ` zu` o sh` sham j zhong de d` qu. How do you nd so much free time to read the newspaper? Hey, listen to something else I can tell you. This is denitely not incorrect: Xinjiang is the region with the most desert.

B:

` ju ` shenme ` . Ng, zhe mei went ` daosh` Uh-huh. There is nothing wrong with that statement.

A:

......
ou, Huangh sh` zu` u. Haiy e Zhonggu o chang de heli Zhonggu o....... Also, the Yellow River is Chinas longest river. China...

B:


sh` T ng! Zu` chang de y nggai Changji ang ba. N z enme zhege ` ` shuo cuo? lian dou Stop! The longest must be the Yangtze River. How can you get even that wrong?

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A:


wo zhe ` sh` lao chazu , x Ai, k ouwu. bie ng bu x ng? ` N dongb` de renk ou b ` duo. ` ShangZhonggu o u y anhai jiao Beij ng, Chongq` Guangzh sh` hai, ng he ou y ongy ou qian ou de chao ` ng chengsh` ` dax Shangh w` an renk , q zhong ai ou zu` de renk duo....... Hey, that was a slip of the tongue. Dont keep on interrupting me, all right? The population of the eastern coast of China is comparatively higher. Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing and Guangzhou are super-sized cities with populations in the tens of millions. Amongst them, Shanghais population is the largest...

B:


` cuow ` u. X Chongq` ng zu` duo. ng le, x ng le, y dadu ` N ` de sh` ` kan shenme z liao? Chongqing is the largest. All right already! A huge pile of mistakes. What material did you look at?

A:


` de. Zhe ` w ` hai zhensh` sh` Dou w angshang zhao angluo hai ` de wo lian dou ` le! diu k engren, da

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I found it all on the internet. The internet is really misleading. Its made me lose a lot of face!

Key Vocabulary

` y q ngerch u shunk ` ouliu a haib tongch e k ouwu ` chazu k engren

very clearly jingle elevation to be open for trafc slip of the tongue to interrupt to mislead people; to scam

Supplementary Vocabulary

qiul ng e zhaoz ` aiy ` ul red n

hilly terrain marsh, swamp, bog tropical rain forest

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` zh bei u daoy anxi ` an ` hai e ` guoji ` ai ` red ` ai ` y` ared ` ai wend ai ` hand

vegetation island coastline border; national boundary the tropics the subtropics temperate zone frigid zone

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Upper-Intermediate - Chinese Onomatopoeia


:

(D0491)

, , ,
P a, peng, hong, hong smack, bang, boom, roar (of a crowd)

, ,
a, kach a, ged eng Kad clack, click, thump

Kuang sound of a gong

, , , ,
huahu a, x a Gul lihul da, lihual u, x u, d gurgling sound, slurping sound, dripping sound, sound of owing water, sound of the patter of rain

, , , ,
a, x ei, heh e, hengh Hah x , heih eng ha ha, hee hee, heh heh, huh huh, hum (hmph)

Guang

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slam (of a large door)

a J jizhazh sound of birds chirping

Xiu whoosh

Key Vocabulary

pa peng hong hong a kad a kach eng ged kuang

smack bang boom roar (of a crowd) clack click thump clang
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gul u x lihul u d da a huahu a x lihual a hah x x ei heih e heh hengh eng guang a j jizhazh xiu a hual

gurgling sound slurping sound dripping sound sound of owing water sound of patter of rain ha ha hee hee heh heh huh huh hum, hmph slam chirping sound of birds whoosh sound rustling/crashing/etc. of

Supplementary Vocabulary
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` xiangsh engc ang mof aow ` eixi ao ` weimi

onomatopoeia to imitate imitate to perfection; remarkably true to life be exactly alike lively

y muy ang y` ` shengd ong

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Upper-Intermediate - Capital Punishment


A:

(D0496)


` ai ` y danzi ` weile ` y xiaosh` ren da, Xianz ouxie zhen dian jiu ` shar Haih ao women en. qu e, y ou s x ng. ` qiangji Nowadays, some people have a lot of nerve. Over some trie they will commit robbery or murder. Good thing we have the death penalty.

B:


zheme ` u! ` S N z enme neng shuo? x ng duome cank ` Zhe gul de x y xianz ` ai ` de she` zhong ngf a, y dian e b` u sh` he ao gai ` f` ` osh oji a bei u dou hu` , zao eichu sh dadu adagu le. Q ` f ` mouzh chengd ` f` zai ong u eichu x ng, Zhonggu o ` shang le s ` ang. zhey` y e gai How can you say such a thing? The death penalty is so brutal. This kind of archaic punishment doesnt t in at all with society today. It should have been abolished a long time ago. Actually, the vast majority of developed countries have to some extent abolished capital punishment China should too.

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A:


o, R` hai b` u Huangtang! Meigu ben u baoli x ng? zhe s ou s ` e f` de huair ` en jiu ` shar en Meiy x ng, naxi anghuo ` geng ` sh ` hai y le. Dao wuf hou shehu` ou shenme an awuti an aix` ng hai z ` r` d` ng? Laob enme guo zi? Thats absurd. The United States and Japan still have capital punishment, dont they? Without the death penalty, those evildoers committing murder and arson would be even more lawless. When that happens what stability will there be in society? How will the average citizen be able to live?

B:


` y zheme ` ` guo hao duo W y Hua e b` uneng shuo. o kan anjiu , dou ` shuo s tongj` x ng yu anzu` de shengji ang b` ngb` u f` de guanxi. duo f` ` ude ren juy ran Hao anzu` sh` pob` ` ou b` ` ` ` yuan ` z ` ai s pengd an y , zaishu o ao enme ban? Baib y ge wug u de ren?

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You cant say that. Ive seen a lot of research statistics, and they all say that the death penalty isnt necessarily related to the crime rate. A lot of people commit crimes because they are compelled to. Furthermore, what about when you run into a mistaken conviction? Kill an innocent person for nothing?

A:


a tebi ` e y ` N dong shenme? Chengf anzhong de f` anzu` , ` de. Du` ` e ` e y ` tebi s x ng sh` wuf dai yu anzhong a t` naxi ` lengxi shash b` ` ao ` f ou de f` anzu` x ngwei, e u shoud alu de a, zhe ` gongp chengf ng ma? What do you know? For offenses with especially serious penalties, the death penalty is irreplaceable. With regard to those especially grave crimes, if cold-blooded killers dont receive the punishment of the law, is that just?

B:


` ong ` u ` qu an W omen b` uneng y` ong zhezh baof ` de guanni ` ` went ` . Suoy ou de shengm` sh` kan ng dou baogu` de, s an rend aozh ` e. x ng weif uy` yuanz We cant look at this problem using that kind of a concept of retaliation. All life is preciousthe death penalty violates the principles of humanitarianism.

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A:


` sh` un. ` air ` en de shengm` N zhe z` xiangm aod Beih ng y e ` ` sha ` ne? Zaishu le, sh` baogu` de, p ng shenme bei o zhe ` j y jiansh s Zhonggu o nian j ng k` ongzh` he ao x ng e le s ` e b` ` zun hai le, y e gaig x ng de zh x ng. Zhexi ugou ` zhong shengm` ng? You are contradicting yourself. The life of the victim is also precious, and he or she was killed for what? Besides, in the past few years China has already controlled and reduced the use of the death penalty, and has also reformed the implementation of the death penalty. Isnt this showing enough respect for life?

B:


` f` ` ang y ched W omen y nggai eichu x ng, zhey` e neng s ` ` dazh ` ong ` ` guan ` shengm` ai rang shehu` t hu` dao ng de e. yuanz We should completely abolish the death penalty, in this way allowing society as a whole to appreciate the principles of concern and the value for life.

A:

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zai ` zher ` hushu ` tian ad ao. shar en N shao ob Deng na de sh` ` z` ` ` f` anghuo f asheng zai j shensh ang, n jiu dao ` zh s x ng de b` y` ao le. You should talk a little less if you dont know what youre talking about. Wait until the day comes when murder or arson affects you personally, then you will realize the necessity of capital punishment.

Key Vocabulary

qiangji e u cank ` f` eichu huangtang wuf awuti an ` udey pob` wug u a chengf un z` xiangm aod `

to rob cruel to abolish absurd lawless to have no choice innocent punishment to contradict oneself

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` ad ao hushu ob

to talk nonsense

Supplementary Vocabulary

o bodu n jianj` ` ao zuol sh` f` ang yuanwang ng jianx s huan wuq tux ng y ouq tux ng

to deprive to take into custody; to jail imprisoned to release to wrong someone to reduce a sentence stay of execution life imprisonment xed term of imprisonment

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Upper-Intermediate - The Glory of Labor


A:

(D0502)


` ao ` W nzhou ong ` le. W Zhongy u uy huangj omen laod pand z ` k ao ` xiuxi renm n x nku nian, ongsuan ey haoh xia le y y le. The Golden Week weve been looking forward to is here at last. We working people have sweated it out for yet another year, and now we can nally get a little rest.

B:


` ` ai ` y y ang ge Y ou name kuazh ma? Xianz nian ou san nzhou, ` y ` hua ` b` x` huangj u zh dao ou duo ngfu ne. Bugu ` o ` a ` ai ` haoxi ang ` nsi de hu xianz y shuo lai, daji dou menx ` meir en zhongsh` ` ongji ` de laod ong ` n f` guanx angjia, Laod e daji ` a ba laod ong ` ` lao y` y` le. Y qian zu` guangr ong gua ` zu ` ai ` hai y xianz zai bian, ou j ge j` de a? Is it that bad? Now there are three golden weeks a year, and I cant tell you how great that is. On the other hand, though, it does seem like everyone is focused on the vacation. No one puts any importance on the labor-related meaning. Before, everyone was always using the phrase labor is the most glorious, but how many people remember it now?

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A:


sh ` b` le ma. Gang ` de sh jiangu Ai, dai utong o hou, b` uguan ` daji ` a x dou y shenme hangy` e, shenme gongzu o, tiao n, ong, ` ` e ` dou ` guoji a ` xiang zuo zheng zhe qu geg wei ` laod ` ` gongxi an. Ah, its a different era. When the state had just been established, no matter what your industry or job was, you and everyone else were of one mind, all striving to make a contribution to the nation through labor.

B:


` daosh` ` ` u ong ` ` y ` zh Na . Guoq renm n y zh shou apo, ` laod ` x chengl` , cai f ` le zhur le. zuo dao n Zhonggu o anshen en neng N shuo, b` u x ngf` en ma? Thats true. In the past the working people were always oppressed, up until the establishment of the new government, when the roles were reversed and they could take control. Tell me, how could that not be exciting?

A:

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` dangr Suoy , x y , zhengf ` Na an. n Zhonggu o chengl` u jiu ` Guoj` Laod ongji ` d` f ` , quangu f` ` ba e ng wei ad` ng jiar` o angjia y tian. Of course it is. So when the new government was established, it declared International Labor Day a state holiday, giving the whole nation the day off.

B:


qilai le , qian j kan ` le y ` shuo wo W o xiang tian ge j` lupi ` an, ai, ` renmen de jiush` z enme q` ngzhu uy de. ` wush niand ` W ` sh huanq` ` an y ng, jiu guoni Na hou quangu o y` ang. ` gen I just remembered something. I watched a documentary a few days ago and it was about how the people celebrated May rst in the fties. Back then the entire nation really got into it, just like Chinese New Year.

A:


dao ` xianz ` ai ` hai j` ` ` l ei Sh` a, wo de baba mama danw zu an dou lao hu` zh de W uy lianhu anhu` . Meini p ngxuan ` an, mei ge ren xiong hai daish ` ang ` dong mof` qian y duo ` honghu K da a. e y ouy` si le. Yeah, even now I can remember the celebration that my parents work unit organized. Every year they would select model workers, and each one would wear a large red corsage on his chest. Its really interesting.

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B:


o, ` meicu o, ` hai hu` laom Y` ` Meicu p ng quangu o o. ao zh dao p ` zhege ` chengh ` sh` guangr de. neng ngshang ao hen ong daji ` a ` j gao. de gongzu hen Suoy o j x` ng dou Yup, yup. And theyd choose a national model worker too. You have to understand that being given this title was really an honor. So everyones enthusiasm for work was really high.

A:


` hai lian ` chu duo o. B nash juehu Ng, t ngshuo hen ` ` an, zhua jiu ` dongxi y ru oyu ba dao y ou duo shouhu ` zh ` zhong, zhun le. j Yeah, Ive heard that back then a bunch of people mastered some weird talents as well. For example, vendors could grab a handful of something and know how much it weighed, extremely accurately.

B:


` ren peif ` u. ` ai ` k en zheme ` ` rang Du` a, zhen e meir zuo Xianz ` a ` an. dou mang le, daji zhe zhuanqi Right, its really impressive. Now theres just no one doing it. Everyones too busy making money.

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A:


` an y ong ` ` jiu ` y Zhuanqi e sh` laod a. Zhe ou Zhonggu o ` jiao ` e ` de shehu` ` zhuy` tes . Making money is also labor. This is what is called socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Key Vocabulary

x nsi guangr ong ` ` gongxi an ` y apo f ad` ng ng huanq`

thought, idea honor; glory contribution to oppress legal; statutory to celebrate joyously; celebration get-together, gathering model, exemplary unique skill, talent
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lianhu anhu` an mof` o juehu

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Supplementary Vocabulary

biaozh ang wus z` s and` tianf fu ` ` uguanx n mob`

honor, cite, commend unselsh selsh earth-shaking indifferent; unconcerned

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Upper-Intermediate - When the Taxi Takes the Long Way (D0514)


A:

` a? Sh fu, n z enme z ou zhel Driver, how come youre going this way?

B:

` tiao lu ` xiu, z ` tiao le. Na hao ou zhe ` zai zh That road is under construction, so we have to go this way.

A:

an z cai W o qianti ou guo, m ngm ng k ey z ou de ma. The day before yesterday I just went that way. It was clearly ne.

B:


an kaish ` lushang cai xiu an zai Jiush` o tianti ` zuoti ` de. W b` de. pao, uhu` hushu o Yeah, they just started work on it yesterday. Im on these roads every day. I know what Im talking about.

A:


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` n ` wo y ` u xian wen y Na y nggai sheng a. Zenme z` zuozh ` ai ` z zu` k ne? Xianz zhang ou le y tiao du end` ng de lu, ` wo ` le. y` ao ch dao Then you should rst ask if its OK. How can you just act on your own? Now youre taking the most congested street. Im denitely going to be late.

B:


` tiao z tiao? ` ai ` zh ` tiao lu Bu ou zhe ou na Xianz y ou zhe ` z ` e xianz ` ai ` sh` dou eng, nali du. k ey z ou le. Erqi gaof What street can I take if I dont take this one? Right now this is the only route I can take. Besides, its rush hour. Everywhere is backed up.

A:


` tiao de. Xianz ` ai ` hao le, j` N m ngm ng k ey b` u z ou zhe ` ei wo de qian. N ` u y` danwu sh jian, ou langf` b` ush` guy` ` raol ` ba? You clearly could have chosen another route. Now look what youve gotten me into. Youve both held up my time and wasted my money. Youre not purposely taking the long way, are you?

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B:


` u? ` ` dian b` zuo Raol o y ou zhege sh jian, uhu` qu ` W ` duo e women ` gongs hen y shengyi? Erqi sh` da , guanl an de. u gaobuh haiy` ao chuf` Guk` c` , jiu ao f akuan, ao ` e tous ` y ` y` en. ` j ` qian, zh weile N shuo, kuai de ma? The long way? If I had time for that, why wouldnt I be looking for more business? Besides, were a big taxi company. Our management is really strict. If we get even one complaint, the company nes us and maybe even punishes us. Now tell me, would that be worth it for a little extra change?

A:


` k ` qian de sh` ` ang kai, q Zhe e b` u sh` j kuai . N zhey` ma ` sh duo j kuai. This isnt just some change. Since you went this way, its going to be at least 10 RMB more.

B:


` y` ` ` ai ` u, W a N shuohu ao y ou genj uy` ao luanshu o. o xianz ` b` ` ` ` xiu guoqu, jiu n z` j kankan sh` bu sh` zai ` kai ` lu.

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You should have some basis for these things youre saying. I can take you over there right now and let you see for yourself that the road is under construction.

A:


mei zhege ` ` xianz ` ai ` cai kai ne. N le W o cai sh jian kan, ` lu, jiu ` p y ban j ng chaogu o ngsh le. Zongzh , wo ` qian ` y gei n sh` b` uhu` fuqi de. ` an Like I have time for that. Look, were only halfway there, and the fare is already more than it usually is. Anyway, Im not paying it.

B:


` sh` ` Xiu anp y` ai N zhe wul ou b` u sh` wo qun ao. ` duch e lu, dou raol ` u, k u. mei de. W o y dian b` u many` ey qu ` n ` tous ` ` sh ` shei y ` . Dao hou women kan ou daol Youre just purposely causing trouble. Its not like I arranged the road construction and the trafc jam. I didnt take a longer route, and if youre not satised you can le a complaint. When the time comes well see whos making more sense.

A:

guang ` zhong taidu, ` jiu u! p Hao, ng n zhe wo ao qu ` y` ` tous `

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Fine! Just because of your attitude I will le a complaint.

B:


qu. zuocu ` o, ` cai b` ` n Y` ao qu nguan o y` ou mei u pa ! ` j ` W ` ai ` xiang ` ` ang de guk` jian ` duo le. Xianz n zhey` ` e wo Please do. I havent done anything wrong, so Ive got nothing to fear. Ive had plenty of passengers like you.

Key Vocabulary

m ngm ng ` uzh z` zuozh ang

clear, obvious to act on ones own; to take something upon oneself peak to delay, to hold up to take the long way; to make a detour to make a complaint to discipline, to punish minimum
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eng gaof danwu ` u raol `

u tous ` chuf` en q ma

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` wul qun ao

to cause trouble intentionally

Supplementary Vocabulary

` pian an tuoy ` luku ` ang en zair e heich ` zhenggu

to deceive to put off road conditions to overcharge someone illegal taxi regular, standard

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Upper-Intermediate - Paying Child Support


A:

(D0520)

zu` guo ` a! Ai, j` n r` zi b` u hao (Sigh) Lately things have not been going well.

B:

Sh` l hun ma? de sh` Is it your divorce?

A:


n . Zh ` wo dangsh ` ai` shang Du` a, zhen naoj guai bei ` shenme kaol u mei q ng chongh un dou ngchu jiu q ` le tou, un lian ` ai ` de sh jieh tan hou k e y d` ng y` ao l zh` ! le. N Thats right. Im really at a loss. I only have myself to blame for being muddleheaded by love. I hadnt thought anything over clearly and just went and got married. When you are dating you denitely need to be rational.

B:


l ` F` angx n ba. Du` le, n men sh` xiey` hun f ayuan haishi ` de? pan Dont worry. Oh, did you get a consensual divorce, or was it a contested divorce?

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A:


` pan ` de. Hunh ` caich an y y ` F ayuan ren ban. F angzi ou ` ao ` de qian y ` f ` ufen maidi e sh` p ngf en. Q sh zhe angzi dab` dou chu ` suan ` le, wo sh` sh` de qian wo mei ` o, de. Bugu ` zheng j ngl` zai le. It was contested. The property acquired during the marriage was split half and half. The proceeds from the sale of our house were also divided equally. Actually, I put in the majority of the money for the house. But, never mind. I dont have the energy to ght anymore.

B:

` n ne? Gen shei? Na men de haizi So, what about your child? Who got him?

A:


` cai sh` eng de went ` . T xiao, women Zhe zu` tout a hai mei chaoji a, ` ta ` le hen da ` y y l hun hou lao j ng shou ng de sh ` biet l ge y` xiang xiang. Geng hun omen liang ou dou le. W ou ` a! Shei y ` y` ao haizi, b` j` ng sh` z` j de x ntour e b` u yuany` e, suoy l tuo ` le zheme tuoxi hun cai jiu. guansi

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This was the biggest headache. He is still little. Before the divorce we were always arguing; he has already been affected a lot. Not to mention the divorce. Both of us of course want our childafter all hes our own esh and blood. Neither of us were willing to compromise, so as a consequence our divorce dragged out a long time.

B:

` f ` zu` ` z ` ne? Na ayuan hou enme pan So, how did the court rule in the end?

A:


gu ge yue ` fu ` W Fuy ta. o mei ei, zh dao ang quan ` fuy ang f` chengr Shu genj u de chengzh haizi en. ang, shenghu o `e ` ta ` tiaozh zheme ` ` q ngkuang lai eng. Q sh wo x nku zhuan b` rang ` haizi guo ` de shufu jiesh ` ou qian, u jiush` ` xiang dian, ` de jiaoy ` u geng hao ` ma? Custody was given to her. Every month I pay child support, and will do so until our child is an adult. The amount is set according to his age, and adjusted according to his life circumstances. Actually, I am working so hard to earn money precisely because I want to give my child a comfortable life, and get a better education.

B:

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` tansh` ` ne? Na quan What about visitation rights?

A:


` sh` haizi huozh ` e Zhe women z` j shangd` ng de. W o xiang xiang de sh ` ` k haizi wo hou dou ey jianmi an. We set this ourselves. When I miss our child, or he misses me, we can see each other.

B:


` jiu N ` y ` rugu zh Na zheme teng ta, zhou neng jian ` hao. o Zhonggu f ` sh` y c` , y d` ng xiang s le. Ai, o ayuan bu sh` ` haizi pan ` gei mama? q ngxiang ba Well, thats good. You love him so muchif you could only see him once a week, you would miss him so much. Oh, are Chinese courts more inclined to award the child to the mother?

A:


` hai sh` ` jut ` su Zhe y` ao kan ngkuang de. B ru ran ` q wo, he j y ` ` fuh q nggan ngj` shang dou aoqiu, gongzu o e dansh` ` mang banf ` a zhaogu ` f ` zu` ` Suoy tai le, mei ta. ayuan hou ` gei ta mama pan le.

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That depends on the specic circumstances. Take me for examplealthough I conform to the emotional and nancial requirements, because I am busy at work, I have no way to look after him. So in the end, the court awarded custody to his mother.

B:

` ang y Zh zh ` n ta jiu Zhey` e hao. y` ao n erzi dao teng ng. ` x Thats good too. As long as your son knows you love him its all right.

A:

` ` ba. Danyu an I hope so.

Key Vocabulary

n shang naoj l zh` xiey` ` pan ou ` x ntour

bothersome rational agreement to sentence ones own esh and blood

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e tuoxi tiaozh eng ` tansh` shangd` ng ` q ngxiang guansi fuy ang quan fuy ei ang f` ` tansh` quan

to compromise to adjust to visit to settle after discussion tendency; trend lawsuit custody child support payment visitation rights

Supplementary Vocabulary

u jianh ` quan

right of custody or guardianship alimony to sue to win a lawsuit

` ang f` shany ei guansi da ` shengs u `

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` u bais `

to lose a lawsuit

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Upper-Intermediate - Playing the Stock Market (D0526)

A:

gupi ` le mei? N zu` j` n mai ao Youve been buying stock lately, no?

B:

ou. W ` xianz ` ai ` gush` ` e, ` haish` j ` dian Meiy o kan nshen guor hao. Nope. I think the stock market is overheated now, so its good to be a bit cautious.

A:

08 10
` n ai. Zhonggu gush` ` ai ` sh` Nangu ai f abuliaoc o j xianz b` ` niush` xiongh ` zai ` z sh nian uyu njian ben ou, ` de da , m ` unhu` ` de Aoy y de Sh` ang nian jiash l ng ba he l ng nian ` , zh` hai y san de zhangsh` nian bohu` shao ou liang . Suoy wo y le haoj zh ` j nnian k ouq` mai gupi ao. No wonder you arent rich. The Chinese stock market is in its biggest bull market in the last dozen years. Between the extraordinary mass of public capital, and then the Olympics and World Fair, there will be growth for at least two to three years. So I took the plunge and bought a lot of stock this year.

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B:


guof` ` en legu ` an ` ` daji ` a ` le. Zheng dou zheN bie sh` y nwei cai juede k ` Zhonggu de gush` b` ` wo me shuo, epa. o utai hai e u ` duo dou ` duanxi an ` le. Erqi sh` chengsh u, zuo sanh ` tai y ` nengl` . a l de, quef zh` f enx he d` ng de x nl chengsh ou , ba qian f` ` gush` ` an de. Suoy ang zai f eichang maoxi sh` Dont be too optimistic. The reason I feel scared is exactly because everyone is talking like you. The Chinese stock market still isnt terribly mature. There are too many private investors, and theyre all looking at the short term, lacking both rational analysis and a certain psychological endurance. This makes putting money in the stock market extraordinarily risky.

A:


` T ou f ma? Guanji ` sh` an F` eihua. ouz neng meiy engxian ` y` F ` wo sh` ` changxi ` de, duan x ntai ao hao. anzheng zuo an ei. ` wusu q de zhangdi e ow No kidding. Can there be investment without risk? The critical thing is keeping a good attitude. Im interested in the long-term at least, and indifferent to short-term uctuations.

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B:


` ai ` x hen duo gupi ` sh` lian K e xianz n rush` shen` de ren ao gao q duo mei mangm me dongxi dou ngchu jiu u ` mai, ` a. ` ang y sh` rongy` ` k Zhey` lai, chang hen chuxi onghuang, an ` hu` y anzhong de hai bengp an. But right now many of the new entrants are acting blindly - buying stocks on the market without even knowing what they are. This way the market will easily give in to panics, and more seriously, market collapses.

A:


ch ` putao ` putao W N bie budao shuo suan. o zu` kanbu ` n ` ong b` dan dan ` f guan zhezh danzi xiao, ugan engxian, ` ao ` bier en chaog u ` le jiu kand anhong de ren. zhuan ` y Dont talk about something you know nothing about. I really disapprove of you craven, cowardly folk who cant bear risk, but get red with envy whenever they see others making money.

B:

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mei name ` W o y anhong? W o cai y` ouzh` ne. W o zh sh` ` ai ` de gush` ` e. ` Zuow ` ei touz ren, y xianz shuo, d` ng guor ` cai x dei t y` ao y ou x nl zhunb ng. W o hai x ng n y ju, ei ` u chabudu ` dub chaog o. jiu ` gen o You calling me red with envy? Im not that immature. Im just saying that the stock market is overheated. As an investor, you need a certain amount of mental preparation. Ill also remind you that stock market speculation is not so different from gambling.

A:


` ong ` zao jiu ` le. Xianz ` ai ` n an N zhezh guanni zh ` guosh ` zu ` liuy` ` sh` dong` y` ao zuo e, p ngsh zai xia chang gongk` y ` j o ` le. tai, benshang jiu ou baw ` y Your way of thinking was outdated long ago. Right now all you can do is prepare yourself well, and pay attention to the market developments, then youll get it.

B:


y ` an? zhey` ` ang jiu ` Na ou zheme jiand Rugu ng dehua, o ` x en dou le. f renr acai Where is it that easy? If this is all it takes, then everyone would be rich.

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A:


` le, n ` y n le Suan zh hu` zai pang y anhong. Gen shuo y e sh` baishu o. Forget it. Youre just standing on the sidelines burning with envy. Theres no point in talking to you.

Key Vocabulary

` j nshen niush` ` xiongh ou zhangsh` u sanh ` bengp an ` ch budao putao putao shuo suan

cautious bull market abundant upward trend private investor market collapse sour grapes

y anhong liuy`

envious to pay attention to


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an ` duanxi ` changxi an u chaog ` e ` guor k onghuang

short-term long-term to speculate in stocks overheated panic

Supplementary Vocabulary

an kaip an shoup ` ang chengji aoli xiongsh` ` ` paom o ` e baodi

opening quotation closing quotation volume of business bear market bubble fall steeply; plunge

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Upper-Intermediate - Resisting Relocation


A:

(D0531)


zher ` zhongy de ren zhao n an le. J u ao chaiqi uweihu` Ai, y` le ma? tan Ah, theyre nally tearing down our building and relocating us. Did someone from the neighborhood committee have a talk with you?

B:

?
le. Shuo ang ` ` gaos ug u Zhao jiu ao dongg ong le, ` ongl ` mash ` y` ` ` e gongzu ` T de? n rang women peih o. amen z enme gen tan Yeah. He said theyre about to begin work on the new expressway and they need us to cooperate. What did they say to you?

A:


` b` tao. ` Anzh ` huk ` gei f Hai u jiush` ao angzi. Hai ` laoy ` ou, mianji ` po ` f y ou y b` uf` en j ngj` b uchang. W o zhu beizi angzi, ` le y ` k an ` y ` le. z ongsuan ey gaish xia What else? Just the same old thing. Theyll give us homes depending on registries and area. And theres some economic compensation. Ive lived in a run-down place my whole life, and now I can nally improve that.

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B:

` jiu ` le? N zhunb ban ` zheme ei So youre going to move just like that?

A:


y ` ong an ` ma. Zenme, dou sh` Mei Sh` a. jia zhezh tiaoji n ` zuo ` d zhunb ngzihu? ei ` Yeah. Every family has these same terms. What, are you planning to resisting the relocation?

B:


lo! W ` ` ai ` sh` ` Dangr an o gaosu n , xianz women zhud guo ong, ` ong. ` ` de tiaoji an, ` ganm ` beid jia Neng zhengq u hao a geng f` angq` ? Of course! Let me tell you, nowadays were the ones who have to take the initiative; the country is passive. If we are able to ght for better terms, why the heck would you give up?

A:


W a women an ` b` ` Y gei A? o juede guoji de tiaoji ucuo. ou qian hai y ` na, ou xiangy` ang de f angzi zhu. ` Huh? I think that the government has given us pretty good terms. We get money, plus a decent house to live in.
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B:


a? Name ` qian, l ` de f N sha y dian sh` qu yuan angzi, name cai b` ` Chongq` wo uy` ao ne. N kan, ng zu` niu ngzihu, de d ` ` , zu` ` nad ao ` de b b gen n jiush` u ban, p ndaod hou uchang ` b` duole. bieren hao Are you stupid? Such a small amount of money, a house so far from the city center that I denitely dont want. Look at the most stubborn relocation rebel in Chongqing. He just plain wouldnt move he fought until the bitter end. In the end, the compensation he received was much better than what others got.

A:


wo k ou zhezh ` ong le banti ` an, ` zu` e meiy j ngl` . Gao hou Ai, b` o. Dao ` sh banz ou le, hai uy d` ng y ou jiegu hou, bieren dou ` mei y le, n ` kuai ` shu dian e mei z enme zhu? o q ngyuan ` W zhu dian n f angzi. ` x (Sigh.) I certainly dont have that kind of energy. And after all that, in the end theres no guarantee of any results. When the time comes and everyone else has moved away, theres no water, electricity, or gas, then how will you live? Id rather move into a new place sooner.

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B:

` n ` sh houhu ` y` Na dao hou k e bie . Zongzh , wo ao jianch ` . daod Well, when that time comes I hope you dont regret it. As for me, Im going to stick it out to the end.

A:

` ` hao ` zhe ba, wo jiu le. X ng a, n manm an u f` engpei ` b` All right, you take your time and drag it out. I just wont be around to keep you company.

Key Vocabulary

an chaiqi

to demolish a building and relocate the residents neighborhood committee to begin construction same old story compensation to improve a household resisting relocation
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juw eihu`

` dongg ong tao ` laoy b uchang an ` gaish d ngzihu `

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` xiangy` ang niu ` q ngyuan

presentable; decent awesome; great to prefer to; rather would

` hao

to spend; to consume; to continue on to keep someone company

f` engpei

Supplementary Vocabulary

zhengsh ou qiangzh` jiangch ch ku ` kangy` anliangc` sanf

to collect (taxes, etc.) to coerce to be deadlocked to suffer loss to protest again and again; repeatedly

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Upper-Intermediate - The Scene of the Accident (D0542)


A:


` ` wo haishi ` luk dao b` uguo W o kai hou sh` lud u ` ou de sh eng, u, y` angd ` xiangd ` y ` zhu jians ou zhuanxi eng. Mei ao, liang ` da ` ` ` kuai. ` W chong dongch e chulai. T a sh` zh x ng, sud jiao o ` u ` b ang ` ` ` e, k mash shach esh` haishi zhuang le. W o j` de zhuang shuai ` ` xiach ` e, de sh mei xialai, che hou ta dansh` deng wo ` zai ` d` ` ` shuo jiu wo ta p` gu zuo shang, y` ou ku ou nao, ` y y` ta ` shang hongd zhuang le. M chuang ba ngm ng sh` ta eng, an jiaot y` ` zai ` wo shenshang. ong weif gu z e, hai ao lai W o an de sh ` san sh dangsh zhuanw hou sud y ou er gong` u ` zh b` ` ta. en l , genb u k eneng zhuangd ao When I drove up to the intersection the light was green, but I still slowed down, and put on my right turn blinker. I never thought an electric bike would come out of nowhere. She was going straight, at a rather high speed. I braked immediately, but I still hit her. I remember when I hit her bike she didnt fall off, but after I got out of my car, she set her butt right on the ground, crying and making a fuss, saying I injured her. Shes clearly the one that ran a red light, breaking the law, and now she wants to pin it on me. At the time I was turning, my speed was only 20 or 30 kilometers per hour. Theres no way I could have knocked her over.

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B:


` u zh mal W o dangsh q zhud e x ng. Y` ao chuan ` ongch ` de ` z ` guo, lud ` sh hou, wo x` kan u gang bianch eng huang eng ` wo qianmian ` u dou guoq deng, dangsh zai de che o ` le. W ` e hai y ` laba. xiangd ` u guoqu, y e jias erqi zh an Mei ao ` chong ` y` ` sud ` T mei jian en y liang Aod ouzhuan, eikuai. a genb ` u ` f sh` du ` u. su, aner jias o y dian f any` ng, jiu ` f ` W ` zhuang laibuj ` ` ` de ches ` ` de u, shangqu le. T a zheme kuai ou sh` zheme da ` y` y ` jiu ren dai ` che ` d` ` wo shuai dao che, xiazi shang le. ` lian I was riding my electric bike, going straight. When I needed to cross the street I looked carefully, and the green light had just turned yellow. The cars in front of me all went ahead. I also sped up to go through, and I was continuously blowing my horn. I never imagined an Audi would make a right turn, and at a blinding speed. He never slowed down he sped up. I had no time at all to react, and I ran into him. He was going so fast, and it was such a big car, that I was immediately thrown to the ground along with my bike.

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C:


jiu ` ai ` luk ` de y ` Chush` hou wo q nger` zhanz ` ou, kan de sh ` aoch ` an, meiy ou y` chu. y liang xiaoji e ou zhuanw Dangsh ` laba, ` jiu le. Shei xiaode ` an wu xia y liang ` zhuan de y ` ` kuai. ` T y guolai, zhud e e kai sud e hen amen jiu ` ongch ` u ` y ` ` ` le. W ` an ` zhuangch ` ` de x zhuangsh ang o d` y c` kanji e, nl pa W ` a ` huai ` le, k ` le. W hen. o xiang zhexi eneng zhuangs ren o ` pao guoqu, ` ` ao ` nage ` guniang de xiao ganku ai kand q che ` d` ` hao ren meish` . Kai en zai chezi de nanr shuai shang, hai ` ai y ` le. T ` y` kai de kuai, houl e xialai amen liang ge dou ng` ` pengy` ng jiu le. ` zhuang When the accident happened I was standing at the intersection, and I saw everything clear as day. A small car was turning right, didnt blow its horn, and whoosh just made a turn. Who knew an electric bike would also drive up, and at a really high speed. They just hit each other. It was the rst time I ever saw a car accident. I was scared out of my wits. I thought it must be bad, maybe someone died in the crash. I hurried right over and saw the girl on the bike had been knocked to the ground. Good thing she was OK. Then the man driving the car got out. They were both driving very fast, metal hit metal, and it was a crash.

Key Vocabulary
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u jians ` ang` y` ou zhuanxi deng ` zhud e ` ongch zh x ng e shach ` zhuangch e ` y` ou ku ou nao y`

to slow down right turn signal

hybrid bike-motorbike to go straight to brake to crash (a vehicle) to cry and cause a commotion to run a red light

chuang deng ` lai u jias ` f any` ng

hong-

to blame; to deny error to accelerate to react the person together with the vehicle to be very clear about something
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

ren dai ` che lian

` y q ngerch u

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xiaode chush` ` y` ngpengy` ng

to know; to be aware to have an accident to collide with force

Supplementary Vocabulary

y oumen ` daoch e ` housh` j` ng chaoch e

accelerator; throttle to back up a vehicle rearview mirror to pass a vehicle; to overtake to cut driver off another

` qiangd ao

u chaos `

to exceed the speed limit eyewitness

muj ` zhe

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Upper-Intermediate - Global Warming


A:

(D0548)

` ai ` tianq` b` ` ` le! w Xianz anquan u zhengch ang. Res The weather now is totally abnormal. Its so hot!

B:


` zhe ` sh` u ` biannu ` xianxi ` ang? ` N b` u zh quanqi hou an dao q` ` hu` ` aiyu e ` re ` de. Y hou yuel Dont you know this is the global warming phenomenon? Its going to get hotter and hotter.

A:


o, y ` e ` jiu q` ou m Ay t ng zhexi xiang zhuany ngc , wo an. N ` f ` ng, y Y neng bu neng b` u shuo? hu` r sh` wensh` xiaoy` hu` r u ` biannu ` Zenme ` ` ou? zheme sh` quanqi hou an. dou raok q` Ugh! As soon as I hear those technical weather terms, I just get annoyed. Can you not talk about it? First its the greenhouse effect, then its global warming. How come theyre such a mouthful to say?

B:

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` ` ng de hougu ` zhuy` N z enme guang W ensh` xiaoy` o ` zhege? y ` ` guo Ge pai er k esh` hen anzhong de. N y ou mei y ou kan ` u shengg y mei l de j` lupi Quanqi wen ao ng dian du, ` an? q` ` ei ` laishu ` dou sh` an. du` renl o zain How can you only pay attention to that? The consequences of the greenhouse effect are very grave. Have you seen Al Gores documentary? For every 0.1 degree the earths temperature rises, its a calamity for the human race.

A:


` ong ` genb q ` zuoy` ` ong. ao en W o juede zhezh shuoji budao ` guo y ` r` ` ang guo. ` Kan hou, zi haishi zhaoy` I think this kind of preaching is of absolutely no use. Since I saw it, everything has been the same as always.

B:


` ai ` quesh ` y duo kaish ` ren guanzh K esh` xianz ou hao u hou ` q` ` le. T` sh` hao duo dou ` ren kaish tonggu went ebie OuM ei, o gaibi an ` huanj` ng. r` chang x ngwei, However, now a lot of people have started to pay more attention to the climate issue. Especially in Europe and Americaa lot of people are trying to transform the environment through their day-to-day behavior.

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A:


` wo juede ` e ` biannu ` dail ` ai de sh y Shuo hua, naxi ou q` hou an ` l hen yuan, d` ` y y an zain z` j de shenghu o qiu dian, ou re ` shenme dabuli ao? To tell the truth, I think that the calamities brought on by climate change seem very distant from my life. So the earth is a little warmerwhats the worst that can happen?

B:


b` jut ` wo y an N bie u danghu sh` . Su ran e shuobu` de zain ` k ei ` de shengc q ng, dansh` y ou y dian ey k end` ng, renl un ` ` hu` ` de f ` e. ` zhuangt ai bian eichang eli Dont take it lightly. Although no one can be certain of the particular disastrous results, there is one thing for certain: living conditions for humans will become very poor.

A:

le banti ` an, y ` n wo ma. Gao gen e chabudu o After going on for half the day, you are basically saying the same thing I am.

B:


u le. W shao Shenme? W o b n y ou juew o y j ng kaish ` duo y` ` le. e, shao kaich ongdian

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What? I am a lot more aware than you. Ive already started driving my car less, and using less electricity.

A:

` ang zhun gei d` ` ` x zhensh` Ng, zhey` qiu en, tai n neng jiangw ku le. n Hmph. Like that will really lower the temperature of the earth. Youre really putting yourself out.

Key Vocabulary

u ` quanqi q` hou ` biannu an ` q` xiang ` ng wensh` xiaoy` ` ou raok ` j` lupi ` an ` an zain ` ao shuoji ` ang zhaoy`

global warming

meteorology greenhouse effect tongue-twister documentary lm disaster to preach, sermonize in the same old way; as before to follow with interest
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

guanzh u `

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` dabuli ao danghu sh`

at the worst; alarming to take something seriously living conditions

shengc un ` ` zhuangt ai ` e ` eli u juew `

poor quality; vile consciousness; lightenment en-

` jiangw en

to drop in temperature; to cool down

Supplementary Vocabulary

wur an wensh` q` t ang paif` b ngchuan ` ronghu a ` ai hanz

to pollute; pollution greenhouse gas emission; discharge glacier to melt drought

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ao ` zaih ` ai hongl n sh liu ao ` haixi

ood mudslide tidal wave

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Upper-Intermediate - Studying Japanese


A:

(D0555)

o, n ` ` xue r` Ay zheme y` onggong, zai yu! Wow, youre so hard-working, studying Japanese!

B:


` b` en a, xianz ` ai ` xue dian de. Su` Ng, gang kaish yue u raor f` dongxi k e zhen eij` n. Yeah, I just started. Time and tide wait for no man. Studying stuff now is really tiring.

A:

hany ` u ` de ma. Zong b y R` yu u sh` t ng xiang xue ngyu he b` rongy` ba. But Japanese and Chinese are really similar, right? Its got to be easier than studying English, anyway.

B:


y ` ` ai ` f ` r` W o y qian e zheme xiang. Xianz axian, yu sh` kai zh jiand an, f b tou ru ay n shenme de. K esh` xiang xue shuxi e, jiu le. y de shen dian ` nan I used to think that. Now I nd that Japanese is only easy in the beginning, for writing and pronunciation and stuff. But if you want to dig deeper in your studies its difcult.

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A:


duo ` ma, women en hanz` R` yu b` u sh` y ou hen zhonggu or l ` chule ` , hai z` j zuomo zuomo jiu ngbai le. Bugu ` m ` o, hanz` ` ai ` de fuh ` Na ` sh` guaigu y ouxie shenme y a? ao. Doesnt Japanese have lots of Chinese characters? We Chinese can just put some thought into it and then well get it. But besides Chinese characters there are also some weird symbols. What are those?

B:


ng he pianji ` am ng ba, na ` sh` de sh` N shuo p ngjiam r` yu de ` Zai ` r` zhuy yu tong y ge f ay n du` y` ng zhe ` n fuh ao. zhong, ng he pianji ` am ng liang a. P ng p ngjiam zhong xief ngjiam ` de caosh ` guolai ` de, y` sh` cong hanz` u anhua ongyu ban y y Pianji ` am ng yuany u ` de pianp ang de shuxi b` ushou, hanz` e. biaosh` u ` qiangdi ` de. zhuy` y` onglai w` ailaiy ao ao sh` huo

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Youre talking about hiragana and katakana. Theyre the phonetic writing system of Japanese. In Japanese, the same sounds correspond to both the written forms of hiragana and of katakana. Hiragana evolved from the grass script form of Chinese characters, and are used in typical writing. Katakana originated from the radicals of Chinese characters, and is mainly used to express foreign loanwords or emphasis.

A:


` zh ` r` duo cong O, zhege wo dao, yu y ou hao y ngyu jie l zh ` de c y ny` guolai . Oh, I know this: a lot of English words were directly transliterated into Japanese words.

B:


` tamen ` y tes ` e ` de, w Ng, b` uguo haishi b jiao ou r` ben anquan ai sh` t ngbuchu shenme. yuanl Yeah, but they still have Japanese characteristics. You cant tell at all what they were originally.

A:

` r` ` dou sh` Na yu de hanz` f ant z` ma? zhong So are the Chinese characters in Japanese all traditional characters?

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B:


` duosh y z` women u, r` F ant zhan ou y xie sh` jiant , he ` hai z` a b` ` y jiant de xief utai y` ang. B ru en de . Zhongw ou zhege ` l jiu z` . ` meiy Traditional characters comprise the majority, but there are also a few Japanese character simplications that are somewhat different from our simplied characters. For example, the patsu in shuppatsu. This character doesnt exist in Chinese.

A:

` Zenme t ng q lai zheme fuz ` a? Why does it seem so complicated?

B:


de hai zai ` houmian ` ou yuf y Fuz ne. B ru z` duo n, haiy ` a y a. xialai, ` ` he hany ` u ` jiej` n de yuy W o z ongjie f axian yue an du` yue ` nanxu y ` n ` u f women laishu o aner e, nwei hu` y` ong hany qu u. de s wei ` jied The really complicated stuff is still coming. For example, the multiple readings for each character, and the grammar. In the end, Ive discovered that languages too similar to Mandarin are actually harder to learn, because youll be applying your Chinese concepts when deciphering them.
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A:


wo juede zh N ` y b` y` ao sh` yuy u haoxu e. kan ngAi, an, dou zanmen y dou b` b` wo yu, Zhongw en dian u xiangg an, u he ma? sh` y e xuebuh ao Ah, I think that as long as its a language, its always going to be difcult. Take a look at English. Its not at all similar to Chinese, but I cant even learn it, right?

Key Vocabulary

` b` en su` yue u raor

Time and tide wait for no one to put forth a lot of effort; tiring to ponder over hiragana katakana to evolve loanword to decipher

f` eij` n

zuomo ng p ngjiam ` am ng pianji ` y anhua u w` ailaiy u jied

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xiangg an

to be concerned with; to have to do with

Supplementary Vocabulary

an laiyu j` y` l`

source memory; ability to remember to save energy ou kait things are always difcult at the start

shengl` w` ansh` nan

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Upper-Intermediate - Experiencing Agricultural Life


(D0561)

` a W ` Z Daji hao! Hei! o jiao Heng! Hey! Hello everybody! Im Ziheng.


na, ` Z Z Heng f eichang de huopo a, hao, Heng, j n ong ` y women u tian y` ao guany du` n zuo ge xuen ang. Zhunb ` hao le meiy ou? caif ei Ziheng is very lively. OK, then, Ziheng, today we want to interview you about learning agricultural production. Are you ready?

n ` ba! Ng, zhuch q ng su bian ren Uh-huh. Host, please ask me whatever you like!


d` ` jiush` Hao, y ge went dush hou y ou` n u de sh ou xue guo nong? meiy OK. The rst question is, when you were in school, did you ever study farming?

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guo a. Xue Yes, I did.

` ai ` shenme Dag sh hou ne? Approximately when was that?

Ng gaozh ong de sh hou. Um, when I was in high school.

gao ` haish` er? Gaoy Your rst year, or your second year?

` er. Gao My second year.

` ong Name n men sh` qu d` fang xuen de? ` shenme So, where did you go to study farming?

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W omen qu ng Dao. ` Changx We went to Changxing Island.

sh` ` shenme ang ` Changx ng Dao zai d` fang? Haoxi ou t guo. meiy ngshuo Where is Changxing Island? I dont think Ive ever heard of it.

` nage ` Zai Changji ang k ou. At the mouth of the Yangtze River.

` Changji Zai ang k ou. At the mouth of the Yangtze River.

duo duo ` chuan. hen da Y ou hen There are many, many ships.

` n ` chuan guoq ` u O, na men sh` zuo ` de ma? Oh, so did you get there by boat?

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8
badi de duchu dag ` ai ` liang ge duo an Ng, zaoch en an, ` ou dao ` de ba. xiaosh zuoy` Uh-huh. Around eight oclock in the morning we took the ferry. We got there in just over two hours, or so.


` haish` man x e ` dao ` nage ` O, na nku ub de, changt ash d` fang. Oh! Well, thats pretty tiring. You really had to cover a long distance to get to the place.

Sh` ya! Yeah!

name ` ` nar ` xue le dag ` ai ` duoch sh ang n men zai Hao, jian? OK, so how approximately how long did you study there?

` ou. sh zuoy` Chabudu o tian


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About 10 days, give or take.

ou? zuoy` Sh tian 10 days, give or take?

Ng. Uh-huh.


` jiush` ` sh ou shangk` ` n Na tian men y oumeiy e? ` zhege ` wo t ao ` haoxi ang ` an y Y nwei ngshuo oude xuexi baiti ong, ou ` w ` nage ` xuexi ao ` xuen ranh anshang j` xu ` shang de nazh ` ong ai l anp k` echeng. So, then, in those 10 days did you attend any classes? Because Ive heard that some schools learn farming during the day, and then in the evening have to go on to study some lessons arranged by the school.

` na ` women la! Ha. A, z` y ou duo Oh? Then we had a lot more freedom! Ha.

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Sh` ma? Really?

an ` w ganhu W omen sh` baiti o, anshang z` y ouhuo` dong. We had to work during the day. In the evening we had free time.

` na ` n ` xie gan shenme A, men w anshang dou ne? Ah. So, what did you do in the evenings then?


` tai ` duo ` hao jiang, ` a le, y b` daji dou Na ouxie utai y ouxie ` du` zh dao ba? So much. Some things are better not to say. Some things are obvious, right?

ai a shenme Dap de sh` ba? Play cards, etc. Right?

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Du` du` du` . Right, right, right.


` jut ` xuen ong zai n Na neng shuoyishu o q jian ` de n ` le xie shenme men gan huor? Now, specically, can you please tell us, what kinds of work did you do during the time you were there studying farming?


e laosh ou tebi ` e de sh Kaish hou ne ganju y e meiy weish ` enme ` hou qu ai, de anp ne, nash hou ne ` de sh ` chuy de sh zhengh ao ge nongxi an hou. u y At the beginning, I felt like the teacher had not arranged anything in particular. Why? At the time when we went it happened to be the farmers slow season.

` mang Jiush` utai de sh hou. ` b` Thats when theyre not too busy.

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` meiy ou anp laosh ` zhe ` ai, Du` du` du` . Y nwei y kan ` a, na ` z ` ne, ta jiu y e b` u sh` ge banf enme ban ` zhao duo ao, ranh ou ` women zac le y ge d` fang, y ou hen jiu ` qu, ou ` jiu zac ao. na ba y bangzi ren ` la ` ranh ` kaish Right, right, right. Because there were no arrangements, as soon as the teacher saw this, it wouldnt do, so he went and found a place where there were a lot of weeds. He then dragged the whole lot of us over there, and we started pulling weeds.

ba de? De? Y` ong shou You had to pull them out by hand?

gao gao Dag ` ai ` b gao ` hen de cao. ba, nage Hen ren sh hou. Very, very tall weeds. Probably taller than a person, at that time.


` haiy` ao gao ao? ` b` a? B de zac Name gao ren Na u na ` sh` sh` cao, shu ` le! He.

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That tall? Weeds even taller than people? Those arent weeds, they are trees! Heh-heh.


` ` chabudu ba, sh` He, o shu, ey zheme jiang. W an ` k ` nage ` ma f ` y le y hou, sh hou ba anzheng ren e b` u ` gan` ma, y ng dou sh` duo banx` nansh eng jiu ` xiad` ranh ou ` nush ` pangbi ` an nabi jiay ou huo, u jiu an eng ` zai ` lal ` na adu` chabudu a shenme de, jiu o. ` gen Heh. Pretty much. They were trees, you could say. As we got near the endwell by that time the number of people pulling weeds werent so manygenerally it was the guys who would go to work on the eld, and the girls would just stand on the side and cheer us on, etc., just like a cheerleading squad or something.


n , gei n ` shu ou ` n Gei men daq` men song , ranh men nush dou ` le. gan jiu u de huor ` ba eng Pumping you guys up, bringing you waterand then you would do all the girls work for them.

A.

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Ah.

` ` bac ao, meiy ou gan ` biede Houmian doush` zai sh` qing ma? Later it was all pulling weeds? You didnt do anything else?

` dao ` meiy ou, bac ao dag ` ai ` y` zuoNa ong le liang tian y` ou de sh jian. Actually, no. Pulling the weeds took about two days, more or less.

Ng. Oh.

( )

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an cao y ` ne, jiush` juzi k Baw hou e kaish e` shuo y ai, ou ` ba women lad ` juyu ranh ao y caizh y du ren an ou ` qu ne laosh l qu qian jiush` ` le. Ranh ` zh ` qian d d ngzhu an zhuf ngn ng w` an zhuf w` u ` ( qian u ` ): n laosh an b` men j` zhu o, qianw` uy` ao touch . Y` aosh` gei na ` n ` jiu u zhuazh ge, hao men zhec` an le. ` y ` w Once we were done pulling the weeds, the tangerines were about ready to be picked. So, they dragged the group of us to the tangerine grove. Then, before we went, the teacher was warning us over and over: Remember! Absolutely do not eat the tangerines on the sly. If the teacher caught someone doing it, theyd be dead.

` a, huozh ` e y Jiu j` guo ou chuf` de sh` ` hu` en a shenme bu sh` ? Youd get a demerit, or be punished or something, right?

Du` du` du` . Right, right, right.


` ` y ` nongm ou f alai O, name zhaixi hou n bobo meiy en gei n y dian men ma?

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Oh, so, once you picked them, didnt the farmer divide some up and give them to you?


` ai ` meiger liang lo, shuo Y ou, dag en j n ba, dangr an ` zhege ` laoshi hua, z onggu hu` y ou y liang ge xiao du` huozi ba, ha. Yes, about one kilogram per person. Of course! But honestlywell, anyhow there will always be one or two guys, right? Ha.

gu ou ` tout b` ou de ch Ha, u shou ju, ranh ? Ha. Not follow the rules, and then secretly eat some?

Du` du` du` . Right, right, right.

` Z ong Na Heng a, n juede xuen de sh hou y ouy` si ma? Now, Ziheng, do you think that studying agricultural life was interesting?

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` y ong ` Y ou, te ouy` si. W anshang z` y ouhuod de sh hou ` a ` ganm ` dou xiang x daji ganm a a, ng. Yes, very interesting. When it was our free time in the evening, everything anyone wanted to do they could do. It was all good.


` n ` dou de zhongdi sh` Na shuo an w anshang y ouy` si, ` baiti an an ` leibul ` ` ne? Baiti ganhu na o ei? So your point is that the evenings were interesting. So, what about the daytime? Working all day were you tired?


an ` nash ` hou daji ` a xiao ma, ma, y dou hai Baiti nwei ou shenme tebi ` e de zhezh ` ong ` meiy hen xiang wo` ai ` k ` a, sha a, zay` ang a, dou men xianz ey gaogu ai ` shao, jiush` ` a zai ` na ` ganhu ` dou ment ou b jiao o ` daji ` duo y b jiao dian.

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During the day, well, because at that time everyone was still quite young, not like now how we can fool aroundyou know, like that. We didnt do that kind of thing so much then. It was more that everyone was absorbed in doing the work, mostly.


` y ou ren zh n ` jiush` O, na oumeiy dao men ganhu o, ` ` z ` z y nggai enme zuo enme zuo. So, was there anyone directing you in your work, like, telling you how you should do this or that?


hu` ` nongm gei Y ou a, zh qian y ou y wei n bobo xian ` ge sh` ou ` jiao women women zuo f` an, ranh shenme n zhuy` le women d` fang y` ao xiaox an y e y ou ` , dangr ` e b ` chongd ` ` shangqu gebi jiao ong de pengyou zh jie le, nong ` utu. jiu de shoushang y tah ` lai Yeah, before doing something, a farmer would rst give us a demonstration. Then tell us what things to pay attention to. Of course, there were a few friends that were more impulsive. They would just go ahead and do something, and make a mess out of it.

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ao ` shushang A, jiush` qu ` ` ma? ` pad Ah, you mean climb up a tree?

ao. Bu , gec ` sh` No, cutting the grass.


de sh ou ` jiush` ao O, gec hou ranh dou ` shoushang ` le, sh` shoush ang le, liuxi ba? e Oh, when they were cutting the grass they injured their hands, and were bleeding. Is that right?

Du` du` du` . Right, right, right.


name ` ` shenme Hao, n men sh` zhuz d` fang ne? ` ai ` nongm shuo ` shenme haish` zhuz Zhuz n de jial ` ai ` ai ` a xuexi ao ` a. sush ` e

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OK, so where did you stay? Did you live in the farmers house, or live in some kind of dormitory, or school, or what?


` sush ` y ` nage ` ` sh` Sush nwei d` fang ne, ta y ou na` e ` e, a, hongw ` ng nage ` ai ` ma, ta ge jiush` qian eib niand ` y ` y W ` naxi ` e zhuzh lao liuxi xie omen ne, jiu a ` ai. ` zhuz ` ai ` Naxi ` e f lao wench f angzi l mian. angzi su ranshu o ong ` nage ` ` sh` de, y t ng duo nwei sh hou zhengh ao A dormitory. Because that place, it had from before, from the Red Guard time, some residences that were left over. We lived in those old houses. Though you could say that those houses had quite a lot of mosquitoes, because at that time it happened to be...

` an? Xiati Summer?

Qiuti an. Autumn.

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O, qiuti an. Oh, Autumn.


` ` e jiush` Ng, dansh` ne, zhege w anshang ne ganju ` ` ` zhege ` ` ao ` w tougu o chuangk ou a k ey kand anshang ` an ` e tebi ` e de x de x ngxing a, tamen nabi ngxing tebi ` liang. Uh-huh. But, in the evening, looking through the window, you really felt that the night stars... the stars there were especially bright.


ou guangh ` de wur suoy kan ` de tebi ` e A, meiy ai an, name ` ` ` bai q ngchu. Hao, n men nage sh hou y nwei ` de tebi ` e lei ` ma, sh` ` gongzu tian o bu sh` f` anliang y e ` z duo duo? hen da eng, ch hen Ah, there was no light pollution, so you could see them especially clearly. All right, so, since at that time during the day you worked especially hard, did your appetite increase too? Did you eat a lot?

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` ` m le. W ` y Du` du` du` , zhege tai ngxian omen nar ou ` eiw ` ang, ch en ch ge daw f` an o sh` y` ong lianp de, ha. Yes, yes, yes. Thats very obvious. We had a king of the stomachs there with us. When he ate he used a washbasin for his food. Ha ha.

en ma? Sh` Ha. zhende lianp Ha ha. Was it really a washbasin?


` xiao y de lianp en, ` ong Sh` b jiao dian jiush` ` nazh ` da ` de nazh ` ong, tangc de, tangc de, b jiao jiush` ` , ` jiu ` b` ` eiw ` ang, erqi e y kan dao u sh` f` anw an, daw ` zh ` ` eiw ` ang houl ` ai chengw women zhege daw ei de xian` ao women ` ` j` n, daibi shangq u nage jiush` ong` jiang ` z aog ` ao ` a, man l` jieb hai de, he.

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It was a smaller-sized washbasinthe enamelware sort. The bigger kind. As soon as you saw it you knew it wasnt a rice bowl. The stomach-king, he later became the model worker, and represented us in going up to present our nal report. Pretty amazing.

` ush` ` ai p ` ta houl n f` A, naji ngshang le xianj` enz ? ` shuo Oh, so you are saying that later he was chosen to be your model worker?

Du` du` du` . Right, right.

ong N men sh` bu sh` y ou p ng shenme xuen biao` de? b ng zh lei Did you guys hold some kind of an event to choose the model farming worker?


` ai ` y ou de tongxu Y ou y ou y ou, dag ou sh ge zuoy` e ` p ` bei ng shang le ba.

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Yes, yes. There were around 10 classmates that were chosen for this.

` O, n p ngshang le ma? Oh. Were you chosen?

ou. W o meiy I wasnt.

` n le? an Na k end` ng sh` toul Oh, you must have been goong off a little then?

nage ` de. an Du` , wo sh hou t ng toul Yes. At the time I was pretty much goong off.


de, name ` y ` , jiush` ` sh Hao hai ou y ge went hou ` nage ` n ` ai ` juede sh` dush hou, na xianz xuesheng u de sh ong? y xu Jiush` ou shenme y` y` ` shuo bu xuy` ao xuen ma?

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All right. So, I have another question, that is, at that time you were still a student. What about nowdo you think students need to study farming life? That is to say, does it have any signicance?


juede xuy` ` xue le nong Ng, wo man nwei y ao de. Y ` ne wo k ` ao ` zhege ` hou ey kand juzi z enme zhang sh` ou ` y ` zhege ` chulai de, ranh ejiu dao juzi ` zh zhuang ai, q xiang z enmey` ang, z enme qu sh y qian ` caizh kand ` ao ` guo b` ` y hen jiand an, zh mei u zh dao, wei y` ao ` ai ranh ou ` baozhu ou al zhaixi ang jiu ng, q sh meiy ` x ` an, duo x` de d` hen hen name jiand xiao fang haish` qu eng e xuy` q nshou de, cain ganju ` changsh` ao n ` suoy , zh` wo juede ` y ` de dao, shao k ey gansh ou xia ` ong ` ong e. x nazh l` l` jie nku ganju zhezh

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Uh-huh, I think its quite necessary. Because after studying about agriculture I could see where a tangerine came from, and could see how they were packed, how to pick them. Actually, I had never seen that before, so I didnt know. I thought it was very simplejust pick them, package them and thats it. But actually, its not that easy. There are a lot of very ne matters that you need to go and experience for yourself, in order to be able to understand. So, at least, I think I experienced, for a while, the feeling behind the saying: Every single grain is the fruit of hard work.


` zai ` chengsh` women Zhege jiush` shenghu o l ` shuo k b` ` jiech ` e ranh ou ` u nonghu de haizi eneng utai o, ` zhexi angr de renw ` ei zhexi ` e ong ` chenggu laod jiu suod an o ` l de hen jiand an, ou ` n qu ranh lai zhende z` j q nshou ` ` y ` de sh ` le, a, q zuo xia hou, jiu f axian sh nong` hu` m n bobo tamen zhende sh` f eichang de x nku. Hao ` y ong de y gande, name hai ou shenme du` xuen xie ` eshu zu` xiang ma? Huozh o y ouqu ngl` a ` de j

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Youre saying that children who live in the city maybe dont really come into contact with this kind of farm work, and take it for granted that this kind of work is really easy. And that when you really have to go and experience it rst-hand, you will nd that actually, the farmers have a very hard job. All right, do you have more thoughts on experiencing farming life? Or could you tell us your most interesting experience?


sh` ` xuen ong w Zu` y ouqu ngl` ma dangr an zai an` de j ` daji ` a ` f` ou ` dou b shang le, y nwei jiao angsong, ranh ` a hao, y w anshang daji e x nq ng hen x` ngzh` hen ` zai ` zhezh ` ong xiao shanb ` kan` b ao shang gao, ru zuo ` ou ` j zai ` nar ` kan tiansh ang de x ngxing, ranh ge ren aoti an, ` nabi ` an n, y laosh tanx liaoli e y oude gen zai chuq ou de pa y e y oude jiush` anshang tout ` w ` zhao u ` e an, ` ta ` kao ` haibi an jiush` y nali ma, naxi nwei ` haibi ` ong ` de y nazh pangq ( pangxi e zhong ).

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The most interesting experience was without doubt the evenings, because everyone was more relaxed, and then in the evenings everyone was also in a great mood, up for anything. For example, we would sit on the hills and look at the stars in the sky, and a few of us would chat there. Also, some would have heart-to-heart conversations with the teacher; some of us would sneak out at night and go nd the seaside. Because we were near the sea there, so there were crabs.

` wo zh ` W o zh dao dao. I know, I know.

` ong zhezh Zhua dongxi. Catch those sorts of things.

ou ` kao zhe ch Ranh ? And then roast and eat them?

zhe ch Du` , kao . Ha. Right, roast and eat them. Ha.

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Ha. Ha, ha.


ou gancu` ` jiu Haiy zaoshang jiu u hu lai le ma, ta ` b` ` zai ` haibi an ` r` ` ganju e y jiu nar na chu e t ng ` deng ma, na jiush` ` xuen ong duo hen hao, de sh hou y ou hen ` zai b` xiang gan ` de sh` y duo qian ugan b` ugan qing dou ` le. zuo So you might as well not go back until the morning right? We just waited there at the seaside for the sunrise. That felt pretty good too. Its basically that when we were there to learn about farming we also got to do a ton of things we had never even imagined thinking about or doing before.


ang ` hen q ` ran de nazh ` ong sh` Ng, dou haoxi nj` n daz` e o. Hao, na ` n xuen ong he junx ganju juede ` xiang un ` ge? b n geng x huan nay

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Hm, it seems like a lot of it was getting in touch with nature, that kind of experience. So, out of studying farming and military trainingwhich do you like better?


` liang ge wo juede dou hao de, y man Ng zhe n` wo ganju e junx ` z ne, sh` wei enme shuo ` dehua, un ` ren ba. lian I think both of them are quite good, because I feel that if you talk about military training, how can I put it, it trains you.

` ren, xunli ` ren de zhege ` Lian suzh` ` an ` . Trains you, builds character.

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` y ` xuex y ` Du` du` du` , xuesheng j ngguo duan hou ` naozi ` zh le ma, du` y ta nwei l mian y ou xuex ba? T a duo ` hen duo, ` n dongxi jiu na hen ta hul y` ao ` hu` e u ` ` n zhege ` zhenzh eng de qu hou hu` f ajue ` junx ` le y un ` en a hendu zhe` d` k dush o f ang n dou ey cong u zuor ` xunli ` dangzh ` ao ` hen ge junsh` hua ong gansh oud ` an dongxi. duo Right, right. After the student goes through a period of training, his brain is full of all the things he studied, right? A lot of things he might have neglected, but after youve really gone and got the military training, you will discover in that a lot of aspects of studying and conducting yourself as a person, you can draw on these things you experienced in the military.


y ` ang juede. na ` j ang jiu Du` , wo e zhey` Hao, ntian ` caif ` zher ` ba, xiexie ` dao n . He. Right, I feel the same way. OK, this brings todays interview to a close. Thank you. Heh-heh.

ai! pengy He, oumen, baib Heh-heh. Goodbye, friends!

Key Vocabulary

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ong xuen

to make an agricultural eld trip to go a long distance agricultural off-season to pick to warn again and again to record a demerit punishment after all to do something weird or crazy totally absorbed in in a total mess big eater

e ` changt ub ash nongxi an ai caizh qian d ngn ng w` an zhuf u ` ` j` guo chuf` en z onggu ` gaogu ai

ou ment utu y tah ` eiw ` ang daw

Supplementary Vocabulary

nongm ang

busy farming season


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ao tiaoti qianl t y` an

from afar to learn through personal experience

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Upper-Intermediate - Interview with the Boss


A:

(D0570)

hen rongx` ` ao ` n Liu ong hao, ng jiand n. z Hello, Mr. Liu. Im honored to meet you.

B:


wo y gaox` canji ` ng n a j de miansh` N hao, e hen lai ntian . ansh ` ` enme ` enji ba. N W omen kaim an weish y` ngp` n zhege ` zh wei? Hi, and Im happy youve come in for the interview. Lets get right down to the point. Why are you applying for this position?

A:


` zuo ` sh` le y he zai W o y zh dou chang, j lei d` ng de z yuan ` ` k ` f j ngy` an. Sh` chang j ngl zhege zh wei ey rang wo ahu ` gu` ` ai z` j de zhuanch ang, tongsh y e neng wei gongs dail ` . jiazh Ive been doing marketing all along, and Ive accumulated a certain amount of experience I can draw upon. The position of marketing manager would allow me to put my skills to use, while also bringing value to the company.

B:


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` m daxu ` e de gaoc eng. ` aish N de z l` b` ucuo, ngpai Y` ou zai ` o gongs ` guo. K n ou zuo ` kuagu gongzu o esh` zh qian meiy gongzu ` guo guanl o. Your record is pretty good, a top-ranked student from a bigname school. Youve also worked at a multi-national. But youve never played a management role.

A:


wo zu` y . Er Shenme sh` dou ou kaish x nshang de jiush` ` ` : gei x wut gu` gongs de wenhu a nren ai. Theres a starting point for everything. And what I appreciate most is this companys culture of giving newcomers time in the spotlight.

B:

hao. N zu` ` e sh` Ng, hen juede guanl zhongy` ao de yuanz shenme? Well, thats good. What do you think the most important principle of management is?

A:

en de jiaod u ` went ` . Cong bier ` qu ` kan Seeing problems from others point of view.

B:

!
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an Laoshi l` L Jiand luo, f eichang hao! shuo, xiaojie, n hen zhege ` ` Dansh` ` y sh` he zh wei. n de x nchou aoqiu ouxie y gao. Simple and skillful. Very good! To be honest, Ms. Li, youre well suited to this position. But your salary requirements are a little high.

A:

juedu` zh ` W o de z l` n n q ngchu, wo zhege x nshu . Youre clear about my record. I am absolutely worth that salary.

B:


` ` duo tai le. W L xiaojie, n de yuq women de jiaqian gao o` b e ` zai ` hangy` de jia . Erqi men kai e l f eichang y ou j` ngzhengl` hao, meini an jiax n de b gongs de ful` e f eichang l` y e hen y gao. Ms. Li, your expectations are just too much higher than what weve budgeted. Our offer is competitive within the industry. Besides, our benets are very good, and our yearly raise gures are very high.

A:


du` ` e sh` jianch ` hen Liu ong, wo renh dou . Du` gongzu o z a y sh` , du` z` j de xiangf e sh` .

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Mr. Liu, I am steadfast in all that I do. Towards my job, as well as towards my ideas.

B:


y` ` yuan y ` y L xiaojie, ren ao kan dian. Buy` sh de ` ao weile f` ` ai de f desh angq` weil azhan. Ms. Li, you need to think long-term. Dont abandon future development over a moments gain.

A:


` ang xiang. ` wo de jian W o x w` ang n n y e neng zhey` Y nwei ` de. ch sh` y ou daol I hope that you could do the same, because my perseverance is not without reason.

B:


` ba, women ` zher. ` W u ` hu` ` jiu Hao j ntian o kaol rang ` dao hou n m` shu de. lianx` All right, lets stop here then. After I consider it Ill have the secretary contact you.

A:

` k ` n ` . Xiexie, Liu ong. X w` ang wo ey wei n xiaol` z Thank you, Mr. Liu. I hope I can serve you.

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Key Vocabulary

ansh ` enji kaim an

to get straight to the point to apply for a position to accumulate to put to use work record outstanding student neat; orderly compensation salary expectation pay raise a short while gains and losses to serve

y` ngp` n j lei f ahu z l` eng aish gaoc l` luo x nchou x nshu yuq ` n jiax y sh desh ` xiaol`

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Supplementary Vocabulary

` chus e u qianx ` ao jiao ` zh y` e gu hua luq ` u

outstanding modest arrogant professional path to recruit

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Upper-Intermediate - Sudoku
A:

(D0575)


` w ` daod ` sh` ` N y` ou zai an shud shenme dongxi? Rang ` u. Zhe ` n zheme zhaom . Youre doing sudoku yet again. What exactly is it, anyway? It has you so entranced.

B:


` n de shuz` ` T a sh` y zhong xuy` naoj l y oux` . Zai ` tu ao dong l ` y cheng de xiao jiu jiu angge mian, ou san san cheng de f jiao ` qu. ` zhexi ` e l u ` jiu gezi f angge, , tianr dao ` y de shu` Zai ` meiy hang, lie ` he meiy qu z` . Meige shuz` meiy dou ` zai l ` y jiao ` shud zh neng chuxi c` . Bu ey chongf u. ` k ` Suoy ` u. an Its a kind of numerical reasoning game that requires mental effort. In a 9 by 9 grid there are 3 by 3 smaller grids called blocks. In these squares, you ll in the numbers 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, each column, and each block. You cant repeat them. Thats why its called sudoku [numerical solitude].

A:

` T en f sh` Zheme fuz ngshuo R` benr am ng de. ` a? Its that complicated? I heard the Japanese that invented it.

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B:

sudoku
` Bugu ` y f J` ushuo am ng zhege y oux` de sh` Ru` sh` ren. zh ` o ou y ai ` R` meiy niand dou nq renmen de zhuy` ben ` . Bash chub ta z ba y le y zazh` ang nru ben, engjia oux` nan` R` ansh y m du, an e q le ge r` wen ngzi, jiush` ` dangr ` sudoku shud ` u. ` ai zhege ` ` R` he Meigu o z Houl y oux` jiu ben ouhong le. ` zai They say it was a Swiss person that invented the game, but it never attracted any attention. In the 80s a Japanese magazine publisher imported it to Japan, increased the difculty of the game, and of course gave it a Japanese name: sudoku. Later the game got popular in Japan and the United States.

A:


ai sh` ` ang. N ` de b` Yuanl zhey` zhen uku` sh` shud , zh dao ` u m ` ` y ` sh` shenme? zheme q ngchu. Du` le, zhege oux` daod kao luoji? Shuxu ` e, Oh, so thats how it happened. You really deserve the title of sudoku addict, knowing all that so well. So, by the way, what does the game really test? Math? Logic?

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B:


` tu ` eng y` shud en Q sh zai qiao zhong genb ong` u de guoch ` shuxu j` ` gengdu ` hai xuy` ` n de sh` b` udao suan, o luoji, ` e ao naix zhuanx ` n e ` cesh` ` . n, y he nwei y` ao y c` y` ou y c` de paili Actually, in the sudoku solving process you dont use mathematical calculations at all. Its more logic, and you need to be patient and focused, because you have to carry out test after test.

A:

` wo haishi T ng q lai zheme nan, b` u w an le. Its sounds so difcult. I dont think Ill try it.

B:


` jiu le. Chuj lianx Duo oux` hu` t gong hen ` hao ` u y de shud a j shuz` duo zh y` ao z` j jied ge jiu ng le. Su zhe cheng` , n ` x ` ` aiyu esh ` ao, geng` du eng, t gong de shuz` yuel ` shangsh ` hu` de y` duo ao n z` j zuomo. Just practice it and youre ne. Basic sudoku puzzles provide a lot of numbers, so you only need to gure out a few yourself. As the difculty increases, the numbers provided become fewer and fewer, requiring you to put more thought into it.
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A:


un. ` W o t ng zhe jiu mafan de y oux` , z enme hu` ` touy Zheme ` x ren y ou zheme duo huan? Zhensh` xiangbut ong. Im getting dizzy just listening. How could so many people like such a hassle of a puzzle? I just dont get it.

B:

` ge ` y ai ` ma. Luobo q ngcai, ou suo Hey, to each his own.

Key Vocabulary

shud ` u ` n dong naoj

sudoku to put ones mind to something reasoning grid row column block

tu l f angge hang ` lie qu

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jushu o ` z ouhong b` uku` luoji tu qiao e ` paili ` cesh` zuomo q ` ge ` luobo ngcai, ai ` y ou suo

it is said popular to deserve to be logic to deliberate to put in order to test to ponder to each his own

Supplementary Vocabulary

y tianz` oux` ` tiaozh an ai tianc zh` l`

crossword puzzle challenge talent intelligence

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y` zh`

increase ones intelligence

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Social Networking


A:

(D0583)

` ao ` ma? w N y` ong guo sheji angzhan Have you used social networking websites?

B:

un ` jieh ganm W o dou ong ta a? le, y` Im already married. Why would I use one?

A:


a, sh` ` ao ` b` ` w Aiy sheji angzhan, u sh` xiangq n w angzhan. ` k ei ` w ` gout u, ong Zhe esh` renl angluo de x n chaoli j` n k e zu` le. Daji ` a ` taol un dou zai huo ` ne. Oh, man! Social networking websites, not matchmaking websites. Its the new trend in human connections, and its really popular lately. Everyones talking about it.

B:

ao, ganm ` shenme jiu ` shenme? W o y ou z` j de toun a huo ` zuo I have my own mind. Why do I need to do whatever is popular?

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A:


` ` ao ` zh sheji w W o b` u sh` zhege y` si. W o sh` shuo angzhan huo, sh` ` ta dadu ` osh de sheji ` ao fuh u x suoy y nwei e ` ren ` N e dazh ` onghu ` ` huozh ` e y guan. k ey xuanz a ou zhendu` x` ng ` lai zhuc ` ranh ou ` zh` ` z` ` de w angzhan zuo j de zhuy` ` e, e, rang ` a liaoji e n lai daji . Thats not what I mean. I mean the reason that social networking websites are popular is that they conform to most peoples social communication habits. You can choose large-scale general websites or focused websites to register at, then customize your own page so that everyone can learn about you.

B:


n b` ` lai liaoji e wo ne. Ai, W o cai uy` ao b` u renshi de ren shuo, ` ai ` de ren sh` ` ? Name ` xianz bu sh` naozi y ou went x huan ` u toul j de y ns . ` z` I dont want people I dont know to know about me. I mean, tell me, is there something wrong with people today? Everyone likes divulging their personal details.

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A:


` Xianz ` ai ` y` ` ao sh` Q sh y e b` u dou b` u renshi de ren. ong sheji ` de ren yuel ` aiyu edu ` o, duo y` ` hen ren w angzhan ong zhege e ` sh` ` f ` pengyou . Erqi hai lianx` w angzhan weile angbian jian y ao ` y o ` de pengyou. hen ou k eneng zhaod j ng sh qu ` lianlu ` w ` zhaod ao ` le haoj ge xiaoxu tongxu W o jiu angshang e e. ` zai Theyre not actually strangers. Nowadays more and more people are using social networking websites, so many people use them in order to conveniently stay in touch with friends. Its also quite possible to nd friends youve lost contact with. I myself found quite a few primary school classmates online.

B:


` y nian qian jiu Zhe ou shenme liaobuq ? Haoj ou w ang` y ` ` oulu daji ` a , hai pa ` zhao xiang shang xiaoy lianx` ` le. Rugu o ` tuj` budao ng? Whats so great about that? There were sites for making friends online years ago. If everyone wants to get in touch, are they afraid they cant nd a channel for it?

A:


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` ao ` de gongn de zh w W o shuo sh` sheji angzhan eng zh y , y duo ao ` ged` ` de hai ne. B sh` q ta ou hao ru k ey jieji jie n z` ` e de ren. Hai k z` he j zh` tongd aoh ey zhansh` , tu guang j a huozh ` e chanp n. Zongzh ` sheng de xiangf , n hu` f axian duo duo ` u j le hen leq huo ngx . ` he I was just saying one of the functions of social networking websites. There are a lot more. For example, you can nd people with common interests from all over the world. You can also display and promote your own ideas or products. Youll nd new interests and surprises in your life.

B:


` xianz ` ai ` ren yu zh W o k e b` u zheme xiang. W o juede jian ren ` o, mei sh z` ong f he u de gout guodu aner jian j jiaoli le. I really dont think so. I think nowadays interpersonal communication has gone too far, and theres no time to get in touch with oneself.

A:


` y` ` n ` le. W bier en jiaoli u Na ao kan z enme kan o juede he de ` eng e z` ` eng. guoch y e sh` y ge liaoji j de guoch That depends on your view. I think the process of communication with others is also a process of understanding oneself.

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B:


` f` le. W ` y x` Suanle, n bie ei k oushe o du` zhege dian ngqu e ` y ou. meiy Forget it. Stop debating me. I am just not at all interested in this.

Key Vocabulary

` ao sheji xiangq n u chaoli huo zhendu` x` ng zhuy` e ` u toul ` y ns ao jieji ` e zh` tongd aoh

social interaction to hunt for a spouse trend hot focus homepage to divulge personal matters to become friends with to have a common objective to argue needlessly
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f` ei k oushe

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Supplementary Vocabulary

w angy ou gongk ai u dengl ` sousu o liuy an ` utong daob` b` u ou xiangw eim

online friend public register search to leave a comment People with different principles will not join in a common cause

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Extreme Tourism


A:

(D0587)

n ` y j Y` ao chuq u o k ey gei tu jian xie ngdian ` luy ou ma? W u ` luxi ` an. Do you want to go traveling? I can recommend some good routes.

B:

` de luy u ou ma? Buy` men c` j y dian u ` y ` ong le. N ou xiangm Thats OK. Do you have some more thrilling travel activities?

A:

` an y ` de? tanxi N sh` shuo lei You mean the adventure type?

B:


` e j ` yund ` an, piaoli u. Ng, huozh xian b ru bang ` ong, pany N tu ` y ` e ` de d` y wo jian xie ou tes fang ba. Yeah, or extreme sports, like rock climbing or whitewater rafting. Recommend me some distinctive places.

A:


ent ` , n ` y ` Xiang zuo Meiw xian xia. qu yuan ` fuj` ` n de haishi de d` y dian fang?

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No problem. Please have a seat. Do you want to go somewhere near, or somewhere farther away?

B:

` hao bu haow an. k Dou ey , zhuy` kan ao sh` Both are OK. The main thing is how fun it is.

A:


` wo tu ` n ` Daxi ` ag u. ` u Piaoli jian qu d` fang dehua, ` Zhex Nage e j ` e c` f k u shu hen , piaoli lai tebi j . Erqi engj ng he ongq` q hao, dao ` nar ` k ` f` ` y e hen ey ched angsong y xia. For whitewater rafting, I recommend that you go to West Zhejiang Grand Canyon. The current is fast there, so its especially exciting for rafting. Plus the scenery and air quality are great. You can totally relax there.

B:

` ` u u. W o kaol u any an z enmey` ang? kaol P Ill think it over. How about rock climbing?

A:

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e jiu ` y` ` n le. Dan P any an de xuanz ao kan de shu p ng ` duo sh Xianz ` ai ` S` pany anp ai. de huw` an he jian chuan ran ` ai z` ` shou ` huany ` de shan ` sh` pan ng. Nali b xiangm u jiao he ` hen e zu` a le y zhuany` e j y an, erqi j` n y` ou kaif xie d` . Zh de qu. ` There are a lot more choices for rock climbing. But it depends on your skill level and time. The natural outdoor rock climbing in Sichuan is really popular now. The mountains there are good for rock climbing, and they recently opened some climbing bases. Its worth going.

B:

` ` an nali hao ne? Y andong tanxi Where is good for spelunking?

A:


` ` an, y` y Shuoq andong tanxi dangr an ao shu l n he Gu` ` ` dou y Chongq` ng de y andong zu` y oum ng le. Bugu j ng ` o ` e y ` a de chabudu le, erqi tanbush kaif o ouk` e y` ou duo, ang ` an. shenme tanxi If its spelunking, of course Guilin and Chongqing rank the most famous. But theyre all more or less totally developed, and there are lots of tourists, so you cant call it exploring.

B:


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k ` y` angs dehua, ` qu Y oudian ex a. Na, ao w an huaxi an ` nali ` hao? b jiao Thats kind of a shame. So, if I want to go hang gliding, where should I go?

A:


ang ` ou shenme ` e de d` duo ` da Haoxi meiy tebi fang. Hao ` ai ` dou angs jul ` u. N ge y chengsh` xianz ou huaxi an zhao ` eb` ` xiang f ` de. Q n zhoum o, qu angbian sh rugu ` jiu ` qu, ` hen o ` an, wo daosh` ` ` n zhende x huan maoxi k ey tu jian qu ge ` y d` fang. I dont think theres any particular place. A lot of big cities have hang gliding clubs these days. Choose a weekend and just go. Its really convenient. Actually, if you really like to take risks, I could recommend a place.

B:

Nali? Where?

A:


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och ` ` e X e qu N k ey q motu zang huozh njiang. W omen ` X ` hao j ` k` ` le xianl ` u. u zu` j` n wei wei eren shej` ey genj de ` K ` n ` y ` ao ` gezh ` ong y aoqiu ou. Y lu lu an. N k ey kand z ` kan, ` w ` ang de f ng, hai y ` an de ganju e. Hen gey` engtur ou tanxi enq ` n de. guoy You could ride a motorbike to Tibet or Xinjiang. We recently arranged a travel route for quite a few clients. You can go according to your requirements. Sightsee on the road. You can see all sorts of local scenery and customs, and it has the feel of adventure. Its really an experience.

B:


q och ` ang ` ` weixi le. W e? Zhege an A, motu haoxi tai o haishi an w jiand de ba. xian an xie Uh, motorbike? That seems a bit too dangerous. I think Id better try something simpler rst.

Key Vocabulary

j ngdian ` luxi ` an c` j ` an tanxi ` j xian

classic route stimulating; thrilling adventure extreme


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an pany u piaoli ` y andong angs huaxi an ` an maoxi ng f engtur enq

rock climbing whitewater rafting spelunking hang gliding risky local scenery and customs to enjoy oneself to the full

` n guoy

Supplementary Vocabulary

` bengj y ey ng ` an tiaos dengsh an y onggan ` tiaozh an

bungee jumping camping sky diving mountain climbing brave challenge

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Upper-Intermediate - Buddhism and Taoism


A:

(D0598)

` heshang ` ` Haiy ou tou de zheme Nage z enme chuan q guai? fa. How come that monk is dressed so strangely? His hair, too.

B:

` ` ` ao ` he F ` sh` Nage b` u sh` heshang, sh` daoshi. Daoji ojiao lianghu sh` . Thats not a monk. Thats a Taoist priest. Taoism and Buddhism are two different things.

A:

Y ou shenme b` u y y` ang? Whats different?

B:


` ach ` ang. an ` aihu de gen n y Zhege shuol W o jiand shuo xia ` ao ` sh` tush ` Y ba. Daoji Zhonggu o uzh de z ongjiao. engt ang ` wei zu` x` dao gao ny ang. Theres a lot to say on that. Ill tell you simply. Taoism is a religion indigenous to China. Its highest article of faith is the way.

A:

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` Shenme sh` dao? What is the way?

B:


` jiush` ` w` Daoji ` ao ` renw ` ei ren dao anwu an. ` yuzh ou ` de benyu zuch ` sh` de de shengm` ng y ou yuanq` rout j ngshen eng, ` . Ren tonggu ` xiuli ` shent ta k suoy zait o ey chengxi an, an ` e zhongsh` ` men tebi y angsheng. The way is the philosophical principle of all things in the universe. Taoism holds that human life is composed of a vital energy, and that the physical body is a vehicle for that energy. Through ascetic practices, people can become immortals, so they especially value the cultivation of long life.

A:


` an, ` gud ` de naxi ` e du` huangO, jiush` ba? Nangu ai ` liand ai ` liand ` an, dou zai xiang d` zhengti an y` ao changsh engb` ulao. ` haoxi ang ` ` ` eng. ` F ojiao geng zhuzh laish Kanlai zhong` ong en he Y` de s guor ndur xiang zhensh` b` u y y` ang. ` en Oh, by making pills and concoctions, right? No wonder those emperors of old were making potions all day. They wanted to extend their lives. Buddhism seems to pay more attention to the next life. I guess Chinese and Indian thought really are different.
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B:


` su F ` q yu u Ng, b` uguo ran ojiao yuan ndu, esh` chuanr Y` ` k ` hou, ` y le hen duo wenhu ` de Zhonggu Zhonggu o e rongh e o a ` e. ` F ` renw ` ei xiansh ` ` sh` zhu tes ojiao sh` jie kuh qiu ai, shengs x ` laish eng. zai lunhu , ba w` ang j` tuo Yeah, but even though Buddhism originated in India, after it spread to China, it fused with many different elements of Chinese culture. Buddhism holds that the real world is a sea of suffering, forever caught up in the cycle of life and death. It puts hope in the next life.

A:


` duo ` a, huo dou b` hai y` ` lei huo n s Na u hao, ao danx le y hou de sh` . Thats pretty tiring. You dont live a good life, and then you still have to worry about what happens after you die.

B:

` xiashu ` sh` le. Na N y` ou zai o y zhong x` ny ang. Youre talking nonsense again. Thats a kind of faith.

A:

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` daoshi, ` ` Daoji ` ao ` l ao N gangg ang shuod na y ou n gu ma? Just now you mentioned Taoist priests. Does Taoism also have nuns?

B:


` n ` daog ` u. ` y ` miao, ` Bu gu, amen de miao e b` u jiao ` jiao jiao T ` daogu ` ` jiao an. Yes, but they have a special name in Chinese. Their temples also have special names in Chinese.

A:


` dao ` y he O, m ngbai le. F anzheng shenme dou ouguan. T amen k ey ch hun ma? I see. Anyway, its all related to the way. Can they eat meat?

B:

` ai ` k jiaop Y ouxie ey . Some sects can.

A:


` ai ` x` ` ao haoxi ang ` de ren W o juede xianz n Daoji b` u sh` hen haishi ` u Zhonggu duo, o f ojiaot duo.

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I think nowadays there arent so many followers of Taoism. In China there are more Buddhists. Key Vocabulary

heshang ` daoshi ` ao ` Daoji ` F ojiao lianghu sh`

Buddhist monk Taoist priest Taoism Buddhism two entirely different matters its a long story

a` aihu shuol chang tush uzh engt ang benyu an yuanq` ` zait ` xiuli an chengxi an

indigenous philosophical principle vitality vehicle to practice asceticism to become an immortal


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y angsheng ` an liand

to keep in good health to concoct pills of immortality to live forever

changsh engb` u lao eng laish rongh e kuh ai lunhu j` tuo n gu ` u daog ` miao ` ` daogu an

the next life to fuse bitterness cycle to place Buddhist nun Taoist nun Buddhist temple Taoist temple

Supplementary Vocabulary

f angzhang

Buddhist abbot

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` daozh ang ch zhai

head Taoist priest to abstain from meat for religious reasons to sit quietly meditation

` j` ngzuo m ngxiang

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Old School Toys


A:

(D0604)


` ai ` de w zuo ` de hao, b` ` juedu` meiy ou Xianz anju ran uguo ` su xiaosh an. wo hou de haow Toys these days may be well made, but theyre denitely not as fun as the ones from my childhood.

B:

` hou mei shenme Zenme k eneng? N nash w anju ` ba? Hows that possible? You didnt have any toys back then, right?

A:


` n jian Zhe jiu u dong le. W o xiaosh hou de w anju ran ` b` ` su ` z ` , shad ` dan ai, dan, enme y e w an b` u n` . B ru mu, j ` danz ou jianzi. ` jiu y ` tongxu wei zai ` y haiy Y f` angxue, dadu e q ` he k ` ai ` zhexi ` e ud dou cheng w an. Ai, ex le, xianz laog le, ong en w meir an le. Ah, you dont understand. The toys from my childhood were simple, but we never got tired of them. For example, wooden blocks, marbles, bean bags, and foot shuttlecocks. As soon as I got out of school, Id get together with a big group of classmates to play. Ah, what a shame... these are all so outdated now, no one plays with them.

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B:


aizi de w ` hou nuh de dou sh` N shuo nanh anju u ` ba. Nash aizi w shenme? dou an xie The ones you mentioned were all toys for boys. What did the girls play with back then?

A:


an ` cha, ` w ` e, b` W omen xiaosh hou tiaoji anju uf en ` jiu ` zhexi u lian w ou. Zh ` meiy nann oude ren anju neng zuo de. Y ` dou ` xiangp ` a. ` y oux` , b` ush` tiao j n, jiush` ` diu shoup When we were little we didnt have much. Those were the toys we had, so we didnt differentiate between boys and girls toys. Some people didnt even have any toys. They could just play games; either the big rubber band or drop the handkerchief.

B:


duo aizi y le. Nanh W o xiaosh hou jiu ou w anjuqi ` hao ` ang, che, y duo women y xiaoq` nuh u ou hen angw awa. Zheng aizi ` aji dou w a de y tian an guoji oux` , jiazhu ang z` j sh` w awa de mama.

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When I was little it was a lot better. Boys had toy guns and toy cars, and we girls had lots of dolls. Wed play house all day, pretending we were the dolls mothers.

A:


` jiu ` ` ai ` de w Name xiao ou mux` xianz anju, ` y ng la. Kankan ` shuo ` u bie women luow zhen dou o erzi xiaosh hou le. W ` ngj y kaish ou j` nk ou w anju Bianx ngang, Bab ` le, shenme ` fum ` gei haizi mai ge w w awa. W omen zuo anju, ` u de, weile ` u shengch ong. b` udeb` jiany` A mothers instinct at such a young age. Looking at the toys nowadays, you could say weve fallen behind the times. When my son was little, we started having imported toys: Transformers, Barbie dolls, and what have you. As parents, in order to buy toys for our children, wed have to live simply.

B:


ou f ` y de w j sh` Sh` a. N y oumeiy axian, qian anju hao ` dou y ` a ` b danz ` , t ` ` ai ` b ge ren q w an, daji sai, ru jianzi. Xianz da jiu de w anju ge ren ey w an le. ` y ` k Yeah. Have you ever noticed that the games from before involved quite a few people competing, like marbles, or kicking the shuttlecock? But nowadays the toys only need one person.

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A:


` ong ` ` ge kaigu an, Sh` a, shenme diand de, y aok` ong de, an ` ` xianz ` ai ` z` j jiu dong, jiu f ei le. K eneng y nwei ` neng ` neng ` y` sh` dou dush nu. u women y qian, ao xiongd` engz Bu ` xiang ei ` y jiem q w an. Yes, with these electric, remote control things, you just ip a switch and they move on their own, and even y! Maybe its because now everyone is an only child. Its not like it was for us. We could play with our brothers and sisters.

B:


zh ` y women ` z` ba Zao dao, nggai de w anju gei ` liu xialai, ai. Rang ` ` ` j de xiaoh tamen kankan baba mama sh` z enme ` de. Y ` xue, shenme ` y zhangd a e rang tamen xue jiao oufu ` ongd tongxi ang, y ounant ang . If only I knew, I would have saved the toys to give to my own children. Let them see how daddy and mommy grew up. Let them learn the meaning of sharing fortune, dividing disaster.

Key Vocabulary

w anju `

toy

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n` j mu ` danz ` da ` ai shad ` t jianzi ud laog ong ` xiangp ` tiao j n

to tire of wooden block to play marbles bean bag to kick the shuttlecock outdated article to jump the rubber band drop the handkerchief to play house to pretend behind the times transformer Barbie doll to live frugally

a ` diu shoup ` aji a guoji jiazhu ang ` u luow ` ngj Bianx ngang w Bab awa shengch jiany` ong

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` ong ` diand y aok` ong y oufut ang, ongxi ` ongd y ounant ang

electric-powered remote control share fortune, divide disaster

Supplementary Vocabulary

` tiaosh eng dianz ` y da oux`

to jump rope to play video games

ong maor w anju ` shu qiang

stuffed animal water pistol

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Upper-Intermediate - Abducted by Aliens


A:

(D0611)


` le, n shuoh ao W o gaosu n men y ge m` m` . Xian men y d` ng y` ao xiangx` n wo. Ill tell you guys a secret. But rst, you guys have got to believe me.

B:

` shuo ba. Y ou shenme m` m` n jiu ` kuai If theres a secret just hurry up and tell us.

A:

` w` bangji ` guo. W o bei aix ngren a I have been abducted by aliens.

C:

Sh` ` A? meng ba? Huh? A dream?

A:


` Zhe ` sh` duo y de sh` de sh` nian W o shuo sh hua. hao qian ai b` shuo ` bie ` x ` nansh ` de, dan zai le. W o benl u xiang nl tai ou le.

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Im telling the truth. This is something that happened many years ago. I didnt want to talk about it originally, but keeping it to myself is just too hard.

B:

` bangji ` de? N sh` z enme bei a How were you abducted?

A:


q zai ` du W o j` de hen ngchu, dangsh wo ong, women gaozh ` xuen ong. ` an shu` w qu a Nati anshang wo bu zhao, ` xiangxi qu an ` u. sanb` jiu ge ren ` y ` tianbi I remember it very clearly. I was a high school student at the time, and we went to the countryside to study agriculture. That night I couldnt sleep, so I went for a walk in the elds by myself.

C:

` m ` an ` de q z Zhe ngm ng jiush` ehuanpi ngjie, enme hu` sh` ` k n de gushi? ` This is clearly straight out of a sci- movie. How could it be your story?

B:

dadu an ` ta, ` rang shuow an. N bie ta Dont interrupt him. Let him nish.

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A:


e wo. W ` sanb` ` u de sh Jiush` n liaoji o zai hou, tur ` , haishi an, ` bais e ` de lianggu ` c` shenme y ou y pian ang, f eichang y an, wo ` ` Deng zhengk t y f y e kanbuji an. wo ai anjing, y sou eidie ng ` le y zai anqian. Yeah, at least you understand. While I was walking, suddenly a blinding white light was before me, and I couldnt see anything. When I opened my eyes, there was a ying saucer in front of me.

B:

` ma? Sh` women ` Zhende? Da he xiangxi ang zhong de y y` ang? Really? Was it big? Was it like we imagine them to be?

A:


` ` de, bianbi an de, jiush` Chabudu o y` angzi. Yuanyu an ` nage ` sh` ` de. shangmian tu Du` le, f eidie f enhongs e chulai. Pretty much like that. Round and at, with a protrusion on top. Oh, and by the way, the ying saucer was pink.

C:

Sh` nu aix ngren? w`


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They were girl aliens?

A:


` o, b` u l ` w` Baitu aix ngren uf en nann , f eidie xialai de. Dangsh tamen de shou, y` wo zhe wo liang ge w` aix ngren, la ao ba ` ao ` f shangqu. ` ` ai ` gen le, zh zhe daid eidie W o xiad zh dao z ou. Please, aliens arent male and female. Then, from out of the ying saucer came two aliens. They took my hands and wanted to take me into the ying saucer. I was scared out of my mind, and all I could do was follow them.

B:

daod ` zhang ` ma? W` aix ngren shenmey` ang? Q guai So what do aliens really look like? Weird?

A:


` ng l ` ou name ` ` Gezi ` B diany de piaoliang, y anjing meiy da. wo chabudu ` he o. They were prettier than in the movies, and their eyes werent that big. They were about as tall as me.

C:

shenme T amen shuo yuy t ngdedong ma? an? N

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What language did they speak? Could you understand it?

A:


` y shuo, y wen. ` wo T amen y ju e mei e b` ugan J` n le ` hua l ` de zhuangsh` jiand an. rang ` f eidie, mian hen W` aix ngren zuoxia, ` rang ` heshu ` wo hai wo . Jiezhe, tamen jiu ong ge` y` ` ang de y wo zuo ` jianch zhongg ey` q` gei a. They didnt say a word, and I didnt dare ask. We went into the ying saucer, and the inside was decorated simply. The aliens made me sit, then made me drink some water. Next, they used all kinds of instruments to inspect me.

B:

` y ` l shent zai y Gen yuan jianch a y` ang? Like a physical at the hospital?

A:


dou ou. meiy Bu , tamen y` ong de y q` women d` qiur en ` sh` de zhangxi ` gan x` wo T amen du` wo ang hen ngqu, zh mo ` y de lian. No, they used instruments that we Earthlings dont have. They were really interested in my appearance, and kept touching my face.

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C:


b` ` ang ` W` aix ngren uhu` sh` aish n le ba? T amen z enme mei n ` ou ne? ba daiz Dont tell me the aliens fell in love with you! Why didnt they take you away with them?

B:


` ` y ` w` dao Sh` a. N zhang de zheme shuai, nggai aix ngqiu zanmen zuo ` xuanchu shang gei d` qiur an. en Yeah, youre so good-looking, you should go to the alien planet and promote Earth for us.

A:


le banti ` an, W n Gao men liang ge haishi b` u xiangx` n wo. o wo rensh ` ` zhong zu` ba eng zhongy` ao de m` m` gaosu n men, ` zai ` xiao ` wo. Suan ` le, wo houmian ` y ` n men que hai ou geng de gushi ` xiang j ngcai ne, dansh` n men y e bie t ng le. ` After all this, you two still dont believe me. Ive told you the most important secret of my life, but youre laughing at me. Forget it! I have even better stories too, but dont even think about getting to hear them.

C:

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` Bu ng y e zh dao. ` t Oh, we can guess them. Key Vocabulary

w` aix ngren ` bangji a ` x zai bie nl an tianbi ` lianggu ang c` y an ` ai xiad y q` jianch a ` zhangxi ang mo w` aix ngqiu

alien to kidnap to keep inside beside the elds bright light blinding to be scared stiff instrument to inspect appearance to touch alien planet

Supplementary Vocabulary
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

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f eichuan c` er c` b ou jiep ` a zuoji b` um ngf eix ngwu `

spaceship ear-splitting pungent to dissect to fake UFO

` an ` X ngqiu Dazh

Star Wars

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Pushy Insurance Salesman (D0615)


A:

` sh` xiaojie W` ei, q ng wen Chen ma? Hello? May I ask is this Ms. Chen?

B:

wei? ` Sh` , n sh` na Yes, whos calling?

A:


wo x` an gongs N nhao, ng Zhang. Sh` baoxi de. W omen zhuan ` nux` ` de jiank ` ang wei gang tu chu kuan u ng shej` le y an. Jie ` ai wo jiu ` n y ` xial baoxi n jiangji e xia. ` wei Hello, my last name is Zhang. Im from an insurance company. Weve just come out with a new kind of health insurance specially designed for women. Id like to tell you something about it now.

B:

xianz ` ai ` meiy ou sh Du` buq , wo jian. Im sorry, I dont have time right now.

A:


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` n Zh xu f enzhong, jiu ey wei n de y sheng t gong ` k liang ` shuo, ` ai ` shehu` ` nux` xiand baozh ang. N n t ng wo u al` ng de y da, ` women an zhengh ` k hen de baoxi ao ey xiaoch u n de n ` uzh houg ou. ` y It only takes two minutes to offer you a lifetime guarantee. Im telling you, societys modern woman is under a lot of stress. Our insurance can eliminate your fears about the future.

B:

` ai ` mei shenme ou de. W o xianz k e dany I dont really have anything to fear right now.

A:

......
xianz ` ai ` zheng ` sh` ` y ` zuo ` zhunb ` de Sh` a. Suoy n n wei hou ei sh ` kuan baoxi an baoku ` le xudu ` ang jiank zu` hao j . Zhe o o an ` f` y` ` w` baoji eiy` ong, y ou y liao, w` ai shangh ai, aik e shoush u ` dengd eng....... Right. So now is the best time for you to prepare for the future. This insurance includes a lot of health care, medical treatment, accidents and emergencies, surgery, and more...

B:

du` ` x` Du` buq , wo zhege b` u gan ngqu. ` Im sorry, Im not interested in this.
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A:


` jiu ` kuan baoxi an manq f Buhu` n n tai an de. Zhe ` danwu y y ` k ` e f hetong huan, e jiush` q man hou, ey huod eng` shuo ` de manq j ` n u ` e geng ` duo ` hu hou n, rang n de tour bao. ` huod I wont keep you long. This insurance returns money to you at the end of the term. In other words, at the completion of the contract you can receive substantial premium, giving you even more return on your investment.

B:

` le. W o zhende y` ao gua I really have to hang up.

A:


xiaojie, ` n ` ` dianhu ` ` shuo Chen n n kan, n name j zhe gua a, ` mang, y ` Y ` le y ` m ng gongzu o shenghu o al` da. al` da hou ` jiank ` ang ` , er zhe ` kuan baoxi an xiang rongy` chuxi went an baozh ` baozh ` dangy u ong l` x mai ang, chux ang y ju y` u ` he Juedu` sh` de touz . liangd e. l ng f engxian

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Ms. Chen, look... you being in such a rush to hang up indicates your job is busy and that youre under a lot of stress in your life. If youre under a lot of stress youre more likely to have health problems, and this insurance is like using interest to buy a guarantee. Savings and insurance: two for the price of one. Its totally a zero-risk investment.

B:

?
` naxi e j N shuoshuo, baoku o b` ng? So tell me... what diseases does it cover?

A:


e le suoy ou zhongd ` ` j b` ` geif u an T a j hu a b` ng. Erqi udan ` baoh ` ` j anj n, hai z u ` geif zhongd a b` ng baoxi engjia u ` nux` ng zhong` j ` e baoxi anj n. Y de baof` ei y an da b` ng tebi nian e jiu ` sanqi ` hai y guanji ` sh` ao ` le baozh ` kuai, an duo ou l` x na, ded ang. ` ai ` daji ` a ` dou shuo shengbuq Xianz b` ng, dansh` zh y` ao n guanx z` y an, went ` n z` dongde l cai, j , gei j mai f` en baoxi jieju e le ma? N ` women ge b` u jiu n kan, sh` bu sh` yue ` quan ` an? miant sh jian

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It covers nearly all serious illnesses. Furthermore, it not only insures serious illnesses, but additionally insures serious womens illnesses. One year of insurance is only 3000 RMB, plus you get the interest on it, but the key thing is having insurance. These days everyone says they cant afford to get sick, but as long as you know something about nancial management, take care of yourself, and buy yourself some insurance, then isnt the problem totally solved? Look, why dont we set a time to discuss it?

B:

` xiangxiang W o zai ba. Ill think about it.

A:


de. L` kuai ` dao ` le, wo juede n Hao ngw` ai muq n k ey gei njie y mama y e mai f` en. OK. Also, Mothers Day is almost here, so I think you could buy some for your mother as well.

B:

` ` hu` u Zhege wo kaol de. Ill consider that.

A:


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` xiaojie. ` , j da wo Xiexie n n, Chen Y ou shenme went nguan ` ` W ` sh` dianhu a. o de haom a ...... W` ei? W` ei? Thank you, Ms. Chen. If you have any questions, feel free to call me. My number is... hello? Hello? Key Vocabulary

an baoxi tu chu ` baozh ang ` uzh houg ou ` y w` aik e shoush u ` q man f anhuan ` hu bao chux u ` y juli e angd

insurance to come out with guarantee fears for the future surgery to complete a term to return return savings kill two birds with one stone opportune time to pay for; to cover
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

sh j u geif `

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ei baof` l cai

insurance premium nancial management

Supplementary Vocabulary

tu xiao tu xiaoyu an n chanp aor en toub ` ren shouy` z` fu ouchu n ` k` j

to promote salesperson product policyholder beneciary deductible

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Election Candidates


A:

(D0626)

dad u ` e ` Meigu o z u W o gan ongtong xuanj end` ng sh` xiaji k M nzhud y ng. ang Im willing to bet that in the next American presidential election the Democrats will denitely win.

B:


zuom ` eng ` ` ang ` dao ` zu` Bie le, Gongh ed k end` ng neng xiao ` Hen duo renw ` ei Meigu o xianz ` ai ` de kunj` ren sh` hou. ` ng dou ` ang ` ` dao ` zhezh ` ong Gongh ed zaoch eng de. K e yue sh hou ` xuy` zhengc ` ` jiu ng de z ongtong he e. ` yue ao qiangy` Dream on. The Republicans will have the last laugh. A lot of people believe that Americas current predicament was created by the Republicans. But the more serious the crisis, the more you need a strong president and policy.

A:


du` ` en y Q sh wo M nzhud de houxu anr e b` u sh` bai ang de many` , dan ` z ` ang f enzh bai ong b Gongh ed de qiang. ` gaig e sheb ` ao t ` she` T amen chengnu o x` , p ngdeng f enpei mianch e ` ongs dag y hu` z yuan, u de shu` shou ouhu` . mouxi ` e ` ` dou ` ` . zhengc neng Zhexi e rang renm n shouy`

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Actually Im not 100 percent satised with the Democratic candidate, but theyre going to be better than the Republicans. They promise to reform social security, equally distribute societal resources, and eliminate the tax breaks given certain large corporations. These policies can benet the people.

B:


shuo, ` quan sh` a. Su zhe b` Y` ao wo xie u sh j` de xiangf ran y ` ei Gongh ` ang ` en sh wo e b` u renw ed de houxu anr quansh dan ` b u baoh mei, M nzhud de sh j` duole. B ru ang shuo ` u ` ` n` ` cai sh` u Zhe bent y` e de l` y` , jiangd maoy` cha. baoh q ` a l` guoji y` . If you ask me, those are all unrealistic ideas. Although I know the Republican candidate isnt totally perfect, hes a lot more practical. For example, protecting the interests of domestic enterprises, or reducing the trade imbalance. Now thats protecting the nations interests.

A:

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` zheng ` sh` b` ` ang de yuany n, gen Zhe wo u x huan Gongh ed b` ` ` ben ugu n de l` y` . M ngm ng sh` z` j de zhengc e ` renm ` zaoch ` a ` u ` gao, ai zhaiw k sh bai, eng guoji e tamen congl ` guo ` N ` y baoxi an dou ` y` kuai b` u chengr en. kan, liao ao bengku` genb kanbuq ` ` ang en le, qiongr en b` ng. Gongh ed b` uj n b` u haiy` ao k` an e. M bangzh u, aner ongzh` baoxi nzhud jiu ` f ang ` kand ` ao ` went ` de genb zhuzh ` a ` baoxi an de en, kuod neng ang f` anwei. This is exactly the reason why I dont like the GOP: it totally ignores the peoples interests. Its clearly the governments policies that failed, creating such a high national decit, but they never admit it. Look, the health care system is on the verge of collapse, and the poor just cant afford to see a doctor. The Republican Party not only doesnt help, it even wants to control insurance rates. The Democratic Party can see the root of the problem, and advocates the expansion of insurance coverage.

B:


` sh` ` tamen ` q Zhe y nwei b` u sh` zh zhengd ang. Shuo lai a ou zheme ` nay z rongy` , guoji duo yuan? Thats because theyre not the incumbent party. Its easy to say, but where is the nation going to get all those resources?

A:


ou z de yuany n sh` ` ` y` Kan` Meiy yuan zhengf u ongqian. luan ` ang kaizh ` le. de guof jiu kan name gao dao ` zh

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The reason it doesnt have the resources is that the government wastes money. Just take a look at the national defense budget.

B:


` ` y ` guoji a kaol u ` anqu anqu ao Zhe esh` wei an an, ma. Shuod ` ang de guon ei ` anqu zhengc ` ` y Gongh ed an e e b M nzhud ang qiang. Thats just looking after national security. Speaking of which, the Republican domestic security policy is also stronger than the Democrats.

A:


` ang put du` W o juede Gongh ed zh hu` guan en, y ou ongr M oush` jiu ` e zhaogu. ` quany de ren Er nzhud de ` tebi ang ` ` geng ` ao ` zu` zhengc e gongp ng, b ru d gongz , jiang tiaog ` ` an l` d xuesheng daiku lu. u I think the Republicans only restrict normal people, but they take really good care of those with power and status. The Democrats policies, on the other hand, are fairer. For example, raising the minimum wage, or lowering the interest rates on student loans.

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B:


` le. Gongh ` ang ` ` cain eng ` jieju e N cuo ed de zhengc e ched ` . Y ` tamen ` ` went nwei zhuzh fuch y` e, tu dong j ngj` . ` ong q ` le, jiuy` jiu le. le, renm J ngj` hao gao n z` ran ouqian ` elu t ` y Youre wrong. Its only the policies of the Republican Party that can truly solve problems. Because they especially support business, they stimulate the economy. When the economy improves, employment rates go up, and the people naturally have more money.

A:


` e ` fur duoz ou le. Gao de qiongr l` bei K e zhexi y` dou en ` en ` geng ` ` aiyu ed ` a. ` u geng qiong, fur fu. nfu ` en ` P ` chaj ` yuel Both those benets are all snatched away by the wealthy. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer. The gap between the two gets wider and wider.

B:


` zanmen zhe qiao ba. F ` wo sh` Na jiu anzheng k end` ng ` deng ` ang zh ch Gongh ed de. Then lets just wait and see. Anyway, I will denitely support the Republican Party.

A:

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` wo juedu` hu` M ` ai ` y ` huanNa xuan nzhud Xianz e gai ang. huan le. And I will absolutely choose the Democratic Party. Its time for a change. Key Vocabulary

` e ` xiaji u xuanj M nzhud ang ` ang Gongh ed ` dao ` zu` ` xiao hou kunj` ` ng qiangy` ng ` en houxu anr ` ao sheb mianch u ` shouy` l` y`

next term election Democratic Party Republican Party to laugh last predicament strong candidate social security eliminate to receive benets interest
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` n` maoy` cha baoxi an y liao bengku` ` zh zhengd ang ang guof oush` y ouquany

trade decit medical insurance collapse ruling party national defense to have power and status to support gap between rich and poor

fuch u p nfu ` chaj `

Supplementary Vocabulary

j` ngxuan xuanm n ao ` toupi ` ao lapi ` edang zaiy

to run for ofce electorate to vote to canvass for votes opposition party

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guohu` ` e neig

congress, parliament cabinet

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Upper-Intermediate - Calisthenics
A:

(D0630)

n ` le y duanli ` an ` ba! Gen wo Qiao , duzi ou da quan. ` y` Look at you, growing that spare tire. Exercise with me.

B:

an qu ` ang ma? N b` u sh` zu` taoy` enf ` jiansh But dont you hate going to the gym more than anything?

A:


` an ` y` ` jiansh ` eng ` ang cain Duanli ou b` u sh` zh y ou zai enf zuo. an ` y ` zuo, ` fuw ` eng, x` W o meiti tongx` ng de zuo angwoq och ` ` suz ` j ` baoch ` xiao` y nt xiangsh ang lai rou, t x ng. N kan, ` ao zhende ` guo b` ucuo! Its not like the gym is the only place you can exercise. Every day I systematically do sit-ups, push-ups, and chin-ups in order to tone my muscles and stay in shape. Look, the effects are not bad!

B:

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le banti ` an ` e de dongzu ` ` Zhe ` jiush` zu` Oy o, gao j ben o. ` zhexi ` shenme ` an ` ya? Jiansh ` ` lian ` l` ang l suan duanli enf de q` xie e nail` ` xiaogu ` y` ` y` Erqi hai neng kan ` liang he o ou kuai ou hao. u. mein u Oh, after all that its just these basic exercises. This counts as a workout? The exercise machines in the gym work on strength and stamina and get fast, good results. Plus you can check out the girls.

A:


` sel ` ang, ` ` u. xiao dou b` N zhege jiansh en u w` ang paoni bie N ` zhe ` j an ` ` tamen ` de dongzu kan ge jiand o, k esh` neng duan ` shensh ` geg ` e ` b` ` Zhengt ` k le. Er lian ang uwei. xiaogu o e hao lian ` chulai ` hen z` Bu ` jiansh ` ` ang lian qie rou ran. enf ` xiang de j ` ` shangqu s` toun ao chulai jiangy` ng. Kan zh f ada, de name an. jiand You perv. Cant even stop macking to work out. Dont underestimate these simple exercises. They exercise the different parts of the body. The overall results are quite good. Plus the muscle you build is very natural. Its not like the inexible muscle that a gym will give you, four bulky limbs and a simple mind.

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B:


` sh` ng de suanp ` Nazh ` ong ` cai utao N zhe dianx x ntai. j rou ` ` an ` f ` ao ` tai ` man. ` le, n y oux ng. Zaishu o de duanli angf a jianxi ` duoshao ` zuo ` cain eng ` ` Y` ao zuo ge y angwoq lianch u ` kuai liu fuj ` a? This is a classic sour grapes attitude. That kind of muscle is sculpted. Besides, your exercise method takes too long to get results. How many sit-ups do you need to do to get a six-pack?

A:


e ` e ` ` de xiaogu ` ch jiush` dongzu K esh` zhexi o o jiu ya. Erqi ` ` zuo ` q ` meiy ou changd` ` y nwei lai f angbian, xianzh` . Suoy zaiji ` a, q haishi dou neng b` uguan chuch hen ngsong de ai, ` ao. ` Zhe ` sh` ` duanli ` an ` bianch ` zuod zhenzh eng ba eng sheng de y ` ` ang, j` huo b` uf` en. Bu qu enf mafan, y` ou ` xiang ` jiansh ` Nangu ` hao duo zu` ` dou ren f` kuz ai hou angq` le. ao. But the effects of these exercises are lasting. Also, because theyre convenient, theyre not limited by location. So whether its at home or on a business trip, you can always easily do them. It really is truly making exercise a part of your life. Its not like going to the gyma nuisance and dull. Its no wonder so many people quit in the end.
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B:

` shaoshu ` y` a. X ng le! W omen f` eihua o, ong sh` sh shuohu Fine! Enough empty talk. Lets talk facts.

A:


ent ` ! Zanmen zhen ` ` ` de! W Meiw lai o rang n kankan fuw o y ` ` cheng he nt xiangsh ang de l` hai. No problem! Well do something real! Ill make you see the power of push-ups and chin-ups.

B:


anr n ` wo. ai, ` shouw` shent b` Bai k end` ng baibugu o uxu dong a. In arm wrestling theres no way you can beat me. Hey, you cant move your body.

A:


shual ai ` ma? Zhunb ` hao le ma? Y ` W o y` ongdezhao , er, ei ` shou zheme ` jiuxi ` ` n san. Ha, zhe ruanmi anmi an, kuai ` ang ` jiansh ` ang diuli doufu. Zhensh` gei enf an! Like I need to use tricks? Are you ready? 1, 2, 3. Ha, your arm is so soft and abby, like a piece of tofu. You have really lost face for the gym!

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B:

ch an. P k mei W o j ntian zaof` ngsh wo end` ng neng y ng n . I didnt eat breakfast today. Normally I would totally beat you.

A:


le ba. W ` n ` ` mei y shangxi De o kan quansh en a ge d` fang y ou l` qi, jiush` y` ng. ` zu Give it up. The way I see it, you dont have any real strength in your whole body. You just talk tough.

Key Vocabulary

x` tongx` ng ` zuo ` y angwoq ` eng fuw och ` ` y nt xiangsh ang ` suz ` ao jiangy` ng y oux ng

systematically sit-up push-up chin-up to tone; to mold stiff to have shape


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fuj ` ch jiu ` kuz ao anr shouw` bai ai ` shual ruanmi anmi an diuli an zu y` ng

abdominal muscle lasting dull to arm-wrestle to trick abby to lose face to talk tough

Supplementary Vocabulary

` yund ` jianm ei ` ong y ouy angcao shenzh an ` dong enx` ` ng rour aox` ng xieti yun`

bodybuilding aerobics stretches

exibility coordination

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Upper-Intermediate - Arrival in Jizhou


A:

(D0639)


` Zhongy ` J` ` zhensh` an a! le! Zhel tiant ang A! u zhou renji dao ` X ay ` women ashan jiu N kan, mal y anqian! ` zai Ah, were nally in Jizhou! Its really heaven on earth here. Look, the Himalayas are right before us!

B:


ai mei hux ` ` de k W o congl x nxian ongq` . N kan, guo zheme erqi e tebi ` e j` ang ` shensh jiu ong duo lan, tiank n, haoxi ou ey ` k ` ao. mod Ive never breathed such fresh air before. Look how blue the sky is, and how especially close, as if you could stretch out your arm and touch it.

A:


` ` J` dou o. ` Na` zhen sh` meicu Zhege d` fang jiao zhou y dian meiy ou shoud ` ao ` xian` , huangli me pianp` ang. W anquan ` shehu` ` de y ` ai ` women ` dai ngxiang. Xianz y e k ey t hu` y xia le. shaosh u nzu o ` m de shenghu Jizhou is just the right name for this place. Its so remote and desolate. Its completely unaffected by modern society. And now we can get a feel for ethnic minority life.

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B:


w` ao tansu ` k ` u Bie ang le, women haiy` o ongluoz de shenm` ` ne. T ` xianz ` ai ` haishi w` ` wenhu a amen dao z` j z` zu, u he aijie b` u. jiech ` Dont forget we also have to explore the Kongluo peoples mysterious culture. Even now theyre still self-sufcient, and dont have contact with the outside world.

C:

luy W` ei, n men sh` lai u ou de ba? Hey, are you guys here traveling?

A:

Du` , n y e sh` ma? Yes, are you too?

C:

` Jiay` ` an. W W o jiao o z` j y ou ge ludi u an. My name is Jiayan. I have my own hostel.

A:

a, tai ` hao le! W ` Lu. Aiy o sh` Zhao hao! ` N Oh, thats great! Im Zhao Lu. Hi!

B:

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` F ` W o jiao ang Jianm ng. Im Fang Jianming.

A:

ao yuji ` n ` gai b` z Haih , f ouz e women zhen u zh dao enme ` an ` ban. Its a good thing we ran into you. wouldnt know what to do. Otherwise we really

B:


anni ang, zai ` zhege ` e de d` Laob n y ge ren yush` fang geju zhen lugu liaobuq kai u . an, Madam, you opened a hostel on your own in such a solitary place. Thats impressive.

C:


` y ` r` Zhe ou shenme liaobuq de? Guo zi bei. W omen bian ba. Ludi ` b` liao z ou bian u u yuan. an Whats impressive about it? I just live day to day. Lets chat as we walk. The hostel isnt far.

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C:


` le. N ` le, ganku ` qu Dao men lushang k end` ng lei ai y ` ` shu` ` sh` x y` an bie hu` r ba. Zhe f angjian aoshi. Du` le, qianw` zao, shang de. W song ` ` ma? hen yuanq` anf` an y` ao wo guolai Were there. You must be tired from the trip. Go get some sleep. This is the room key. By the way, be sure not to take a shower. It will weaken your vitality. Do you want me to send dinner up?

B:

Buy` n le. W omen z` j q lai ch . ` ong mafan No need to go to the trouble. Well get up on our own and come eat.

A:

!
` women ` e ` n le. Jiay` an, xiexi Na qu angjian la! ` f So well go to our room now. Jiayan, thanks!

B:

gangg Ai, ang sh` shenme shengy n a? Sh` d zi ma? Ah? What was that noise? A ute?

C:

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Meiy ou a? K ` le, y m A? eneng sh` n lei oudian hu. Huh? Theres no sound. You must be tired, and a little confused.

A:

t ` W ` W o y e mei ngjian. omen shangqu ba. I didnt hear it either. Lets go up.

B:

` hen q W o m ngm ng t ngdao ngchu de d zi sheng...... I denitely clearly heard the sound of a ute...

A:

Jianm ` ` f` an zao, Jiay` ng zai ant ng ma? Good morning, Jiayan. Is Jianming in the dining room?

C:

N lai de ma? Shei? b` u sh` y ge ren Who? Didnt you come alone?

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A:


an y de y de y he Shenme? W o zuoti ge nan q lai a! N men shuo ` de. guo hua liang ge hai What? I came yesterday with a guy! You two even spoke to each other.

C:

lai de. W kanji ` an ` q a. ren N m ngm ng sh` y ge ren o mei ta You denitely came alone. I didnt see anyone else.

D:

sh shenme? N shuo Y` ou y ouren z ong le? What are you saying? Someone else disappeared?

A:


Shenme sh y N sh` shei? y` ou y ouren z ong le? Y qian ouren ` guo ma? b` ujian Who are you? What do you mean, disappeared? Have people disappeared before?

D:


` Xu wo nup qian y W nian W o jiao entao. o he u san e W engyou zher ` luy ` ai ta an an jiu zhengf a le. W lai u o meini ou, houl ` renji zhao ta. lai dou

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My name is Xu Wentao. I too came here traveling with my girlfriend three years ago, and she vanished from this world. I come back every year to look for her.

A:


` gao shenme ` an, n Jiay` zai gu ? Zenme hu` b` u j` de Jian` ai ` jiu ta! m ng ne? W o b` u xiangx` n. W o xianz zhao ` chuqu ` ` Jianm ng! Jianm ng! Jiayan, what are you trying to pull? How could you not remember Jianming? I dont believe it. Im going out to look for him right now. Jianming! Jianming!

D:

jiao ` le, meiy` ong de. Bie Stop yelling. Its no use.

C:

` lei ` le? N lai de. N sh` bu sh` tai sh` z` j y ge ren Are you too tired? You came here all alone.

Key Vocabulary

an tiant ang renji ay ashan X mal

heaven on earth Himalayas

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pianp` huangli ang ` tansu o z` j z` zu ` w` aijie e yush` geju ` r` guo zi shang yuanq` d zi sh z ong an zhengf a renji gaogu

remote desolate to explore self-sufcient the outside world solitary to spend ones days to sap ones energy ute missing to vanish to play tricks

Supplementary Vocabulary

huaiy k ey

to suspect suspicious

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` k epa ` guaiy` ` guaish` j` j` ng sheng ren d` b` ushu

scary strange strange happening tranquil a stranger in a strange place

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Upper-Intermediate - Drinking Ability


A:

(D0643)

le. W an le, quy ongj ngl y` ao lai ` z u Its over. The regional manager is coming.

B:

xiong hen Zenme, ta ma? What, is he bad-tempered?

A:

ong hao. du` Bu ta yuang hen ` xiong, No, hes good to the employees.

B:

` n danx n shenme? Na hai So what are you worried about?

A:


` ta ` hao le, wo cai danx tai n ne. T Jiush` nwei a zu` x huan ` y ` neng e. K tai le! Jianzh q ng women ch ch heh e ta he sh` e ta ong ta eib` uzu` y pei he, meic` qianb . Erqi d` ng y` ao yuang b` dou uzu` b` ugu .

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Its because hes too good that Im worried. He loves taking us out for dinner and drinks. But hes such a good drinker! He simply does not get drunk, even after like a thousand drinks. Plus he insists on the employees drinking with him. We never go home sober.

B:


le! W ` eng ` ` ang de lao x T` ai hao o zuom dou w` ang y ou zhey` K ei heji u. ban! ey mianf` Awesome! Thats the boss of my dreams! I can drink for free.

A:


Zhen ` bu chul n e. Na ` women kan A? sh` ge nuzh u aoji ongh ai, ` y zhec` oujiu ` le! Huh? Just looking at you, Id never guess you were a superwoman. So this time were saved!

B:


women ` heji ` wo! Ai, u ei F` angx n ba! Zhec` jiu de renwu ` jiaog an x shenme laob huan he jiu? Relax! Just leave the drinking duties to me. Hey, what alcohol does the boss like to drink?

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A:


u, he. Baiji T a shenme dou u, angjiu, y` ao sh` jiu, huangji y zh dou he. ta He drinks everything. White rice wine, yellow rice wine, western alcohol... if its booze, he drinks it.

B:

he y anxi, j` u bu lai baiji Y a, wo angjiu wo ng ta de. Meigu ba. Oh no, I cant drink western alcohol. Its OK, Ill toast him with white rice wine.

A:


he ` j ` neng ma? W jiuN zhen omen gongs na ge haoch eng ` de, dou ` ta le. Quni q` bei he dao liang hao nggongy` an, ` an ` a o mei y j` gen daji p ta njiu. ge ren de z` j sh` z enme Jiegu de. hu jia Can you really drink? There are a few in the company that claim to be good drinkers, but they were all no match. Last year at a company dinner he had a drink-off with everybody. In the end not a single person remembered how they got home.

B:

he le n dao ren? T a y ge ren men y zhuo


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He bested your entire table all by himself?

A:

y sh` Hezh zhuo, y ge gongs ! Way more than one table. It was the whole company!

B:


` k ` e de sh ou y W o jiuli y e hai ey de. Daxu hou meiy ge ang ` wo. de guo nansh eng he Im a decent drinker. In college, no boy could out-drink me.

A:

` ma? N tiansh eng jiu neng he ` name You can drink like that naturally?

B:


wo ma wo y ` z` de. Y Du` a, y chuan qian e b` u zh dao j neng juc he sh` u. wo le j heji ouy c` tongxu e p ng p jiu dian Y ` an, y Houl ` ai y` u, shenme e. mei. le xie baiji dou ou he e mei ganju y Yeah, I get it from my mom. Before, I didnt even know I could drink. One time some classmates got together and I drank several bottles of beer with no problem. Then I drank some white rice wine, and didnt feel a thing.

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A:


neng ` tiao xiej` n le jianl` ? Suoy u N sh` bu sh` ba heji zhe ` jiu women rensh` j ngl y kan ao n le. ` y` So did you put this drinking ability of yours on your resume? That would be why our HR department snatched you up.

B:

zhen ` ` hu` ao. N hai shuoxi Du` le, zhege z ongj ngl hu` f a jiuf eng ma? Such a joker. By the way, does this manager get crazy when he drinks?

A:


` n pa, ` ta ` b` Hu` de. Bugu bie uhu` ch n doufu de. T ngshuo ` o ` hezu` de sh ta hou zh hu` changx` . Yeah. But dont be afraid. He wont act sleazy. I hear that when he gets drunk he just sings opera.

B:

anr le, wo zhen ta dengbuj he j Sh` ma? T` ai haow y` ao he bei. Really? Sounds fun. I cant wait to have a few drinks with him.

Key Vocabulary
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e ch ch heh eib` uzu` qianb

to wine and dine drink 1,000 drinks without getting drunk to not leave sober exceptional woman saved white rice wine yellow rice wine western alcohol to toast to claim to be alcohol tolerance to outdrink celebration dinner drinking contest far more than
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

b` uzu` b` ugu e nuzh u aoji ongh y oujiu ` u baiji huangji u y angjiu j` ng ` haoch eng ` jiuli ang dao he q` nggongy` an p njiu hezh

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tiansh eng y chuan f a jiuf eng

innate to inherit to get drunk and act crazy to sing opera

` changx`

Supplementary Vocabulary

u meiji ` j` weish` ` a fut eji u j weiji

beyond hope whiskey vodka cocktail

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Upper-Intermediate - Missing Persons in Jizhou (D0654)


A:


` Lu, lai. Bie pa, ` wo sh` en. wo Zhao gen haor W o sh` ` n n xiang zhenx bang n . Zhao Lu, come with me. Dont be afraid, Im a good guy. I truly want to help you.

B:


` daod ` sh` ` enme an weish Zhe z enme y hu sh` ? Jiay` shuo jian ` guo Jianm ` an shuo ` hai guo hua mei ng? T amen zuoti ya! Just what is going on here? Why did Jiayan say she had never seen Jianming? They even spoke to each other yesterday!

A:


Jiay` ` ge ren shuobuq an zhe Ai, ng. W o nup u sh z ong engyou ` wo meini an dou zher ` zhao ta. dou hu` Meic` zhuy hou, lai ` ` Jiay` l ` shuo an de lugu z` zai u . T a b` utai j de sh` qing. W o an ` ta ren. b` zh zh dao u sh` bend`

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Ah, Jiayan is a hard one to gure out. After my girlfriend disappeared, I come here every year to look for her. Every time I stay in Jiayans hostel. She doesnt talk about herself much. I just know shes not a local.

B:


ta W ` ta sh` k W o b` uguan shenme ren. o zh zh dao end` ng Jianm ` b` ` weihe ng de sh z ong y ou guanxi. Rugu u sh` , ta o jian ` guo Jianm ` ao ` ta mei y shenme shuo ng? Nand ou sh y` ` zheng? I dont care where shes from. I just know she must have something to do with Jianmings disappearance. If not, why would she say shes never seen Jianming? Does she have amnesia?

A:


` sh` ` ta ng y ` . W ` de shenj san Na y nwei ou went o renshi ta le, f ` ta shou ` de naozi nian axian b` u q ngchu. K eneng y qian ` y ` J` sh` guo c` j . Bugu ou k eneng ta zhuang de. Zai zhou, ` o, Mei shenme xuan. shenme dongxi dou sh` k ex` n de.

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Its because she has a problem with her nerves. Ive known her for three years, and Ive found her mind isnt so clear. Maybe shes experienced a shock. But it is possible that shes faking it. In Jizhou, everything is obscure. Nothing is believable.

B:


zhende houhu ` zher. ` Bux y` a, wo Tian hen lai ao qu ` ng, wo ` ` ng, rang ` lai zhao Jianm ` baoj j ngcha ng! God, I really regret coming here. This is no good, I have to call the police, and make them nd Jianming!

A:


sha le, zhege ` d` anx J cai b` N bie fang reny shao. ngcha uhu` ne. W y ` guo j ` quan sh` guan o zh qian e bao ng, k esh` zher ` u, genb mei banf ` a zai ` zher ` gongzu ` en K ongluoz ngcha o. j Dont be dumb. There are barely a few souls here. The police dont pay it any attention. I once made a report, but everyone here is is of the Kongluo minority, so the police have no way to work here.

B:

` z ` ` zhe Jianm ` Na enme ban? W o jiu anzhengzh eng kan ng ` y sh z ong?

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So what do we do? I just let Jianming disappear right before my very eyes?

A:


b` haishi de. N ao hu Dangr an u sh` . Ren y` ao zhao haoh y` ` Jianm ` y ou shuo guo sheny xia, ng sh z ong y qian, oumeiy ` e de hua? ` me tebi Of course not. We have to look for him. Think back carefully to before Jianming disappeared. Did he say anything special?

B:


ou, shenme ou. O, wo xiang meiy Meiy dou q lai le! T a shuo ` d ` shenme t t ngdao zi de shengy n. Dansh` wo y e mei ng` dao. No, he didnt say anything. Oh, now I remember! He said he heard the sound of a ute. But I didnt hear anything.

A:

y ` guo. D zi? W o nup u sh z ong qian e t ngdao engyou A ute? My girlfriend also heard one before she disappeared.

B:

` n ` le ma? Na ne? N t ngdao

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How about you? Have you heard it?

A:


lai de. Houl ` ai ta wo xiex` n, shuo y gei Dangsh sh` ta ge ren ` le hen mei hen mei de d ` ai ` n t ngdao sheng. Xianz y shuo, y ` jian ` sh` ` . wo e juede zhe qing y ou went She came here alone. Later she wrote me a letter saying she had heard beautiful ute music. Now that you bring it up, I think theres something weird about it.

B:


ren ba! N ge, women Qiuqiu n , W entao y q zhao z` j y e ` meiy ou renh ` e k ` le, zhel shuo ex` n de dongxi. Zh y ou kao women b` e q women z` j le. Suoy lia xu lai! lianh Im begging you, Wentao, lets look for them together! You even said yourself that nothing here is believable. We can only depend on each other. So the two of us have got to band together!

A:

ba, y ai J` de m` Hao exu neng jiek zhou m` . women All right. Maybe we can unravel Jizhous secrets.

Key Vocabulary
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sh z ong ` sh y` zheng ng shenj c` j zhuang xuan k ex` n anx reny shao y anzhengzh eng e lianh

missing amnesia nerve shock to pretend obscure credible sparsely populated before ones eyes to unite

Supplementary Vocabulary

` xug ou gu y` daj

fabricated odd shock

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Upper-Intermediate - Motivational Speaker

(D0658)

duo wen ` wo, z eng ren Hen enme cain chengg ong? A lot of people ask me, what can I do to succeed?

` zh` ` nul` ` yunqi? Sh` kao hu` , sh` kao kao haishi ` Does it depend on wisdom, on hard work, or on luck?


` zhel ` y` ` ` a ` de sh` de guanji an W o zai ao gaosu daji , chengg ong ` z` t sh` b` uduan wo sheng! What I want to tell everyone here is that the key to success is continual self improvement!

ou zu` zh ` Meiy hao, y ou geng hao. There is no best, there is only better.

u, ` de z` Y` ao y ongb` u manz k` e zhu qiu hao j . sh geng Never be satised. Be seeking a better you at every moment.

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` y` Xiangy` ao t sheng z` j , xian ao renshi z` j . If you want to improve yourself, you rst need to know yourself.

` z` N y sheng zhong zu` zhongy` ao de guanxi jiush` j de ` he guanxi. The most important connection in your life is your connection to yourself.


` z` ` n de shengy Y` ao zh dao j de xuy` ngt ng z` j neix n, ao, q ` de q du` z` j y ou geng gao w` ang. You have to know your needs, to listen carefully to that inner voice, and to have even higher expectations for oneself.


ao j x zhaoch ou ` z` Haiy` j de z` wo ngcha, u uzu, x` n de ranh b` neng ` de geng ` : wo shuo zuo hao! You also have to actively examine yourself, determine your shortcomings, and then condently say, I can do better!

e y ` jianch Xuanz ge mubi xiaqu. ` ao, Choose a goal, and then stick to it.
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` sh` ngx` ` ta an ` y ` jiang Zhe jued` ng de y b` u, y nwei gaibi qie. This is a decisive step, because it will change everything.


` ang zuo ` sh hu` ` eng ` Dang n zhey` , wo dash de gaosu n : n sh` shengm` ng zhong de qiangzh e! When you do this, I will tell you loudly, you are a winner in life!


` p mei shang ` y n f Dang yud ngj ng, juede b` u dou eichang ` ao sh w` ` de tiaozh ` f an jiann , n y` ao j` zhu, su ran aijie an eichang ` n ` jianqi ang! y anku, de l nghun a ` dan gengji When you are faced with obstacles and feel the next step is extremely difcult, you have to remember: although the world is brutal, your spirit is even tougher!

ou b geng ` chang de lu, ou b geng ` gao Meiy jiao e meiy ren ` y de shan. Theres no road too long to walk, no mountain a man cant conquer.
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` e ` kunnan! Xiangx` n z` j , y d` ng neng kuayu ` Believe in yourself, and you will surely overcome adversity.

W` eishenme n y` ao xiangx` n z` j ? Why do you need to believe in yourself?

` n ` de! Y nwei sh` duy wu er Because you are unique!

` weish ` enme ` de ne? Na n sh` duy wu er And why are you unique?

` n eng tedi ` an bier en dou ou! meiy Y nwei de cain he Because you have skills and qualities that other people dont!

, n xiangx` Suoy y ou quanl` n z` j . So, you have the right to believe in yourself.
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` an de z Q ng f` angx n dad ou ba! Please relax and go courageously!

eng cain Dengg ao w` angyuan! Ascend to the height of your ability!


de ren jiu ` shenh ` dansh` ` ou, Zhu dang n xiangx` n gan ` zai ` t ` n hu` zai ` bier en z` j , b` uduan sheng z` j , na y ongyuan pao qianmian! Followers are behind you, but when you believe in yourself and continually improve yourself, you will forever be running ahead of other people!


` rang ` wo gaosu ` baif enzh xiangx` Zu` hou n : wo bai n n . N ` geng ` de z` k ey zuo hao j ! Finally, I want to tell you: I believe in you 100 percent. You can become a better you! Key Vocabulary

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t sheng q ngt ng q w` ang j j x ngcha

to improve to listen intently expectation actively to examine critically shortcoming powerhouse bottleneck difcult the outside world challenge brutal spirit strong to overcome
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

oneself

b` uzu qiangzh e p ngj ng an jiann ` w` aijie ` tiaozh an y anku ` l nghun ang jianqi ` e ` kuayu

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` duy wu er angdengg aow` yuan zhu gan

unique ascend to new heights and reach farther to pursue

Supplementary Vocabulary

gul` ` dongl` ` e ruozh k` efu ` e cuozh

to encourage power weakling to overcome setback

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Upper-Intermediate - Editing a Document


A:

(D0666)

zao. Zhubi an Good morning, sir.

B:


zao. ` de wenzh de b` ` Ba luy Zhec` ang xie ucuo. u Ai, ou he jieh e zai ` y e z q nggan q . N z` j ganju enmey` ang? Ah, good morning. You wrote this article quite well. You brought travel and emotion together. How do you feel about it?

A:


q de. Zhe ` y` ` zhubi ` e rang Xie lai t ng shunsh ou ao duoxi ` an z` wo y ou f ahu a. It came out quite naturally. I have to thank you for letting me freely express myself.

B:

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` de chul n hen liuch ` x` ` W o kan de wenb hen n` . Dan ang, ai, de tai ` z` aozu` paot le. Su shuo sh` n xie wot , y oudian ran wenzh ` ng, dansh` ` de xuy` xie ang y` ao y ou gex` duzh e ao sh` ` luy zu` zhongy` ao de. N xie u ang y d` ng y` ao t gong ou wenzh sh y` ong de x` nx . I can tell, your writing style is very uid, very exquisite. But you write a bit too narcissistically, and go off topic some. Although you need character when you write, the needs of the reader are most important. When writing a travel article, you have to offer useful information.

A:

` wo xuy` an ` z u Na ongt de jiaod ` ma? ao gaibi So do I need to change the overall angle?

B:


` ` ong y` hen Buy` jut he ongc , y` ao xiug ` ong. Dansh` ` de neir ai tai ` duo ` y` ` ger ` en q shang ` N de b duo. ba mo ong zai nggan ` angy wenzh de x` jiu a k` j le. Zhey` lai, ang eguan ben nx . ` quef No. But specic content and word choice will need a lot of revision. You used too much ink on personal emotion. Like this, the article lacks objectivity in the basic information.

A:


c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

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` an wo y ` le. Dan ` wo z Zhedi e zhuy` ongsh` p ngheng b` u ` dao zhe ` liang ` de guanxi. hao f angmian I noticed that too. But I can never nd the right balance in the relationship between the two.

B:

anxi. ` ` lai. Shun ma. Meigu Manm an engqi ao engsh Thats OK. It takes time. Practice makes perfect, right?

A:


` n ger ` en q he k` x` Na, n juede nggan eguan nx de b l` y nggai sh` duoshao ne? Then what do you think the ratio of personal feeling to objective information should be?

B:


` ao ` zhege ` Buy` en b l` . Ersh` y` ao j` zhu n de mud` jiesh ` ao f ` sh` ` ` . W d` fang, tuch d` fang de luy u ulun cong ou jiazh ` n u zhege u dou ` chuf y` shenme jiaod ao y zhege wei ` qu ` xie, adian. Dont put it into a ratio. You have to remember that your goal is to introduce this place, and to emphasize this places tour value. No matter what angle you write from, you need to make that your starting point.

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A:

` jiu wo O, n n zheme y shuo le. ` dong Oh, when you put it that way, I get it.

B:


ou, y` ` f N ` jiu ` Haiy ongc b` uy` ao tai ansuo. zhec` ong le tai ` y` ` ong, de xiush` de dou sh` duo sh shuo tongy` ang de neir . Q ou duo ` y` duo ` o ` dou ` da duanlu y` y meiy y` . Hen ao y asuo xia. Also, dont let your wording get too detailed. This time you used too many modiers. Its actually all saying the same thing, so it doesnt mean much. Many of the paragraphs need to be condensed some.

A:

` zhubi k u wo z` Bugu e bu k ey baoli xie j de f engge? ` o, an, y But sir, cant I preserve some of my own style?

B:


k ` wo shuo ` e ` ong de naxi y` Dangr an ey . Dan ao zhuy` ` . Neir ` b` tai ` dany , y` L` f angmian, uneng ao f engfu xie. ngw` ai, wen` y ` e d` ` tongsh zhang zhong y ou gebi fang du lai b` utai un. q ` Bu ` ` n ` le meiy ou? W n chulai zh dao zhuy` o gei quan ` dao le. N ` gai y ` hu qu hou xia.

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Of course. But you need to pay attention to the things I said. In content, you cant be too singularly focused. You have to esh it out more. Also, there are a few places in the article that dont read too smoothly. Im not sure if you noticed. I circled them for you. Go back and x them.

A:

mash ang ` T jiu wo Ng, wo xiug ng n n y shuo, ngchu ` q ai. le. duo OK, Ill revise them right away. After listening to you for a bit, Im a lot clearer now.

B:

` xie de sh Y hou hou y e y` ao zhuy` ` a. You have to pay attention to this in your future writing too.

A:

de. Xiexie ` hao hou ` gei n ` W Hao zhubi o gai n song lai. an. OK. Thank you, sir. After I revise it Ill send it to you.

Key Vocabulary

zhubi an q nggan shunsh ou `

editor emotion smoothly

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f ahu wenb ` liuch ang x` n` aozu` z` wot paot z ongt y` ongc xiug ai ` b mo p ngheng shun eng engsh qiao tuch u chuf adian f ansuo

to give free rein to writing style uid exquisite narcissistically off topic overall wording to revise pen and ink balance practice makes perfect

to give prominence to starting point elaborate


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xiush` y asuo dany tongsh un ` quan

modier to condense singular coherent to circle

Supplementary Vocabulary

bianj ao ` paodi

to edit out of tune

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Upper-Intermediate - Familiar Face in Jizhou


A:

(D0671)

` Lu, ` ` ba. Zhao ou le name jiu, xiuxi xia ` z women y Zhao Lu, weve walked so far. Lets take a break.

B:


` Jianm ` ` fuj` Bux o b` u lei, ng y ou k eneng jiu a ` zai ` n. T ` ng. W women ganj n zhaod ao ` ta. hu` an, su sh dou y ou weixi dei No way. Im not tired. Jianming might be right around here. He could be in danger at any moment, so we need to hurry up and nd him.

A:


` ang dehua, ` hen kuai ` jiu ` a de. Rugu K esh` n zhey` leiku ` hu` o n a ` dehua, ` shei hai hu` Jianm ` daoxi lian dou qu ng a? ` zhao But if you go about it like this, youre going to collapse before long. If even youre no longer standing, whos going to nd Jianming?

B:

` wo tai ` x de du` guai N shuo . Dou nj le. Youre right. Its because Im too anxious.

A:


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` zher ` zuo ` y qu ` en jial y` N zai hu` r, wo K ongluor ao ` qianmian z shu an bie xie . N qianw` oukai. Sit here for a while. Ill go up ahead and ask the Kongluo people for some water. Whatever you do, dont run off.

B:


` le. W ` ang mafan ge, n Zh dao entao f` angx n ba. Zhey` n , wo ` guoy` ` b` sh zai uqu. ` I got it. Wentao, relax. This is so much trouble for you, and I feel really bad about it.

A:


zhey` ` ang shuo. Shuo W sh` Bie omen sh` tongb` ngxiangli an. ` bang z` dian zhaod ao ` Jian` bang n , q sh sh` zai wo j . Zao y dian jiand ` ao ` wo nup m ng wo e k ey zao u Bu engyou. ` shuo xian qu le, wo ` le. Dont say that. Were both in the same boat. You say Im helping you, but actually Im helping myself. The sooner we nd Jianming, the sooner I can also see my girlfriend. Enough talk, Im going to get going.

B:

Hao. OK.
c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

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(after a while)

(after a while) (after a while)

A:

` Lu! ` Zhao ` Lu, ao ` nar qu ` Lu! ` Zhao ` Zhege ` paod ` le? Zhao ` Zhao Lu! ` Zhao Lu! Where did that Zhao Lu run off to? Zhao Lu! Zhao Lu!

B:

` zher. ` ge! W W entao o zai Wentao! Im over here.

A:

` n luan ` N z enme y hu sh` r? Bu ao m` ng la? W o jiao bie ` y` z ou de. What happened to you? Dont you value your life? I told you not to wander around.

B:


kand ` ao ` Jianm ` gen hao Du` buq , k esh` wo ng le. T a gangc ai ` en q cong ` j ` j ge K ongluor zhe ma qianmi an ngguo.

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Im sorry, but I saw Jianming. Just now he rode by on a horse with a bunch of Kongluo people.

A:

` q Shenme? N kan ngchu le ma? What? Did you see him clearly?

B:


ta ` en de y ` wo que` chuan zhe K Ng, su ongluor fu, dan ran e wo jiao ` ta kan ` wo Erqi de sh y d` ng sh` ta. hou, ta e hu tou le. Yes. Although he was wearing Kongluo clothing, Im sure it was him. Plus, when I called to him, he turned his head and looked at me.

A:

` ta ne? ren Sh` ma? Na Really? So where is he?

B:


rench ` T bian, ` dansh` ` ai ` T a mei u a de y` angzi mei shent wo. b` ` ren daid ai de. N w anquan u y y` ang le. Zhengg e shuo ` ang? Zenme z enme hu` zhey` hu` ne?

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He didnt recognize me. His appearance hadnt changed any, but his expression was totally different. Like his whole person was numb. Tell me how this could be? How?

A:

j b` nar j ` bie T N xian , y ou k eneng u sh` ta. a sh` cong ngguo de? Dont get too excited; maybe it wasnt him. Where did he pass through?

B:

` qianmi ` de shan ` shang. Jiu an ` zai That mountain just up ahead.

A:


e Zheme ` z ` q ta A? yuan, enme k eneng kan ngchu ne? Erqi gengji ` ` bu q kan q zhe ma, a ng le. Huh? That far away, how could you possibly see clearly? Plus if hes riding a horse, its even less clear.

B:


` enme W ` ao ` Jianm ` N weish b` u xiangx` n wo? o kand ng le! Zhende Jiush` jiush` ` ta! ` ta! Why dont you believe me? I saw Jianming! It was him! It was really him!

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A:


ng dian. Bush` b` sh` ` N lengj` u xiangx` n n . Rugu Jian` wo o rench ` z m ng, ta enme hu` mei u ne? n Calm down. Its not that I dont believe you. If it was Jianming, how could he not recognize you?

B:

......
` W o...... W o y e b` u zh dao. I... I dont know either.

Key Vocabulary

` a leiku

ready to collapse from exhaustion to blame to feel very bad in the same boat

` guai ` b` guoy` uqu ` tongb` ngxiang lian y hu sh` r y` ao m` ng ai ` shent

what happened very taxing expression


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ai daid

numb

Supplementary Vocabulary

` z ebei daizh` maigu ` a, W angpo ` kua z` maiz`

to blame dull one tends to praise what one sells

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - Buying a Custom-Built Computer (D0682)


A:

diann ` ao ma? Zuzhu j Xiaojie, mai ang j haishi p npai ? Miss, would you like to buy a computer? Brand name or custom-built?

B:

Zuzhu ang j . Custom-built.

A:


` zuzhu y kan` W omen zuo ang j hen ou j ngy` an de. N j` nlai pei. ` N u kan ba. K ey genj de y aoqiu y ou shenme ` n lai y aoqiu? We have a lot of experience building computers. Come in and take a look. We can match the parts according to your requirements. What requirements do you have?

B:

` hao y de. W o z` j y` ong. Y` ao peizh` dian Ill use it for myself. I want high-end components.

A:


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ng de. B u P` eizh` sh` genj j` xuy` ru, p ngsh w an ` sh n ao jued` ` zhuany` ` gongzu ` e shej` y oux` ma? Haishi zuo o? The components are determined by the actual needs. For example, do you normally play games? Or do you do any professional design work?

B:

er hu` da y ` ` shej` ` . Ou da oux` . Dansh` b` u zuo I play games occasionally. But I dont do design.

A:


` ang dehua, ` wo jiany` ` n ` ge Y er K` Zhey` pei ngte uru` de chu ` ai ` zu` l q` . T a sh` xianz x n, zu` zhuli . u de chul q` In that case, I recommend you go with the Intel DuoCore processor. Its currently the newest, most mainstream processor.

B:

` ma? Chul sud ` u ` kuai Is it fast?

A:


` n le. Bu ` z ` n ` ne? Zhe f` angx n hao enme hu` jiao pei ` kuai y er de. Zhey` ` ang p ` du x` Zhub e y` ong Y ngte pei tong an ` gao, ` wend` ng. jiu jiao ` b

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You can relax about that. Why would I use it for you if it werent fast? Well use an Intel motherboard as well. This way compatibility is higher, in the system is quite stable.

B:

` e de ba? dou sh` Zhexi yuanch ang shengch an Are these all produced at the original factory?

A:

1G 512
` yuanch ` un ` y W o zh mai ang de. Neic G de, y` ong dul` pei a. Jiu ` ge wub y ` zhao ` xianc un xiank sh er an ` pei ai de. W xiaogu ` f ` y oux` de sh hou, sh` jue o eichang bang. I only sell the manufacturers original products. Ill give you one gig of memory, and an independent video card. Ill give you 512 megs of video memory. When you play games, the visual effects will be great.

B:

` shengk w ne? Na a, angka How about the sound card and network card?

A:

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z` ` de jiu ` Nage ` Y` ong zhub dai ng, b` uy` ong l` ngw` ai pei. an ` x ` haishi ` de, mei b` n huaqi an, xiaogu o b` ucuo y` ao duo shuo sh` ba? Well use the ones that come on the motherboard. You dont need additional ones. The quality is quite good. No need to spend extra money, right?

B:

` xiansh` ` an ne? Na q` , j xiang, jianp So how about the monitor, case, and keyboard?

A:


e ` e dou n de. Erqi dongxi gei Zhexi n f` angx n, wo zu` hao ` n Du` n ` de? da b` u zhuan qian. le, y` ngpan y` ao duo Dont worry about those. Ill give you the best for all of them. Plus I wont prot on you. By the way, how big of a hard drive do you want?

B:

` q ? duoshao W o y e b` utai ngchu, n shuo hesh` Im not sure. How big do you think is best?

A:

160G

liush ` ong le. X ` ` juedu` hao. Y ng, zhege peizh` bai ` G gouy` e hen sh Erqi hu` .
Visit the Online Review and Discussion (text version). c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

160 gigs is enough. OK, this system is denitely good. Plus its a good value.

B:

kan ` le jiag ` e jiu ` le. Sh` bu sh` sh hu` wo dao ` zh Ill know if its reasonable after I see the price.

A:


wo xianz ` ai ` gei n ` suan. Lai, wo y Hao, suan y` ang y y` ang n ` Y ` ` gei n gei ba, pianyi jia kan. gong wuqi ba? W o zai an ge zhe. W wu, da uqian enmey` ang? z OK, let me calculate it for you now. Here, Ill add up each item in front of you. Altogether its 5800. Cheap, right? Ill give you another discount. How does 5500 sound?

B:

` gu` a ` guo. W ` n ` y er Haishi tai le. W o bieji e wen uqian mai ` bu mai? Its still too expensive. Ive asked other shops. Will you sell it for 5200?

A:

` ` k n sh` Zhege jia end` ng b` ux ng. W o gei de dou d ngj de ` . peizh` I really cant do that. I gave you all top-quality components.

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B:


` W ge pengyou dian` xiang W o zh dao. o y ou haoj dou mai n wo pianyi wo xiac` ` k ` ao ` tamen nao, gei y dian, end` ng jiesh lai. I know. I have quite a few friends that want to buy computers. If you give it to me cheaper, Ill introduce them to you for sure.

A:

hao ba. Ai, Oh, all right.

Key Vocabulary

zuzhu ang ` pei ` peizh` er Y ngte chul q` zhub an ` p pei

custom built to match components Intel processor motherboard compatibility


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yuanch ang ` un neic a xiank ` zhao shengk a w angka ` z` dai xiansh` q` j xiang ` an jianp y` ngpan sh hu`

original factory memory video card meg sound card network card self-contained monitor case keyboard hard drive good value

Supplementary Vocabulary

zhuj shubi ao

host computer mouse

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y` ej ngp ng guangq u j cheng k` elu `

LCD CD-DVD drive integrated burn

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c 2007 Praxis Language Ltd.

Upper-Intermediate - A Jizhou Childs Warning (D0688)


A:

Ng? Shei? Huh? Whos there?

B:

. Ay Lady.

A:

engyou, wo? Xiaop n zhao Little one, are you looking for me?

B:

, Jianm ` , n danx n. Ay ng shushu meish` bie Lady, Mr. Jianming is OK. Dont worry.

A:

Kuai ` j` ` shenme? . N shuo N sh` shei? nlai gaosu ay What did you say? Who are you? Come inside and tell me.

B:

. T a meish` Hes OK.

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A:


` nati ` an kancu ` ` jiush` ` mei W o jiu dao, o, ng. Xiao` zh ` Jianm ` nali jiand ` ao ` ta ` de? N pengyou, n sh` zai z enme hu` renshi ` Jianm ng shushu? I knew it. That day I wasnt seeing things; it was Jianming. Little one, where did you see him? How could you know Mr. Jianming?

B:


, n ` gaosu ` en Jianm ` Ay W o b` u renshi ta. bie bier ng shushu ` nar. T` sh` ` zher ` de nage ` de. zai ebie zhuz nan ` ai I dont know him. Lady, dont tell anyone where Mr. Jianming is. Especially not the man that lives here.

A:

W` eishenme? Why?

B:

gaosu ` an bie N qianw` ta. Lady, whatever you do, dont tell him.

A:


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engyou, ma? N ` shenme ren Xiaop n sh` J` zhou jiao m ng` ` n de? zi? Sh` b` u sh` Jianm ng shushu jiao lai Little one, are you from Jizhou? Whats your name? Was it Mr. Jianming that told you to come here?

B:

, n ` dian z ` J` zai le. Ay kuai ou ba. Buy` zhou ` ao dai Lady, hurry up and leave. Dont stay in Jizhou.

A:

` n ` wo qu ` ` jiu Na dai Jianm ng shushu, wo ou, x ng ` kankan ` z ma? You take me to see Mr. Jianming, and then Ill go, OK?

B:

` anqu N ba. Jianm ng shushu hen an. hu jia Mr. Jianming is safe. Go home.

A:


y duo ou jiand ` ao ` ta tian meiy le, zhende Ay j ng hao hen . N n ` baba ` mama, zhaoj xiang, rugu zhaobud ao n y e hu` o j haip ` a, ` du` hen , hen bu du` ? I havent seen him in many days already. Im really worried. Imagine if you couldnt nd your mommy and daddy. Youd be worried and scared, right?

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B:

` ta ` nar. W zai W o b` u zh dao o y` ao z ou le. I dont know where he is. I have to go.

A:

xiaop engyou, pao, deng n deng deng! N bie deng! Ai, Hey, little one, wait. Dont run. Wait! Wait!

C:

` Lu, ` jiao ` shei a? Zhao zai ` n Zhao Lu, who are you shouting for?

A:

zhende ` bengku` ba! an, wo Jiay` kuai le. N bang bang wo Jia Yan, Im really on the verge of falling apart. Please help me!

C:

Shenme sh` ? N shuo. What is it? Tell me.

A:

` Jianm ng sh z ong le. Jianming disappeared.

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C:

sh` ` Shenme? Shei Jianm ng? What? Who is Jianming?

A:


dou ` wo y b` N zhende y u j` de le ma? Jianm ng he q dian de ya. N shuo ` de ne. guo hua lai men hai Do you really not remember at all? Jianming came here with me! You even talked to him.

C:

lai de ma? N b` u sh` y ge ren Didnt you come alone?

A:


Jianm ` de. K zhu Bu . W o he ng y q lai esh` cai ge ` le y ` sh` jiu w anshang, ta z ong le. ` sh No. I came with Jianming. But after just one night, he disappeared.

C:

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` kan chuq Sh z ong? Zenme k eneng? Y exu ou zou, kan ta ` z u daj ` ngxiaogu ` de, hen duo J` lai de f engj ng. N bie ai zhou dou ` ang. sh` ren zhey` Disappeared? How is that possible? Maybe he went out for a walk, to have a look at the scenery. Dont make a big deal out of it... a lot of people that come to Jizhou do that.

A:

Bu . T a zhende sh z ong le. ` sh` No. He really disappeared.

C:


danx ` J` ` n. Jianm ta du` N bie ng b` u sh` d` y c` lai zhou, zher liaoji e. Buhu` hen oush` de. ` y Dont you worry. Its not Jianmings rst time in Jizhou. He knows this place. Hell be ne.

A:

lai guo? N ` T a y qian renshi ta? Hes come here before? You know him?

C:

b` ` ` le. Dangr an u renshi. N t ngcuo Of course I dont know him. You misheard me.

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A:


ou. N m ` Jianm W o meiy gangc ai ngm ng shuo ng b` u sh` d` J` shuo hai ta b` y c` lai zhou, uhu` y oush` de. No I didnt. You just clearly said it wasnt Jianmings rst time in Jizhou, and that he would be ne.

C:


` Lu, ` gen w nj an ma? W ` wo Zhao zai an naoj zhuanw o lei ` n dian shu` le, y` ao qu y e zao ba. ` xiuxi. N Zhao Lu, are you playing with my mind? Im tired. I need to rest. You go to bed early too.

Key Vocabulary

bengku` sh z ong ` ngxiaogu ` daj ai

to fall apart to disappear make a big deal out of nothing messing mind with ones

nj naoj zhuanw an

Supplementary Vocabulary

an anqu ang

secure feeling
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zh chengbuzh u ` q ngxu ` z ongy ng m sh ` u guod ` dazu ` o ` xiaot

to be unable to go on mood trace to lose excessive make a mountain out of a molehill

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Upper-Intermediate - Getting a Library Card A:


wo xiang ` jiesh ` uk n hao, ban a. Hello. I want a library card.

(D0695)

B:

de. dai ` huzh ` le ma? hao ` ao OK. Did you bring your passport?

A:

y` ` a, ao huzh ` ao? Huh, I need a passport?

B:


` ka xuy` ` huzh ` hai y` shenq ngsh` de. ban ao tian ` ao, ao dai e k ` w ` ` ai, y ` zhel ` biao. biaog ey zai angshang xiaz e k ey zai na. Yes. A library card requires a passport as well as lling out a application form. You can download one from the web, or get one here.

A:

` ka ma? jiu dangti an na ` neng Can you get a card on the same day?

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B:

` na zhong ne? k ey . n xiang ban ka You can. Which card do you want?

A:

y ou shenme b` utong ma? What are the differences?

B:


` tush l ` ` de. y ou zh neng zai kansh u e y ou w` aijie ugu an de, y w` ` he k ` b ` duo ` n shu f en j ben aijie ey jie jiao xuy` de. kan ao shenme. There is a card that enables you to only check out books to read while in the library, and one that lets you check out books to take home. Then that is divided into cards based on how long and how many books you can borrow. Which one would you like?

A:

y` de. z ei? wo ao gongn eng duo enme shouf` I want the one with the most features. What is the fee?

B:

501000
` y hai xuy` ` y y kuai wush nian, qian aj n. kuai ao jiao 50 RMB a year, and a 1000 RMB cash deposit.

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A:

` zheme duo? Why so expensive?

B:


` neng jie ` de shu ` hu` ma. n n, y y b` uy` ong danx hou nwei duo n tu` gei de. Because to be able to check out books costs more. Dont worry, afterwards you can get your money back.

A:

y ` j shu ` duoji u? o! wo c` k ey jie ben ey jie a? k Oh. How many books can I check out at once? How long can I keep them?

B:


` wu k ` y ` y jie shu y c` zu` duo ey jie ge yue. ouxie ben, hai ` erqi e zai ` w ` k ey xuji angshang jiu w ancheng. hen ` e, ` neng ` de. f angbian The most you can borrow is ve books, and you can keep them for a month. Some books you can renew, which can be done online. It is very convenient.

A:

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huansh ` le z ` rugu u q guo enme ban? o r` What happens when your book is overdue?

B:


` q ` sh` de. suoy n chaogu o xian y` ao f akuan y` ao j` de j sh shu ` n ` tush gu huan. l` ngw` ai, rugu sh dehua, y` ao an o u y a ` de wu ` j` ang. ` y yuanji nx ng peich shu ai e sh` y` ao bei sunhu ang peich de. There is a ne when you exceed the return date. So you must remember to return them in a timely fashion. In addition, if you lose a book, you must pay ve times the original price as compensation. Damaged books also require a fee.

A:

wo zh ` le. xiexie ` hao. dao n a. OK, I got it. Thank you.

B:


` y ` n huzh ` dail ` ai jiu ` de. xiac` b` uy` ongxie, nggai ba ey ban ` ao ` k le. ka Dont mention it. Next time bring your passport to get your card.

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Key Vocabulary

` uk jiesh a ` w` aijie ei shouf` y aj n ` xuji ` e

library card to lend out to collect fees deposit to renew (a library book) to exceed time limit ne to return to lose to compensate to damage

` chaogu o ` q xian f akuan gu huan y sh ang peich ` sunhu ai

Supplementary Vocabulary
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` ansh` yuel ` shuji a ` f enlei un chax ` guoq

reading room bookshelf to classify to look up overdue

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Upper-Intermediate - An Anonymous Tip in Jizhou


(D0699)

A:


` Lu, e ` haish` zheme ` ` j j` Zhao de lians cha. ntian xu ` n ` zhao ` ch ma? Jianm ng, n shent dexiao Zhao Lu, youre still not looking too well. If we keep looking for Jianming today, can your health take it?

B:

b` wo uy` aoj n. Im ne.

A:


` zuoti an ` ang zhao, k mei shenme nay` an eneng haish` j` n women ` k ` u ba. sh` zhan. j ntian shi qu ongluoz ` wen ren If we look for him the same way we did yesterday, we might not make any headway. Today lets try going to the Kongluo people.

B:

` u tamen t ngdedong hany ma? Can they understand Chinese?

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A:


an e tamen chunp ` de k hen yuanjiand ey . erqi dou nggai u, y ` ` xiang)wei2, zh ` le. y` bangzh u (dianhu a ng, wo dao ` women. mash ang ` jiu ` Lu, y ` wo ou Jianm ng de xiaoxi le. ` qu. ` Zhao ` wo ` women ` ai ` jiu ta. kuai, xianz ` qu ` zhao If you keep it simple they can. Plus they are honest people, they should be willing to help us. (Telephone rings) Hello? Oh, I see. Ill be right there. Zhao Lu, I have news about Jianming. Come on, lets go look for him right now.

B:

` ` l shuo ta ` de? ta sh` z sh` dianhu a de ren shei? enme zh dao ` Jianm ng? Was that what the person said on the phone? Who is he? How does he know Jianming?

A:

wen ` le. laibuj n bie le! Dont ask. Theres no time!

B:

jiu wo n b` u shuo u qu. ` b` ` If you dont tell me I wont go.

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A:

` n le! su bian hao Whatever you want!

B:

wo...... I...

A:


` shangch ` wo hu` kuai. ` n n wo, x ng le, kuai e. zhuaj q de hen ` sh an zhege a sheng)wei4, z enme pianpi hou f` angy ang. (lab ` ` rangkai! ` rangkai! kuai b` u y` aom` ng la! All right, get on the bike. Hold on tight, Im going to drive really fast. How come just at a time like this they are herding sheep? (Horn blast) Hey, make way! Make way! You want to die or something?

B:

y yuan? hai ou duo How much farther?

A:


ang ` ` le. ai, ` z ` z ` ao! ` le, mash dao ongsuan ou le. zuoh dao ` jiush` y nggai ` zher.

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Were almost there. Ah, they nally left. Hang on! Were here, this should be it.

B:

` ` zhege ` ` ` Jianm ng zai wuzi ? Jianm ng! Jianm ng! l Jianming is in this house? Jianming! Jianming!

A:


en ne? (b k ong de. z enme meir zi xiu n)ng2? y ou ` de shengy de weidao, ` zai ` zher ` dai guo. shaohu o k end` ng y ouren Its empty. How come there isnt anyone here? (Snifng sound) Huh? Theres a burning smell. Someone was denitely staying here.

B:

` Jianm ` ` fuj` chuq ta! Na ng y d` ng hu zai ` n. wo ` zhao u Then Jianming must be in the area. Im going out to look for him!

A:


nage ` ` u k gangc ai k ongluoz angy ang de ren end` ng sh` guy` f` ` ` le, zhong de j` de! zao le ta ! Just nowthat Kongluo person herding sheep must have done that on purpose! Darn it, we fell into his trap!

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B:

` ai ` qu Jianm ` laidej women xianz ng hai ! ` zhao If we go look for Jianming now theres still time!

A:

ong de. y le. meiy` d` ng y j ng z ou yuan Its no use. Hes denitely already long gone.

B:


` le! wo shoug ` ou ` le! Xu ` sh` n gou entao, daod shenme W ` w ? ren? n zai an shenme bax` Enough! Ive had enough! Xu Wentao, who are you anyway? What kind of trick are you playing?

A:

ng y n lengj` dian. Zhao Lu, calm down a little.

B:


guolai. ` yuan y tian daod ` laid ao ` le a, wo n bie n l wo dian! y ge shenme d` fang? Dont come near me. Dont come any closer! Oh my, what kind of place have I come to, anyway?

Key Vocabulary
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ch dexiao b` uy` aoj n j` nzhan chunp u n zhuaj an pianpi f` angy ang xiu ` ` zhongj` ` ou ` shoug bax`

to be able to bear never mind to make headway unsophisticated to hold tightly unexpectedly to herd sheep to sniff to be taken in to bear enough trick

Supplementary Vocabulary

` an b` u naif

impatient

` zhongji ang

to win the prize

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` ao ` zhong caipi

to win the lottery

` touzh ong

to dunk

gu j`

trick

y nmou

scheme

` xiansu o

clue

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Upper-Intermediate - A Jizhou Identity Revealed (D0716) A:


` gaogu ` sh` n Xu entao! y zh zai ! n daod shenme ren? W ` ang hen haow an? n sh` bu sh` juede zhey` Xu Wentao! You keep on playing tricks! What kind of person are you, anyway? Do you nd this amusing or something?

B:

b` sh` dangr an u sh` . wo xiang bang n . Of course not. I am wanting to help you.

A:


b nup wo uy` ao n bang. n b` u sh` y` ao zhao u ma? n engyou ` y` ` zher ` zhao Jianm ` ganm qu a ao zai ng? ` a! I dont want your help. Werent you looking for your girlfriend? Go, then! What on earth are you doing here looking for Jianming?

B:

n ng y ` wo gaosu ` ` lengj` ang. hao, xian xia. n zhenxi OK, rst calm down a bit. Ill tell you whats really going on.

A:

` zhenxi ` ` n ` shuo ang? a. shenme? n zh dao na kuai

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What? You know whats really going on? Well, hurry up and tell me then.

B:

meiy ou wo nup ` hu en q sh genb u sh z ong de na sh` r. engyou Actually, that thing about my girlfriend going missing was totally not true.

A:

de gushi? shenme? sh` n bian ` What? You fabricated that story?

B:


sh` wo zh bian ` ` nage du` . wo j ngcha. suoy gushi, sh` weile ` ` y an. ` en diaoch a q shar Yes. I am a policeman. The reason why I made up that story was in order to investigate a murder case.

A:

` J` en? shar zai zhou? Murder? In Jizhou?

B:

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qian, y zai ` zher ` bei ` sha. F ` nian er du` . san ouren ang Jian` ` ren. m ng sh` zhege anzi de xiany Thats right. Three years ago, a person was killed here. And Fang Jianming is a suspect in the case.

A:


` en, ta z Jianm de sh` n hushu o! ng sh` haor wo enme hu` b` u ` p zh dao? wo ng shenme xiangx` n n ? Thats crazy! Jianming is a good person. How could i not know something like that? Why should I believe you?

B:


` sh` de j zheng, ` ` gangg an` dadi zhe wo ngcha n z` j kan. ang ` de sh` de tour, ` ai ` jiu anhu ` ` wen ` ta. hua wo n xianz ey dadi a ` k ` eni y ` cha, F ` ` an women zhexi zh zai ang Jianm ng zheng sh` ` ` ` ren. zhege anzi de zhongy` ao xiany This is my police badge, take a look for yourself. The person who just called is my captain. You can call him right now and ask. We have been investigating over the last few years, and Fang Jianming is the prime suspect in the case.

A:


` le. Jianm ` congl ai meiy ou lai n k end` ng gaocu o ng y qian shar an ` y z en guo J` zhou. enme hu` he ouguan?

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You must be mistaken. Jianming has never been to Jizhou before. How could he have anything to do with a murder case?

B:

` duo jiu n renshi ta le? How long have you known him?

A:


ban. ` k liaoji e ta, hen jiand an, ta de shenghu y nian esh` wo o e ta ` e shanli ` ang, y . ta tebi b` erqi lian zh wenzi dou uhu` das en? z enme k eneng hu` shar A year and a half. But I understand him. His life is very simple, and he is especially kindhe wont even kill a mosquito. How could he kill a person?

B:


` y ` de. women ` le ta zhe esh` women xiang zh dao diaoch a f ` ta lai guo zher. ` hai zhu ` nian, y san axian qian duan ` guo y ` Lu, hen fuz n liaoji e z sh jian. ongzh , Zhao b` u k eneng ` ren ` a. ` ren de quanb` u. y ge

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Thats what we would like to know, too. We have investigated him for three years, and have discovered that he has been here before. He even lived here for a period of time. Anyhow, Zhao Lu, people are very complicated. You cannot possibly completely understand everything about a person.

A:


` le! cong renshi ` ` wo, q pian gou wo n de y tian n jiu ` kaish ` z n rang wo enme xiangx` n n ? Enough! From the rst day I met you you have been deceiving me. How can I trust you?

B:


meiy ou b` ` n zh ` zhe ` hen nan jiesh ` ou, wo y` ao pian . wo dao ` ` ang. dansh` sh` sh jiush` ` zhey` I have no reason to deceive you. I know this is very difcult to accept, but these are the facts.

A:


` le! gou ` le! wo b` ` l` zai gou uy` ao t ng! n y zh dou y` ong wo. zai ` y ` ao ` n zai ` lai beib` ! wo n zhen e b` u xiang jiand le! n bie wo! zhao Enough! Enough! I dont want to hear it! You have just been using me. You are really despicable. I dont ever want to see you again! Dont ever come looking for me again!

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B:

` Lu! ` Lu! y ` ren luanz ` ou. Zhao bie ge ` Zhao ` n Zhao Lu! Zhao Lu! Dont go out there by yourself!

Key Vocabulary

gaogu ` ang zhenxi bian ren xiany ` anzi tour ` diaoch a l` y` ong beib`

to play tricks true situation to fabricate suspect case head to investigate to use despicable

Supplementary Vocabulary

` u baol ` y ncang

to expose to conceal
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en shenf` ` wod ` an ` ban

identity undercover agent to take on a case

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Upper-Intermediate - Turbulence A:

(D0723)


` ai ` yud ` le q` de hen l` o chengk` e men, f eij xianz liu, ` ao dianb ang ` anqu ai. ` shou q an, hai. q ng mash j` hao and xiaozhu ob ` kaob ` ei. ` zhan ` zhe de chengk` ang ` tiaozh zuoy e q ng mash ` ei. ` j ` an ` ng sh zant hu zuow shang x shouji y` ong. Passengers, the aircraft is encountering some severe turbulence at the moment. Please fasten your seat belts immediately. Stow your tray tables, and return your seats to the upright position. Standing passengers please return to your seats at once. Lavatories will be temporarily unavailable.

B:


` j` anqu ai. ` tian ` a, z de zheme n ganku ai hao and enme dian kan ` y b` ` l` hai. wo oudian u zhengch ang. Hurry up and put your seat belt on. Oh my goodness. Why is it jolting this much? I dont think this is normal.

C:


luanshu ` ` q` ` sh` y` n bie o. ou b` u sh` d` y c` yud liu, hen ` ao zhe ` zhengch ang de sh` qing. Stop with the nonsense. This is not the rst time youll come across turbulence. This is a very normal occurrence.

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B:


` ` dian ` ` anch de xiang y zhengch ang? n kan, guosh e y` ang, ` wo gang daom z enme hu` zhengch ang? zhen ei, ch guo ` q` y xiang f` an jiu liu, oudian tu. ` yud ` ao wo ` Normal? Look, that drop was like a rollercoaster. How is that normal? What luck. I just ate and now we have turbulence. I feel like Im going to throw up.

C:

jiao ` n ` shei ch name duo? Who told you to eat so much?

B:


shang ` f y ` y b` de yuwo eij qian anp zh tiao, ou zhong uxiang ` shang ` ge yue ` gang ` y gan. ou f eij sh sh` , women b` uhu` zhe ba? me daom ei Before I boarded the plan my eyelids were twitching, and I had a sort of ominous feeling. Just last month a plane had an accident, there is no way we could be this unlucky, is there?

C:

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shuo ` ong ` n ` pei, pei, bie zhezh pei, b` u j l` de hua. y ge da en, z ` ong? xianz ` ai ` b` le nanr enme zheme meiy` u sh` b` u dian ma? Nah, nah, nah. Dont go and jinx us. You are a grown man. Why are you so useless? Is it not just turbulence?

B:


` z ` ` ` women le? zheme n kan, enme b` u dian zhong y xia! ` y hu` ` ` zhezh ` ong haobur ongy` q ngjia q luy u pengd ao ou, jur an zhen ` ! rugu zheme b` n! tianq` s le, zhen u ganx o Look, how is that not falling? That was so intense! It was so hard for us to get time off to travel, and then we end up with this kind of weather. If I die this way, I will not be able to accept it.

C:

n ` ` de zheme x ng le, mei shuo y anzhong. OK, It is not as bad as you are making it out to be.

B:

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lian y liu, ` k ` a, wo mei ay zhu e z enme ban? cun dou zhe f shei? wo baba ` gei kuan, angzi, chezi, mama haobur ongy` wo y ` y xiang aren song ` fu, ba angda, e mei j tian jiuy` ` ao baif` le. tamen ` buliao. aren heif` k end` ng chengsh ou Oh my! I did not even leave a will. What am I going to do? The bank account, the house, the car... Who gets it? My mother and father had such a tough time raising me, and they have only started to have a chance at living a happy life. They will end up seeing their child die before they do. They will denitely not be able to handle it.

C:


le, n an? y dou ao haoh de, n hao y ouw anmeiw f eij de ren j xia nzhang shenme? OK, are you done yet? All the passengers are perfectly ne. Why are you so pointlessly worked up?

B:


hao, wo b` women le. ai, rugu hao, u shuo s le, y ou y ge o f ` le. haochu: b` uy` ong huan angdai Fine, ne, Ill stop talking. Hey, if we die, there is one advantage. We dont have to pay back the house loan.

C:

` wo sh` b` zu ! n guy` ma? ` xia Shut it! Are you scaring me on purpose?

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B:

b` o, wo zu` ` shuo ai ` n y dangr an u sh` . laop hou ju: . ` wo Absolutely not. Honey, Ill only say one more thing. I love you.

C:

b` ` n an s wo u ai ! n taoy` le! I dont love you! I despise you!

A:


` chengk` e men, women y j ng f eichu liu f eij quy ` dansh` q` u. y q ai ai. ` dianb o, anqu haish` ouxie ng b` u y` ao jiek and Passengers, we have now passed the turbulent area. However the aircraft still may be a little bumpy. Please keep your seat belts fastened.

Key Vocabulary

` yud ` ao q` liu o dianb ` anch guosh e

to encounter turbulence to jolt rollercoaster

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yug ` an sh sh` j l` n ganx y zhu

premonition accident lucky willing will

Supplementary Vocabulary

` y aohuang e zhedi antiaoc ` ai, zuoy ` ai y` ouy antiaoz

to sway to fold up left eye twitching means wealth, right eye twitching spells disaster

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Upper-Intermediate - Presentation on Trends A:

(D0727)


` ai, ` wo xiang ` daji ` a ` ao ` y ` xiaof` de diao` jiesh ei x xianz xia ngwei jiegu o. q ` touy ng de tubi zhe ` zhang ` cha ng kan quxi ao. an chengsh` de ei x tu de sh` j nnian jum ngwei zhansh` n xiaof` ` a ` ao, ` tamen ` ong ` k qush` ey kand y j ng cong beid xiao . daji ` zhuanbi an ` dao ` zhud ` ei. y f` ei zhuji xiaof` e jiush` an ong ` shuo, n gengji ` e. kan ` zhe ` gen ` liaoji quxi tamen du` yu a chanp an, ` e fud ` da. ` Chen y zh sh` shangy ang de qush` e b jiao u ` y , erqi n lei ` ma? Lei, hen Now I will present to everyone the results of the consumer behavior survey. Please look at the chart on the overhead projector. This diagram depicts the consumer behavioral trends of the citys residents for this year. Everyone will notice, there has been a gradual shift from passive to active consumption. In other words, they have a deeper understanding of the product. Look at this curved line, it shows a continuous rising trend, and the range is comparatively large. Chen Lei, are you tired?

B:

meiy ou, wo meish` . a? Huh? No, Im ne.

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A:


` a ` kankan ` ` zhang zai j zhong j ngshen. daji d` er f enx tu, sh` un ` zai ` zhe ` zhang ei renq b jut enlei. ngtu , women ` de xiaof` f l ` ao ` baif enzh ` angzhe rezh ` ong ` yu kand sansh de beif ai goum de shangp y ou p npai n. Focus your mind. Everyone look again at the second analysis chart. It is the specic consumer groups classication. From this pie chart we see that 30% & of respondents were fond of purchasing brand name goods.

C:

ou nianl ng, x` zh j ngl , y oumeiy ngbie, y` e de quf en? Director, is there any distinction between age, gender and profession?

A:


` Lei, daq j n houmian hu` y ou de. Chen ngshen lai! men xie baog ` ao. ` u y` ao genj ` tubi ao Later there will be. Chen Lei, wake up! You are going to have to write a report on the chart.

B:

` le. zh dao I know.

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A:


neng ` zhe ` zhang women j` xu. gaosu wo, zhux ` shei ` ngtu an ` de qush` biaoxi ? Lets continue. Who can tell me what trend this bar graph is showing?

C:


du` ` ong xiaof` ` u ` eizhe eip xiaof` yu n de xuqi naiy` kuais ` shang u e qianmian ` ao ` de duozh ong sheng. jieh kand y nsu, ` yuj` ` y ` j zhangf hu` hou nian u j` xu. hai ` Consumer demand of durable consumer goods is rapidly rising. Combined with this preceding element, we can estimate that after a few years the rate of increase will still continue.

A:

` ao ` l ` an. ng, baog y` ao xiangx` f enx zhedi Uh-huh. The report needs to analyze this point in detail.

B:

xiangx` ai, f enx shenme? Huh? Analyze what in detail?

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A:


Lei, wo shuohu ` de sh ` zhel ` b` a a. Chen hou, b` u y` ao shuohu u zhezh ` ong jiao n sh` y` oueryu an, dongxi b` u xuy` ba. ao wo Chen Lei, when Im talking, please dont talk. This is not kindergarten. I shouldnt have to teach you these kinds of things.

B:

j ngl , du` buq . Director, I apologize.

A:


` a ` tush ` ` he hang daibi ` ao de shuj q daji ng kan lie suo ang ` u, ` sh` en he xiaof` de naiy` ` ong xiaof` eizhe eip f enbie nianf` n zh ` ao ` j de zh zu` chu, ey kand nnian chu j` n wu duo nian k sh` e tongb y ` de. shei de dian` de, erqi z engzhang e sh` zu` kuai ` Chen Lei! hua? Everyone, please notice the data represented by the columns and rows, it distinguishes time and consumers durable goods expenditures, so we notice this years expenditures are the most in almost ve years, and compared with the previous year it has the largest annual growth rate ever. Whose phone is that? Chen Lei!

Key Vocabulary
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ei xiaof` ng touy tubi ao ` u quxi ant b ngtu zhux ` ngtu ` lie hang zhansh` qush` an ` zhuanbi ` shangy ang fud u ` ` angzhe beif ` ong rezh

consumer overhead projector chart diagram pie chart bar graph column row to depict trend to transform to go up range respondent to be fond of

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zhangf u f enx xiangx` zh chu tongb

rate of increase to analyze detailed to expend to compare with

Supplementary Vocabulary

ngy touy ` engpi ` huand an y ansh` u dief ` a xiahu

projector slide to demonstrate rate of decrease to go down

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Upper-Intermediate - Jizhou Mental Breakdown (D0738) A:


` guo J` sha guo ren? Jianm ng lai zhou? ta z enme k eneng ` enme Xu an he dou shuo ta lai ne? k esh` weish Jiay` entao W daod ` gai xiangx` guo. wo n shei? Jianming has been to Jizhou? He killed someone? How could it be possible? But why did Jia Yan and Xu Wentao both say he had been here before? Who am I supposed to believe?

B:

. n ay z enme ku le? Auntie, why are you crying?

A:

engyou, haip ` a. ` hen xiaop sh` n a. ay Little friend, its you. Auntie is very scared.

B:


pa. ` Jianm ` anqu n , n ay bie ng shushu hen an, f` angx n. ta engyou, u de. sh` women de haop women hu` baoh ` ta Auntie, dont be afraid. Uncle Jianming is safe, dont worry. He is our good friend, we will protect him.

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A:

` lai guo zher? ` y n sh` z enme renshi shushu de? ta qian How do you know uncle? Has he been here before?

B:

xiaosh guo. ng. wo hou shushu lai Uh-huh. When I was little, uncle came here.

A:

gan ` shenme? lai ta What did he come here for?

B:

b` ` daren ` y zhe ` jian ` sh` shei wo u zh dao. shuo e b` uneng ba chuq shuo ` u. I dont know. The adults say that no one can talk about that.

A:

` ` guo shenme shenme sh` ? Jianm ng zuo sh` ma? What was it? What did Jianming do?

B:

wen ` le. wo zhende , n ay bie b` uneng shuo. Auntie, dont ask. I really cannot say.

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A:


` ma? wo baozh ` ` en. wo hao n gaosu ay eng b` u gaosu bier ou. men lag You tell auntie, OK? I promise not to tell anyone else. Well shake on it.

B:


l` ge ren y de. ou. shushu haoba, lag sh` he ngw` ai liang q lai s ` ai shushu y ou y ge ren le. houl jiu ou le. ` z All right, shake on it. Uncle came with two other people. One of them died. After that, uncle left.

A:

chu shenme? s le? sh` shengb` ng s de haish` le shenme sh` qing? What? Died? Did they get sick and die, or did something happen?

B:

b` ` ay y` , wo wo u zh dao. ao z ou le. I dont know. Auntie, I have to go.

A:


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engyou, ` ay ` Jianm ` ma? qu xiaop n dai ng shushu, hao ` kan engyou, pao! ` le y ` an, Jianm xiaop n bie (guo hu` r) Jiay` ng lai guo zhel ` . n ` hou jiu ` du` y qian nash ta, bu du` ? ` renshi Little friend, bring auntie to see Uncle Jianming, OK? Little friend, dont go! (Time passes) Jia Yan, Jianming has been here before. You knew him from then, didnt you?

C:

b` shenme? n shuo wo u m ngbai. What did you say? I dont understand.

A:

zhuang y ` zhenxi ` ang n shao hutu. wo j ng zh dao le. Stop playing dumb. I already know the real story.

C:


` zai ` J` ` ang? zhu nian shenme zhenxi wo zhou duo ` le zheme ao jiu ` ` haoh de. k guaidou e n y lai, asheng le zheme duo ` f chulai sh` sh` . dou n gao de. What real story? Ive lived a good life in Jizhou all these years. But as soon as you arrived, all these strange things started to happen. Its all because of you.

A:

` wo? n y guai ` wo? n guai jur ou lian an

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Youre blaming me? You have the gall to blame me?

C:

y` ` ong shuohu ` wo a. n shao ong zhezh k ouq` gen Dont you use that kind of tone with me.

A:


zhuang dou ` le. Jianm ` zh x ng le. n bie le, wo dao ng san qian lai guo J` e sh` l` erqi nian zhou, he ngw` ai liang ge ren de. y q lai Fine. Stop pretending. I know everything. Jianming came to Jizhou three years ago; furthermore, he came with two other people.

C:

` ta guo, zhe ` gen y lai wo jiusu ou shenme guanxi? ` an So what if he came before, what does that have to do with me?

A:

o y s ` n ` jiegu ou y ge ren le. zhe y e b` u zh dao? In the end, one of them died. Did you know this too?

C:


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s en s ou! n meiy z shei le? meir ! n hushu o! z oukai! oukai! a! a! Who died? No one died! Youre talking nonsense! No! Go away! Go away! Ah! Ah!

A:

ba? an, Jiay` an! n Jiay` meish` Jia Yan, Jia Yan! Are you all right?

C:

guan wo! meiy ouren s bie n z oukai! ! Go away! Never mind me! No one died!

A:

......
` enme ` ` ta an weish k Jiay` f any` ng zheme qiangli e? end` ng he ` jian ` sh` ` le y ` lu . (guo ou qu zhe y ou guanx` hu` r. Zhao ` tout ` ` an. ` Jia an de f f Jiay` angjian. an dongxi de shengy n) zhaopi ` ` ` y` an, Jianm ng, zhege ren...... s le? Jianm ng zhende lai ` ao ` ta tamen zhende guo ren? guo J` zhou. renshi. nand sha

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Why did Jia Yan respond so violently? She must have something to do with this. (Time passes. Zhao Lu sneaks into Jia Yans room. Sounds of things being overturned.) A photograph. Jia Yan, Jianming, this person.... died? Jianming really was in Jizhou before. They know each other. Could it really be possible that he killed someone? Key Vocabulary

` daod ou lag

actually; in the end to commit to a matter with a handshake to play dumb strange happenings to blame unexpectedly tone of voice result reaction intense

zhuang hutu ` guaish` ` guai jur an k ouq` o jiegu f any` ng ` qiangli e

Supplementary Vocabulary
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j ngshen bengku` c` j f engf engdian dian

spirit to fall apart to provoke deranged

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Upper-Intermediate - Complaining About The Boss


(D0743)

A:

` n ` jiao W ang j ngl j ntian qu a? ` ganm What did Manager Wang make you do today?

B:

msnqq
t wo choum ` ` y shangb ` wo sh bie le, ba a dun. an jian ` shuo ` zai ` MSN, QQ shang. ` gua z` chengti an ta j b` u y e sh` ? f ouz e ` wo zai ` shangmian? ` z enme zh dao Dont ask. He reemed me out. He said all my work time is spent on MSN and QQ. Isnt he the same? Otherwise how would he know Im on it?

A:


` j ` an ` zhe ` liang z zhege map` ng, kanji tian onggongs y ouren jiu women zhao lai, an mafan. ` chengti That brown noser, the past couple days he saw there was someone from head ofce here, so all day long kept trying to give us trouble.

B:

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y ` ` liang zhunsh jiush` ngsh z` j mei tian dao. zhe tian ` , p ` ` zhen b` hu` henbude tian u liang jiu y anx` ! ` lai. Exactly. Ordinarily he himself never arrives on time. The past couple days hes itching to get here before the sun is even up. He really knows how to put on a show.

A:


` ai. ` t j aob aog ` ao ` ne. ta hai liangmi anp ngshuo ngchang daxi gongs tan lian ` ai ` ta ` laob an hu` ` dou y` lian l shei ao xiang bao. en. zhensh` xiaor Two-faced. Ive heard that he also often rats on his colleagues. He even goes and reports to the boss about who in the company is dating. Hes really a scoundrel.

B:


zhe ` y ` biede ou. zh ta hu` gao tao. shenme bensh` y e meiy ` zhege ` shangq ` sh` dou kao y lu u ` pa ` de. Hes just a big phony. He doesnt have any other kind of ability. He relies on that to get ahead.

A:


ou boxu ` women e women. an jiu haiy y ge x ngq b` u jiao jiab ` e lian w b` ong dou b` hunsh en u shufu. erqi anf` an, jiaot u b utie.

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And he exploits us. If he doesnt make us work overtime in a week he just doesnt feel right. Plus he doesnt even subsidize our transportation and dinner expenses.

B:


` ai ` y ` an. zhensh` ` ao` le. wu w anf` an xianz ou b utie xiaodi kuaiqi ` a! wuku ` jiao ` women eng a? x day he beif ai, Dinner expenses are subsidized now. Five RMB. It makes me laugh my head off. Five RMB, wed die from hunger.

A:


` de chul n ` gongs ong z na jiush` enme zuo kan yuang ` , ta ai? ` ta? an zhensh` ` zhezh ` ong laob an le, jiao y ge b` u hen xiay zuo ` j cain eng? y ren ngl . ta ou shenme guanl Exactly. How can he do that? You tell me which employee doesnt hate him? The boss is really blind, to get this kind of person to be our manager. What kind of management abilities does he have?

B:


an zu` ` ong ren. jiao ` yuang ong ` o, laob zhezh maiay x huan ta w jiush` ` an! ` m` ng, bang gongs shengqi an. anquan ge taiji ` y

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Yikes, the boss likes that kind of person the best. Working the employees to death helps the company save money. Hes a complete eunuch.

A:


` ` li dou ` ta n jiao W ha, y e zheme juede a? women beid` ang gonggong! Hah! You feel this way too? We all call him Wang Gonggong behind his back!

B:

` ` xiang de, xiang de! Exactly! Exactly!

A:


gaosu ` ` tian shuo, Liu, duo k gen wo Xiao wo n ta ewu. ` na mang, n sh an hen dou mei n zu` j` n jiab zhao kaihu` jian. ` dao ` gongs women dangsh ge hu` n zhoum o lai, kai . wo ta niu ` de tou jianzh xiang ba xialai. Im telling you, he is really abominable. The other day he said to me Xiao Liu, lately youve been really busy working overtime, theres no time to have a meeting with you. Come into the ofce on the weekend, and well have a meeting. When he said that I wanted to simply twist his head off.

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B:

n qu ` le? Did you go?

A:


` m zai ` shuo: de y n b` u qu enme ban? ta anshen ngxian b` u ` z y y` lai, oude sh` ren ao lai. If I didnt go what would happen. The look in his eye was very clear: If you dont come, theres no lack of people that are willing to come.

B:

` ` zhezh ` ong ` ai ` de j women ai, z enme hu` pengd ao biant ngl ! (Sigh) How could we end up with this kind of a weirdo for a manager?

A:


hao ta ` ta o, zh de laop hai sh` women de j ngl . n xiang, zuo b` s haizi u daom ei le! Good thing hes just our manager. Imagine being his wife or kids... theyre the really unlucky ones!

Key Vocabulary

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` ` choum a chengti an ` gua j map` ng zhao mafan zhunsh ` henbude

to scold angrily all day long to hang brown noser to look for trouble punctual to be itching to do something to act two-faced to rat on to report back scoundrel to exploit from head to foot

y anx` ` ai ` liangmi anp aob aog ` ao ` daxi ` hu` bao en xiaor e boxu hunsh en

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b utie ` aod ` ay ` a xiaodi eng x he beif

to subsidize laugh ones head off to die of cold and hunger to give ones life for palace eunuch to twist weirdo unlucky on the sly

` ng maim` ` an ` taiji niu ` ai ` biant daom ei ` li beid`

Supplementary Vocabulary

` ` baoyu an ` ou ` beih ap` paim

to complain behind ones back to suck up

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Upper-Intermediate - The Final Jizhou Pieces A:


wo ma? n men zhao Are you looking for me?

(D0751)

B:

` en. zhe ` sh` du` , women sh` k ongluor women zu de zhang lao. Yes, we are Kongluo people. This is our tribal elder.

A:

zhangl ao. n nhao, Hello, Elder.

C:

hao. Hello.

B:


` u. le zheme ` b` hany women ren, ta uhu` shuo ntian lai duo j zhenxi ` ` ang sh` xiang ba gaosu n . He cant speak Chinese. Today so many of us have come because we want to tell you the true situation.

A:

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zh ` Jianm ` ` ai ` zai ` nar? wo xiang zh dao ng xianz The only thing I want to know is where is Jianming?

B:


hao. n women sh` en, hen ta f` angx n. ta women de enr hu` ao ` zhaogu de. haoh ta He is very well. Relax. He is our benefactor, we will take good care of him.

A:

en? enr Benefactor?

B:


` sh` dei cong an shuoq ` Jian` anqi , nash du` . zhe hai sanni liang j` luy m ng he ge pengyou y q lai zhou u ou. Yes. To explain this we have to go back to three years ago. At that time Jianming and two friends traveled to Jizhou together.

A:

y de, du` an, hai y ge sh` Jiay` ou y ge sh` nan ma? One was Jiayan, and the other was a man, right?

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B:


` de sh` ` ` an de zhangfu. tesh` de. nage nan Jiay` tamen dou x ` , du` ` y ganx` ngqu. bie huan zhel women de wenhu a e hen ` women ` e, ch suoy jiu ngchang q ng tamen zuok` f` an, gen ` j ` zu women tamen shuo k ongluo de gushi. ` Yes. That man was Jiayans husband. They all loved it here, and were very interested in our culture. So we often invited them over, had dinner, told them the stories of the Kongluo people.

A:

ou ` ne? ranh And then?

B:


b` ` y ouy women juede tamen ren ucuo, nc du` tamen meiy jiex ` n. ba k ` de m` ` dian ongluosh m` y e gaosu tamen le. We felt they were really good people, so we werent wary of them at all. We even told them the secrets of the Kongluo stone.

A:

` ? k ongluosh

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The Kongluo stone?

B:


` sh` ` zu sh k ongluosh women k ongluo . sh tou l y ou de shen ` ` le de l an de zhangfu women zuxi nghun. esh` Jiay` dong an k an. ` xieni The Kongluo stone is our holy stone. Inside the stone are the spirits of our ancestors. But Jiayans husband had evil intentions.

A:

xiang sh ta tou tou? He wanted to steal the stone?

B:


` sh ` hen zhengu` juedu` . k ongluo sh` kuai de baosh . ta ` da ` qian. tou ` Jian` ta lai sh de k ey mai y ouy tian, tou, bei ` le. Jianm ` ` baoh u ` m ng f axian ng weile de wenhu a ` women m` ta le q ` da an de zhangfu he m` , jiu lai. Jiay` xiangqi an ` he eng le, ta u dao. y` ` bach xiang Jianm xiangf ba ao shas ng. y

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Yes. The Kongluo stone is a very valuable gemstone. He thought he could sell it for a lot of money. One day, he came to steal the stone, and was discovered by Jianming. In order to protect our culture and secrets, Jianming started to ght him. Jiayans husband wanted the money so badly, he pulled out a knife. He was going to kill Jianming.

A:

a! tian Oh my!

B:


` ou xuanz e. ta ` z` angwei, ` cai cuo` sh` Jianm ng meiy weile wof shas ` women ao ` de sh JiaY` an zhangfu shou de. deng gand ` un ` u. ` y an xiah hou, ta j ng s le. JiaY` jiu ` women ` jiao le guoq ` ` pao. Jianm ng ganku ai Jianming had no choice. He killed Jiayans husband unintentionally, only in self-defense. By the time we all rushed there, he was already dead. Jiayan was so afraid she fainted. We told Jianming to run away as fast as he could.

A:


ai ta ` bang ` e ` n ` sh` yuanl weile n men. xiexi men gaosu wo. jiu ` Jianm ` ` en. wo dao ng b` u sh` huair ` zh

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So it was in order to help you, after all. Thank you for telling me. I knew Jianming wasnt a bad person.

B:


` Jianm ` ` zher ` ba. women u de. n jiu ng liu hu` baoh zai ` ta ` rang anqu j y banf ` a zhua hen ta. ta an. ngcha e mei You must let Jianming remain here. We will protect him. He is very safe. The police wont be able to catch him.

A:

zh ` le. wo dao I know.

` tian) (d` er (The second day)

D:
` Lu y ta. an, Zhao Jiay` ou j sh` zhao ` ne? wo Jiayan, where is Zhao Lu? I have an urgent matter, I need to nd her.

E:

shei? meiy ou zhege ` n zhao ren. Who are you looking for? There is no such person here.

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Key Vocabulary

zu ao zhangl en enr ` n jiex zuxi an l nghun an ` xieni angwei ` z` wof ` ou cuosh ` un xiah

tribe; race elder benefactor wariness ancestor spirit evil thought self-defense unintentionally to faint from fear

Supplementary Vocabulary

u jiej n tanx ` zhengy` e ` xie

ending greedy justice evil


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guy` ` ` angzhengd angf ` wei

intentionally justied defense

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Upper-Intermediate - Bad Service Restaurant A:


le! q` s wo Im so stinking mad!

(D0755)

B:

` ` jiu b` ush` qu f` an ma? z enme name kuai lai le? ` ch ` hu Didnt you just go out to eat? How come your back so quickly?

A:


t ch le. nage ` ` f` q` bie le. hai shenme, q` dou bao po an` fuw ` chaj` ` n le. wo zhe ` beizi ` zaiy ` eb` dian, uhu` qu y e u ` tai ` le! n u. an bieq qianw` ` Dont ask. What could I eat, I was so mad I lost my appetite. That lousy restaurant, the service is so terrible. Ill never go there again in my life. Dont ever go there.

B:

` shenme n ` ang a? daod sh` ba q` cheng zhey` What in the world made you this angry?

A:


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dian le y cai. ` fuw duan chulai wo pan hou jur uyu ` an de sh an ` ` da le ge pent` . chong zhe l mian I ordered a dish. Can you believe, that when the waitress was bringing it over, she sneezed right into it.

B:

` ` da? sh` ex n. chongzhe a? cai y oudian Huh? Into the food? Thats a little gross.

A:


n de haiz ai ` houtou ` dou ` an ` ta le, n kanji da ex ne. wo shuo hai ch xiaqu ` jiu ` ta ` y mei huan wo de ma? suoy pan. ` jiao ` ta ` ` mei da. b` genb en xiangd ao u renzh ang! shuo The gross part is still to come. I totally saw her do it, do you think I could eat that? So I told her to bring me a new one. I never imagined that she wouldnt admit it. She completely denied sneezing into it.

B:

` a? ` n xiahu a z enme zheng zhe y anjing shuo na z enme shuo? How could she look into your eyes and say such nonsense. So, what did you say?

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A:


shuo ganm ` y` ` n y sh ` qian wo wo a ao wul . weile pan j kuai ai ` wo y ` ei sh ma? de cai, ou b` y` ao langf` jian I said why would I falsely accuse you. Over a 10 RMB or so dish of food, I would feel the need to waste my time?

B:

` ta shenme na f any` ng? So, how did she react?

A:


` jiush` ` q` chongzhe ` j` zhe wo de d` fang. ta ngran wo ` rang ` ao, ` shuo y ao. wo daji oub` ng. k ouq` xiong de b` udeli That is what made me so angry. She shouted at me, saying I was crazy. Her tone of voice was beyond erce.

B:

` ang a? jiao ` j n z enme zhey` mei ngl ? How could she be like that? Didnt you call the manager over?

A:

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` wo chongx ` y o na j` tongy` jiaole. ta gei n zuo f` en. jiegu nqu ` ` ` ma? k y f enzhong jiu shuo eneng zheme kuai ` chulai le. n naf` ` en. k end` ng haish` I called him. He agreed to have another one made for me. So he took it back, and one minute later come back out. You tell me, is it possible to be done that quickly? It was denitely the same dish.

B:

` tai ` b` ` ` le. sh a? zai u xianghu a Huh? That is just too shocking.

A:


dangr b` ` ang suanle. ` wo wo jiush` an uneng jiu suoy ` a. ` zhey` o tamen sh` tamen le q jiu chao lai, jiegu hai b` u cheng` gen ` shuo ` sh` ` de. houl ` ai wo zai ` cai ` l ` le y cai ren, x n zuo f axian ` jur y` ba ta chul toufa, na gen nage fuw ong shou uyu ` an an ai, ou ` gen shuo wo k ranh ey ch le. Yes, exactly. Of course I couldnt just leave it at that. So then I started arguing with them, and they still wouldnt admit it were still saying that the dish was freshly made. After that, I found a hair in the food, and if you can believe this, that waitress used her hand to pull it out, and then said I could eat it.

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B:


` guof` ` en le. z ` ang ` ` a, tai tian enme sh` jiesh hu` y ou zheme b` u ` de ren? jiangd aol Oh my goodness, that is too much! How could there be such unreasonable people in the world?

A:


yue ` shuo ` q` y u b` yue sh` a! ux ng, wo ! wo d` ng y` ao qu ` tous ` ` u ` ` ai ` jiu le, xianz tamen! xiaw u shangb an b` ` qu! ` Exactly! This is no good. The more I talk the angrier I get. I denitely am going to make a complaint. Im not going to work this afternoon, Im going to go there right now.

Key Vocabulary

` n chaj` duan

no good to hold level toward to sneeze gross to admit fault something

` chong pent` da n ex ` ` renzh ang

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zheng zhe y an` xiahu a jing shuo

to look one straight in the eye and talk nonsense to falsely accuse reaction to ones surprise proper over the top to le a complaint

` wul ai f any` ng j` ngran ` ` xianghu a ` en guof` u tous `

Supplementary Vocabulary

` fuw u ` taidu ` e ` eli engw ` manh ul

quality of service vile rude, unreasonable

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Upper-Intermediate - Pedestrian Peril A:


` denghu` r xiang qu a? ` ganm What do you want to do later on?

(D0766)

B:


` n ng ba. xiaox n! su bian. jued` Whatever. You decide. Careful! (sound of a motorcycle speeding past)

A:


` n ` ang hengch ` de? zhey` wei! z enme q che ongzh zhuang, ` an zhuangd ` ` wo! chadi ao Hey! You know how to ride a bike? Charging through like that... You almost ran me over!

B:

ba? n meish` Are you OK?

A:

. hai hao wo f ` f ` ta meish` any` ng kuai, ouz e k end` ng y` ao bei ` ` zhuangd ao.

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Im all right. Good thing I reacted so quickly, otherwise he would have nailed me.

B:


` tai ` weixi le. na ` liang ` motu och ` kuai ` an e kai de tai sh sh` a, zai ` name ` an! n ` z le. jiu y diandi y hou oulu e y` ao dangx n ` cha ` k a. Yeah. That was so dangerous. That motorbike was going way too fast. He barely missed you. Next time you should be a bit more careful.

A:


dangx z ao de, mei wo n y ou shenme y` ong? wo ou de haoh ` u, z ` j ` ` shang. ` mal ao luanchu an e mei ou zai dongch ed shei` y ` hu` ` ` ` ong ` ` zh dao pengsh ang zhezh maosh gu ? name kuan u ` wo z pian y` ao de mal u kai, ao kaid oulu fang. zhen` b` ` de d` ngb` sh` shenj ng! What use is it to be careful? I walk very carefully. I wasnt jaywalking, and I wasnt walking in the vehicle lane. Who would have known I could have come across someone so reckless. So much of the road was wide open, yet he had to drive where I was walking. What a lunatic.

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B:


` ai ` zhey` ` ang q duo anqu xianz de ren zhe ne. y ai, che dian an ou. zhezh ` ong z y` y` shi y emeiy ren, ong y ouy tian ao chuang` huo. Hmm. Right now there are a lot of those kinds of drivers. They are not even a little bit safety conscious. Its just a matter of time before these kinds of people will have an accident.

A:


kan ` jiu ` tamen sh` rang wo chu , f ouz e tamen y ong` gai dianr b` zhe ` dang ` yuan uhu` ba hu sh` r. I think you have to let them get into an accident, otherwise they will never see the importance of it.

B:


xiaox n dianr. kan ` n n z` j y e dei wo y oush hou t ng cu ` de. z ` jiush` x nday` oulu hou b` u sh` t ng y nyue, ` de sh ` da ` ` congl aib` u haoh ao ` lu, ` ang k kan dianhu a. e b` ux ng a. ` zhey` You also need to be a little more careful. I think youre a little oblivious sometimes. When youre walking around if you are not listening to music, you are on the phone. You are never watching the roadyou cant do that.

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A:


guai ` q lai le? sh` n ai, z enme f aner wo tamen b` u zunsh ou onggu jiaot z e. Yikes. How can you start blaming me? It is they that are not obeying the trafc rules.

B:


zh w` ` che ` zhuang wo sh` t x ng n zhuy` an. any bei le, ` anqu b` ch ku de hai u sh` n z` j ? Im only reminding you to pay more attention. If you did get hit by a car, wouldnt you be the one to suffer loss?

A:


cai b` ` zhuang ` ` shuo pei, pei, wo le, jiao pei, uhu` bei ne. zai ` e, f ` k o, tong f a tongq ng ruozh asheng chehu end` ng sh` kai de cuo, ` tamen ` en b` cher y` ao fu eren. y ban uhu` ` zhuy` ao z de z ` zhu jiu ngren eren. x Woah, woah, woah. I wont get hit. Furthermore, the trafc laws sympathize with the pedestrian. If an accident happens, its denitely the drivers fault. They would have to carry the full responsibility. Generally its not blamed on the pedestrian.

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B:


shuo ` jied` ` ng y ` de. shei de? z shei eren esh` y` ao jiangd aol ` jiu zhu de z ` f ` shehu` ` b` y ou cuo jiu eren. ouz e zhe u ` dei shei ` ao ` le? sh` y` ao luant Says who? Where accountability is placed also has to be reasonable. Whomever is in the wrong has to shoulder their blame. Otherwise wouldnt our society just be a mess?

A:

` ge shehu` ` jiush` ` naxi ` e ` kaich gao luan ` luan e de ren zhe ` bei de. This society is in a mess because of these kind of drivers.

B:

le. ren meish` jiu xiac` ` dangx hao ai, n dianr! ` hao. Oh, all right. Well you are all right so thats what matters. Next time be more careful!

A:

y ` dangx ` hua ` y gen q de wo j ng gou n le. n zhe nggai che shuo. ren I am already careful enough. You should be giving your speech to that driver.

Key Vocabulary

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hengch ongzh ` zhuang f any` ng ` ` ao j dongch ed ` maosh gu pian ngb` shenj ng ` chuanghu o ` cux nday` onggu jiaot z e t x ng w` any ch ku tongq ng ` e ruozh ` o chehu

to barge through

reaction motor vehicle lane reckless idiot to insist on crazy to get into trouble oblivious, careless trafc regulation to remind in case to suffer loss to sympathize the weak car accident

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` z eren zhu jiu x ngren ` ng jied` ` ao ` luant

responsibility, blame to hold responsible pedestrian to dene to muddle things up

Supplementary Vocabulary

nghengd ` renx ao chengd an ang zaoy

crosswalk to bear to meet with disaster

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Upper-Intermediate - Group Photo A:

(D0772)


` zhen ` ` a ao ` ba. zhan ` piaoliang! pai zhang w a! zher daji hezh ` du` ` nar, , du` . jiu ` nar. Wow! Its so beautiful here. Lets take a group photo together, everyone. Stand over there... right, right. Just there.

B:

` beigu ` ang. huan ` ge d` ` z k esh` zher haish` fang ba. zher enmey` ang? But the light is poor here. Maybe we better choose another place. How about here?

C:

nali ` piaoliang. ` f engj ng mei The scenery isnt as beautiful there.

A:


` jiu ` zher ` ba. lai, daji ` a ` guoqu. ` ` dou zhan y e b` ucuo, kuai ` zhan kuai ` dian! bie moceng dian, le. Its pretty nice too. Just stand here. Come on, everyone go stand over there. Quickly! Dont dawdle.

B:

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` pai ren de j` women zheme duo nqu ` ma? Can you get that many people in the photo?

A:


` ` j daji ` a w k ey , dansh` y` ao kao n y dian. lai, ang zhongji an ` kao. b` y` ` kao ` j kao ux ng, hai ao zai n y dian. Yes, but you have to crowd a little closer in. Come on, everybody squeeze in for a little while. Still no good, everyone needs to squeeze a little closer.

C:

` ang b` zhan ` ba. zhey` ux ng. y` aobu, women f en liang pai I still cant get it like this. Or, how about we make two rows.

A:


zhuyi. gao zhan ` houmian. ` de ren hao lai, qianmian de ren ` du` ` ang mei ge ren de lian ei dun shaow y dian. , zhey` xiaqu q ` name ` ` a ` yi hen ganm xiao dou ngchu. ai, a y ansu? ` daji ` xiao ` yi xiao. ` xiao, Good idea. OK, the tall people stand in the back. The people in the front can squat a little. Right, this way we can see everyones faces. Hey, whats with everyone being so serious? Smile a little, everyone. Smile!

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B:

` s ` pai ba! women dun le! kuai de lei Were so tired from squatting. Hurry up and take the picture!

A:


ang ` ai, lao zuo ` shengl` ` de shou n mash hao. men j ge bie dou ` ` ` sha s y sh` sh` , meic` zhege dongzu o. le! z` ran dian. w ` ce ` y lian ang l mian dian. Almost ready. Hey you few, stop making the peace sign with your ngers, everyones always doing that. Its so idiotic. Act natural. Turn your faces to the middle a little.

C:

` ` ngsh gen ge zhuany` e shey n z enme y aoqiu gao, zheme y y` ang. Youre so demandingyoure acting like a professional photographer.

A:


zhe ` b` ` n ` ma? de piaoliang wo u sh` weile ba men pai dian le, wo shu ` a ` san. daji y qiezi. hao q shuo y , er, san, Yes but its all to make you look more beautiful in the photo, right? All right, Ill count to three and everyone say eggplant. One, two, three.

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BC:
qiezi! Eggplant!

A:

liang? ` ` lai y y ? shangu angd eng z enme mei zai zhang ba! Huh? How come the ash didnt go off? Lets take another!

B:

liang ` m ` kan ` kan. le ya. rang mei ma? wo ngm ng kai wo Didnt go off? I turned it on, for sure. Let me see.

C:


ou gaocu ` ya? zhensh` ` ei daji ` a ng. de ganq y ou meiy o langf` ` dian, kuai ` dian, women a z kuai y ngxiang renji oulu ` le. Did you do something wrong? You really wasted everyones emotion. Hurry up, were getting in peoples way.

A:

le, lai, daji ` a ` wo. y ` san, kan qiezi! hao , er, OK. Come on, everyone, look at me. One, two, three, eggplant!

BC:
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qiezi! Eggplant! Key Vocabulary

ao ` hezh ` ang beigu moceng ` kao j n dun y ansu ` ` shengl` shoush` ` ce ` ngsh shey qiezi shangu angd eng

group photo poor lighting to dawdle to lean tight to squat solemn victory sign, gesture to lean photographer eggplant ash

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m ngm ng ` gaocu o ` ei langf` y ngxiang

clearly to be mistaken to waste to inuence

Supplementary Vocabulary

` guangxi an f anguang ` en kuaim u jiaoj ` mohu angj ` shum ` axi shanch u

light rays reection camera shutter zoom blurry digital camera to delete

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Upper-Intermediate - All You Can Eat and Drink (D0779) A:


u ch liaol ` le. j de z` y haoji r` ben ntian zhuc d` ng y` ao mei ` an dup ch f` angkai dianr. ` duo I havent eaten Japanese food in a long time. At todays all you can eat restaurant we denitely have to loosen up our bellies so we can eat lots.

B:


j wuf` ch liuzhe lian mei sh` a. wo ntian , zhuanm en an dou ` an. duzi dac ` ch Yeah. I didnt even eat lunch today, I was purposely saving my stomach to eat a feast.

C:

y ` s ` dian, zhel ` shang ` ` man. ` wo e sh` , e le. ganku ai cai Me too, Im starving. Hurry up and order, the food takes a long time to come here.

B:


y duo sanw u j p y` eny lai ge c` shen npan, ao y dian n he ` , shou juan y ` y qiangy u. e jiao dian. shous Well have one order of mixed sashimi, we want more of the salmon and tuna. We also want an order of sushi rolls.

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C:

zai ` y` ou juan. ng, y` ao y f` en jiazh ao y ge p npan. Yeah, also a California roll. And another mixed plate.

A:


mang ` ch a, n shenme? ay men bie zhe kan de. y` ao he u, ` lai y ba. q ngjiu, jiu, weiji dian p j ge Hey, stop your preoccupation with the food. What do you want to drink? Sake, beer, cocktails, give us one of each.

B:

` ge jiugu duzi bao zai ` shuo, ` man ba jiu n zhe , xian ` tian man ma. lai You boozer, rst stuff your stomach with some food, and then well talk about it. Take your time with the alcohol.

A:


` man haob` urongy` chulai lai? y shenme man cai c` , bie he ` ei j langf` hu` ya! What do you mean, take your time? Its hard to come by getting the chance to come out and drink. Dont waste the opportunity!

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C:


zhe dian cai ` ne, n dach a. ` y` many u, women mang bie ao kao hai y` ` ulu tianf ao jiaozi, wud an. ` o, ongmi Were busy ordering food. Dont interrupt. Well have the roasted eel, tempura. Well also get the dumplings and udon noodles.

B:

` zhong de dongxi an, ` ch ` zhe y ch jiu b` u huasu buxia ` bao dongxi hao le. Getting these kinds of foods that ll you up fast arent worth it. You wont have room to eat the ner foods.

C:


` y ou kao shengh ma? y y du` ! zhel ou naiy ao ren ge. t ng an y x ba. haid duo y` shuo e hen nxian, ao y dian Oh, do they have butter baked oysters here? One for each of us. Ive heard that the sea urchin is also really fresh, give us some more of that.

B:

y ansh ` y ` xia, niur women y` hai ou tieb ao, angrou, dou ao. ou, Also the skillet dishesbeef, mutton, shrimp... one of each of those.

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A:

y y` ao na zhong q ngjiu? What kind of sake do you want?

C:

` n su bian . Its up to you.

A:

` de haish` leng y` ao re de? Do you want it hot or cold?

C:

ng ba. n jued` You decide.

A:

kan ` dou ch liaol ` jiush` y` u. wo ao. lai r` ben ao heji ` y` I think I want both. When you come to all you can eat Japanese you have to drink.

B:

e ` s ` ai ` zh wo le, xianz xiang ch ! Im so hungry all I want to do is eat.

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C:

le name ` y ` ba. hun suc dian duo xie ` ai de, dian Weve ordered so many meat dishesorder some vegetable dishes.

B:

` shal en zai ` lai y ` engt a, meir shuc w an weic ang. ai A green salad, and bring a miso soup for each of us.

C:

` ` ch ` he, ` shuang dongxi tai zheme duo su bian , su bian le! So many things, just eat and drink as you please. So great!

A:


` man ` man y ch he, haowomen j ntian d` ng y` ao man , man ` xiangshou. xiangsh hao ou Today we have to take our time to eat, drink, and enjoy.

Key Vocabulary

r` ben ` liaol z` zhuc ` an ` ` shang cai

Japan cuisine buffet to serve food


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jiugu tian a ` dach an ` huasu hun ` suc ` ai

drunkard to ll to interrupt worth the money meat dish vegetable dish

Supplementary Vocabulary

p c` shen npan u eny sanw j nqiangy u ` shous juan shou ou juan jiazh q ngjiu u j weiji

mixed sashimi salmon tuna sushi roll California roll sake cocktail

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many u kao ulu tianf ` o ` wud an ongmi ou naiy shengh ao an haid ansh tieb ao ` shal a shuc ai ` engt weic ang kao

roasted eel tempura udon noodle butter baked oyster

sea urchin skillet cooked vegetable salad miso soup

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Upper-Intermediate - Hiring a Courier A:


wo y` ` kuaid` ` . n hao, ao jiao Hello, I need a courier.

(D0781)

B:

` ai ` y` xianz ao ma? You need it now?

A:

` duo ` ` jiu sh` de. n men tongch eng zu` kuai song dao? neng Yes. Within the city, what is the quickest it can be delivered?

B:


` jul ` ` liang ge xiaosh y` ao kan ban san jiu ey song dao. ` . y ` k de y ` an. zu` yuan e zh y` ao banti That depends on the distance. Generally it can be delivered within two to three hours. The farthest location only takes half a day.

A:


hen j liang ` songd ` ` wo . zu` hao ge xiaosh nei ao. n men ` neng na? shenmesh hou lai

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I am really in a hurry. It needs to be delivered within the next two hours. When can you come and pick it up?

B:


` ai ` jiu ` dehua ` ban ` ge xiaosh xianz ey chuf jiu ` k ` neng a, kuai ` b` ` y` ` jiaot ` ` ong dao. uguo ao kan q ngkuang. n y` ao song shenme? We can set out now, if things go smoothly we can be there in half an hour. But that depends on the trafc situation. What are you sending?

A:


y duo an ` y` ` ` zhong. ` y wenji wo ou hen ao song, b jiao hai ou zhuang y xie xiang de dongxi. I have a lot of documents to send, its quite heavy. I also have some things to pack up.

B:


` hen zhong ` ` yuan sh` da? y ou duo ma? women de kuaid` q ` che ` zhong ` tai ` da ` dehua, ` b` ` de, dongxi zhud tai u f angbian ` ong na. How big is it? Is it very heavy? Our couriers all drive electric mopeds. If the item is too heavy or too big, its not convenient for them to take.

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A:


` da, ` mei went ` de. wo hai xiang ` wen, w` o, b` u sh` tai wen aid` ` de n men song ma? Oh, its not too big, it wont be a problem. I also want to ask, do you also deliver packages to other locations?

B:

song. ` ` tian ` an d` jiu dangr an zhoubi qu er dao. ` neng d` Of course we do. Surrounding areas can be delivered the following day.

A:

` ` n shangb ` xiab ` an j ne? name kuai? men j dian an, dian That quickly? What time do you open and close for business?

B:


` sh` shangb ` xiab ` an. ` jian ` y q song qu q dian an, dian zh jian ` w w ` y` ao dao anshang hen an. z ongzh , daying n dangti an ` ` de, wul ` ` w song dao an douhu` song dao. un ` duo Pick ups start at 7:00am and end at 7:00pm. The deliveries are made until very late in the evening. Basically, the day that we agree to deliver it, no matter how late it is, it will be delivered that day.

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A:


` wo jiu ` n ` ren lai na y ` dongxi o, zhe angx n le. na, men pai xia ` f` ` ` dian. wo hen j ba. mafan j nliang kuai . Oh OK, then I will put my mind to rest about that. So, please send someone to pick up the item then. Please have them do their best to come quickly. Im in a rush.

B:

de, women ` de. hao hu` j nkuai Sure, we will be there as soon as possible.

Key Vocabulary

` kuaid` tongch eng jul ` j ` song zhuang xiang ` yuan kuaid`

courier within the same city distance urgent; in a hurry to deliver to pack up courier

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` zhud che ` ong w` aid` an zhoubi qu daying mafan ` j nliang ` j nkuai

moped out of town surrounding to pick up to promise to trouble someone to do ones best as quickly as possible

Supplementary Vocabulary

jiaj baozhu ang ` en anr shouji ` en j` jianr cu

urgent packaging addressee sender to hasten

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Upper-Intermediate - To Love or Be Loved A:

(D0794)

ge n ` de ren zhongy` ` ` n n juede zhao ai ao haishi ai de ren ` zhongy` ao? Do you think nding someone to love or having someone love you is more important?

B:

sh` ` n ` y duo x dangr an ai de lo. ai ge ren nku a! Of course it is having someone love you. Loving someone else is too hard!

A:

` ta, ` jiao ` aiq ` ng ma? z` zhe n zhen s . n b` u ai You are too self centered. If you dont love them, you call that love?

B:


` ng benl ai jiush` ` ` er y aiq s de. zaishu o, e b` u sh` b` u ai, ` z` de went ` . aiq ` ng tongch sh` ` duo, ao sh` duosh ang fuch ` u yue ` yue ` shao. hu bao Of course love is selsh. Moreover, Im not saying you shouldnt love, its a matter of how much you love. Love typically means that the more you put in, the less you get out.

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A:


` ` le zhen ` fuch x` n ai, dansh` dang yud e sh` y zhong ng` ao ` u y de mei y ` ganq ng dou nquany` de sh` fu. duan quanx wo ` su shou ` guo shangh ` dan ` zh ` guo, dou qu ran ai, y` ao ai ` ai. sh` zhengu` de j ngl` . But when you come across true love, putting effort into it brings a kind of happiness. I wholeheartedly put all my emotions into love. Although Ive been hurt before, having experienced love is a very precious thing.

B:


` juede ` ai ` zhege ` zhege ` jiu ` b` dansh` wo n yue ren, ren u ` yue n zhenx . But I feel that the more you love somebody, the more they take you for granted.

A:


ou name ` ? wo xiangx` ` y n de ai nay juedu` n zh y` ao n zhenx ta ` n ` y juede y ge ren, e hu` ai de. b` uguo oush hou wo q ng y` z` ` de, jieh un ai ` z` ` ang ren ao zhao j ai j de. zhey` ` ao zhao jiuy` hu` x` ng he cai and` ngfu.

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How can you make such a blanket statement? I believe that provided you truly love someone, they also will love you. However I think sometimes that lovers look for someone they love, but when people get married they look for someone that loves them. This is the only way to be content and happy.

B:

n b` wo y ` hai sh` ` ai ` hao. qiao , hai u sh` he y` ang. k ejian bei Look at you, you are just the same as me. You see, its better to be loved.

A:


` ` ` y ` ng sh` zhenzh dansh` y d` ng y` ao xian eng ai hu , aiq sh` ` shang ` ao ` de ganju e. n ao ` meiy ou ai ` guo jie zu` meimi nand ren? But certainly rst nd true love once. Love is the most beautiful feeling in the world. Is it really possible that you have never been in love before?

B:


ai ` guo lo. suoy wo cai t ` ai ` y de dangr an hu` dao ge ren ` du` ` tongk u. z ongsh` hu` xiang f ang sh` bu sh` y e y y` ang ai n ` e shouzu` ` n , xiang n . z ongzh , tebi !

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Of course i have been in love. So I understand the pain of loving someone. You are always wondering whether the other person loves you, desires you, as much. In short, loves bites!

A:


` ang b ` jiu ` zhen ` sh` ai. ai n hu` zhey` jiao, u sh` zhen wus ` b` de, ` shei fuch fuch xiangsh ` shei b` uhu` qu jiao ou ` j` ` u ` u duo, shao. ` de ganju e cai sh` ` ai zu` zhongy` ao de. If you make those kinds of comparisons, its not true love. True love is unselsh. It is not about who puts forth more or less. Enjoying the feeling of love is the most important.

B:

` kuang. n sh` ai! zhen ge z` nu e Ah! You are really a sucker for punishment.

Key Vocabulary

` zhongy` ao z` s fuch ` u ` hu bao

important selsh to put forth in return

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` ai zhen nquany` quanx zhengu` zhenx ng and` ` shouzu` ` j` jiao ` ang z` nu eku

true love wholeheartedly precious to cherish stable to endure hardship to split hairs sucker for punishment

Supplementary Vocabulary

zhenm` ngtianz aw angz baim y x ny y`

Mr. Right knight in shining armor wholeheartedly

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Upper-Intermediate - Registering with the Police Station (D0799) A:


wo y` ` zhus . n hao, ao ban ` u ` dengj` Hello, I want to register my residence.

B:

` huzh ` le ma? dai ` ao Did you bring your passport?

A:

` le, gei n dai . I did, here you go.

B:


Zhonggu name ` ` ` ng, n lai o jiu u d` ng y` ao zai le? zhengf gu ` ersh ` ` dengj` , yuq ruj` s` xiaosh zh nei ao f akuan ` ng hou y` de. Hmm, youve been in China this long? The government stipulates that you have 24 hours after you enter to register. If you exceed that there is a ne.

A:

y b` ` wo b` wo j ngguan, qian u zh dao. u sh` guy` ` de. Ofcer, I didnt know that. I did not do it on purpose.

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B:


ba, zhec` ` suan ` le. xiac` ` y hao ai, d` ng y` ao zhuy` ba ` a! n ` zhang e tian hao. dai ` huzh ` fuy` ` le ma? zhe biaog ` ao ` n jian Oh, all right. I will let it go this time. Next time you need to pay more attention. Take this form and ll it out. Did you bring a photocopy of your passport?

A:

` dai ` le yuanji an. ` fuy` wo ` n jian? A photocopy? I brought the real thing.

B:

an, ` haiy` ao huzh ` d` qianzh ` chule y y` e he engy` e de yuanji ` ao ` fuy` ` n jian. Along with the original, you also need to photocopy the rst page in your passport along with a copy of your visa.

A:

` ang a. wo mei dai. ` zhel ` k zhey` ey fuy` ` n ma? Oh so thats how it is. I didnt bring that. Can you copy it here?

B:


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` usu meiy ou fuy` ` du` ` de women paich . n k ey dao mian ` nj o an ` fuy` j` xiaodi n de. ` n, hen Our local police station does not have a photocopier. You can go across the street to the small shop. It is close.

A:

y` ao j f` en? How many copies?

B:

` le. y f` en jiu ` gou One copy is enough.

A:

wo y ` y` xuy` ` lai dengj` a hai ma? rugu hou ao banji o ao zai If I move in the future, do I have to come back and register?

B:


ou hu y ` zai ` lai Zhonggu y dengj` . y` ao. haiy guo hou o e y` ao lai ` y` ` ` lai, f de. xiac` ao ersh s` xiaosh zh nei ouz e y` ao f akuan Yes. You also have to come back and register when you return to China after a trip home. Next time do it within 24 hours, otherwise there will be a ne.

A:

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` le. x ng, zh dao OK, Ive got it.

B:


e xianz ` ai ` y ` w ` ` ai. y ` n biaog e k ey zai angshang xiaz hou tian dai ` guolai, ` ` q ` duo le. hao ban lai jiu ` kuai You can also download the form off the internet. In the future you can come with a completed form, and the procedure will go much more quickly.

A:

` wo xian ` na, qu x nku le, j ngguan. n ` fuy` ` n huzh ` ao. Pardon me, Ofcer. I will rst go and copy my passport.

B:

de, kuai ` qu ` hu hao . ` kuai OK. Hurry back.

Key Vocabulary

zhus ` u ` dengj` ` huzh ` ao gu d` ng

accommodation to register passport to stipulate


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ruj` ` ng yuq f akuan guy` ` e biaog tian an ` yuanji fuy` ` n ` ai xiaz ` qu ` hu kuai ` kuai

to enter a country to exceed the deadline to impose a ne intentionally form to ll in original document to photocopy to download come back soon

Supplementary Vocabulary

chuj` ng anj u gong ng shenq l nsh

to leave the country public security bureau to apply for temporary

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changq

long-term

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Upper-Intermediate - Saved by the Gong: History


(D0807)

A:

` ` a fux shangc` de k` e daji ` le ma? Did everyone review the last lesson?

B:

fux ` le! Yes, we have!

A:

` L ` shei d` shuo, l` na, n F eng n shuo sh shang y c` tongy le Zhonggu o? So, Lin Feng, tell us, who was the rst person in history to unify China?

B:

Zed ong! Mao Mao Zedong!

A:

` l Chen Lei, n tongxu shenme? tai pu ta e? shuo. le. q What? Thats ridiculous. Anyone else? Chen Lei, you tell us.

C:

......
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e...... Um...

D:
` houq ` de zhengf laosh , sh` Q nsh huang. ta u o le Zhangu jianl` ` le Zhonggu d` ` w liu o y ge tongy de f engjian ang` guo, chao. Teacher, it was Qin Shihuang. He conquered the six kingdoms at the end of the Warring States period, establishing the rst unied feudal dynasty in China.

A:

ng shuo de f ng, Xu eichang hao. Xiaot Mmm, Xu Xiaoting explained it very well.

B:

` ao jiush` k` e daibi u y y` ang ma. ` b` The teachers pet isnt like the rest of us.

A:

y ` zuo ` le shenme? tongy liu hou, Q nsh huang hai ` guo Lei. Chen After uniting the six kingdoms, what did Qin Shihuang do next? Chen Lei?

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C:

......
duo duo. hen e...... hen Hmm, a lot of stuff.

B:

qu duo laopo. hai le hen He also took a lot of wives.

C:

qu duo laopo. hai le hen He also took a lot of wives.

A:

n men y ansu ` dian. Be more serious.

D:
he huob` ` . Q nsh huang tongy le wenz` Qin Shihuang united the written language and currency.

A:

hao. na ` Q ` le naxi e ` y hen nsh huang xiuji oum ng de jian an zhu? ` Very good. Now, which famous structures did Qin Shihuang build?

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C:

.................. ......
` ge jiand an, Changch zhe eng. e...... deng...... deng...... ` ...... b ong. deng y xia ngmay This is easy, the Great Wall. Uh, wait... wait.... wait a second... the Terracotta Army.

D:
ong sh` b ngmay Q nsh huang l ngmu b` uf` en. ` de y The Terracotta Army are a part of Qin Shihuangs tomb.

B:

women Xu fu jiush` hai. sh ` l` Our Master Xu is really amazing.

A:

daolu an ` le! shei zh ` shenme L n F eng, bie dao sh` f enshu k engru? Lin Feng, dont cause trouble. Who knows what burn books and bury scholars was all about?

B:

duo duo le hen shu, le hen jiush` nsh huang shao ` Q sha ren.

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It was that Qin Shihuang burned a lot of books, and killed a lot of people.

A:

` enme ` ` ne? weish ta y` ao zheme zuo And why did he do that?

D:
` weng u ` suoy shuo Q weile j de d` wei. nsh huang sh` ge ` z` ` un. baoj In order to stabilize his position. So it is said that Qin Shihuang was a tyrant.

B:

chongb ` s sh fu, ou ai n le! Master, we worship you!

A:

` L n F eng, zhuy` lu! u ` j` Lin Feng, be more disciplined!

Key Vocabulary

l` sh tongy

history to unite

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l pu Q nsh huang

ridiculous the rst emperor of the Qin dynasty to conquer Warring States period to establish w angfeudal dynasty

zhengf u ` Zhangu o ` jianl` ` f engjian chao ` xiuji an ` jianzh u ` ong b ngmay l ngmu ` an ` daolu f enshuk engru

to build building Terracotta Army burial tomb to create trouble burn books and bury scholars to stabilize tyrant

u weng ` ` un baoj

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` chongb ai

to worship

Supplementary Vocabulary

ai ` chaod Q nchao Ruji a

dynasty Qin dynasty Confucian school of thought ruthless contribution

ao ` canb gongj`

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Upper-Intermediate - My Scooter Wont Start A:

(D0809)


de motu och maob` ng. mafan e y xiao sh fu, wo ouxie n bang kan ` y ` ba. wo xia Sir, theres something wrong with my motorbike. Can you take a look for me?

B:

ng? shenme maob` What the problem?

A:

` kunnan. leng tianq` f adong hen ` When the weather is cold it is difcult to start.

B:

......
kan ` kan......wo3 bang y ` huay ` ouq` wo n tiao xia . Let me take a look... Ill adjust your carburetor a bit.

A:


` ang doud ong ` l` e jias u zu` du` le, ta j` n zhey` de hen hai, erqi ` e meiy ou l` ` sh ganju liang. Yeah, lately when I start it up it shakes quite a bit. Plus, when I accelerate I dont feel any power.

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B:


as ` . dei huan ` y ai de went ng. sh` huohu ge le. n y ou duo huan ` j jiu y ou? mei Hmm. That would be your spark plugs. You need to replace them. How long has it been since you changed your oil?

A:

......
` b` u zh dao...... I dont know...

B:

30005000
kai ` wu ` j san qian dao gongl y` mei ao zhunsh huan y ou. qian You need to schedule an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers.

A:

` ang a, wo cai zh ` o, zhey` dao. Oh, really. Now I know.

B:


le. n ` sh` ` dehua, ` zai ` lai zhao hao q y xia shi ba. y ou went wo.

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OK. Drive it for a bit and see how it is. If you have any problems, come back and see me.

A:

duo ` le! xiexie hao sh fu! Much better! Thank you sir!

Key Vocabulary

och e motu ng maob` ` f adong tiao ` ouq` huay ong ` doud u jias ` ` l` liang as ai huohu ` huan j y ou

motorcycle malfunction to start to adjust carburetor to shake to accelerate power sparkplug to change oil
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zhunsh

punctually

Supplementary Vocabulary

` f adongj e shach xiul u jians `

engine brake to repair to slow down

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Upper-Intermediate - Stargazing Ploy A:

(D0811)

wo lai haibi an ` x kan x huan he ngxing ma? Do you like sitting here with me on the beach looking at the stars?

B:

......
e...... Uh...

A:


du` y ` y` ` de na ` wo x ngxing hen ou y anjiu. zh dao, oumian n k e sh` shenme ma? I study the stars. Do you know what that is over on the right?

B:

sh` shenme? What is it?

A:


ng, women ` an jiu shu x ng. q sh b` uy` ong w` angyuanj` rouy ` ` ao ` suoy ou de x neng kand ngx ng. Mercury. Actually, you dont even need a telescope. You can see all the planets with your naked eye.

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B:

haiw angx ` an? ` sh` ma? lian ng y e neng kanji Really? You can even see Neptune?

A:

lo. n ` wo shou zh ` ` k dangr an kan de f angxiang, na e jiush` ` . Of course. Look where Im pointing. Thats it right there.

B:


j` ` an zh ` an ` j ` j` wo de rouy neng kanji k e l d` qiu jiao n de b ng, tux x ngx ng, b ru nx ng, huox mux ` ng, j ng. I recall that you can only see a few planets that are relatively close to earth. Like, Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn.

A:

` sh` xianz ` ai ` k le, women kand ` ao. ` neng na y qian, ej` f ada dou That was before. Now science has developed, and we can see them all.

B:


ang ` e taiy ` angx` haoxi b` u du` ba. erqi l de x ngx ng y e b` u an ` ` de. y` tamen ` dou kanded sh` meiti ao ao deng yunx ` ng dao ` cai k tongy ge f angwei ey .

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I think that is wrong. Also, the planets in our solar system can not be seen every day. You need to wait until they are on the same place on its orbit.

A:

......
` wo weish ` enme ` x e......ai1, n zh dao x huan kan ngxing ma? Uh...Hey, do you know why I like stargazing?

B:

` wo z ` zhe enme zh dao? How would I know?

A:

` tamen shan, jiu ` y nwei y shany n de y anjing. ` xiang Because they twinkle, just like your eyes.

B:

o? sh` ma? Hmph. Really?

A:

xianz ` ai ` tebi ` e xiang ` zhe n n wo bao , he y q shu ngxing. x I really want to hold you in my arms and count the stars with you.

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B:


shoubuli ` le! n ou y e de du` x ng le, wo ao meiy ju , erqi ` shuo kanbud ` x genb en j ntian ao ngx ng. Thats it! I cant take it anymore! Not one sentence you said was correct, and today you cant see one single planet.

A:

` anr ` le! w an le! louxi Im nished! Ive been found out!

Key Vocabulary

x ngxing y anjiu ng w` angyuanj` ` an rouy x ngx ng angx haiw ng mux ` ng j nx ng ng huox

star research telescope naked eye planet Neptune Jupiter Venus Mars
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tux ng k ej`

Saturn science and technology developed solar system orbit position to twinkle to be unable to bear to give away something

f ada ` angx` taiy yunx ` ng ` f angwei shan y shany ` shoubuli ao ` anr ` louxi

Supplementary Vocabulary

shu x ng d` qiu angx tianw ng x ngx`

Mercury Earth Uranus galaxy

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hengx ng ` ng weix en tianw ` ngxing dax ngxing heix

xed star satellite astronomy gorilla chimpanzee

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