Foundations
Longer pieces
Open writing tasks for this level, longer than the ones in the lessons.
About me · 30–100 characters
Introduce yourself to a new classmate: your name, where you are from, where you live and what you do.
My family · 30–100 characters
Describe two people in your family: who they are, how old they are and what they are like.
Text message · 30–100 characters
Text a friend to invite them for a coffee: say the day, the time and the place.
My day · 30–100 characters
Describe a normal weekday: what you do in the morning, the afternoon and the evening.
My home · 30–100 characters
Describe your home: how many rooms it has, your favourite room and what is in it.
Shopping list · 30–100 characters
You are cooking dinner for friends. Write a note to your flatmate saying what to buy and how much of each thing.
Likes · 30–100 characters
Write about what you like and don't like to do at the weekend.
Postcard · 30–100 characters
Write a short postcard from a holiday: where you are, what the weather is like and what there is to do.
From the lessons
Every writing task in this level's units. They also appear in the lessons themselves.
Unit 1 · Hello, Who Are You?
Names and Introductions · 30–70 characters
On your first day of Chinese class you sit next to a classmate, Li Ming (李明), and then the teacher arrives. Write a short dialogue: greet each other, give and ask names, ask the teacher's surname politely, and say goodbye.
Languages and Learning: 说, 学 and 中文 · 30–70 characters
You're signing up for a language-exchange app. Write the short profile other users will see: your name, nationality and job, which languages you speak, that you are learning Chinese, and one question for the people who read it.
Unit 1 review · 30–80 characters
You've joined a Chinese class's group chat. Post a short message introducing yourself and a Chinese friend who is in the class with you.
Unit 2 · Questions and Numbers
In Class: Classroom Chinese · 30–70 characters
Write a short diary entry about today's Chinese class: two things the teacher asked you to do, one question she asked and how you answered, and whether you and a classmate were right.
Big Numbers and Money · 30–70 characters
A Chinese friend who is coming to your city asks how much things cost where you live. Write a reply giving the prices of at least four things — something cheap and something that costs over a thousand — and ask how much one thing costs in China.
Unit 2 review · 30–80 characters
Write a short message to your new Chinese teacher before the first class: who you are, how old you are, your class and your phone number, and one question about the class.
Unit 3 · Things and People
Some and These: 这些, 那些, 一些 · 30–70 characters
Your Chinese classmate Li Ming forgot his books today. Write him a message about what you have with you: count your things with measure words, say which ones are yours, use 一些, and ask which book he's reading.
Grandparents, Partners and Children · 30–70 characters
Your pen friend Chen Jing (陈静) asks: 你有孩子吗？你有爷爷奶奶吗？ Write her a short email: how many children you have (or your parents have), which grandparents you have and don't have, and ask about her family.
Unit 3 review · 30–80 characters
You're sharing a family photo with a Chinese friend. Write a caption: who is in your family, what two of them do, and whose things are in the picture.
Unit 4 · Describing People and Things
How Are You Feeling? 忙, 累, 饿, 渴 · 30–70 characters
Your friend messages you: 晚上一起吃饭吗？ It's been a long day. Reply: say how you're feeling right now, one thing you're not feeling, and ask how your friend is feeling.
Tasty, Pretty, Fun: 好吃, 好看, 好玩儿 · 30–70 characters
Write a short online review of a café you like: what the drinks and food are like, what the staff and the place are like, the best thing there, and one drawback.
Unit 4 review · 30–80 characters
Describe a good friend or someone in your family: what they're like, what's the most special thing about them, and how they feel today.
Unit 5 · Days, Dates and Time
Years, Birthdays and Holidays · 30–70 characters
Write an invitation to your birthday party for your Chinese friends' group chat: the full date (year, month, day and weekday), whether it's in the evening, what you'll do, and how old you'll be.
A School Day: 上课, 考试, 放学 · 30–70 characters
You can't come to school on Friday. Write a short note to your teacher, Teacher Li (李老师): ask for the day off, say why, and ask when the exam is and when classes start and finish next Monday.
Unit 5 review · 30–80 characters
Write a short note about your week for a Chinese pen friend: today's date, when you get up and start work or school, what you often or sometimes do, and a day off coming up.
Unit 6 · Where Things Are
Around Town: Shops, Hospitals and Libraries · 30–70 characters
Your Chinese friend Wang Fang (王芳) is at the shopping mall and can't find you. Text her: say where you are and where you're not, what you're doing there, and ask where she is.
Question Words: 什么, 谁, 哪儿, 什么时候, 怎么 · 30–80 characters
A new neighbour, Zhang Li (张丽), has just moved in. Write a short dialogue in which you ask her at least four questions with different question words — what, who, where, when — and give her answers.
Unit 6 review · 30–80 characters
Describe where you live for a new Chinese friend: your city, your flat and its rooms, and what's around it in your neighbourhood.
Unit 7 · Wants, Food and Finished Actions
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner · 30–80 characters
You and your friend Wang Fang (王芳) are having lunch at a noodle shop. Write a short dialogue with the waiter: say what you'd like, offer your friend a choice with 还是, order food and drinks, and ask the price.
Knowing and Remembering: 知道, 认识, 明白, 记得 · 30–80 characters
Write a short diary entry about your first day at a new school: who you met, one thing you know and one you don't know yet, whether you understood the teacher, and what you remember or forgot.
Unit 7 review · 30–80 characters
Your Chinese friend Wang Fang asks how your day went. Write her a short message: say what you ate for breakfast and lunch, one thing you can or can't do, and something you looked for, forgot or didn't find.
Unit 8 · Getting Around
Go and Do: Verb Chains · 30–80 characters
You're on a trip with a friend. Write a postcard to your Chinese teacher: where you are, how you got there, and where you're going today and what for, in sentences that chain the verbs together.
Give, Tell, Teach: Two Objects, Part 2 of 2 · 30–80 characters
Write a short story about a birthday in your family: what you gave someone, what they did with it, what they asked or told you, and what you now teach or give them.
Unit 8 review · 30–80 characters
Write a message inviting your friend Li Ming on a day trip this Saturday. Say who is going, how you'll travel, from when to when, and what you'll do there; tell him what he doesn't need to bring or do, and what not to forget.
Unit 9 · Weather, Likes and What's Happening Now
I Think…: 觉得 · 30–70 characters
A Chinese learners' forum asks: 你觉得学中文怎么样？ Write a short post giving your opinion — what you think is easy, what you don't think is easy, and what you like — and ask the other learners what they think.
Not Feeling Well: 生病 and 看病 · 30–80 characters
Your friend Chen Jing (陈静) didn't come to class today because she's ill. Write her a message: ask how she feels and whether she's seen a doctor, tell her what to do and what not to do, and say something about the weather.
Unit 9 review · 30–80 characters
It's Saturday and your Chinese friend Chen Jing messages you: 你在干什么呢？ Reply: say what the weather is like, what you're doing right now, what your hobbies are, and give your opinion of something, comparing it with something else.