Advanced Chinese

Admittedly … But: 固然…但… · 150–300 characters

Your friend 小林 has messaged you: she wants to quit her steady bank job to open a bookshop café, and asks what you think. Write a reply (150–300 characters). Grant the strong points on each side with 固然…但, turn against a common expectation with 然而, compare her and her business partner with 而, and say where you stand using 认同 or 立场.

Would Rather … Than: 宁可…也不… · 150–300 characters

You and your partner are planning a week's holiday and can't agree: one of you wants a packed city tour, the other a quiet week by the sea. Write a dialogue (150–300 characters) in which you argue it out and reach a decision. Use 与其…不如… to recommend one option and 宁可…也不… / 宁可…也要… to show what each of you is willing to give up.

Unit 1 review · 300–500 characters

A city forum asks: 'Should companies let their staff work from home?' Write a post (300–500 characters) giving your position. Grant at least one point to the other side and answer it, compare two groups of people, make a firm choice between two ways of working, and include one sentence about what would (or wouldn't) have happened in your own life.

The Reason Why …: 之所以…是因为… · 150–300 characters

You're applying for a scholarship to study in China. Write the paragraph of your personal statement (150–300 characters) that explains why you chose your subject. Put the result first with 之所以…是因为…, order your reasons with 首先, 其次 and 最后, and finish with what you hope to do.

For One Thing … For Another: 一来…二来… · 150–300 characters

Your team spends hours every week in meetings. Write a short proposal (150–300 characters) to your manager suggesting a change, such as a 15-minute stand-up meeting or one meeting-free day a week. Give two reasons with 一来…二来…, show what the change will lead to with 从而 or 进而, and draw a conclusion from a fact with 可见.

Unit 2 review · 300–500 characters

Your company newsletter has asked staff for a short piece on the question 'Why do most people give up their New Year resolutions?' Write it (300–500 characters): give at least two causes in order, explain how one thing leads to another, draw a conclusion from your evidence, suggest what to do instead, and sum up.

Let Alone: 何况 and 更不用说 · 150–300 characters

You've just checked out of a hotel that was nothing like its photos. Write a review for a travel website (150–300 characters). Say how bad things were with 极其 or 得要命, push your complaints further with 甚至, and use 何况 or 更不用说 to add a final point.

Simply and Obviously: 简直 and 明明 · 150–300 characters

Write a diary entry (150–300 characters) about a day when someone let you down: a colleague who blamed you for their mistake, or a friend who forgot an important promise. Use 简直 to exaggerate, 明明 to show your indignation, and spoken emphasis with 可 or 倒是. End with a shrug.

Unit 3 review · 300–500 characters

Write a post for an online advice column about a flatmate or colleague who is driving you mad. Describe one specific incident and how it made you feel, say what you have already tried, and ask readers what you should do.

Unexpectedly: 不料 and 居然 · 150–300 characters

Write a short anecdote (150–300 characters) for your blog about a day out that went wrong in an unexpected way, for example a picnic, a wedding or a job interview. Use 不料 and 居然 for the surprises, and 反而 for something that turned out the opposite of what you expected.

Not Necessarily: 未必 and 不见得 · 150–300 characters

Your friend 小周 has texted you in a panic: she made one mistake in a job interview today and is sure she won't get the job. Write a reply (150–300 characters) calming her down. Doubt her fears politely with 未必, 不见得 and 不至于, say what is only natural with 难免, and end with 反正.

Unit 4 review · 300–500 characters

Your company's amateur football (or basketball) team has just played in a final. Write a report for the staff newsletter: who you played, how the match went, the turning points and the final score, and what the team learned from it.

Can't Stand It, Can't Bear To: Fixed Potential Complements · 150–300 characters

Write a short blog post (150–300 characters) about clearing out your wardrobe or a cupboard full of old things. Say what you couldn't stand about the mess, what you couldn't bear to throw out, and what you finally managed to get done, using fixed potential complements.

In the Kitchen: 把 in Recipes · 150–300 characters

A Chinese friend wants to cook a dish from your country for her family. Write her the recipe as a message (150–300 characters): the ingredients, then each step in order. Use 把 for what you do to each ingredient, and say how to cut, mix and cook it.

Unit 5 review · 300–500 characters

You are moving out of a shared flat in Shanghai, and a Chinese student is taking your room. Write them a message in Chinese (300-500 characters) explaining how the flat works: who does which chores and what 'done' means (clean, put away, thrown out), one thing that broke while you lived there and how it was fixed, what is still not working, and one thing you couldn't bear to throw away and are leaving for them.

Each Other and Each: 彼此, 互相, 相互, 各自 · 150–300 characters

Two friends of yours are getting married, and you've been asked to say a few words at the wedding dinner. Write your short speech (150–300 characters): how they met, why they are a good match, and your wishes. Use 彼此 and 互相 for what they do for each other, 各自 for what each has, and 合得来 or 处得来.

Face and Favours: 面子 and 人情 · 150–300 characters

Your boss's wife has invited you to her son's birthday dinner this Saturday, but you've already promised to help an old friend move house. Write her a message (150–300 characters) declining without causing anyone to lose face: thank her, explain, apologise, and offer something in return.

Unit 6 review · 300–500 characters

A Chinese magazine runs an advice column called 知心姐姐 (the big sister who understands). Write a letter to it in Chinese (300-500 characters) about a relationship under strain, with a friend, a partner or a family member: how you used to get on, what the other person does now that bothers you, a moment when face or a favour made things awkward, and what you've decided to do. End by asking for advice.

其: Written 'His, Its, That' · 150–300 characters

Your Chinese school is making a wall display about famous people. Write a short profile (150–300 characters) of a scientist, artist or writer you admire. Use 其 for 'his, her, its', 之 as a written 的 in at least two phrases, and 所 + verb at least once.

Beliefs and Festivals · 150–300 characters

You spent a traditional Chinese festival (the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Spring Festival) with a Chinese family. Write an email (150–300 characters) to a friend at home: the legend behind the festival, the customs you took part in, and one belief people mentioned.

Unit 7 review · 300–500 characters

A travel website has asked you to write a short guide entry (300–500 characters) for a historic place you know, in China or elsewhere: a temple, palace, museum or old town. Say when it was built and what it was used for, what makes it special, any legend connected with it, and give visitors one or two practical tips in the style of a notice.

Taking A as B: 以…为… · 150–300 characters

You help run a club or volunteer group (a reading club, a running group, a language exchange). Write the 'About us' introduction for its Chinese website (150–300 characters): when and where it was set up, its aims, its main activities and who can join. Use 以…为… at least twice.

By Virtue Of, Taking Advantage Of: 凭 and 趁 · 150–300 characters

Write a short anecdote (150–300 characters) about someone you know who got ahead: a friend who landed a dream job, or a relative who built up a business. Say what they succeeded by with 凭 or 凭着, and what opportunities they seized with 趁 or 趁着.

Unit 8 review · 300–500 characters

You work for a city council. Write a short official announcement (300–500 characters) of a new local policy, for example a car-free day in the old town, a ban on single-use plastic bags, or new rules for shared bikes. Say when it takes effect and why, what residents must do, how it will be enforced, and where to get more information.

Passives in Full: 被, 叫, 让, 给 · 150–300 characters

Write a series of chat messages (150–300 characters) to a friend about a terrible day: your umbrella broke, your bike was stolen, your boss told you off, and so on. Use 被 and the spoken passives 叫, 让 and 给 for the things that happened to you.

In Court · 150–300 characters

For a law class, write a short summary (150–300 characters) of a court case, real or invented: who sued whom and why, what happened in court, and the verdict and compensation.

Unit 9 review · 300–500 characters

You were cheated by an online seller or robbed while travelling in China. Write a statement (300–500 characters) for the police or a consumer-rights office: say exactly what happened, when, where and how, what you lost, what you have already done, and what you want them to do.

Be Sure To: 务必, 千万, 切记 · 150–300 characters

You're going away for two weeks and a friend is staying in your flat to look after your cat. Write a note (150–300 characters) to leave on the kitchen table: what to do each day, what they must never do, and what to do if something goes wrong. Use 务必, 千万 and 切记, and 免得 or 省得.

On the Road · 150–300 characters

A new foreign colleague has just bought an electric scooter (电动车) to get around your Chinese city. Write them an email (150–300 characters) with advice on the rules of the road: where to ride, what is forbidden, what to watch out for at junctions, and what to do if there's an accident.

Unit 10 review · 300–500 characters

You run a small hotel or youth hostel in China. Write a safety notice for your guests (300–500 characters): the house rules and what is forbidden, why (what each rule avoids), and exactly what to do if there is a fire or an earthquake.

Meetings: Agenda, Discussion and Decisions · 150–300 characters

You took the notes at this morning's department meeting. Write the minutes (会议纪要, 150–300 characters): who attended, the items on the agenda, the main disagreement, what was decided, and who will do what by when.

Launching a Product · 150–300 characters

Your company is launching a new product (a phone, a drink, an app or a bike). Write a short press release (150–300 characters) for the Chinese media: what the product is, who it's for, what makes it different, the price and the launch date. Use 就…而言 or 对…而言 to frame a point, and 至于 to move on to a side issue.

Unit 11 review · 300–500 characters

You met a possible supplier yesterday. Write an email in Chinese (300-500 characters) to your manager, 王总, reporting on the meeting: describe the supplier's company in two or three sentences, sum up what was agreed about price and about a new product they are launching, list two or three of the contract terms they proposed, and give your own view.

Job Interviews: Experience and Strengths · 150–300 characters

Write the dialogue (150–300 characters) of the key part of a job interview for a position you'd like: the interviewer asks about your experience, your main strength, a weakness and why you want the job, and you answer.

In View Of: 鉴于, 本着, 基于 · 150–300 characters

You work in customer service for an online shop. A customer has complained that a parcel arrived two weeks late and damaged. Write the company's formal reply (150–300 characters): apologise, explain what will be done and on what grounds, and say who will handle it. Use 鉴于 and 本着 or 基于, and 由 for responsibility.

Unit 12 review · 300–500 characters

You have seen a job advert for a marketing supervisor (市场部主管) at a Chinese company. Write the application email in Chinese (300-500 characters): open and close it as a formal email, sum up your career so far and your current duties, say why you want to move and what you would bring, and mention the attachments.

Data and Change: Percentages, Rises and Falls · 150–300 characters

Your manager wants a quick summary of how your café did this year. Write a short report (150–300 characters) on sales, costs and customers, using percentages. Say what rose or fell by how much and what rose or fell to what level, and include one doubling.

Banks and Loans · 150–300 characters

Write a dialogue (150–300 characters) at a Chinese bank: you want to open an account and ask about a loan to buy a car. The clerk tells you what documents you need, the interest rate and how repayment works.

Unit 13 review · 300–500 characters

A personal-finance website is collecting short articles under the title 'How my money habits changed'. Write one (300–500 characters) about you or your family: how your income and spending changed over a few years, what you did with your savings (a bank, a fund, shares), and one financial mistake and what it led to. Give at least four figures.

Written Time Words: 已, 曾, 正, 将, 仍, 尚未 · 150–300 characters

You're in charge of the renovation of your company's new office. Write a short progress report (150–300 characters) for your colleagues in written style: what has been done, what is under way, what hasn't started yet, what problem remains, and when everyone will move in. Use 已, 正, 尚未, 仍 and 将.

Who Said What: 表示, 称, 指出, 强调 · 150–300 characters

Your manager missed a press conference given by the city government about a new high-speed rail line. Write an email (150–300 characters) summing up who said what. Use at least four different reporting verbs, choosing each one for what the speaker was doing.

Unit 14 review · 300–500 characters

Your city's English-language website wants a Chinese version of a local news story. Choose an event (a new metro line opening, a festival, a factory closing, a visit by a foreign delegation) and write it up as a short news report (300–500 characters): a headline, the facts, what officials said, and what will happen next.

Again and Again: 一再, 再三, 屡次, 反复 · 150–300 characters

The lift in your building has broken down again, for the third time this month. Write a formal complaint (150–300 characters) to the property management office (物业): what has happened, how many times residents have reported it, the effect on people, and what you demand. Use 一再, 再三, 屡次 and 反复.

Welfare and Charity · 150–300 characters

Your company is organising a winter charity drive for a village school in the mountains. Write the appeal (150–300 characters) to put up in the office: who you're helping and why, what people can donate, where and by when, and how the donations will be used.

Unit 15 review · 300–500 characters

A community website is collecting short pieces on the theme 'My hometown, then and now'. Write one (300–500 characters) about a town, village or neighbourhood you know: how it has changed over the years, who has moved in or out, what has got better and what has got worse, and what you think should be done for the people who live there now.

Describing Symptoms · 150–300 characters

Before an online consultation, a hospital app asks you to describe your problem to the doctor. Write your message (150–300 characters): what is wrong and where, how long it has been going on, what makes it worse, and what you've already tried.

Diet, Sleep and Habits: 要想…就得… · 150–300 characters

A Chinese health website has asked readers to share one habit that changed their life. Write a short article (150–300 characters) about how you changed your diet or sleep, what difference it made, and what readers should do. Use 要想…就得… at least twice.

Unit 16 review · 300–500 characters

A Chinese friend, 陈静, has messaged you: she's been feeling run-down and stressed for weeks and is putting off seeing a doctor. Write her a reply (300–500 characters). Tell her about a time you were ill: how long it lasted, your symptoms and what happened at the hospital. Then give her advice on seeing a doctor, sleep, diet and stress.

Digital Life · 150–300 characters

Write a review (150–300 characters) of an app you use every day, for its app-store page: what it does, how you use it, what the latest update changed, and one problem. Give it a star rating.

Protecting the Environment · 150–300 characters

Your office throws away huge numbers of paper cups, plastic boxes and leftover food every day. Write a proposal (150–300 characters) to the management for a greener office: the problem, three concrete measures, and the effect they would have.

Unit 17 review · 300–500 characters

Your Chinese school's newsletter has a science page. Write a short article (300–500 characters) about one technology that could help the environment (for example electric cars, solar power, recycling robots or a waste-sorting app). Say what it is made of or how it works, what research says about it, what it is used for, and whether it is good or bad for the environment overall.

Suddenly: 顿时, 随即, 一下子 · 150–300 characters

Write a very short story (150–300 characters) about a moment when everything changed in a second: a blackout at a restaurant, a stranger's phone call, a surprise at a station. Use 顿时, 随即 or 一下子 for the sudden change, and 不禁 or 忍不住 for a reaction the characters couldn't help.

Film and Television · 150–300 characters

A local film festival needs a short synopsis (150–300 characters) for its brochure of a film or series you know or invent. Say who directed it and who stars in it, set up the story without giving away the ending, and say who will enjoy it.

Unit 18 review · 300–500 characters

A culture website runs readers' reviews. Write one (300–500 characters) of a film, series, concert, play or exhibition you saw. Say briefly what it is and who made or stars in it, tell the most memorable moment as a short story, give its strengths and one weakness, and end with a recommendation.