1. Warm-up: China Fun Facts Quiz
Hello, everyone! Before we start our trip to China, let’s check what you already know about this amazing country. Answer these questions.
🏮 What do you know about China? 🐉
Test your knowledge in this 5-question quiz
If you can’t see the interactive exercise, open this form of the quiz.
Quiz: What do you know about China?
- What is the capital city of China?
- a) Shanghai
- b) Beijing
- c) Hong Kong
- This animal is black and white and loves to eat bamboo. What is it?
- a) Red panda
- b) Giant panda
- c) Tiger
- Which famous wall is over 13,000 miles long and is one of the New7Wonders of the World?
- a) The Berlin Wall
- b) The Great Wall of China
- c) Hadrian’s Wall
- How many animals are there in the Chinese Zodiac?
- a) 10
- b) 12
- c) 14
- What is the most popular food in China that you cook in a big pot at the table?
- a) Peking duck
- b) Dim sum
- c) Hot pot
(Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b, 4-b, 5-c)
2. Reading: Discover China!
Now let’s read about China. Pay attention to the words and expressions in bold . We will study them later!
A Land of Wonders
Every year, millions of tourists visit China. They come to see its famous places, try delicious food, and learn about its rich culture. China is a country of amazing contrasts: modern cities stand next to ancient temples, and high-speed trains run through beautiful mountains.
One of the most popular destinations is Beijing, the capital. Tourists take in the breathtaking view of the Great Wall, which stretches for thousands of miles. They also visit the Forbidden City, the magnificent palace that served as the home of Chinese emperors for centuries. Right now, as you read this, many people are walking through its ancient halls and taking photos .
But China is not only about the past. It has super modern cities like Shanghai, where you come across futuristic skyscrapers at every corner. However, if you want to see the heart of China, you should visit smaller cities. For example, in Chengdu, people are famous for their love of hot pot . The city is also famous for the Giant Pandas. People from all over the world get a kick out of watching these adorable black-and-white animals eat bamboo.
If you are planning a trip, remember that Chinese food is not just one thing. In the north, people love noodles and dumplings. In the south, especially in Guangzhou, they are famous for Dim Sum, which are small bite-sized dishes. These are not just meals; they are a part of the culture!
Last year, my friend Tom went to China. He ran across a local festival during his visit to Xi’an. He dug into a huge bowl of noodles and tried to use chopsticks. He says it was one of his best trips ever! He also visited the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-sized soldiers that were buried with the first emperor of China.
China is a country that always surprises you. Whether you are walking through the busy streets of Hong Kong or relaxing by the beautiful Yangtze River, there’s always something new to discover.
3. Vocabulary Practice
Exercise 1: Match the Words and Expressions
In case you can’t see the interactive form, open this variant. Match the words and phrases.
Match the word or expression on the left with its correct meaning on the right.
| Word/Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. take in (phrasal verb) | A. to start eating something eagerly |
| 2. come across (phrasal verb) | B. to enjoy something very much |
| 3. get a kick out of (idiom) | C. to unexpectedly find something, same as “chance”come across” |
| 4. dig into (phrasal verb) | D. to experience and enjoy something fully |
| 5. run across (phrasal verb) | E. to discover something while walking around, same as “to run across” |
| 6. breathtaking (adjective) | F. so beautiful or amazing that it takes your breath away |
| 7. destination (noun) | G. a place where someone is going |
| 8. ancient (adjective) | H. very old |
Answers:
1-D, 2-E, 3-B, 4-A, 5-C, 6-F, 7-G, 8-H
Exercise 2: Fill in the Gaps
In case you can’t see exercise 2, click here
Exercise 2: Fill in the Gaps
Complete the sentences with the words and expressions from Exercise 1.
- The Great Wall is a __________ that millions of people want to visit every year.
- When I visited Xi’an, I came __________ a wonderful street food market.
- The view from the top of the mountain is absolutely __________!
- I really __________ watching the pandas eat bamboo. They are so cute!
- When the food arrived, we were so hungry that we immediately __________ it.
- Tourists in Beijing love to __________ the atmosphere of the ancient temples.
- In Shanghai, you can __________ modern and traditional buildings side by side.
- The Forbidden City is an __________ palace with a long history.
Answers:
- destination, 2. across, 3. breathtaking, 4. get a kick out of, 5. dug into, 6. take in, 7. run into, 8. ancient
4. Reading Comprehension Questions
Answer these questions based on the text.
- What are the two popular cities mentioned for tourists to visit in China?
- What is the Great Wall famous for?
- What kind of food do people in the north of China like to eat?
- What special festival did the author’s friend experience in Xi’an?
- What is the Terracotta Army?
Check your answers
Answers:
- Beijing and Shanghai.
- It is over 13,000 miles long and one of the New7Wonders of the World.
- Noodles and dumplings.
- He ran across a local festival (the text doesn’t specify, but it was a local festival).
- Thousands of life-sized soldiers that were buried with the first emperor of China.
5. Grammar Focus: Present Continuous
Explanation
Well well, great explorers! Do you know the difference between “I eat noodles” and “I am eating noodles”? Let’s learn!
Think of the Present Simple like a habit or a fact. It’s something you do every day or something that is always true.
- I eat noodles every day. (This is a habit.)
- The sun rises in the east. (This is a fact.)
Now, think of the Present Continuous as a video camera that is filming RIGHT NOW. It’s something that is happening at this exact moment or around this time.
- I am eating noodles right now. (You are doing it at this moment.)
- They are visiting China this month. (It’s happening now, or around now.)
How to build the Present Continuous:
It’s like a sandwich!
[TO BE] + [VERB + -ing]
- The “To Be” Bread: You need the verb “to be” (am, is, are).
- I → am
- He / She / It → is
- We / You / They → are
- The “ING” Filling: You take the main verb and add -ing to the end.
- eat → eating
- visit → visiting
- take → taking
Let’s look at the rules for adding -ing :
- For most verbs: just add -ing (visit → visiting)
- For verbs ending in -e: drop the -e and add -ing (make → making)
- For short verbs with a vowel and a consonant: double the consonant and add -ing (run → running, sit → sitting)
- For verbs ending in -y: just add -ing (play → playing)
Examples:
- I am reading a book about China right now.
- She is eating hot pot at the moment.
- They are visiting the Great Wall this week.
Remember: We use Present Continuous for actions happening:
- Right now: “Look! The panda is sleeping.”
- Around now: “I am learning about Chinese culture this year.”
- Future plans: “We are going to Beijing next summer.” (We use it for fixed plans!)
6. Grammar Practice
Exercise 3: Change the Sentence
Change these sentences from Present Simple to Present Continuous. Change the time expression.
Example: I eat noodles for lunch. → I am eating noodles for lunch right now.
Important: Add “right now” for the 1st sentences, “at the moment” for the 2nd, “today” for the 3rd, “now” for the 4th, and “this evening” for the 5th.
In case you cannot see the interactive exercise, open this variant.
- She visits the Forbidden City.
- They take photos of the Terracotta Army.
- I watch the pandas at the zoo.
- We run in the park every morning.
- He makes traditional dumplings for his family.
Answers:
- She is visiting the Forbidden City right now.
- They are taking photos of the Terracotta Army at the moment.
- I am watching the pandas at the zoo today.
- We are running in the park now.
- He is making traditional dumplings for his family this evening.
Exercise 4: Fill in the Gaps
In case you cannot see the interactive exercise, check this option.
Complete the sentences with the Present Continuous form of the verbs in brackets.
- Right now, many tourists __________ (visit) the Great Wall of China.
- In Shanghai, the city __________ (grow) very fast with new buildings everywhere.
- My Chinese friend __________ (take) me to a hot pot restaurant this evening.
- Listen! The musicians __________ (play) traditional Chinese music in the park.
- I __________ (learn) how to use chopsticks. It’s difficult but fun!
- The chef __________ (prepare) Peking duck for the guests at this moment.
- We __________ (plan) our trip to China for next year.
- Look at the panda! It __________ (eat) bamboo and it looks so happy!
Answers:
- are visiting
- is growing
- is taking
- are playing
- am learning
- is preparing
- are planning
- is eating
7. Listening Script
Listen to the recording. A travel blogger is describing a scene in a Chinese city.
Audio Script:
“Hello, everyone! I’m standing in the middle of a busy street in Shanghai right now. The city is absolutely buzzing with energy! People are walking quickly in all directions, and taxis are moving through the traffic. I can see that tourists are taking photos of the beautiful old buildings. A group of people is waiting for the bus over there.
Listen! Someone is playing a traditional Chinese instrument on the corner. It sounds beautiful! Look! A woman is selling delicious-looking street food from a small cart. She is making noodles! I am recording this video and I am thinking about what to eat for dinner tonight.
It is an amazing experience, and I am having a wonderful time!”
8. Listening Comprehension
Exercise 5: True or False?
Read the sentences. Write T (True) or F (False) based on the listening script.
- The blogger is in Beijing.
- People are walking slowly.
- Tourists are taking photos of old buildings.
- Someone is playing a traditional Chinese instrument.
- The blogger is eating noodles right now.
Answers:
- F (She is in Shanghai.)
- F (People are walking quickly.)
- T
- T
- F (She is thinking about what to eat.)
Exercise 6: Answer the Questions
Answer these questions based on the listening script.
- What is the blogger doing in Shanghai?
- What is a group of people doing over there?
- What is the woman with the food cart doing?
- Is the blogger enjoying her trip?
Answers:
- She is standing in a busy street, recording a video.
- They are waiting for the bus.
- She is making noodles.
- Yes, she says she is having a wonderful time.
9. Discussion Questions
Now it’s your turn to talk! Answer these questions with your friends or teacher. Try to use the new vocabulary and the Present Continuous tense.
- Do you get a kick out of travelling? Why or why not?
- If you are planning a holiday, do you prefer to visit ancient places or modern cities?
- Right now, if you could travel anywhere, where are you going? (Use Present Continuous! e.g., “I am going to China to see the pandas!”)
- What are you doing to prepare for your next holiday? (e.g., “I am reading travel blogs,” “I am saving money.”)
- What is a breathtaking place you want to visit?
- When you travel, what is the first thing you dig into? (Food, culture, nature?)
- Have you ever run across a festival while travelling? Describe it!
