The Moon Is Always Beautiful and Other Essays

The Moon Is Always Beautiful invites students to appreciate the rich textures of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture while sharpening their reading skills. The third in the five-volume Cheng & Tsui Readings in Chinese Culture series, this collection of ten original essays is ideal for intermediate students in the second semester of second-year Chinese, or at the “Intermediate High” level, as designated by ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

Used as a supplement to any intermediate Mandarin Chinese textbook, or as reading material for independent learners, The Moon Is Always Beautiful will refine students’ grasp of Chinese vocabulary and grammar while also strengthening their understanding of Chinese arts, culture, and society.

Given the cultural focus of the AP* and other standardized Chinese exams, teachers will welcome this resource that seamlessly combines language learning with an introduction to both classical and contemporary Chinese culture.

Features:

• Each essay of approximately 500 characters is presented in both simplified and traditional characters on facing pages.

• Essays cover a range of cultural topics, from the diverse traditions of Chinese architecture to the social impact of The True Story of Ah Q to a survey of regional dialects in China.

• A vocabulary list, related words and expressions, and an optional exercise section accompany each lesson.

• For students who prefer to read pinyin along with Chinese characters, an appendix of each essay in pinyin is included.

• Answer keys at the back of the book help learners gauge their own progress.

Readings in Chinese Culture Series

The Moon Is Always Beautiful is the third in a five-volume series of supplemental reading material that corresponds to five different levels of Chinese proficiency, from beginning through advanced.

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.