a DA eens, =e =| Mangrén Guo The Country of the Blind 1s Gua A-I0 ESMandarin Companion Graded Readers Level 1: 300 Characters BAH The Country of the Blind Based on The Country of the Blind by H.G. Wells Mind Spark Press LLC SHANGHAIMandarin Companion Graded Readers ™ P\4] Mandarin Companion Now you can read books in Chinese that are fun and help accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. The Mandarin Companion Leveling System has been meticulously developed through an in-depth analysis of textbooks, education programs and natural Chinese language. Every story is written in a simple style that is fun and easy to understand so you improve with each book. Mandarin Companion Level One Level 1 is intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginner grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. The more they read, the better they will become at reading and grasping the Chinese language. Level 1 is designed around the Mandarin Companion’s core set of 300 basic characters. These basic characters ensure that most of the vocabulary will be simple everyday words that the reader is most likely to know. This series contains approximately 400 unique words; a number low enough to make reading Chinese less intimidating, while also introducing new key words relevantto the story. Key words are added gradually over the course of the story. A numbered footnote indicates the first time a new word or character is introduced and the corresponding hyperlink references the glossary with pinyin and an English definition. Each additional instance of a new word is indicated by a hyperlink. All proper nouns have been underlined to help the reader distinguish between names and words. What level is right for me? If you are able to read this book with a high level of comprehension, then this book is likely at your level. It is ideal to have at most only one unknown word or character for every 40-50 words or characters that are read. Once you are able to read fluidly and quickly without interruption you are ready for the next level. Even if you are able to understand all of the words in the book, we recommend that readers build fluidity and reading speed before moving to higher levels. How will this help my Chinese? Reading extensively in a language you are learning is one of the most effective ways to build fluency. However, the key is to read at a high level of comprehension. Reading at the appropriate level in Chinese will increase the speed of character recognition, help acquire vocabulary faster, allow readers to naturally learn grammar, and train the brain to think in Chinese. It also makes learning Chinese more fun and enjoyable. Readers will experience the sense ofaccomplishment and confidence that only comes from reading entire books in Chinese. For more information, please see Extensive Reading and Graded ReadersTable of Contents Story Adaptation Notes Characters and Locations 1BA 2 BMRA AA 3kBA 4 xe e ? 5 kEHGA? 6 ATH RHA 7THAE BW? 8 KT ! 9 BREF 10 REWRE Key Words Discussion Questions Extensive Reading and Graded Readers Credits and Acknowledgements About Mandarin CompanionOther Stories from Mandarin CompanionStory Adaptation Notes This story is an adaptation of English sci-fi author H.G. Wells’ 1904 classic story, The Country of the Blind. This Mandarin Companion graded reader has been adapted into a fully localized Chinese version of the original story. The characters have been given authentic Chinese names as opposed to transliterations of English names, which sound foreign in Chinese. The locations have been adapted to well-known places in China. The time period of this adaptation is left up to the reader’s imagination, but clearly modern technology does not play a role in the story. The original 1904 story and a revised version published in 1939 have different endings. However, this version follows neither original ending exactly, rather giving the story our own twist. We hope you enjoy it. Character Adaptations The following is a list of the characters from The Country of the Blind in Chinese followed by their corresponding English names from Wells’ original story. The names below are not translations, they are new Chinese names used for the Chinese versions of the original characters. Think of them as all-new characters in a Chinese story. (6743 (Chén Fangyuan) - Nufiez ELAN (Jiang Tianyt) - Yacob iL (Jiang Xué) - Medina-SarotéCast of Characters WAR (Chén Fangyuan) — (Jiang Tianyw) (Wang Yéye) (Jiang Xué) Locations GIN = Guizhou Guizhou Province is in southwest China, between Yunnan and Hunan. Like Yunnan, it is home to many Chinese ethnic minorities, and is also a very mountainous province.i BAH ERMMAWE, A-TRB HMw A. AMT iy URE, PEMRRA GBA, Ar LL thi) RAB A Bh AON F yo Tiki, AA AAA MSA, ek Ho MREAPS, AMPS ELTA, Ae —PEKH WIA. aK 9), ZSEStt Att i BF. —# We A FO th AT aA, ETH TA, RIT ME. Pe PRAHA, RILETART PEURR— Bo tis int BBB, 4H 11 8B 4 FPREREEUR, DINE T-RAR, AMER T-* A Wi BOB yl -KA ls), MBG, BH As FAM BM MAT. Wik] BAI ib oe we RTAREHR sy, —hEMTRRMMA, —TP BWI ot A tH FR (EERMRARUA, B-TEAMMBTBAET HS. Th AS A aD fal th: “AB PS th RFE? IRE eM AR BMH?”TE, AB “Ke TEKH o BT MARR, KRNEREH RAD. TERME Y 4, RIL, MEM A Be T-#A ho KANE RET, PAW MEO RSB pc o AV AR A STAY, thE AUER. AT A th les 7 Rrra KK, oe BE ZS 9b I AS tH EEK EI — Sp AAG A eH Hh th RUG, ARE T — TA, BT BOR Ta, H#kRa aoe To Prt R RE ABB 89 KFA R, ma Bs. “HWieeEese, TER } Tr!" EE, fh sh 8 ToBR, PTSAM IR BERS AIL T, BIC a, the To ARR id Th, SAM CE py T HHS: EN M-TAWE, A-TPRRHIMA, BW BH AREBA. MAME, HHMAM RTA SA Bl”.Key Words KE ie] (Guanjianci) w BRIG pidoliang adj. pretty 3 DTU tmgshuo to have heard of, to hear talk of MIVA conclii méiyou phrase to have never (done something) REF yangzi n. appearance & tido mw [ameasure word for rivers, roads, and other long, thin things] FB xayto vu toneed LUA] sanding n. cave (lit. "mountain hole") JAX houldi im. afterward ee TF dai x to carry, to take (a person somewhere to do something) visti adv. allalong, continuously 4ESE shenghus un. to lives life AE RK bianchs BY hen. river v to turn into, to become21 22. 23, 24, 25. 27. 28. 29, MERLE oc a yihou phrase from then on, from that point forward FEthiZAaiiyeméiyou phrase never again (do something), (there was) never again THAR shijie on. world LB ashi n story FRR yinjing m eyes HASH, chaxian v. to appear, to emerge FAR TL kanbujiin ve. to be unable to see BA nangrénn. blind person Fi BZ xiwang vw to hope #B3I ve. to think of, to imagine Tid wingji_v. to forget ZZ svopo nv. wife (informal) FARA huidugi ve. to be unable to go back Mii nangud adj. sad, upset TLE jitw ve. to memorize, to remember for the future SVE tou vy to tell30, 31 32. 33 34, 35. 36. 37, 38. 39, 40. 41. 42. 43. 45. A shun. tree Xue om snow FH none to plant (a tree) PRSE BL... yusisiyus.. adv more and more = chi adj. of poor quality EAHA ciodi nm. grassland, grassy field FIT kepa adj. frightening WEARSE chibuwan ve. to be unable to eat all of (some food) Ft TL kandejidn ve. to be able to see shéng to give birth to BA obai_s num. hundred FLA —gudqu ve. to pass, to pass through HEHE fashene to happen, to occur BB 7 * ; AA youyisi adj. interesting EE euswing nm. king FBSA xiangta nm. way of thinking, idea46. RIE juéding v; m. to decide; decision 47. AT weile prep. in order to, for the purpose of 48. BEAR yaobu —conj. how about... (we do this) 49. Fil) bié ad. don't (do something) 30. AF lingwai pron. another, other 51. JE yiding adv. surely, certainly 52. 45k shitow n. stone, rock 533. ZAFR aasheng adv: loudly (lit. "(in a) loud voice") 54. FA meiyong adj. to be of no use 55. BE xing u tw awaken 56. KEEL arian x to discover 57, BB xianggi ve. to recall 58, HAEBIE ahangilai_ ve. to stand up 59. FB shuai to trip and fall 60. FV igi n. strength, energy 61. BREFF — shuizhao ve. to fall asleep62. 63. 65, 66. 67. 68. 69, 70. 7 72. B. 74, 75. 76. 77. Sy nition. bird FFE qiguai adj. strange FB ochuang on. window BHF yansé n. color — ABB yiditn dou phrase (not) atall MEA nankin adj. bad-looking, ugly FETE shuijito vo. to sleep = EE eduo on. ear a qi _adj.; v. angry; to get angry zixin adj.; n. self-confident; self-confidence WBZ renzhen adj. earnest, serious SF xidio vu. to laugh, to smile mn zhua x» to grab $% mov to touch, to feel (with the hands) BAP yaoburin conj otherwise FEAR meicud phrase no mistake, quite sure8. 79. 80. 81 82, 83. 84, 85, 86, 87. 88. 89, 91 oe. 93. FHEBE shuixing ve. to awaken from sleep, to be fully awake HAZE wongshi adv always FAFA oyouyong adj. useful MBHBH nvvailai ve. to situp BRAN nuanhuo adj. warm BEAR FG shuibuzhao ve. to be unable to fall asleep W.. FEL dui. wishud phrase for... (a person) BTS kexito adj laughable VLA yiwéi x to (mistakenly) think that BSH nigi ve wpick up TUF tingxia ve. to put down AR tin FRA aiye bi phrase never again n, direction FAIL yongxin vo. to be attentive HLA jinui_n. opportunity 3EI0) — guanxin 1 to be concerned over95. Ft caiyé phrase (never) again 94. PRIN chéngwéi v to become 96. FARA kinbuging ve. to be unable to see clearlyPart of Speech Key adj. Adjective adv. Adverb aux. Auxiliary Verb conj. Conjunction mw. Measure word n. Noun num, Numeral on. Onomatopoeia part. Particle pn. Proper noun tm, Time Noun vu Verb ve. Verb plus complement vo. Verb plus objectDiscussion Questions bt 1O [al RH (Taoltin Wenti) Chapter 1: BAB 1. Mike eBABS—THe Hw ? 2. MENT RBAYG? MBAR BK? Chapter 2: ABT Rit MIA 1. MRME-TEA, MEBMRHEBS ELS ? 2. PADRES, MRRSAMAMEH, (HSH 1 Chapter 3: KEBAB 1. VARI AR FE Sl 4 th Fa EAS IN Ae, A eB ARR HB? iE HW ? 2. MRAAI ATA RMA T SAB, (th 1) ab 28 it EM aS REA ? HH]3. MRRARABASABHH, MAERSK ?PMAET ABI a ? Chapter 4: iX 2B ? 1. KAM IR BA El ER 7} i AY HRA tt 4 AB HE? 2. MRMAARR UE, RMB CEBAR, Mater 4? 3. MESK-BEEACMEHMA, LEBKA-T MHA? Ate ? Chapter 5: X2(t& A? 1.#4BAB, SAM ERE WW ? AHO? 2. MRMEBA £"? Ea REED BATS BS Bi 3. PRAR UR AY AB A A BE th bi 2 RA HLL IRA PEBMS REM ? hi— pikes, 4. MNRAS RA AO AA Ae BP A BE AR Un BY AB GA BGK, IRS Wi FE oe FE?Chapter 6: AT HEAR RIA 1. DRIP RGM, BRERA AH, HERP BA Ui Dia, fA OT AR EH 4. PL — AR aS, 2. ARAAW EMME CE-TRF ?MRA, MBE 4, fil ? 3. BAN MRALZAHOBK? H-iMAW SK. 4. MER SRSKF AMIE? H-HMRAEH TAA RHI AE. Chapter 7:{+ 4 2“ Jl” ? 1. BRR Sib A) Bll BR Se A, (BSR RB BtRt RMS Y ? Nte ? 2. URE FB RV AE 4 FB ABE SAR WL ROT AR LB A? 3. UR it He A BAS A ie Bee AT) AB A TS PR ABH PB th i) my Chapter 8: #4 T1. MRKRAZEHHT BARBHHE, Mie eARS Ea? 2. PONE RR RBS BWA, Be — BEAR BF ADB? iy the 3. UR it te Hh LEW Za it BR | T? Chapter 9: AR ER BABB RAR — HF - AR it i se AT BE MY PAH ? 2. Fh, MRSABSAMKAL-H, QREWREM HNRER, RP AGMREL BS? 3. MRM BU Ase, AA EST, SEs th? Chapter 10: REHM RE (A hak SAR, i 1. MRAARAMR RAR, MLSE RE, Mic BASEL ? 2. MRTERMRALE T me HR, wt BSEDRE? 3. UR it ME 77 iz [Bl BI RL im, BREA? 4. Mi AKALERSEBABAH? AH? 5. BET KTMS, MAH 4 BK?Extensive Reading After years of studying Chinese, many people ask, “why can’t I become fluent in Chinese?” Fluency can only happen when the language enters our “comfort zone.” This comfort comes after significant exposure to and experience with the language. The more times you meet a word, phrase, or grammar point the more readily it will enter your comfort zone. In the world of language research, experts agree that learners can acquire new vocabulary through reading only if the overall text can be understood. Decades of research indicate that if we know approximately 98% of the words in a book, we can comfortably “pick up” the 2% that is unfamiliar. Reading at this 98% comprehension level is referred to as “extensive reading.” Research in extensive reading has shown that it accelerates vocabulary learning and helps the learner to naturally understand grammar. Perhaps most importantly, it trains the brain to automatically recognize familiar language, thereby freeing up mental energy to focus on meaning and ideas. As they build reading speed and fluency, learners will move from reading “word by word” to processing “chunks of language.” A defining feature is that it’s less painful than the “intensive reading” commonly used in textbooks. In fact, extensive reading can be downright fun. Graded Readers Graded readers are the best books for learners to “extensively” read. Researchhas taught us that learners need to “encounter” a word 10-30 times before truly learning it, and often many more times for particularly complicated or abstract words. Graded readers are appropriate for learners because the language is controlled and simplified, as opposed to the language in native texts, which is inevitably difficult and often demotivating. Reading extensively with graded readers allows learners to bring together all of the language they have studied and absorb how the words naturally work together. To become fluent, learners must not only understand the meaning of a word, but also understand its nuances, how to use it in conversation, how to pair it with other words, where it fits into natural word order, and how it is used in grammar structures. No textbook could ever be written to teach all of this explicitly. When used properly, a textbook introduces the language and provides the basic meanings, while graded readers consolidate, strengthen, and deepen understanding. Without graded readers, learners would have to study dictionaries, textbooks, sample dialogs, and simple conversations until they have randomly encountered enough Chinese for it to enter their comfort zones. With proper use of graded readers, learners can tackle this issue and develop greater fluency now, at their current levels, instead of waiting until some period in the distant future. With a stronger foundation and greater confidence at their current levels, learners are encouraged and motivated to continue their Chinese studies to even greater heights. Plus, they’ll quickly learn that reading Chinese is fun!Credits Original Author: H.G. Wells Series Editor: John Pasden Lead Writer: Yang Renjun Content Editor: Yu Cui Proofreader: Zhang Pei Illustrator: Hu Shen Producer: Jared Turner Acknowledgments We are grateful to Yang Renjun, Yu Cui, Song Shen and the entire team at AllSet Learning for working on this project and contributing the perfect mix of talent to produce this series. Thank you to our enthusiastic testers, Logan Pauley, Ashlyn Weber, Michelle Helding Birkenfeldt, Vanessa Dewey, and Ariel Bowman. Thank you to Judy Yang who helped with our cover and book design.Aspecial thanks to Rob Waring, to whom we refer as the "godfather of extensive reading" for his encouragement, expert advice, and support with this project. Thank you to Heather Turner for being the inspiration behind the entire series and never wavering in her belief. Thank you to Song Shen for supporting us, handling all the small thankless tasks, and spurring us forward if we dared to fall behind. Moreover, we will be forever grateful for Yuehua Liu and Chengzhi Chu for pioneering the first graded readers in Chinese and to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for their years of tireless work to bring these type of materials to the Chinese learning community.About Mandarin Companion Mandarin Companion was started by Jared Turner and John Pasden who met one fateful day on a bus in Shanghai when the only remaining seat left them sitting next to each other. A year later, Jared had greatly improved his Chinese using extensive reading but was frustrated at the lack of suitable reading materials. He approached John with the prospect of creating their own series. Having worked in Chinese education for nearly a decade, John was intrigued with the idea and thus began the Mandarin Companion series. John majored in Japanese in college, but started learning Mandarin and later moved to China where his learning accelerated. After developing language proficiency, he was admitted into an all-Chinese masters program in applied linguistics at East China Normal University in Shanghai. Throughout his learning process, John developed an open mind to different learning styles and a tendency to challenge conventional wisdom in the field of teaching Chinese. He has since worked at ChinesePod as academic director and host, and opened his own consultancy, AllSet Learning, in Shanghai to help individuals acquire Chinese language proficiency. He lives in Shanghai with his wife and children. After graduate school and with no Chinese language skills, Jared decided to move to China with his young family in search of career opportunities. Later while working on an investment project, Jared learned about extensive reading and decided that if it was as effective as it claimed to be, it could help him learn Chinese. In three months, he read 10 Chinese graded readers and his language ability quickly improved from speaking words and phrases to a conversational level. Jared has an MBA from Purdue University and a bachelor in Economicsfrom the University of Utah. He lives in Shanghai with his wife and children.Other Stories from Mandarin Companion Level 1 Readers: 300 Characters The Secret Garden (#2476 Hl) by Frances Hodgson Burnett Li Ye (Mary Lennox) grew up without the love and affection of her parents. After an epidemic leaves her an orphan, Li Ye is sent off to live with her reclusive uncle in his sprawling estate in Nanjing. She learns of a secret garden where no one has set foot in ten years. Li Ye finds the garden and slowly discovers the secrets of the manor. With the help of new friends, she brings the garden back to life and learns the healing power of friendship and love. Sherlock Holmes and the Curly Haired Company (#4 AAT) Based on "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Red-Headed League" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Mr. Xie was recently hired by the Curly Haired Company. For a significant weekly allowance, he was required to sit in an office and copy articles froma book, while in the meantime his assistant looked after his shop. He hadanswered an advertisement in the paper and although hundreds of people applied, he was the only one selected because of his very curly hair. When the company unexpectedly closes, Mr. Xie visits Gao Ming (Sherlock Holmes) with his strange story. Gao Ming is certain something is not right, but will he solve the mystery in time? The Monkey's Paw (4/1) by W.W. Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Zhang live with their grown son Guisheng who works at a factory. One day an old friend of Mr. Zhang comes to visit the family after having spent years traveling in the mysterious hills of China’s Yunnan Province. He tells the Zhang family of a monkey’s paw that has magical powers to grant three wishes to the holder. Against his better judgement, he reluctantly gives the monkey paw to the Zhang family, along with a warning that the wishes come with a great price for trying to change ones fate... The Sixty-Year Dream (7+ Hh) Based on "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving Zhou Xuefa (Rip Van Winkle) is well loved by everyone in his town, everyone except his nagging wife. With his faithful dog Blackie, Zhou Xuefa spends his time playing with kids, helping neighbors, and discussing politics in the teahouse. One day after a bad scolding from his wife, he goes for a walk into the mountains and meets a mysterious old man who appears to befrom an ancient time. The man invites him into his mountain home for a meal and after drinking some wine, Zhou Xuefa falls into a deep sleep. He awakes to a time very different than what he once knew. Mandarin companion is producing a growing library of graded readers for Chinese language learners. For the newest releases, visit www.MandarinCompanion.comMandarin Companion is a trademark of Mind Spark Press LLC. www.MandarinCompanion.com Design and Illustrations contained herein are © Mind Spark Press 2013. First published 2013. 3rd revision January, 2015. All rights are held by Mind Spark Press LLC. ISBN 978-0-9910052-3-9 All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.