1 . Four Chinese Language Learning Apps

Du Chinese

Du Chinese is an app that helps to improve your Chinese reading skills. You can read by yourself or listen to a recording and read along. The characters and pinyin layout (布局) look very comfortable. You can easily turn the pinyin on and off and switch Chinese characters between Simplified and Traditional. It supports English translations for angle words and sentences.

The materials are graded from HSK (汉语水平考试) level 1 to 6°. It is easy to find material for your level.

Zizzle

If you have trouble memorizing Chinese characters, then Zizzle will definitely help you. This app breaks down characters into their component parts. Then, hey use images and a short story to help you remember these components. Most of he stories are funny enough to be memorable. It presents an effective, novel, and fun way to learn and memorize Chinese characters. If you are a total beginner, I can safely say you will know hundreds of characters in a few days and be able to read them confidently.

Hello Chinese

Hello Chinese is a powerful learning tool that can help you overcome the fear of learning Chinese. This app focuses on daily life topics. It starts from basic pinyin, so that even if you are a total beginner or have absolutely no background in Chinese, you can still learn with it. What is special is that this app allows you to listen and record your own voice, and to help you check automatically if your pronunciation is correct.

Chineseclass 101

Chineseclass 101 has an extensive collection of listening materials covering all levels. Each lesson has notes that include the key grammar point broken down clearly along with Chinese cultural insights. The lesson dialogue will help you understand real life conversations in China and will definitely help you improve your listening skills. It also offers an interactive voice recorder tool, which lets you record your pronunciation and compare it to that of a native speaker.

1. What do we know about Du Chinese?

A．Its materials are graded by difficulty.	B．It can switch among several languages.
C．Its users are basically school students.	D．It is designed for language tests.

2. Which of the following apps are especially suggested for total beginners?

A．Du Chinese and Zizzle.	B．Chineseclass 101 and Zizzle.
C．Zizzle and Hello Chinese.	D．Du Chinese and Hello Chinese.

3. What do Hello Chinese and Chineseclass 101 have in common?

A．They offer reading materials on daily life.	B．They are targeted at advanced learners.
C．They teach useful listening skills.	D．They help improve pronunciation.

2 . Rome can be pricey for travelers, which is why many choose to stay in a hostel (旅社). The hostels in Rome offer a bed in a dorm room for around $25 a night, and for that, you’ll often get to stay in a central location (位置) with security and comfort.

Yellow Hostel

If I had to make just one recommendation for where to stay in Rome, it would be Yellow Hostel. It’s one of the best-rated hostels in the city, and for good reason. It’s affordable, and it’s got a fun atmosphere without being too noisy. As an added bonus, it’s close to the main train station.

Hostel Alessandro Palace

If you love social hostels, this is the best hostel for you in Rome. Hostel Alessandro Palace is fun. Staff members hold plenty of bar events for guests like free shots, bar crawls and karaoke. There’s also an area on the rooftop for hanging out with other travelers during the summer.

Youth Station Hostel

If you’re looking for cleanliness and a modern hostel, look no further than Youth Station. It offers beautiful furnishings and beds. There are plenty of other benefits, too; it doesn’t charge city tax; it has both air conditioning and a heater for the rooms; it also has free Wi-Fi in every room.

Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes

Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes is located just a 10-minute walk from the central city station and it’s close to all of the city’s main attractions. The staff is friendly and helpful, providing you with a map of the city when you arrive, and offering advice if you require some. However, you need to pay 2 euros a day for Wi-Fi.

1. What is probably the major concern of travelers who choose to stay in a hostel?

A．Comfort.	B．Security.
C．Price.	D．Location.

2. Which hotel best suits people who enjoy an active social life?

A．Yellow Hostel.	B．Hostel Alessandro Palace.
C．Youth Station Hostel.	D．Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes.

3. What is the disadvantage of Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes?

A．It gets noisy at night.	B．Its staff is too talkative.
C．It charges for Wi-Fi.	D．It’s inconveniently located.