Task 5 – Giving Instructions
Giving Instructions:
Time Frame:
Present, daily routine.
Give instruction by explaining the procedures step by step so to tell a person how to do certain activity,
such as how to do a warm-up before jogging, how to buy a computer or plane ticket online, how to apply for a job or school, etc.
The goal is that, by following your clear instruction, one can duplicate or accomplish the same activity you did or instructed.
Key words:
1. For two steps:
（首）先…, 然后…。
2. For three steps:
先…, 然后…, 再…。
3. For four steps:
先…, 然后…, 再…, 最后…。
4. For more than four steps:
第一步, …
第二步, …
第三步, …
第四步, …
最后…。
Key Linguistic / Performance Focus
- Sequencing words (先/然后/再/最后; 第一步/第二步)
- Imperative/Request forms (请…; 需要…; 记得…)
- Clarity and completeness (tools, conditions, warnings)
- Troubleshooting language (如果…就…; 万一…怎么办)
Common Ceiling Problems
- Missing steps or unclear order
- Too many details without clear structure
- Overuse of simple sentence structures
- Weak functional vocabulary (tools/actions)
- Lack of conditional statements (如果…就…)
- Excessive pauses that interrupt discourse flow
- A large number of grammar mistakes
- No closing/check step (确认/检查/完成)
- Memorized-sounding delivery
Practice Resources
Sample Files (Coming Soon)
Click to View Practice Topic Bank
- 你在运动前是怎么做热身活动的？
How do you warm up before exercising?
- 长途野营前应该做哪些准备？
What preparations should be made before a long camping trip?
- 怎么上网买机票/上网购物？
How do you buy a plane ticket or shop online?
- 怎么申请美国大学？
How do you apply to a university in the United States?
- 在美国怎么申请工作？
How do you apply for a job in the United States?
- 怎么申请参军？
How do you apply to join the military?
- 怎么给孩子请家教？
How do you hire a tutor for a child?
- 在美国怎么申请驾照？
How do you apply for a driver’s license in the United States?
- 在美国怎么申请护照？
How do you apply for a passport in the United States?
Suggested Practice Method
- Choose one topic and write 6–10 steps using sequencing markers.
- Speak through the steps slowly and clearly; include required materials/documents.
- Add at least 2 conditional statements (如果…就… / 万一…怎么办).
- Record 2 minutes; check if a listener could do it by your instructions.
- Repeat with another topic and expand functional vocabulary.
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