A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels

“Trump 2028”是真的吗?美国总统只能做两届,可 Trump 一直在提
Is "Trump 2028" Real? US Presidents Get Two Terms, but Trump Keeps Bringing It Up
About this story
Is "Trump 2028" Real? US Presidents Get Two Terms, but Trump Keeps Bringing It Up. HSK 2 Chinese listening practice.
This is an HSK 2 Chinese listening episode that runs about 2 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 8 key vocabulary words such as 重要、办法、清楚 and walks through 3 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.
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原文Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.
English transcript reference
In America, the job of president comes with one very important rule.
The rule is: one person can be president at most two times.
Each time is four years, so at most that's eight years.
This rule has existed for a long time — by now, over seventy years.
What about Trump?
He was president once, and now he's president a second time.
In other words, under this rule, in 2028 he can't run for president again.
But Trump keeps talking about this number, 2028.
He even made a kind of red hat with "Trump 2028" written on it.
A few days ago, at a big event, he pulled out this hat, put it on his head, and made a joke.
He said: "The third time will be even better."
After saying it, he added: "I'm joking."
But a moment later, he seemed serious again.
He's also said: actually, there are ways.
So many people are asking: when Trump says 2028, is it real, or is he joking?
Some people think he just wants everyone to keep watching him and talking about him.
Some people think he really does want to keep going.
Even a big figure on his own side said: I don't see a path for him to run in 2028.
Whether it's real or fake, one thing is clear:
These words, "Trump 2028," already have a lot of people talking.
What do you think?
Is he serious, or is he joking?
Listen again
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
What vocabulary does this episode teach?
词汇一个很重要的规定 = a very important rule.
其实是有办法的 = actually there are ways.
有一件事很清楚 = one thing is clear.
其实,是有办法的 = actually, there are ways.
有的人觉得…… = some people think…
当总统 = to be president.
一个很重要的规定 = a very important rule.
跟大家开了个玩笑 = made a joke with everyone.
* beyond level超纲词
What grammar patterns appear in this episode?
语法最多只能……
'can only … at most' — an upper limit.
一个人,最多只能做两次总统。
按照……
'according to / under (a rule)'.
按照这个规定,他不能再选总统了。
到底……,还是……?
'is it really A, or is it B?' — pressing for which of two.
到底是真的,还是在开玩笑?
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