This is a big question, as there are many tenses in English, and many aspects that seem like tenses (linguists and English teachers debate this question). In addittion, there are many exceptions on the most basic patterns. But here are some of the most basic: In the strictest sense, there are only two tenses in English, even though traditional English grammar books will say there are many more. The tenses are present tense and past tense. The other changes are changes in aspect, not tense (i.e. not time, but some other "aspect" of the action). For both, tense is normally shown by the addition of a suffix onto the base form of the verb. These suffixes can change, depending on person (I, you, he, she, it) and number (singular and plural). Here are the most basic tense suffixes: 1. Present tense: (I, you (s.), we, you(pl.), they) verb + (no suffix); (he, she, it) verb + "s" 2. Past tense: verb + "ed" BUT, as I said, there are MANY exceptions to this basic pattern. Here's a good resource, but more from a traditional point of view: http://www.englishtenses.com/

There are a number of things that current research shows will help the most. They are: 1. If possible, find an "immersion" situation, where you are forced to use English all the time. This can be very hard for a new learner, and can cause frustration, but this is how we learn a new language the best. 2. Take risks; don't worry about sounding stupid or making mistakes. For many learners, this is hard. Sometimes we think that learning a language is like learning history or math, but it is much more like learning to ride a bike, or learning sports or learning to play an instrument. If one is too worried about making mistakes, it can keep one from practicing and learning. 3. Use it! As much as possible, put yourself in situations where you will use the language, and/or when you are in these situations, go for it. 4. Get "input." That means read as much as possible, listen as much as possible. The most effective input is input that is just slightly above your level, so you understand enough to help explain what you don't understand. 5. Invest. Anything worth doing is worth spending the time and/or money to do. It will take investment, which means you will often need to decide what you are NOT going to do. 6. Make sure that your learning materials and/or classes encourage listening and speaking. Many traditional classrooms do not use the "target language" during instruction, and do not allow enough opportunity to practice. If this is the case with you, find a classroom or instructor that only uses English to force you to use it also. Hope that's a helpful start.

Yes, 2. "hire suitably qualified contract staff . “Doing so” refers to what most closely comes before. In this sentence, "hire suitably qualified contract staff" comes just before "doing so."

No, that would not be the meaning of "a slight hit." A "hit" is a song that becomes very popular. A "slight hit" would be a song that becomes somewhat popular, or somewhat succesful. So possibly the way you could say it is, instead of "十分成功“ you could say "六分成功”。 :-)

Yes. First, an essential is the Pleco app for your phone (Android or iPhone）。 There are some websites that are very good--Chinesepod.com; popupchinese.com. For textbooks, there are quite a number. New Practical Chinese Reader covers everything, but it's a bit outdated in terms of topics.

Do you want me to tell it to you straight, or should I sugar-coat it for you?

Hassenpfeffer is made from rabbit meat. So the implication is the chicken party members only contribute what they can produce, but the rabbit party members contribute their very lives.

Answer to question #3, he he seems to be saying that the reader can still make some sense of the mistranslation when read within the overall writing. Answer to question #4, yes corrupt a prince, i.e. an innocent and precious young person. The writer is being sardonic.