My Continuation of Past Gaokao English Essay Questions
Hello there! My name is Xiao Ming and I'm a 3rd grader at Sunshine Elementary School. Our teacher Miss Li asked us to write an essay about some topics from previous years' Gaokao English exams. The Gaokao is a super important test that older students take to get into university. I don't have to worry about that for a long time still, but the essay questions seem really interesting!
The first one asked students to discuss the pros and cons of living in cities versus rural areas. Well, I live in the city and I really like it! There are so many fun things to do – we have parks to play in, museums to visit, all kinds of yummy restaurants. And my school has awesome facilities like a computer lab and indoor gym. But I can see how living in the countryside would be nice too. It's much quieter and you're surrounded by beautiful nature. My cousin lives on a farm and gets to pet the chickens and cows. That sounds pretty cool! I think both the city and countryside have their good points.
Another prompt was about whether reading fiction or non-fiction books is better for students. Personally, I enjoy fiction way more! I love fantasy novels about magic and mythical creatures. They let your imagination run wild and take you on exciting adventures. But I know non-fiction books that teach you facts about science, history and the real world are very important too. They help you learn and become smarter. I think reading a mix of both fiction and non-fiction is ideal for kids my age. That way you can have fun with stories while still expanding your knowledge.
One year the essay asked if celebrities should be considered role models. This is a tricky one! Some celebrities definitely aren't good role models if they get in trouble with the law or make bad choices. But others work hard, are talented at what they do, and use their popularity to do positive things for society. Like that actor who built a million schools across China so more kids can get an education! Or the pop star who reminds her fans to be kind and love themselves. So I think some celebrities can absolutely be role models, but we have to be careful about which ones we look up to.
Another prompt discussed the influence of technology, like the internet and social media, on people's lives. Technology is pretty awesome if you ask me! It lets you instantly learn about any topic, play fun games, watch entertaining videos, and keep in touch with friends and family anywhere in the world. But it is important to use it wisely and not waste too much time online. My parents only let me use the internet for an hour each day after I finish my homework and chores. That's probably a smart rule since too much screen time isn't healthy. Technology opens up a ton of possibilities but should be enjoyed in moderation.
Wow, those Gaokao questions really make you think! They covered all sorts of deep topics about society, education, role models, and modern life. Even though I'm just a kid, it's neat to share my perspective on those important issues. I tried to look at both sides and not be biased. Who knows, maybe analyzing Gaokao essay prompts will help prepare me for that big exam way down the road! For now though, I'm just focused on playing with my friends, getting good grades, and being a polite young man like my parents taught me. Writing this essay was fun but I'm ready for recess!
