Level 1:
Liang is a rich man who takes a tough test many times. The test is for college. He starts when he is sixteen. Now he is fifty-six. He wants to go to Sichuan University, but his score is too low. The test is hard and covers many subjects. Liang likes smart people and wants to be smart too. He studies hard every day. He tries again and again, even though he fails. He doesn’t stop because he believes in trying. The test is important in China, but is it the only way to be smart? Liang keeps dreaming and trying. We can learn from him to never give up on our dreams too.
Level 2:
Liang Shi, a wealthy man, has taken a challenging college entrance test many times. He started at 16 and now he’s 56. His dream is to attend Sichuan University, but his scores fall short. The test covers various subjects and Liang admires knowledgeable people. He studies diligently daily. Despite facing disappointments, he doesn’t give up, believing in perseverance. In China, this test is significant, but is it the sole path to knowledge? Liang continues to dream and strive. Let’s learn from him to never abandon our aspirations. His story teaches us the value of determination and staying hopeful even in the face of difficulties.
Full Story:
Liang Shi, a 56-year-old self-made millionaire, has embarked on an extraordinary quest that spans four decades: conquering China’s grueling college-entrance exam, the gaokao. This multiday test, notorious for its challenges, determines admission to universities across the nation. With his sights set on his “dream school,” Sichuan University, Liang’s journey has been nothing short of arduous, taking the exam 27 times since 1983, when he was just 16.
Despite immense wealth and success in business, Liang remains undeterred, tirelessly seeking knowledge and admiring intellectuals. But what drives this persistent millionaire to endure the stress, pressure, and countless disappointments? Let’s delve into his gripping tale to understand the passion behind his relentless pursuit.
From the outset, it’s evident that Liang’s commitment to intellectual growth has fueled his ambition. As a child, he revered well-educated individuals and craved the knowledge they possessed. Today, he yearns to join their ranks and embody the essence of a true intellectual. But one can’t help but wonder, does academic success define intellectual prowess, or is there more to the equation?
His multiple attempts at the gaokao reveal not just an admirable determination, but also a profound belief in second chances. Most would shy away after a few unsuccessful tries, but Liang boldly persists, unwilling to accept defeat. What motivates him to keep going, even when others might have given up long ago? Could it be an unshakable faith in his abilities or a relentless desire for personal growth?
Liang’s life story is a testament to the power of education and its enduring impact. Despite initially failing to attain his desired scores, he channeled his energy into entrepreneurship, and through hard work and perseverance, became a millionaire. However, his relentless pursuit of academia demonstrates that material success isn’t always enough to fulfill the deeper yearnings of the human spirit. Is there something intrinsically valuable about academic achievement that eludes even those who have attained worldly success?
The gaokao’s unique format, covering subjects like Chinese, math, English, sciences, or liberal arts, is vastly different from traditional university entrance exams in many other countries. With so much weight placed on this single test, the pressure on Chinese students is immense. But does this relentless focus on exam performance truly identify the best candidates for higher education, or does it inadvertently narrow down the pool of potential talent?
Liang’s choice to repeatedly attempt the gaokao also highlights the significance of lifelong learning. Even after achieving wealth and prosperity, he wasn’t content to rest on his laurels. Instead, he embraced the challenge of continuous education, seeking to enrich his mind and broaden his horizons. In a rapidly changing world, where knowledge becomes outdated faster than ever before, does our education system adequately prepare us for lifelong learning, or does it often create a sense of complacency once formal education is complete?
As we ponder Liang’s remarkable journey, it’s worth considering the impact of societal expectations on individual pursuits. In China, the gaokao is often seen as the ultimate benchmark for success, leading countless students to dedicate their lives to exam preparation. Yet, is it possible that this rigid emphasis on academic performance discourages other forms of talent and creativity? How can societies strike a balance between academic rigor and cultivating diverse talents?
Liang’s story also reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the power of dreams. Despite encountering numerous setbacks, he clings to the vision of joining Sichuan University, holding onto his dream with unwavering determination. What can we learn from his unwavering pursuit of this dream? Is there value in chasing after ambitious goals, even when the odds seem stacked against us?
As we celebrate Liang’s pursuit of knowledge, let us not forget the countless other students who, like him, strive to make their dreams a reality. Behind each exam score lies a unique story of determination, hope, and resilience. Let’s not reduce these aspiring individuals to mere statistics; instead, let’s celebrate the courage it takes to step into the examination halls, face uncertainties, and dare to dream big.
Liang Shi’s unwavering quest to conquer the gaokao embodies the indomitable human spirit, the pursuit of knowledge, and the power of dreams. His journey raises profound questions about the true nature of success, the significance of education, and the impact of societal expectations. Perhaps, in Liang’s story, we can find inspiration to redefine our understanding of achievement and embrace a culture that celebrates diverse talents and lifelong learning.
Questions:
How many times has Liang Shi taken China’s college-entrance exam, the gaokao?
Answer: Liang Shi has taken the gaokao 27 times since he first attempted it at the age of 16.
Why does Liang Shi keep retaking the gaokao despite being a millionaire?
Answer: Liang Shi is driven by his admiration for intellectuals and his desire to achieve his dream of becoming an intellectual, which motivates him to keep trying.
Is the gaokao the only gauge that Chinese colleges use to admit students?
Answer: Yes, the gaokao is typically the only standardized test used by Chinese colleges to admit students.
How many percent of those who took the gaokao were admitted into Chinese colleges or universities in 2021, according to data from the Chinese government?
Answer: Just over 40% of those who took the gaokao were admitted into Chinese colleges or universities in 2021.
Is Liang Shi planning to attempt the gaokao again for the 28th time?
Answer: The article does not provide a definitive answer on whether Liang Shi will attempt the gaokao for the 28th time. He is uncertain about it but his friends have encouraged him to keep trying.
Fill in the Blanks:
complacency, aspiring, grueling, benchmark, diverse, redefine, prowess, ambition, conquering, admiring, resilience, arduous, continuous, cultivating, embrace, undeterred, yearns, rigid, intrinsically, statistics
Title: Millionaire’s Unyielding Pursuit: 27 Bitter Attempts at China’s College-Entrance Exam
Liang Shi, a 56-year-old self-made millionaire, has embarked on an extraordinary quest that spans four decades: ________ China’s ________ college-entrance exam, the gaokao.
With his sights set on his “dream school,” Sichuan University, Liang’s journey has been nothing short of ________, taking the exam 27 times since 1983, when he was just 16.
Despite immense wealth and success in business, Liang remains ________, tirelessly seeking knowledge and ________ intellectuals.
From the outset, it’s evident that Liang’s commitment to intellectual growth has fueled his ________.
Today, he ________ to join their ranks and embody the essence of a true intellectual.
But one can’t help but wonder, does academic success define intellectual ________, or is there more to the equation?
Is there something ________ valuable about academic achievement that eludes even those who have attained worldly success?
Instead, he embraced the challenge of ________ education, seeking to enrich his mind and broaden his horizons.
In a rapidly changing world, where knowledge becomes outdated faster than ever before, does our education system adequately prepare us for lifelong learning, or does it often create a sense of ________ once formal education is complete?
In China, the gaokao is often seen as the ultimate ________ for success, leading countless students to dedicate their lives to exam preparation.
Yet, is it possible that this ________ emphasis on academic performance discourages other forms of talent and creativity?
How can societies strike a balance between academic rigor and ________ ________ talents?
Liang’s story also reveals the ________ of the human spirit and the power of dreams.
Let’s not reduce these ________ individuals to mere ________; instead, let’s celebrate the courage it takes to step into the examination halls, face uncertainties, and dare to dream big.
Perhaps, in Liang’s story, we can find inspiration to ________ our understanding of achievement and ________ a culture that celebrates diverse talents and lifelong learning.
Vocabulary:
Grueling - (adjective) Extremely demanding or exhausting; requiring a lot of effort and stamina.
Conquering - (verb) Overcoming or defeating a challenge or obstacle.
Arduous - (adjective) Difficult and requiring a lot of effort and perseverance.
Undeterred - (adjective) Not discouraged or influenced by difficulties or setbacks.
Admiring - (verb) Having a deep respect or appreciation for someone or something.
Yearns - (verb) Strongly desires or longs for something.
Intrinsically - (adverb) In a way that is inherent or essential to the nature of something.
Prowess - (noun) Skill or expertise in a particular field or activity.
Resilience - (noun) The ability to bounce back or recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks.
Ambition - (noun) A strong desire or goal to achieve success, power, or fame.
Continuous - (adjective) Ongoing and without interruption.
Cultivating - (verb) Nurturing, fostering, or developing something over time.
Complacency - (noun) A feeling of self-satisfaction or contentment, often accompanied by unawareness of potential dangers or problems.
Rigid - (adjective) Inflexible or strict; not easily changed or adapted.
Benchmark - (noun) A standard or point of reference used for comparison or evaluation.
Resilience - (noun) The ability to bounce back or recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks.
Indomitable - (adjective) Impossible to defeat or subdue; unconquerable.
Aspiring - (adjective) Having ambitions or hopes of achieving something.
Statistics - (noun) Data or information presented in numerical form, often used for analysis or comparison.
Diverse - (adjective) Showing a great deal of variety or differences.
Redefine - (verb) To define or understand something in a new or different way.
Embrace - (verb) To accept or adopt something enthusiastically or willingly.
