Gaokao Comparative Essay

Mohammed Islam 711 Gaokao Essay

China’s educational system is way more strict than the U.S’s educational system. In China, the only way you are bound to get a chance to get a successful future, you have to take the Gaokao test. The Gaokao test is a test that China’s teens have to take every June if they want to get into a top-notch college at China. The test is so stressful because it’s scores are the only thing that the college’s look at. However in the U.S, the tests for college, the SAT or the ACT, do have some what of a level of stress, but not as high as for students who take the Gaokao in China. The article “China’s Cram Schools” show how the expectations of the standards for colleges in China are higher than the expectations for the standards in the U.S.

In China, the only way you can go to a good college there is if you pass the Gaokao test, which is the only thing college administrators look at in China and creates a lot of stress for the students. In the article, “China’s Cram Schools,” it states that, “In some ways, the Gaokao is like the SAT or the ACT, but it’s more than twice as long and the stakes are much higher; test is the only thing that matters for admission to Chinese universities.” The test being the only thing that matters for admission for Chinese universities can build up pressure for the teens who are taking the Gaokao, because they know if they fail they automatically have no chance to get into a good  college. Also, the students know that if they fail the test, they will be letting down their families since they have worked so hard for the kid’s education, which payed off for nothing. Also since some families can’t afford a retake, the kid will be working in a lower-class job, like working in factories or working in construction areas. Another reason why the Gaokao is stressful is because it not only determines the future for the students, but it determines the future of the teacher. In the article it states, “Maotanchang’s teachers dole out lessons, and frequently punishments with military rigor; their job security and bonuses depend on raising their students’ test scores.” Not only does the result of the Gaokao tests show if the student can go to a college, but it determines if the teacher can keep his/her job or wages. Because of that, teacher’s have to step up their learning game and have to be more strict so the students can be more prepared for the Gaokao. Teacher’s have to give a lot of lessons to their children and strict, by punishing them if they want to keep their job. It can also bring up pressure, because if a kid is tanking in his or her scores, then that can affect the outcome of the teacher’s paycheck or the teacher’s job. The Gaokao created an atmosphere of stress and pressure for not only the students, but also for the teachers.

Then in America, you not only can get the chance to go to a good college by doing good in the SAT or the ACT, but there are other things American colleges look at, which makes it less stressful as the Gaokao test. In the article, “China’s Cram Schools,” it states that, “In some ways, the Gaokao is like the SAT or the ACT, but it’s more than twice as long and the stakes are much higher; test is the only thing that matters for admission to Chinese universities.” From there we can see that just like the Gaokao, the SATs or ACTs are like the Gaokao except shorter, which makes it some what easier since there are less questions. Also, we can see that the Chinese colleges look at the Gaokao test result, which as said in the article, makes it double the stakes as the SATs or the ACTs. Also, not only does American colleges look at the test results, they look at other things, like extracurricular activities or previous school records, which again makes getting into American colleges somewhat easier than getting into a Chinese college. Finally, we. can see some similarities from the SAT and the Gaokao, as they are both college admission tests, and both tests have a level of stress for the test takers. Another thing that shows that the American college testing is easier than the Chinese college, is that there are way more people taking the Gaokao test than the SAT or the ACT tests. In the article, it states, “With so much on stake, it’s easy to see why the Gaokao, taken by more than 9 million students each year” also, in the graphic organizer in page 14 of the article, “China’s Cram Schools” it shows that 3.5 million American students take the SAT or ACT tests. From here we can see that about 5.5 million more students take the Gaokao test than the SAT or ACT tests. This shows that getting into a good Chinese college is more competitive than getting into an American college, as there is 9 million other students who want to pass the test as well , when there is 3.5 million in America, which still is a large number of students, but less than people who take the Gaokao test, which makes SAT and ACT tests less stressful than the Gaokao test.  American college admission tests are less stressful than Chinese tests as there is less competition, and it is somewhat easier to get in.

In conclusion, the Gaokao has a higher level of stress than the SAT or ACT tests. Even though both tests have some similarities, like how both tests are for colleges, and how both tests give some level of stress for student, the gaokao test prevails as the more stressful test. It not only stresses out students, but it stresses out teachers as well. The gaokao is the only hope for kids in China, but there are multiple things that American universities look at. The SAT and ACT tests are more fair than the Gaokao test, and the Gaokao test or Chinese universities should find a better way for college admissions.   

Between Shades Of Gray Essay

Mohammed Islam 711 Between Shades of Gray Essay

Sometimes, drawings can be used to express yourself and your emotions during the worst of times. In the book Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, which takes perspective of a Lithuanian girl named Lina Vilkas who is held in captive along with her brother Jonas Vilkas and mother Elena Vilkas, by the NKVD, or the Soviets. In order for her and her family to survive, they would have to work for the NKVD, where they would then receive a small portion of bread which they can barely survive on. When Lina was in the villages, she would draw a lot to express how she feels, and to send pictures to her father who was separated from the rest of the family. Drawings were big in this book, as it was a symbol that symbolized Lina’s feelings, how she would draw to show how she feels, and show more of her perspective during the time.

In the book, Lina would draw so she can show her feelings to others. In page, 210, it states, “It’s not very good,” I said, “but it’s a better angle. Smaller nostrils.... I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. “Merry Christmas,” I finally said.” From here we can see that to express how she felt towards Andrius, she drew a picture of him. Even though the drawing wasn’t perfect, it still showed how Lina felt thankful to meet someone like Andrius, and how she was thankful for Andrius stealing from the Nkvd which is a very risky task and gives to her family. Also, the drawings were a gift for Andrius so she can let Andrius know that she appreciated what the things he has done for him. Another way she used drawings to express her feelings is in page 337, where it states, “The writings and drawings you hold in your hands were buried in the year 1954, after returning from Siberia with my brother, where we were imprisoned for for twelve years.” In that scenario, Lina used the drawings to symbolize her rough times when she was in the prison villages. She used her drawings that she drew to represent how she felt when she was under the hands of the NKVD.

Not only did Lina’s drawings show how she felt, but it showed her perspective, or what she thinks of other people. In the story on page 215, it states, “It started. Snakes slithered out of his collar and wrapped themselves around his face, hissing at me.” This shows that when Lina draws, her perspective of what she’s drawing depends on how she sees the drawing. In that case, Lina believes that the commander is a horrible man, so she imagines him as a dirty, bad figure. Also, this shows how in Lina’s perspective, the commander that she is drawing is a horrible person. Another example of this is also in page 215, it states, “I blinked. A gray skull sat on his neck, its jaws flapping, laughing.” From here we can also see that in Lina’s perspective, not only did she see the commander as a horrible figure, she saw him as an evil character. The skull shows that the Commander is cold-blooded and likes to see the pain of other. The drawings show the perspective of Lina on the NKVD officers and officials.

In conclusion, drawings played a big role in the book Between Shades of Gray. Not only were the drawings used to express how Lina felt, but it was also used to show the perspective of Lina to the NKVD officers.