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 1  had always been a peaceful and quiet village until one summer day when a mysterious old man arrived. He was dressed in ragged clothes and had a strange look in his eyes. The villagers were all curious and frightened at the same time. The old man 2 to the village chief and said he had a special mission that required the help of a brave person in the village.

The village chief was a 3 man named John, who had always been respected for his wisdom. He knew this was a big challenge, but he also felt 4 that someone had come to him for help. After talking to the old man for a while, John decided to gather a group of villagers to 5 him in his task.

As they were preparing for the journey, a young girl named Lily6 to volunteer. She had always been 7 and adventurous, and she didn't want to miss the chance to be a part of something so important. Despite the uncertainty of the mission, she was determined to go.

The group set off early the next morning. They followed the old man through 8 forests and across steep mountains. Along the way, they encountered many 9 that tested their strength and perseverance. They had to10 wild animals and find ways to cross dangerous rivers. But no matter how tough it got, they never gave up.

Finally, they reached a dark and 11 cave. The old man warned them that the cave was filled with unknown dangers, but he also said the key to their mission was hidden inside. With their hearts12 with fear and excitement, they slowly entered the cave.

Inside the cave, they found strange symbols on the walls and heard eerie noises echoing through the darkness. They had to rely on each other's strength and trust to keep going. After what felt like hours, they came to a 13 passage. The old man explained that they needed to solve a tricky puzzle to open the way forward.

The puzzle was extremely difficult, and they almost lost hope. But Lily, with her sharp mind and 14 thinking, finally figured it out. As the passage opened, they saw a bright light shining from the end of the cave.

When they reached the end, they found an old chest filled with precious15 and a letter. The letter explained that the old man was actually a guardian of an ancient treasure, and he had been looking for worthy people to protect it. The villagers had proven their bravery and loyalty, and the treasure was now theirs to keep.

There is a hidden secret in the front wheel design of supermarket shopping carts—two of the four wheels are slightly tilted. This "caster" design prevents sudden turns during straight-line rolling but requires the user to continuously apply lateral pressure. Engineers have found that when the shopping cart is loaded with more than 23kg, this design can reduce side-flipping accidents by 37%.

You might not know that . Inverting fresh strawberries in a breathable cardboard box can extend their shelf life by three days. Experiments have shown that the mold growth rate on the strawberry surface in contact with the container is 2.4 times faster than that on the suspended surface, which is related to the difference in the density distribution of the fruit's epidermal wax layer.

. The most durable key on a standard keyboard is actually the number "5," which can withstand an average of 15 million presses, while the space bar has a lifespan of only 3 million presses. This is because frequent use has prompted manufacturers to install titanium alloy supports inside the "5" key, a design that originated from a 1987 typewriter anti-jamming patent.

When heating food in a microwave, . Placing a cup of water in the center can increase the uniformity of heating by 62%. This trick is based on the principle of microwave standing waves—the dielectric constant of water can effectively balance the distribution of the electromagnetic field, avoiding cold and hot spots.

. In fact, turning off the Wi-Fi router at night is more power-consuming. The instantaneous power during the reboot process is 18 times that of the standby state. The annual power consumption of continuous standby is equivalent to only five hours of reboot power consumption. This counterintuitive phenomenon is related to the charging and discharging characteristics of the power module's capacitors.

The launch of DeepSeek-V3 in January 2025 by the fast-growing Chinese AI company DeepSeek has captured global attention.This cutting-edge AI model offers superior performance in programming, mathematics, and medical analysis at significantly lower costs compared to competitors like ChatGPT.Its affordability and efficiency have sparked discussions about whether cost-effective technology can surpass more expensive rivals, potentially reshaping the future of the AI industry. 

A standout feature of DeepSeek-V3 is its energy-efficient design, which allows it to process massive datasets without the high power consumption typical of other systems.One of its most promising applications is in agriculture, where it powers drones to scan fields and predict crop yields with remarkable precision.Early trials have demonstrated a 20% increase in harvests compared to traditional methods, offering a potential solution to global food security challenges.However, the technology is not without its flaws.Privacy concerns have emerged, with critics fearing potential data leaks to authorities.Additionally, the drones struggle in harsh weather conditions, limiting their effectiveness in rural areas.DeepSeek has committed to addressing these issues by mid-2025, but its impact is already being felt worldwide. 

The launch of DeepSeek-V3 has sent waves through the global tech market.U.S.tech stocks dipped by 5% following its release, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power within the industry.Meanwhile, the model has inspired students and educators, with classrooms increasingly integrating it into the curriculum to promote innovation and interest in AI careers. 

Critics argue that DeepSeek-V3 is a double-edged sword—brilliant yet filled with ethical and practical risks.Supporters, however, view it as proof that smart, affordable design can solve real-world problems, such as feeding a growing global population.For young people, DeepSeek-V3 represents more than a technological breakthrough；it's a glimpse into a future where creativity and ideas drive progress, not just financial resources. 

This development highlights the unstoppable advancement of AI and its potential to transform industries and careers.DeepSeek-V3 serves as a reminder that innovation, when thoughtfully designed, can address some of the world's most pressing challenges while inspiring the next generation to dream big and drive change.

Recently, I was extended an invitation to venture towards the northern region for a preliminary glimpse of Dundreggan Rewilding Center, which is on the verge of being fully accessible to the public.Individuals who manage to arrive for the opening weekend will have the opportunity to partake in complimentary events, which encompass guided walks, tours of the tree nursery, storytelling sessions, a plethora of amusement for children, and activities orchestrated by naturalist Nick Baker and the adept in tracks and signs, Dan Puplett.

We proceeded to peruse the newly constructed, architect-designed center.The edifice incorporates a multitude of sustainable characteristics, including solar panels and reclaimed wood furniture in the cafe area. This constitutes one of two novel buildings, the other of which is reputed to provide accessible accommodation for those harboring the desire to engage in a more prolonged rewilding experience.

Upon entering the building, the initial object that met our eyes was a sculpture-the creation of local artist Helen Denerley. The sculpture portrays a tree teeming with numerous native animals, fashioned from reclaimed metal.From that vantage point, we were afforded views of the other areas-classrooms, event spaces, the cafe and vivacious information panels dispersed throughout, conveying details about rewilding, the interconnection of forest ecosystems, local wildlife, and so forth.

As our guide aptly emphasized, the building merely serves as the point of departure-the locale from which individuals can diverge to uncover a great deal more along a series of accessible trails and more intrepid hikes within the surrounding terrain.

One pivotal focus for this endeavor is undoubtedly the community, in addition to rewilding. It commemorates the local Gaelic heritage and history, as well as wildlife, woodlands, and natural marvels.Briefly conversing with two amiable and hospitable employees working in the cafe, who were among the 20 locals bestowed with new employment opportunities courtesy of the project, their fervor for the new center and eagerness to contribute to its inception were palpable.

"The Stories in Our Childhood Textbooks Are the Lives We Live as Adults." This realization inspired Li Yuan to create the video account "Laikansuba" （meaning "Read Along"）, where she and her team reinterpret classic literary works from Chinese textbooks.Li, 26, a digital media graduate from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, serves as the team's director.The idea first came to her during a family trip last year to send her younger brother off to college.At the university, she noticed many out-of-town parents doing the same—watching their children take a big step into adulthood. 

This scene reminded Li of "The View of Father's Back" （背影）, an essay from her middle school Chinese textbook.Written in 1925 by Zhu Ziqing （1898-1948）, the piece recounts the author's departure for Peking University, with the most memorable image being his aging father climbing up and down the train station platform to buy him oranges. 

"It was amazing to see how real life connected with something I had read in a textbook, " Li said.This inspiration became Laikansuba's first short film, where Li reimagined the protagonist as a girl reflecting on her own father-daughter relationship. " The core idea, however, remains the same, " she explained.The video resonated deeply with young audiences, garnering over 80 million views across Chinese social media platforms.Encouraged by this success, the team launched an ongoing series offering fresh interpretations of textbook classics, attracting over 2.5 million followers in under a year—mostly viewers aged 18-23. 

All young protagonists are portrayed by 26-year-old Shu Jiahui.Despite graduating with a software engineering degree from Yibin University and having no formal acting training, Shu developed her passion through internships and self-exploration.It was this raw authenticity that caught Li's attention, as she found many trained young actors delivered rehearsed performances lacking genuine emotion.She found that many trained young actors tended to deliver rehearsed and predictable performances, lacking the authenticity she was looking for. 

"I want to make videos that bridge literature with real-life experiences, " Li explained. "I hope to help viewers rediscover emotions they may not have fully grasped as students, and offer new perspectives shaped by time and personal growth."

Throughout history, there have been sculptors prized for their willingness to push boundaries.Without their contributions, it would be difficult to imagine visual art as we now know it.Here are several pioneers. 

Gianlorenzo Bernini （1598～1680） 

As a master of materials, Italian artist Gianlorenzo Bernini is known for his astonishing ability to create movement and bring forth emotion with his work.In his masterpiece, Plu to and Perse, the rough and cold stone has been turned into flesh that looks so real and soft that you just want to reach out and touch it. 

Henry Moore （1898～1986） 

Known for his abstract public sculpture, British artist Henry Moore's works most often focus on the theme of mother and child, who usually sit or lie in a relaxed way, with their bodies leaning backwards Moore's figures are often composed of multiple pieces, yet his clean lines allow viewers to effectively see the figures within the abstract form.Such features are very obvious in his master piece Mother and Child. 

Louise Bourgeois （1911～2010） 

Most well-known for her public art, French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois rose to international fame in 1982 after the Museum of Modern Art held her first exhibit.By this time, she was already in her 70s.Drawing from her own life experience, her sculptures often explore themes of family and death.In her representative work, Maman, Bourgeois has used a spider to stand for her mother, who died when she was a child, to show her strength and protection over her family.

On the first day of high school, Lily stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting her bright yellow sweater. Her heart raced with excitement and nerves. She really wanted to find where she belonged and make friends in this new world.

As Lily stepped onto the school campus, the air was thick with the sounds of chatter and laughter. She looked around and saw a group of girls standing in a corner. One girl, Jessica, who had long, pretty hair, waved at Lily. Lily's heart started beating even faster. She walked over with a big smile. Jessica said that they were going to an amazing party that weekend and that she should definitely go. Lily felt so happy, thinking this was her chance to be part of them.

At lunchtime, the girls chattered non-stop about the upcoming party, their laughter filling the air. However, as the conversation progressed, it took an unexpected turn. They started talking about skipping classes. At first, Lily laughed along, trying to fit in, but a sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach. When they asked her to sneak (偷溜) out at night, she murmured, "I'm not sure about that." "Come on, Lily! Everyone does it! You want to fit in, right?" Jessica insisted. Lily forced a smile and nodded, but she felt so torn.

One day, things took a turn for the worse. Jessica and her friends encouraged Lily to try smoking a cigarette. But as Lily held the cigarette in her hand, fear gripped her. In that moment, she knew this wasn't who she was.

Overwhelmed and stressed, Lily decided to go to the art room alone. When she picked up a paintbrush and started to paint, she found that the colors on the canvas created a safe space where she could forget her problems and feel calm. Just then, the door creaked open, and a girl with curly hair walked in. The girl introduced herself as Mia. As they started to talk, they discovered a shared love for art, and soon, they were chatting about their favorite movies, books, and hobbies. In contrast to her time with Jessica's group, Lily felt at ease with Mia.

注意：

1. 续写词数应为150左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

For weeks, Lily felt caught between Mia and Jessica.

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As she walked away from Jessica, Lily felt a weight off her mind.

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1. 推荐理由；

2. 发出来中国旅游的邀请。

注意：1. 写作词数应为80个左右：

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

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"Melting pot" means a place where people from many different ethnic groups or cultures form a united society. The idea comes from (heat) metals in a container. When they melt, the metals unite and become   new and stronger. This term has been used to describe the United States as a nation created from people who came here from many different countries.

A Frenchman who was living in America expressed the idea more than 200 years ago. J. Hector de Crevecoeur (publish) a book called Letters From an American Farmer in 1782. He wrote that America had people from many different countries. He said that they would become a new people work would one day change the world.

For many years, Americans generally accept the idea their country is a melting pot. They welcome immigrants from many nations. Yet some of those immigrants criticize the melting pot idea. They feel they are forced to lose their culture and language (accept) in America. Other people also criticize the idea. They say the aim of the melting pot is to make different cultures disappear into the one (represent) the largest group.

New groups of immigrants from Asia and Latin America are changing the United States today. Some are resisting learning American culture and language. Reports say some Americans fear that the nation is separating into many groups that have no (share) purpose. Others say the melting pot is no longer changing the nation's immigrants, but the immigrants are changing America.

Some experts who study immigration say they now compare American society a salad bowl. A salad is made of many different foods. They each keep their own tastebeing part of a successful product. In this way, cultural groups keep their customs and language and are still part of American society.

Everyone knows that looking confident during a job interview will help you get the job. Confidence actually can help you in your career. In other words, if you think you'll succeed in your workplace, it's more likely that you will succeed one day.

Social skills

Being sure of yourself can also 1nake you feel calm when meeting new people. You'll be less afraid of rejection, so you'll be free to be yourself. . Your nice image will make them more willing to interact with you.

But how to develop your confidence?

● . Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses。 Being confident doesn't mean you have to be blind to problems you have。 But you want balance. Be sure to think of a strength for every weakness you write down.

● Set goals. Make some goals for your daily tasks. If you could accomplish anything in life, what would it be? Think big but also think smal1. . Some of your goals can involve improving the weaknesses you listed. Then you'll have one reason fewer to doubt yourself.

● Look your best. Taking a little time to make yourself look good will help you have a positive attitude.

● Stand up straight, smile and look people in the eye. .

Having confidence in yourself takes some effort, but it brings great benefits.

A. Know yourself

B. Professional performance

C. It's difficult to build up confidence

D. That makes it easier to make a good impression

E. Write down the problems you often come across in school life

F. Even getting something small done will give you confidence to achieve more goals

G. Act confidently, it won't be long before your feelings follow the three kinds of behaviors

The vending machine features multiple shelves for various leafy greens and herbs, each providing tailored conditions for optimal growth. An irrigation (灌溉) system ensures plants receive the right amount of water, while an Al-powered camera monitors their progress. When ready, plants are dispensed for consumption. "It's like a small factory that grows and supplies the produce," said Elitzur, the founder of the startup.

The PICI has other benefits too. Because the machine is filled with seeds inside of capsules and not whole plants, it makes shipping cheaper, storage easier, and avoids damaging plants in transit.

The startup was founded in early 2023, after Elitzur realized that the greens grown globally wither quickly to travel a long distance to get to market and to consumers. The greens often do not arrive in peak freshness. "These types of crops need to be kept in the refrigerator and have a short life, which is an issue," he said. Elitzur believes that with increased urbanization and climate change, current agricultural methods and the food supply chain from seeds to harvest have to be changed.

The PICI unit will consolidate the fresh produce chain to reduce food waste and bring fresh greens to consumers as quickly as possible. That's why the vending machines were developed as a way to grow fresh greens where the end users are; in supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and hospitals. This will free up farmers to use their fields to grow other needed vegetables in a more efficient and sustainable way.

Yet subsequently, the teens questioned their proposed invention due to sharp-tool risks. Concerned about the new direction, they approached the Lemelson-MIT Program for advice, where Leigh Estabrooks, a seasoned academic, encouraged them, "Invention advances; changes and adjustments are common — that's the process." Despite the change in plans, Estabrooks praised the community-centered approach.

With renewed determination, the team resolved to develop a tool to monitor blood oxygen levels in diabetics feet. This shift was essential and demanded considerable effort. Avila Pinedo recalled the team invested every spare moment in research.

Each team member performed specific functions in the process. Avila Pinedo led — the development of the sensor (传感器) that measured blood oxygen levels. Lacking prior technical skills, Avila Pinedo determined to employ online resources to acquire how to build the electrical system and finally built the sensor. "Invention offers a chance to explore the boundaries of your creativity and capabilities and unlock the power of the invention mindset. It doesn't mean you must know how to build a sensor, but you do need to take responsibility for your own education," Pinedo said. Ultimately, under the team's cooperation, their invention, named Heart and Sole, became a reality.

The experience lit Avila Pinedo's passion, inspiring her to serve as an advisor to primary pupils recently. Guiding them through hands-on engineering and programming for a STEM initiative, she said. "Invention is transformational," witnessing its empowering influence on InvenTeamers and others who realize that applying imagination and concepts can unlock fresh prospects, therefore motivating them to further explore education with the belief that invention is accessible to all.

Every morning, she would rise before dawn to prepare breakfast for me and my father. I remember the smell of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee filling the kitchen, masking the bitter taste of her reality. She would slip away to her treatments, returning home with a tired smile and dark circles under her eyes. I asked her about the bruises (淤青) on her arms and she simply said they were from clumsy moments.

Despite her pain and growing weakness, my mother devoted herself to my happiness. Every year, as my birthday approached, she carefully selected a special gift, wrapped it in bright paper, and placed it in the garage (车库). She even painted a small wooden sign above the tool cabinet and hung the key on a hook. On its tag, she wrote, "Open after I die." This secret tradition remained between her and the boxes of presents waiting silently in the garage.

Last month, my mother passed away. I was preparing to leave for college out of state, hoping to see her proud smile as I walked onto the campus. Instead, I returned home to an empty house filled with stillness and echoes of her laughter. My greatest regret is that she never got to see me begin this new chapter of my life. Grief weighed heavily on my heart as I struggled to accept her absence.

A week after the funeral, I remembered the garage key. With trembling hands, I walked into the cluttered space. Behind the old lawnmower and stacked boxes, I found a row of neatly arranged gifts, one for each birthday she had planned. On the wall above them hung a photograph of her and me, smiling at the beach when I was a child. Beneath the photo, in her familiar handwriting, were the words, "Happy Birthday, son. May happiness fill each day!"

Visiting the Met: What We'll Cover

Met covers 2.2 million square feet and houses a collection spanning 5,000 years of history. It's a good idea to be well-prepared to visit this world-class museum on your trip to New York.

Opening Hours:

Open Thursdays to Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m..

Closed Wednesdays. Keep in mind that the Met is also closed on January 1, the first Monday in May, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25.

Tickets:

Adults: $30

Seniors: $22

Students: $17

Children under 12: Free

How Long to Spend at the Met

The museum is massive. It also has a dense collection of paintings and sculptures. You could easily spend the entire day or more inside, but that will really depend on why you're headed to NYC.

I can tell you from experience that 3 hours tends to be the limit for most people. After that, you may get a bit tired — unless you have a deep passion for art. Personally, I stick by that same rule. Your mind can only absorb so much beauty at one time!

If you're an avid (狂热的) museum-goer and really want to spend longer than that, then I highly recommend taking a break in a café or sitting in a nice spot every 75 minutes or so. If you go in the afternoon, then a break means a cocktail (鸡尾酒)!

1. 提出的建议；

2. 建议的理由。

提示词：倡议 proposal

注意：1. 词数100左右；

2. 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

Dear Jim, 

……

Yours, 

Li Hua

There's something magical about the way imagination works. Around the world, kids are using imagination in ways that were once only found in science fiction. 

Take the story of Mark Lee. He loved biking around his neighbourhood but grew upset seeing that many plastic bottles littered the parks and sidewalks. Instead of simply complaining, he decided to do something about it. 

Using an old 3D printer, Mark started experimenting. He melted (熔化) plastic bottles down and tried shaping them into small bricks. At first, everything went wrong — the plastic broke, the printer jammed, and the pieces didn't fit together. Friends laughed a little, and even Mark's parents thought he should just give up. 

But Mark had a different idea. He redesigned the bricks to lock together like puzzle (拼图) pieces and adjusted the heating temperature carefully. After months of trial and error, he succeeded. With a little help from his school and the local community centre, Mark used his bricks to build a small bike shelter for his neighbourhood. 

And he's not alone. Thirteen-year-old Sally Carter loved reading fantasy books. Inspired by magical maps in her stories, she wondered: what if we could build a real-world app that helps people explore hidden places in their own cities? She gathered friends, learned some basic programming, and together they created an app that maps small local parks and gardens few people knew about. Their app quickly grew popular in town and even won a local youth innovation award. 

Next time you see a young person lost in thought, don't rush to pull them back. They might just be imagining the next great idea.

What is adulthood? Societies all over the world view the concept of an adult as self-supporting and self-directed, because it identifies a point in the life cycle. 

As Alice Black points out, today's parents' fear of letting kids do more housework has added to their inability to feel competent and, thus, confident in themselves. Psychologist Robert Turner wrote about this in his book, The Life Cycle, mentioning a stage when kids learn self-direction and mastery.  

But Turner's other cycles are just as important.  If these life cycles are delayed, interrupted, or denied, you feel incapable of accessing your states of self, controlling unpleasant feelings, and manipulating (操控) the energy that puts together the fabric of your inner world. 

Turner wisely said that "doing well" psychologically is being able to roll with the flow of emotions, manage them, communicate clearly and well with others, and master various skills. This requires an internal locus (核心) of control, which implies self-control of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.  You're self-directed and not reliant on the world to tell you who you are. And you know who you are within all this. 

So, being an adult isn't just holding a job. Being an adult is about having a rooted sense of self while being capable of identifying and managing your emotions and actions. We are a social species, so this is important. 

While raising an adult is a parent's job, it's also our responsibility as a society to ensure that we support schools that nurture (培养) emotional and identity development. 

The call to "know yourself" has been there since ancient times, but our sense of self doesn't always match what others perceive. Considering the stories we tell about ourselves can help us to change our minds for better. 

For many years, psychologists saw identity as a combination of someone's values, beliefs, goals and social roles. Then, in the 1980s, Bob Johnson created the life story model of identity, in which he proposes that, as we go through life, these core features are built in with our memories to create a personal story through which we understand our lives. 

Our life story is something that starts coming together in our teenage years, when we begin to organise our lives into chapters around key events or life changes, and begin to see ourselves as both the central character and, to a varying extent, the story's author. People with more consistent stories tend to have a stronger sense of identity, and they feel their life has more meaning, direction and sense of purpose. Such people show greater overall life satisfaction, too. 

Johnson has also investigated the link between well-being and certain story themes. He discovered that whether someone describes having had some control over events in their past is an important predictor of a person's mental health. Another key theme involves finding some kind of positive meaning after stressful events. "People could talk about gaining knowledge or personal growth," says Johnson. His research shows that this is often missing for people with mental health conditions. The good news is that there is evidence we can learn to change our own story. 

Lisa Green, another researcher, sounds a few notes of caution (谨慎). For instance, hearing about the power of redemptive (拯救性的) stories, many people may feel forced to find a positive angle on horrible events. She says that Western culture already pushes people to look for the silver lining behind every cloud. 

If you want to turn over a new leaf, though, one top tip is that it helps to choose a significant date that signals the start of a new "chapter". Contrary to popular doubt, resolutions made on I January are more effective for this reason. So, whether your goal is saving money or getting fit, there is no better time to become the author of our own destiny (命运).

Not too long ago, on a cold winter night, there was a teenager who wanted more screen time and a parent who said no. The teenager was advocating for her right to scroll (翻屏) for an extra 30 minutes. The parent argued that none of her friends' parents let them have screens after 9 o'clock. "I thought, in this family, we don't compare ourselves with other people, Dad?" the teenager replied. The parent — who was me, by the way — just got served. Since they were young, I have told my kids not to compare themselves with other people. I have argued countless times that comparisons are the "thief of joy". 

Although my daughter didn't win, she did help expose one of the worst pieces of advice I have ever given. In my defence, I did what we've all done before, which is repeat received wisdom without exploring the nuances. But now is the time to set the record straight, which starts with questioning the idea that all social comparison is unhealthy. 

Social comparisons do, of course, often get us into emotional trouble. But they can be harnessed (利用) for our betterment if we understand how they work. The social comparisons we make — ones that lead us to feel good or bad about ourselves — are vital to our ability to thrive (成长). Science provides a guide we can use to harness the way we perform these comparisons to reduce their negative emotional impacts. 

Comparing yourself with someone who is outperforming you could result in feelings of envy if you focus on the things they have and you don't, or it can be energizing and inspiring if you use these comparisons as a source of motivation, for example, "If they can achieve that, so can I." Comparing yourself with someone who is doing worse than you could result in fear and worry if you think about how you could fall into similar circumstances, or it can draw out feelings of gratitude and appreciation if you use that comparison to broaden your views — for example, "Wow, things could be much worse; I'm doing great."

What I wish I taught my daughter earlier are these nuances. How we feel about ourselves rests not just on whom we compare ourselves with but also on how we think about that comparison. That's something we all have control over.

Throughout our Junior year, my classmates and I have been worried about what colleges will see when they look at our whole life story reduced to a single 200-word essay. Will the golden word "success" form in their minds when they review our achievements? Or will they see the big word "fail" in red? The shadow of this mysterious (神秘的) institution steals away what success means to us. 

My first step of redefining success began with course registrations. It is a well-known fact, especially in my school, that Junior year is the time of packing many AP classes into the schedule. When asked why they chose so many AP classes, my friends responded: "I don't know." They themselves don't know why they are following the crowd and longing for the pressures of academic difficulty. Therefore, they do not feel the satisfaction of being academically challenged. 

Completing many courses no longer brings out the feeling of success because more than four AP classes per year is a norm set by top universities. Determined to follow my instincts (本能) on what I felt success means, I only chose two classes that I knew I would enjoy. The feeling of success was no longer attached to what grade I received but to the pure joy of learning. 

Even my failures are attached to a feeling of success; after I take a step back and look at the big picture, I see them as a launching pad (平台) for my next big achievement. In the ninth grade, I went in for my first group interview for a leadership position as a shy girl. Not standing a chance against competitive applicants, I came out of the interview with an upset look. Nevertheless, this interview wasn't a wasted opportunity. I talked to one of the senior applicants who answered questions in a way that reflected the faith she had in herself. 

This year, with an open mind and new knowledge in mind, I walked into another group interview while telling myself I was that cool senior. I managed to secure a leadership position. Ultimately, success came little by little.