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Of all the creatures on the planet, the narwhal is one of the strangest looking. It's a whale which has a large protruding tusk coming out of its head; that's how it got, its nickname, the unicorn of the sea. They live in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Canada, Russia and East Greenland. However, experts say some populations of narwhal could be extinct by 2025, and it's all because of noise pollution.

Narwhals rely on echolocation, which they use to find food and navigate their surroundings. The animal produces a sound wave which bounces off an object. They pick this reflected sound up through their lower jaw, and information on features like size and speed passes to their ears. However, increase in human marine activity, as well as climate change, has resulted in the Arctic Ocean becoming noisier, which means it's more difficult for narwhals to rely on sound. Susanna Blackwell, who studies the effects of underwater noise on marine animals, told the BBC that there is noisier activity in the Arctic Ocean than ever because, as sea ice melts, new navigation routes are opening. And while icebergs breaking and creaking have been part of the ocean soundscape for hundreds of years, man-made noise is much harder for animals to adapt to, particularly as these changes are so sudden.

Research published inScience Advances in 2023 recorded the reactions of narwhals to the simulated (模拟的) noises of oil expeditions made by a patrol vessel (巡逻船). The scientists tagged and tracked the creatures and found that, on hearing these sounds, they ended deep dives and stopped clicking, the echolocation signal they use for finding food underwater. This is the same reaction narwhals have to orcas, who hunt them, meaning human-made noise could trigger the creature's "threat button".

So, what can we do? Charlotte Findlay, a postdoctoral fellow at Aarhus University, says "noise is actually quite easy to solve. We need to either turn it off or turn it down."

Different from regular concerts, roadside concerts in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province, allow people to immerse themselves in music. Without tickets or fences, young people held hands together, singing and dancing. Videos showing their relaxing and cheerful performanceswent viral after being posted on social media.

From common people to stars, music brings people together. "Whether they are ordinary people or stars, when stepping onto the small stage by the road, they can enjoy the joy of music together," said Zhou Wenjia, deputy head of the publicity department of Yunyan District.

Sun Guang, head of Nanming District's cultural and tourism bureau in Guiyang, became a hit for the roadside concert.

"I have a music dream," said Sun, who once took part in national competitions and performed on stage in Beijing. But for being busy with his work, he saw his guitar covered in dust. While seeing the flowing crowds, Sun signed up in secret, put on his leather jacket and sunglasses, and stood on his beloved stage.

But perhaps because of his wonderful performance, some audience recognized him. When singing on the stage for the third time, a short video showing his performance became a hit online and received nearly 1 million views, which put him at a loss for a time.

Qingyun Market, one of the venues of roadside concerts, is a famous tourist attraction in Guiyang which sells night snacks and local cultural and creative products. With the popularity of concerts, the market has become an important engine to boost the city's economy.

"Roadside concerts now have become an important economic booster, and I could be a promoter. This is a good combination of my hobbies and duties," said Sun.

As roadside concerts continue to gain steam, music has become a driving force for consumption. Guiyang has made it clear that roadside concerts will continue to require zero tickets, zero business, and zero distance from the people, with an aim to build a city with warmth and hospitality.

The year 2023 saw a wide variety of TV and internet variety shows in China, offering amazing entertainment to audiences. Here are 4 popular variety shows of the year. It's never too late to start enjoying them.

Become a Farmer (Feb.-Jul., iQIYI)

The farming-themed reality show took Chinese social media by storm, shining a spotlight on agriculture. In an effort to connect young urban Chinese with the agricultural industry, the show invites 10 young men from various fields to experience life on the farmland.

Great Escape Season 5 (May-Sept., Mango TV)

This reality show has taken viewers on an immersive journey. It enlisted well-known celebrities, who faced challenges within intricately designed escape rooms. They had to search for hidden clues, solve puzzles and decipher codes to unlock the rooms in which they are trapped.

The Big Band 3 (Aug.-Oct., iQIYI)

The Big Band 3 showcases various musical genres with 27 bands from China. In the 2023edition, folk Chinese musicians took center stage, with notable performances by Wayina from Guangxi and Anda Union from Inner Mongolia.

Call Me By Fire, Season 3 (Aug. -Nov., Mango TV)

Featuring a lineup of 32 male entertainers, this season showcased performances in both group and solo formats, with participants ranging in age from 27 to 55. Throughout the season, the participants showcased their versatility by exploring various forms of artistic expression, including singing, dancing and acting.

"No!" screamed Asha as she saw a huge pimple (粉刺) on her nose. She didn't have time to cover the pimple as she was running late to school. She ate her breakfast fast, grabbed her bag and caught her school bus just in time. As soon as she got on the bus, kids started laughing. Nobody was willing to let her sit beside them. Even Anita, her best friend, acted a bit differently, which made her more upset.

Asha was lost in thought. A new thought popped in her mind every second. Once she thought "Great! I have to worry about my pimple as if homework and exams were not enough." The next minute another thought popped in her mind. "I am tired of using this face wash. I still wonder how I agreed to use that thing!" Then suddenly, Mr. Shetty, the bus driver, said, "Asha, do you want to miss the class?" Asha was so lost in her thought that she did not even notice that everybody had got off the bus except her.

She did not want to step into the school campus. She thought, "What will my teachers think? What will my friends think?" After some time, she gathered courage and entered her class, expecting that she would be laughed at. While entering the class, she heard students commenting on her pimple. A child laughed, "Look, someone's cherry is on her nose! Get it for me." She heard some boys murmuring, "She would definitely be chosen as the joker in the dance."

It was a very hard day at school for her. As soon as she got home, she hugged her mother tightly, with tears welling up in her eyes.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Asha told her mother what she had experienced in the day.

Asha opened the door and in came her friend Anita with a bunch of flowers.

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。

A Visit to Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve

A woodblock print art exhibition kicked off in Guangzhou-based Ji'nan University in the provincial capital on November 16, (provide) young students in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with an opportunity to understandgreat traditional Chinese art of woodblock watermarks.

More than 220 precious woodblock print artworks and dozens of historical (document) from the national intangible cultural heritage inheritance base of Shizhuzhai, Zhejiang Province, will be display during the one-year-long show titled "Woodblock Print: The Scenery of Spring and Autumn, Watermark Heavenly Fragrance", demonstrating Chinese history and culture.

Shizhuzhai (Ten Bamboo Studio) is an art museum in the Zhejiang provincial capital of Hangzhou, which was  (honorable) added to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2014. 

Watermark woodblock prints have a history of more than 1,200 years. Since their appearance, they  (regard) as outstanding Chinese artistic treasures  combine technology, art, painting and aesthetics, representing the wisdom and  (creative) of the Chinese people.

Lin Rupeng, Party secretary of Ji'nan University, said the exhibition organized by the university aims (carry) forward traditional Chinese culture, as well as demonstrate the university's firm belief in enhancing Chinese culture's influence.

"Ji'nan University integrates much (excellence) traditional Chinese culture into teaching while sparing no effort to nurture (培养) high-level modern talents," he said.

It was the end of the school day, and I was tired. I grabbed a pile of about 130 exam papers to1 on the train ride home. I'd bring them back the next morning.

My principal (校长) pushed her head into my classroom and said, "Friendly2 ! You need to make sure your word wall is3 by tomorrow morning." She then moved on to the next classroom to4 the message. I sighed and thought, "Are you making a(n)5 ? What a waste of my time!"

My principal was6 about making our school beautiful, while my goal was to get my students to pass the Algebra Regents Exam. She wanted every classroom to have a word wall, where student's works on creative projects would be7 . She brought in beautiful planters (花盆) that8 the hallways with greenery. However, I assume that school and classroom9 aren't important when it comes to learning. To me, spending time and money making our school and classrooms beautiful was just a distraction (使人分心的事). Those things don't10 my students with math.

However, after three years of teaching, I went to graduate school in part to study how resources 11 teachers and students. What my research found 12 me: When teachers 13 their classroom environment resources, their students did better on standardized tests. My principal was 14 . She was creating more than just a beautiful 15 —she was building a welcoming and positive environment for students to learn and teachers to work.

Cheerfulness is a powerful way to deal with a world that will always be tough and unjust in one way or another. It is a sign of strength in the face of difficulties. Different from fear, joy, or anger, cheerfulness isn't something that overcomes you. As such, you can include it into your life once you make the right mental switch. Here are four ways to do so.

◎Acknowledge the difficulties.

Cheerfulness is an honest emotion because you're not hiding from reality. Instead, it's extremely important to be honest with yourself about the problems you're facing. Only by first acknowledging that things are tough will you be able to find ways to cope.

◎ Don't focus on the negative.

Whether in your personal life or in society, it's easy to focus on what's going wrong. But whatever you focus on, it grows. If you decide to focus on what's going wrong, those problems will grow in your mind until they consume you.

◎ Be grateful for what you have.

Usually, they're the things we take for granted until they're no longer there, such as good health, a loving family, or even something as simple as a beautiful sunrise. Being grateful will shift your perspective and make it easier to see the silver linings of your problems.

◎ 

No cheerfulness without laughter. So you can watch comedies, browse memes, or joke around with friends. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts your mood, makes you feel less pain, and protects you from stress. Laughter is cathartic (精神宣泄的) and infectious. Laugh and brighten the room.

A. Find your sense of humor.

B. Deal with difficulties seriously.

C. Focus on the good things you have.

D. To a large degree, cheerfulness is a choice.

E. You're not covering your eyes and looking away.

F. Acknowledge the problems, but don't give them too much attention.

G. Being cheerful will make you see the world and your own life in a different way.

"What beautiful music!" I shout loudly as my 9-year-old son practices playing the violin. He's used to this praise; I give rewards like that most days. But every once in a while, I skip it, and when I do, I can see the disappointment on his face when he's finished.

Am I a bad mom? Conventional wisdom says that consistency is key to parenting since it enables your child to predict how you'll react, leading to good behavior. And it's true that children need some level of predictability in their lives, particularly when it comes to discipline.

But research suggests that inconsistent gifts and praise can have a greater effect on motivation. While we all like to live in a predictable world, we often respond more strongly to unpredictable rewards.

In one experiment, my colleagues and I told participants they'd be paid if they could drink about one-and-a-half quarts of water in two minutes or less. In one condition, we offered people a $2 fixed reward. In another, there was an uncertain reward of either $2 or $1. The certain reward was a better deal, yet many more people successfully met the challenge when assigned an uncertain reward. Resolving the uncertainty—whether they would win $1 or $2—was significantly more motivating than winning $2 for sure.

Here is one of the reasons why uncertainty is motivating. What scientists call "intermittent (间歇性) reinforcement" —rewarding behavior on some but not all occasions—makes it morearduous to know when rewards will show up. If you very often, but don't always, praise your child for completing their chores, they'll keep up the good behavior in the hope of receiving praise the next time.

So don't assume that if kids are always praised for finishing their homework, they'll be more likely to do it. Do praise young people for a job well done, just not every time. And pick rewards out of a hat when they complete chores—the surprise prize might keep everyone motivated to get things done.

With artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technology improving at impressive rates, there are some who worry that there's a risk of artistic and creative people being replaced. A new study by the Korean Institute of Industrial Technology, however, is showing exactly why that can't and shouldn't happen. It all started when the South Korean company posed this question: Can robots replace conductors?

Over a year ago, work to develop automaton (自动化) began. At first, it was designed like a machine, and didn't live up to expectations. Then the company sought ways to improve it. In the end, it was given two arms with joints to copy wrists and elbows, allowing it to move a stick similarly to how a human conductor would move it. It was named the EverR 6 robot, and stands at 1.8 meters. It was finally time to figure out how it could follow through on its musical role.

"We got involved in this project to see how far robots can go in more creative fields like the arts, and what the challenges are," Dong-w o ok Lee, a senior researcher at the Korean Institute of Industrial Technology said.

In order to pull this off, Dong-wook Lee cooperated with the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra. The 12-minute piece they planned to perform, "Feel" by Il-hoon Son, was created specifically for this event. It was created with the strengths of both EverR 6 and the human conductor, Soo-yeol Choi, in mind.

To pull off this impressive performance, the robot was preprogrammed to conduct through 30 cycles of beat patterns. Meanwhile, it was up to the human conductor to lead the orchestra in creating an improvisational (即兴的) score, adding depth to the otherwise planned piece.

Together, they pulled off a masterful performance that the audience seemed more than happy to have had the opportunity to witness it firsthand!

With the concert having gone so well, this is only the start of EverR 6. Still, no matter the improvements they're able to make to this Android robot, the human conductor isn't concerned about being replaced.

"Let's leave the accuracy to the robots," Soo-yeol Choi said, "but the musical and artistic aspects to a human conductor."

Omar Vazquez grew up in poverty on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. He watched his single mother struggle to put food on the table, and today the memory inspires him to help those in need. When an invasive (入侵的) seaweed called sargassum showed up on Mexico's Caribbean beaches, Omar looked past the matter of it all and saw an opportunity to help others.

Sargassum is not dangerous, but it has an unpleasant smell and can become so thick that it keeps people from entering the water. Mexico has experienced record-setting amounts of the seaweed in recent years, and it has made its way to Florida's beaches as well. Experts say there could be as much as 100 tons of sargassum blocking Mexican shorelines in 2023.

With tourism dollars at risk, officials and locals alike were eager to remove the seaweed, but only Omar saw its true potential. The professional gardener organized a beach cleanup that provided jobs for about 300 local families, but he knew there was more to do. Since people's attitude towards the seaweed reminded him of his own life experiences, he decided to become an agent (推动者) for change.

When sargassum started arriving, everyone was complaining. "I wanted to make something good out of something everyone saw as bad," Omar explained.

In 2018, Omar found a way to turn sargassum into building blocks that he calls Sargablock. He creates these blocks by mixing 40% sargassum with other materials like clay, then putting them in a block-forming machine and baking them in the sun for days. The end result is an organic, sustainable, and ecologically friendly building material that experts say could last for 120 years.

To date, Omar's company, Bluegreen Mexico, has used 700 tons of sargassum to build low-income housing for those in need. Omar said he would take on more projects, and donate more houses to single mothers like his own mom.

Writing Competitions for High School Students in 2024

Ocean Awareness Writing Contest

Ocean Awareness Writing Contest provides a platform for young people to understand environmental issues through artistic creation and creative thoughts, explore their relationship with the changing world, and become advocates of positive change.

Competition time: The deadline for submission is June 10, 2024. Students can upload their submissions starting from December 24, 2023. 

Suitable for students: The contest is an international competition, which is open to any student aged 11—18 in middle or high school.

·Junior Division: 11—14 years old

·Senior Division: 15—18 years old

Young Authors Writing Competition

Young Authors Writing Competition is sponsored by the English and Creative Writing Department at Columbia College Chicago. The competition has grown into a yearly international con test of high school writers. You may enter up to two works (in separate files) in either of the categories: Creative Nonfiction and Creative Fiction. In the Poetry category, you may enter up to two files, but each can have 1—5 poems.

Competition time: The deadline is July 31, 2024. 

Suitable for students: Open to students in grades 9—12 worldwide

Leonard L. Milberg' 53 High School Poetry Prize

Leonard L. Milberg' 53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding works by student writers in the 11th grade in the U. S. or abroad. Contest judges are poets on the Princeton University Creative Writing faculty.

Competition date: March 26, 2024

Suitable for students: Students in the 11th grade in the U. S. or around the world

The New York Times Annual Student Review Contest

The New York Times invites students to play critics and write an original review for their New York TimesStudent Review Contest. Students can review anything that fits into a category of creative expression that The New York Times covers—from architecture to music.

Competition date: April 6, 2024

Suitable for students: Students ages 11—19 anywhere in the world attending middle or high school can participate.

I clearly remember the day I walked into class with a big change — my very first pair of eye glasses and I was the first to wear glasses in my primary school.

I was filled with excitement, eager to show them off to my friends. I had chosen pink framed glasses, thinking they would look fantastic on me.

I had never worn glasses before, so selecting them felt like a fun shopping experience. I got to pick the shape I liked and even chose a pretty pink and purple colour combination.

The reason behind getting the glasses was my poor eyesight. I couldn't copy words and proper grammar from the blackboard because I sat at the back of the class, and everything was too vague for me to see. My friend would read aloud every phrase to me so that I could write them down, like a parrot.

Wearing those glasses was like stepping into a 3D cinematic world. I could see everything as clearly and each tiny de tail felt like a delightful surprise.

However, on the day I wore my glasses to school, everyone's reaction to my transformation was beyond my expectation. All the boys laughed and even teased me. Some kind-hearted girls forced a smile and told me that my glasses looked good on me, but I knew they didn't. They all lied.

Though I needed those glasses more than I wanted them, yet I started to dislike my new glasses in the following week. A month passed, my classmates still weren't used to seeing me in glasses and I took them off during the lunch break or when the classes were dismissed. However, little did I know that my decision to wear them would change the lives of many of my friends.

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。

One Monday, one of my friends looked at me with curiosity. 

……

A week later, I was shocked to see the same friend return to school with a pair of glasses.

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。

College Students' Sharing

The Peasants (Ⅱ)

At noon they hoe up weeds;

Their sweat drips on the soil.

Who knows the rice that feeds

Is the fruit of hard toil!

Food is a necessity for survival. But do you know how much work goes into producing it? The poem The Peasants (II),  (write) by Li Shen, a Tang Dynasty poet, shows  (we) the hardship of the peasants.

The first two lines describe a common scene  peasants are working their lands at noon with the sun  (hang) high in the sky, sweat dripping. In the last two lines, the poet  (direct) points out that the rice we eat is the fruit of peasants' hard work.

Simple as the poem is in its language, it is profound in the theme, reminding people  the significance of treasuring food. According to the FAO, an estimated 1.3 billion tons of food, or one-third of  total food produced for human consumption, is wasted globally each year. Therefore, it's highly suggested that every grain of rice  (value). In China, we have adopted a law on food waste  (offer) legal backing to the country's efforts which not only safeguard food security  promote the traditional virtue of thrift (节俭) as well.

Next time you want to throw away food, please think twice.

On a hot afternoon Rhiannon was driving her old van down the highway. As she 1 her window to let in some fresh air, her car registration paper blew off the sun visor (防晒板) and onto the floor inside. When leaning down to 2 it, she accidentally drifted into oncoming traffic, in panic, she over-corrected and pulled the 3 sharply in the other direction. 4 , the van rolled over three times, and Rhiannon was thrown onto the road, lying in the middle of the road and bleeding, nearly 5 .

A medical student witnessed the accident and came to her 6 . He covered Rhiannon with his coat and gave her emergency first aid, including 7 the wound on her left arm before the ambulance arrived.

8 , Rhiannon was rushed to a hospital where an emergency room doctor spent hours 9 all the pieces of windshield (挡风玻璃) from her arm, and gave her three dozen stitches (缝针).

Luckily, Rhiannon was saved. Not for the bandage, she would not have 10 long enough for the emergency personnel to arrive. Though Rhiannon didn't know him, she was grateful to the medical student who saved her life. So she 11 the words online, "It's a pity that I don't know your name. If you happen to see or hear this story and recognize yourself, thank you for your kind 12 ."

Rhiannon also had a message for the other 13 heroes, "Please consider this a pay-it-forward letter of 14 —a letter from the 15 you helped who, for whatever reason, couldn't thank you themselves."

Daily Habits to Help You Get Healthier in 2024

Many of us hope to make changes for the better for the new year, and health goals tend to be at the top of that list. Sometimes New Year's wishes require some sacrifices.  Below are some achievable daily habits that keep your overall health.

Prioritize sleep.

Your body needs time not only to rest and recharge, but also to do important work like learning new things. Experts suggest teenagers should get. at least eight hours sleep each day. If this is a challenge for you, turn to your circadian rhythm, which tells you the right time to sleep and wake up.  Just go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Take a break from electronics.

In fact, studies have found that screen addiction has a negative influence on our health.  Keeping away from screen can improve your sleep, and reduce depression and anxiety. Thus, remember to spare time each day when you're screen-free.

Your health y habits can also be fun and rewarding. What have you always wanted to do? Your answer to that question might point you toward a new hobby to explore in 2024. And getting into it can help you reduce stress and boost mental well-being. Plus, some hobbies can get you moving, boosting your physical and mental health. 

Ultimately, you can pick one or two healthy daily habits. And I am sure you'll be moving toward a healthier, happier 2024.

A. Fight against stress.

B. Take on a new hobby.

C. Fortunately, doing the opposite is beneficial.

D. Then how do you use your body clock for better sleep?

E. For better sleep, perhaps make that the last thing before bed.

F. However, we don't have to give up too much to realize them

G. Maybe playing basketball or doing yoga will be a good choice

Would a person born blind, who has learned to distinguish objects by touch, be able to recognize them purely by sight if he regained the ability to see? The question, known as Mołyneux's problem, is about whether the human mind has a built-in concept of shapes that is so inborn that a blind person could immediately recognize an object with restored vision. Alternatively, the concepts of shapes are not inborn but have to be learned by exploring an object through sight, touch and other senses.

After their attempt to test it in blind children failed, Lars Chittka of Queen Mary University of London and his team carried out another experiment on bumblebees. To test whether bumblebees can form an internal representation of objects, they first trained the insects to distinguish globes from cubes using a sugar reward. The bees were first trained in the light, where they could see but not touch the objects. Then they were tested in the dark, where they could touch but not see the items. The researchers found that the insects spent more time in contact with the shape they had been trained to associate with the sugar reward, even though they had to rely on touch rather than sight to distinguish the objects.

The researchers also did the opposite test with untrained bumblebees, first teaching them with rewards in the dark and then testing them in the light. Again, the bees were able to recognize the shape associated with the sugar reward, though they had to rely on sight rather than touch in the test. In short, bees have solved Molyneux's problem because the fact suggests that they can picture object features and access them through sight or touch.

However, some experts express their warnings against the result. Jonathan Birch, a philosopher of science, cautions that the bees may have had prior experience associating visual and tactile (触觉) information about straight edges and curved surfaces in their nests.

Is life a story or a game? Answers may vary from one to another. Over the course of life, we find things to love and commit to —a job, a partner or a community. At times, we struggle to learn from our misfortunes to grow in wisdom, kindness and grace.

Will Storr, a writer whose work I admire, says this story version of life is a misunderstanding. In his book The Status Game, he argues that human beings are deeply driven by status. Rather than about being liked or accepted, he writes, it's about being better than others. "When people are obedient to us, offer respect, admiration or praise, that's status. It feels good."

Life is a series of games, he adds. There's the high school game of competing to be the popular kid. The lawyer game to make partner. The finance game to make the most money. The academic game for fame. The sports game to show that our team is the best. Even when we are trying to do good, Storr claims, we're playing the "virtue game" to show we are morally superior to others.

I think Storr is in danger of becoming one of those guys who ignore the noble desires of the human heart and the caring element in every friendship and family. The status-mad world that Storr describes is so loveless. In fact, gaming as a way of life is immature. Maturity means rising above the shallow desire —for status —that doesn't really nourish us. It's about cultivating the higher desires: the love of truth and learning; the inner pleasure the craftsman gets in his work, which is not about popularity, and the desire for a good and meaningful life that inspires people to practise daily acts of generosity.

How do people gradually learn to cultivate these higher motivations? To answer that, I'd have to tell you a story.

For nearly two decades, a thin, sun-burnt postal worker could frequently be seen carrying packages along a dangcrous mountain trail in the Taihang Mountains.

The 10-kilometer-long route, which is between 20 centimeters and 1 meter wide, is known as the "cat road" by locals, meaning that it is so dangerous that only cats could walk on it. Whereas, Zhao Yuefang, a postal worker in Ewu township in Huguan county, Shanxi province, had to walk the route every day to deliver mail.

Every day at the crack of dawn, he would start his journey along the "cat road". From picking up the day's post to delivering it to villagers and returning along the same route, it took Zhao four days. During rainy and snowy seasons, the mountain road, part of which hugs the cliffs, would become slippery and dangerous. One day in the winter of 2003, the "cat road" was covered in thick snow and he slipped off the trail. Fortunately, he was able to stop his sharp descent by grabbing a tree branch and slowly managed to climb to safety.

By 2012, Zhao had walked more than 300,000 km and delivered over 800,000 pieces of mail. Born and raised in the deep mountains, Zhao truly understands the significance of mail deliveries to villagers. "They depend on the mail to keep in touch with the outside world," he said. "Their sheer joy written on their face while receiving any post struck me," he added.

In 2012, a 67-km-long tourist highway was built and gone were those days when Zhao risked his life to walk on the "cat road". But Zhao was even busier than before. "The number of packages I handle daily now exceeds the number I used to deal with in the past," said Zhao, adding that villagers are turning to online shopping and ordering more and more goods by post.