The “Understanding Contemporary China” Foreign Language Contests were held in Beijing from December 4 to 8．

Nearly one million college students from more than 1,300 universities participated , with about 2,500     1     (enter) the national final. The contests aimed to     2     (deep) college students’ understanding of China, enhance their linguistic (语言的) abilities and intercultural communication     3     (competent), and provide a platform for them to tell China’s stories well.

The champion of the English group     4     (determine) through a simulated (模拟的) “Global Youth Summit”. Three contestants discussed     5     (topic) including cultural diversity and the future development of mankind with Xinhua News Agency’s reporter Simon Keith Robinson,     6     tested their knowledge and ability to handle diverse subjects.

Xu Chengcheng, from Beijing Foreign Studies University, won     7     national championship of the International Communication Contest. She demonstrated a high-level of English proficiency(熟练)and strong communication skills in the prepared speech     8     the Global Youth Summit session(会议).

A special session of “Multilingual Champions Showcase” was part     9     the closing ceremony, where champions used their foreign language skills     10     (share) stories about their understanding of China and communication with the world, showcasing youthful insights.

3 . In June 2015, Captain Radhika Menon found herself in charge of the oil tanker (油轮) Sampurna Swarajya, battling dangerous waves in the Bay of Bengal. Little did she know that her leadership would be put to the ultimate test in a dramatic rescue mission.

On June 22, 2015, as the storm continued violently, Second Officer Manoj Chauhan spotted a small boat adrift (漂流) off the coast of Gopalpur, Odisha. Seven fishermen injured and desperate, were losing their struggle to the unforgiving sea. The fishing boat with neither shelter nor anchor had been at sea for seven days. Chinna Rao, 40, and his companions, including a teenager, had gone into the Bay for what was supposed to be a routine fishing expedition. However, the sudden onset (发生) of a violent storm had turned their journey into a fight for survival. The boat sustained damage, and their supplies were lost as they faced the violent wind and waves.

As the fishermen held onto hope, their signals caught the attention of Captain Radhika Menon. With strong determination, she initiated a high-risk rescue operation, facing towering waves and strong winds. The urgency was obvious as the crew prepared for the challenge.

Menon strategically moved the tanker, creating a shelter from the storm. A rope was thrown out, connecting the tanker to the easily broken fishing boat. Despite the sea’s fury (猛烈), the fishermen managed to secure the line, and one by one, they were pulled to safety. The rescue, performed through rain and storm, took about 40 minutes. The seven fishermen were finally on the tanker, filled with emotion.

Sixteen months later, Menon’s bravery was recognized on a global stage. In November 2016, she received the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. Menon, the first female captain in the Indian Merchant Navy, stated that she had merely finished her duty as a sailor.

The rescued fishermen, speaking emotionally from their homes, described Menon as a hero who had saved their lives. The rescue at sea showcased the firm courage of Captain Radhika Menon and her crew, proving that in the face of danger, true heroes emerge.

4 . At a desk between a hallway entrance and a classroom door, Marge Mangelsdorf gently urged Harlan to write down what he remembered. The two had just finished reading Hi! Fly Cuy, a popular children’s book about a boy and his pet bug. Now it was time for Harlan, a first grader, to go over the plot and characters with his tutor.

Mangelsdorf spends several days each week in empty classrooms like these, working with kids through Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring. The program, which pairs volunteers with students for 30-45 minutes each week, is overseen by a St. Louis-based nonprofit that promotes healthy aging through a mix of community involvement and continuing education. This model holds a unique appeal. Its workers are largely retired volunteers, who cost less in fees, making their continuing presence sustainable.

There is some proof of its effectiveness. In a 2023 survey of educators in schools where the program works, 80 percent of classroom teachers said they’d seen improvement in their students’ reading skills, and 67 percent said they’d perceived an improvement in those students’ attitudes at school.

Whatever the effects of tutoring on young kids, the program’s work is also meant to help their volunteers. When given the chance to be active and help others, seniors’ quality of life can dramatically improve. A 2020 Harvard University study found that adults over 50 who volunteered at least two hours per week were less likely to express loneliness, depression and hopelessness and more likely to be optimistic and purposeful. Putting them in direct contact with school-aged children might be the best way to make the best of their talents, especially given America’s growing number of seniors.

5 . Rising Legacy High School senior Brianna Ortiz is one of five students in the US and the only Texan to be selected to attend the International Science School (ISS) this summer in Australia.

This famous programme, designed to inspire young minds and awaken a passion for space exploration, provides students with an immersive and educational experience that promises to shape their future in the field of space science.

Brianna’s space journey started when she tooke part in MISD’s Orbitz program in the fall of 2021. That experience gave her the opportunity to apply for ISS through an extensive application process that included letters of recommendation, writing essays and an interview. ISS selected Brianna from a highly competitive pool of international applicants who share an enthusiasm for space exploration.

During the program, Brianna will have the privilege of engaging with outstanding scientists, engineers and educators who will guide her through a series of hands-on activities, simulations (模拟), and lectures. This comprehensive training will provide her with invaluable knowledge about space travel, rocketry, robotics, and other essential aspects of the aerospace industry.

“This is a dream come true for me, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in the world of space exploration,” Brianna said. “When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut, but now I’m interested in becoming an aerospace engineer and building rockets that impact the way we live here on Earth.”

Brianna said one of the things she’s most looking forward to is the opportunity to cooperate with fellow like-minded students from around the world. They will participate in team-building exercises, problem-solving challenges, and space mission simulations, developing essential skills such as leadership, critical thinking, and effective communication.

The experience gained at ISS will broaden Brianna’s horizons and inspire her to pursue a career in the exciting field of space exploration.

In 1996, Yi Shu, one of Hong Kong’s most beloved novelists,     1     (deal)with parent-child relationships with the book: Cheng Huan Ji(Bringing Joy to Parents). Now, 28 years later, this story has been adapted into the new drama, Best Choice Ever,     2     has soon become a hit since its recent release on Tencent Video. With Yang Zi and He Saifei starring as a 29-year-old woman Mai Chenhuan from Shanghai and her commanding mother, the drama focuses     3     the girl’s self growth. Chemuan sticks to her own desires for love and professional success,     4     (struggle)hard to live up to her mother’s expectations at the same time. Originally the novel     5     (set)in Hong Kong in 1995, however, scriptwriter Li Jingling has successfully changed the story to a more recent period in Shanghai, noting its unique     6     (explore)of parent-child and family relationships. Despite the fact that Tian Yu, the director. along with most of the key creators are not natives of Shanghai, the drama has got Shanghai’s city life properly. During     7     special three-month visit to Shanghai, Tian Yu visited local attractions, cafes, and restaurants to know more about the citizens and     8     (they)daily life. Excited about the drama’s popularity, Li Jingjing also wished that the series would inspire younger viewers     9     (have)a better understanding of their parents and can     10     (true)embrace their parents’ values by learning how to balance filial love with the pursuit of their own ambitions.