Last Saturday, David was taking a walk in the park near his home when he noticed a woman with a boy of about eight years old. When David passed them, he heard the woman yell. “How stupid you are! You’re good at nothing.” David stopped and looked at the little boy. The boy said nothing. He just stood there, looking upset.

David was reminded of his English teacher Mrs Brown in middle school. After he entered a middle school, David lacked self-confidence because he was often made fun of by others. He was often told that he was good at nothing, which David behaved. But one day it all changed.

One day, in an English writing class, Mrs Brown asked them to read a novel. They were asked to write a new chapter of the novel after they finished reading it. A few days later, David handed in his story. He didn’t give it much thought. But the next day, to his surprise, the comment “well done” from Mrs Brown came into view the moment he turned to the page where the story was written. When David read that, he almost burst into tears. He never expected to be praised one day. He suddenly gained some self-confidence.

That day after he returned home, he wrote a short story and gave it to Mrs Brown the next morning. And again he was praised. David became very interested in writing. He often wrote short stories and asked Mrs Brown to read them improve writing skills. One year later, David joined the school newspaper and became an editor of it. He was no longer that boy who lacked self-confidence. He gained his confidence, and was hopeful about his future.

He succeeded in entering a college and kept writing. Several years after graduating from college, he had his first book published. With some more books coming out, he became famous as a writer in his country. And he owed his success to Mrs Brown’s encouragement. Without her encouragement, his life might be very different now.

Inspired by his own life story, David decided to do something for that boy.

The mother was ashamed when she heard that.

2 . ChatGPT has quickly become popular around the world because of its advanced conversational abilities. It can answer questions, do translations, give the main idea of articles and even write codes (代码) for a computer program. It is as good as a human inside a computer.

ChatGPT is making life very convenient. A time might come when people hand it some articles and it makes a well-made report. That could, however, mean job losses. After all, if a computer program can write codes, then it would make a programmer lose his job.

That may be a worry, but it is still too early to worry about that. ChatGPT has more advanced learning features, but it still follows the same technological way. Its biggest advantage lies in the ability to turn words into a language from an ocean of data, but it's still not that creative. AI can quickly draw a picture, but that picture will be based on pictures that it has seen. It can also write books about the future, but the books will be based on articles about the future that it has read.

In comparison, a human brain imagines the future and then tries hard to realize it. AI can imagine a future with faster spaceships, but it can't imagine a world of space as humans can.

So there is no need to worry too much. By being creative there will be plenty of chances for humans to win over AI.

4 . So this is it — senior high school (高中) at last! I’m not outgoing (外向的) so I’m a little _________ right now. I want to make a good first _________. Will I make any friends? What if no one _________ to me?

I just had my first maths class at senior high school! The class was difficult, _________the teacher was kind and friendly. He _________ told us interesting stories, and everyone laughed so much! I also found most of my classmates and teachers friendly and _________.

This afternoon, we had our chemistry class (化学课) in the science lab (实验室). The lab is new and the lesson was great, but the _________ next to me tried to talk to me the whole time. I couldn’t concentrate on (专注) the _________. I really wanted to tell the guy to be _________ and leave me alone.

What a day! This morning, I was __________ that no one would talk to me. But I was wrong. I didn’t feel __________ or frightened (害怕的) at all. I miss my friends from __________ high school, but I believe I will make new friends here, and there’s a lot to __________ at senior high. I feel much more __________ than I felt this morning. I think that tomorrow will be a __________ day.

5 . Book Express

About the translator (翻译家)

Xu Yuanchong (1921—2021) was a professor of literary translation at Peking University. In 1994, British publishing company Penguin published his 300 Tang Poems.

Drinking Wine

Tao Qian, more widely known for his other name Tao Yuanming (陶渊明), was a Chinese poet (诗人) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (东晋) (317—420). The poet lived a peaceful life, and is known to have enjoyed country life, farming, reading and drinking wine.

Golden Treasury of Chinese Poetry in Han, Wei and Six Dynasties/Translated by Xu Yuanchong/Published by China Intercontinental Press

Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night

Zhang Ji, a Chinese poet who was born during the Tang Dynasty (唐朝) (618—907). Zhang’s poem Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night was one of his most famous poems and is still known to many readers today.

300 Tang Poems/Translated by Xu Yuanchong/Published by China Intercontinental Press

On the Height

Du Fu, a Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty. The poet was a good friend with another famous poet of the same time who was called Li Bai.

300 Tang Poems/Translated by Xu Yuanchong/Published by China Intercontinental Press

Lake Dongting Viewed from Afar

Liu Yuxi, a well-known Chinese poet during the Tang Dynasty. The poet was especially interested in writing poetry that reflected (反映) real social problems in common people’s everyday lives.

300 Tang Poems/Translated by Xu Yuanchong/Published by China Intercontinental Press

6 . When it comes to medical care, many patients and doctors believe “more is better”. But what they do not realize is that over-treatment-too many scans too many blood tests too many procedures (步骤) -may bring harm.

Terrence Power, for example, complained that after his wife learned she had Wegener’s disease, they found it difficult to refuse testing suggested by her doctor. The doctor insisted on office visits every three weeks, even when she was feeling well. He frequently ordered blood tests and X-rays, and repeatedly referred her to specialists for even minor complaints (疾病). Even when tests came back negative, more were ordered and she was hospitalized as prevention when she developed a cold. She had as many as 25 doctor visits during one six-month period. The couple was spending about $30, 000 a year for her care.

After several years of physical suffering and near financial ruin from the medical costs, the couple began questioning the treatment after discussing with other patients in online support groups. “It’s a really hard thing to determine when they’ve crossed the line,” Mr. Power said. “You think she’s getting the best care in the world, but after a while you start to wonder: What is the purpose?” Mr. Power then spoke with his own main care doctor who advised him to find a new specialist to oversee (监视) Mrs. Power’s care. Under the new doctor’s care, the regular testing stopped and Mrs. Power’s condition became stable.

Now she sees the doctor only four or five times a year.

8 . Keeper for a Day Program

Do you love animals and ever find yourself wanting to know what a zookeeper does all day?

Why not check out our Keeper for a Day Program and find out for yourself how unbelievable the job can be! You can work with a zookeeper to find out how the animals are fed and taken care of every day, and how our keepers play a very important role in conservation (保护) and research programs. Whether you’re interested in animal care as a career or just want to have some fun, this program is worth all the sweat and smells!

Toronto Zoo Keeper for a Day Program Fee (aged 14 & up):

To register for the Keeper for a Day Program:

1. Choose your top 3 areas you would like to experience, in order of your preference. Please notice that only one area will be chosen. Your top choice is not guaranteed (保证) and may change without notice.

2. Fill out the registration by clicking here.

3. Send the registration form via e-mail(preferably) or fax/mail and pay by credit card (AMEX/VISA or MASTERCARD) only.

4. You will be sent an e-mail for confirmation (确认书) within 3 weeks after we receive your registration. The confirmation will contain detailed information about your Keeper for a Day Program at the Toronto Zoo.

For any further questions please e-mail Toronto Zoo Keeper for a Day Coordinators at keeperforaday@ torontozoo.cn