The big day finally arrived: my first day at senior high! The campus was still quiet when I arrived early, so I decided to     1    a bit.

“New here?”     2     around, I saw a man in his forties. “Yes,” I replied. “I was wondering what life is going to be like here.” “Don’t worry,” he gave me a smile. “You’ll soon     3    . ”

The first class was English. Amazingly, the     4    man stepped into the classroom and said, “Good morning, everyone. Before we start, time for self-introduction. I’ll go first…”

“What?!” I tried to    5     my brain but the engine just wouldn’t start. “I should say my name, of course. But what else? Something about my stamp     6    , perhaps.” I was     7    my words in my head when the girl next to me gave me a push. “It’s your turn!”

With my heart beating wildly, I breathed     8    “Hi, I’m Meng Hao.” Everyone started     9    I looked at them in panic. “Nice to know we     10    the same name,” said my new teacher. I had been too nervous to pay attention when he introduced himself. Although I was embarrassed, his words made me a lot more     11    !

When we had all introduced ourselves, Mr Meng said, “Well done, everyone! I know this isn’t easy for many of you. But this is just the kind of thing you are going to face at senior high.     12    like this might sometimes put you under pressure. But it all    13    what you do. Keep     14     and be prepared. That way, you’ll     15    your time at senior high. ”

People say, “Well begun, half done.” I guess this was a good beginning to my new school life.

Coffee bars, live music, cinemas and shopping malls—Chinese cities offer everything that a young person might want. But there are many young people who hardly have time to enjoy these things. That’s because they follow what is called the “996” work schedule (时间表)     1     at 9 am and finishing at 9 pm, six days a week.

The “996” work schedule has recently become a hot topic of discussion online after a computer programmer set up a website called “996.ICU”. According to the website, working a “996” schedule     2     enough rest is unhealthy and could cause people to end up in an intensive care unit (ICU,重症监护病房). This work schedule is now widely used at Chinese tech companies like Baidu, Alibaba and Huawei, New York Times reported. It causes many tech industry workers to complain. One worker from Baidu company said, “I know I am not the     3     worker who works overtime I have worked ‘996’ for nine months and I haven’t received any overtime pay. It’s unfair though quite common.” Another worker named Zhang told Quartz, “I can’t sleep well and become ill because of the great pressure. I feel really tired, so I am considering giving up this job and looking for     4    .”

However, the bosses of some tech companies have supported “996”. Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, said it’s “a huge treasure” for young workers to work “996”. “If you don’t put more time and energy than others, how will you achieve the success you want? If you don’t work ‘996’ when you’re young,     5     will you?” he said.

Many have questioned Ma’s words. In a passage in People’s Daily, one writer said “Working ‘996’ is just working overtime. However, working overtime does not     6     working hard. Working hard requires efforts and working wisely and effectively.”

A lawyer called Cui Zhendong told China Daily that it is against the     7     to use a compulsory (强制的) “996” work schedule. China’s Labor Law clearly announces that workers should work no more than eight hours a day     8     more than forty-four hours a week.