What's the buzz

The essay questions in the national college entrance exam carry artistic style too far, said Xu Zidong, head of the department of Chinese at Lingnan University. Good essay questions should be written concisely and briefly, said Zhang Ning, a professor at the School of Chinese Language and Literature in Beijing Normal University. In addition, they should give test-takers leeway for their imagination, according to Zhang. China Daily cell phone readers share their views with us:

I am a freshman, and I prefer the essay question of Jiangsu province, "worries and love", above all the others.

The topic, centering on interpersonal relationships, can not only test the examinees' logical thinking by making them examine the connection between worries and love, but also their perception of things that happen around them and their understanding about kinship, friendship and love.

MIAOMIAO, Yangzhou, Jiangsu province

"Lay the ladder on the ground when it is not in use", the essay topic of Anhui province, stands out among others. This topic is very unique and difficult, emphasizing students' comprehension and innovative thinking, which conforms to today's educational ideas and policies.

STAR, Weifang, Shandong province

A test-taker's memory is a touchstone of the quality of an essay question. Whether an essay question is a good one depends on whether or not the test-taker can still remember what he/she wrote about the topic three years, five years or even a decade from now. Time will blur and wash away the famous sayings and essay writing templates students once memorized for the exam, but knowledge and wisdom, well and truly gained, cannot be forgotten.

A reader, Shanghai

The essay question of Hubei province, based on Du Fu's poem Spring Prospect, requires test-takers to discuss social progress and how emerging media, including the Internet and text messaging, are replacing letter writing, the traditional means of communication.

This topic is of moderate difficulty, and every test-taker can argue the pros and cons of information technology on people's lives. A topic like this can better arouse students' interest in writing and they can write from their real life experiences.

A reader, Mianyang, Sichuan province

Sichuan's essay question about water was well conceived. Water is known to all test-takers, whether from urban or rural areas, and the topic of water reflects one of the main geographical features of Sichuan, where the Yangtze River nurtures the people generation after generation.

Thus it was easy for test-takers to convey their real feelings in their writing. The topic of water also forms an important part of traditional Chinese culture and especially Chinese classics, where it as often used as a symbol for modesty, tolerance and dedication, traditional Chinese virtues that also conform to the spirit of our times.

Hao Yunong, Beiing

Anhui province's essay question, "Lay the ladder on the ground when it is not in use", received both praise and criticism. I think it is a good topic as test-takers can write about cultivating good habits, such as replacing something after you use it for the convenience of others. Such a topic can then be extended using personal experience to a discussion on sustainable development.

Ashley, Shenzhen, Guangdong province

(China Daily 06/11/2012 page9)