$LAB 2026 High School Entrance Exam Essays from Various Regions

The 2026 National Unified College Entrance Examination begins today. This morning's exam was for the Chinese language subject, with two Chinese essay questions set by the Ministry of Education Examination Institute. Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin used their own questions.

National Paper I
Words are the carriers of expressing thoughts and feelings, and also windows into social changes. Currently, the changes in the world, the era, and history are unfolding in unprecedented ways. Youth are often receptive to new things. During your growth process, which word's understanding has changed for you? This change bears the mark of your growth and holds special significance for you...

National Paper II
“The sun and moon do not lose their essence, so they can be obscured and then shine again; the rivers and lakes do not lose their source, so they can be blocked and then flow freely again.”
In personal growth, social development, and even the evolution of civilization, there are always moments of difficulty and setbacks, and even tests of high winds and raging waves. However, although the sun and moon may be hidden at times, as long as their essence remains, they can eventually shine again; even if rivers face obstacles, as long as their source is unending, they can eventually connect to the sea.
What associations and reflections do these materials inspire in you? Please write an essay.

Beijing Version
Choose one of the following three topics and respond accordingly. No more than 150 words. Do not disclose your district, school, or personal information.
(1) To enhance students’ awareness of labor, the class plans to spend half a day engaging in community labor practice activities. We are now collecting students’ suggestions. What kind of activity would you design? Please explain your reasons. Requirements: Describe the main content of the activity, provide sufficient reasons, and organize your ideas clearly.
(2) On the occasion of the Double Ninth Festival, the school plans to organize volunteers to hold a themed activity titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a Happy Old Age” at a nursing home. Please write a promotional message to encourage the elderly to participate actively. Requirements: Appropriate language, attractive.
(3) Write a poem or a piece of lyrical prose titled “Because of Aspiration.” Requirements: Sincere emotion, vivid language, compelling.

Choose one of the following two topics and respond accordingly. No less than 700 words. Write the topic on the answer sheet. Do not disclose your district, school, or personal information.
(1) The sea of learning is endless, and reading has methods. The Yuan Dynasty scholar Cheng Duanli compiled “Reading Schedule by Year,” which detailed the reading order and intensive reading methods for core classics in stages, accompanying readers from childhood to youth. Whether for personal reading and growth or for the development of the country and society, good planning and step-by-step progress are needed; also, effort and dedication are essential.
Please write an argumentative essay titled “Planning and Effort.”
Requirements: Clear thesis, substantial evidence, reasonable reasoning; fluent language, clear handwriting.
(2) “Containing the essence and savoring the flower” refers to holding the flower, carefully chewing, and appreciating its fragrance, metaphorically meaning to carefully ponder and understand the essence of poetry and prose. This process of repeated tasting and mindful realization is very important in reading classics, appreciating art, and perceiving life. The process of containing the essence and savoring the flower is often an unforgettable experience...
Please write a narrative essay titled “Containing the Essence and Savoring the Flower.”

Tianjin Version
The painter puts paint into the palette, precisely adjusting the proportions to create a colorful and beautiful painting; the South-to-North Water Diversion Project skillfully adjusts and mobilizes all usable resources, actively changing water routes to better benefit humanity. The word “调” (tiáo) has two pronunciations, both meaning to coordinate or adapt, but with different nuances—one implying following the natural course, the other implying creative innovation.
What associations and reflections do these materials inspire in you? Please write an essay based on your experiences and insights.

Shanghai Version
Everyone has their own imagination of the world. As technology transforms the world, it also reshapes our imagination. What are your thoughts and reflections on this? Please write an essay.