A Big Test

by Wu Fang

A total of 9.12 million Chinese students participated in this years national college entrance examination， commonly known as “Gaokao，” held from June 7 to 8. Results of the Gaokao determine which universities will admit a student. Therefore， the year before the Gaokao represents the culmination of over a decade of work for every student. As a professional photographer， Wu Fang documented how his daughter， Yueyue， spent the school year prior to the Gaokao. In a letter to his daughter， Wu wrote：

Like many other parents， we feel a bit nervous for the upcoming Gaokao. After all， the exam will determine the reward for your efforts over the past 12 years. These days， we really hope to spend as much time as possible with you at home. All we can do now is try to make your life comfortable.

Talking about your future， like most parents， we only wish you a happy life. For now， it is too early to anticipate what big achievements you might make. If youre admitted to a college， youll leave the family as if you were married off. Well spend less and less time together. Youve grown up and will depend on yourself in your future life.