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According to the organizers, participants in the Cultural Ambassador Reading Contest include students and scholars nationwide. Each set consists of 2 questions, requiring candidates to share about a favorite book; a creation/work (story or poem); and to continue the story or book they have read. Some exemplary entries for the 2022 Cultural Ambassador Reading Contest achieving high recognition for sets 1, 2, 3 will be shared below.
The entry for the Cultural Ambassador Reading Contest in Hanoi city, latest updates
I. Sample entry for the Cultural Ambassador Reading Contest of the Capital for students
1. The First Task
The Cultural Ambassador Reading Challenge 2022 Task 1:
Question 1: Share your impressions about a book that has inspired you, enhanced your awareness, directed you towards a positive lifestyle, instilled a sense of social responsibility, awakened your desire for contribution, and contributed to the prosperity and happiness of Vietnam.
Guidance:
Impressions of the book The Green-Shoed Banana Tree
I once heard it said somewhere that 'books are worlds.' Indeed, this is true; books are miniature worlds that allow us to experience and perceive a plethora of emotions. Through deeply moving stories, each individual draws their own lessons. For me, the book that lies on my bedside table, my favorite book, is 'The Green-Shoed Banana Tree' by the author Nguyen Nhat Anh.
The story unfolds naturally and logically. The character, Dang, also the protagonist of the work, receives a request from a friend: 'You write me a piece about the memories when you were still here... Write it romantically. The more novel-like, the better.' Accepting the friend's request, Dang began to write, recalling countless old memories, pure and innocent childhood memories: friendships, love, teacher-student relationships. Those memories are beautiful, dreamy, and worthy of cherishing.
In the story, what impressed me the most is the journey from childhood friendship to love between Dang and little Tham. Innocent children, pure-hearted, together throughout their childhood: almost drowning, learning to swim together, protecting each other from bullies, going to school together, laughing together,... and feeling embarrassed and shy when hearing teasing remarks from others. But above all, there is genuine care, sincere help for each other.
I was deeply astonished, surprised by the innocent yet sincere actions of little Khai, Phan... when Tham was forced into an arranged marriage. It also reflects the boundless love of Tham's mother for her child. None other than she plastered those protest papers in front of the house against the outdated marriage. She is so tolerant and great. She knew that if discovered, Tham would surely be beaten, so she willingly did that to lessen the blows for her child.
The work also portrays human emotions, the warmth of village bonds, and camaraderie. The barber, just like Mr. Scaredy Cat whom parents often use to threaten me. He often teases the children in the village, chewing his betel nut, making all the children in the village terrified. But when seeing Dang and Tham nearly drowning, he hurried down to rescue. Beneath that rough exterior lies a kind and virtuous heart. And there are many trivial, very ordinary stories in the book that once read, one cannot forget.
Perhaps when reading this book, rural children will feel like reliving their innocent, naive memories. Just little stories, but full of humanity and soaked with human emotions. The story is written in a gentle, profound, sentimentally charged style. The language is simple, natural, imbued with the Southern flavor that makes readers feel intimate, close. Moreover, Nguyen Nhat Anh creates unique situations, surprising details that make the story more appealing, more interesting.
Closing the book, what remains in each person's heart is not only the rich, sincere writing but also because of the deep, touching humanity, by the innocent, naive yet extremely sincere thoughts. Through the work, not only I but also many others will draw their own lessons: lessons about friendship, neighborly love, about family feelings,...
Reflections on the book Give Me a Ticket to Childhood
There are stories that one reads and forgets. But there are also books that leave an indelible impression, serving as a precursor, a purpose, an ideal, and a launchpad guiding people towards bright new horizons. 'Give Me a Ticket to Childhood' by the author Nguyen Nhat Anh is one such book.
I believe anyone who has read this work cannot forget the dreamy and wistful world through the mischievous eyes of the eight-year-old boy. Yet, that world is not luxurious, mysterious, or fanciful like in fairy tales that are intertwined with the childhood of every child; it is the hidden corner in the soul, the most authentic memories, the mirror reflecting countless childhood memories.
Nguyen Nhat Anh has bestowed upon readers a ticket on a special train so that each of us can flip back the pages of time dyed with the colors of the past, return to the pure river of childhood, and wash away all the dust, stagnation, and frivolities in the adult world. Please do not hastily think that this is just a shallow, tasteless work for children that deprives them of the opportunity to rediscover themselves, to find the most simple essence of life, as the author once asserted, 'I wrote this book not for children. I wrote it for those who were once children.' Throughout the book, the story revolves around a group of four friends with the appearances of 'old men, young ladies' wearing the innocence of childhood: the character I (Uncle Mui), Tisun, Hairy, and Ton - the beauty queen of the neighborhood. Through the maturity journey of these 'little ones,' it's as if I'm witnessing a slow-motion film, sometimes blurry, chaotic, but sometimes the images of childhood days emerge vividly, as if just yesterday.
Those memories are not all glittering gloriously, nor are they epic tales full of pride. For Uncle Mui, it is simply an inexplicable sadness about the old life in the monotonous cycle 'The same sun shines every day. The same black curtain falls every night. On the roof and on the branches behind the garden, the wind still whispers the wind's voice. The birds still sing the bird's song. The cricket chirps, the chicken clucks.' And above all, the mischief, the arrogance of the eight-year-old boy, is very realistically portrayed through years of slouching in the school desk with the joy of going to class to chat, argue, joke, doze off, or choose a dark spot to avoid being called up to the board. In the first chapter of the book, surely the reader has a little jolt, a mixed feeling of embarrassment upon encountering their own shadow in the innocent character.
Whether you dare to admit it or not, at the age of playfulness, restlessness, studying is like a duty that confines us before so many exciting games, before so many new horizons, and now going out to play is the magical time for the little bird to stretch its cage to find a little fleeting joy. That unique stream of consciousness seems like a universal master key touching every private corner in my memory, memories of a third-grade student always daydreaming about long division problems turned into towering skyscrapers that I, the talented architect, designed, or the chicken scratchings dancing in the notebook with me as the skilled chef creates a new, delicious twist under the skillful hands of the head chef...
Perhaps I and many other 'little friends' have either lost or are losing many precious years of study, losing a lot of useful knowledge. However, I will not deny that childhood, nor will I deny those mistakes because no one is perfect. If we do not have the courage to look at the past, to acknowledge our own shortcomings, then we are only deceiving ourselves with a fake facade of perfection.
Writer Nguyen Nhat Anh has also put forward the philosophy that 'To live better, sometimes we have to learn to be children before learning to be adults.' Indeed, through truthful stories about bygone childhood, the author gently embeds educative ideas, gently ringing the bell echoing into the human subconscious, helping us discover new truths. The author's style is partly mocking, joking, and partly conveying profound philosophical orientations to a wide audience of readers and sometimes to parents in particular.
We surely cannot forget the complaints of Uncle Mui, 'Adults often allow themselves to do whatever they like, including very trivial desires, and forbid children to do anything they don't like, and their prohibitions are sometimes trivial too.' Sometimes, out of love, parents unintentionally exceed the judgment and impose on children because they always want their children to accept everything good and stay away from pitfalls. But is it unfair when we deprive children of the right to stumble and force them into a perfect mold containing only joy and prosperity? It sounds paradoxical, but it's like a delicious dish that, if eaten too much, becomes boring. Comparatively, it's like walking a path that, if too flat and covered with roses, happiness becomes dull, tasteless because human life is only lived once, we only experience all the joys, sorrows, loves, hates once.
Has any child ever learned to walk without stumbling? A child who has never stuttered will not be able to pronounce clearly, so through Nguyen Nhat Anh's work, he also wants to send a message to 'adults' to let children develop naturally, we should only advise and not prevent them from exploring the world, even though we know it is a dead end because we have also experienced it before. So let children reach for the future with their own small feet.
Moreover, in 'give me a ticket to childhood,' every adult must admire the creativity, dreams of the children, which is also ours in the past. It is the desire to 'name the world,' to use imagination to turn a pillow into a doll, a hat into a notebook, a dog into an ironing board, a fan into a TV, and Mui into the headmaster... They are not just messing around, the essence of the 'weird' game is the secret desire to change the world around them into something new, pure as if being born again, so that they don't get bored with eating, sleeping, going to class, and studying. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the work is still the innocent, soulful relationship between Uncle Mui and his friend Tun, which faintly reveals very naive confessions.
'Later I knew it was a feeling of jealousy, of course, it was jealousy in a childlike way, but at that time I just felt uncomfortable.' It is a childish love that is perhaps purer, more sacred because it is not clouded by the whirlpool of money, fame, and is not controlled, saturated with emotions when adults try to program, plan to force invisible emotions into tight frames.
Give me a ticket to childhood - a work that opens up a paradise of freshness, filled with sunshine and the crisp laughter of childhood. Nguyen Nhat Anh has connected the pages of memories inadvertently forgotten or even lost amidst this bustling, chaotic life. He has brought readers from all walks of life, all ages, all social strata on a journey back to the childhood station to begin the journey of rediscovering themselves, the essence of 'humanity's original good nature.' Reading the work, every image, every action, every word of the four characters leaves me with a sense of nostalgia, a deep-seated obsession, an obsession with the indifferent flow of time that has taken away so much from me, taken away the days of wandering around the neighborhood, taken away the close friends who were everything to me, and most of all, taken away the very shadow of childhood and even the countless burning dreams that I once longed to fulfill were blurred, buried by the dust of time.
The cultural ambassador reading contest in 2022, question, answer sheet 1
Question 2: If chosen as the Cultural Ambassador for Reading, what plans and measures do you have to encourage everyone to read more?
Hint for Answering:
There is a saying, 'A house without books is like a body without a soul.' Because, books are not simply rectangular blocks, inside are countless words. But each seemingly unconscious book is a soul.
For me, books are like a friend, a teacher, or a private space for me to reflect on life, which is inherently busy and bustling. Reading books for me is a passion, a passion that seems to be hidden in some corner of my soul. So if chosen as the cultural ambassador for reading, I will spread my love for books to those who share the same passion, even more so to those who do not like reading. I will advocate for the community to see that books contribute to shaping human personality, helping people improve their knowledge. Human personality is like a small seedling and each book is like a drop of water. Reading many books is like providing more nutrition for that small seedling to grow well and become mature trees that contribute to society.
If appointed as an ambassador, I will participate in book fairs, engage with fellow book enthusiasts. From there, I can spread the love of books, raise my voice, and inspire the community to read. As an ambassador, I will join the pioneering project 'Reading Together,' creating a generation of youth who appreciate and utilize the invaluable benefits from good books.
Through this, along with fellow book lovers, I will find a common voice, empathy, and share with each other the message that each book brings. As a cultural reading ambassador, I have the opportunity to experience myself. For example, exchanging experiences will help improve communication skills or enhance creativity and critical thinking. Besides, books also provide entertainment, making life feel rich and colorful.
In addition, with the significant reward money received as an ambassador, I will allocate a large portion to buy all kinds of good books, while also calling on everyone to support books. I will personally donate these books to poor children in remote areas who do not have the money to buy books but have a passion for reading like me. Through this, I also partly connect people together, sharing love, and passion for the community.
Whether or not I become an ambassador is no longer important. Because whether or not I have the honor of that title, I still hope to encourage everyone to read, spreading my love for books to the community through small actions like donating books to school libraries or supporting books for poor children. Writer H. Godefroy once said: 'Books intoxicate us to the core, they talk to us, give us advice, and connect with us with an intimate, lively, and rhythmic affection.'
In conclusion, if chosen to be the cultural reading ambassador, I will:
- Encourage family members to get library cards for leisure reading.
- Explore and read great books available at the school library, then introduce them to friends to read together.
- Encourage friends to visit the library regularly to find books to read.
- Actively participate in reading events organized by the school such as book reading days, storytelling competitions based on books, etc.
- Accompany friends to places with a wide selection of books to buy or borrow, such as libraries or large bookstores in the area.
- Seek out new books, interesting stories in books to share with friends.
- Assist the school librarian in helping classmates find books to read, maintain and preserve reading materials, and rearrange books after reading.
Assist the school librarian in showcasing new books, refreshing library decor, and beautifying the library to attract students to read.
Winning entry of the 2022 Cultural Ambassador Reading Contest
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2. Part 2
Submission for the 2022 Cultural Ambassador Reading Contest Part 2:
Question 1: Create a piece (story or poem) to encourage reading (Participants are encouraged to illustrate).
Writing Tip:
Essay 1: Reading Books
Delving into each word, into each chapter
Every page, every word, every heartfelt sentiment
Every meaning, every sentence, every lingering question
Reading meticulously from start to finish
Read from top to bottom without hesitation
Finishing reading, embrace the book tightly
In golden dreams, meet companions along the way
Essay 2
Reading may not make you rich, but not reading surely makes you poor
Feeling lonely? Every book is ready to be your friend
Why wait till tomorrow to read? Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday—every day is a chance to delve into knowledge. There's no such thing as 'tomorrow' in the realm of learning.
There's a sin worse than burning books—it's neglecting to read them.
A home may lack windows, but it must possess books.
Reading is paramount. If you know how to read, the whole world will unfold before you.
Reading a good book is akin to conversing with the greatest minds of centuries past.
Lesson 3
Opening a book page fills the heart with excitement.
Mountains, rivers, land, sky, history, civilization—unfold before your eyes.
A treasure trove of knowledge encapsulated within your heart.
Nourishing the soul, illuminating the dawn of enlightenment.
In times of weariness, boredom, or despair, flipping through pages, you'll rediscover love for life.
Turning the pages of a book, you'll find yourself falling in love with life.
Words of sharing and encouragement within the lines.
You'll feel your heart light and peaceful.
In moments of joy and excitement, no worries linger.
Turning the pages of a book, you'll find your heart calming.
Oh! The world outside is filled with complexities and contradictions.
Amidst compassion and sorrow, be strong and resilient.
Though small, the pages of a book hold immense sentiments.
Give books the affection they deserve.
Cherish books as you would cherish loved ones.
Wherever you go, let a book be in your hand.
Question 2: If chosen as the cultural reading ambassador, what plans and strategies do you have to encourage everyone to read more?
Essay Prompt:
Someone once said: Reading may not make you rich, but not reading will surely make you poor! You may be wealthy in material possessions, but without reading, your intellect and spiritual life will never be fulfilled and expansive. Books open up new worlds for us, take us to new horizons, and most importantly, they are the closest and most faithful companions that will never leave us. For me, reading is immensely important. If honored to be chosen as a cultural reading ambassador, I will have thoughts, actions, and endeavors to spread the love of reading to everyone. I believe I can do it, and so can you.
All issues stem from specific causes. Firstly, I will thoroughly understand the reasons why people dislike reading. It can be seen that, historically, reading in our country has not been emphasized much. Directly affecting reading is the education sector, as it is one of the sectors that directly influences the perception of students from a young age. Furthermore, parents and families do not provide specific reminders or guidance to educate children about the culture of reading. Additionally, organizations and institutions not emphasizing the promotion of reading have created many obstacles for people to access reading culture. There are many other objective reasons affecting people's reading habits, but perhaps the most important is the subjective reason within our own thoughts and perceptions. We often tend to be lazy, especially when it comes to reading. In this age of booming information technology, we have the mindset that anything can be found on websites. Information is abundant, updated daily, saving time and money to go buy books.
In light of the aforementioned realities and reasons, I propose the following solutions:
Firstly, individuals need to recognize the role and importance of reading. Only when we realize the important role of reading, will we have the motivation and awareness of ourselves.
Secondly, specific plans need to be made when reading. If you read a book in the conventional way, meaning whenever you're free, there are times when you're too busy to neglect reading, prolonging the reading time for many months. This makes reading disjointed, and sometimes you have to string together details in the book to imagine the part you've read. From today, set yourself specific reading plans. What time to read, what time of day? What books to read each day? How many pages to plan to read each day? When setting goals, objectives for reading, we will carry out sequentially and achieve certain effects. This also helps you develop a habit of consciously taking responsibility for yourself.
Thirdly, selecting books that are truly necessary for oneself. This is quite important because when you need to supplement certain knowledge, you will feel more motivated and interested than reading useless books, even unhealthy ones that do not benefit your brain. The moment of selecting an appropriate book for yourself is crucial. In my opinion, this is also the greatest benefit that reading brings. If you are feeling down, losing faith in life, and you're given a book that adds motivation and belief in yourself, you will surely find the problems you encounter much simpler and can solve them easily. If you're heartbroken, losing faith in love, and you find a book about happiness, learning to love yourself, you'll definitely feel life is worth living and there are many things waiting for you ahead more than dwelling on a past love affair. I myself have found the right and necessary books in times of utmost despair. A friend gave me the book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' when I was starting my career. The book came to me at the right time and I found more meaning in it than I thought. The book brought me many benefits, and thanks to it, I started my career successfully. This shows that reading a book can sometimes change your thoughts, emotions, and even your life.
Fourthly, I believe we should create a comfortable reading space. You can't immerse yourself in a book in a noisy room with laughter and chatter. Nor can you read them in dark, damp, or cramped spaces... What you need to do is create a space dedicated to your reading that is more comfortable and conducive to free thought. Find a quiet room, a comfortable chair, and lose yourself in thoughtful pages.
Fifthly, I advise you to frequent the library. Visiting the library will help you have certain choices for your reading plans. Here, you'll also have a comfortable space to read or exchange knowledge with friends and others around you. Exchanging knowledge sometimes also broadens our intellectual world.
Next, I suggest you join book clubs if you have time. Especially for current students, every school has a book club. This is where you can exchange books, borrow, or critique a book with others. This helps you gain more knowledge and at the same time, gain new insights into the books you plan to read.
I also recommend participating in book fair events. At certain locations, there will be book fairs where people can buy, exchange, or trade old and new books with each other. This not only gives you more choices for your bookshelf but also saves you a little money when buying used books.
Reading becomes more meaningful when you spread the reading culture to everyone. As a young person, bring your passion and enthusiasm to spread it to everyone around you. Then, your reading will have a significant meaning because it has been spread to everyone. You read, I read, and everyone reads.
I have, am, and will implement the above plans and methods for my reading to be more effective. I hope you will help me spread good books, effective reading methods to everyone to make reading culture popular with everyone. Imagine, one day you go to the park, public places, instead of phones in hand, people are holding books. Imagine in the school yard, students sitting exchanging the meanings of the books they read instead of gathering to talk about a new dress bought or some new trend among the youth. Imagine in homes, after dinner, parents sit down and read a story to their children, a good book about life instead of entertainment programs on television. It's truly wonderful...They often say a book is both a friend and a teacher. The whole world is at your fingertips, whether you achieve it or not is up to you...Change your perception today to step into the meaningful world of human knowledge. I can do it, and so can you!
In the realm of imagination, between the realms of dreams and reality, lies a tale waiting to be told. This is the saga of the vanishing stars and the whispers of the moon.
Within the tapestry of time, amidst the threads of destiny, emerges the enigma of the third quest. Behold, the riddle of the cosmic wanderer.
Embark upon the journey of cultural emissaries, where words transcend borders and tales echo through the corridors of time.
Venture forth into the realm of creativity, where pens are wielded as swords and canvases become portals to new dimensions. Your task: to breathe life into the unwritten chapters of a story or a tome, adorned with the hues of imagination and adorned with the melodies of English prose.
Guided by the compass of inspiration, traverse the landscapes of thought and weave the tapestry of your narrative. Let your brushstrokes of creativity paint the canvas of possibility, accompanied by the symphony of bilingual expression.
Amidst the echoes of folklore and the whispers of yore, lies the tale of the little match girl, her flames flickering against the darkness, illuminating the path to hope.
Then he seemed unable to stand firm, he fell onto the snowy road. Surprisingly, the little match girl exclaimed in panic:
- Father!
The little girl cried again, not because of excitement anymore, but because of pain. She felt sorry for her father. Could it be that she had caused her father pain? Was it her fault? She felt remorseful, regretful. Amidst the tears, she spoke to her grandmother:
- Grandma... can you... plead with the Lord... to let my father... into this... heavenly realm?, please?
The grandmother embraced the little girl tightly, wiping away her tears and comforting her:
- Hush now, child... hush now...
The girl was taken to a resting room. She needed time to calm down.
A few days later, she saw her father sitting in a corner of the house, staring at the only picture of her that he still kept. No more alcohol, her father just sat there quietly, his hand caressing the picture. It was dark inside, and the atmosphere was gloomy and dull. 'It's been days and father is still like this?' - she worried. Her father's eyes were swollen from crying. She felt deeply sorry for him. Then suddenly, her father stood up, his fist clenched. He had to go out and beg for a job, and it was tough to finally get accepted at a candy store. He had to plead with people for days, and it was also because they felt sorry for him. Much later, the little match girl looked down at her father's world again. She was very surprised to see her father doing well in the shop. Suddenly, a poor child was begging on the street. Her father rushed out, giving the child a delicious cake he had just bought. The child smiled warmly, and so did her father. Somewhere in heaven, the little match girl smiled brightly too.
At that moment, the little match girl was truly happy. She could be completely joyful living with her grandmother and mother, because she believed her father was also very happy. But there was one thing she didn't know, that was the message she wrote behind the picture that gave her father the strength to continue living. Whatever she wrote on it, she had forgotten, but her father remembered forever: 'Dad, I love you so much, I believe you can always live well in this world'
The Story of the Tortoise and the Hare
The story concludes with the Hare losing to the Tortoise. Due to underestimating the Tortoise, the Hare did not take the race seriously, ultimately resulting in defeat. And the Tortoise became the fastest runner due to his perseverance and patience.
Continuation of the Story
Despite the clear outcome, our Rabbit refused to submit, believing that it was only due to careless play and oversleeping that he lost to the Tortoise. And he decided to challenge the Tortoise again on another day.
With the Tortoise's consent, on a beautiful morning at sunrise, the Rabbit appeared at the competition venue waiting for the Tortoise. And the match proceeded as planned. Just like the previous match, the Tortoise steadily moved forward step by step with laborious steps, while the Rabbit dashed like an arrow towards the finish line. This time, the Rabbit did not slack off or underestimate the Tortoise but was determined to win. Finally, the Rabbit reached the finish line and defeated the Tortoise.
After the defeat, the Tortoise pondered a lot. If competing with the Rabbit on land, the Tortoise would never win, so he decided to challenge the Rabbit to a race underwater. Then the competition took place at a large lake in the forest. Initially, when starting off, the Rabbit also tried to run, but under the water, he couldn't run like on land, the farther he went, the less he could run and swim. When he reached the deep water, the Rabbit was exhausted, drank many gulps of water, luckily the Tortoise swam out in time to call the Rabbit to climb on and carried him to the shore. The Rabbit conceded and accepted defeat.
The Rabbit and the Tortoise shook hands, agreeing that each person had their own strengths and no one should look down on anyone. From then on, the Rabbit and the Tortoise continued to be close friends in the forest, helping and loving each other without competing against each other anymore.
Question 2: If chosen as the cultural reading ambassador, what plans and measures do you have to encourage everyone to read more books?
Guidelines for the Essay:
Reading books isn't just to kill time; it's about enhancing awareness, accumulating literary knowledge, finding beautiful sentences, and lovely poetry through books. Many people always jot down sentences, poems in their notebooks, expanding their multidimensional knowledge.
Writer Lo Tan once said: To write one word, you must have a ton of words in your mind; to speak one word, you must have a thousand words in your head.
Reading instills a habit, sharpens the eyes, and quickens them. Those who love reading will develop reading methods, using their eyes to scan quickly, uncovering the ideas they seek. Reading aloud engages both sight and hearing, and the brain stores it in memory, facilitating long-term retention and deep understanding.
Lenin taught: 'Without books, there is no knowledge. Without knowledge, there is no socialism and communism.
Researcher Nguyen Trung believes: 'Reading is the shortest path to understanding life, which is expanding at an increasingly rapid pace. Reading helps one be much more leisurely in work and much calmer in life. The older I get, the more I realize: the busier and more distressed I am, the more I must strive to select books to read.'
Yet today, it seems that reading culture is being neglected by the younger generation. Historical roots and even the examples of good people, good deeds, are rarely encountered by young readers... These factors are making cultural activities less appealing, and social morality is deteriorating.
Emphasizing the paramount importance of books and knowledge in life, I personally aspire to see the World Book Day event in Vietnam becoming a cultural and civilized activity cherished by book lovers. It needs to be sustained and promoted further in society with greater support and attention from relevant authorities, as cultivating a reading culture is indispensable for civilized citizens in this modern age.
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II. Sample entry for the Capital Cultural Ambassador Reading Contest for Students
1. Topic 1
Question 1: Share about a book you cherish, a book that has altered your perception or life.
Suggestion for response:
In the simplicity of human life, there are often overlooked treasures. Let's cherish the simplest things around us and do what we can while we're still alive. Reading this book has changed my perspective on life. I treasure life more and empathize deeply. It's my cherished 'treasure,' the book: 'A Liter of Tears.'
The book 'A Liter of Tears' is a profoundly touching story based on the real-life character Aya, a Japanese girl afflicted with a rare degenerative brain disease at the age of fifteen. The title is rich in imagery and meaning, though some might find it an understatement. After reading this book, I felt a liter of tears isn't enough, as this story has moved millions of hearts, evoking tears that will never dry. It's based on Aya's diary, recounting her ten-year battle with extraordinary death. At the age of twenty-five, she set aside her pen, her dreams, memories, and hopes for a better future.
The beautiful girl departed due to a ruthless illness at the tender age of twenty-five, leaving behind many unfinished plans. Her biggest dream at that moment was: 'Could I ever get married?' She yearned for love and happiness, like so many others, truly needing it... A dream unfulfilled before departure, a burning desire that torments the hearts of readers.
'Everyone carries burdens and worries.
Remembering the past brings tears flowing.
While reality is too harsh and cruel.
Tiny dreams seem impossible to fulfill.
Thinking about the future brings tears to my eyes.
This book only partially depicts her pain, yet it deeply saddened me. When afflicted, she struggled to eat, her limbs immobilized, love withdrew upon learning of her illness, friends distanced themselves for fear of intrusion, nearing death, her face distorted. But her extraordinary will to live prevented her from succumbing. In the depths of cruelty and despair, she still had loving parents and Asou - a close friend who stood by her, comforting and crying with her in times of difficulty. This love provided the strength for her to live another ten years.
You know, Aya's perspective on life is quite different. Alongside her extraordinary will, she has a deep perception of life beyond herself: 'I want to become the air.' She wishes for a gentle life like others and wants everyone to know of her existence in this world. Perhaps this debilitating disease has given her a deeper insight into the world, into what's happening around her, simple yet intimate, essential in daily life. And right now, she feels the family's love for her, sacred and noble. 'There, perhaps I won't shed tears anymore,' in the current world, she has cried a lot but her soul always harbors a fierce vitality. She wishes to pass the entrance exam to a famous university in Japan. But perhaps that wish can never be fulfilled; she's now in another world, a world without tears. Before dying, she had a wish: 'I want to lie among a bed of flowers, mom... dad... don't forget me.' And on the day she left, everyone who knew her diary's story was touched, mournful. Each held a bouquet forming a forest of flowers around Aya, full of extraordinary determination. The sunflowers she wrote about in her final years: 'I know you always hope for a miracle for me.'
But if the miracle doesn't happen, I hope my parents won't be sad...' And a sentence that forever tugs at the reader's soul: 'Why did it have to be me?' Does anyone read these lines without feeling heartache? Is it all fate as Nguyen Du once said:
'Reflect, it's all from heaven's will.'
When the sky beckons, one must follow suit.
To catch the worldly wind, one must be worldly.
Only through nobility can one attain true nobility.
This is a book worth reading and pondering over, portraying a story rich in humanity and extraordinary resilience. Reading 'A Liter of Tears' makes me appreciate every second, every moment in this life even more. My life still unfolds as usual, with the sun's rays, sand, wind, and air. But since reading that book, I've come to cherish the simple things that I used to overlook even more. And I thank this beloved book for helping me realize and appreciate the beautiful moments in life while they last.
Question 2: If chosen as the Cultural Ambassador of Reading, what plans and measures do you have to encourage others to read more?
Guide to Writing:
If appointed as the Cultural Ambassador of Reading, I will:
- Encourage family members to get library cards and borrow books for leisure reading.
- Explore and read good books available at the school library, then introduce them to friends for joint reading sessions.
- Invite friends to visit the library regularly to find books to read.
- Actively participate in reading activities organized by the school such as book reading days, storytelling competitions based on books.
- Accompany friends to places with a wide selection of books for purchase or borrowing, such as the school library and local bookstores.
Assist the school librarian in guiding students to find, preserve, and organize books in the school library.
Explore new books and exciting stories to share with your peers.
Create knowledge hubs by repurposing old books, making them accessible to a wider audience.
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2. Topic 2
Compose a literary work (short story, poem, play) or an artistic piece (painting) to spread the love for reading, nurture humanistic values, awaken responsibilities towards oneself, family, society, instill pride in the nation, and foster patriotism.
Hints for writing:
A gentle breeze brushes past the small window frame
Carrying the scent of flowers gently towards her
The breeze stands solemnly, gazing at the little girl
Leisurely reading books on the cute little table
The breeze hesitates, lost in thought
What's bothering the little one about the book?
The little one responds: Life of a tiny friend
Sometimes sadness, often pain
After a while, the child smiles contentedly
The wind cheerfully asks, how come you're so happy?
What does the book have that makes you so joyful?
The little one responds: Books filled with love
Do you know, Wind? These books here!
Containing countless wonders and enchantment
Each page teaches us to live each day
Give, and you shall receive love in return.
The Wind is delighted with the tales the child tells
Reading books in leisure times is delightful
With cool breeze, the young one and the tiny book
And we wander through the world
Question 2: You (or You all) should devise an innovative initiative to foster reading culture within the community? (Clearly state the purpose, creative novelty, outcomes achieved or anticipated, impact, and potential for application and expansion within the community).
Guidelines for writing:
Approaches to cultivate reading culture within the community:
Method 1:
- Organize a small group where everyone can contribute their books for others to read various genres.
- Arrange book reading and comprehension competitions.
- Spread awareness among people about the benefits of reading.
- Regularly visit the library with friends.
Method 2:
- Organize a book reading competition with the rule: whoever reads and understands the most books wins.
- Host a small competition with the topic: 'present about your favorite book' and present your own feelings about your favorite book.
- Initiate book exchange events
- Join book reading clubs
- Plan out the books we will read
Some tips to read more books:
- Carry books with you everywhere to seize moments of free time for more reading. Especially e-books.
- Create a list of the books you intend to read.
- Read various types of books. This helps keep your mind and thoughts always fresh.
- Share what you've read. Sharing the beneficial things you've read is a very effective way for others to learn about more good and useful books.
- Listen to audiobooks. This may not be suitable for reading culture, but it also helps you grasp a lot of new content from good books while you're on the move.
- Always seek out good books. If you come across any while browsing, take a photo or note them down, then search for them later.
Make reading books a priority. With only 24 hours in a day, prioritize reading books over scrolling through social media or watching Netflix.
Schedule dedicated time for reading. This will help us cultivate a daily reading habit.
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For diverse participation, students can engage in the cultural ambassador reading contest by writing or filming clips. Here are the 2023 cultural ambassador reading contest papers along with detailed writing suggestions, hoping to facilitate students in grasping ideas for participation. Additionally, students can refer to samples of the 2021 cultural ambassador reading contest papers 1, 2, 3 for more insights on structuring ideas and elaborating personal content.
