Group 1 - The article discusses the increasing difficulty of the college entrance examination (Gaokao) and its implications on social mobility and class stratification [2][3] - The emergence of individuals like "Miss Dong" and "Miss Jiang" highlights the potential for bypassing traditional educational pathways, raising questions about the fairness and authority of the Gaokao system [2][3] - The Gaokao is viewed as a mechanism to prevent class solidification, but its authority is being challenged by the success of those who do not follow the traditional educational route [3][4] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the historical context of the "exam-taker" worldview, which has been a stable upward path for many generations, but is now being undermined by global neoliberal trends [5][6] - The economic changes have led to a disparity in returns on education, making the traditional pathways less viable for many, resulting in a sense of disillusionment among "exam-takers" [5][6] - Cultural perceptions of "exam-takers" have shifted, with them being marginalized in consumerist society, although there remains a respect for academic achievement in China compared to other cultures [7][9] Group 3 - The article discusses the impact of globalization on local economies and the emergence of a global class that feels disconnected from traditional local identities [9][10] - The loss of local identity and economic opportunities is highlighted, with references to the political climate in the U.S. as a parallel to the challenges faced in China [10][12] - The article suggests that the authority of the Gaokao is a crucial barrier against the encroachment of globalized elites, emphasizing the need to reaffirm its value in the face of changing societal dynamics [13][14]