Group 1 - The 2025 Shanghai Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination) has commenced with over 63,000 candidates participating, an increase from approximately 54,000 last year [1] - This year, Shanghai has set up 19 examination districts, 181 test sites, and over 2,700 examination rooms to accommodate the candidates [1] Group 2 - The essay topic for this year's Gaokao has garnered significant attention, continuing the tradition of providing a rich space for critical thinking for both arts and science students [2] - Experts believe the topic encourages students to engage with social issues and apply their learning, moving beyond rote exam preparation [2][3] - The essay prompt allows students to explore the relationship between "specialization," "transmission," and "transformation," reflecting on their relevance in the context of modern information dissemination [3][4] Group 3 - The essay topic is designed to guide students in maintaining a clear mindset amidst the distractions of modern society, emphasizing the importance of creating valuable contributions to society [3] - The prompt encourages students to consider the processes of knowledge production and dissemination, prompting multifaceted reflections on how to effectively "transform" specialized knowledge into meaningful communication [3][4] - The careful selection of words in the essay topic indicates a thoughtful approach by the examiners, aiming to provoke deeper consideration of contemporary societal issues [4]