Preparation for English 12 Exam

With independence comes increased responsibility

People are changing all the time; growing from being a naive baby into a well-educated adult. Yet, different surroundings and life experiences shape everyone uniquely. Some people are raised well-rounded, confident and considerate, while others are raised dull and lazy. I believe that people themselves are the key to moulding their characters rather than other factors being responsible, no matter what circumstances they are in.

I learned this truth when I was seventeen. In 2011, I travelled with a friend of mine to Lijiang, a small town in China. Although I had watched news about poverty and thought that I was ready to face it, when I actually experienced it, I was shocked. Since we were interested in the city, my friend and I decided to avoid ‘traveler spots’; instead we consulted local residents about where we should visit. One day while riding the bus with the locals, we found our way into the inner village. While on the bus I met a little boy. He led us through the forest without asking for money in return; we climbed Guibei Mountain. We picked mushrooms and he introduced us to his sister, who was selling tea bag eggs and drinks on the mountain. I learned that both of them couldn’t afford school and their family needed them to help with farming. I asked for his address and before coming to Canada, I sent them some photos that we took together as well as some books of mine. 

While I had heard a lot about such small villages on TV, when I personally travelled there my experience was ten times more eye-opening. He did not complain about his family and life, or about being poor, instead, he was thankful for what he had and took the responsibility of raising himself and supporting his family bravely. His smiling face and positive attitude have influenced me deeply. He stands up for his family, devoting himself to improving their quality of life, and enduring hard work, so why did I always grumble about my...