Because the novel is about the period of rural reform, it should be from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. At that time, the countryside still ate the same pot, most farmers did not have enough to eat and clothes were not warm, and malnutrition was a common phenomenon.

As for the influence on college entrance examination students, this work had a great influence on society at that time. At that time, young people in China, whether in rural or urban areas, had basically read this book as long as they had attended middle school. It really influenced the thinking of a generation. I don't think it has much impact on the current college entrance examination students. Nowadays, young people should not say how much they can read. Even if they can read, it will have little impact on themselves, because the living environment is completely different, and some are just confused or curious. But the work is really well written, which can be said to be a true portrayal of the countryside at that time.

At present, there are not many works that can write about the social situation, and all the popular ones are illusory online novels full of yy, such as cities or fantasy.