要學的很多

So much to learn

It was the last day of final examination in a university. On the steps of one building, a group of engineering seniors gathered together, discussing the exam due to begin in a few minutes. On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam—then on to commencement and jobs. Some talked of jobs they already had; others of jobs they would get. With all this assurance of four years of college, they felt ready and able to conquer the world. The exam, they knew, would be a snap. The professor had said they could bring any books or notes they wanted, only that they did not talk to each other during the test. Happily they walked into the classroom. The professor passed out the papers. And smiles broadened as the students noted there were only five essay-type questions. Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. They were frightened. No one spoke.

With papers in hand, the professor faced the class. He surveyed the worried faces before him, and then asked: “How many completed all five questions?” Not a hand was raised. “How many answered four?” Still no hands. “Three? Two?” The students shifted restlessly in their seats. “One, then? Certainly somebody finished one.” But the class remained silent. The professor put down the papers. “That is exactly what I expected,” he said. “I just want to impress upon you that, even though you have completed four years of engineering, there are still many things about the subject you don’t know. These questions you could not answer are relatively common in everyday practice.” Then, smiling, he added: “You will all pass this course, but remember that, even though you are now college graduates, your education has just begun.” After years, the name of this professor may be forgotten, but not the lesson he taught.

【助讀詞匯】

◇senior n.（中學或大學的）畢業班的學生

◇commencement n.畢業典禮，學位授予典禮

◇conquer vt.攻克，征服；破除，克服

◇snap n.輕而易舉的事

◇survey vt. 調查，審視

◇shift v. 移動，轉移，挪動身子

【參考譯文】

要學的很多

這天是某大學期末考試的最后一天。在一棟建筑物的臺階上，一群工程學大四的學生聚集在一起，討論著幾分鐘后就要開始的考試。他們的臉上溢滿了自信。這是他們大學里最后一次考試，接下來就是參加畢業典禮，走向工作崗位。有些人談論著他們找到的工作，有些人則說著他們將得到的工作。懷揣著4年大學給的信心，他們覺得已經準備好，可以去征服世界了。這次考試，他們清楚，將是小菜一碟。教授已經說過，他們可以攜帶任何書本或者筆記，只要不在考試中交頭接耳。他們心情愉悅地走進了教室。教授分發了試卷。學生們見到只有5道論述題，臉上都笑開了花。3個小時過去了，教授開始收試卷。此時，學生們看起來不再信心滿滿。他們被嚇住了。沒人說話。

教授將試卷拿到手里，面對著學生。他觀察著他眼前滿是憂慮的臉龐，然后問道：“有多少人完成了這5道題？”沒人舉手。“完成了4道的？”仍然沒有手舉起來。“3道？兩道？”學生們在座位上忐忑不安地挪動著。“那么，1道題的？當然，有人完成了1道題。”但是，整個教室鴉雀無聲。教授放下手里的試卷。“這完全不出我的意料。”他說道，“我只是要讓你們銘記，盡管你們完成了4年的工程學學業，這門學科你們還有很多知識不懂。這些你們無法答出來的題，在日常應用時相對比較常見。”然后，他笑著補充道：“你們都會考過這門課程，但是請記住，盡管你們現在是大學畢業生，你們的學習才剛剛開始。”幾年以后，也許教授的名字會被忘記，但是這堂課不會被忘。

【人生啟迪】

大學4年的時光并不能學到所有，相反，真正的學習才剛剛開始，因為學海無涯。