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.

【助读词汇】

-senior n.（中学或大学的）毕业班的学生

-commencement n.毕业典礼，学位授予典礼

-conquer vt.攻克，征服；破除，克服

-snap n.轻而易举的事

-survey vt. 调查，审视

-shift v. 移动，转移，挪动身子

【参考译文】

这天是某大学期末考试的最后一天。在一栋建筑物的台阶上，一群工程学大四的学生聚集在一起，讨论着几分钟后就要开始的考试。他们的脸上溢满了自信。这是他们大学里最后一次考试，接下来就是参加毕业典礼，走向工作岗位。有些人谈论着他们找到的工作，有些人则说着他们将得到的工作。怀揣着4年大学给的信心，他们觉得已经准备好，可以去征服世界了。这次考试，他们清楚，将是小菜一碟。教授已经说过，他们可以携带任何书本或者笔记，只要不在考试中交头接耳。他们心情愉悦地走进了教室。教授分发了试卷。学生们见到只有5道论述题，脸上都笑开了花。3个小时过去了，教授开始收试卷。此时，学生们看起来不再信心满满。他们被吓住了。没人说话。

教授将试卷拿到手里，面对着学生。他观察着他眼前满是忧虑的脸庞，然后问道：“有多少人完成了这5道题？”没人举手。“完成了4道的？”仍然没有手举起来。“3道？两道？”学生们在座位上忐忑不安地挪动着。“那么，1道题的？当然，有人完成了1道题。”但是，整个教室鸦雀无声。教授放下手里的试卷。“这完全不出我的意料。”他说道，“我只是要让你们铭记，尽管你们完成了4年的工程学学业，这门学科你们还有很多知识不懂。这些你们无法答出来的题，在日常应用时相对比较常见。”然后，他笑着补充道：“你们都会考过这门课程，但是请记住，尽管你们现在是大学毕业生，你们的学习才刚刚开始。”几年以后，也许教授的名字会被忘记，但是这堂课不会被忘。

【人生启迪】

大学4年的时光并不能学到所有，相反，真正的学习才刚刚开始，因为学海无涯。