1 那天晚上，我在市中心附近闲坐。风在呼啸，气温很低，气氛让人感到压抑。我知道，所有这一切 让我想起了什么。很快我就明白了：是期末考试。
105 College Life 2 大学生感到最痛苦的时刻莫过于冬天期末考试的那一周。这种恐惧刻骨铭心，一生都忘不了——那 是一种绝望、一种挫败感，是意识到自己不得不勉强应答一大堆并未掌握的知识。而且一个人的前途如何，
就取决于这种勉强的应答。
3 我查了一下日历。果然，现在正好是西北大学学期快结束的时候——沿着我面前这条路走过去就是西 北大学。我知道，此时此刻，就在那里，成千上万的大学生正埋头于课本和笔记，使出浑身解数去背那些晦 涩难懂的事实和数字。其实这些东西他们毫不在乎。我按捺不住，径直朝校园走去。在我停下来的第一栋楼 里，有一间教室灯火通明。我走了进去。两个年轻人将资料摊得满屋子都是。这会儿没课，教室里只有他们 俩。“嘿，伙计们，”我说。他们抬起头，眼睛里满是痛苦的神情。他们看上去好像三四天没睡觉了。
4 “怎么了，年轻人？”我问。
5 “请别打扰我们，”其中一个轻声说。
6 “别打扰你们？”我问。
7 “要期末考试了，”另一人喘着粗气说。
8 我走出教室，开始在校园里悠闲地溜达。无论是男生还是女生，都哭丧着脸，踉踉跄跄地朝图书馆 走去。他们有的自言自语，有的抬头默默祈祷，有的走进树丛，站稳身子，然后继续往前走。我感觉好极 了。我曾经是他们中的一员，但现在我不是了。期末考试时置身大学校园而知道你不必参加考试，可能世 界上没有比这更令人兴奋的事了。
9 那天晚上的大部分时间，我从一栋楼逛到另一栋楼，看着学生们为第二天的期末考试做准备。这一 切是那么熟悉。他们围坐在长桌周围，面前摊开着螺旋装订的笔记本，连珠炮似地互相提问。一次次良久 的沉默，接着是试探性的回答。咒骂声不绝于耳，时不时夹杂着哀叹。他们跺脚，凝视窗外，仿佛随时会 哭出来。他们偶尔也朝我瞥一眼。在平时，他们可能会对我的出现感到好奇，但是，那天晚上，他们的目 光都呆滞无神，思维也不清晰了。我翻阅着体育版的消息，朝他们眨眨眼。
10 如果我当时善心大发，我就会告诉他们现实世界中的一个大秘密。这是我们所有上过大学的人走出 校园后才领悟到的秘密。如果大学生们知道了这个秘密，他们就会变得轻松而平静。这个秘密就是：现实 生活中没有期末考试。
11 确实如此。在现实生活中，你不必知道任何事情。任何情况下你都不必坐在一间拥挤不堪的房间里，
集中精力，眯起眼睛，背出那些晦涩、荒唐的具体事实。在现实生活中，你可以把书带上。同学们，请相 信：现实生活是开卷考试。如果你忘记了什么，你可以去查阅参考书，或者请教比你聪明的人。这很容易，
比在大学里容易多了。
12 只有在大学里，你才能够遇上像期末考试那样稀奇古怪、令人恐惧的事情。大学管理者们欺骗学生，
让他们相信与残酷无情的大千世界里每天所发生的事情相比，期末考试不过是温和的前兆。但这并不是事 实。如果现实世界真的像期末考试那样荒诞、令人厌恶，你就会看到街上的每位行人都像处在考试周里的 学生一样举止怪异、令人怜悯。现实并非如此，熬过了大学的期末考试后，一切如履平地。现实生活如同 惯性滑行。没有人会要求你比较伊丽莎白时期作品的异同，或者要求你描述布尔战争各大战役的来龙去脉。
如果在你工作时真有人过来问你这类问题，那么他就会马上被关进某所精神病院。
13 我本来可以将这些告诉学生们，我本来可以安慰他们，让事情变得简单些。我本来可以请他们和我 一起喝杯啤酒，忘了这周的期末考试。我本来可以告诉他们：看看《财富》500强企业的总经理们。你想会 有人胆敢问他们期末考试的成绩吗？我本来可以灌输给学生们这类可以让他们感到宽慰的想法的。
14 但是我没有。我为什么要告诉他们呢？我经历了许多次期末考试。期末考试让我几乎发疯，现在该 轮到他们发疯了。我看着绝望中的他们，像一个真正心满意足的人那样笑了。我几乎在校园里呆到午夜，
然后才悠闲地离开。在几栋教学楼之间的小径上，我看见有什么东西被风吹动，在人行道上翻滚。我蹲下
106 Unit 7
把它捡了起来。这是一本蓝皮答题簿，是期末考试周恐怖的、令人心惊胆战的标志。这一定是某个可怜的 学生带出考场后丢在地上的。我把它放入口袋，机械地笑了笑。校园教学楼里的灯光依然闪烁着，而且整 夜都会这样亮着，但是我得回家了。
PART 3
Further Development
1 Vocabulary Review
1 A
A all the teachers in a university B a department within a university
C a particular skill or a natural ability that sb. has 2 A
A make a mark on sth. in a way that spoils its appearance, or becomes spoiled in this way B show a change
C make a sign, shape, or word using a pen or pencil 3 B
A have the desired result or effect B sth. that sb. makes or does C a job that sb. is paid to do 4 B
A act as a lawyer for an accused person in criminal proceedings B say things to support sb. or sth. that is being criticized C prevent sth. from failing, stopping, or being taken away 5 B
A a subject or situation that you have to think about or deal with B be important or have a big effect on what happens
C (a matter of months) only a few months 6 C
A the details of the place where sb. lives or works B deal with or discuss
C a formal speech made to a group of people 7 C
A read or discuss sth. in order to make sure it is correct B be officially accepted and agreed
C experience a difficult or unpleasant situation, feeling, etc.
107 College Life 8 A
A not be caught or punished when you have done sth. wrong B receive only a small punishment for sth.
C escape (with sth.) 9 B
A strong and able to deal with difficult situations or pain B difficult to do or deal with
C (of food) very difficult to cut and chew 10 B
A sb. with a particular type of appearance or character B a number representing an amount
C be an important part of a process, event or situation 11 C
A become calmer B not moving or shaking
C become more balanced or controlled 12 A
A withdraw, as from a situation or commitment B (of a train) leave a station
C drive onto a road from another road or from where you have stopped
2 How Should Students Be Tested?
STEP ONE Sample
Alternatives for evaluating students’ performance other than finals:
• quizzes
• projects
• interviews
• presentations
• seminars and group discussions
• participation in class
• a combination of quizzes and assignments STEP THREE
Sample
• quizzes Advantages:
• There’s less pressure for the students.
• It’s possible to have many quizzes each semester.
Disadvantages:
• Global picture can hardly be given.
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• Quizzes don’t require much thinking.
• projects Advantages:
• More creativity can be expected.
• Rote learning may be discouraged.
• Interpersonal skills and cooperation can be developed with a team project.
Disadvantages:
• Cheating is very possible.
• It is hard to evaluate everyone’s share of work if the project is completed by a team.
• Interviews Advantages:
• More can be known about individuals’ capacity.
• Students’ verbal talent may also be discovered.
Disadvantages:
• They are time-consuming.
• Shy students may not be adequately assessed.
• Objectivity and full consistency of evaluation is hard to maintain.
• Presentations Advantages:
• More creativity can be expected on the part of students.
• They are easier to organize.
Disadvantages:
• They are also time-consuming.
• Presentation skills may be better valued than the work itself.
• Seminars and group discussions Advantages:
• Peer observation is possible.
• Cooperative skills may be cultivated.
Disadvantages:
• Chances are not equal for all students.
• Shy students may not express themselves adequately.
• Participation in class Advantages:
• It would encourage rapid and creative work.
• With less pressure, students may have better performance.
Disadvantages:
• It would be difficult for students in large-size classes.
• Objectivity and fairness is hard to maintain.
• A combination of quizzes and assignments Advantages:
• There’s less pressure for students.
• With a number of quizzes and assignments, students can keep improving their work.
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• Better student performance can be expected.
Disadvantages:
• They don’t require much / deep thinking.
• A comprehensive survey of student performance is hard to give.
• Cheating is very possible with assignments.
3 A Debate
For:• A secure future can be expected.
• The most important part—the College Entrance Examination—is over.
• Without the watchful eyes of parents, students should enjoy their freedom.
• Life at high school was too hard, so students need to relax at college.
• College is not as competitive as high school.
• Relaxing and having fun doesn’t necessarily mean that students do not learn.
Against:
• College life is not easy.
• College life is more competitive than life at high school.
• College courses are tougher.
• Today is the information age; the more one learns, the more competitive edge (竞争优势) one has in the job market.
• It is an age when people are evaluated by their abilities rather than by diplomas. A college degree cannot guarantee a good job.
• In order to be better-prepared for the future career, students should make best use of every minute at college.
• There is much more to be learned at college.
• We have to study on our own most of the time.
4 Poster Design Competition
Sample
Time: Sunday 7:00—11:00 p.m.
Place: Students’ Center Free Snacks; Mysterious Guest Be Sure to Wear Your Mask
Look Forward to Seeing You in Your Mask & Costume!
110 Unit 7
5 College Students at Different Times
Sample
So far as I can see from the pictures, the college students in 1910s-1920s look quite sober, because it was a time when China had just been free from feudalism, but was still suffering the ravages of such imperialist countries as Britain, France and Japan. People of that era were patriotic, cherishing a dream to save the country with their knowledge.
The 20 years of 1980s-1990s are a period when the country was going through reform and achieved very rapid development. College students at that time had greater exposure to the outside world, exotic culture, different views and imported products. They were enthusiastic about the brand-new things and were very ambitious about the development both of the country and individuals.
We college students today are confident and more independent. Thanks to modern technology, we have broader views and easier access to the outside world. We enjoy modern facilities which students decades ago couldn’t even imagine. Since China has become stronger and more developed, we feel we have a higher status in the world.
Despite the many differences I think Chinese college students, in spite of the time, share many similarities. We’re all hard-working, honest and patriotic. These traditional Chinese values will never change.
6 Campus Comedies
Number 1
1 The professor’s request for him to take the exam.
2 The word “exam” frightens everybody.
Number 2
• Students shouldn’t be so money-minded.
• Books are something students should never get rid of.
• College professors are smarter than students.
Number 3
• Mind your spelling.
• To make a commitment, you have to be honest and committed.
Number 4
1 The woman / Republicans.
2 The professor / Democrats.
3 Very witty / smart / clever.
Number 5
• I think the student’s answer is acceptable, because to remain silent is indeed a human right.
• I think the student is very clever.
• All roads lead to Rome. Students should be encouraged to offer different answers to the same question.
• I think the answer is acceptable. Professors should not expect a single answer to each question.
111 College Life
PART 4
Translation and Writing
2 Translation Practice
1 理解、应用概念和记住那些考试一结束就会忘得一干二净的事实，这两者之间有着明显的区别。
2 尤其在技术领域，变化日新月异，从本科教育中所能获取的最大收益就是学习能力的培养。因此，
记住信息远不如获取在相关情境下应用信息的能力有用。
3 对教授们来说，考试是评估学生掌握了多少知识的最为简易的方法，至少在比较大的班级是如此。
4 现实生活绝非一场开卷考试。它是一场你永远都无法完全准备好的考试，而且你根本无法重考。
5 在现实生活中，我们无法预测明天会发生什么，而且也不知道该准备些什么。
6 成功失败，起起落落，这些都是现实生活的特征，它并非如人们所认为的那么容易。
3 Writing
1 Sample Dear friend,
After I read your passage “Those College Finals”, some questions pop into my mind. You said that the most miserable moment of a college student’s life is during the final exam week, that real life is an open-book test, and that real life is much easier than college life.
I don’t quite agree with you. Firstly, the purpose of finals is to evaluate how students are getting on with their studies, help them find their weaknesses and have a better grasp of what they have learned. If one works hard, one shouldn’t be afraid of finals. The final exam week is thus by no means the most miserable moment. Secondly, in real life, we can’t anticipate what will happen tomorrow and don’t know what should be prepared for. So it is not easier. On the contrary, it is much more difficult than college life.
I think you need to take a closer and in-depth look at college life and real life, gain a better understanding of both so that you won’t go to extremes.
Yours Sincerely, Joanna
Yours Sincerely, Joanna