大学体验英语第一册Unit1-Passage A

Passage A
So Much to Learn
It was the last day of final examinations in a large Eastern university. On the steps of one building, a group of engineering seniors huddled¹, discussing the exam due to begin in a few minutes. On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam before they went 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 study, they felt ready and able to conquer the world.

　　 The approaching exam, they knew, would be a snap. The professor had said they could bring any books or notes they wanted, requesting only that they did not talk to each other during the test.

　　 Jubilantly, they filed into the classroom. The professor passed out the papers. And their smiles broadened as the students noted² there were only five essay-type questions.

　　Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. On their faces was a frightened expression. No one spoke³ as the professor faced the class with the papers in her hand.

　　 She surveyed the worried faces before her, 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,” she 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 relatively⁴ common in everyday practice.” Then, smiling, she added: “You will all pass this course, but remember that even though you are now college graduates, your education has just begun .”

　　 The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson she taught.

1 huddled   

挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
• We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。