英语励志故事短篇故事（英文励志故事【英语励志故事】一切才刚刚开始-学无止境）

学无止境

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 huddled, 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.

那是在一所东部大学期末考试的最后一天。一座教学楼的阶梯上，有一群工程系大四学生挤在一起讨论几分钟后将要开始的考试。他们脸上充满自信。这是他们最后一次考试了，接着就等毕业典礼，然后参加工作。

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.

这些学生中有的正在谈论刚刚找到的工作，也有的谈论将来会找什么样的工作。他们对四年的所学信心十足，感觉自己已经可以去一闯天下了。

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.

他们知道即将开始的考试将会是小菜一碟，因为此前这门课的教授说本次考试为开卷考试，只要愿意，什么书本笔记都可以带进考场。要求只有一点：考试期间不许交头接耳。

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

学生们兴高采烈，陆续进入教室，教授把试卷发给他们。他们发现试卷上只有五道问答题，于是笑容更加灿烂了。

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 spoke as, papers in hand, the professor faced the class.

三个小时过去了，教授开始收卷子。学生们先前的自信早已荡然无存。他们流露出担心的表情。教授拿着试卷看着学生们，没人说话。

He surveyed the worried faces before him, then asked: “how many completed all five questions?”

他扫视了一下大家苦恼的表情，然后问道：“有多少人答完了五道题?”

Not a hand was raised.

没有一个人举手。

“How many answered four?”

“有多少人答完了四道题?”

Still no hands.

还是没有人举手。

“Three? Two?”

“三道题?两道题?”

The students shifted restlessly in their seats.

这时学生们在自己的座位上坐立不安了。

“One, then? Certainly somebody finished one.”

“那么，有谁答上来一道题?一定有人做完了一道题。”

But the class remained silent. The professor put down the papers. “That is exactly what I expected,” he said.

但是学生们依然沉默。教授放下手中的卷子，说道：“这正是我所预计的。”

“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 dont 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—even though you are now college graduates, your education has just begun.”

“我只是想让你们铭记于心，即使你们已经完成了四年工程学的学习，这个学科仍然有很多你们不知道的东西。这些你们回答不出的问题在日常实践中却是司空见惯的。”接着他笑了笑，补充道：“你们都能通过这门课，但是要记住：即便你们现在已经是大学毕业生了，你们在这一行的学习才刚刚开始。”

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

岁月的流逝已使我已记不清这位教授的名字，但是他所教授的这一课却依然历历在目。