When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to earn a scholarship. Having been a Straight-A student, I firmly believed that I could take tough subjects and really learn something. One such course was World Literature given by Professor Jayne. I was extremely interested in the ideas he presented in class.
When I took the first exam, I was shocked to find a 77, C-plus, on my test paper, for English was my best subject and I had expected to score much higher. Upset and disappointed, I went to Professor Jayne, who listened to my arguments but remained unmoved.
I decided to try harder, although I didn’t know what that meant because school had always been easy for me. I read the books more carefully. But my efforts seemed in vain as I received another 77. Again, I reasoned with Professor Jayne. Again, he listened patiently but wouldn’t change his mind.
One more test before the final exam. One more chance to improve my grade. So I doubled my efforts, reviewing my notes carefully and for the first time, I truly understood the meaning of the word “thorough.” But my effort did no good and everything went as before.
The last hurdle (障碍) was the final. No matter what grade I got, it wouldn’t cancel three C-pluses. I realized that I might as well give up on the idea of receiving a scholarship, as it was highly unlikely that I would achieve a high enough grade.
As a result, I stopped working hard. I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would. In the days leading up to the final, I spent less and less time on study, and was even caught absent-minded in class. Without punishment, Professor Jayne just shook his head and said, “You alone must set your own standard of excellence.”
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
That day, the words kept ringing in my mind.
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A week later, I was surprised to find I got an A.
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It seemed I’d done everything I’d ever wanted to do in my life, but I had one regret. I was born in 1898, the oldest of five kids. Papa couldn’t spare me to go to school, so I worked in the fields with him till I was 21 years old.
Everywhere I went, I learned some hard lessons about what happens to a man who even can’t read the alphabet. People cheat you out of wages. They sell you a ticket to one city, take your money and hand you a ticket to somewhere else.
By 1928, I’d been wandering for nine years. I met a woman named Elzenia. We fell in love, married and moved to Dallas, where I got work fixing roads for the city. When Amelia, the oldest of our seven children, first went to school, I took my wife aside. “Elzenia,” I said. “I don’t want the kids to know I can’t read or write.”
In 1938, one day my boss called me in. “George,” he said. “No one knows those machines like you do. I’d like to promote you.” But my thrill and surprise were cut short when he said, “Fill out this application and we’ll get you a raise.” I couldn’t admit the truth. I thanked him and walked out of his office. I did stay right where I was, until I turned 65 and my boss made me retire. But I didn’t stop working. For the next 25 years, I lived a happy life, but it still seemed to me like something was missing.
A young fellow handed me a piece of paper. It’s information about adult education classes. People can learn to read and write. Now I’m 102. I thought of my friends and neighbours and what they might think if they found out I couldn’t read. After all these years, my secret would be out. But all my life I’ve wanted to read. It was high time for action.
注意:
1. 续写词数应为150左右:
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1
The young man drove me to
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Paragraph 2
I’m still going to school.
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注意:短文中不允许出现与考生本人相关的真实姓名和校名等信息，不要求写题目。
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