Graduation

Students love this time of year. Mainly because they'll soon be out of school for the summer. But there are some students who find this season especially meaningful. They've finished all the required classes. They’ve studied many long hours. They’ve served their time. These special students aren't just getting out of school for the summer, they're graduating.
一年之中學生們就喜歡這個時候，
主要是因為他們很快就可以離開學校放
暑假去了。但是也有一些學生覺得這個
時節特別地有意義，該修的課都已經修
完，也花了很多時間好好地讀書了，他
們已經期滿該畢業了。這一群特別的學
生不只是離開校園去放暑假——他們畢
業了。

High school students often investigate a number of colleges with programs that appeal to them. During their senior year, students may apply to one or more colleges. They usually have to take entrance exams as part of the process. By the time they graduate, most students have a good idea of where they're headed.
高中生通常會研究一下那些有他們喜歡科系的學
校，在他們高中最後一年期間，學生們
可能會申請一所或多所的學校，申請過
程中他們必須參加入學考試。等到他們
要畢業的時候，大部份的學生差不多都
知道自己會去哪一個學校。

As the graduation date approaches, American students have a lot of details to take care of. Some have term papers, homework assignments and final exams hanging over their heads. They're just hoping and praying they’ll do well enough to get their diploma. Many are busy sending out graduation invitations to all their friends and relatives. They hope that the people they invite will come to the graduation— or at least send them some money.
當畢業的日子越來越接近得時候，
美國的學生們有好多細節的事得做，有
些人有學期報告、家庭作業、和期末考
試在威脅著他們。他們只希望並且祈禱
自己的表現良好，能夠拿到畢業證書。
很多人會忙著寄畢業邀請函給親友，他
們希望受邀的人能來參加畢業典禮 -
或者至少寄一些禮金給他們。

Graduating seniors also store up memories by signing each other’s yearbooks and attending graduation parties. All in all, graduation is a time of mixed emotions: Students look forward to getting out of school, but they know they’ll miss their friends.
畢業生同時也以簽畢業紀念冊，和參加畢業舞會
來收藏回憶。總兒言之，畢業是一段心
情上五味雜陳的時光：同學們期待著走
出校門，但他們也知道畢業後一定會想
念他們的朋友。

Finally graduation time arrives. The music of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the school band fills the air. The graduates and their teachers begin marching in, all dressed in caps and gowns. During the ceremony, the top graduating students give speeches to their class. The guest speaker, a respected community leader, also gives a challenge to the graduates.
最後畢業的日子終於到來，學校的
樂隊演奏著艾爾加的驪歌，樂聲飄揚在
空氣中，畢業生和他們的老師們開始進
場，他們都戴著方帽和穿著長袍。在典
禮進行中，表現優異的畢業生們會對同
學們發表演說，會中也會邀請受尊敬的
地方領袖作講員，來鼓勵畢業生們。

Then comes the moment they’ve all been waiting for. The graduates line up to receive their diplomas. The principal reads each student’s name as he or she receives this special document. Those graduating with honors or with high honors also receive recognition at this time. At last the principal tells the graduates to move the tassel to the other side of their hat. The have now officially graduated. Once the ceremony is over, some of the graduates show their excitement by throwing their caps into the air.
然後他們等候的時刻來臨了，畢業
生們排隊領取畢業證書。當領取這項特
殊的文件時，校長會逐一唸出他們的名
字。學業表現傑出及特別優異的學生們
也在這個時候接受表揚。最後校長要畢
業生們把流蘇移到方帽的另一邊，這些
高年級學生就此畢業了。當典禮一結束
的時候，有些學生會將方帽拋入空中來
表示他們的興奮。

After graduation, Americans like to get together every few years for class reunions. At these get-togethers, former classmates notice how the years have changed them—whether it’s gaining weight or losing hair, succeeding in business or failing at love. They often reflect on the paths their lives have taken since graduation. And they realize that their graduation speaker was right: Graduation wasn’t really the end; it was just the beginning.
畢業之後，美國人喜歡每隔幾年聚
在一起開同學會。在這些重相逢的聚會
中，老同學們都會察覺到歲月如何地改
變了他們——不論是發福、掉頭髮、事
業成功、或是戀愛失敗，這些都反映出
畢業後他們人生道上的經歷。然後他們
就會發現畢業典禮時講員說的沒錯：畢
業並不算是一個結束，事實上才剛開始
呢。
⊙Word Bankserve one’s time (v phr) 工作或學習期滿

investigate (v) 研究；調查

term paper (n phr) 學期報告
hang over one’s head (v phr) 面臨危險或威脅
diploma (n) 畢業證書；文憑

yearbook (n) 年鑑

honors (n pl) （在學校中成績）優等
recognition (n) 認可；褒揚
tassel (n) 流蘇; 繸

reunion (n) 重聚

The Day's Phrase

Do you know words that are "nyms"?
你知道有哪些字含有「nym」嗎？

Joey's knee was much better. He hoped to get in on a piece of the action at the next football game.
喬伊的膝蓋好多了，他希望下次足球賽時他能參上一腳。

Luke is ready to head back home
路克準備返家囉

Matthew was engaged to Fran and still dating Sophia; he was trying to have his cake and eat it, too.
麥修已經和芙蘭訂婚了還仍舊和蘇菲亞約會；他想魚與熊掌兼得。

This young director from Venezuela is making classical music cool
這位來自委內瑞拉的年輕指揮家讓古典樂變得更酷了

Sarah likes her new boyfriend so much that she is already planning her wedding!
莎拉很喜歡她新交的男朋友，她甚至已經在計劃她的婚禮了！

When Sally came to work late on Monday, she got the third degree from her boss.
莎莉星期一上班遲到了，她被老闆狠狠地兇了一頓。

A new robot can study the ocean for years at a time
新型自動機械裝置一趟就可以進行長達數年的海中研究

"I would like to pay for your dinner tonight," Mike said, "but I can't afford it. Do you mind if we go Dutch?"
「我今晚很想請你吃飯，」麥克說道，「可是我付不起。你介意我們各付各的嗎？」

For this coffee store owner, coffee is a science and an experience
對這位咖啡連鎖店主來說，咖啡是一種科學，也是一種體驗
Lori has always been quick to agree when people ask her for favors, but eventually she will have to draw the line.
當人家找羅莉幫忙，她總是很快地答應，不過她終究得要適度地拒絕

Celebrate "Dairy Month" by learning more about milk
藉由多了解有關牛奶的一切，來慶祝「牛奶月」吧

Connie is so confused, she doesn't know whether she's coming or going.
康妮很疑惑，她不知道她要如何是好。