高考是你多少年前的回忆杀？

又是一年高考时。你是哪一年高考的？

🤔️小作业：

1. What is the primary purpose of the third paragraph in the passage?

A) To describe the rigorous nature of the gaokao examination

B) To compare the gaokao with Western college entrance exams

C) To provide details about the study of gaokao top scorers

D) To explain the cultural importance of the gaokao in China

A) The gaokao examination process in China

B) The debate over the effectiveness of the gaokao

C) The history of the gaokao in China

D) The comparison between Chinese and Western educational systems

无注释原文：

Gaokao No Predictor of Success?

From: The Wall Street Journal, June 30, 2010

Chinese media and websites are teeming this week with discussion of a purported study showing that the top scorers on the gaokao over the last 30 years have ended up being disappointments. According to the English-language China Daily newspaper, the study of 1,000 top scorers on the gaokao from 1977 to 2008 did not find a single student who went on to outstanding success in any field.

Word of the supposed study has spread like kudzu, but its provenance is unclear. Some have cited the Chinese military newspaper, the Liberation Daily, which itself cited its own affiliated publication, but that reference couldn't be tracked down. So it's unclear whether this is an actual study, or a rumor.

Regardless, the mere notion that super scorers -- called zhuangyuan -- might not end up super-achievers is a shock in a country where the grueling two-day examination is a rite of passage for every aspiring student. The American SAT and its cousin, the ACT, are a cakewalk by comparison. Children literally spend years studying solely for the gaokao. Without it, a college education in China is out of reach.

Those who scored the highest marks in the examination are doing local radio and television interviews and fielding questions from awestruck parents about how to prepare their four-year-olds for exam success.

Li Taibo, who took first place in all of Beijing for the science portion of the exam, has become an instant sensation. Li was first among over 48,000 test takers, according to an article in the Global Times.

A larger-than-life picture of Li has been erected in front of his high school to celebrate his accomplishment.

As a gaokao champion, Li can expect to undergo careful public scrutiny. His study habits will be analyzed by educational experts and admiring students alike. Even his personal life will serve as a model for others. Zhang Chen, also a top scorer in science, fields questions about his relationship with his parents and how he uses his free time. Parents want to know every detail that might help their children beat the competition.

While gaokao fever is as strong as ever this year, criticism is mounting. A recent article in the People's Daily questions the value of worshipping gaokao champions. Such laser-like focus on the winners may even be harmful to the educational system, the article asserts.

Educational experts in the West often argue that the rigidity of the test suppresses individual creativity, which is important for success in the real world.

Nevertheless, the gaokao has its defenders. Wu Meng, writing in the Global Times, opines that the stereotype of the No. 1 student as a narrowminded bookworm who only knows how to take tests is outdated. People can learn a great deal from these excellent students, he says.

Another popular argument for the examination is its fairness. Many Chinese express skepticism at the idea of teacher recommendations and interviews determining college admissions. Wouldn't personal relationships get in the way of meritocracy?

Come September, Beijing University will undoubtedly accept a large number of gaokao champions as new students. So far, however, Western colleges have mostly come to a different decision. Li Taibo, the Beijing science top scorer, was surprised to discover that he had been rejected by Harvard, Yale, Stanford and a number of other top American colleges, according to reports.

Then again, Harvard rejects many applicants with perfect SAT scores as well.

- ◆ -

注：完整题目见本文开头；中文文本为机器翻译并非一一对应，仅供参考

含注释全文：

Gaokao No Predictor of Success?

From: The Wall Street Journal, June 30, 2010

Chinese media and websites are teeming this week with discussion of a purported study showing that the top scorers on the gaokao over the last 30 years have ended up being disappointments. According to the English-language China Daily newspaper, the study of 1,000 top scorers on the gaokao from 1977 to 2008 did not find a single student who went on to outstanding success in any field.

本周，一份网传调查结果在中国媒体和网站上引发热议。该调查结果显示，过去30年里的高考状元最后的成就都令人失望。据英文版《中国日报》（China Daily）报道，该调查考察了从1977年到2008年的1,000名高考状元，结果发现没有学生在某一领域取得杰出成就。

teem with something表示“充满；有很多”，英文解释为“to contain large numbers of animals or people”举个🌰：For most of the year, the area is teeming with tourists. 一年的大部分时间里这个地方都挤满了游客。

purported /pəˈpɔː.tɪd/ 表示“声称的，谣传的”，英文解释为“that has been stated to be true or to have happened, although this may not be the case”举个🌰：A recent study into the purported health benefits of the drink was not conclusive. 最近一项关于饮酒有益健康一说的研究没有明确的结论。

Word of the supposed study has spread like kudzu, but its provenance is unclear. Some have cited the Chinese military newspaper, the Liberation Daily, which itself cited its own affiliated publication, but that reference couldn't be tracked down. So it's unclear whether this is an actual study, or a rumor.

这份网传调查结果迅速传播开来，但其来源尚不清楚。有人引用了军事报纸《解放日报》的报道，而该报本身也引用了其附属刊物，但这一引用无法查证。因此，这究竟是一项真实调查结果，还是仅仅是谣言，尚不确定。

supposed /səˈpəʊzd/ 表示“据说的，所谓的”，英文解释为“used to show that you do not believe that something or someone really is what many other people consider them to be”如：a supposed genius 所谓的天才。

类似的：

📍rumoured /ˈruː.məd/ 表示“传闻的；谣传的”，英文解释为“used to refer to a fact or piece of news that might be true or invented, and quickly spreads from person to person”

📍alleged /əˈledʒd/ 表示“被说成的，（尤指在证据不足的情况下）被指控的”，英文解释为“said or thought by some people to be the stated bad or illegal thing, although you have no proof”举个🌰：It took 9 years for the alleged criminals (= people thought to be criminals) to prove their innocence. 那些被指控犯罪的人用了9年时间才证明自己是无辜的。

kudzu /ˈkʊd.zuː/ 表示“野葛，葛藤，葛根”，英文解释为“a wild plant that spreads easily, quickly covering an area and often growing over other plants and killing them”

provenance /ˈprɒv.ən.əns/ 表示“起源；出处”，英文解释为“the place of origin of something”如：jewels of uncertain provenance 来历不明的珠宝。

cite /saɪt/ 1）表示“援引；传唤，传讯”，英文解释为“to officially name or mention someone or something in a law court, or to officially request someone to appear in a court of law”举个🌰：He has been cited as the co-respondent in the divorce case. 他作为这起离婚案的共同被告被传讯。

2）表示“举例，引证”，英文解释为“to mention something as proof for a theory or as a reason why something has happened”举个🌰：She cited three reasons why people get into debt. 她举出了人们为何负债的3个原因。

3）表示“引用，引述”，英文解释为“to speak or write words taken from a particular writer or written work”

affiliated /əˈfɪl.i.eɪ.tɪd/ 1）表示“附属（某组织）的；（与某组织）有关连的”，英文解释为“connected with or controlled by a group or organization”

2）表示“（某人在政治上）支持某党派的”，英文解释为“used to refer to people who state that they support a particular political party when they register to vote”

📍affiliate /əˈfɪliət/  作名词，表示“附属机构；分支机构；分公司；分会”，英文解释为“a company, an organization, etc. that is connected with or controlled by another larger one”，如：an affiliate of the university 大学的隶属机构/分支机构。

affiliate作动词，表示“使并入，使隶属（较大的团体或组织）；使紧密联系”，英文解释为“to cause a group to become part of or form a close relationship with another, usually larger, group, or organization”如：a college affiliated to Zhejiang University 浙江大学附属学院；举个🌰：The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。

顺便看下几个“xx附中”怎么说？

📍北京大学附属中学 The Affiliated High School of Peking University

📍清华大学附属中学 Tsinghua University High School

📍中国人民大学附属中学 The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China

📍浙江大学附属中学 The High School Attached to Zhejiang University

reference /ˈref.ər.əns/ 可作动词，也可作名词，1）表示“提到；谈到；论及”，英文解释为“a mention of something”举个🌰：Knowing what had happened, I avoided making any reference to (= mentioning) weddings. 因为我知道发生了什么，所以就避开不谈婚礼的事儿。

2）表示“引文出处；参考书目；参考文献”，英文解释为“a writer or a book, article, etc. that is mentioned in a piece of writing, showing you where particular information was found”

track sth/sb down表示“追踪到；追查到”，英文解释为“to find something or someone after looking for it, him, or her in a lot of different places”举个🌰：He finally managed to track down the book he wanted. 他终于找到了他要的书。

Regardless, the mere notion that super scorers -- called zhuangyuan -- might not end up super-achievers is a shock in a country where the grueling two-day examination is a rite of passage for every aspiring student. The American SAT and its cousin, the ACT, are a cakewalk by comparison. Children literally spend years studying solely for the gaokao. Without it, a college education in China is out of reach.

无论如何，高考状元最终未能取得杰出成就的说法在中国引起了轰动。为期两天、备受煎熬的高考是每个有志学生的必经之路，相比之下，美国的SAT和ACT考试简直是小菜一碟。孩子们花费数年时间学习，就是为了参加高考。没有高考，接受大学教育就无从谈起。

notion /ˈnəʊ.ʃən/ 表示“观念；看法；理解；概念”，英文解释为“a belief or idea”举个🌰：The show's director rejects the notion that seeing violence on television has a harmful effect on children. 节目制片人们并不认为看到电视上的暴力场景会对孩子们造成不良影响。

美式 grueling 英式 gruelling /ˈgrʊəlɪŋ/ 表示“使人的精疲力尽的；艰辛的；让人受不了”，英文解释为“extremely tiring and difficult, and demanding great effort and determination”举个🌰：Junior doctors often have to work a gruelling 100-hour week. 资历较浅的医生经常必须承受艰巨的工作量，一周工作100小时。

rite of passage /ˌraɪt əv ˈpæs.ɪdʒ/ 表示“（标志人生某个重要阶段的）通过仪式;（尤指）成人仪式”，英文解释为“an official ceremony or informal activity that marks an important stage or occasion in a person's life, especially becoming an adult”

aspiring /əˈspaɪə.rɪŋ/ 表示“雄心勃勃的；有抱负的；渴望从事……的”，英文解释为“someone who is trying to become a successful actor, politician, writer, etc.”

cousin /ˈkʌz.ən/ 表示“堂（或表）兄弟；堂（或表）姐妹；远房亲戚”，英文解释为“a child of a person's aunt or uncle, or, more generally, a distant (= not close) relation”或者表示“相关（或类似）的东西”，英文解释为“a thing related or analogous to another”

cakewalk /ˈkeɪk.wɔːk/ 表示“轻而易举的事情”，英文解释为“something that is very easy to achieve”举个🌰：The Superbowl was a cakewalk for them. 赢得超级碗赛事对他们而言是轻而易举的事。

literally /ˈlɪt.ər.əl.i/ 1）表示“确实地；名副其实地”，英文解释为“using the real or original meaning of a word or phrase”举个🌰：They were responsible for literally millions of deaths. 他们的确对数百万人的死负有责任。

2）表示“逐字（翻译）地”，英文解释为“If you translate literally, you translate each word in a text separately, without looking at how the words are used together in a phrase or sentence.”举个🌰：Translations that are done too literally often don't flow well or don't sound natural. 太拘泥于字面意思的翻译往往会不太流畅或不太自然。

3）表示“（用于强调所说的话）确实，真正地”，英文解释为“used to emphasize what you are saying”举个🌰：He missed that kick literally by miles. 他那一脚踢丢得确实相差好几英里远。

4）表示“只是，仅仅，就”，英文解释为“simply or just”举个🌰：Then you literally cut the sausage down the middle. 那么你就从香肠的中间切开吧。

Those who scored the highest marks in the examination are doing local radio and television interviews and fielding questions from awestruck parents about how to prepare their four-year-olds for exam success.

那些在考试中取得最高分的人正在接受当地媒体的采访，并回答着感到敬佩不已的家长们关于如何为四岁的孩子备考的问题。

field /fiːld/ 作动词，1）表示“巧妙地回答”，英文解释为“to avoid answering a question directly”举个🌰：He fielded some awkward questions very skilfully. 他非常巧妙地回答了几个尴尬的问题。

2）表示“使参加活动（或比赛）；组织参加”，英文解释为“to have or produce a team of people to take part in an activity or event”举个🌰：The company fielded a group of experts to take part in the conference. 公司组建了一个专家团去参加会议。

awestruck /ˈɔː.strʌk/ 表示“肃然起敬的；充满敬畏的；感到惊惧的”，英文解释为“filled with feelings of admiration or respect”如：an awestruck admirer/fan 充满敬畏之情的崇拜者/追星者。

Li Taibo, who took first place in all of Beijing for the science portion of the exam, has become an instant sensation. Li was first among over 48,000 test takers, according to an article in the Global Times.

李泰伯获得了北京高考理科状元，一夜成名。据《环球时报》报道，李泰伯在48000多名考生中排名第一。

sensation /senˈseɪ.ʃən/ 1）表示“轰动；哗然；引起轰动的人（或事物）”，英文解释为“very great surprise, excitement, or interest among a lot of people; the person or the thing that causes this surprise”举个🌰：The band became a sensation overnight. 一夜之间，这支乐队名声大振。

📍此前，戳爷Troye Sivan被传已分手数月？文中出现过，pop sensation可以理解为“流行巨星”，“流行天王”。还有，63岁中国爷爷成油管网红文中标题就是Master carpenter's ancient Chinese skills are a YouTube sensation.

2）作可数名词，还可以表示“感觉；知觉”，英文解释为“a feeling that you get when sth affects your body”如：a tingling/burning sensation 刺痛/烧灼的感觉。

3）作不可数名词，可以表示“感觉能力；知觉能力”，英文解释为“the ability to feel through your sense of touch”举个🌰：She seemed to have lost all sensation in her arms. 她的两条胳膊好像完全失去知觉了。

🎬电影《困在爱中》（Stuck in Love）中的台词提到：I was overcome by the oddest sensation. 我像是被一种怪异的冲动（感觉）驱使着。

📍词根“-sens-”来自拉丁语“sensare”，表示“感觉”。近义词：phenomenon（现象），同根词：sensitive（敏感的），常用短语：cause a sensation（引起轰动）

A larger-than-life picture of Li has been erected in front of his high school to celebrate his accomplishment.

为了表彰他的优异表现，他所在的高中校门口竖起了一幅比真人还大的照片。

erect /ɪˈrekt/ 作动词，1）表示“建造，建立”，英文解释为“to build something such as a building or wall”；或者是“搭建，竖起”，英文解释为“to fix all the pieces of something together, and put it in an upright position”举个🌰：The building was erected in 1850-1870. 该建筑建于1850-1870年间。

2）也可以指“创建，确立（体系或制度）”如：erect a system, a theory, or an institution.

erect本身也可以作形容词，表示“直立的，垂直的；（腰板）直的；昂首挺胸的”，英文解释为“in a straight upright position; standing with your back and neck very straight”举个🌰：He's very tall and erect for his 85 years. 尽管已经85岁了，他还是那样挺拔高大。

As a gaokao champion, Li can expect to undergo careful public scrutiny. His study habits will be analyzed by educational experts and admiring students alike. Even his personal life will serve as a model for others. Zhang Chen, also a top scorer in science, fields questions about his relationship with his parents and how he uses his free time. Parents want to know every detail that might help their children beat the competition.

作为高考状元，李泰伯将会受到公众的密切关注。教育专家和仰慕他的学生都会对他的学习习惯进行分析。甚至他的个人生活也将成为他人的榜样。另一位理科状元张晨也被问及他与父母的关系以及如何利用业余时间。家长们希望了解每一个细节，以帮助他们的孩子在竞争中取胜。

undergo /ˌʌn.dəˈɡəʊ/ 表示“经历，经受（令人不快的事或变化） ”，英文解释为“to experience something that is unpleasant or something that involves a change”举个🌰：Playing board games is undergoing a revival in popularity. 棋盘游戏正经历着一场复兴。

🎬电影《白日梦想家》（The Secret Life of Walter Mitty）中的台词提到：But as we undergo this transition to LIFE online... we wanted to be candid with you... 但由于我们处于"生活"杂志网络化的过渡期...所以我们想明白告诉你们...

scrutiny /ˈskruːtɪnɪ/表示“细看，仔细审查；监视”，英文解释为“the careful and detailed examination of something in order to get information about it”举个🌰：His private life came under media scrutiny. 他的私生活开始受到媒体的密切关注。

While gaokao fever is as strong as ever this year, criticism is mounting. A recent article in the People's Daily questions the value of worshipping gaokao champions. Such laser-like focus on the winners may even be harmful to the educational system, the article asserts.

尽管今年高考热潮依旧，但批评的声音也越来越多。《人民日报》最近发表的一篇文章质疑崇拜高考状元的价值，认为这种对状元的过度关注可能对教育制度有害。

mount /maʊnt/ 作动词，1）表示“准备；安排；组织；开展，发动”，英文解释为“If you mount a campaign or event, you organize it and make it take place.”举个🌰：The National Gallery mounted an exhibition of American painting. 国家美术馆举办了美国画展。

📍BBC在「重庆公交车坠江」一文中提到的，开展大规模救援行动，A huge rescue operation was mounted.

2）表示“逐步增加；增长，上升”，就是increase的高级版，举个🌰：The death toll continues to mount. 死亡人数持续增加。

📍2019年9月，美国电子烟巨头Juul的CEO辞职时，经济学人的文章中用到了As concerns mount这一表达：Juul replaced its chief executive, as concerns mount about the health risks of e-cigarettes.

3）表示“安放，安装；镶嵌；裱贴”，英文解释为“to fix something to a wall, in a frame, etc., so that it can be looked at or used”举个🌰：The surveillance camera is mounted above the main door. 闭路电视的摄像机安装在大门的上方。

4）熟词僻义，作动词，表示“骑上（马、自行车等）”，英文解释为“to get on a horse, bicycle, etc.. in order to ride”举个🌰：She mounted her horse and rode off. 她骑上马走了。

mounting /ˈmaʊn.tɪŋ/ 作形容词，表示“增加的；加剧的”，英文解释为“gradually increasing”如：mounting anxiety/excitement 不断增长的焦虑/兴奋。

📺美剧《美国恐怖故事》（American Horror Story）中的台词提到：But there's mounting evidence that this man is a war criminal. 但是有大量的证据显示这人是个战犯。

worship /ˈwɜːʃɪp/ 可作名词也可以作动词，1）表示“（对上帝或神的）崇拜，敬仰，礼拜”，英文解释为“the practice of showing respect for God or a god, by saying prayers, singing with others, etc.; a ceremony for this”如：ancestor worship 对祖先的崇拜，举个🌰：On the island the people worshipped different gods. 在这个岛上，人们信仰不同的神。

2）表示“（常指盲目地）宠爱，崇拜，崇尚”，英文解释为“to love, respect, and admire someone or something very much, often without noticing the bad qualities of that person or thing”举个🌰：Her parents worship her. 她的父母很宠爱她。

laser /ˈleɪ.zər/ 表示“激光（器）”，英文解释为“(a device that produces) a powerful, narrow beam of light that can be used as a tool to cut metal, to perform medical operations, or to create patterns of light for entertainment”如：laser beam 激光束。

assert /əˈsɜːt/ 1）表示“（坚决）主张；断言”，英文解释为“to state firmly that something is true”举个🌰：French cooking, she asserted, is the best in the world. 她坚称法国菜是世界上最好的。

2）表示“维护自己的权利（或权威）”，英文解释为“to make other people recognize your right or authority to do sth, by behaving firmly and confidently”，如：to assert your independence/rights 维护你的独立/权利。

📍《经济学人》（The Economist）一篇讲述疫情带来的影响的文章中提到：That will make it harder for strong firms to assert their advantage. 这将使大公司更难发挥优势。

Educational experts in the West often argue that the rigidity of the test suppresses individual creativity, which is important for success in the real world.

西方教育专家常常认为，考试的僵化压制了个人的创造力，而这种创造力在现实世界中是取得成功的关键。

rigidity /rɪˈdʒɪd.ə.ti/ 表示“死板；僵化；一成不变”，英文解释为“the quality of being impossible to change or persuade”

suppress /səˈpres/ 表示“抑制，忍住，压抑；查禁”，英文解释为“to prevent something from being seen or expressed or from operating”举个🌰：She couldn't suppress her anger/annoyance/delight. 她无法抑制内心的愤怒/气恼/喜悦。

Nevertheless, the gaokao has its defenders. Wu Meng, writing in the Global Times, opines that the stereotype of the No. 1 student as a narrowminded bookworm who only knows how to take tests is outdated. People can learn a great deal from these excellent students, he says.

然而，高考也有其支持者。吴萌（音译）在《环球时报》上撰文称，将高考状元视为只会应试的狭隘书呆子的刻板印象已经过时了。他说，人们可以从这些优秀学生身上学到很多东西。

defender /dɪˈfen.dər/ 1）表示“守卫者，捍卫者；支持者”，英文解释为“someone who protects a place against attack, or who believes in and supports a person, idea, plan, etc.”

2）英式，表示“防守队员；后卫”，英文解释为“someone in a sports team who tries to prevent the other team from scoring points, goals, etc.”

stereotype /ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/表示“模式化形象；成见；刻板印象”，英文解释为“A stereotype is a fixed general image or set of characteristics that a lot of people believe represent a particular type of person or thing.”举个🌰：There's always been a stereotype about successful businessmen. 对成功的商人们总有一种成见。

narrow-minded /ˌnær.əʊˈmaɪn.dɪd/ 表示“心胸狭窄的，气量小的”，英文解释为“not willing to accept ideas or ways of behaving that are different from your own”如：narrow-minded opinions/views 狭隘的观点。

bookworm /ˈbʊk.wɜːm/ 表示“书虫；书迷”，英文解释为“a person who reads a lot”

Another popular argument for the examination is its fairness. Many Chinese express skepticism at the idea of teacher recommendations and interviews determining college admissions. Wouldn't personal relationships get in the way of meritocracy?

另一个支持高考的常见观点是其公平性。许多中国人对由教师推荐和面试来决定大学录取的想法持怀疑态度。私人关系难道不会妨碍择优录取吗？

美式 skepticism 英式 scepticism /ˈskep.tɪ.sɪ.zəm/ 表示“怀疑态度；怀疑主义”，英文解释为“an attitude of doubting that claims or statements are true or that sth will happen”

meritocracy /ˌmer.ɪˈtɒk.rə.si/ 表示“精英领导体制；精英管理的社会”，英文解释为“a social system, society, or organization in which people have power because of their abilities, not because of their money or social position”。

📍菁英政治、菁英治国、任人唯才、唯才是用或选贤举能（Meritocracy）通常是指一种政治哲学思想，主张权力的分配应根据个人之才能与功绩。在这种体系内，个人的上位与进阶是基于其在该领域内的功绩和经考试检定的智慧天赋。（Wikipedia）

📍形容词性：meritocratic /ˌmer.ɪ.təˈkræt.ɪk/表示“（社会或社会制度）评功论赏的；任人唯才的；以功绩定地位的；精英管理的”，英文解释为“relating to a meritocracy (= a social system in which people's success or power is related to their abilities)”如：a more open, meritocratic society 更加开放的唯贤是用的社会。

Come September, Beijing University will undoubtedly accept a large number of gaokao champions as new students. So far, however, Western colleges have mostly come to a different decision. Li Taibo, the Beijing science top scorer, was surprised to discover that he had been rejected by Harvard, Yale, Stanford and a number of other top American colleges, according to reports.

到了九月份，北京大学无疑会录取许多高考状元新生。然而，到目前为止，西方高校却大多做出了不同的决定。据报道，北京理科状元李泰伯惊讶地发现，他被哈佛、耶鲁、斯坦福等多所美国顶尖大学拒之门外。

Then again, Harvard rejects many applicants with perfect SAT scores as well.

话说回来，哈佛大学也拒绝了许多SAT满分的申请者。

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