The Privilege of Being a Student

钟凯纹

It is always easy to underestimate how fortunate we are as students. This is what I learned last week in my International Relations discussion.

This discussion took a comparatively unusual form—debate. We were divided into groups and were assigned one of the five paradigms② of international relations，namely，Realism，Liberalism，Marxism，Constructivism③ and Domestic Politics. Then，we were asked to use our assigned paradigm to explain the outbreak and the one of the characters of World War I. Of course，the purpose of our debate would be to convince others that our assigned paradigm is the most competent in explaining World War I.

The debate was intense. Our group was assigned Liberalism and in the five minutes of preparation，we gathered all the historical facts that we could remember，trying to support our point. After each group presented arguments，we were then asked to choose one paradigm to criticize and respond to the criticisms if we were targeted by any other group. Our critique④ choice was Realism. We came up with several weaknesses of Realism arguments. We ourselves were under attack too. Some of the arguments we found hard to rebut⑤ and personally，I did agree on some of the attack arguments the other teams shot at us.

After the debate，we casted our votes⑥ according to which one paradigm we found most convincing（and apparently we could not vote for our own paradigm）. I remember，although I voted for the Domestic Politics paradigm and agreed with them on some points，I was very disappointed when the “winning”paradigm was not us. I felt the need to continue the debate so that I could justify⑦ how Liberalism was，indeed，the best paradigm to understand World War I.

In the following reflection⑧，we talked about what we got out of the debate. It was obvious how most of us found the arguments of several paradigms compelling⑨ at the same time. As the debate went on，I found how I could combine different explanations of the World War I together to make a more well？鄄rounded⑩ analysis.

Then I realized how in many of the readings，the authors，all prestigious international politics scholars，while giving very solid and consistent arguments through one of the paradigms，often gave me the impression that something was missing. In order to buttress their arguments，it was common（and useful）for them to highlight some factors while de？鄄emphasizing other factors. Reading different articles with diverse standpoints on one topic gave us the privilege to see one question in an all？鄄round way.

Therefore，I say in my reflection：“It was very fortunate for us，as students，to learn the events from different perspectives . If we were scholars，we might need to narrow different perspectives down to only one way of thinking because that is‘our character. I guess this is the privilege of being a student—we know little and in order to learn，we need to look at the whole picture and convince ourselves from different perspectives.”

（By Kaiwen Zhong on Oct. 24，2012 in Ithaca，NY）

① privilege n. .特权，特别待遇，特殊荣幸，（因财富和社会地位而仅有部分人享有的）权益

② paradigm n. 范例， 样式， 模范，词形变化表

③ Constructivism n. 构成主义，构成派

④ critique n. 批评， 批判，评论；评论文，短评，批评术，批评法

⑤ rebut vt. 驳回，辩[反]驳，击退， 拒绝

⑥ cast ones vote 投票

⑦ justify vt. 证明……有理；为……辩护

⑧ reflection n. 深思，回忆，考虑，看法，映像，倒影，反映，表达

⑨ compelling adj. 使人非注意不可的，必须接受或同意的

⑩ well？鄄rounded adj. 全面的，面面俱到的，具有多方面兴趣的，丰满的，成熟的，多彩多姿的

buttress vt. 支撑，加固 n. 扶壁，扶垛

highlight vt. 强调，突出，使显著n. 最精彩的部分，最重要的事情

de？鄄emphasize v.不再强调，不再重视

perspective n. 角度，观点，想法，远景，景，前途，希望

编辑/梁宇清

完形填空实战练习

文/刘光前

A

Directions：For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A，B，C，and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.

According to legend，a young man while roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal？鄄clear water. The water was so sweet thathe 1 his leather container so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher. After a four？鄄day journey he 2 the water to the old man who took a deep 3 ，smiled warmly and thanked his student a lot for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.

4 ，the teacher let another student taste the water. He 5 it out， saying it was awful. It 6 had become stale（不新鲜）because of the old leather container. The student challenged his teacher，“Master，the water was not fresh. Why did you 7 to like it？”The teacher replied，“You only tasted the water. I tasted the 8 . The water was simply the container for an act of loving-kindness and nothing could be 9 .”

I think we understand this lesson best when we receive innocent gifts of love from young children. Whether its a ceramic tray or a macaroni bracelet，the natural and proper 10 is appreciation and expressed thankfulness because we love the idea 11 the gift.

Gratitude doesnt always come naturally. Unfortunately，most children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling hidden in it. We should remind ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. 12 ， gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.

1. A. filled B. lost C. sold D. emptied

2. A. splashed B. presented C. poured D. heated

3. A. breath B. sigh C. drink D. relief

4. A. Earlier B. Besides C. Sooner D. Later

5. A. pulled B. spat C. drank D. dried

6. A. strangely B. surprisingly C. apparently D. unexpectedly

7. A. have B. want C. seem D. pretend

8. A. food B. gift C. leather D. beer

9. A. bitter B. cheaper C. sweeter D. worse

10. A. way B. meaning C. idea D. response

11. A. within B. on C. without D. beyond

12. A. In all B. At all C. Above all D. After all

答案及解析

1. A 显然是用水来“装满”他的水袋，故选 filled。

2. B 四天之后他把水送给了他的老师。splashed“泼，溅出”，poured“倾倒”，heated“加热”都不符合文意。

3. C 他的老师接过水后当然是饮了一口，故选drink。

4. D 后来等他走了之后，老师叫了另一个学生来尝一尝。

5. B spat out “吐出来”。 spat是spit的过去式。也可根据上下文用排除法来做。

6. C 因为是用旧的皮革容器装的，又过了四天，所以明显不新鲜。故选apparently。

7. D 水质明显不好，可你为什么还要假装喜欢？

8. B 你喝的只是水本身，我喝的却是他把水作为礼物送给我的那份心意，感觉当然不一样。

9. C 老师当然是感觉非常甜蜜。

10. D 对于孩子送给我们礼物应该采取的反应。

11. A 对于孩子所送的礼物中所蕴含的那份心意。

12. D After all毕竟；In all总计；At all究竟，根本；Above all最重要的是。

B

Directions：Complete the following passage by filling in each blank with one word that best fits the context.

Teenagers live very busy lives now and often forget to think about their diets and exercise. 13 ， the truth is， healthy eating along with regular exercise is the only way to keep fit.

During your teenage years，it is important to give your body the energy it needs. Teenage 14 need about 2，200 calories a day and boys need a bit more — doctors suggest 2，800 for teenage boys. 50% of your calories should come 15 rice，bread，vegetables and fruit. You also need to drink a lot of water，6 to 8 glasses 16 day. Drinking enough water will improve your skin and give you healthy hair.

17 is something that can help to make you look good，feel 18 and be healthy. Experts suggest that teenagers spend at least 30 minutes exercising，five times a week. 19 you exercise， your body produces something that makes you feel relaxed. It can even help you sleep better at night and let you be 20 attentive when you study！

参考答案

13. However 14. girls 15. from 16. a / per / each / every

17. Exercising / Exercise 18. good / nice / cool / comfortable

19. When / While 20. more

编辑/梁宇清