课文原文（双语）
Who is it? 是谁？
Dad. 爸爸。
Come on in, Dad. 请进来，爸爸。
I thought you might be hungry. I brought you a chicken sandwich and a glass of milk. 我想你大概饿了。我替你带来一份鸡肉三明治和一杯牛奶。
I am hungry. Thanks, Dad. What time is it, anyway? 我真是饿了，谢谢，爸爸。几点了？顺便问一下。
Ten o’clock. 十点钟。
What are you working on? 你在干什么？
I’m writing a story for the high-school paper. 我正在为高中校刊写一篇东西。
Can’t you finish it tomorrow? 你明天完成它不行吗？
No, I have to turn it in in the morning. 不行，明天上午我得交出去。
What’s it about? 是关于什么的？
I’m writing an article on the feelings about graduation. 我在写一篇关于毕业感想的文章。
And … how do you feel? 那……你的感觉是什么？
Me? A little scared. And excited, too. 我吗？有点害怕。也很兴奋。
I felt the same way. The scary part’s leaving home and moving to college. 我当时也有这种感受。害怕的是要离开家搬到学校去。
Oh, leaving home is part of growing up. 呵，离开家是成熟过程的一部分。
Well, don’t work all night. 好啦，别通宵工作。
I don’t mind. I enjoy writing. 我不在乎。我喜欢写作。
Well, maybe you should think about becoming a writer. 那么，也许你应考虑成为一名作家。
Maybe I should. 也许我该这样。
You have lots of time to decide. 你有很多时间做决定。
That’s the worst part–making decisions. 最伤脑筋的是——作决定。
You’ll be OK. Good night, Son. 你不会有问题的。晚安，孩子。
Good night, Dad. 晚安，爸爸。
The next morning: （第二天早上：）
“Hail to the victors valiant, Hail to the conquering heroes, Hail, Hail to Michigan, The champions of the West!” “向勇敢的胜利者致敬，向进取的英雄们致敬，致敬，向Michigan致敬，西部的优胜者！”
Ah, good morning, Robbie. 啊，早安，Robbie。
Good morning, Dad. 早安，爸爸。
How’s my grandson? 我的孙子怎样啦？
Fine, Grandpa. Fine! 很好，爷爷，很好！
What’s all the cheering about? Did the University of Michigan win another football game? 这么高兴是为什么？是不是Michigan大学又赢得了一场足球赛？
Better than that. Tell him, Philip. 比那种事更值得高兴。告诉他，Philip。
I just spoke with Charley Rafer. 我刚和Charley Rafer通了电话。
Who’s Charley Rafer? 谁是Charley Rafer？
He’s the Dean of Admissions for the University of Michigan. And it turns out he’s a classmate of Philip’s. We were both on the tennis team. 他是Michigan大学的新生注册主任。有意思的是，他和Philip是同班同学。我们都是网球队的队员。
Great! 真棒！
It is great. He’s going to be in New York tomorrow to interview applicants for admission. And he’s agreed to fit you into his schedule. 的确是太好了。明天，他要在纽约与申请入学者面谈。他同意明天把你安排进他的面谈名单里。
But I may not want to go to Michigan. 但是，我可能不去Michigan。
It’s one of the best schools in the country, Robbie. I studied medicine there. Your grandfather went to the Engineering School there. 这是全国最好的大学之一，Robbie。我在那里学医学。你爷爷进那里的工学院。
I know that, but … 这我知道，但是……
You said you wanted to be a doctor like your father. 你说过你希望像爸爸一样成为一名医生。
Not exactly. 还不一定。
You couldn’t pick a finer medical school than Michigan. 你再也找不到一所比Michigan大学更好的医学院了。
Yes, I know that. 是的，我知道。
Let’s meet with Charley at the university club. Ten o’clock tomorrow morning. It doesn’t mean you’re going to Michigan. It doesn’t mean you have to be a doctor. But the interview will be good experience for you. 我们就去大学俱乐部见见Charley吧。明早十点钟。这并不是说你就要去Michigan大学。这并不意味着你一定要当医生。但这次面谈对你来说是一次很好的经验。
In that case, it’s OK. 这么说，我就去。
Dad, growing up means making my own decisions, doesn’t it? 爸爸，长大了意味着我自己能做决定，对吗？
You’re right, Robbie. But, like your Grandpa suggested, have the interview. And then make your own decision. 你说得对，Robbie。但是，照你爷爷所建议的，去参加这次面谈。然后你自己做决定。
That sounds fine. 这样听起来蛮好的。
I know it’s sudden, Robbie, but this is an important opportunity. We’ll head down there first thing tomorrow morning. OK? 我知道这件事很突然，Robbie，但这是一次很重要的机会。明早第一件事就是去那里，好吗？
Sure, Dad. 一定，爸爸。
I want you to know something, Son. I’m … very proud of you. 我希望你知道一件事，孩子。我很……以你为荣。
Thanks, Dad. 谢谢你，爸爸。
Well, I’ve got an appointment at the hospital. I’ll see you all at dinnertime. 好啦，我在医院有事。吃晚饭时见面了。
Bye, Dad. 再见，爸爸。
Is something still wrong, Robbie? 还有什么不对的地方吗，Robbie？
I’ll be OK. Going away to college for the first time always makes one a little nervous. 没什么。第一次离家上大学总是让人有些紧张。
I guess so. I’ll be OK. I just need time to think. 我猜是这样。我会适应的，我只是需要时间思考。
At the university club: （在大学俱乐部：）
Sorry, Robbie. Sorry to be late this morning, but, well, we’ve still got some time for a cup of coffee. I can’t wait to see my old pal Charley Rafer. 对不起，Robbie，对不起，今天早上迟了点，不过，我们还有喝杯咖啡的时间。我真想早点见到老朋友Charley Rafer。
Neither can I. 我也一样。
So you thought about it, huh? 你考虑过了吗？
Yes, I have, Dad. 是的，我考虑了，爸爸。
Well, I’m glad. I knew you’d realize that this interview could be an important experience for you. 好，我很高兴。我知道你会体会到这次面谈是一次很好的经验。
I came to that conclusion. 我的结论也是这样。
That’s very wise, Robbie. Very wise. Now let’s head off for the city and the university club. 这是很明智的，Robbie。非常明智。现在，我们进城去，到大学俱乐部。
Thanks, Dad. 谢谢，爸爸。
Thanks … for what? 谢什么？
Thanks for hearing me out. And … 谢谢你听我的意见，而且……
And …? 而且……？
And thanks for being such an understanding father. 而且谢谢你是这样一位善于了解我的父亲。
Well, thank you, Robbie. Thank you. 嗯，谢谢你，Robbie，谢谢你。
Philip Stewart! It’s great to see you! Philip Stewart！真高兴见到你！
Charley Rafer–you look as young as ever. Charley Rafer——你还像当年那样年轻。
You must be Robbie. 你就是Robbie吧。
Hi. 你好。
Yes, this is my youngest son Robbie. Robbie, I want you to meet one of the best tennis players on the Michigan team–Charley Rafer. 是的，这是我的小儿子Robbie。Robbie，我要你见过当年Michigan球队最好的网球选手——Charley Rafer。
Nice to meet you, Dean Rafer. 很高兴见到你，Rafer主任。
Well, are you as good a tennis player as your dad? 嗯，你是否像爸爸那样是一名优秀的网球选手呢？
No, I’m not very good at it. 不，我网球不行。
Frankly, neither was I. Charley was the star of the team. 坦白的说，我当年也不好。Charley是当时队里的明星。
Yeah. Thanks. 凑数的，谢谢你。
Well, how’re you been, Philip? 嗯，这些年来怎么样，Philip？
Oh, working too hard. 噢，工作太累人了。
Doesn’t show. 看不出来。
How’s Ellen? Ellen怎么样？
Fine, thank you. 很好，谢谢。
And how’s Marge? Marge怎么样？
She’s still giving the toughest English history exams in the school and loving every minute of it. 她仍用最艰深的英国史试题考学生，在学校里，且乐此不疲，时时如此。
And speaking of minutes, I have interviews until noon, so why don’t we get right to work? 谈到时间，我从现在到中午，有一系列的面谈，我们现在就开始工作，好吗？
Can you have lunch with us later? 你能与我们一起共进午餐吗？
I’d love to, Philip, but I’m afraid I can’t. I’m only here two days, and I have interviews with twenty-six applicants. 我很想，Philip，但是恐怕不行。我只有两天时间，而要面谈的申请人有二十六位。
I understand. 我能了解。
Well, thanks. I’ll wait outside. Good luck, Son. 噢，谢了。我到外面等。祝你好运，孩子。
Did you bring your transcript from high school? 你把高中的成绩单带来了吗？
Yes, sir. Right here. 带来了，先生。在这里。
Thank you. Please sit down. 谢谢。请坐下。
I see under “activities” that you’ve been writing for the school paper. 我注意到在"活动"项目中提到你为校刊写文章。
Yes, sir. 是的，先生。
What kinds of articles have you written? 你写过一些什么样的文章？
All kinds–sports, editorials, theater reviews. You name it, I’ve written it. 各种各样的——体育，社论，剧评。你说得出的，我都写过。
Hmmm. Well, have you ever thought of becoming a journalist? A professional writer? 嗯，好，你是否想过成为一名新闻从业人员？职业写作人员？
Not until recently. 最近才考虑到。
Michigan has a fine School of Journalism. Michigan大学有一个很好的新闻学院。
Yes, I know that. 是的，我知道。
You seem to have some reservations. 看起来你还有些犹豫。
I’m a little uncertain. 我有点犹豫不决。
It’s been very nice talking to you. 很高兴与你交谈。
Nice talking to you, sir. 我也很高兴与您交谈，先生。
One piece of advice. The most important thing is for you to decide your own future. 给你一句忠告。最重要的是你要自己决定自己的未来。
Yes, sir. Good-bye, Dean Rafer. 是的，先生。再见，Rafer主任。
Good-bye, Robbie. Good luck. 再见，Robbie，祝你好运。
Later, Robbie talks with his friend Mike: （后来，Robbie与朋友Mike交谈：）
I had an interview today, too. I had a great interview with Admissions at Columbia University. 我今天也参加了一次面谈。我参加了一次很精彩的面谈，与Columbia大学的招生人员。
Really? What did they say? Will you get into the school? 真的？他们说什么？你会被录取吗？
Well, they didn’t say anything for sure. But I figure that with my grades and with my personality, I’ll have no problem. 嗯，他们没有任何确切的答覆。但我想，凭我的成绩和我的品行，我不会有问题。
Columbia’s a terrific school. What are you going to do? Columbia是一所很棒的学校。你打算读什么？
Do? I don’t know. I also applied to NYU. 读什么？我不知道。我还申请了纽约大学。
You sound excited about Columbia. What’s your problem, Mike? 听起来你对Columbia大学跃跃欲试？你现在问题在哪里，Mike？
Indecision. Indecision. It’s not easy, and this is an important decision we have to make. 下不了决心，下不了决心。实在不容易，这又是我们必须做的一个重大决定。
What about you? How was your interview with Michigan? 你呢？你跟Michigan大学的人面谈得如何？
The interview was fine. It’s a great college. 面谈得很好。那是一所好大学。
It is. My father would like me to go there. He and my Grandpa both went there. Great medical school, too. 是的。我爸爸希望我去那儿。他和我爷爷都曾在那里读书。而且有很好的医学院。
I know. You can follow in your father’s footsteps. 我知道。你可以跟随你父亲的足迹。
Ah! I’d like to follow in my own footsteps, Mike. 噢，我想走自己的路，Mike。
What do you want to study? 你想学什么？
I’ve been thinking. I think I want to study journalism to be a reporter–a newspaperman. 我一直在考虑。我想学新闻学，将来当一名记者，一个新闻从业人员。
You do a pretty good job on the Riverdale High School paper. 你在Riverdale高中校刊做得有声有色。
And I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. 最近我一直就此事想了很多。
Have you discussed it with your parents? 你和父母商量过了吗？
No. But I have to. 没有，但有此必要。
Robbie talks with his father: （Robbie与父亲谈话：）
Hi, Son. Is everything all right? 嗨，孩子，一切都顺利吗？
Hi, Dad. Everything’s fine. I was just waiting for you to get home so we could talk. 嗨，爸爸。一切都好。我正等你回来，好跟你谈谈。
Anything special you want to talk about? 有什么特殊的事要谈吗？
There is, Dad. 有，爸爸。
I’m listening. 那就说吧。
Well, I know you and Mom have given up a lot to save money for my college tuition. 嗯，我知道你和妈妈省吃俭用，存钱准备我的大学学费。
We want you to go to college, Robbie. 我们希望你上大学，Robbie。
I know. I do. But? 我知道。我会的。那还有什么事？
Well, I’ve thought a lot about which college, and one of them is Columbia. 嗯，我为了上哪一所大学想了很多，其中一所是Columbia大学。
Columbia? Why Columbia? Columbia？为什么要去Columbia？
First, they have an excellent School of Journalism. 首先，那里有个很优秀的新闻研究所。
They do. And your friends are planning to go to Columbia? 是的。而且你的朋友们也准备上Columbia大学，对吗？
That’s only part of it. It’s complicated. I’ll try to explain. Mike and I had a hamburger this afternoon, and we talked. 这只是一部分原因。原因很复杂。我会尽量给你解释。今天下午，Mike和我一起吃汉堡，一起讨论。
Yes? 是吗？
Well, we talked about a lot of things. He applied to Columbia, and his interview was very successful. He thinks he’ll be accepted, and he really wants to go there. 嗯，我们谈了很多。他申请了Columbia大学，他的面谈很成功。他觉得他会被录取，他确实很想去那里。
Dean Rafer called me today. He told me he was very impressed with you. Rafer主任今天打电话给我。他告诉我他对你印象很好。
He’s a nice man. He was very kind. 他是个好人，对人和蔼。
He told me you had some doubts about wanting to go to Michigan. 他告诉我你对上Michigan大学有些疑虑。
Yes. I do. I’m just not sure about what I want to do. 是的，我有疑虑。我不知道该读什么？
That’s OK. You understand? 不去不要紧。你能谅解？
Let me tell you something, Robbie. Something that might be surprising to you. 让我告诉你一件事，Robbie。一件也许会让你吃惊的事。
What? Tell me. 什么事？说给我听听。
Well, Grandpa wanted me to study engineering, like him. Well, I wasn’t clear about my future, but I knew engineering was not for me. 嗯，爷爷希望我像他一样学工程，我对自己的未来当时也不清楚，但我知道工程对我不合适。
What did you tell Grandpa? 那你是如何对爷爷说的呢？
The truth. 实话实说。
Then you’re not upset about my not wanting to go into medicine? 那么，你没有感到不快，对我不学医。
I’m not upset at all. I’m just happy that we’re able to talk about it. 一点也不。我很高兴我们能够一起商讨这件事。
I am too, Dad. 我也一样，爸爸。
I suppose you want to apply to Columbia. 我猜想你会申请Columbia大学。
Yes, but I also want to apply to several other colleges. 是的，但我还想申请几所其他的大学。
I thought you wanted to go to Columbia. 我还以为你只想上Columbia大学。
Well, I might want to go to Columbia. But I might not. I just want to be able to make my own decision. 嗯，我也许去Columbia大学。但也许不去。我只想能够自己决定。
You’re a real Stewart! 你真是我们Stewart家的人！
And if I think about it long enough, you never know … 如果我一直考虑下去的话，说不定……
Never know what? 说不定什么？
If I make my own decision, I might choose Michigan. 如果我自己作决定的话，我说不定选择Michigan大学。
Robbie, you’re something! You know, when I was your age, I said exactly the same thing to Grandpa. Robbie，你真是有骨气！要知道，当我像你这么大的时候，我跟你爷爷说了同样的话。
重难点分析
- “turn it in” — 表示"上交（作业、稿件等）"，是校园常用短语。
- “I felt the same way.” — 表示"我也有同感"，表达共鸣。
- “That’s the worst part–making decisions.” — 口语中常用 the worst/best part 来强调某事物的最……方面。
- “Dean of Admissions” — 大学招生办主任。
- “fit you into his schedule” — 表示"把你安排进他的日程中"。
- “Not exactly.” — 表示"不完全是/还不一定"，委婉否定。
- “In that case” — 表示"如果是那样的话"。
- “head off for” — 表示"前往（某地）"。
- “hear me out” — 表示"听我把话说完"。
- “You name it, I’ve written it.” — 固定表达，表示"你说得出的，我都写过"。
- “follow in your father’s footsteps” — 固定表达，意为"步你父亲的后尘/继承父业"。
- “follow in my own footsteps” — Robbie的巧妙改编，表示"走自己的路"。
- “You’re something!” — 口语中表示"你真了不起/真有你的！"。
核心词汇
| 词汇 | 音标 | 释义 |
|---|---|---|
| scared | /skerd/ | 害怕的 |
| graduation | /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃn/ | 毕业 |
| interview | /ˈɪntərvjuː/ | 面谈，面试 |
| applicant | /ˈæplɪkənt/ | 申请人 |
| admission | /ədˈmɪʃn/ | 录取，入学 |
| journalism | /ˈdʒɜːrnəlɪzəm/ | 新闻学 |
| journalist | /ˈdʒɜːrnəlɪst/ | 新闻记者 |
| editorial | /ˌedɪˈtɔːriəl/ | 社论 |
| review | /rɪˈvjuː/ | 评论 |
| transcript | /ˈtrænskrɪpt/ | 成绩单 |
| reservation | /ˌrezərˈveɪʃn/ | 保留意见，疑虑 |
| uncertain | /ʌnˈsɜːrtn/ | 不确定的 |
| tuition | /tuˈɪʃn/ | 学费 |
| complicated | /ˈkɑːmplɪkeɪtɪd/ | 复杂的 |
| decision | /dɪˈsɪʒn/ | 决定 |
口语中的应用
- “You name it.” — 表示"凡是你说得出的都有"，用于列举时表示种类齐全。
- “Hear me out.” — 请求对方让自己把话说完。
- “I’m listening.” — 表示"我在听你说"，鼓励对方继续说下去。
- “That’s only part of it.” — 表示"这只是部分原因"。
- “You’re something!” — 赞美对方，表示"你真了不起"。
- “I came to that conclusion.” — 表示"我得出了那个结论"。
- “One piece of advice.” — 表示"给你一个建议"。
- “The truth.” — 简单有力的回答，表示"实话实说"。
核心练习句型
-
表达"我也一样"：
- Neither can I.
- I felt the same way.
-
表达"走自己的路/继承……"：
- Follow in your father’s footsteps.
- I’d like to follow in my own footsteps.
-
表达"不确定/犹豫"：
- I’m a little uncertain.
- I have some reservations.
-
表达"听某人说完"：
- Thanks for hearing me out.
- Hear me out.
-
表达"以某人为荣"：
- I’m very proud of you.
-
表达"自己做决定"：
- I want to make my own decision.
- The most important thing is for you to decide your own future.