The Craze of Pursuing Graduate Studies

　　【精彩范文】

　　The Craze of Pursuing Graduate Studies

　　Each year, millions of Chinese college students sit for qualifying examinations for graduate studies, primarily in Masters programs. Students prepare for those examinations either through years of arduous self-education or by spending large sums of money attending local training schools. The publishing of examinations-related study materials and the training programs offered, both online and offline, have combined to form a sizable industry.

　　An alarming fact about this craze is that most students pursue graduate studies not out of their voluntary will. Faced with the harsh reality in the employment market, which is forever looking for graduates with higher degrees, many college graduates find going to graduate schools is a good way to avoid unemployment and to enhance ones competitiveness in future job hunting.

　　However, without that voluntary initiative, most students who do enter graduate schools are not motivated. For them, the only thing that ultimately counts is the degree or the diploma which they expect could give them an upper hand against other job hunters. As to the actual substance of their graduate studies, its not a big deal for them, as long as it leads to that degree or diploma. It is really pathetic to see that students undertake graduate studies with an ulterior motivenot for the sake of loving what they study, but for the sake of merely landing a job, which in many cases might be unrelated to what they have studied.

　　However, without that voluntary initiative, most students who do enter graduate schools are not motivated. For them, the only thing that ultimately counts is the degree or the diploma which they expect could give them an upper hand against other job hunters. As to the actual substance of their graduate studies, its not a big deal for them, as long as it leads to that degree or diploma. It is really pathetic to see that students undertake graduate studies with an ulterior motivenot for the sake of loving what they study, but for the sake of merely landing a job, which in many cases might be unrelated to what they have studied.

　　The chill truth is that students soon find their anticipations are a mere dream. As so many undergraduates proceed onto graduate studies, the employment situation remains as severe as ever. Instead of bringing about apparent competitive edges, two or three years of additional academic training is simply a waste of time and energy. They need to reflect on this craze and would have been better off distinguishing themselves with outstanding knowledge and skills when they were undergraduates.

　　【參考譯文】

　　考 研 熱

　　每年，數(shù)以百萬計的中國大學(xué)生參加研究生入學(xué)資格考試，主要是攻讀碩士學(xué)位課程。學(xué)生們要么通過數(shù)年艱辛的自學(xué)，要么通過花上不菲的一筆錢參加當(dāng)?shù)嘏嘤?xùn)學(xué)校的課程，來準(zhǔn)備這些資格考試。與考試相關(guān)的學(xué)習(xí)材料的出版，以及網(wǎng)上和網(wǎng)下所提供的培訓(xùn)課程，一起構(gòu)成了一個規(guī)?？捎^的產(chǎn)業(yè)。

　　關(guān)于這股熱潮，一個觸目驚心的事實是，大多數(shù)學(xué)生并不是出于他們自主的意愿而去追求研究生階段的學(xué)習(xí)的。面對著就業(yè)市場上嚴(yán)峻的現(xiàn)實，看著雇主們永遠(yuǎn)將目光投向那些學(xué)歷更高的畢業(yè)生，許多大學(xué)生發(fā)現(xiàn)，進(jìn)入研究生院去攻讀碩士學(xué)位不失為一個良策，一方面避免了失業(yè)，另一方面可以提升未來求職過程中的競爭力。

　　然則，沒有了那份由衷而發(fā)的積極性，最終得以進(jìn)入研究生院的學(xué)生，其中大多數(shù)缺乏自我上進(jìn)的動力。對于他們而言，最終而言，唯有其文憑或?qū)W位事關(guān)重大。他們希望，這個學(xué)位或文憑能提升其優(yōu)勢，戰(zhàn)勝其他求職者。至于他們研究生課程實際學(xué)習(xí)什么內(nèi)容，于他們而言并非關(guān)鍵所在，只要所學(xué)的東西能帶來一紙學(xué)位或文憑即可。看著學(xué)生們并非懷著一種真實的意圖去攻讀研究生課程，實在令人感到悲哀：學(xué)生們并不真正熱愛其所學(xué)的內(nèi)容，而只是為了找到一份工作，并且這份工作在很多情形中可能與其所學(xué)專業(yè)毫不相關(guān)。

　　一個令人心寒的事實真相是，學(xué)生們很快就會發(fā)現(xiàn)，他們的期望純粹是一種幻想。由于本科之后繼續(xù)讀研的學(xué)生如此之眾，就業(yè)形勢一如既往地嚴(yán)峻。二至三年額外的學(xué)術(shù)訓(xùn)練沒能給學(xué)生帶來顯著的競爭優(yōu)勢，而是令他們白白地浪費(fèi)了時光與精力，大學(xué)生們有必要對此熱潮展開反思。如果他們早在本科期間就以優(yōu)異的學(xué)識與能力脫穎而出的話，他們的處境肯定會來的好得多。

　　【炫詞/炫語/炫句研究】

　　1. to sit for examinations: 就相當(dāng)于to take part in examinations

　　2. qualifying examination;資格考試;體育上的資格賽就叫 qualifying matches

　　3. graduate studies: 研究生學(xué)習(xí)的美國說法; 英國的說法是postgraduate studies

　　4. Masters program：碩士學(xué)位課程;本科學(xué)位課程是undergraduate program或Bachelors program; 博士學(xué)位課程是 Ph.D. program 或 doctoral program;

　　5. to prepare for examinations: 備考

　　6. either through or by : 要么是通過, 要么是憑借

　　7. years of arduous self-education: 數(shù)年的艱苦自學(xué); arduous：艱難卓絕的; self-education的另一個說法是self-study;

　　8. to spend large sums of money attending local training schools: spend time or money doing something; 另外，在large sums of money這個表達(dá)方式中，雖然money是不可數(shù)的，但作為量詞的sum是可數(shù)的，要用復(fù)數(shù)，謂語動詞也相應(yīng)要用復(fù)數(shù)。類似的例子有amount, 如large amounts of energy, 其用法與large sums of money相同。

　　9. examinations-related study materials：與考試相關(guān)的學(xué)習(xí)材料

　　10. the training programs offered, both online and offline, 網(wǎng)上和網(wǎng)下所提供的培訓(xùn)項目;the training programs offered 就相當(dāng)于the training programs offered;

　　11. a sizable industry: 一個規(guī)?？捎^的產(chǎn)業(yè);sizable：sufficiently big

　　12. an alarming fact about this craze is that有關(guān)這股狂熱，一個令人震驚的事實是

　　13. students pursue graduate studies not out of their voluntary will: 學(xué)生們不是出于其自主的意愿去尋求研究生學(xué)習(xí)的;pursue graduate studies是個不錯的表達(dá)方式;out of就相當(dāng)于from; voluntary: 自愿的; will：意志，意愿;

　　14. faced with the harsh reality in the employment market: 面對著就業(yè)市場上嚴(yán)峻的現(xiàn)實;faced with 一般要用被動語態(tài);harsh reality：嚴(yán)峻的現(xiàn)實;the employment market: 就業(yè)市場;

　　15. where employers forever look for graduates with higher degrees：where指in the employment market;graduates with higher degrees：擁有更高學(xué)位的畢業(yè)生

　　16. many college graduates find going to graduate schools is a good way to : many college graduates find 后面省略掉了賓語從句的引導(dǎo)詞that;going to graduate schools 是現(xiàn)在分詞短語作主語;

　　17. avoid unemployment: avoid的用法有二，一是avoid something; 二是avoid doing something;

　　18. to enhance ones competitiveness in future job hunting: 提升在未來求職過程中的競爭力;to enhance ones competitiveness是個不錯的搭配;競爭優(yōu)勢叫competitive edge; future是形容詞;job hunting是個固定搭配;

　　19. voluntary initiative：initiative 是積極性，主動性，進(jìn)取心的意思;另外，中東的和平倡議 就叫the Middle East peace initiative;

　　20. most students who do enter graduate schools are not self-motivated: do enter是動詞的強(qiáng)調(diào)形式;not self-motivated： 缺乏自我動力;

　　21. the only thing that counts：就相當(dāng)于 the only thing that matters; ultimately: 最終地

　　22. the degree or the diploma which they expect could give them an upper hand against other job seekers：那個他們希冀能夠使他們相對于其他求職者略勝一籌的學(xué)位或文憑;they expect是插入語，并非是定語從句中的主語與謂語;which才是定語從句中的主語，could give是定語從句中的謂語動詞;類似的例子如：This is a book which I hope would be useful to you. could 采用的是虛擬語氣，表示與實際并不相符;an upper hand: 優(yōu)勢，上風(fēng); job seekers：求職者，就相當(dāng)于job hunters;

　　23. as to the actual substance of their graduate studies, its not a big deal: as to就相當(dāng)于as for, 表示至于. the actual substance: 實際的內(nèi)容; substance即content; its not a big deal口語與書面語中都很常用，表示并非大事一樁

　　24. as long as it leads to that degree or diploma：只要它能帶來那個學(xué)位或文憑即可;as long as是連詞，表示只要，引導(dǎo)一個條件狀語從句;

　　25. It is really pathetic to see that: 看到 真是令人心感悲哀;

　　26. students undertake graduate studies with an ulterior motive：undertake graduate studies就相當(dāng)于pursue graduate studies; an ulterior motive: 固定詞組，表示別有用心的意思;

　　27. not for the sake of , but for the sake of : 不是為了的緣故，而是為了的緣故;

　　28. to land a job, which in many cases might be unrelated to what they have studied: to land a job表示找到工作 在口語中, land當(dāng)動詞用是，表示贏得，得到，找到，撈到，如to land a contract, to land a trophy, to land a nomination, to land a prize; in many cases: 在許多情形中;

　　29. the chill truth is that: 令人心寒的事實真相是

　　30. students soon find their anticipations are a mere dream: 學(xué)生們很快發(fā)現(xiàn)，他們的期望只是一種幻想;find后面省略了引導(dǎo)詞that

　　31. As so many undergraduates proceed onto graduate studies: as是連詞，表示由于、隨著，代表原因。undergraduate：本科生; proceed onto 指停頓或打斷后繼續(xù)進(jìn)行某事; 如： After talking about Plan A, lets proceed onto Plan B.

　　32. the employment situation remains as severe as ever: 就業(yè)形勢一如既往地依然嚴(yán)峻。employment situation是個固定詞組，值得一記; remain是聯(lián)系動詞，后接形容詞，表示一直處于某種境地或狀態(tài)as severe as ever：與以往一樣的嚴(yán)峻;記住as as ever的用法。

　　33. Instead of bringing about apparent competitive edges, two or three years of additional academic training is simply a waste of time and energy. 二至三年額外的學(xué)術(shù)訓(xùn)練沒能給學(xué)生帶來顯著的競爭優(yōu)勢，反而是白白地浪費(fèi)了他們的時光與精力;現(xiàn)在分詞短語bringing about apparent competitive edges這個動作，是主句的主語two or three years of additional academic training所發(fā)出的。bringing about或bringing在此處都可以用，意思略微不同;bringing是帶來，bringing about是造成，導(dǎo)致，產(chǎn)生， competitive edges: 上面已講過，是競爭優(yōu)勢的意思;在two or three years of additional academic training is simply a waste of time and energy 這個句子中，有人會問，two or three years of additional academic training作為一個充當(dāng)主語的名詞短語，是以復(fù)數(shù)形式出現(xiàn)的，與is a waste of time and energy中單數(shù)的動詞is是否一致。回答是，是一致的。 雖然two or three years of additional academic training形式上是復(fù)數(shù)，但是，它是被動作一個整體來處理的，整個看作一段時間。 類似的例子如：Two years is a long time to wait. 此外，還有：Three miles is a long distance to walk. 等。a waste of time and energy是個不錯的短語。

　　34. to reflect on this craze: 單獨(dú)一個reflect當(dāng)及物動詞使用時，是反映，折射的意思，如：This article fully reflects his ideas. 但作為不及物動詞，與介詞on結(jié)合使用時，表示反思，思索

　　35. be better off doing something: 做某事要來的更愜意，過得更滋潤;如：As long as there are enough to eat and drink, I will be better off living in the countryside.

　　36. distinguishing themselves with outstanding knowledge and skills: 憑著出色的學(xué)識與能力使自己脫穎而出;to distinguish somebody with something 是個值得記住的詞組。

　　The Craze of Pursuing Graduate Studies

　　【精彩范文】

　　The Craze of Pursuing Graduate Studies

　　Each year, millions of Chinese college students sit for qualifying examinations for graduate studies, primarily in Masters programs. Students prepare for those examinations either through years of arduous self-education or by spending large sums of money attending local training schools. The publishing of examinations-related study materials and the training programs offered, both online and offline, have combined to form a sizable industry.

　　An alarming fact about this craze is that most students pursue graduate studies not out of their voluntary will. Faced with the harsh reality in the employment market, which is forever looking for graduates with higher degrees, many college graduates find going to graduate schools is a good way to avoid unemployment and to enhance ones competitiveness in future job hunting.

　　However, without that voluntary initiative, most students who do enter graduate schools are not motivated. For them, the only thing that ultimately counts is the degree or the diploma which they expect could give them an upper hand against other job hunters. As to the actual substance of their graduate studies, its not a big deal for them, as long as it leads to that degree or diploma. It is really pathetic to see that students undertake graduate studies with an ulterior motivenot for the sake of loving what they study, but for the sake of merely landing a job, which in many cases might be unrelated to what they have studied.

　　However, without that voluntary initiative, most students who do enter graduate schools are not motivated. For them, the only thing that ultimately counts is the degree or the diploma which they expect could give them an upper hand against other job hunters. As to the actual substance of their graduate studies, its not a big deal for them, as long as it leads to that degree or diploma. It is really pathetic to see that students undertake graduate studies with an ulterior motivenot for the sake of loving what they study, but for the sake of merely landing a job, which in many cases might be unrelated to what they have studied.

　　The chill truth is that students soon find their anticipations are a mere dream. As so many undergraduates proceed onto graduate studies, the employment situation remains as severe as ever. Instead of bringing about apparent competitive edges, two or three years of additional academic training is simply a waste of time and energy. They need to reflect on this craze and would have been better off distinguishing themselves with outstanding knowledge and skills when they were undergraduates.

　　【參考譯文】

　　考 研 熱

　　每年，數(shù)以百萬計的中國大學(xué)生參加研究生入學(xué)資格考試，主要是攻讀碩士學(xué)位課程。學(xué)生們要么通過數(shù)年艱辛的自學(xué)，要么通過花上不菲的一筆錢參加當(dāng)?shù)嘏嘤?xùn)學(xué)校的課程，來準(zhǔn)備這些資格考試。與考試相關(guān)的學(xué)習(xí)材料的出版，以及網(wǎng)上和網(wǎng)下所提供的培訓(xùn)課程，一起構(gòu)成了一個規(guī)模可觀的產(chǎn)業(yè)。

　　關(guān)于這股熱潮，一個觸目驚心的事實是，大多數(shù)學(xué)生并不是出于他們自主的意愿而去追求研究生階段的學(xué)習(xí)的。面對著就業(yè)市場上嚴(yán)峻的現(xiàn)實，看著雇主們永遠(yuǎn)將目光投向那些學(xué)歷更高的畢業(yè)生，許多大學(xué)生發(fā)現(xiàn)，進(jìn)入研究生院去攻讀碩士學(xué)位不失為一個良策，一方面避免了失業(yè)，另一方面可以提升未來求職過程中的競爭力。

　　然則，沒有了那份由衷而發(fā)的積極性，最終得以進(jìn)入研究生院的學(xué)生，其中大多數(shù)缺乏自我上進(jìn)的動力。對于他們而言，最終而言，唯有其文憑或?qū)W位事關(guān)重大。他們希望，這個學(xué)位或文憑能提升其優(yōu)勢，戰(zhàn)勝其他求職者。至于他們研究生課程實際學(xué)習(xí)什么內(nèi)容，于他們而言并非關(guān)鍵所在，只要所學(xué)的東西能帶來一紙學(xué)位或文憑即可?？粗鴮W(xué)生們并非懷著一種真實的意圖去攻讀研究生課程，實在令人感到悲哀：學(xué)生們并不真正熱愛其所學(xué)的內(nèi)容，而只是為了找到一份工作，并且這份工作在很多情形中可能與其所學(xué)專業(yè)毫不相關(guān)。

　　一個令人心寒的事實真相是，學(xué)生們很快就會發(fā)現(xiàn)，他們的期望純粹是一種幻想。由于本科之后繼續(xù)讀研的學(xué)生如此之眾，就業(yè)形勢一如既往地嚴(yán)峻。二至三年額外的學(xué)術(shù)訓(xùn)練沒能給學(xué)生帶來顯著的競爭優(yōu)勢，而是令他們白白地浪費(fèi)了時光與精力，大學(xué)生們有必要對此熱潮展開反思。如果他們早在本科期間就以優(yōu)異的學(xué)識與能力脫穎而出的話，他們的處境肯定會來的好得多。

　　【炫詞/炫語/炫句研究】

　　1. to sit for examinations: 就相當(dāng)于to take part in examinations

　　2. qualifying examination;資格考試;體育上的資格賽就叫 qualifying matches

　　3. graduate studies: 研究生學(xué)習(xí)的美國說法; 英國的說法是postgraduate studies

　　4. Masters program：碩士學(xué)位課程;本科學(xué)位課程是undergraduate program或Bachelors program; 博士學(xué)位課程是 Ph.D. program 或 doctoral program;

　　5. to prepare for examinations: 備考

　　6. either through or by : 要么是通過, 要么是憑借

　　7. years of arduous self-education: 數(shù)年的艱苦自學(xué); arduous：艱難卓絕的; self-education的另一個說法是self-study;

　　8. to spend large sums of money attending local training schools: spend time or money doing something; 另外，在large sums of money這個表達(dá)方式中，雖然money是不可數(shù)的，但作為量詞的sum是可數(shù)的，要用復(fù)數(shù)，謂語動詞也相應(yīng)要用復(fù)數(shù)。類似的例子有amount, 如large amounts of energy, 其用法與large sums of money相同。

　　9. examinations-related study materials：與考試相關(guān)的學(xué)習(xí)材料

　　10. the training programs offered, both online and offline, 網(wǎng)上和網(wǎng)下所提供的培訓(xùn)項目;the training programs offered 就相當(dāng)于the training programs offered;

　　11. a sizable industry: 一個規(guī)?？捎^的產(chǎn)業(yè);sizable：sufficiently big

　　12. an alarming fact about this craze is that有關(guān)這股狂熱，一個令人震驚的事實是

　　13. students pursue graduate studies not out of their voluntary will: 學(xué)生們不是出于其自主的意愿去尋求研究生學(xué)習(xí)的;pursue graduate studies是個不錯的表達(dá)方式;out of就相當(dāng)于from; voluntary: 自愿的; will：意志，意愿;

　　14. faced with the harsh reality in the employment market: 面對著就業(yè)市場上嚴(yán)峻的現(xiàn)實;faced with 一般要用被動語態(tài);harsh reality：嚴(yán)峻的現(xiàn)實;the employment market: 就業(yè)市場;

　　15. where employers forever look for graduates with higher degrees：where指in the employment market;graduates with higher degrees：擁有更高學(xué)位的畢業(yè)生

　　16. many college graduates find going to graduate schools is a good way to : many college graduates find 后面省略掉了賓語從句的引導(dǎo)詞that;going to graduate schools 是現(xiàn)在分詞短語作主語;

　　17. avoid unemployment: avoid的用法有二，一是avoid something; 二是avoid doing something;

　　18. to enhance ones competitiveness in future job hunting: 提升在未來求職過程中的競爭力;to enhance ones competitiveness是個不錯的搭配;競爭優(yōu)勢叫competitive edge; future是形容詞;job hunting是個固定搭配;

　　19. voluntary initiative：initiative 是積極性，主動性，進(jìn)取心的意思;另外，中東的和平倡議 就叫the Middle East peace initiative;

　　20. most students who do enter graduate schools are not self-motivated: do enter是動詞的強(qiáng)調(diào)形式;not self-motivated： 缺乏自我動力;

　　21. the only thing that counts：就相當(dāng)于 the only thing that matters; ultimately: 最終地

　　22. the degree or the diploma which they expect could give them an upper hand against other job seekers：那個他們希冀能夠使他們相對于其他求職者略勝一籌的學(xué)位或文憑;they expect是插入語，并非是定語從句中的主語與謂語;which才是定語從句中的主語，could give是定語從句中的謂語動詞;類似的例子如：This is a book which I hope would be useful to you. could 采用的是虛擬語氣，表示與實際并不相符;an upper hand: 優(yōu)勢，上風(fēng); job seekers：求職者，就相當(dāng)于job hunters;

　　23. as to the actual substance of their graduate studies, its not a big deal: as to就相當(dāng)于as for, 表示至于. the actual substance: 實際的內(nèi)容; substance即content; its not a big deal口語與書面語中都很常用，表示并非大事一樁

　　24. as long as it leads to that degree or diploma：只要它能帶來那個學(xué)位或文憑即可;as long as是連詞，表示只要，引導(dǎo)一個條件狀語從句;

　　25. It is really pathetic to see that: 看到 真是令人心感悲哀;

　　26. students undertake graduate studies with an ulterior motive：undertake graduate studies就相當(dāng)于pursue graduate studies; an ulterior motive: 固定詞組，表示別有用心的意思;

　　27. not for the sake of , but for the sake of : 不是為了的緣故，而是為了的緣故;

　　28. to land a job, which in many cases might be unrelated to what they have studied: to land a job表示找到工作 在口語中, land當(dāng)動詞用是，表示贏得，得到，找到，撈到，如to land a contract, to land a trophy, to land a nomination, to land a prize; in many cases: 在許多情形中;

　　29. the chill truth is that: 令人心寒的事實真相是

　　30. students soon find their anticipations are a mere dream: 學(xué)生們很快發(fā)現(xiàn)，他們的期望只是一種幻想;find后面省略了引導(dǎo)詞that

　　31. As so many undergraduates proceed onto graduate studies: as是連詞，表示由于、隨著，代表原因。undergraduate：本科生; proceed onto 指停頓或打斷后繼續(xù)進(jìn)行某事; 如： After talking about Plan A, lets proceed onto Plan B.

　　32. the employment situation remains as severe as ever: 就業(yè)形勢一如既往地依然嚴(yán)峻。employment situation是個固定詞組，值得一記; remain是聯(lián)系動詞，后接形容詞，表示一直處于某種境地或狀態(tài)as severe as ever：與以往一樣的嚴(yán)峻;記住as as ever的用法。

　　33. Instead of bringing about apparent competitive edges, two or three years of additional academic training is simply a waste of time and energy. 二至三年額外的學(xué)術(shù)訓(xùn)練沒能給學(xué)生帶來顯著的競爭優(yōu)勢，反而是白白地浪費(fèi)了他們的時光與精力;現(xiàn)在分詞短語bringing about apparent competitive edges這個動作，是主句的主語two or three years of additional academic training所發(fā)出的。bringing about或bringing在此處都可以用，意思略微不同;bringing是帶來，bringing about是造成，導(dǎo)致，產(chǎn)生， competitive edges: 上面已講過，是競爭優(yōu)勢的意思;在two or three years of additional academic training is simply a waste of time and energy 這個句子中，有人會問，two or three years of additional academic training作為一個充當(dāng)主語的名詞短語，是以復(fù)數(shù)形式出現(xiàn)的，與is a waste of time and energy中單數(shù)的動詞is是否一致。回答是，是一致的。 雖然two or three years of additional academic training形式上是復(fù)數(shù)，但是，它是被動作一個整體來處理的，整個看作一段時間。 類似的例子如：Two years is a long time to wait. 此外，還有：Three miles is a long distance to walk. 等。a waste of time and energy是個不錯的短語。

　　34. to reflect on this craze: 單獨(dú)一個reflect當(dāng)及物動詞使用時，是反映，折射的意思，如：This article fully reflects his ideas. 但作為不及物動詞，與介詞on結(jié)合使用時，表示反思，思索

　　35. be better off doing something: 做某事要來的更愜意，過得更滋潤;如：As long as there are enough to eat and drink, I will be better off living in the countryside.

　　36. distinguishing themselves with outstanding knowledge and skills: 憑著出色的學(xué)識與能力使自己脫穎而出;to distinguish somebody with something 是個值得記住的詞組。