阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
It was the last day of the
final examination in a large eastern university. On the steps of one building,
a group of engineering seniors gathered, discussing the exam due to begin in a
few 1. On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam before
they went on to 2 and jobs.
Some talked of jobs they already had;
others talked of jobs they 3 get. With all this
assurance of four years of college, they felt ready and able to take 4 of the world.
The approaching exam, they knew, would be
a(n) 5 task, because the professor
had said they could bring 6 books or notes they wanted,
requesting only that they did not 7 each other during the test.
After they entered the classroom8, the professor passed out
the papers. And smiles 9 on the students' faces as
they noted there were only five essay-type questions.
Three hours had passed 10 the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer
looked confident. On their faces was a frightened expression. Papers in hand,
no one spoke as the professor faced the class.
He looked at the 11 faces
before him, and then asked, "How many completed all five questions?" 12 a hand was raised.
"How many answered four?" Still
no hands.
"Three? Two?" The students moved
restlessly in their seats.
"One, then? Certainly somebody
finished 13."But the class
remained silent.
The professor put down the papers. "That
is exactly what I 14," he said. "I
just want to impress upon you that, 15 you have completed four years of engineering, there are still many
things about the 16 you don't know. These
questions you couldn't answer are relatively 17 in
everyday practice. "Then smiling, he added, "You will all 18 this course, but remember — even if you are now college graduates,
your education has just 19."
The years have 20 the name of this professor, but not the lesson he taught.