双语散文：考试是好是坏
Exams Are Useful
考试很有用。
There has been a heated debate over the pros and cons of exams. On balance, I hold the contention that exams are useful rather than harmful.
人们对考试的利弊进行了激烈的讨论。我认为，考试很有用。
Granted, the ultimate purpose of any education is to disseminate knowledge rather than pass exams. An undue emphasis on the importance of exams may serve to undermine this purpose. If students only cram for tests0ne or two weeks before the exams without really learning anything, such an education undoubtedly fails tofulfill its function. On the other hand, it is undeniable that exams are a useful device to gauge students'academic performance, It may not reflect exactly how well a pupil has grasped a subject; however, it provides some information which also guides further study. Additionally, since exams have been employed to distinguish excellence from the mediocrity, it motivates students to reach for their potentials as well. After all, we live in a competitive world; and it is obligatory for schools to impart a sense of competition to pupils.
任何教育的根本目的是为了传播知识，而不是通过考试。然而，过于重视考试的重要性将有损于知识的传播。如果学生只是在开始前一两周进行复习的话，他们并没有真正学习到知识，这样的教育将不会实现这样的目标。另一方面，不可否认，考试是一种评估学生学习成绩的一种非常有用的方法。它或许不会反应出学生掌握知识的好坏；但是，考试为我们提供一种讯息，这种讯息可以指导我们未来的学习。此外，由于考试视为是区分好与坏的媒介，它可以激发学生的潜质。我们生活在一个充满竞争的世界中；学校有义务教授学生一种竞争的意识。
In the final analysis, the merits of the exam system outweigh its demerits. Nevertheless, students should not study merely for the sake of passing exams. Instead, they should make acquiring knowledge the ultimategoal of study.
最后，考试的好处要多余它的坏处。但是，学生不应该仅仅为了通过考试而学习。相反，他们应该以获得知识而为最终目标。
考试很有用。
There has been a heated debate over the pros and cons of exams. On balance, I hold the contention that exams are useful rather than harmful.
人们对考试的利弊进行了激烈的讨论。我认为，考试很有用。
Granted, the ultimate purpose of any education is to disseminate knowledge rather than pass exams. An undue emphasis on the importance of exams may serve to undermine this purpose. If students only cram for tests0ne or two weeks before the exams without really learning anything, such an education undoubtedly fails tofulfill its function. On the other hand, it is undeniable that exams are a useful device to gauge students'academic performance, It may not reflect exactly how well a pupil has grasped a subject; however, it provides some information which also guides further study. Additionally, since exams have been employed to distinguish excellence from the mediocrity, it motivates students to reach for their potentials as well. After all, we live in a competitive world; and it is obligatory for schools to impart a sense of competition to pupils.
任何教育的根本目的是为了传播知识，而不是通过考试。然而，过于重视考试的重要性将有损于知识的传播。如果学生只是在开始前一两周进行复习的话，他们并没有真正学习到知识，这样的教育将不会实现这样的目标。另一方面，不可否认，考试是一种评估学生学习成绩的一种非常有用的方法。它或许不会反应出学生掌握知识的好坏；但是，考试为我们提供一种讯息，这种讯息可以指导我们未来的学习。此外，由于考试视为是区分好与坏的媒介，它可以激发学生的潜质。我们生活在一个充满竞争的世界中；学校有义务教授学生一种竞争的意识。
In the final analysis, the merits of the exam system outweigh its demerits. Nevertheless, students should not study merely for the sake of passing exams. Instead, they should make acquiring knowledge the ultimategoal of study.
最后，考试的好处要多余它的坏处。但是，学生不应该仅仅为了通过考试而学习。相反，他们应该以获得知识而为最终目标。
