英文外刊精讀筆記
選自：經濟雪人 (Leaders— Papers, please)
Despite covid-19, schoolchildren should still sit exams
原文（下）The pandemic should not alter these judgments much. It is true that officials in England, where important exams were cancelled, would have found it easier to calculate which grades to hand out if their system had allowed pupils to acquire some marks in advance of their final tests. But other places managed to plough ahead with exams. Countries as diverse in their success against covid-19 as China, Germany and Spain all held some kind of examination this year, even if they changed the format.
In many countries the prospect—and pressure—of exams probably helped get pupils back into classrooms after initial lockdowns came to an end. Those facing important tests were generally invited back to school first. Their return helped give teachers and parents confidence that other pupils could safely join them. Kenya ended up letting exam-takers return to school in October, even though it had previously announced that it was cancelling all classes until the end of 2020.
Some countries that called off exams this year are still deciding whether and how to hold them in 2021. Many pupils are still making do with remote learning. Wales says it will not hold any of the tests usually sat by 16- and 18-year-olds next year because disparities in the amount of face-to-face teaching pupils are receiving would make formal exams unfair.
Governments may need to tweak next year’s tests, as many did this year. That could mean cutting the amount of material to be tested. Exam boards may also have to boost the grades of pupils who have spent the most time out of the classroom. But the most important exams should go ahead in some form. Many pupils have studied ferociously throughout this difficult year. They should have the chance to earn the grades they deserve. ■
Notes⑤The pandemic should not alter these judgments much. It is true that officials in England, where important exams were cancelled, would have found it easier to calculate which grades to hand out if their system had allowed pupils to acquire some marks in advance of their final tests. But other places managed to plough ahead with exams. Countries as diverse in their success against covid-19 as China, Germany and Spain all held some kind of examination this year, even if they changed the format.
alter: v. to become different; to make sb/sth differentin advance (of sth): before the time that is expected; before sth happensplough ahead (with sth): to continue to do sth that may involve problems or that other people are opposing 一意孤行；苦撐；堅持做（艱難的或被他人反對的事）plough [AmE: plow]:v. to dig and turn over a field or other area of land with a plough 耕（地）；翻（土） ；犁（田）⑥In many countries the prospect—and pressure—of exams probably helped get pupils back into classrooms after initial lockdowns came to an end. Those facing important tests were generally invited back to school first. Their return helped give teachers and parents confidence that other pupils could safely join them. Kenya ended up letting exam-takers return to school in October, even though it had previously announced that it was cancelling all classes until the end of 2020.
prospect:n. the possibility that sth will happen(~ of sth/of doing sth)initial: adj. happening at the beginning; firstend up: to find oneself in a place or situation that you did not intend or expect to be in 最終成為；最後處於~ (doing sth)/(adj.)/(adv./prep.)⑦Some countries that called off exams this year are still deciding whether and how to hold them in 2021. Many pupils are still making do with remote learning. Wales says it will not hold any of the tests usually sat by 16- and 18-year-olds next year because disparities in the amount of face-to-face teaching pupils are receiving would make formal exams unfair.
call sth off: to cancel sth; to decide that sth will not happenmake do (with sth): to manage with sth that is not really good enough 湊合；將就remote: adj. that you can connect to from far away, using an electronic link 遠程的；遠程連接的hold a test/an exam: 舉行考試sit/take a test/an exam: 參加考試disparity: a difference, especially one connected with unfair treatment （尤指因不公正對待引起的）不同，不等，差異，懸殊⑧Governments may need to tweak next year’s tests, as many did this year. That could mean cutting the amount of material to be tested. Exam boards may also have to boost the grades of pupils who have spent the most time out of the classroom. But the most important exams should go ahead in some form. Many pupils have studied ferociously throughout this difficult year. They should have the chance to earn the grades they deserve.
exam board: An examination board (or exam board) is an organization that sets examinations, is responsible for marking them, and distributes results. Some are run by governmental entities; some are run as not-for-profit organizations.(摘自Wikipedia) 考試委員會boost: to make sth increase, or become better or more successfulgo ahead: to happen; to be done 發生；進行ferociously: adv. 猛烈地；激烈地ferocious: adj. very aggressive or violent; very strong句式提取👉It is true that [officials in England, where important exams were cancelled, would have found it easier to calculate which grades to hand out if their system had allowed pupils to acquire some marks in advance of their final tests.] [But other places managed to plough ahead with exams.]
It is true that [sth would have done...if...].[But ...]👉[Countries] as diverse in [their success against covid-19] as [China, Germany and Spain] [all held some kind of examination this year, even if they changed the format].
[sth ] as diverse in... as [sth: a, b, c] ...👉[Governments may need to tweak next year’s tests], as many did [this year].
經濟學人外刊精讀筆記
Exams are grim, but most alternatives are worse
[詞句筆記部分完結]
詞句筆記上半部分：[英文外刊筆記] Papers, Please
🐿註：筆記中大部分英英、英漢釋義來自牛津高階英漢詞典第8版。