Students love this time of year. Mainly because they’ll soon be out of school for the summer. But there are some students who find this season especially meaningful. They’ve finished all the required classes. They’ve studied many long hours. They’ve served their time. These special students aren’t just getting out of school for the summer— they’re graduating. 一年之中學生們就喜歡這個時候，主要是因為他們很快就可以離開學校放暑假去了。但是也有一些學生覺得這個時節特別地有意義，該修的課都已經修完，也花了很多時間好好地讀書了，他們已經期滿該畢業了。這一群特別的學生不只是離開校園去放暑假——他們畢業了。 ⊙Word Bank graduation (n) 畢業 serve one’s time (v phr) 工作或學習期滿 In America, even kindergartens and elementary schools have graduation ceremonies. But high school graduation represents the most significant step in most people’s educational career. And part of the process of preparing to graduate is deciding what to do next. Some high school graduates may decide to get a job and earn money instead of going on for further study right away. 在美國，甚至連幼稚園和國小都有畢業典禮。但是在大部份人的求學生涯中，高中畢業代表了最關鍵的一步。在預備畢業的過程中，有一部份就是要決定接下來該做什麼。有些高中畢業生可能會決定找個工作賺錢，而不馬上升學繼續讀書。 ⊙Word Bank ceremony (n) 儀式；典禮 For many others, the next step goes without saying attending college or university. High school students often investigate a number of colleges with programs that appeal to them. During their senior year, students may apply to one or more colleges. They usually have to take entrance exams as part of the process. By the time they graduate, most students have a good idea of where they’re headed. 而對許多人而言，下一步理所當然地是進入大專或大學。高中生通常會研究一下那些有他們喜歡科系的學校，在他們高中最後一年期間，學生們可能會申請一所或多所的學校，申請過程中他們必須參加入學考試。等到他們要畢業的時候，大部份的學生差不多都知道自己會去哪一個學校。 ⊙Word Bank go without saying (v phr) 自不待言 investigate (v) 研究；調查 As the graduation date approaches, American students have a lot of details to take care of. Some have term papers, homework assignments and final exams hanging over their heads. They’re just hoping and praying they’ll do well enough to get their diploma. Many are busy sending out graduation invitations to all their friends and relatives. They hope that the people they invite will come to the graduation—or at least send them some money. 當畢業的日子越來越接近得時候，美國的學生們有好多細節的事得做，有些人有學期報告、家庭作業、和期末考試在威脅著他們。他們只希望並且祈禱自己的表現良好，能夠拿到畢業證書。很多人會忙著寄畢業邀請函給親友，他們希望受邀的人能來參加畢業典禮——或者至少寄一些禮金給他們。 ⊙Word Bank term paper (n phr) 學期報告 hang over one’s head (v phr) 面臨危險或威脅 diploma (n) 畢業證書；文憑 Graduating seniors also store up memories by signing each other's yearbooks and attending graduation parties. All in all, graduation is a time of mixed emotions: Students look forward to getting out of school, but they know they’ll miss their friends. 畢業生同時也以簽畢業紀念冊，和參加畢業舞會來收藏回憶。總兒言之，畢業是一段心情上五味雜陳的時光：同學們期待著走出校門，但他們也知道畢業後一定會想念他們的朋友。 ⊙Word Bank yearbook (n) 年鑑 Finally graduation time arrives. The music of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the school band fills the air. The graduates and their teachers begin marching in, all dressed in caps and gowns. During the ceremony, the top graduating students give speeches to their class. The guest speaker, a respected community leader, also gives a challenge to the graduates. 最後畢業的日子終於到來，學校的樂隊演奏著艾爾加的驪歌，樂聲飄揚在空氣中，畢業生和他們的老師們開始進場，他們都戴著方帽和穿著長袍。在典禮進行中，表現優異的畢業生們會對同學們發表演說，會中也會邀請受尊敬的地方領袖作講員，來鼓勵畢業生們。