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Randy Pausch: Finding Hope in Misfortune 在绝境中寻找希望──鲍许教授的最后一堂课

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课文讲解

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If you were told that you only had six months left to live, how would you react? A natural response may be to give in to despair, or feel bitter about the unfairness of life. College professor Randy Pausch received just such shocking news, but his subsequent positive reaction has helped to inspire millions of people over the Internet.

如果被告知只剩下六个月的生命，你会有什么反应？自然的反应可能是屈服于绝望，或者怨恨人生的不公平。大学教授兰迪．鲍许就接到这样令人震惊的消息，但他随后正面积极的响应却在网络上鼓舞了数百万人。

Pausch’s extraordinary character and spirit came to light through a lecture that he gave at Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S., where he taught computer science. He already knew that he had fatal cancer when he stepped up to give what has since come to be known as “The Last Lecture.” However, instead of dwelling on death, Pausch chose to speak of hope.

鲍许在美国卡内基美隆大学教计算器科学，透过他在该校发表的一场演说，显露出他与众不同的性格及精神。在他站上讲台发表之后大家所知的《最后一堂课》（或译为《最后的演讲》）时，早就知道自己罹患致命癌症。但是，鲍许并未执着于死亡议题，而是选择谈论希望。

In the speech, titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” Pausch reflected on his own life, explaining how, through hard work and determination, he had managed to realize his own childhood dreams. Among these were meeting his hero Captain Kirk, from the TV show “Star Trek,” authoring an article in The World Book Encyclopedia and creating a ride at Disney World. One message stood out above all: that if you believe in yourself enough, you can overcome any obstacle. In Pausch’s words, “The brick walls are not there to keep us out. (They) are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.”

在这场名为《全力实现儿时梦想》的演讲中，鲍许回顾自己的一生，解释自己如何透过努力及决心，想办法实现了儿时梦想。其中包括会见他的英雄──电视影集《星舰迷航记》里的科克船长、为《世界百科全书》撰写一篇文章、并为迪斯尼乐园设计云霄飞车。他的演说中特别突显一项讯息：如果你对自己有足够的信心，便能克服任何困难。鲍许说：「这面砖墙不是为了阻止我们。这面墙是为了让我们有机会展现自己有多渴望某样东西。」

Vocabulary

单词发音

extraordinary [ɪkˋstrɔrdn͵ɛrɪ] adj. 特别的；非凡的

lecture [ˋlɛktʃɚ] n. 授课；演讲

fatal [ˋfet!] adj. 致命的

dwell on 老是想着；停留在 pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

reflect [rɪˋflɛkt] v. 深思；反省[（+on/upon/over）]

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单词发音

give in 屈服 to cease opposition

despair [dɪˋspɛr] n. 绝望

unfairness [ʌnˋfɛrnɪs] n. 不公平；不公正

come to light  显露，为大家所周知 be revealed or disclosed

author [ˋɔθɚ] v. 著作，编写

stand out 突出, 显着 to be conspicuous, distinctive, or prominent.

badly [ˋbædlɪ] adv. 非常,极其; 严重地；厉害地

课文朗读

课文讲解

When he gave his lecture, Pausch could surely not have imagined how widely it would eventually be received. He had it recorded to be shown to his three young children when they grew up. Thanks to YouTube, though, more than six million people have viewed it online so far.

鲍许发表这场演讲时，一定没想到它最终会获得如此广大的回响。他录下这段演讲是为了让他的三个孩子长大后可以看。不过，多亏有YouTube，到目前为止已经有六百万人在网络上看过。

It is not just the uplifting nature of his speech that has managed to grab the public’s attention so firmly. Pausch delivers his lecture with such great energy and such a sparkling sense of humor that it is just as funny as it is touching. At one point, to demonstrate how he is still in good shape, Pausch does some push-ups, challenging the audience: “Anyone who wants to pity me can get down and do a few of those, and then you can pity me.”

这场演讲深深吸引大众的并非只因它激励人心的特质。鲍许在演讲时所展现的活力及挥洒自如的幽默感，让这场演说不仅妙趣横生且感人肺腑。鲍许在演讲过程中，一度为了显示体能状态还维持得很好，他做了几下伏地挺身，并且出言挑战观众：「如果你们当中有人要同情我的话，可以趴下来做个几下看看，那时再来同情我。」

Even before his “Last Lecture,” Pausch had gained much recognition as a pioneer in the field of virtual reality. As well as designing the virtual reality Aladdin ride at Disney World, he developed a computer application named Alice, which teaches children to program computers through the format of an animated story. Such endeavors represent Pausch’s belief that we should “never lose the childlike wonder.”

早在《最后一堂课》前，鲍许就已被推崇为虚拟现实领域的先锋。除了设计迪斯尼乐园的阿拉丁虚拟现实云霄飞车，鲍许也研发出名为Alice的计算机应用软件，透过动画故事的型态教导孩童编写计算机程序。这些努力体现了鲍许的信念──我们要「永保赤子之心。」

Randy Pausch died earlier this year, aged 47, but he lives on in his achievements, not to mention in the hearts of the millions moved by his final message.

兰迪．鲍许于今年稍早辞世，享年47岁，但他的成就永留，精神更长存于深受最后一课感动的人们心中。

−by David Vickers

Vocabulary

单词发音

firmly [ˋfɝmlɪ] adv. 坚定地；坚决地

sparkling [ˋspɑrklɪŋ] adj. 才气焕发的

audience [ˋɔdɪəns] n. 听众，观众

recognition [͵rɛkəgˋnɪʃən] n. 赏识; 表彰

pioneer [͵paɪəˋnɪr] n. 先驱者，开拓者

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单词发音

uplifting [ʌpˋlɪftɪŋ] adj. 令人振奋的；使人开心的

push-up 伏地挺身

application [͵æpləˋkeʃən] n. 应用程序

program [ˋprogræm] v. 为（计算机）设计程序

format [ˋfɔrmæt] n.（电视，广播节目等的）形式；编排；安排

animated [ˋænə͵metɪd] adj. 卡通（片）的

endeavor [ɪnˋdɛvɚ] n. 努力

childlike [ˋtʃaɪld͵laɪk] adj. 天真的；单纯的

Reading Questions

1.  What does the article tell us about Randy Pausch?

A. He gave a lecture that was broadcast on radio.

B. He taught a college course that inspired millions of people.

C. His enthusiasm and humor attract people.

D. He refused to accept the news that he had cancer.

2.  Which of the following did his lecture NOT refer to?

A. A look back on his ambitions as a child.

B. His determination to overcome any obstacle.

C. Successfully designing a theme park attraction.

D. Appearing on TV with his childhood hero.

3.  What is true about Pausch’s achievements?

A. He was among the first programmers to develop computer games.

B. He helped to design a computer program aimed at children.

C. He was best known for his lectures on virtual reality.

D. His achievements were only recognized following his death.

4.  What is the main focus of the article?

A. The successful career of a college professor.

B. Randy Pausch’s influence in the field of computer science.

C. One man’s inspiring response to learning he had cancer.

D. How Randy Pausch’s lecture came to be seen by millions.

Randy Pausch：如何实现儿时梦想1/11

Randy Pausch：如何实现儿时梦想2/11

Aladdin:The Ride (RCT3)

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