学进去

When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to earn a scholarship. Having been a Straight-A student, I believed I could _______ tough subjects and really learn something. One such course was World Literature given by Professor Jayne. I was extremely interested in the ideas he _______ in class. When I took the first exam, I was _______ to find a 77, C-plus, on my test paper, for English was my best subject.

I went to Professor Jayne, who listened to my arguments but remained _______. I decided to try harder, although I didn’t know what that means _______ school had always been easy for me. I read the books more carefully, but got another 77. Again, I _______ with Professor Jayne. Again, he listened _______ but wouldn’t change his mind. One more test before the final exam. One more _______ to improve my grade. So I redoubled my efforts and, for the first time, learned the meaning of the word “_______”. But my ________ did no good and everything went as before.

The last hurdle was the final. No matter what grade I got, it wouldn’t cancel three C-pluses. I might as well kiss the ________ goodbye. I stopped working hard. I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would. The night before the final, I even ________ myself to a movie. The next day I decided for once I’d have fun with a test. A week later, I was surprised to find I got an A. I hurried into Professor Jayne’s office. He ________ to be expecting me. “If I gave you the grade as you expected, you wouldn’t continue to work as hard.” I stared at him, ________ that his analysis and strategy were correct. I had worked my head off, as I had never done before.

I was ________ when my course grade arrived: A-plus. It was the only A-plus given. The next year I received my scholarship. I’ve always remembered Professor Jayne’s lesson: you alone must set your own standard of excellence.