A professor stood before his class of twenty senior organic biology students, about to hand out the final exam. “I want to say that it’s been a pleasure teaching you this semester. I know you’ve all worked extremely hard and many of you are off to medical school after summer. So that no one gets their GPA注 messed up because
　　they might have been celebrating a bit too much this week, anyone who would like to opt
　　out[决定退出] of the final exam today will receive a B for the course.” There was much rejoicing[欢庆]
　　in the class as students got up, walked to the front of the class, and took the professor up on his offer. As the last taker left the room, the
　　professor looked out over the handful of
　　remaining students and asked, “Anyone else? This is your last chance.”
　　One final student rose up and opted out of the final. The professor closed the door and took attendance[出席] of those still remaining.
　　“I’m glad to see you believe in yourselves,” he said. “You all get As.”
　　
　　一位教授站在他教的二十名有机生物学大四学生面前,准备分发期末考试卷。“这个学期能够给你们上课,我感到非常荣幸。我知道你们极其用功,许多人在暑期过后将进入医学院深造。因此,任何一个不希望因为这个星期参加了太多庆祝活动而搞砸平时成绩的同学,只要选择退出今天的期末考试,这门课就能得到‘良’。”学生们陆续站起身,走上前去接受教授的美意,教室里欢欣一片。当最后一名接受提议的学生走出教室后,教授扫视了一眼班上所剩无几的学生,问道:“还有其他人吗?这可是你们的最后机会了。”
　　又有一名学生站起来,放弃期末考试。教授关上门,给那些留下来参加考试的学生点名。
　　“我很高兴看到你们能够相信自己,”他说,“你们全都得到‘优’。”
　　
　　注:grade point average的缩写,即各科成绩的平均积分点。