A：May, is the university a terrible place?

阿美，大学是个恐怖的地方吗?

B：Surely not. Life in the university is fun. Why did you ask?

当然不是，大学生活很有趣。你为什么问这个问题呀?

A：Because you study day in and day out for the entrance exam. So I figure you would study even harder after you’ve got in.

因为你为了高考不分昼夜地学习，所以我想你进入大学以后会更加努力地学习。

B：Studying in the university is not easy, but it's not as arduous as you think.

大学的学习不那么容易，但也不是像你想象的那么枯燥。

A：How do you know that? You haven't got in yet.

你怎么知道?你还没上大学呢。

B：Of course I know. I once attended Lisa's class, sitting quietly at the back of the classroom.

我当然知道了，我曾经安安静静地坐在教室后面，跟利莎一起上过课。

A：Oh, really? Were you not caught?

哦，真的吗?你没被抓?

B：Of course not. You are allowed to attend any lecture, only if there are empty seats for you and you don't disturb the class. In universities, you study in a free and creative environment.

当然没有。只要教室里还有空位，你又不扰乱课堂，你就可以旁听任何课。在大学里，你可以在轻松而富有创造性的环境中学习。

A：What do you want to study in the university? Have you thought about it?

你在大学想学什么呢?你有没有想过?

B：This question has really been bothering me. I like Chinese literature, you know. But economics is really hot now, and it has a very good career prospect.

这个问题一直困扰着我。你知道，我喜欢中国文学，但是经济学现在很热门，而且它的职业发展前景也挺好的。

A：I will choose what I like. You don't know what a torture it is for me to study English, because I don't like English.

我会选择我喜欢的。你不知道对我来说学习英语有多么痛苦，因为我不喜欢英语。

B：Though I like Chinese literature very much, I'm also interested in economics. It's a tough choice to make.

虽然我非常喜欢中国文学，但我对经济学也很感兴趣。真是很难决定呀。

A：You can decide later. You will have choices before you submit your university application form.

你可以晚点再决定。在你提交志愿表以前你还可以选择。

B：Right. I have lots of time to think carefully before I make my final decision.

是呀，在做最后决定前，我还有很多时间仔细想想。

注释:

day in and day out 不分昼夜

arduous adj. 枯燥的

disturb vt. 打乱

prospect n. 前景

torture n. 折磨

submit vt. 递交

application 申请表