达特茅斯学院院长在2024年毕业典礼上的演讲

President Sian Leah Beilock, Valedictory to the Graduating Class of 2024

常速| 六级 偏易 | 916词 | 6min24s

刘立军供稿

Part I. QUESTIONS

Listen to the speech and choose the best answer to each question you hear.

Q1. What was one of the central themes of President Beilock’s commencement speech to the Class of 2024?

A. Embracing the complexity and multitudes of the world.

B. The importance of maintaining academic integrity.

C. Rejecting traditional values in favor of modern technology.

D. Avoiding challenges to maintain peace of mind.

Q2. Why did a student bring snacks to President Beilock’s office?

A. As a celebration of the president’s achievements.

B. They disagreed vehemently with some decisions made.

C. As a gesture of kindness in a difficult discussion.

D. Due to a cultural misunderstanding.

Q3. What outcome did Jalisha Jenifer’s study reveal about tackling difficult problems?

A. High anxiety in students irrespective of problem difficulty.

B. Studying easier problems led to better results.

C. Avoidance of the most difficult problems by worried students.

D. Improved performance and satisfaction from facing tough challenges.

Q4. How does President Beilock suggest students approach dialogues with those they disagree?

A. By avoiding controversial topics to maintain harmony.

B. Emphasize only points of agreement.

C. Refuse to engage in debates with those holding opposing views.

D. Listen to and see shared values despite differences.

Q5. What does the Wampum Belt symbolize in Dartmouth's commencement tradition?

A. Academic successes achieved by the graduates.

B. Promises to uphold commitments to the Mohegan Tribe and Indigenous peoples.

C. A renewal of educational practices.

D. Ongoing conflicts and resolutions between Dartmouth and the Mohegan Tribe.

Part II. TRANSCRIPT

President Sian Leah Beilock, Valedictory to the Graduating Class of 2024

Congratulations, Class of 2024!

Today I want to talk to you about finding joy. Many of you have heard me describe the psychological research about our multiple ‘selves’. Each of us walks around, every day, juggling a number of roles: student, son, daughter, friend, co-worker. Our perspectives are constantly changing. We contain multitudes. As we’ve seen clearly over the past year: The world contains multitudes also. Cut-and-dry answers are hard to come by.

juggle v. 尽力同时应付（两个或两个以上的重要工作或活动）

(Q1) One thing I hope you have learned at Dartmouth is to not seek out the one, irrefutable truth. It’s to live and lead in a world that contains those multitudes - and to find joy in that complexity and uncomfortableness. A few weeks ago, a student came to my office to tell me that they disagreed vehemently with some of the decisions I have made this year. But they also asked questions that let me know they were open to different interpretations of their viewpoint; and let me ask questions in return. (Q2) They also brought me snacks because, they said, they wanted me to feel nourished in an obviously difficult moment. I tell this story not only because of the snacks – which I appreciated – but because it’s a beautiful example of what Dartmouth has taught each of you to do: Remember the humanity of your colleagues, friends, neighbors, and understand their points of view – even when they’re in sharp opposition to your own. Understand the massive challenges our country and our world face right now – while not letting those challenges overwhelm you, every waking hour of the day. And, know that even in moments of great difficulty, it is still okay to find joy, and encourage others to do the same.

irrefutable adj. 无可辩驳的，驳不倒的; 确凿; 无可争议

vehemently adv. 激烈地

Find joy in your well-being, using the skills you’ve learned right here. Get outside and into nature which research shows changes how our brain functions and helps us focus. Find joy in all the good forces in and around your life – as I was reminded this year when two students kindly asked if they could take my dog, Rosie, for a walk.

Find joy in challenging yourself. A few years ago, a postdoctoral researcher in my lab, Jalisha Jenifer, conducted a study. She looked at about 200 high students who were getting ready for an AP calculus exam, and found something fascinating: Those students who already felt anxious about math and the exam tended to skip the most difficult problems when they studied. (Q3) Those who forced themselves to tackle the tough problems, felt better. They performed better. They found joy in the work, even in the struggle, because they’d pushed themselves. You have spent the past four years surrounded by impressive classmates, learning from some of the best professors in the world. You are ready for the difficult problems. Engage with them. It will be uncomfortable and much harder than turning your backs, walking away, or just shouting your beliefs at people.

postdoctoral adj. 博士后的

calculus n. 微积分（学）

(Q4) Go out of your way to have conversations with people you don’t agree with, to listen and see their shared values rather than building an echo-chamber of like minded people around you. Think for yourself, voice an unpopular opinion, and be willing to call what you see as balls and strikes. Challenge yourself to understand history and learn from it.

Taking a page from Dartmouth’s history, I’m pleased to share that we are beginning a new Commencement tradition here today as we incorporated the Wampum Belt, given to Dartmouth by the Mohegan Tribe, for the first time in our commencement procession this morning.

The belt is a reminder of the long and complicated relations between Dartmouth and the Mohegan Tribe and Indian Country. The belt’s purple beads signify conflict, while its white beads signify cleansing. (Q5) The belt is, in its own way, a treaty: signifying a promise to honor our commitment to the Tribe and the Indigenous peoples of this land. It also reminds us that mutual respect is born through an unwavering dedication to meaningful dialogue. It symbolizes the importance of trying to understand where the other side is coming from, and learning from each other.

unwavering adj. 不动摇的，坚定的

Be mindful of history, but always be willing to grow and make amends. And finally: Find joy in defining success on your terms, as Dartmouth has uniquely prepared you to do.

What you’ve learned here is to define your happiness differently. To follow your passion with everything you have, regardless of what may interest others. 300 of you wrote honors theses; many wrote masters and PHD theses as well – an accomplishment that I’m going to guess felt like you’d won your 20th Grand Slam Title when you handed it in! Several hundred of you attended group dinners or conversations with me in my first year – playing a pivotal part in shaping the future of Dartmouth for those who come next. Each of you found your place in this community. Each of you is carrying forth Dartmouth’s timeless values:

pivotal adj. 关键的

To ask hard questions.

To solve big problems.

To come together in community and bring people with you.

To be the voice crying out in the wilderness. Vox clamantis in deserto.

There is joy in living out those values. There is joy in the world to seek out, as we are reminded this morning. And there is joy in being part of this Dartmouth family. Always remember we’re here for you. We cannot wait to see the places you’ll go. And how each of you finds joy.

Congratulations!

Part III. KEY

Q1. A. 主旨题。演讲中提到：“One thing I hope you have learned at Dartmouth is to not seek out the one, irrefutable truth. It’s to live and lead in a world that contains those multitudes – and to find joy in that complexity and uncomfortableness.”意为：“我希望你们在达特茅斯学到的一件事是，不要寻求唯一无二的真理，而是要在这个多元世界中生活与引领生活，并在这种复杂和不舒适中寻找快乐。” 因此正确答案是A。

Q2. C. 细节题。演讲中提到：“They also brought me snacks because, they said, they wanted me to feel nourished in an obviously difficult moment.” 意为：“他们还带来了零食，因为他们说，他们希望我在这个明显困难的时刻感到被滋养。” 这表明带来的零食是作为在困难讨论中的一种友好姿态。所以答案是C。

Q3. D. 细节题。演讲中提到：“Those who forced themselves to tackle the tough problems, felt better. They performed better. They found joy in the work, even in the struggle, because they’d pushed themselves.” 意为：“那些强迫自己攻坚克难的学生感觉更好，表现也很好。他们在工作中，甚至在斗争中找到了快乐，因为他们突破了自我。” 因此，正确答案是D。

Q4. D. 推理题。演讲中提到：“Go out of your way to have conversations with people you don’t agree with, to listen and see their shared values rather than building an echo-chamber of like minded people around you.”意为：“主动与你观点不同的人交谈，倾听并寻找他们的共同价值观，而不是在你周围建立一个想法相似的人的回音室。”这表明要倾听并看到共同的价值观。因此答案是D。

Q5. B. 细节题。演讲中提到：“The belt is, in its own way, a treaty: signifying a promise to honor our commitment to the Tribe and the Indigenous peoples of this land.” 意为：“这条腰带本身是一种契约：象征着我们要履行对部落以及这片土地上原住民的承诺。” 因此正确答案是B。

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