What is your first reaction when the teacher announces that your next exam will be an open book test? Most students breathe a sigh of relief, because they think they're getting a break. But are they?

　　如果老师说下一场考试是开卷考，你的第一反应是什么?大多数学生都会长吁一口气，因为觉得自己可以放松精神。但是真的是这样吗?

　　In fact, open book tests are not easy tests. Open book tests teach you how to find information when you need it. The questions are designed to teach you how to use your brain. And contrary to popular belief, you do not get off the hook when it comes to studying for an open book exam.

　　事实上，开卷考并不简单。开卷考教你学会寻找需要的信息。开卷考问题的设计在于教你运用大脑。与多数人的想法相反，考卷考并不意味着你可以放松复习。

　　You just need to study a little differently.

　　只是你需要用不同的方式学习。

　　Open Book Test Questions

　　开卷考的问题

　　Most often, the questions on an open book test will ask you to explain, evaluate, or compare things from your text. For instance:

　　常常开卷考的问题都会要求你解释、评价或者对比书本上的知识。比如：

　　"Compare and contrast the different views ofThomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton as they pertained to the role and size of the government."

　　“就托马斯·杰夫逊和亚历山大·哈密尔顿关于政府角色与规模的观点进行对比。”

　　The answer to this question will not appear in a single paragraph in your text--or even on a single page. The question requires you to have an understanding of two philosophical views that you could only comprehend by reading the entire chapter.

　　这类问题的答案不会出现在书本的某一段中，甚至是一页中。这种问题需要你对这两种哲学观点有所了解，这就要求你阅读过整个章节的内容。

　　During your exam, you will not have time to find enough information to answer this question well. Instead, you should know the basic answer to the question and, during the test, look for information from your book that will support your answer.

　　考试中，你可能在书上找不到足够的信息来答好问题。相反，你应该知道基础的答案，在考试中在书上找信息来支撑你的答案。

　　Preparing for an Open Book Test

　　为开卷考做准备

　　Read the chapters ahead of time. Don't expect to find quick answers during the test.

　　提前看书。别指望在考场上快速找到答案。

　　Know where to find everything. Observe headings and sub-headings and make your own outline. This reinforces the structure of the text in your mind.

　　知道在哪里找答案。浏览标题和副标题，自制大纲。这可以帮你在心里强化课本结构。

　　Mark all important terms with sticky notes and flags. If the teacher allows it, mark your texts wherever you notice important concepts and terms.

　　给所有重要的术语都贴上便签。如果老师允许，在重要的概念和术语上做记号。

　　Review lecture notes for themes. Your teacher's lectures usually provide an overview of the themes and concepts that appear on tests. You won't always get this by reviewing the book alone.

　　按照主题复习课堂笔记。老师的课堂通常提供了考试主题和知识概念的大纲，自学可能无法得到这种大纲。

　　Make your own notes if allowed, and write down important formulas or concepts that you’ve covered in class.

　　如果允许的话，自己做笔记，记下课上学习的重要公式和概念。

　　During the Open Book Test

　　开卷考试中

　　The first thing you need to do is evaluate each question. Ask yourself if each question asks for facts or interpretation.

　　首先你要做的是看一看每一道题。问问你自己每一道题要求回答事实还是阐释。

　　The questions that ask you to provide facts may be easier and faster to answer. Those will start with expressions like:

　　要求你提供事实的问题更容易回答。问题通常以这些表达开头：

　　"List five reasons . . .?"

　　“5个原因解释……”

　　"What events led up to. . .?"

　　“什么事件导致了……”

　　Some students like to answer these questions first, then go on to the more time-consuming questions that require more thought and concentration.

　　有些学生喜欢先回答这类问题再回答其他需要更多考虑的更耗时的问题。

　　As you answer each question, you will need to quote the book when appropriate to back up your thoughts. Be careful, though. Only quote three to five words at a time. Otherwise, you will fall into the trap of copying answers from the book--and you'll lose points for that.

　　在回答每一道题时，你需要引用书本的话语来支持你的观点。但是，要谨慎使用，每次只能引用3-5个词。否则，你就是在抄答案。

（编辑：何莹莹）