It was the last day of the final examination in a large eastern university. On the steps of one building, a group of engineering students were talking about the exam that was going to begin in a few  (1)  . On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam — then on to   (2)   and jobs.

Some talked of jobs they already had; others talked of jobs they   (3)   get. With the certainty of four years of college, they felt ready and able to take   (4)   of the world.

The coming exam, they knew, would be a(n)   (5)   task. The professor had said they could bring   (6)  books or notes they wanted, requesting only that they did not   (7)   each other, during the test.

   (8)   they entered the classroom. The professor passed out the papers. And smiles   (9)   on the students’ faces as they noticed there were only five essay-type questions.

 Three hours had passed   (10)   the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. On their faces was a frightened expression. Papers in hand, no one spoke as the professor faced the class.

 He looked at the   (11)   faces before him, and then asked, “How many completed all five questions?”  (12)  a hand was raised.

 “How many answered four?” Still no hands.

 “Three? Two?” The students moved nervously in their seats.

 “One, then? Certainly somebody finished   (13)   .”But the class remained silent.

 The professor put down the papers. “That is exactly what I   (14)   ,” he said. “I just want to impress upon you that,  (15)   you have completed four years of engineering, there are still many things about the   (16)   you don’t know. These questions you couldn’t answer are relatively   (17)   in everyday practice. ” Then smiling, he added, “You will all  (18)   this course, but remember — even though you are now college graduates, your education has just   (19)   .”

The years have forgotten the name of this professor, but not the   (20)   he taught.