A Prize of Excellence|追求卓越

by William Ryan

Joseph Pulitzer was a forward-thinking newsman who wanted other journalists to excel.

　　Winning a Pulitzer Prize has long been considered the most important recognition of exceptional achievement in the field of journalism. _(1)_ Currently, there are 21 Pulitzer Prize categories in all.

　　The man behind the highly prestigious awards was a Hungarian-born visionary named Joseph Pulitzer. _(2)_ His uncompromising commitment to reporting the news truthfully was acclaimed throughout the land during the late 1800s. Pulitzer published two innovative newspapers. _(3)_ He was also the first to call for university training of journalists.

　　Pulitzer left money in his will for Columbia University to establish the Pulitzer Prize and start a journalism school. _(4)_ Pulitzer's purpose in establishing the prizes was to provide an incentive for excellence. Originally, the founder intended for 13 of them to be awarded in various categories, including American novels, plays, and biographies. However, there have been many revisions since. As an example, in keeping with the original spirit and intention of the founder, awards in poetry, music, and photography were added.

　　To be considered for a Pulitzer Prize, a piece of work must be formally entered, fit into a specific prize category, and accompanied by a US$50 entry fee. Perhaps surprisingly, awards are not always granted. In an effort to maintain the highest standard of excellence, the judges reserve the power to award no prize. _(5)_ Joseph Pulitzer's goal of promoting excellence has been achieved through the Pulitzer Prize.

(A) This extraordinarily skillful newspaper publisher was a passionate crusader against dishonesty in government.

(B) The will allocated US$250,000 for the prizes and scholarships.

(C) Established in 1917, this annual American award also honors numerous outstanding contributors in the fields of literature and musical composition.

(D) Such action would mean that none of the entrants in a particular category are worthy of receiving the award in the judges' estimation.

(E) His New York World and St. Louis Post Dispatch reshaped newspaper journalism.

 

乔瑟夫．普立兹是一位具有前瞻性的新闻人，他想让其他新闻工作者都能更加卓越。

　　赢得普立兹奖历来都被认为是对新闻界具有杰出成就所给予最重要的认可。这个一年一度的美国奖项设立于 1917 年，该奖项也颁给为数不少在文学领域及音乐创作上的杰出贡献者。目前普立兹奖共有二十一种类别。

　　催生这座极具声望奖项的是一位出生于匈牙利、且富有远见的人，名叫乔瑟夫．普立兹。这位下笔极其洗鍊的报纸发行人是一位打击政府不公义的热情改革者。普立兹对报导新闻真相毫不妥协的承诺于十九世纪末在美国各地广受好评。普立兹发行了两份革新的报纸。他的《纽约世界报》及《圣路易邮报》为新闻报导开创了新局面。普立兹也是首位呼吁大学培育新闻工作者的人。

　　普立兹在遗嘱中将他的遗产留给了哥伦比亚大学，用来设立普立兹奖以及开办新闻学院。这份遗嘱拨出了二十五万美元给普立兹奖以及作为奖学金。普立兹创立这个奖项的目的是为了提供杰出的人一种奖励。最初这位创办人打算颁给各种不同类别共十三座奖项，如美国小说、戏剧以及传记文学等。然而，奖项到现在已作了不少的修改。举例来说，为符合创办人原有的精神及目的，加入了诗歌奖、音乐奖及摄影奖项。

　　想要角逐普立兹奖，作品必须正式登记、符合明确的奖项分类，并缴交五十美元的报名费。有件事也许令你很惊讶，那就是奖项不见得一定会颁出。评审们有权力让奖项从缺以保持普立兹奖卓越的高水平。此举表示没有一件参赛作品在某特定类别获得评审青睐而值得获奖。乔瑟夫．普立兹提倡精益求精的目标已透过了普立兹奖而达成。

 

答案： 1. C 2. A 3. E 4. B 5. D