句子：这些高中毕业生正在老师的指导下选报志愿。

误译：These high-school graduates are applying for the university and the major under the guidance of their teacher.

正译：These high-school graduates are choosing and registering for the university and the major under the guidance of their teacher.

解释：“选报志愿”是具有中国特色的考试制度决定的，英语很难找到对应的词。to apply for意思是 to make a formal request, usually in writing, for sth such as a job, a place, etc.，即“申请，通常为书面申请”。“选报志愿”可译为to choose and register for the university and the major, the choice of and registration for the university and the major。如：1. 他正计划申请就读一所美国大学的研究生院。He is planning to apply for a graduate school in an American university.

2. 考生选报志愿时有多个学校可供选择，其中第一志愿最重要。When an applicant chooses and registers for the university and the major, there are several universities he may make a choice of, among which the first option is most important.

“报考”的意思是“报名投考”。可译为 to enter oneself for an examination, to register for an examination。如3. 我妹妹打算报考师范学院。My sister intended to enter herself for the examination for the teachers college.“志愿”的第一个意思是“志向和愿望”。动词可译为to aspire, to wish。名词可译为aspiration, wish, ideal。如：4. 这个女学生在小时候就立下志愿当一名像居里夫人那样的科学家。When she was young, the girl student harbored an aspiration to be a scientist like Marie Currie.

“志愿”第二个意思是“自愿”。可译为to volunteer。如：5. 这位大学生志愿到西部山区去工作。The college student volunteered to go to work in the mountainous area of Western China.▲

（本栏目供稿：王逢鑫教授）