第二章 阅读理解概述（二）
根据不同的阅读目的, 我们可以采取不同的方法。一般来说阅读方法有3种：skimming, scanning , reading for full understanding。
1) Skimming
Skimming 的目的是了解文章的大意（general idea）。阅读速度要快, 一般250词的短文要在二、三分钟内看完。阅读时精神必须十分集中, 不必记忆细节, 忽略个别生词及难懂的词句, 重点把握全文总体大意。要留心反复出现的单词, 以及文章的开始段、结束段和每段的段首句和段尾句, 因为它们往往是对文章内容的最好概括。
2) Scanning
Scanning的目的是寻找文章中某些特定的信息。阅读时视线自上而下, 一目十行。注意与who, what, when. where 有关的内容。对于why, how 等问题, 先找到文中与答案有关的范围, 再用我们以下要讨论的方法来找到正确答案。
3) Reading for full understanding
找到文章中的范围之后, 就在此范围中逐句阅读, 对关键词、句要仔细琢磨, 不仅要理解其表面意思, 还要通过推理和判断, 理解其潜在意思。对于生词要通过上下文猜测词义；对于难以看懂的长句, 对其作语法分析, 理解其意。
4．语篇水平上的阅读理解
阅读时不能只停留在句子水平上, 孤立的句子好象是理解的, 但整篇文章讲的是什么则不甚了解。在阅读教学中必须重视高级阅读技能的训练, 把句子水平的阅读理解提高到语篇水平的阅读理解, 才能避免在阅读中见树不见林, 真正理解文章的意思。这里指的语篇水平上的阅读理解包括在宏观上理解上下文的逻辑关系、跟上作者思路的展开、掌握文章的主题思想、通过概括得出结论、了解作者的观点和态度等等。
要想在四级考试的阅读理解部分得高分，除了平时进行大量阅读练习以外，还应在考试时注意以下几个方面的问题：
1． 合理掌握时间
CET4、6要求考生在35分钟内完成四篇短文的阅读，如果不合理掌握时间，在某一篇文章或是某个问题上花的时间过多，在规定时间内完成阅读就比较困难。所以，对每篇材料合理分配时间就很关键了。一般每篇阅读材料可限时8分钟左右，这样不但能保证有限的时间内完成阅读，还可以留有一定的时间进行必要的检查和修正。
2． 读问题后再读文章
在做阅读理解时，为了加快阅读速度和提高答题准确率，可采用先读问题后读文章的方法。先把文章后面的问题快速浏览一遍，然后带着问题去读材料，这样就做到了心中有数，既节省了阅读时间又提高了阅读效率。
3． 解题应先易后难
不论是阅读材料还是文后小题，都应按照由易到难的顺序来进行
。如果一篇文章比较难理解，可先读下一篇，这样可避免在一篇文章上花的时间过多，而影响其他文章的阅读。同时又可减少因难题做不出而造成的心理压力，从而提高阅读速度和质量。
4． 趋熟避生
在阅读材料时，不可避免地会遇到生僻的单词，如果一见到生词就不知所措，就必然会影响到对文章的理解。如果遇到这种情况，可以采用“趋熟避生”的方法来解决问题。也就是说，不认识的生词对理解文章的关系不大，就可以跳过去不管它；如果该生词影响到了你对文章的理解，就要试着从句中认识的词中去猜测生词的意思，尽可能地贴近别的词义来了解该词在句中的作用和词义。
5． 抓主题句
所谓主题句就是文章各段的中心思想句。通常出现在段首，阅读时不可一带而过，要仔细阅读而且一定要读懂。主题句看懂了，整段乃至正篇文章的意思就不难理解了。这样后面的小题也就迎刃而解了。
第三章 如何抓住主题思想（一）
主题思想是作者在文章中要表达的中心内容。把握了主题思想也有助于对文章细节的理解。因此，这是一项非常重要的技能。在学习抓主题思想的过程中, 我们着重注意以下几个问题。
1. 我们要学习识别文章中最基本, 最具有概括力的信息。这种信息应能归纳和概括文中其它信息所具有的共性。
例1：Choose the most general word.
A) chemist
B) physicist
C) scientist
D) biologist
该问题要求找出最有概括力的词。C scientist 符合题意, 因为它包括了 chemist, physicist和biologist, 而A, B和D 都指某一具体学科的科学家, 不能概括其他词。因此, scientist 最具有概括性。
例2：Choose the most general sentence.
A) The hotel offers complimentary coffee from 7 to 10 a.m. daily.
B) There are many reasons why guests feel at home at the Glorietta Bay Inn.
C) The coin-operated laundry room has an ironing board.
D) There are a number of extra services at the Glorietta Bay Inn including baby-sitting.
A, C, D都是从不同的侧面说明旅馆的服务情况, 相互间并无联系。而B却概括了A, C, D共性的东西, 即：为什么旅客在这家旅馆里有宾至如归的感觉。因此, B符合题意。倘若在一段文章里包含了以上A, B, C, D 几条信息, 那么 B 就是本段的中心思想。同样, 如果在一段文章中, 作者分几段来叙述几方面的内容, 那这些段落所要说明的问题就是本文的中心思想。
例3： Read the following passage and choose the best central thought.
Sugar history in the Hawaiian Islands is filled with pioneering. In sailing ship days, Hawaiian
sugar growers were many months from sour
ces of supplies and from markets. This isolation built up among the Hawaiian growers an enduring spirit of cooperation. Growers shared with one another improvements in production. Without government aid of any sort, they built great irrigation projects. Without government help, they set up their own research and experiment organization. Pioneering together over the years, they have provided Hawaii with its largest industry.
A) In sailing days, Hawaiian sugar growers were many months away from supplies and markets.
B) Hawaiian sugar growers built their great industry without government help.
C) Hawaiian sugar growers have set up their own research organization and have shared improvements.
D) By pioneering together, sugar growers have provided Hawaii with its largest industry.
A, B, C只是文章中的具体内容, 作为主题思想面太窄了。只有D才概括了全文要说明的问题, 因此, D是本文的主要思想。
要求抓住主题思想的另一种形式是为短文选择合适的标题。
例4：Read the following and choose the title that best expresses the ideas of the passage.
There is a simple economic principle used to determine prices. It is called the law of supply and demand. Supply means the amount of, or access to, certain goods. Demand represents the number of people who want those goods. If there are more goods than wanted, the price of them falls. On the other hand, if the demand for those goods is much greater than the supply, then price rises. Of course manufacturers prefer to sell more goods at increased prices.
A) Economic Principles
B) Law of Supply and Demand
C) More Goods, Lower Prices
D) Fewer Goods, Higher Prices
该问题中, A 泛指经济规律, 面过宽；C和D只是供需规则的两个单独方面, 不能包含全部, 面太窄。正确答案是B, 因为这正是短文自始至终讨论的主题。
例5：Read the following passage and select the most appropriate title:
According to legend, the gods of the ancient Greeks lived in the clouds on the top of Mount Olympus. Zeus, the father of the gods, carried a bolt of lightning in his hand and ruled like an earthly king. Apollo was the sun god and his beams were golden arrows; he shielded the flocks of sheep and the fields of grain. Athena was the warrior goddess, standing in shining armor ready to protect the Greek cities. There were other gods as well, all with familiar human characteristics, but these were the leading gods.
A) The Gods of the Ancient Greeks
B) The Legend of the Sky God Zeus
C) Beliefs of the Ancient Greeks
D) Religions of the Past
该问题中, B只是文中提到的一个具体内容, 作为主题思想面太窄了。C和D是泛指, 面太宽。只有A才概括了全文要说明的问题, 是全文的主题。
E) 要学会借助文章的结构来把握中心思想。段落中
心思想常常由主题句( Topic sentence)来表达。主题句常常出现在段首或段尾处, 有时也在段落中间。同样, 一篇文章的中心思想也常常在开始段或结尾段点出。因此, 在阅读中, 我们要对文章的开始段和结尾段及段落的主题句给予特别的注意。
例6：English is clearly an international language. It is spoken by pilots and airport control operators on all the airways of the world. Over 70 percent of the world's radio programs are in English.
本段主题句为首句, 其后的内容均说明首句。
例7：Let us consider how voice training may contribute to personality development and an improved social adjustment. In the first place, it has been fairly well established that individuals tend to become what they believe other people think them to be. When people react more favorably toward us because our voices convey the impression that we are friendly, competent, and interesting, there is a strong tendency for us to develop those qualities in our personality. If we are treated with respect by others, we soon come to have more respect for ourselves. Then, too, one's own consciousness of having a pleasant, effective voice of which he does not need to be ashamed contributes materially to a feeling of poise（泰然自若）, self-confidence, and a just pride in himself. A good voice, like good clothes can do much for an ego（自我） that otherwise might be inclined to droop（萎靡）.
The title that best expresses the ideas of this passage is ________.
A) Our Ego
B) The Reflection of Our Personality
C) How to Acquire a Pleasant Voice
D) Voice Training in Personality Development
作者一开始就说明发声训练对个性发展和人的社会化可能产生的作用。接着, 分别
由in the first place 及then 引出两个具体的方面展开讨论。第一个要点下又分别由when 和if 引出两个细节加以论证。结尾一句总括全段, 与首句呼应。不难看出, 主题句是第一句, 正确答案应选D。
另外, 要特别注意上例中提到的in the first place, then , if 等连接语, 这些连接语能帮助我们把握文章内容的编排方式, 领会文章的要点, 准确全面地理解文章。
主题句也会出现在段尾。作者先摆出事实依据, 层层推理论证, 最后自然得出结论, 即段落的主题。
例8： Some students prefer a strict teacher who tells them exactly what to do. Others prefer to be left to work on their own. Still others like a democratic discussion type of class. No one teaching method can be devised to satisfy all students at the same time.
本段的中心思想在结尾句得到体现,它是此段内容的结论。
例9： If you were planning to buy a television set, the following advertisement would certainly attract your attention: "Color TV, only $79. Two-day sale. Hurry." However, when
you go to the store ready to buy, you may discover that the advertised sets are sold out. But the salesman is quick to reassure you that he has another model, a more reliable set which is "just right for you." It costs $359. This sales tactic is called "bait and switch." Buyers are baited with a sales offer, and then they are switched to another more costly item. Buying items on sale requires careful consideration of the merchandise（商品）and the reasons for the sale.
1. Which sentence best expresses the main idea ?
A) The customer must be on his guard when purchasing items on sale.
B) Color television sets which sell for $79 are sold out quickly.
C) Many stores use the "bait and switch" technique to attract customers.
D) Anyone planning to buy a television set should look for a sale.
2. The paragraph could be entitled
A) Buyer Beware B) Closeout Sale
C) Crime Pays D) Buying a TV Set
作者从一则电视机的广告入手, 介绍了降价推销的惯用手段, 称为 "bait and switch"（廉售某种不打算出卖的商品, 意在诱人购买昂贵的物品）。最后笔锋一转, 点出作者的真正意图, 即本段的主题句, 告诫人们在购买降价商品时要警惕中圈套。 因此正确答案为1.A；2.A.
有些段落的主题句会被安排在段落的中间。
For adults a cold is not that serious. However, this is not the case for children. Cold symptoms in children may be sighs of more serious diseases and should be given prompt medical attention.
本段主题句为第二句, 因为在however 后面才是作者真正的看法, 并在下文中进一步作了说明。
当主题句被安排在段中时, 作者往往从具体的事例谈起, 随之归纳出主题, 然后再围绕这一主题展开讨论, 使立论更加清楚, 具有很强的说服力, 即以“立”为主, 对正面观点进行阐述。
例10： Ever since humans have inhabited the earth, they have made use of various forms of communication. Generally, this expression of thoughts and feelings has been in the form of oral speech. When there is a language barrier, communication is accomplished through sign language in which motions stand for letters, words, and ideas. Tourists, the deaf, and the mute have had to resort to this form of expression. Many of these symbols of whole words are very picturesque and exact and can be used intertionally, spelling, however, cannot.
Body language transmits ideas or thoughts by certain actions, either intentionally or unintentionally. A wink（眨眼）can be a way of flirting（调情）or indicating that the party is only joking. A nod signifies approval, while shaking the head indicates a negative reaction.
Other forms of nonlinguistic language can be found in Braille (a system of raised dots read with the fingertips), signal flags, Morse code, and smoke
signals. Road maps and picture signs also guide warn, and instruct people.
While verbalization（用语言表达）is the most common form of language, other systems and techniques also express human thoughts and feeling.
Which of the following statements best summarizes this passage?
A) When language is a barrier, people will find other forms of communication.
B) Everybody uses only one form of communication.
C) Nonlinguistic language is invaluable to foreigners.
D) Although other forms of communication exist verbalization is the fastest.
这篇文章共有四段, 谈的是肢体语言。第一段的前两句谈到人们尽管利用多种形式
根据不同的阅读目的, 我们可以采取不同的方法。一般来说阅读方法有3种：skimming, scanning , reading for full understanding。
第二段, 第三段的首句从两个不同的方面引出了肢体语言的功能与分类。最后一段予以总结, 强调肢体语言在表达人类思想和感情方面的作用,与第一段的呼应。正确答案应是A。
练习: Read the following passage and decide which of the choices most adequately sums up the idea of the paragraph(s) indicated.
Canning Food
Food which is kept too long decays because it is attacked by yeast, moulds and bacteria. The canning process, however, seals the product in a container so that no infection can reach it, and then it is sterilized by heat. Heat sterilization destroys all infections present in food inside the can. No chemical preservatives are necessary, and properly canned food does not deteriorate during storage.
The principle was discovered in 1809 by a Frenchman called Nicolas Appert. He corked food lightly in wide-necked glass bottles and immersed them in a bath of hot water to drive out the air, then he hammered the corks down to seal the jars hermetically (牢牢地). Appert's discovery was rewarded by the French government because better preserved food supplies were needed for Napoleon's troops on distant campaigns.
By 1814 an English manufacture had replaced Appert's glass jars with metal containers and was supplying timed vegetable soup and meat to the British navy. The next scientific improvement, in 1860, was the result of Louis Pasteur's work on sterilization through the application of scientifically controlled heat.
Today vegetables, fish, fruit, meat and beer are canned in enormous quantities. Within three generations the eating habits of millions have been revolutionized. Foods that were previously seasonal, may now be eaten at any time, and strange foods are available far from the countries where they are grown. The profitable crops many farmers now produce often depend on the proximity of a canning factory.
The first stage in the canning process is the preparation of the raw food. Diseased and waste portions are thrown away; meat a
nd fish are cleaned and trimmed; fruit and vegetables washed and graded for size. The jobs are principally done by machine.
The next stage, for vegetables only, is blanching. This is immersion in very hot or boiling water for a short time to remove air and soften the vegetable. This makes it easier to pack into cans for sterilization. Some packing machines fill up to 400 cans a minute. Fruit, fish and meat are packed raw and cold into cans, and then all the air is removed. When the cans are sealed, the pressure inside each can is only about half the pressure of the outside air. This is 'vacuum' packing.
During the sterilization process which follows, the cans are subjected to steam or boiling water, with the temperature and duration varying according to the type of food. Cans of fruit, for example, take only 5-10 minutes in boiling water, while meat and fish are cooked at higher temperatures for longer period. After sterilization, the cans are cooled quickly to 32°C to prevent the contents from becoming too soft.
The final stage before dispatch (发送) to the wholesale or retail grocer is labeling, and packing the tins into boxes. Nowadays, however, labeling is often printed on in advance by the can-maker and no paper labels are then required.
1. The main idea of Para.1 is
A) Food scientifically sealed in cans is safe from decay.
B) Sterilization -- the key to the safe-keeping of food.
C) The use of chemicals in preventing the decay of food.
2. The main idea of Paras. 2 and 3 is
A) The history and early methods of preserving food.
B) The French influence in food canning.
C) The scientific principles of food canning.
3. The main idea of Para. 4 is
A) How the canning industry affects our lives.
B) The economic effects of the canning industry.
C) The range and diverse advantages of canned food.
4. The main idea of Paras. 5-8 is
A) The mechanical miracle of food canning.
B) The step-by-step modern processes of canning food.
C) The process of preparing, washing and grading food for canning.
KEY: A, A, C, B
第五章 如何查找主要事实或特定细节
在文章中, 作者总是要通过许多具体内容(Details)来说明、解释、证明、或分析文章的主题思想。在通读全文、掌握了文章主题思想的基础上, 读者还应该能抓住阐述和发展主题思想的主要事实, 或者按要求找出特定细节。
在通读全文的过程中, 我们要特别注意涉及who, what, when, where, how和why等问题的内容。在有关此类内容的地方要作一标记, 以便在回答问题时迅速查找。
一般来说, 阅读理解测试中要求找出主要事实或特定细节的问题, 在文章中均可找到回答。但是, 需要注意的是, 这些问题的表述常常不是采用文章中的原话, 而是使用同义的词语来进
行提问。因此, 在回答此类问题时, 首先要认真审题, 看清问题提问的究竟是什么。然后, 根据所涉及到的问题, 快速扫视到文章中相应的部分, 找到与答题内容相关的关键词或短语, 再细读一、两遍。在确信理解了原文的基础上, 来确定正确答案。在查到的关键词句下面应划线, 以引起注意, 便于参考与复查。此外, 如果回答此类问题需要读者具有一定的背景知识, 那也只是最基本的常识。因此, 切勿脱离文中内容而根据自己的主观想像或其它来源的知识来选择答案。
在回答此类问题时, 应注意以下几个问题：
1. 当问及时间、距离以及其它用数字表示的细节时, 有时需要进行计算方能得出答案。此时要把计算过程简单列出, 不可随意心算一下即确定答案。
例1： The Flag of the U. S. ------ The Stars and Stripes
The history of the flag of the U. S. has become so cluttered by myth that hardly any facts can be established. One thing all agree on is that the Stars and Stripes originated as the result of a resolution adopted by Congress June 14, 1777. It read:
Resolved: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternated red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.
The flag of 1777 was used until 1795. Then, on the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union, Congress passed an act that after May 1, 1795, the flag should have 15 stripes and 15 stars.
When new states were admitted it became evident that the flag would become burdened with stripes. Congress thereupon ordered that after July 4, 1818, the flag should have 13 stripes, symbolizing the 13 original states; that the union have 20 stars, and that when ever a new state was admitted a new star should be added on the July 4 following the admission.
The 50-star flag of the United States was raised for the first time officially on July 4,1960, at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The 50th star had been added for Hawaii, a year earlier the 49th, for Alaska. Before that, no star had been added since 1912, when New Mexico and Arizona were admitted to the Union.
1) Since 1777, the U. S. Flag has changed its design _____.
A) twice B) 3 times C) 5 times D) more than 5 times
2) In 1912, before July 4, the U. S. flag had _____.
A) 15 stars B) 20 stars C) 46 stars D) 48 stars
3) The 49th and 50th states to join the U.S.A. were, in their correct order, _____.
A) Alaska and Hawaii. B) Hawaii and Alaska
C) New Mexico and Arizona D) Arizona and New Mexico
4) Congress decided in 1818 that the U. S. flag should have 13 stripes because ______.
A) since 1777 it had always had 13 stripes.
B) since 1777 it had always had more than 13 stripes.
C) i
n 1818 there were only 13 states in the Union of the U. S. A.
D) at the founding of the Union of the U. S. A. there had been only 13 states.
问题(1)要求回答美国国旗图案自1777年以来变化了几次。回答这样的题目须把文中所有提及1777以年来美国国旗变更次数的关键词语划出：1795; July 4,1818; since 1912; a year earlier the 49th;July 4,1960
文中似乎只提及5处, 但是文内又提到1818年时为20颗星, 以后每加入一个州增加一颗星。从文中又可看出1912年增加的是第47和48颗星,从第20颗星到47颗星之间必然还有若干次变动, 因此答案应为D。
问题(2)提问的是1912年7月4日以前的情况。由于新墨西哥和亚里桑那于1912年7月4日加入联邦, 国旗上星的数目增至48颗。因此。1912年7月4日以前国旗上的星数应为46颗。正确答案为C。
问题(3)的答案为A。 其根据为了The 50th star had been added for Hawaii, a year earlier the 49th, for A1aska.
问题(4)的答案为D。 其根据是symbolizing the l3 original states.
2. 当问题要求对某一事实作出正误判断或询问文中是否提到某一事实时, 我们应先把所给的选择项大体上看一下, 做到心中有数。然后, 根据选择项中提供的线索, 迅速找到文章中相应的部分, 细读一下有关内容。与文中内容一致的即可肯定, 不一致的即可否定。注意, 在回答Not True之类问题时, 必须逐项找出须肯定的内容, 方可确定要否定的内容。回答这类问题时, 也必须以文章的中心思想为前提, 与中心思想一致的可能是正确答案, 反之可能是错误答案。
例2： One word that sums up our age better than any other - whether "our age" is "the technological age" of western countries or the "modernizing age" of China - is the word CHANGE. But has change not always been present? True, but never before at such a breakneck speed. Today it is more than just change. It is unprecedented change. In such a world, reading provides the best tool we have for keeping up and for avoiding future shock in a world continually being remade.
Which of the following is NOT true?
A) Western countries and China are being remade.
B) Reading will help understand our age.
C) The present age and future world are continually changing.
D) Reading is the best tool provided by our age.
A, B, C项均与文章中的意义一致,D不符。因为文中说的是： “Reading serves as the best tool for us.”(对我们来说, 阅读可以作为一个最好的工具。)；而不是如选择项D所表示的那样：“Reading is the best tool provided by our age.”(阅读是由我们时代所提供的最好的工具。)。所以, 我们答案为 D.
3. 在文章中, 为避免重复提及某一词或短语, 作者常常使用指代词(Reference Words)来代替。在寻找细节
时, 读者须准确理解被指代的对象。通常, 我们可根据上下文的句子结构、主谓一致关系以及语义关系等来确定所指代的内容。
例3： The basketball team never lacked vociferous supporters, but they rarely responded to this show of enthusiasm.
文中的黑体字they若是指高声呼叫的支持者, 则与后面的意思（对这种热情很少作出响应）不合。因此, they只能指球队球员。
例4： Scott Fitzgerald, who first introduced him to a publisher, was one of the few contemporary writers that Hemingway did not turn against.
文中黑体字him若指的是主语Scot Fitsgerald, 则应该用反身代词himself, 而不能用him, 因此, 这里指后文的Hemingway。
4. 注意文章的结构安排
在考试中遇到的一个突出问题是, 文章读过一遍后, 对一些具体细节在答题时又需花许多时间回头去找。在前一节中我们提到, 在寻找确定文章的中心意思时可采用浏览的方法, 在浏览过程中, 还应该注意文章的结构安排, 注意段与段, 细节与细节之间的关系。这样浏览一遍之后即可确定文章的主题, 同时对各细节的部位也能大致做到心中有数, 在做识别重要细节的题目时, 只要找文章相应的部位就可以了, 而不必从头到尾再读一遍文章。说明主题的细节通常采取以下几种方式排列：
A. 简单列举；
B. 按事件重要性排列；
C. 时间顺序；
D. 空间关系；
E. 因果关系；
F. 对比关系。
阅读时注意细节的安排方式，就可以迅速在相应的位置找到题的答案。做这类题时最好先阅读题目、弄清题的具体要求(如是问关于人物的, 地点的, 还是问有关事件结果的, 等等), 再有针对性地查阅(Scanning)文章, 跳过那些与题无关的细节, 迅速找到有关的细节, 最后与选择项一一对比, 找出正确答案。
例5： In 776 BC the first Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honor the Greeks' chief god, Zeus. The Greeks emphasized physical fitness and strength in their education of youth. Therefore, contests in running, jumping, discus and javelin throwing, boxing, and horse and chariot racing were held in individual cities, and the winners competed every four years at Mount Olympus. Winners were greatly honored by having olive wreaths（橄榄枝叶圈）placed on their heads and having poems sung about their deeds. Originally these were held as games of friendship, and any wars in progress were halted to allow the games to take place.
The Greeks attached so much importance to these games that they calculated time in four-year cycles called "Olympiads" dating from 776 BC.
1. Approximately how many years ago did these games originate?
A) 776 years B) 2, 277 years
C) 1, 205 years
D) 2, 785 years
2. Which of the following is not true?
A) Winners placed olive wreaths on their own heads.
B) The games were held in Greece every four years.
C) Battles were interrupted to participate in the games.
D) Poems glorified the winners in song.
第一题问的是奥林匹克运动会的起源, 是个时间问题。在文中迅速查找, 发现一个日期：776 B.C.与选择项一一对比根据题目的要求, 做一个简单推算。得出答案D. 第二题略为复杂, 询问四个选择项中的各细节哪一个与原文不符。A中的主要内容与Winners有关, 迅速在文中查找与winners有关的句子, 文中说到："winners were greatly honored by having 01ive Wreaths placed on their heads...", 也就是说, 他人为获胜者戴上橄榄枝叶圈, 并不是获胜者自己为自己戴上, 由此可以断定A is not true.
5、练习
Stealing salt was considered a major crime during some eras of history. In the 18th century, for instance, if a person was caught stealing salt, he could be put in jail. History records that about ten thousand people were put in jail during that century for stealing salt. About 150 years before, in the year 1553, taking more salt than one mouth was entitled to be punished as a crime. The offender's ear was cut off.
Salt was an important item on the table of royalty. It was traditionally placed in front of the king when he sat down to eat. Important guests at the king's table were seated near the salt. Less important guests were given seats away from it.
1. In the 18th century if a person stole salt, he might be ______.
A) killed B) imprisoned C) fined D) caught
2. The salt item was placed in front of the king when he sat down to eat because ________.
A) the king liked to eat salt
B) the salt was considered precious
C) the king could entertain his guests with salt
D) it was the traditional custom in the palace
这两个段落的主题思想都是用具体例子来加以说明的, 根据所给例子的细节, 上述两个问题的答案都应为B。
6. 在阅读理解中, 要求查找主要事实和特定细节的问题常有以下几种形式：
1. Which of the following statements is (not) true (or correct)?
2. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text?
3. All of the following are true except ...
4. The author (or the passage) states that ...
5. According to the passage, when (where, why, how, who, what, which, etc)...?
第六章 如何进行推理和判断
在阅读中, 人们首先理解的是语言的字面意义。然而, 语言所表达的内容常常超过其字面意义。这就需要我们掌握逻辑判断和推理的方法, 根据事物发展的自然规律以及语言本身的内在联系, 从一定的文字符号中获得尽
可能多的信息。
有时, 作者在文中并未把需要读者理解的所有意思直接表达出来, 而是期待读者能领语文章的内在含义, 即从字里行间来体会他想表达的意思。由于有的意思文中没有直接说明, 读者必须根据文中所陈述内容的逻辑发展, 上下文的联贯以及文中有关部分的暗示, 作出判断或进行推理。
在阅读中, 判断和推理的能力是十分重要的。只有具备这种能力, 才有可能真正地弄懂文章中语言上没有明确表达却又隐含的意思, 达到真正的理解。
一、判断
在阅读中，有时要求我们对文章中阐述的事实或细节, 按照逻辑发展的规律, 进行分析和概括, 并以此为依据得出合乎逻辑的结论。我们将这个过程称作"判断"。
例1： The male and female mosquitoes make an odd couple. The female is vampire and lives on blood. The male is a vegetarian that sips nectar and plant juices. Females of different species choose different hosts on which to dine. Some feed exclusively on cattle, horses, birds, and other warm-blooded creatures. Some favor cold-blooded animals. Still others prefer man.
While the female's menu varies, her bite remains the same. She drives her sharp tubular snout through the skin, injects a fluid to keep the blood from thickening, and drinks her fill, which takes a minute or less. It is the fluid she injects that carries disease. After her blood meal, she rests while her eggs develop. She then looks for a moist or flooded place to lay them
根据文中the male is a vegetarian that sips nectar and plant juice.我们可以得出结论：雄蚊相对地说对人类无害。根据文中The female is a vampire and lives on blood. Some feed on ...warm-blooded creatures. Some favour cold-blooded animals. Still others prefer man.我们可以得出结论：雌蚊对多数动物构成威胁。
二、推理
推理就是以已知的事实为依据, 来获得未知的信息。在阅读中, 我们要善于利用文章中明确表示的内容, 进行正确的推理, 以挖掘作者的隐含意思; 要求进行推理的问题, 在文中均找不到直接答案。如果问题要求理解某句或某段的含蓄意义, 我们必须在文中找到所涉及的关键词语, 仔细阅读一至两遍, 吃透意思, 并以此为根据, 进行分析和推理。然后, 再逐个考虑选择项, 选出答案。如果需要进行推理判断的内容涉及全文, 则必须在理解通篇中心思想、掌握全文逻辑发展过程的基础上, 才能进行正确的推理判断。
例2： Like other opinions about the situation, Burke's predictably, and sensibly, forecasts a rise in unemployment among the young.
从此句我们可以看出：1）说话者同意Burke的关于年轻人失业现象要增多的看法（根据predictably, and sensibly）；2）Burke不是唯一持这种看法的人（根据
like other opinions...）。
例3：Directions: Read the following passage and choose the statement (s) which can definitely be inferred
In 1980, Canada announced strict additional limits on ownership of energy companies by foreign institutions and individuals. Since these may no longer own more than 50 percent of such companies, sources of capital for these corporations are now sharply restricted.
A) Before 1980, foreigners were allowed to own a majority of shares in Canadian energy companies.
B) Canada's 1980 limitations on energy-company ownership have caused some problems for these enterprises.
C) After 1980, foreigners may not own a majority share in a Canadian company.
D) Before 1980, there were no limitations of foreign individuals owning Canadian energy companies.
选择项A符合题意, 因为文中谈到这一限制是1980年宣布的, 据此可以推断1980年前尚无此规定。选择项B也符合题意, 因文中谈到这些企业资金来源将受到限制, 据此可以推断该限制将会给这些企业带来问题。C项不符合题意, 因文中指的是energy companies, 而不是所有的公司。D项也不符合题意, 因为文中谈到1980年宣布的是additional limits, 据此可以推断在此以前已有其它限制。
三、预测
根据上文中已出现的语言信息, 预测下文即将出现的信息, 这也是我们必须掌握的一项阅读技能。例如, 当我们读到Though progress on the subway has not actually stopped. . . (虽然修建地铁的工程尚未完全停止……)。我们根据Though所引出的让步状语从句的意义, 应能推测到Something is wrong with the project. (修建工程出了问题.); 同时从not actually中推测到progress on the subject has almost stopped. (工程几乎已经停止了。) 据此预测, 下文可能会出现it is likely that the completion of the project will be delayed (这项工程的竣工很可能要推迟), 却不可能出现the project will be completed ahead of time (工程将提前完成)。
若下文与预测一致或基本一致, 则证明自己对上文理解正确, 可以继续阅读; 若不一致, 则说明对已读信息的理解有偏差, 或这里有特殊含义, 需要调整自己的思路, 或应给予特别的注意。
通常, 我们可以借助于语法结构、常用句型进行预测; 通过标题或主题句进行预测; 结合自己的背景知识进行预测; 根据语篇标志的提示词或者连接上下文的承接手段(Transitional Devices)来进行预测等等。 同样, 我们也可根据所给的某一段文章的内容, 来推测上文讨论的是什么话题, 或已经谈到过什么事情。以 "Though progress on the subway has not actually stopped, it is likely that the comp1etion of the project will be delayed."为例。根据该句所提供的信息, 我们可以推测到上文讨论的内容可能是"Strikes have severely hamper
ed the project."(罢工已经严重影响了工程的进展); 而不可能是 "The boss has promised to give his men a pay rise."(老板同意给工人增加工资。)
四. 练习
The word "conservation"has a thrifty (节俭)meaning. To conserve is to save and protect, to leave what we ourse1ves enjoy in such good condition that others may also share the enjoyment. Our forefathers had no idea that human population would increase faster than the supplies of raw materials; most of them, even until very recently, had this foo1ish idea that the treasures were "1imitless"and "inexbaustible". Most of the citizens or earlier generations knew little or nothing about the complicated and delicate system that runs all through nature, and which means that, as in a 1iving body, an unhealthy condition of one part will sooner or 1ater be harmful to a11 the others.
Fifty years ago nature study was not part of the schoo1 work; scientific forestry was a new idea：timber was still cheap because it could be brought in any quantity from distant woodlands; soil destruction and river f1oods were not national problems; nobody had yet studied long-term climatic cycles in relation to proper 1and use; even the word "conservation" had nothing of the meaning that it has for us today.
For the sake of ourselves and those who will come after us, we must now set about repairing the mistakes of our forefathers. Conservation should, therefore, be made a part of everyone's daily life. To know about the water table(地下水位) in the ground is just as important to us as a knowledge of the basic arithmetic formulas. We need to know why all watersheds need the protection of plant life and why the running current of streams and river must be made to yield their full benefit to the soil before they finally escape to the sea. We need to be taught the duty of planting trees as well as of cutting them. We need to know the importance of big, mature trees, because living space for most of man's fellow creatures on this planet is figured not only in square measure of surface but also in cubic volume above the earth. In brief, it should be our goal to restore as much of the original beauty of nature as we can.
Question: It can be inferred from the third paragraph that earlier generations didn't realize _____.
A ) the interdependence of water, soil and living things
B) the importance of the proper use of land
C) the harmfulness of soil destruction and river floods
D) the value of the beauty of nature
这个问题的答案是A。在文章中并不能找到the interdependence of water, soil and living things。我们在第一段可以找到这样一个句子：
Most of the citizens or earlier generations knew little or nothing about the complicated and delicate system that runs all through nature, and which means that, as in a 1iving body, an unhealthy condition of one part will sooner or 1ater be harmfu
l to a11 the others.
由此我们可以看出答案是A。
在阅读理解测试中, 要求进行判断和推理的问题, 通常有以下几种形式：
1. The writer (author, passage ) implies (suggests) that _______.
2. It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
3. An inference, which may not be made from this passage, is _____.
4. Which of the following can be readily inferred from the passage?
5. It can be concluded from the passage that ______.
6. What does the author conclude about _________?
7. We may conclude from reading the passage that ______.
8. The passage is intended to ______.
9. The paragraph preceding (following) this one would most likely state (discuss, deal with) ________.
10. Where would this paragraph most probably appear (be found)?
第七章 如何确定作者的观点和态度
一篇文章不可避免地反映了作者的观点、态度和情绪。能否正确把握作者的观点和态度也是体现阅读能力的一个重要方面。一般来说, 对作者的总的态度和倾向, 必须在通读全文、掌握了主题思想和主要事实后, 方能作出判断。在判断作者观点态度时, 我们应注意以下几个问题：
1. 有时作者先介绍了某一种观点, 却接着在后面提出了相反的观点。因此, 要正确判断作者的态度或观点, 必须将上下文联系起来看。要注意文章中所陈述的内容并非都代表了作者的观点。
例1：Directions: Decide whether or not each of the following statements approves of the book written by Professor Baker
1) Professor Baker's publisher has stated that this new book will soon take the place of all the old standard works in this field; in view, however, of both the style and content of Professor Baker's book, I find this claim most difficult to accept.
2) When I first opened the package containing a copy of Professor Baker's latest book and read its title, I must admit I felt a sudden sinking of the heart; yet once I had gathered courage to begin my reading, I found the work so far beyond my wildest hopes that I actually missed supper rather than put the volume down unfinished.
在1)文中, 作者在前面引用了出版者的赞扬之辞, 而后接着表明难以接受此说法, 说明他对此书持否定态度。
在2)文中, 作者先说刚看到此书书名时很失望, 然后用"yet"表示转折, 以至到最后爱不释手, 表明他赞许此书。
2. 此外, 作者也可通过使用词汇的手段暗示自己对文中某一具体问题所持的态度和观点。这时, 我们要特别仔细琢磨文中所用词汇的特点, 弄明白作者的态度是赞成还是反对, 是肯定还是否定。
例2：Directions: Decide which of the following statements was written by a person in favor of small-town life
1) Possibly there are those who d
erive pleasure from turning back the clock and seeking out the virtues we fondly imagine to have been associated with life in small towns in bygone days. Yet the most superficial reading of contemporary accounts dealing with such an existence makes it quite clear that full enjoyment of life's true pleasures would be much more appreciated 2) It is true that city-dwellers and suburbanites can enjoy certain facilities that may be denied to the inhabitants of small towns. What they miss, however, far outweighs such advantages, which, in any case, the vast majority rarely has the time or energy to take advantage of.
在1)文中, 作者在谈到喜欢小城镇生活的人时用了"Possibly there are..."来表示不肯定的语气, 在谈到小城镇生活的长处时用了"...we imagine to have been associated with...(据我们想像与……相连系)"来减弱其客观性, 暗示未必真是如此。可见该作者不赞同小城镇的生活。
在2)文中, 作者在谈到城市生活的方便时用了"certain"一词以表示其有限性, 并用"...may be denied to the inhabitants of small towns(小城镇的居民也许没有)"来表示不肯定。然而在谈到城市生活所失去的东西时用了"far outweighs such advantages"(大大超过了这些好处)来加以强调。可见这篇文章的作者是赞同小城镇生活的。
例3：Directions: Read the following passage and select the best answer to the question.
Television is now playing a very important part in our lives. But television, like other things, has both advantages and disadvantages. Do the former outweigh the latter?
In the first place, television is not only a convenient source of entertainment, but also a comparatively cheap one. For a family of four, for example, it is more convenient as well as cheaper to sit comfortably at home, with almost unlimited entertainment available, than to go out in search of amusement elsewhere. They do not have to pay for expensive seats at the theatre, the cinema, or the opera, only to discover, perhaps, that the show is disappointing. All they have to do is press a button, and they can see plays, films, operas, and shows of every kind, not to mention political discussions and the latest exciting football match. Some people, however, maintain that this is precisely where the danger lies. The television viewer takes no initiative. He makes no choice and exercises no judgment. He is completely passive and has everything presented to him without any effort on his part.
Television, it is often said, keeps one informed about current events, allows one to follow the latest developments in science and politics, and offers an endless series of programs, which are both instructive and entertaining. The most distant countries and the strangest customs are brought right into one's sitting room. It could be argued that the radio performs this service just as well; but on television everything is much more li
ving, much more real. Yet here again there is a danger. We get used to looking at it, so dependent on its flickering pictures, that it begins to dominate our lives.
There are many other arguments for and against television. The poor quality of its programs is often criticized. But it is undoubtedly a great comfort to many lonely elderly people. And does it corrupt or instruct our children? I think we must realize that television in itself is neither good nor bad. It is the uses to which it is put that determine its value to society.
Which of the following can best describe the view of the author?
A) Television has not only advantages but also disadvantages.
B) The advantages of television outweigh its disadvantages.
C) Television has neither advantages nor disadvantages.
D) It is not clearly seen in the passage.
从全文来看, 虽然作者既提到优点也提到缺点, 但是主要倾向是肯定优点, 在谈到缺点时用了 "some people", 表示了持这种看法的人有限。因此B符合题意。
三、练习
I find it takes the young writer a long time to become aware or what 1anguage really is as a medium of communication. He thinks he should be able to put down his meaning at once and be done with it, and he puts it down and releases his feeling for it in language that is meaningless to anyone else. He has to 1earn he can load almost any form of words with his meaning and be expressing himself but communicating nothing. He has to 1earn that language has grown naturally out of the human need to communicate, that it belongs to a11 those who use it, and its communicative capacities have developed to meet the general need, that it is most alive when the language is spoken, supported as it always is by the look and action of the speaker. He must come to see that speech is filled with cliches which are the common counters best serving the general need. Words and phrases that come off his tongue made alive by the living presence of himself become on paper dead transcriptions(抄写). Somehow he must overcome the capacity of words to remain dead symbols of meaning as they are in the dictionary. He must breathe life into them as he sets them on paper.
The author implies that young writers are ___________.
A) in too much a hurry to have their say
B) lacking in confidence.
C) too critical in analyzing their own work
D) lacking in the ability to find topics
作者在这一段中指出, 青年作家要经过很长时间才能弄清语言作为交际工具的真正含义, 那些以为可以轻松地一下子就能写出自己的思想, 一劳永逸地表达感情的青年作家难免会写出言之无物的东西来。仔细体会这两句话, 我们注意到, 作者在说明这一事实的同时, 使用了"really", "he thinks he should be able to..."以及接下来的"he has to..."等词语, 表达了作者的真实意图, 即批评
某些青年作家的自以为是。因此答案应选A。
我们也可以用排除法来做这道题。第四、五两句说明青年作家过于自信, 不严于苛责自己的作品, B、C两个选择项的内容正与此相反. 因而可以排除, 本文未谈到作家们寻找题材的能力问题, 故D也可排除, 仅剩A为正确答案。
做这类题目时, 考生应仔细阅读, 品味作者的意思。不可匆忙出选择。总的来讲。考生应注意以下几个方面：
A. 明确作者的观点和写作意图;
B. 分析文字信息, 明确细节是如何说明、支持中心意思的;
C. 注意区分字面意思与隐含意思, 尤其是作者虽未直言道出但强烈暗示的意思;
D. 推论必须是在原文的基础上做出的, 绝对不能掺进文章以外的、考生个人的看法或臆断。
练习:
Passage One
I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or cricket (板球) they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples (the 1936 Olympic Games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies (无聊) of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.
Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and no feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simply for the fun and exercise; but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level sport is frankly mimic (模拟的) warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators, and, behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies (发怒) over these absurd (荒唐的) contests, and seriously believe -- at any rate for short periods -- that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.
1. Which of the following best represents the writer's view?
A) He considers it is definitely impossible that sport can create goodwill between nations and avoid wars.
B) He thinks it is funny to have such opinion that sport can build up a peaceful world.
C) He laughs at this absurd opinion.
D) He treats it seriously.
2. The writer thinks that the sports are ___________.
A) competitive B ) absurd C) disgraced D) mimic
Passage Two
Dear Editor,
We are wasting our time and good money by asking scientists to solve the problem of a
ir pollution. They are blaming cars and motorists. It is the smoke from factories that is ruining our air. I sincerely believe that these so-called scientists should try working in a factory from midnight to 8 a.m, and maybe they would discover something that would surprise them. If the scientists could use their knowledge to direct the winds in such a way as to send this factory smoke out to sea forever, then we would be able to solve the problem of air pollution.
Joseph Award
The overall tone of this letter is.
A) instructive and serious
B) informative and clever
C) argumentative and rash
D) humorous and sincere
KEY: passage 1: A, B; passage 2: C
在阅读理解测试中, 要求确定作者观点和态度的问题, 通常有以下几种形式：
1. The author gives the impression that ________.
2. The author's view is __________.
3. The author thinks that ____________.
4. The author suggests that ______________.
5. Which of the following can best describe the attitude of the author towards...
6. What is the tone of the passage?
7. The tone of the passage can be best described as ___________.
8. According to the author _____________.
第八章 如何猜测词义
在阅读中, 我们往往会遇到一些不认识的单词或短语, 或者认识的单词在文章中有了新的意义、如果这些词或短语不影响对文章主要内容的理解, 我们便可以将它们略过, 继续阅读。如果了解这些词语的意思对正确理解文意很重要, 这时, 我们就必须根据上下文的联系, 对它们的意义进行猜测, 使之不影响对整篇文章的阅读理解。需要注意的是, 一个单词通常有好几个意思, 我们要解决的是这些词在文中所表达的意思。因此, 不可脱离上下文, 只根据自己以前了解的词义来确定其意义。通常, 猜测词义可采用以下几种方法：
一、利用所出现生词的上下文与其意义上的联系或下文进一步的叙述, 猜测词义。
1.The female mosquito is a vampire and lives on blood.
如不知道vampire的词义, 从上文1ives on blood(靠吸血而生存)则可得知其词义为吸血昆虫。
2.The old man put on his spectacles and began to read. 如不知道spectacles的词义, 从下文"戴上'spectacles'后开始阅读"可猜得其词义为"眼镜"。
3.I'm sorry I've been monopolizing you. Your other dinner companion should have the chance to talk to you, too.
根据第二个句子的意思, 可猜出monopolize之意为"独占"。
4.If I were a boy again, I would practise perseverance oftener, and never give up a thing because it was hard or inconvenient.
根据and never give up a thing ...可猜测perseverance之意为"坚韧不拔" .
5.Pigeons have a natural instinct to return home, even if they are far away and the trip is hard or dangerous.
根据后半句让步状语从句, 可猜测instinct为"本能"。
6.14,000 sanitation workers who carry off, yearly, three million tons of refuse and keep 7,500 miles of streets clean and free of snow.
从上下文可猜出sanitation workers为"环卫工人"。
7.Human beings are a unique species. They have larger brains than any other beings. They have the gift of speech and can communicate their thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
从上下文可猜出the gift of speech为“语言天赋”。
8.Our earth is very old. It holds many secrets about life in the past. Archaeologists dig in the ground and bring out these secrets. They discover objects thousands of years old that inform us about how people lived long ago. 不难猜出Archaeologists 为“考古学家” 。
9.One of the newest American expressions is "Where is the beef?" It questions if something is as good or as honest as it claims to be.
根据第二个句子的意思, 可猜测"Where is the beef?" 之意为“拿出证据来” 。
10.The girl began to feel homesick because she had been away from her family for years. 状语部分的意思是“她离开家人好几年了”, 对于一个女孩子来说, “想家”的结果是必然的。所以, 我们通过状语从句所提供的信息可以推断出homesick的意思是“想家的”。
11.The teacher did not hear the knocking at the door because he was completely engrossed in his reading.
以因果关系为线索, 可确定engrossed的意思为“被吸引”, “全神贯注”。
12.I am a resolute man. Once I set up a goal, I won't give it up easily.
通过第二句, 可推出resolute的意思是"坚定的"。
二. 利用文中的举例猜测词义。
常见的举例的提示词有：for example, such as , for instance 等。
1.Some artists plan their paintings around geometric forms like squares, circles and triangles.
如不知道"geometric forms"的意思, 可从文中所列举的三角形、正方形、圆形来猜得其意义为“几何图形”。
2.Today young couples who are just starting their households often spend lots of their money on appliances, for instance, washing-machines, refrigerators and color televisions.
如不知道appliances的意思, 从文中的举例washing-machines（洗衣机）, refrigerators（冰箱）, color televisions（电视机）可以猜出该词的意思为“家用电器”。
3.There were disastrous fires in some cities, such as the great fire of London in 1666.
such as 列举出如1666年伦敦大火一类“灾难性”（即disastrous）的火灾。
4. The government promises to give millions of deprived black the essentials in life -- housing, education, health facilities, and job opportunities.