1、Unit 1 总论Day 1 典型英语文章的写作脉络和答题步骤典型英语文章的 写作脉络和答题步骤及技巧 总的来说，英语文章结构比较严谨，脉络清楚，所以我们在读任何文章的时候，脑子里面一定要有一根线，先掌握了典型文章的展开方法，再加上一些引子等，就成了所有四级阅读文章的结构。我们先以 2000 年 6 月的文章为例进行讲解体会。 请在 2 分钟以内读完这篇文章： 2000.6 Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a unifor
2、m, whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States? Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian（百姓的）clothes. People have becom
3、e conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears a uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a polic
4、eman, a barber, or a waiter to lose professional identity（身份）than to step out of uniform? Uniforms also have many practical benefits. They save on other clothes. They save on laundry bills. They are tax-deductible（可减税的）. They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes. Primary
5、 among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look
6、alike, they tend to think, speak, and act similarly, on the job at least. Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long lasting, often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain, requiring professional d
7、ry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes. 同学们肯定说 2 分钟不可能读完，但实际上我们只需要读下面这些划线的句子，这篇文章的脉络就出来了。 Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, Why are uniforms so popular in the United Stat
8、es? Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian（百姓的）clothes. Uniforms also have many practical benefits. Primary among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality
9、experienced by people who must wear them. Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. 文章第一段给出了主题：uniforms，并且提出了问题：Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?（为什么制服在美国如此受欢迎？） 在第二段作者讨论支持制服的主要原因，我们需要注意两个词：for, first。第三段紧接着提到制服的一些实际的好处。 第四段作者的笔锋一转，提到反对制服的主要原因，两个关键词是：primary, against。同样，在第五
10、段给出的是一些反对制服实际的问题。 本文可以分为主题段（第一段）和展开段（第二、三和四、五段） 。其中二、三段是一个小的展开，四、五段是第二个小的展开。读到这里，同学们实际上应该知道，这篇文章主要讲的是制服的优点（第二、三段）和缺点（第四、五段） 。那么做本文的第五题就很容易了： 5. The best title for this passage would be . A) Uniforms and Society B) The Importance of Wearing a Uniform C) Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform D) Adva
11、ntages and Disadvantages of Uniforms 答案显而易见是 D)。而且我们可以有这样的判断：第二、四段应该是老师出题的重点，因为它们讲的是主要的方面；而三、五段可以一带而过，因为讨论的是一些次要的内容。同时，我们应该了解每篇文章不是每一句话都要仔细读的。实际上，每篇文章都有四分之一左右的内容不需要读。如果我们觉得有一句话不读就不放心的话，那么可以读，但是对那些次要的内容不能花过多的时间，基本上扫一眼知道不重要就行了。 请读本文的前四题，并且找到它们在文中对应的地方（先不要做题）： 1. It is surprising that Americans who wor
12、ship variety and individuality . A) still judge a man by his clothes B) hold the uniform in such high regard C) enjoy having a professional identity D) will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform 2. People are accustomed to thinking that a man in uniform . A) suggests quality w
13、ork B) discards his social identity C) appears to be more practical D) looks superior to a person in civilian clothes 3. The chief function of a uniform is to . A) provide practical benefits to the wearer B) make the wearer catch the public eye C) inspire the wearers confidence in himself D) provide
14、 the wearer with a professional identity 4. According to the passage, people wearing uniforms . A) are usually helpful B) have little or no individual freedom C) tend to lose their individuality D) enjoy greater popularity 可以看出，第一题出自第一段，中间两题出自第二段，第四题出自第四段。 【文章大意】 美国人特别为自己的多样性和个性而自豪，但是他们却非常喜爱和尊重制服，无论
15、是电梯操作员的制服还是五星上将的制服。为什么制服在美国那么受欢迎呢? 最重要的原因之一是，在很多人看来穿制服比穿便装看上去更加职业化，人们习惯于期待从穿制服的人身上得到更好的服务。如果电视机修理工穿着制服去修电视，就比穿便装更能给人带来信任感，穿制服的汽车修理工给人的感觉也是这样。另外，对于护士、警察、理发师和侍者来说，要想让别人不知道自己的职业身份，有什么方法比脱掉制服更加容易呢? 制服还有一些很实际的好处，比如说你不需要花钱买别的衣服了，也不需要花钱去清洗它，而且它是可减税的。而且制服相对普通衣服来说更舒服，更耐穿。 反对制服的观点主要是它们缺少变化，穿制服使人失去个性。尽管有很多种制服，
16、但是一旦穿上了某一种制服，就一辈子穿下去了，没有任何变化，一直到退休为止。当人们看上去相像时，他们的思想、语言、行动也会变得相像，至少在工作中是这样的。 制服也会带来一些很实际的问题。尽管它们比较耐穿，但是起初花费在制服上的钱可能会比普通衣服要高。还有一些制服，保养起来是非常花钱的，它们需要专业化的干洗，而不能在家里做普通的清洗。 总结起来，英语文章如下图所示： 图 1 英文行文方式：倒金字塔形，即最重要的内容一般放在最前面加以介绍，越往后重要性越低。 在做阅读理解题时有两个标准：速度和准确度。四级阅读的速度要求是 70wpm ( words per minute)，准确度要求是 70%以上。
17、一般同学们有两种阅读顺序： 读文章读题目和选项回到文章中找答案检查； 读题目和选项读文章做题检查。 分析一下，第一种方法可能同学们读得比较细，准确度的要求容易达到，但绝大部分人是无法在 9 分钟之内读完文章并做题的；而第二种方法容易达到速度的要求，准确度的要求又很难达到。 综合这两种方法，可以归纳出既照顾速度又考虑准确度的阅读步骤： 1）Skim 2）Read the questions (without the choices) 3）Scan and locate4）Review。 1）为浏览全文。拿到一篇文章我们先花 2 分钟左右的时间读第一段的头三句话和后面每一段的第一句话，目的是掌握全
18、文主题和每段大意。因为绝大部分英语文章的行文方式呈倒金字塔形（见上述） ，通常最重要的内容放在前面。 2）为读题干，但不要读选项，花 1.5 分钟左右。读时应把题干的关键词注上下划线，这样带着问题读文章，定位就精确多了。 3）为查读和定位。花 57 分钟找到题目所在的地方，并且做题。 4）为检查。注意在检查时如果没有确凿把握，不要随意改动自己的第一选择，因为研究证明第一选择比第二选择的正确可能性大。 大家再看下面这篇文章： For an increasing number of students at American universities, old is suddenly in. The
19、 reason is obvious: the graying of America means jobs. Coupled with the aging of the baby-boom（生育高峰）generation, a longer life span means that the nations elderly population is bound to expand significantly over the next 50 years. By 2050, 25 percent of all Americans will be older than 65, up from 14
20、 percent in 1995. The change poses profound questions for government and society, of course. But it also creates career opportunities in medicine and health professions, and in law and business as well. “In addition to the doctors, were going to need more sociologists, biologists, urban planners and
21、 specialized lawyers,” says Professor Edward Schneider of the University of Southern Californias (USC) School of Gerontology（老年学）. Lawyers can specialize in “elder law,” which covers everything from trusts and estates to nursing-home abuse and age discrimination（歧视）. Businessmen see huge opportuniti
22、es in the elder market because the baby boomers, 74 million strong, are likely to be the wealthiest group of retirees in human history. “Any student who combines an expert knowledge in gerontology with, say, an MBA or law degree will have a license to print money,” one professor says. Margarite Sant
23、os is a 21-year-old senior at USC. She began college as a biology major but found she was “really bored with bacteria.” So she took a class in gerontology and discovered that she liked it. She says, “I did volunteer work in retirement homes and it was very satisfying.” 实际上我们只要读下面划线的部分就知道本文的中心和每段的主题了
24、。 For an increasing number of students at American universities, old is suddenly in. The reason is obvious: the graying of America means jobs. Coupled with the aging of the baby-boom（生育高峰）generation, a longer life span means that the nations elderly population is bound to expand significantly over t
25、he next 50 years. By 2050, 25 percent of all Americans will be older than 65, up from 14 percent in 1995. The change poses profound questions for government and society, of course. But it also creates career opportunities in medicine and health professions, and in law and business as well. “In addit
26、ion to the doctors, were going to need more sociologists, biologists, urban planners and specialized lawyers,” says Professor Edward Schneider of the University of Southern Californias (USC) School of Gerontology（老年学）. Lawyers can specialize in “elder law,” which covers everything from trusts and es
27、tates to nursing-home abuse and age discrimination（歧视）. Businessmen see huge opportunities in the elder market because the baby boomers, 74 million strong, are likely to be the wealthiest group of retirees in human history. “Any student who combines an expert knowledge in gerontology with, say, an M
28、BA or law degree will have a license to print money,” one professor says. Margarite Santos is a 21-year-old senior at USC. She began college as a biology major but found she was “really bored with bacteria.” So she took a class in gerontology and discovered that she liked it. She says, “I did volunt
29、eer work in retirement homes and it was very satisfying.” 我们知道文章的主题是“old is suddenly in. The graying of America means jobs”，即美国人的老年化给社会带来了多样的工作机会，也即老年学“gerontology”变得受欢迎。第二段作者从律师和商人两方面加以论证，第三段用一个学生的例子进行进一步说明。 我们要想准确知道哪一个选项是正确选项，就需要了解迷惑项的出题方式。知道正确答案为什么对和错误选项为什么错。 请先花五分钟时间做上面第二篇文章的五个问题： 1. “ old is su
30、ddenly in” (Line 1, Para. 1) most probably means “ ”. A) America has suddenly become a nation of old people B) gerontology has suddenly become popular C) more elderly professors are found on American campuses D) American colleges have realized the need of enrolling older students 2. With the aging o
31、f America, lawyers can benefit . A) from the adoption of the “elder law” B) from rendering special services to the elderly C) by enriching their professional knowledge D) by winning the trust of the elderly to promote their own interests 3. Why can businessmen make money in the emerging elder market
32、? A) Retirees are more generous in spending money. B) They can employ more gerontologists. C) The elderly possess an enormous purchasing power. D) There are more elderly people working than before. 4. Who can make big money in the new century according to the passage? A) Retirees who are business-mi
33、nded. B) The volunteer workers in retirement homes. C) College graduates with an MBA or law degree. D) Professionals with a good knowledge of gerontology. 5. It can be seen from the passage that the expansion of Americas elderly population . A) will provide good job opportunities in many areas B) wi
34、ll impose an unbearable burden on society C) may lead to nursing home abuse and age discrimination D) will create new fields of study in universities 老师在出迷惑选项时会有如下四种错误方式： 图 2 第一步我们浏览文章，找到文章中心和每段大意。 第二步同学们把题干中的关键词划线，然后就可以知道第 1 题应从头两句中找到答案，第 2 题应在第二段的第一句话找，第 3 题在第二段的第二句话找答案，第 4 题接着读第二段就可以，而最后一题为主旨题。 第
35、三步具体做题。 1 【答案解析】B。我们通过头两句话可以知道答案。A)选项犯了二类错误，文中提到美国老年人越来越多，但这只是一个事实，不是作者的主题；C)选项犯了一类错误，文中根本没有提到美国校园里有越来越多的老年教授；D)选项也犯了一类错误，并没有提到美国大学认识到招收老年学生的必要性。 2 【答案解析】A。第二段的第一句话意思是 “律师可以专业于老年人法 ，老年人法包括了从信托到资产，从养老院虐待到年龄歧视的各种事情” 。从这句话可知答案)。本题中的 B)选项迷惑性最大， “律师可以从给老年人提供特殊服务中得益” 。仔细分析，这个选项犯了三类错误，因为它的范围超出了原文，原文只是说了“老年
36、人法” ，而“特殊服务”的范畴比它大得多。C)容易排除，为一类错误。D)选项中的“trust”一词意思为“信任” ，和原文中的“信托”并不是同一个意思，注意不要被出题老师迷惑。 3 【答案解析】C。第二段的第二句话说 “商人在老年人市场看到巨大的机会，因为七千四百多万生育高峰时期出生的人口很可能是人类历史上最富有的一群退休者。 ”故答案为 C)， “老年人拥有巨大的购买力” 。其中 B)和 D)容易排除，均为一类错误，无关选项。但很多同学会把 A)误选为正确答案，这些同学的主观性太强。A) 说“退休者花钱更大方” ，是对原文进行的过分引申：有钱不一定就花钱大方。 4 【答案解析】D。第二段最后
37、一句话引用一位教授的话说明老年学的重要性。“任何学生如果把老年学的专业知识和比如工商管理硕士或法学位结合起来就有了印钱的执照” 。本句话用一个比喻说明了这类学生可以挣大钱。故答案为 D)， “有老年学知识的职业人士” 。此处“职业人士”即指“商人或律师等” ，与原文完全吻合。本题 A)和 B)选项容易排除，为一类错误。但 C)迷惑性很大。C)说“有工商管理硕士或法学位的大学毕业生”，只说出了原文的一个方面，但“大学毕业生”的范畴远大于“有老年学专业知识的学生” ，所以犯了三类错误。 5 【答案解析】A。本题为主旨题。美国老年人口的增加会在很多领域提供很好的工作机会。B)过于夸大了老年人对社会造
38、成的负担，为二类错误。C)选项只是现象，并不是结果，为二类错误。D)选项为一类错误，无关选项。 经过了如此细致的分析，第四步检查时就可以很快完成了。 【文章大意】 对越来越多的美国大学生来说，老年学突然时髦起来。理由很明显：美国的人口老龄化意味一些就业机会。随着生育高峰一代的老龄化，人的寿命延长就意味着全国老年人口在今后 50 年内必然有相当大的增长。到 2050 年，65 岁以上的美国人将从 1995 年的14%增长到 25%。当然，这种变化给政府和社会提出一些深刻的问题。但是这也在医药卫生界以及法律和商业界创造了就业机会。南加利弗尼亚大学老年学学院的爱德华施奈德教授说：“除了大夫，我们将迫
39、切需要有更多的社会学家、生物学家、城市规划人员和专业律师。 ” 律师可以成为“老年人法”专家， “老年人法”涉及从财产委托、房地产到敬老院虐待和年龄歧视等所有方面。商人在老年人市场看到巨大的商机，因为生育高峰期人数高达七千四百万的人口很可能将成为人类历史上最富有的退休群体。一位教授说：“任何学生只要有老年学的专门知识，又有一个学位，例如工商管理硕士或法律学位，就如同有印制钞票的许可证一般。 ” 玛格丽特桑托斯是南加利弗尼亚大学的一名 21 岁的四年级学生。她上大学时是个生物学专业的学生，但是她发现自己“实在厌烦细菌” 。所以在她上了一堂老年学课程后，发现很喜欢这门课程。她说：“我在退休老人福利
40、院做志愿者，这使我非常满意。 ” 有的时候选项出得非常有迷惑性，同学们可能分析很长时间也难以找到正确答案，那么就需要用到上面的“双圆法”来帮助自己分析。请读下面这篇文章： The fitness movement that began in the late 1960s and early 1970s centered around aerobic exercise（有氧操）. Millions of individuals became engaged in a variety of aerobic activities and literally thousands of health s
41、pas developed around the country to capitalize（获利）on this emerging interest in fitness, particularly aerobic dancing for females. A number of fitness spas existed prior to this aerobic fitness movement, even a national chain with spas in most major cities. However their focus was not on aerobics, bu
42、t rather on weight-training programs designed to develop muscular mass, strength, and endurance in their primarily male enthusiasts. These fitness spas did not seem to benefit financially from the aerobic fitness movement to better health, since medical opinion suggested that weight-training program
43、s offered few, if any, health benefits. In recent years, however, weight training has again become increasingly popular for males and for females. Many current programs focus not only on developing muscular strength and endurance but on aerobic fitness as well. Historically, most physical-fitness te
44、sts have usually included measures of muscular strength and endurance, not for health-related reasons, but primarily because such fitness components have been related to performance in athletics. However, in recent years, evidence has shown that training programs designed primarily to improve muscul
45、ar strength and endurance might also offer some health benefits as well. The American College of Sports Medicine now recommends that weight training be part of a total fitness program for healthy Americans. Increased participation in such training is one of the specific physical activity and fitness
46、 objectives of Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives. 并读下面这个问题： 38. What was the attitude of doctors towards weight training in health improvement? A) Positive. B) Indifferent. C) Negative. D) Cautious. 我们知道任何问题的正确答案必然在原文中有直接或间接的出处。本题的出处是这句话： These fitness
47、spas did not seem to benefit financially from the aerobic fitness movement to better health, since medical opinion suggested that weight-training programs offered few, if any, health benefits. 很多同学看到原文中的“few health benefits”就毫不犹豫地选了 C) Negative。 “医生对于力量训练对提高健康状况的作用持否定意见。 ”但要知道“few”虽然是一个表示否定意义的词：“没有几
48、个” ，但实际上还是“有一两个”的，所以原文的意思是“这些健身中心看起来并没有从有氧健身中获得多大收益，因为医学上给出的建议是力量训练即使是对健康有益，那也是很少的。 ”归根到底还是有好处的，所以正确的答案是 D) Cautious。医生的态度是“谨慎的” 。C)是二类错误：与原文有一些联系，但重合度不足。 It came as something of a surprise when Diana, Princess of Wales, made a trip to Angola in 1997, to support the Red Crosss campaign for a total ban on all anti-personnel landmines. Within hours of arriving in Angola, television screens around the world were filled with ima
