今年六級考試剛剛結(jié)束,由于從去年開始四六級考試實行了多題多卷制度,筆者就其中一套試卷的仔細(xì)閱讀部分做一個分析。(注:兩篇內(nèi)容分別為觸碰對于購物的作用和新聞媒體為了吸引讀者而過度敘述事實)
(一)文章結(jié)構(gòu)
就這兩篇文章而言,結(jié)構(gòu)都是四六級非常高頻出現(xiàn)的類型。首先第一篇開頭出現(xiàn)一個例子作為引子,在二段開頭引出主題觸碰對于購物的重要性。接著為了論證主題,作者去做了一個實驗,但實驗得出的結(jié)果一定就是前文的主題。最后的獨句段是文章中心意思的高度概括。第二篇文章依然首先闡述一個社會現(xiàn)象,即極端的天氣容易引發(fā)極端的報道以吸引眼球,接著是對于這個社會現(xiàn)象進行了正反對比,運用的依然是四六級高頻出現(xiàn)的大眾觀點和作者觀點的強對比,最后一段作者擺出自身觀點進行總結(jié)。
針對不同的結(jié)構(gòu)我們需要掌握閱讀的重點,才能以最快的速度在最短的時間內(nèi)完成閱讀理解,以第一篇為例,我們簡單分析一下:
In 2011, many shoppers chose to avoid the frantic crowds and do their holiday shopping from the comfort of their computer. Sales at online retailers gained by more than 15%, making it the biggest season ever. But people are also returning those purchases at record rates, up 8% from last year.(數(shù)字對比是細(xì)節(jié)闡述,引子)
What went wrong? (開頭問題,問題不是主題,原因才是主題)Is the lingering shadow of the global financial crisis making it harder to accept extravagant indulgences? Or that people shop more impulsively-and therefore make bad decisions-when online? Both arguments are plausible. However, there is a third factor: a question of touch. (強轉(zhuǎn)折,作者真正的原因)We can love the look but, in an online environment, we cannot feel the quality of a texture, the shape of the fit, the fall of a fold or, for that matter, the weight of an earring. And physically interacting with an object makes you more committed to your purchase.
When my most recent book Brandwashed was released, I teamed up with a local bookstore to conduct an experiment (實驗類型文章,重點關(guān)注實驗?zāi)康暮蛯嶒灲Y(jié)果即可,中間細(xì)節(jié)均可以忽略。因為四六級考試只要出現(xiàn)相類似的文章,考點基本就是目的或者結(jié)論,中間成為考點的可能性不大。在開頭找to do表示目的;結(jié)尾處找結(jié)果結(jié)論。)about the difference between the online and offline shopping experience.(實驗?zāi)康模?I carefully instructed a group of volunteers to promote my book in two different ways. The first was a fairly hands-off approach. Whenever a customer would inquire about my book, the volunteer would take them over to the shelf and point to it. Out of 20 such requests, six customers proceeded with the purchase.
The second option also involved going over to the shelf but, this time, removing the book and them subtly holding onto it for just an extra moment before placing it in the customer's hands. Of the 20 people who were handed the book, 13 ended up buying it. Just physically passing the book showed a big difference in sales. Why? We feel something similar to a sense of ownership when we hold things in our hand. That's why we establish or reestablish connection by greeting strangers and friends with a handshake. In this case, having to then let go of the book after holding it might generate a subtle sense of loss, and motivate us to make the purchase even more.(實驗結(jié)果結(jié)論)
A recent study also revealed the power of touch, in this case when it came to conventional mail.(also并列平行,即表達(dá)內(nèi)容和上一段基本一致。本段再舉了一個例子而已) A deeper and longer-lasting impression of a message was formed when delivered in a letter, as opposed to receiving the same message online. Brain imaging showed that, on touching the paper, the emotional center of the brain was activated, thus forming a stronger bond. The study also indicated that once touch becomes part of the process, it could translate into a sense of possession.
This sense of ownership is simply not part of the equation in the online shopping experience.(最后總結(jié))
我們發(fā)現(xiàn),只要把文章主體把握清楚,一篇文章并不需要考生讀n多句子,其實文中所有的細(xì)節(jié)都可以忽略不看。
(二)考點分布
本次考試題型依然以細(xì)節(jié)事實題為主,而考點的位置和歷年真題還是高度吻合。例如:
1) 因果關(guān)系:因果關(guān)系是四六級的高頻考點,即在題干中明顯出現(xiàn)why, because, reason這類表達(dá)因果關(guān)系的小詞。考生需要返回原文同時定位因果關(guān)系,如果該句沒有直接找到原因,則往上或者往下各找一句,接著進行同義替換即可。本次考試第一篇52題,53題;第二篇文章的59題均為此類題目,筆者以52題為例進行簡單解析:
52. Why do people prefer shopping online according to the author?
A) It is more comfortable and convenient.
B) It saves them a lot of money and time.
C) It offers them a lot more options and bargains.
D) It gives them more time to think about their purchase.
根據(jù)題干中的喜歡網(wǎng)上購物我們能迅速定位到原文的首句"In 2011, many shoppers chose to avoid the frantic crowds and do their holiday shopping from the comfort of their computer." 我們可以得知消費者選擇網(wǎng)絡(luò)購物是因為避免人群以及網(wǎng)絡(luò)的購物的舒適性,輕松得出爭取答案為選項A。
2)全文末句:自2000年以后,全文末句經(jīng)常會成為考點,因為最后一句很有可能是文章的主題再現(xiàn)或者是作者觀點的闡述,考生應(yīng)特別予以關(guān)注。特別是在最后一題沒有什么方向的時候,多可以看看全文的末句。本次考試的56題,61題針對的都是原文的末句。筆者以61題為例進行簡單解析:
61. What does the author think of the exaggerated claims in the media about global warming?
A) They are strategies to raise public awareness.
B) They do a disservice to addressing the problem.
C) They aggravate public distrust about science.
D) They create confusion about climate change.
根據(jù)題干作者對媒體夸大全球變暖的態(tài)度?作者觀點往往在最后出現(xiàn),我們定位到原文末句"That is unfortunate, because global warming is a real problem, and we do need to address it.那真是不幸,因為全球變暖是一個真實的問題,我們需要重視他"末句中的that是指代詞,指代前段末句的"Exaggerated claims merely fuel public distrust and disengagement.夸大的報道會加劇公眾的不信任和不參與"。由此得知,作者認(rèn)為公眾應(yīng)該關(guān)注全球變暖問題,而媒體夸大的描述則會起到相反作用。輕松得出選項B為正確答案。
3)絕對化:文章中出現(xiàn)絕對化概念的詞,經(jīng)常會成為考點。因為我們所有的考題的答案都必須是唯一的確定的答案,而只有絕對化才能做到這一點。文章中絕對化不僅包括all, never, none, only這類詞,還包括最高級the most; 分類列舉的最后一個(finally, last);一些副詞和形容詞(chiefly, prime, major)。本次考試的53題,57題都是針對原文絕對化的概述而出的考題。筆者以57題為例進行簡單分析:
57. In what way do the media benefit from extreme weather?
A) They can attract people's attention to their reports.
B) They can choose from a greater variety of topics.
C) They can make themselves better known.
D) They can give voice to different views.
根據(jù)題干媒體從極端天氣中在那個方面獲益,我們返回原文定位在首段末句"And, while many interests are at work, one of the players that benefits the most from this story are the media: the notion of "extreme" climate simply makes for more compelling news."出現(xiàn)了the most的最高級闡述,得知他們能締造很多引人注目的新聞,從而輕松得到答案為A。
其實四六級考試的規(guī)律性是非常強的,考生只要多做歷年真題,掌握文章結(jié)構(gòu),出題思路,就一定能在考試中立于不敗之地。