2012年4月28日托福考試同樣重現(xiàn)了北美機(jī)經(jīng)的題目。本文為您提供托福閱讀翻譯及詳細(xì)答案解析：戲劇的起源。
4.28托福閱讀翻譯及答案解析：戲劇的起源
由于缺少具體材料，人們?cè)谘芯繎騽∑鹪磿r(shí)不得不主要依賴猜想。19世紀(jì)末20世紀(jì)初，一些人類學(xué)家支持的理論得到了世人的廣泛認(rèn)同，該理論視戲劇為一種脫胎于神秘和宗教儀式的藝術(shù)?？茖W(xué)家們推論的過程可以簡(jiǎn)單地概括如下：在戲劇發(fā)展的早期，人們察覺到某種力量可以影響甚至操控其食物來(lái)源和生活狀態(tài)。由于缺乏對(duì)自然知識(shí)，人們便把一些合理或不合理的事情都?xì)w咎于超自然的或魔幻的力量，并試圖尋找各種能夠迎合這些力量的途徑。當(dāng)意識(shí)到自己的某些行為和期許的結(jié)果之間存在明顯的聯(lián)系后，人們便開始不斷重復(fù)，修正進(jìn)而完善這些行為，使之成為固定的典禮或宗教儀式。
神話故事逐漸圍繞這些儀式誕生出來(lái)，其中經(jīng)常囊括了宗教儀式所試圖影響的超自然力量的原型。在儀式或慶典舉行過程中，表演者們會(huì)穿上戲裝和面具來(lái)扮演神秘角色或超自然力量。然而，隨著人類變得更加精于世故，其對(duì)超自然力量和相關(guān)因果關(guān)系的定義發(fā)生了改變，因而人們選擇拋棄或修改某些儀式。但是，從儀式中發(fā)展起來(lái)的神話故事仍會(huì)不時(shí)從人們口中提及，甚至?xí)跊]有儀式需要的情況下繼續(xù)演繹。這樣，戲劇作為一項(xiàng)獨(dú)立活動(dòng)便邁出了第一步，其娛樂和審美價(jià)值開始逐漸取代人們先前對(duì)其神秘作用的關(guān)注。
盡管戲劇起源于宗教儀式的說法是目前最被大眾認(rèn)可的，但這并非戲劇起源的唯一定論。另一理論認(rèn)為戲劇源于說書彈詞，并認(rèn)為講述和聆聽故事是人類的基本樂趣。這樣，對(duì)某一事件(如打獵，戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)等)的回憶被講述者通過啞劇或模仿詳細(xì)化，最終故事的每一角色都被不同的人來(lái)?yè)?dān)任。
另外一相關(guān)理論認(rèn)為，戲劇主要是從啞劇舞蹈、有節(jié)奏的舞蹈、體操、或動(dòng)物聲音的模仿過程中逐漸演變而來(lái)。人們對(duì)于表演者技巧，精湛技術(shù)和優(yōu)雅的崇拜被認(rèn)為是一種激勵(lì)，它促使表演者將這些活動(dòng)精細(xì)化并使其最終成為夸張的戲劇表演。
除了探尋戲劇起源之外，一些學(xué)者還關(guān)注人類發(fā)展戲劇的動(dòng)機(jī)。為什么戲劇會(huì)發(fā)展?為什么在戲劇完全脫離宗教儀式后還被人們所欣賞?答案源于對(duì)人類心智和基本需求的理解。一種理論在公元前4世紀(jì)由亞里士多德提出，它認(rèn)為人類天生具有模仿性----通過模仿他人、
他物和動(dòng)作以及觀看這種模仿來(lái)獲得歡愉。另一在12世紀(jì)得到發(fā)展的理論認(rèn)為人類具有幻想的天賦，通過幻想人類試圖重塑現(xiàn)實(shí)，使其變得比現(xiàn)實(shí)生活中所遇到的更加令人滿意。因此，幻想和虛擬作品允許人們將他們的焦慮、恐懼具現(xiàn)化，并面對(duì)它們，同時(shí)滿足在現(xiàn)實(shí)中不能滿足的愿望。這樣，戲劇便成為人類定義生活，理解生活或者逃避痛苦現(xiàn)實(shí)的工具。
但是，無(wú)論是人類的模仿本能或是對(duì)幻想的嗜好都不能直接導(dǎo)致戲劇發(fā)展成為一門獨(dú)立的藝術(shù)，因此人們需要其它的解釋。戲劇發(fā)展的一個(gè)必要條件很可能是人類看待事物超脫性觀點(diǎn)的形成。例如，這種情況的一個(gè)標(biāo)志是喜劇觀點(diǎn)的出現(xiàn)，因?yàn)橄矂∫笕藗兂浞值貜耐纯嘀忻撾x，并將一些與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)看做滑稽可笑的而不是視其為對(duì)群體利益的巨大威脅。另一導(dǎo)致戲劇發(fā)展的條件是審美感的出現(xiàn)。例如，一些早期社會(huì)不再認(rèn)為特定儀式與他們的安康息息相關(guān)從而拋棄了這些儀式，然而，他們將圍繞儀式產(chǎn)生的神話變?yōu)榭陬^傳授傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并且對(duì)其所具有的藝術(shù)價(jià)值而不是宗教價(jià)值進(jìn)行贊美。
托福閱讀答案及題目解析
Key:
1. D2. A3. A4. D5. C6.C7. B8. D9. A10. B11. C12. D13. D14. 2 5 6
題目解析：
1. The word “championed” in the passage is closest in meaning to (Vocabulary Question)
A.Changed
B.Debated
C.Created
D.Supported
相關(guān)原句：The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual.( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：Championed意為“被支持的，被擁護(hù)的”，與“supported”同義，因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
2. The word “attributes” in the passage is closest in meaning to (Vocabulary Question)
A.Ascribes
B.Leaves
C.Limits
D.Contrasts
相關(guān)原句：Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces…( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：attribute意為“把…歸因于”，與“ascribe(歸因于，歸咎于)”同義，因此選擇A。
正確答案：A
3. According to paragraph 1, theories of the origins of theater(Factual Information Question)
A.Are mainly hypothetical
B.Are well supported by factual evidence
C.Have rarely been agreed upon by anthropologists
D.Were expressed in the early stages of theater’s development
相關(guān)原句：In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw. ( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：文中指出探究戲劇的發(fā)源主要依靠想象和推測(cè)(rely primarily on speculation)，因?yàn)槿鄙俅_切的證據(jù)(little concrete evidence)，也就是說關(guān)于戲劇起源的理論大都是猜測(cè)性的(hypothetical)因此選擇A。
正確答案：A
4. According to paragraph 1, why did some societies develop and repeat ceremonial actions? (Factual Information Question)
A.To establish a positive connection between the members of the society
B.To help society members better understand the forces controlling their food supply
C.To distinguish their beliefs from those of other societies
D.To increase the society’s prosperity
相關(guān)原句：Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals. ( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：由于認(rèn)為群體所表現(xiàn)的特定行為(certain actions)與其所期待的結(jié)果(the result it desires)有明顯聯(lián)系，該群體重復(fù)、修正并將這些行為正式化，使其成為固定的典禮或宗教儀式。因此早期社會(huì)之所以重復(fù)其儀式，是為了獲得其所期待的結(jié)果，如使社會(huì)更加繁榮之類。因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
5. The word “this” in the passage refers to (Reference Question)
A.The acting out of rites
B.The divorce of ritual performers from the rest of society
C.The separation of myths from rites
D.The celebration of supernatural forces
相關(guān)原句：But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity…(Paragraph 2)
本題解析：This 指代神話從儀式中脫離出來(lái)，這是獨(dú)立戲劇發(fā)展的第一步(may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites)，因此選擇C。
正確答案：C
6. The word “autonomous” in the passage is closest in meaning to(Vocabulary Question)
A.Artistic
B.Important
C.Independent
D.Established
相關(guān)原句：When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity…(Paragraph 2)
本題解析：autonomous意為“自治的，獨(dú)立的”，即指戲劇脫離了儀式單獨(dú)存在，因此選擇C。
正確答案：C
7. According to paragraph 2, what may cause societies to abandon certain rites? (Factual Information Question)
A.Emphasizing theater as entertainment
B.Developing a new understanding of why events occur.
C.Finding a more sophisticated way of representing mythical characters
D.Moving from a primarily oral tradition to a more written tradition
相關(guān)原句：As a people becomes more sophisticated, its conceptions of supernatural forces and causal relationships may change. As a result, it may abandon or modify some rites. (Paragraph 2)
本題解析：隨著人變得更加精明，他們對(duì)于超自然力量及其事情發(fā)生的因果關(guān)系有了新的認(rèn)識(shí)，從而使其放棄一些特定儀式。因此選擇B。
正確答案：B
8. All of following are mentioned in paragraph 5 as possible reasons that led societies to develop theater EXCEPT: (Negative Factual Information Question)
A.Theater allows people to face that they are afraid of.
B.Theater gives an opportunity to imagine a better reality.
C.Theater is a way to enjoy imitating other people.
D.Theater provides people the opportunity to better understand the human mind.
相關(guān)原句：One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations. (Paragraph 5)
Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life. (Paragraph 5)
Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact.(Paragraph 5)
本題解析：相關(guān)句指出戲劇使人們可以面對(duì)自己的恐懼(permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them);可以任憑想象創(chuàng)造更美好的現(xiàn)實(shí)(reshape reality into more satisfying forms);可以從模仿中找到樂趣(taking pleasure in imitating)。排除法選擇D。
正確答案：D
9. Which of the following best describes the organization of paragraph 5? (Factual Information Question)
A.The author presents two theories for a historical phenomenon.
B.The author argues against theories expressed earlier in the passage.
C.The author argues for replacing older theories with a new one.
DThe author points out problems with two popular theories.
本題解析：本段講述了學(xué)者們對(duì)于人類發(fā)展戲劇的動(dòng)機(jī)(historical phenomenon)的研究：一種理論認(rèn)為人類樂于模仿;另一種理論認(rèn)為人們通過戲劇進(jìn)行幻想(two theories)。因此選擇A。
正確答案：A
10.The word “penchant” in the passage is closest in meaning to (Vocabulary Question)
A.Compromise
B.Inclination
C.Tradition
D.Respect
相關(guān)原句：But neither the human imitative instinct nor a penchant for fantasy by itself leads to an autonomous theater.(Paragraph 6)
本題解析：penchant意為“強(qiáng)力的喜愛”，即對(duì)某一事物有“傾向性(inclination)”，因此選擇B。
正確答案：B
11.Why does the author mention “comedy”? (Rhetorical Purpose Question)
A.To give an example of early types of theater
B.To explain how theater helps a society respond to threats to its welfare
C.To help explain why detachment is needed for the development of theater
D.To show how theatrical performers become detached from other members of society.
相關(guān)原句：One necessary condition seems to be a somewhat detached view of human problems. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group. (Paragraph 6)
本題解析：本段指出獨(dú)立戲劇的發(fā)展還依賴于一種超脫觀點(diǎn)。例如，一個(gè)標(biāo)志是喜劇觀點(diǎn)(comic vision)的出現(xiàn)，因?yàn)橄矂?comedy)要求人們充分地從痛苦中脫離，并將一些與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)看做滑稽可笑的而不是視其為對(duì)群體利益的巨大威脅。因此文中提到“comedy”是為了解釋為何超脫觀點(diǎn)(detachment)對(duì)戲劇發(fā)展是重要的。選擇C。
正確答案：C
12.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? (Sentence Simplification Question)
A.A society’s rites were more likely to be retained in the oral tradition if its myths were admired for artistic qualities.
B.The artistic quality of a myth was sometimes an essential reason for a society to abandon it from the oral tradition.
C.Some early societies stopped using myths in their religious practices when rites ceased to be seen as useful for social well-being.
D.Myths sometimes survived in a society’s tradition because of their artistic qualities even after they were no longer deemed religiously beneficial.
相關(guān)原句：
For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness. (Paragraph 6,highlighted sentence)
本題解析：“they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths”為倒裝，實(shí)際上即“they retained the myths(that had grown up around the rites)as parts of their oral tradition”;
本句指出“一些早期社會(huì)不再認(rèn)為特定儀式與他們的安康息息相關(guān)從而拋棄了這些儀式，然而，他們將圍繞儀式產(chǎn)生的神話變?yōu)榭陬^傳授傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并且對(duì)其所具有的藝術(shù)價(jià)值而不是宗教價(jià)值進(jìn)行贊美(admired them for their artistic qualities)。”也就是說神話故事在失去宗教價(jià)值后以其藝術(shù)性得到了保留，因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
13.Look at the four squares [ █ ] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. (Insert Text Question)
To enhance their listener’s enjoyment, storytellers continually make their stores more engaging and memorable.
Where would the sentence best fit? Click on a square to add the sentence to the passage.
█(A)Although origin in ritual has long been the most popular, it is by no means the only theory about how the theater came into being.█(B) Storytelling has been proposed as one alternative. █(C)Under this theory, relating and listening to stories are seen as fundamental human pleasures.█(D) To enhance their listener’s enjoyment, storytellers continually make their stores more engaging and memorable. Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.
本題解析：插入句中的“to enhance(提升) their listener’s enjoyment”暗示著前一句中應(yīng)有關(guān)于“enjoyment”相關(guān)的內(nèi)容，這與“fundamental human pleasure”相對(duì)應(yīng);而“make their stories more engaging and memorable”與后句中“elaborated(精致化、細(xì)化) through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation”相對(duì)應(yīng)。因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
14.Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points. (Prose Summary Question)
Anthropologists have developed many theories to help understand why and how theater originated.
Answer choices
1.The presence of theater in almost all societies is thought to have occurred because early
story tellers traveled to different groups to tell their stores.
2.Many theorists believe that theater arises when societies act out myths to preserve social well-being.
3.The more sophisticated societies became, the better they could influence desirable occurrences through ritualized theater.
4.Some theories of theater development focus on how theater was used by group leaders to group leaders govern other members of society.
5.Theater may have come from pleasure humans receive from storytelling and moving rhythmically.
6.The human capacities for imitation and fantasy are considered possible reasons why societies develop theater.
本題解析：
該題考察對(duì)全文理解，注意正確答案應(yīng)陳述文章主要內(nèi)容----戲劇的誕生和發(fā)展的原因。
1.文中未提到“講故事者四處巡游講授故事 ”。1錯(cuò)誤。
2. 第1段中指出“The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual”，即最為廣泛接受的理論認(rèn)為戲劇來(lái)源于神話和宗教儀式;文章接著指出表演神話故事和舉行儀式是為了保佑社會(huì)的安康。2正確。
3.文章指出“隨著人們變得精明，他們對(duì)超自然力量有了新的認(rèn)識(shí)，不再盲目相信從而拋棄了一些儀式”，而并不是說“人們可以操縱現(xiàn)實(shí)(could influence desirable occurrences through ritualized theater)”。3錯(cuò)誤。
4.文中并未談及群體領(lǐng)袖利用戲劇來(lái)控制成員。4錯(cuò)誤。
5.文章3、4兩段指出了戲劇誕生的其他兩種理論，即戲劇發(fā)源于講故事和節(jié)奏性舞蹈，它們給人帶來(lái)歡愉。5正確。
6.文章第5段指出了人類的模仿本能和幻想本能很可能促進(jìn)了戲劇的進(jìn)一步發(fā)展。6正確。
正確答案：
2，5，6
段意及難句解析：
●第一段：
段意：
本段講述19世紀(jì)末20世紀(jì)初，人類學(xué)家猜測(cè)戲劇起源于神話和宗教儀式。
難句分析：
1. In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw.
短語(yǔ)：in seeking to：在尋求…的過程中
draw on：引用，憑借
分句：“little concrete evidence on which to draw”即“little concrete evidence to draw on”
釋義：即試圖描述戲劇的起源，人們必須主要依靠猜測(cè)，因?yàn)椴]有多少確切證據(jù)可以引用。
2. The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual.
短語(yǔ)：envision…as…：把……視為……
釋義：最為廣泛接受的理論得到了19世紀(jì)末20世紀(jì)初的人類學(xué)家們的擁護(hù)，該理論認(rèn)為戲劇來(lái)源于神話和宗教儀式。
3. Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces, and it searches for means to win the favor of these forces.
短語(yǔ)：attribute…to：把…歸因于
分句：“Having little understanding of natural causes”作原因狀語(yǔ)從句
釋義：由于缺少對(duì)自然原因的了解，社會(huì)將好的與不好的現(xiàn)象都?xì)w因于超自然的或者魔法力量，并且它尋求得到這股力量好感的方式。
4. Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals.
主干：Perceiving an connection between actions and the result,the group repeats,refines and formalizes actions into ceremonies or rituals
釋義：由于認(rèn)為群體所表現(xiàn)的特定行為與其所期待的結(jié)果有明顯聯(lián)系，該群體重復(fù)、修正并將這些行為正式化，使其成為固定的典禮或宗教儀式。
●第二段：
段意：
本段具體描述了隨著宗教儀式和神話的變化以及人類的成長(zhǎng)，戲劇逐漸從中脫離出來(lái)，娛樂和審美價(jià)值取代了迷信價(jià)值。
難句分析：
1. Frequently the myths include representatives of those supernatural forces that the rites celebrate or hope to influence.
分句：that the rites celebrate or hope to influence修飾supernatural forces，指儀式所試圖慶?；蛉ビ绊懙某匀涣α?BR> 主干：the myths include representatives of supernatural forces
釋義：神話中頻繁出現(xiàn)超自然力量的代表，這些力量正是儀式所試圖慶?；蛉ビ绊懙摹?BR> 2. But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites.
短語(yǔ)：be divorced from：與…遠(yuǎn)離，與…相脫節(jié)
分句：that have grown up around the rites修飾myths，指圍繞著儀式所產(chǎn)生的神話故事
主干：the myths may continue as…and may even come to be acted out…
釋義：但圍繞著儀式所產(chǎn)生的神話很可能繼續(xù)作為該群體口頭講述傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并甚至可能在與原有儀式相脫節(jié)的情況下依然被表現(xiàn)出來(lái)。
3. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity, and thereafter entertainment and aesthetic values may gradually replace the former mystical and socially efficacious concerns.
短語(yǔ)：be taken toward：向…邁進(jìn)
autonomous activity：自主活動(dòng)，autonomous原意為“自治的”，此處引申為“自主的”
entertainment and aesthetic values：(戲劇的)娛樂和審美價(jià)值
mystical and socially efficacious concerns：神話和迷信的觀點(diǎn)
釋義：當(dāng)這一情況發(fā)生時(shí)，戲劇作為自主活動(dòng)便邁出了第一步，接著其娛樂和審美價(jià)值會(huì)漸漸取代人們先前對(duì)其神話和迷信作用的關(guān)注。
●第三段：
段意：
本段提出了戲劇起源的另一理論：來(lái)自于講故事。
難句分析：
1. Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.
短語(yǔ)：be assumed by…：由…來(lái)?yè)?dān)任(角色)
主干：the recalling of an event is elaborated and being assumed by person
釋義：這樣，對(duì)某一事件(如打獵，戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)等)的回憶被講述者通過啞劇或模仿詳細(xì)化，最終故事的每一角色都被不同的人來(lái)?yè)?dān)任。
●第四段：
段意：
本段講述了又一戲劇起源的理論：來(lái)自于啞劇的、有節(jié)奏的、舞蹈以及對(duì)動(dòng)物形聲的模仿。
難句分析：
1. A closely related theory sees theater as evolving out of dances that are primarily pantomimic, rhythmical or gymnastic, or from imitations of animal noises and sounds.
短語(yǔ)：see…as…：把…視為…
evolve out of：從…進(jìn)化而來(lái)
主干：a theory sees theater as evolving out of dances or from imitations
釋義：一個(gè)與之緊密相關(guān)的理論認(rèn)為戲劇來(lái)源于舞蹈，這些舞蹈最初是啞劇的，有節(jié)奏的或者體操性質(zhì)的，亦或者來(lái)源于對(duì)動(dòng)物發(fā)出聲音的模仿。
2. Admiration for the performer’s skill, virtuosity, and grace are seen as motivation for elaborating the activities into fully realized theatrical performances.
主干：admiration are seen as motivation for elaborating the activities into performances
釋義：對(duì)于表演者技巧，精湛技術(shù)和優(yōu)雅的崇拜被認(rèn)為是一種激勵(lì)，它促使將這些活動(dòng)精致化并使其最終成為夸張的表演。
●第五段：
段意：
本段講述了學(xué)者們對(duì)于人類發(fā)展戲劇的動(dòng)機(jī)的研究：一種理論認(rèn)為人類樂于模仿;另一種理論認(rèn)為人們通過戲劇進(jìn)行幻想。
難句分析：
1. One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations.
短語(yǔ)：be set forth by…：由…提出
take pleasure in doing…：從…中獲得樂趣
主干：One sees human as imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating… and in seeing…
釋義：一種理論在公元前4世紀(jì)由亞里士多德提出，它認(rèn)為人類天生具有模仿性----通過模仿他人、他物和動(dòng)作以及觀看這種模仿來(lái)獲得歡愉。
2. Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life.
分句：“through which they seek to reshape…”作定語(yǔ)從句修飾fantasy
主干：Another suggests that human have a gift for fantansy
釋義：另一在12世紀(jì)得到發(fā)展的理論認(rèn)為人類具有幻想的天賦，通過幻想人類試圖重塑現(xiàn)實(shí)，使其變得比現(xiàn)實(shí)生活中所遇到的更加令人滿意。
3. Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact.
主干：fantasy or fiction permits people to objectify…,confront…and fulfill…
釋義：這樣，幻想和虛擬作品允許人們將他們的焦慮、恐懼具現(xiàn)化，并面對(duì)它們，同時(shí)滿足在現(xiàn)實(shí)中不能滿足的愿望。
4. The theater, then, is one tool whereby people define and understand their world or escape from unpleasant realities.
分句：whereby意為“據(jù)此”，“whereby people define and understand…”作定語(yǔ)修飾tool
主干：theater is one tool
釋義：這樣，戲劇便成為人類定義生活，理解生活或者逃避痛苦現(xiàn)實(shí)的工具。
●第六段：
段意：
本段講述了除模仿本能和幻想渴望之外促使戲劇獨(dú)立化的原因，包括對(duì)人類困苦的樂觀觀點(diǎn)以及審美的觀點(diǎn)。
難句分析：
1. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group.
詞匯：detachment原指“偏離”，此處指一種超脫的觀點(diǎn)
短語(yǔ)：deviations from social norms：指與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)
主干：one sign is the appearance of the comic vision,since comedy requires detachment to view deviation as ridiculous rather than as threats
釋義：例如，這種情況的一個(gè)標(biāo)志是喜劇觀點(diǎn)的出現(xiàn)，因?yàn)橄矂∫笕藗兂浞值貜耐纯嘀忻撾x，并將一些與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)看做滑稽可笑的而不是視其為對(duì)群體利益的巨大威脅。
2. For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness.
短語(yǔ)：cease to：停止(做某事)
retain… as…：將…作為…保留下來(lái)
分句：“they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites”為倒裝，實(shí)際上即“they retained the myths(that had grown up around the rites )as parts of their oral tradition”;
主干： some societies ceased to consider rites essential and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained myths as oral tradition and admired them
釋義：例如，一些早期社會(huì)不再認(rèn)為特定儀式與他們的安康息息相關(guān)從而拋棄了這些儀式，然而，他們將圍繞儀式產(chǎn)生的神話變?yōu)榭陬^傳授傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并且對(duì)其所具有的藝術(shù)價(jià)值而不是宗教價(jià)值進(jìn)行贊美。
4.28托福閱讀翻譯及答案解析：戲劇的起源
由于缺少具體材料，人們?cè)谘芯繎騽∑鹪磿r(shí)不得不主要依賴猜想。19世紀(jì)末20世紀(jì)初，一些人類學(xué)家支持的理論得到了世人的廣泛認(rèn)同，該理論視戲劇為一種脫胎于神秘和宗教儀式的藝術(shù)?？茖W(xué)家們推論的過程可以簡(jiǎn)單地概括如下：在戲劇發(fā)展的早期，人們察覺到某種力量可以影響甚至操控其食物來(lái)源和生活狀態(tài)。由于缺乏對(duì)自然知識(shí)，人們便把一些合理或不合理的事情都?xì)w咎于超自然的或魔幻的力量，并試圖尋找各種能夠迎合這些力量的途徑。當(dāng)意識(shí)到自己的某些行為和期許的結(jié)果之間存在明顯的聯(lián)系后，人們便開始不斷重復(fù)，修正進(jìn)而完善這些行為，使之成為固定的典禮或宗教儀式。
神話故事逐漸圍繞這些儀式誕生出來(lái)，其中經(jīng)常囊括了宗教儀式所試圖影響的超自然力量的原型。在儀式或慶典舉行過程中，表演者們會(huì)穿上戲裝和面具來(lái)扮演神秘角色或超自然力量。然而，隨著人類變得更加精于世故，其對(duì)超自然力量和相關(guān)因果關(guān)系的定義發(fā)生了改變，因而人們選擇拋棄或修改某些儀式。但是，從儀式中發(fā)展起來(lái)的神話故事仍會(huì)不時(shí)從人們口中提及，甚至?xí)跊]有儀式需要的情況下繼續(xù)演繹。這樣，戲劇作為一項(xiàng)獨(dú)立活動(dòng)便邁出了第一步，其娛樂和審美價(jià)值開始逐漸取代人們先前對(duì)其神秘作用的關(guān)注。
盡管戲劇起源于宗教儀式的說法是目前最被大眾認(rèn)可的，但這并非戲劇起源的唯一定論。另一理論認(rèn)為戲劇源于說書彈詞，并認(rèn)為講述和聆聽故事是人類的基本樂趣。這樣，對(duì)某一事件(如打獵，戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)等)的回憶被講述者通過啞劇或模仿詳細(xì)化，最終故事的每一角色都被不同的人來(lái)?yè)?dān)任。
另外一相關(guān)理論認(rèn)為，戲劇主要是從啞劇舞蹈、有節(jié)奏的舞蹈、體操、或動(dòng)物聲音的模仿過程中逐漸演變而來(lái)。人們對(duì)于表演者技巧，精湛技術(shù)和優(yōu)雅的崇拜被認(rèn)為是一種激勵(lì)，它促使表演者將這些活動(dòng)精細(xì)化并使其最終成為夸張的戲劇表演。
除了探尋戲劇起源之外，一些學(xué)者還關(guān)注人類發(fā)展戲劇的動(dòng)機(jī)。為什么戲劇會(huì)發(fā)展?為什么在戲劇完全脫離宗教儀式后還被人們所欣賞?答案源于對(duì)人類心智和基本需求的理解。一種理論在公元前4世紀(jì)由亞里士多德提出，它認(rèn)為人類天生具有模仿性----通過模仿他人、
他物和動(dòng)作以及觀看這種模仿來(lái)獲得歡愉。另一在12世紀(jì)得到發(fā)展的理論認(rèn)為人類具有幻想的天賦，通過幻想人類試圖重塑現(xiàn)實(shí)，使其變得比現(xiàn)實(shí)生活中所遇到的更加令人滿意。因此，幻想和虛擬作品允許人們將他們的焦慮、恐懼具現(xiàn)化，并面對(duì)它們，同時(shí)滿足在現(xiàn)實(shí)中不能滿足的愿望。這樣，戲劇便成為人類定義生活，理解生活或者逃避痛苦現(xiàn)實(shí)的工具。
但是，無(wú)論是人類的模仿本能或是對(duì)幻想的嗜好都不能直接導(dǎo)致戲劇發(fā)展成為一門獨(dú)立的藝術(shù)，因此人們需要其它的解釋。戲劇發(fā)展的一個(gè)必要條件很可能是人類看待事物超脫性觀點(diǎn)的形成。例如，這種情況的一個(gè)標(biāo)志是喜劇觀點(diǎn)的出現(xiàn)，因?yàn)橄矂∫笕藗兂浞值貜耐纯嘀忻撾x，并將一些與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)看做滑稽可笑的而不是視其為對(duì)群體利益的巨大威脅。另一導(dǎo)致戲劇發(fā)展的條件是審美感的出現(xiàn)。例如，一些早期社會(huì)不再認(rèn)為特定儀式與他們的安康息息相關(guān)從而拋棄了這些儀式，然而，他們將圍繞儀式產(chǎn)生的神話變?yōu)榭陬^傳授傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并且對(duì)其所具有的藝術(shù)價(jià)值而不是宗教價(jià)值進(jìn)行贊美。
托福閱讀答案及題目解析
Key:
1. D2. A3. A4. D5. C6.C7. B8. D9. A10. B11. C12. D13. D14. 2 5 6
題目解析：
1. The word “championed” in the passage is closest in meaning to (Vocabulary Question)
A.Changed
B.Debated
C.Created
D.Supported
相關(guān)原句：The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual.( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：Championed意為“被支持的，被擁護(hù)的”，與“supported”同義，因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
2. The word “attributes” in the passage is closest in meaning to (Vocabulary Question)
A.Ascribes
B.Leaves
C.Limits
D.Contrasts
相關(guān)原句：Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces…( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：attribute意為“把…歸因于”，與“ascribe(歸因于，歸咎于)”同義，因此選擇A。
正確答案：A
3. According to paragraph 1, theories of the origins of theater(Factual Information Question)
A.Are mainly hypothetical
B.Are well supported by factual evidence
C.Have rarely been agreed upon by anthropologists
D.Were expressed in the early stages of theater’s development
相關(guān)原句：In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw. ( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：文中指出探究戲劇的發(fā)源主要依靠想象和推測(cè)(rely primarily on speculation)，因?yàn)槿鄙俅_切的證據(jù)(little concrete evidence)，也就是說關(guān)于戲劇起源的理論大都是猜測(cè)性的(hypothetical)因此選擇A。
正確答案：A
4. According to paragraph 1, why did some societies develop and repeat ceremonial actions? (Factual Information Question)
A.To establish a positive connection between the members of the society
B.To help society members better understand the forces controlling their food supply
C.To distinguish their beliefs from those of other societies
D.To increase the society’s prosperity
相關(guān)原句：Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals. ( Paragraph 1)
本題解析：由于認(rèn)為群體所表現(xiàn)的特定行為(certain actions)與其所期待的結(jié)果(the result it desires)有明顯聯(lián)系，該群體重復(fù)、修正并將這些行為正式化，使其成為固定的典禮或宗教儀式。因此早期社會(huì)之所以重復(fù)其儀式，是為了獲得其所期待的結(jié)果，如使社會(huì)更加繁榮之類。因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
5. The word “this” in the passage refers to (Reference Question)
A.The acting out of rites
B.The divorce of ritual performers from the rest of society
C.The separation of myths from rites
D.The celebration of supernatural forces
相關(guān)原句：But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity…(Paragraph 2)
本題解析：This 指代神話從儀式中脫離出來(lái)，這是獨(dú)立戲劇發(fā)展的第一步(may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites)，因此選擇C。
正確答案：C
6. The word “autonomous” in the passage is closest in meaning to(Vocabulary Question)
A.Artistic
B.Important
C.Independent
D.Established
相關(guān)原句：When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity…(Paragraph 2)
本題解析：autonomous意為“自治的，獨(dú)立的”，即指戲劇脫離了儀式單獨(dú)存在，因此選擇C。
正確答案：C
7. According to paragraph 2, what may cause societies to abandon certain rites? (Factual Information Question)
A.Emphasizing theater as entertainment
B.Developing a new understanding of why events occur.
C.Finding a more sophisticated way of representing mythical characters
D.Moving from a primarily oral tradition to a more written tradition
相關(guān)原句：As a people becomes more sophisticated, its conceptions of supernatural forces and causal relationships may change. As a result, it may abandon or modify some rites. (Paragraph 2)
本題解析：隨著人變得更加精明，他們對(duì)于超自然力量及其事情發(fā)生的因果關(guān)系有了新的認(rèn)識(shí)，從而使其放棄一些特定儀式。因此選擇B。
正確答案：B
8. All of following are mentioned in paragraph 5 as possible reasons that led societies to develop theater EXCEPT: (Negative Factual Information Question)
A.Theater allows people to face that they are afraid of.
B.Theater gives an opportunity to imagine a better reality.
C.Theater is a way to enjoy imitating other people.
D.Theater provides people the opportunity to better understand the human mind.
相關(guān)原句：One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations. (Paragraph 5)
Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life. (Paragraph 5)
Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact.(Paragraph 5)
本題解析：相關(guān)句指出戲劇使人們可以面對(duì)自己的恐懼(permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them);可以任憑想象創(chuàng)造更美好的現(xiàn)實(shí)(reshape reality into more satisfying forms);可以從模仿中找到樂趣(taking pleasure in imitating)。排除法選擇D。
正確答案：D
9. Which of the following best describes the organization of paragraph 5? (Factual Information Question)
A.The author presents two theories for a historical phenomenon.
B.The author argues against theories expressed earlier in the passage.
C.The author argues for replacing older theories with a new one.
DThe author points out problems with two popular theories.
本題解析：本段講述了學(xué)者們對(duì)于人類發(fā)展戲劇的動(dòng)機(jī)(historical phenomenon)的研究：一種理論認(rèn)為人類樂于模仿;另一種理論認(rèn)為人們通過戲劇進(jìn)行幻想(two theories)。因此選擇A。
正確答案：A
10.The word “penchant” in the passage is closest in meaning to (Vocabulary Question)
A.Compromise
B.Inclination
C.Tradition
D.Respect
相關(guān)原句：But neither the human imitative instinct nor a penchant for fantasy by itself leads to an autonomous theater.(Paragraph 6)
本題解析：penchant意為“強(qiáng)力的喜愛”，即對(duì)某一事物有“傾向性(inclination)”，因此選擇B。
正確答案：B
11.Why does the author mention “comedy”? (Rhetorical Purpose Question)
A.To give an example of early types of theater
B.To explain how theater helps a society respond to threats to its welfare
C.To help explain why detachment is needed for the development of theater
D.To show how theatrical performers become detached from other members of society.
相關(guān)原句：One necessary condition seems to be a somewhat detached view of human problems. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group. (Paragraph 6)
本題解析：本段指出獨(dú)立戲劇的發(fā)展還依賴于一種超脫觀點(diǎn)。例如，一個(gè)標(biāo)志是喜劇觀點(diǎn)(comic vision)的出現(xiàn)，因?yàn)橄矂?comedy)要求人們充分地從痛苦中脫離，并將一些與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)看做滑稽可笑的而不是視其為對(duì)群體利益的巨大威脅。因此文中提到“comedy”是為了解釋為何超脫觀點(diǎn)(detachment)對(duì)戲劇發(fā)展是重要的。選擇C。
正確答案：C
12.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? (Sentence Simplification Question)
A.A society’s rites were more likely to be retained in the oral tradition if its myths were admired for artistic qualities.
B.The artistic quality of a myth was sometimes an essential reason for a society to abandon it from the oral tradition.
C.Some early societies stopped using myths in their religious practices when rites ceased to be seen as useful for social well-being.
D.Myths sometimes survived in a society’s tradition because of their artistic qualities even after they were no longer deemed religiously beneficial.
相關(guān)原句：
For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness. (Paragraph 6,highlighted sentence)
本題解析：“they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths”為倒裝，實(shí)際上即“they retained the myths(that had grown up around the rites)as parts of their oral tradition”;
本句指出“一些早期社會(huì)不再認(rèn)為特定儀式與他們的安康息息相關(guān)從而拋棄了這些儀式，然而，他們將圍繞儀式產(chǎn)生的神話變?yōu)榭陬^傳授傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并且對(duì)其所具有的藝術(shù)價(jià)值而不是宗教價(jià)值進(jìn)行贊美(admired them for their artistic qualities)。”也就是說神話故事在失去宗教價(jià)值后以其藝術(shù)性得到了保留，因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
13.Look at the four squares [ █ ] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. (Insert Text Question)
To enhance their listener’s enjoyment, storytellers continually make their stores more engaging and memorable.
Where would the sentence best fit? Click on a square to add the sentence to the passage.
█(A)Although origin in ritual has long been the most popular, it is by no means the only theory about how the theater came into being.█(B) Storytelling has been proposed as one alternative. █(C)Under this theory, relating and listening to stories are seen as fundamental human pleasures.█(D) To enhance their listener’s enjoyment, storytellers continually make their stores more engaging and memorable. Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.
本題解析：插入句中的“to enhance(提升) their listener’s enjoyment”暗示著前一句中應(yīng)有關(guān)于“enjoyment”相關(guān)的內(nèi)容，這與“fundamental human pleasure”相對(duì)應(yīng);而“make their stories more engaging and memorable”與后句中“elaborated(精致化、細(xì)化) through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation”相對(duì)應(yīng)。因此選擇D。
正確答案：D
14.Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points. (Prose Summary Question)
Anthropologists have developed many theories to help understand why and how theater originated.
Answer choices
1.The presence of theater in almost all societies is thought to have occurred because early
story tellers traveled to different groups to tell their stores.
2.Many theorists believe that theater arises when societies act out myths to preserve social well-being.
3.The more sophisticated societies became, the better they could influence desirable occurrences through ritualized theater.
4.Some theories of theater development focus on how theater was used by group leaders to group leaders govern other members of society.
5.Theater may have come from pleasure humans receive from storytelling and moving rhythmically.
6.The human capacities for imitation and fantasy are considered possible reasons why societies develop theater.
本題解析：
該題考察對(duì)全文理解，注意正確答案應(yīng)陳述文章主要內(nèi)容----戲劇的誕生和發(fā)展的原因。
1.文中未提到“講故事者四處巡游講授故事 ”。1錯(cuò)誤。
2. 第1段中指出“The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual”，即最為廣泛接受的理論認(rèn)為戲劇來(lái)源于神話和宗教儀式;文章接著指出表演神話故事和舉行儀式是為了保佑社會(huì)的安康。2正確。
3.文章指出“隨著人們變得精明，他們對(duì)超自然力量有了新的認(rèn)識(shí)，不再盲目相信從而拋棄了一些儀式”，而并不是說“人們可以操縱現(xiàn)實(shí)(could influence desirable occurrences through ritualized theater)”。3錯(cuò)誤。
4.文中并未談及群體領(lǐng)袖利用戲劇來(lái)控制成員。4錯(cuò)誤。
5.文章3、4兩段指出了戲劇誕生的其他兩種理論，即戲劇發(fā)源于講故事和節(jié)奏性舞蹈，它們給人帶來(lái)歡愉。5正確。
6.文章第5段指出了人類的模仿本能和幻想本能很可能促進(jìn)了戲劇的進(jìn)一步發(fā)展。6正確。
正確答案：
2，5，6
段意及難句解析：
●第一段：
段意：
本段講述19世紀(jì)末20世紀(jì)初，人類學(xué)家猜測(cè)戲劇起源于神話和宗教儀式。
難句分析：
1. In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw.
短語(yǔ)：in seeking to：在尋求…的過程中
draw on：引用，憑借
分句：“little concrete evidence on which to draw”即“little concrete evidence to draw on”
釋義：即試圖描述戲劇的起源，人們必須主要依靠猜測(cè)，因?yàn)椴]有多少確切證據(jù)可以引用。
2. The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual.
短語(yǔ)：envision…as…：把……視為……
釋義：最為廣泛接受的理論得到了19世紀(jì)末20世紀(jì)初的人類學(xué)家們的擁護(hù)，該理論認(rèn)為戲劇來(lái)源于神話和宗教儀式。
3. Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces, and it searches for means to win the favor of these forces.
短語(yǔ)：attribute…to：把…歸因于
分句：“Having little understanding of natural causes”作原因狀語(yǔ)從句
釋義：由于缺少對(duì)自然原因的了解，社會(huì)將好的與不好的現(xiàn)象都?xì)w因于超自然的或者魔法力量，并且它尋求得到這股力量好感的方式。
4. Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals.
主干：Perceiving an connection between actions and the result,the group repeats,refines and formalizes actions into ceremonies or rituals
釋義：由于認(rèn)為群體所表現(xiàn)的特定行為與其所期待的結(jié)果有明顯聯(lián)系，該群體重復(fù)、修正并將這些行為正式化，使其成為固定的典禮或宗教儀式。
●第二段：
段意：
本段具體描述了隨著宗教儀式和神話的變化以及人類的成長(zhǎng)，戲劇逐漸從中脫離出來(lái)，娛樂和審美價(jià)值取代了迷信價(jià)值。
難句分析：
1. Frequently the myths include representatives of those supernatural forces that the rites celebrate or hope to influence.
分句：that the rites celebrate or hope to influence修飾supernatural forces，指儀式所試圖慶?；蛉ビ绊懙某匀涣α?BR> 主干：the myths include representatives of supernatural forces
釋義：神話中頻繁出現(xiàn)超自然力量的代表，這些力量正是儀式所試圖慶?；蛉ビ绊懙摹?BR> 2. But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites.
短語(yǔ)：be divorced from：與…遠(yuǎn)離，與…相脫節(jié)
分句：that have grown up around the rites修飾myths，指圍繞著儀式所產(chǎn)生的神話故事
主干：the myths may continue as…and may even come to be acted out…
釋義：但圍繞著儀式所產(chǎn)生的神話很可能繼續(xù)作為該群體口頭講述傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并甚至可能在與原有儀式相脫節(jié)的情況下依然被表現(xiàn)出來(lái)。
3. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity, and thereafter entertainment and aesthetic values may gradually replace the former mystical and socially efficacious concerns.
短語(yǔ)：be taken toward：向…邁進(jìn)
autonomous activity：自主活動(dòng)，autonomous原意為“自治的”，此處引申為“自主的”
entertainment and aesthetic values：(戲劇的)娛樂和審美價(jià)值
mystical and socially efficacious concerns：神話和迷信的觀點(diǎn)
釋義：當(dāng)這一情況發(fā)生時(shí)，戲劇作為自主活動(dòng)便邁出了第一步，接著其娛樂和審美價(jià)值會(huì)漸漸取代人們先前對(duì)其神話和迷信作用的關(guān)注。
●第三段：
段意：
本段提出了戲劇起源的另一理論：來(lái)自于講故事。
難句分析：
1. Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.
短語(yǔ)：be assumed by…：由…來(lái)?yè)?dān)任(角色)
主干：the recalling of an event is elaborated and being assumed by person
釋義：這樣，對(duì)某一事件(如打獵，戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)等)的回憶被講述者通過啞劇或模仿詳細(xì)化，最終故事的每一角色都被不同的人來(lái)?yè)?dān)任。
●第四段：
段意：
本段講述了又一戲劇起源的理論：來(lái)自于啞劇的、有節(jié)奏的、舞蹈以及對(duì)動(dòng)物形聲的模仿。
難句分析：
1. A closely related theory sees theater as evolving out of dances that are primarily pantomimic, rhythmical or gymnastic, or from imitations of animal noises and sounds.
短語(yǔ)：see…as…：把…視為…
evolve out of：從…進(jìn)化而來(lái)
主干：a theory sees theater as evolving out of dances or from imitations
釋義：一個(gè)與之緊密相關(guān)的理論認(rèn)為戲劇來(lái)源于舞蹈，這些舞蹈最初是啞劇的，有節(jié)奏的或者體操性質(zhì)的，亦或者來(lái)源于對(duì)動(dòng)物發(fā)出聲音的模仿。
2. Admiration for the performer’s skill, virtuosity, and grace are seen as motivation for elaborating the activities into fully realized theatrical performances.
主干：admiration are seen as motivation for elaborating the activities into performances
釋義：對(duì)于表演者技巧，精湛技術(shù)和優(yōu)雅的崇拜被認(rèn)為是一種激勵(lì)，它促使將這些活動(dòng)精致化并使其最終成為夸張的表演。
●第五段：
段意：
本段講述了學(xué)者們對(duì)于人類發(fā)展戲劇的動(dòng)機(jī)的研究：一種理論認(rèn)為人類樂于模仿;另一種理論認(rèn)為人們通過戲劇進(jìn)行幻想。
難句分析：
1. One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations.
短語(yǔ)：be set forth by…：由…提出
take pleasure in doing…：從…中獲得樂趣
主干：One sees human as imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating… and in seeing…
釋義：一種理論在公元前4世紀(jì)由亞里士多德提出，它認(rèn)為人類天生具有模仿性----通過模仿他人、他物和動(dòng)作以及觀看這種模仿來(lái)獲得歡愉。
2. Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life.
分句：“through which they seek to reshape…”作定語(yǔ)從句修飾fantasy
主干：Another suggests that human have a gift for fantansy
釋義：另一在12世紀(jì)得到發(fā)展的理論認(rèn)為人類具有幻想的天賦，通過幻想人類試圖重塑現(xiàn)實(shí)，使其變得比現(xiàn)實(shí)生活中所遇到的更加令人滿意。
3. Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact.
主干：fantasy or fiction permits people to objectify…,confront…and fulfill…
釋義：這樣，幻想和虛擬作品允許人們將他們的焦慮、恐懼具現(xiàn)化，并面對(duì)它們，同時(shí)滿足在現(xiàn)實(shí)中不能滿足的愿望。
4. The theater, then, is one tool whereby people define and understand their world or escape from unpleasant realities.
分句：whereby意為“據(jù)此”，“whereby people define and understand…”作定語(yǔ)修飾tool
主干：theater is one tool
釋義：這樣，戲劇便成為人類定義生活，理解生活或者逃避痛苦現(xiàn)實(shí)的工具。
●第六段：
段意：
本段講述了除模仿本能和幻想渴望之外促使戲劇獨(dú)立化的原因，包括對(duì)人類困苦的樂觀觀點(diǎn)以及審美的觀點(diǎn)。
難句分析：
1. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group.
詞匯：detachment原指“偏離”，此處指一種超脫的觀點(diǎn)
短語(yǔ)：deviations from social norms：指與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)
主干：one sign is the appearance of the comic vision,since comedy requires detachment to view deviation as ridiculous rather than as threats
釋義：例如，這種情況的一個(gè)標(biāo)志是喜劇觀點(diǎn)的出現(xiàn)，因?yàn)橄矂∫笕藗兂浞值貜耐纯嘀忻撾x，并將一些與社會(huì)準(zhǔn)則相偏離的表現(xiàn)看做滑稽可笑的而不是視其為對(duì)群體利益的巨大威脅。
2. For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness.
短語(yǔ)：cease to：停止(做某事)
retain… as…：將…作為…保留下來(lái)
分句：“they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites”為倒裝，實(shí)際上即“they retained the myths(that had grown up around the rites )as parts of their oral tradition”;
主干： some societies ceased to consider rites essential and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained myths as oral tradition and admired them
釋義：例如，一些早期社會(huì)不再認(rèn)為特定儀式與他們的安康息息相關(guān)從而拋棄了這些儀式，然而，他們將圍繞儀式產(chǎn)生的神話變?yōu)榭陬^傳授傳統(tǒng)的一部分，并且對(duì)其所具有的藝術(shù)價(jià)值而不是宗教價(jià)值進(jìn)行贊美。