閱讀材料的題材分析
根據(jù)考試大綱的規(guī)定，四級閱讀文章應(yīng)當(dāng)體現(xiàn)題材廣泛的特點(diǎn)，但所涉及的背景知識應(yīng)能為學(xué)生所理解?？v觀1997～ 2002年全真閱讀試題，在出現(xiàn)的近60篇短文中，涉及人文類題材的(包括文化、歷史、教育、文學(xué)、風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣、音樂等)共計 30篇，占總數(shù)的50%；社科類題材的(如社會學(xué)、心理學(xué)、經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)等)約占25%，其余為科普類短文?！?BR> 上述統(tǒng)計表明，盡管閱讀文章題材廣泛，但從學(xué)科劃分的大類分析，又表現(xiàn)為相對集中的特征，即學(xué)生較為熟悉的人文類、社科類題材約占總數(shù)的3／4，而涉及一定科學(xué)常識、學(xué)生較為陌生的科普題材(如自然科學(xué)、生命科學(xué))只約占總數(shù)的1／4。由此可見，四級閱讀篇章基本為常見題材，應(yīng)在學(xué)生的掌握范圍之內(nèi)。但應(yīng)注意近幾年科普類閱讀文章有所增加。
就體裁而言，雖然大綱規(guī)定了閱讀短文體裁應(yīng)體現(xiàn)多樣化，但從歷年全真題來看，體裁為議論文和說明文的短文占到將近90%，描寫文也有一定的數(shù)量?！?BR> 綜上所述，四級全真考題題材與體裁分布特征明顯。在題材難度不大的情況下，考生可以集中精力探討一下英語議論文和說明文的文體特征和論證手法，以培養(yǎng)正確的閱讀和解題思路?！?BR> 閱讀材料的體裁分析
一篇好的閱讀短文應(yīng)當(dāng)自成一體(self-contained)，其中的觀點(diǎn)和論據(jù)都應(yīng)與主題或中心思想密切相關(guān)，即所謂形式上的銜接性與內(nèi)容上的連貫性。無論是議論文還是說明文，都有一個貫穿全文的主線：引論-本論-結(jié)論。讀者如果在閱讀過程中始終把握這一主線，并且圍繞主線判斷細(xì)節(jié)與事實(shí)，那么無論什么樣的提問，都可迎刃而解?！?BR> 1.議論文的結(jié)構(gòu)特征及論證方法
議論文的目的是"說服"，即作者力圖使讀者同意并支持其觀點(diǎn)，或駁斥某一觀點(diǎn)。一篇好的議論文必須具備以下基本的結(jié)構(gòu)特征：(1)有一個有爭議的觀點(diǎn)；(2)有充足的證據(jù)；(3)邏輯性強(qiáng)。掌握以上三個特征，讀者在閱讀某篇短文時自會有一個明確的判斷并采取相應(yīng)的對策。請看以下實(shí)例：
【例文1】(CET-4 2001年6月Passage Two)
Sport is not only physically challenging,but it can also be mentally challenging.Criticism from coaches,parents,and other teammates,as well as pressure to win can create an excessive amount of anxiety or stress for young athletes.Stress can be physical,emotional,or psychological,and research has indicated that it can lead to burnout.Burnout has been described as dropping or quitting of an activity that was at one time enjoyable.
The early years of development are critical years for learning about oneself. The sport setting is one where valuable experiences can take place.Young athletes can,for example,learn how to cooperate with others,make friends,and gain other social skills that will be used throughout their lives.Coaches and parents should be aware,at all times,that their feedback to youngsters can greatly affect their children. Youngsters may take their parents' and coaches' criticisms to heart and find a flaw in themselves.
Coaches and parents should also be cautious that youth sport participation does not become work for children.The outcome of the game should not be more important than the process of learning the sport and other life lessons.In today's youth sport setting,young athletes may be worrying more about who will win instead of enjoying themselves and the sport.Following a game,many parents and coaches focus on the outcome and find fault with youngsters' performances.Positive reinforcement should be provided regardless of the outcome. Research indicates that positive reinforcement motivates and has a greater effect on learning than criticism.Again,criticism can create high levels of stress,which can lead to burnout.
這是一篇較為典型的論說文。本文先是論及父母、教練的批評對年輕運(yùn)動員所產(chǎn)生的壓力，而身體、感情、心理等的壓力會導(dǎo)致運(yùn)動員們精疲力竭，從而從反面強(qiáng)調(diào)了對孩子們進(jìn)行正面強(qiáng)化教育的重要意義。本文的論證主線如上文劃線部分所示。作者在第一段首先提出了自己要論證的主題(Sport is not only physically challenging，but it can also be mentally challenging.)，接著在第二、三段以正反兩方面的典型事例進(jìn)行論證，并在后一段與第一段首尾呼應(yīng)地指出父母和教練的批評會使孩子們高度緊張，而緊張會使他們精疲力竭。從而不言而喻地得出結(jié)論：父母和教練應(yīng)給予孩子們更多的正面強(qiáng)化教育。由此可知，整篇文章采取總-分-總的推理法，其結(jié)構(gòu)清晰、邏輯性強(qiáng)?！?BR> 議論文的論證方式就四級考試而言主要采用兩種：演繹法和歸納法。演繹法是指從一般陳述開始，后得出具體、特殊的結(jié)論，是一種從一般到個別的推理方法；歸納法是指從個別實(shí)例出發(fā)，后得出一般性結(jié)論，是一種從個別到一般的推理方法。從近年全真閱讀短文中出現(xiàn)的議論文來看，大部分采用演繹法推理。了解四級閱讀短文中議論文的比重及其論證結(jié)構(gòu)有助于考生有意識地加強(qiáng)這方面的辨別和分析能力，使自己在解題過程中注意把握主線，理清作者的論證思路，從而克服忙亂和盲目心理，增強(qiáng)做題的理性和邏輯性?！?BR> 2.說明文的結(jié)構(gòu)特征與說明方法
說明文的目的是"告知"，即告訴人們某事并對其加以解釋，以便讀者了解。它與議論文的根本區(qū)別在于客觀、真實(shí)，重細(xì)節(jié)描述，輕抽象評論。其語言多采用客觀性詞語(objective words)，較少使用主觀判斷詞語(subjective words)，如表示個人喜惡的形容詞、副詞等。因此這類文章對考生來說，相對容易掌握?！?BR> 說明文的結(jié)構(gòu)特征和說明方法與議論文有異曲同工之處，也常采用演繹法和歸納法，只不過與議論文相比，歸納法在說明文中的使用相對要多些。請看另一實(shí)例：
【例文2】(CET-4 2001年6月Passage Three)
Humanity uses a little less than half the water available worldwide.Yet occurrences of shortages and droughts are causing famine and distress in some areas,and individual and agricultural by-products are polluting water supplies.Since the world's population is expected to double in the next 50 years,many experts think we are on the edge of a widespread water crisis.
But that doesn't have to be the outcome.Water shortages do not have to trouble the world-if we start valuing water more than we have in the past.Just as we began to appreciate petroleum more after the 1970s oil crises,today we must start looking at water from a fresh economic perspective.We can no longer afford to consider water a virtually free resource of which we can use as much as we like in any way we want.
Instead,for all uses except the domestic demand of the poor,governments should price water to reflect its actual value.This means charging a fee for the water itself as well as for the supply costs.
Governments should also protect this resource by providing water in more economically and environmentally sound ways. For example,often the cheapest way to provide irrigation water in the dry tropics is through small-scale projects,such as gathering rainfall in depressions and pumping it to nearby cropland.
No matter what steps governments take to provide water more efficiently,they must change their institutional and legal approaches to water use.Rather than spread control among hundreds or even thousands of local,regional,and national agencies that watch various aspects of water use, countries should setup central authorities to coordinate water policy.
本文闡述了人類在利用水資源方面存在的問題及解決辦法。作者在第一段首先指出人類所面臨的潛在用水危機(jī)的問題。在第二段開始，作者運(yùn)用了轉(zhuǎn)折連詞"But"引出了本文的主題：我們必須從現(xiàn)在開始珍惜水資源，否則水資源短缺將會給人類帶來麻煩。作者在以后的三個自然段里分別闡述了一些具體的措施來保護(hù)人類現(xiàn)有的水資源?！?BR> 在說明方法上，本文采用了分述-總述的歸納法，引導(dǎo)考生從具體事實(shí)歸納出一般的結(jié)論?！?BR> 一般而言，重描述的說明文考細(xì)節(jié)問題更多些，所以考生面對這類文章應(yīng)當(dāng)較有信心?！?BR> (文/溫州職業(yè)技術(shù)學(xué)院 李紹斌; 英語輔導(dǎo)報大學(xué)一年級版03~04學(xué)年第13期;版權(quán)歸英語輔導(dǎo)報社所有，網(wǎng)絡(luò)合作伙伴新浪教育，未經(jīng)許可，不得以任何形式進(jìn)行轉(zhuǎn)載。)
根據(jù)考試大綱的規(guī)定，四級閱讀文章應(yīng)當(dāng)體現(xiàn)題材廣泛的特點(diǎn)，但所涉及的背景知識應(yīng)能為學(xué)生所理解?？v觀1997～ 2002年全真閱讀試題，在出現(xiàn)的近60篇短文中，涉及人文類題材的(包括文化、歷史、教育、文學(xué)、風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣、音樂等)共計 30篇，占總數(shù)的50%；社科類題材的(如社會學(xué)、心理學(xué)、經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)等)約占25%，其余為科普類短文?！?BR> 上述統(tǒng)計表明，盡管閱讀文章題材廣泛，但從學(xué)科劃分的大類分析，又表現(xiàn)為相對集中的特征，即學(xué)生較為熟悉的人文類、社科類題材約占總數(shù)的3／4，而涉及一定科學(xué)常識、學(xué)生較為陌生的科普題材(如自然科學(xué)、生命科學(xué))只約占總數(shù)的1／4。由此可見，四級閱讀篇章基本為常見題材，應(yīng)在學(xué)生的掌握范圍之內(nèi)。但應(yīng)注意近幾年科普類閱讀文章有所增加。
就體裁而言，雖然大綱規(guī)定了閱讀短文體裁應(yīng)體現(xiàn)多樣化，但從歷年全真題來看，體裁為議論文和說明文的短文占到將近90%，描寫文也有一定的數(shù)量?！?BR> 綜上所述，四級全真考題題材與體裁分布特征明顯。在題材難度不大的情況下，考生可以集中精力探討一下英語議論文和說明文的文體特征和論證手法，以培養(yǎng)正確的閱讀和解題思路?！?BR> 閱讀材料的體裁分析
一篇好的閱讀短文應(yīng)當(dāng)自成一體(self-contained)，其中的觀點(diǎn)和論據(jù)都應(yīng)與主題或中心思想密切相關(guān)，即所謂形式上的銜接性與內(nèi)容上的連貫性。無論是議論文還是說明文，都有一個貫穿全文的主線：引論-本論-結(jié)論。讀者如果在閱讀過程中始終把握這一主線，并且圍繞主線判斷細(xì)節(jié)與事實(shí)，那么無論什么樣的提問，都可迎刃而解?！?BR> 1.議論文的結(jié)構(gòu)特征及論證方法
議論文的目的是"說服"，即作者力圖使讀者同意并支持其觀點(diǎn)，或駁斥某一觀點(diǎn)。一篇好的議論文必須具備以下基本的結(jié)構(gòu)特征：(1)有一個有爭議的觀點(diǎn)；(2)有充足的證據(jù)；(3)邏輯性強(qiáng)。掌握以上三個特征，讀者在閱讀某篇短文時自會有一個明確的判斷并采取相應(yīng)的對策。請看以下實(shí)例：
【例文1】(CET-4 2001年6月Passage Two)
Sport is not only physically challenging,but it can also be mentally challenging.Criticism from coaches,parents,and other teammates,as well as pressure to win can create an excessive amount of anxiety or stress for young athletes.Stress can be physical,emotional,or psychological,and research has indicated that it can lead to burnout.Burnout has been described as dropping or quitting of an activity that was at one time enjoyable.
The early years of development are critical years for learning about oneself. The sport setting is one where valuable experiences can take place.Young athletes can,for example,learn how to cooperate with others,make friends,and gain other social skills that will be used throughout their lives.Coaches and parents should be aware,at all times,that their feedback to youngsters can greatly affect their children. Youngsters may take their parents' and coaches' criticisms to heart and find a flaw in themselves.
Coaches and parents should also be cautious that youth sport participation does not become work for children.The outcome of the game should not be more important than the process of learning the sport and other life lessons.In today's youth sport setting,young athletes may be worrying more about who will win instead of enjoying themselves and the sport.Following a game,many parents and coaches focus on the outcome and find fault with youngsters' performances.Positive reinforcement should be provided regardless of the outcome. Research indicates that positive reinforcement motivates and has a greater effect on learning than criticism.Again,criticism can create high levels of stress,which can lead to burnout.
這是一篇較為典型的論說文。本文先是論及父母、教練的批評對年輕運(yùn)動員所產(chǎn)生的壓力，而身體、感情、心理等的壓力會導(dǎo)致運(yùn)動員們精疲力竭，從而從反面強(qiáng)調(diào)了對孩子們進(jìn)行正面強(qiáng)化教育的重要意義。本文的論證主線如上文劃線部分所示。作者在第一段首先提出了自己要論證的主題(Sport is not only physically challenging，but it can also be mentally challenging.)，接著在第二、三段以正反兩方面的典型事例進(jìn)行論證，并在后一段與第一段首尾呼應(yīng)地指出父母和教練的批評會使孩子們高度緊張，而緊張會使他們精疲力竭。從而不言而喻地得出結(jié)論：父母和教練應(yīng)給予孩子們更多的正面強(qiáng)化教育。由此可知，整篇文章采取總-分-總的推理法，其結(jié)構(gòu)清晰、邏輯性強(qiáng)?！?BR> 議論文的論證方式就四級考試而言主要采用兩種：演繹法和歸納法。演繹法是指從一般陳述開始，后得出具體、特殊的結(jié)論，是一種從一般到個別的推理方法；歸納法是指從個別實(shí)例出發(fā)，后得出一般性結(jié)論，是一種從個別到一般的推理方法。從近年全真閱讀短文中出現(xiàn)的議論文來看，大部分采用演繹法推理。了解四級閱讀短文中議論文的比重及其論證結(jié)構(gòu)有助于考生有意識地加強(qiáng)這方面的辨別和分析能力，使自己在解題過程中注意把握主線，理清作者的論證思路，從而克服忙亂和盲目心理，增強(qiáng)做題的理性和邏輯性?！?BR> 2.說明文的結(jié)構(gòu)特征與說明方法
說明文的目的是"告知"，即告訴人們某事并對其加以解釋，以便讀者了解。它與議論文的根本區(qū)別在于客觀、真實(shí)，重細(xì)節(jié)描述，輕抽象評論。其語言多采用客觀性詞語(objective words)，較少使用主觀判斷詞語(subjective words)，如表示個人喜惡的形容詞、副詞等。因此這類文章對考生來說，相對容易掌握?！?BR> 說明文的結(jié)構(gòu)特征和說明方法與議論文有異曲同工之處，也常采用演繹法和歸納法，只不過與議論文相比，歸納法在說明文中的使用相對要多些。請看另一實(shí)例：
【例文2】(CET-4 2001年6月Passage Three)
Humanity uses a little less than half the water available worldwide.Yet occurrences of shortages and droughts are causing famine and distress in some areas,and individual and agricultural by-products are polluting water supplies.Since the world's population is expected to double in the next 50 years,many experts think we are on the edge of a widespread water crisis.
But that doesn't have to be the outcome.Water shortages do not have to trouble the world-if we start valuing water more than we have in the past.Just as we began to appreciate petroleum more after the 1970s oil crises,today we must start looking at water from a fresh economic perspective.We can no longer afford to consider water a virtually free resource of which we can use as much as we like in any way we want.
Instead,for all uses except the domestic demand of the poor,governments should price water to reflect its actual value.This means charging a fee for the water itself as well as for the supply costs.
Governments should also protect this resource by providing water in more economically and environmentally sound ways. For example,often the cheapest way to provide irrigation water in the dry tropics is through small-scale projects,such as gathering rainfall in depressions and pumping it to nearby cropland.
No matter what steps governments take to provide water more efficiently,they must change their institutional and legal approaches to water use.Rather than spread control among hundreds or even thousands of local,regional,and national agencies that watch various aspects of water use, countries should setup central authorities to coordinate water policy.
本文闡述了人類在利用水資源方面存在的問題及解決辦法。作者在第一段首先指出人類所面臨的潛在用水危機(jī)的問題。在第二段開始，作者運(yùn)用了轉(zhuǎn)折連詞"But"引出了本文的主題：我們必須從現(xiàn)在開始珍惜水資源，否則水資源短缺將會給人類帶來麻煩。作者在以后的三個自然段里分別闡述了一些具體的措施來保護(hù)人類現(xiàn)有的水資源?！?BR> 在說明方法上，本文采用了分述-總述的歸納法，引導(dǎo)考生從具體事實(shí)歸納出一般的結(jié)論?！?BR> 一般而言，重描述的說明文考細(xì)節(jié)問題更多些，所以考生面對這類文章應(yīng)當(dāng)較有信心?！?BR> (文/溫州職業(yè)技術(shù)學(xué)院 李紹斌; 英語輔導(dǎo)報大學(xué)一年級版03~04學(xué)年第13期;版權(quán)歸英語輔導(dǎo)報社所有，網(wǎng)絡(luò)合作伙伴新浪教育，未經(jīng)許可，不得以任何形式進(jìn)行轉(zhuǎn)載。)