文章结构类考题
➢ 文章结构类题的分类
所谓文章结构类考题，是指只有在通读原文的基础上才可以解答的题目。这种题目主要有两种类型：一种是主题类题，另一种是态度类题。这两种类型的题目都考查考生对篇章结构的整体把握，在逻辑上区分哪些语言范围广泛，引领主题；哪些语言细致入微地进行了解释说明；哪些是作者的观点；哪些又体现了作者的写作意图。这取决于考生能否把握文章的写作结构和脉络层次，只有了解了这一点，才能比较准确地确定应该选择哪个答案。
在阅读文章时有意识地加强对文章写作思路和结构组织安排的理解，掌握英语文章常见的几种写作结构，对迅速增强考试的应对能力是非常有帮助的。
通过对考试中出现的众多文章结构特点进行分析后不难发现，如果结构完整的话，不论这些文章的话题是什么，说明文和议论文体裁的文章都遵循着这样一个共同的模式：引入话题（即引子部分）——中心议题（即主题句）——分论点（说明扩展句）——得出结论（即主题句）。请考生以下表为模板，并详读表格说明，结合例题来熟悉文章的结构。
文章结构分类表
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表格说明：
（1）除了分论点部分，其余各项都可以不存在。比如，如果没有引子，那么这篇文章就是“总—分—总”结构；如果没有开头的主题句，那么这篇文章就是“分—总”结构；如果没有最后的中心句，那么这篇文章就是“总—分”结构；如果没有主题句而只有分论点的话，那么这篇文章采取的就是并列结构。对文章结构特点的把握有助于考生更加自觉地关注文章的开始和结尾，分清观点和事例，从而在阅读理解的考试中准确定位，快速答题。
（2）中心句也就是中心议题句，可能是第一句，也可能是最后一句，甚至可能是段中的某句（如表格中的引子结构出现的时候）。那么该如何判断主题句呢？它又有哪些特点呢？
1）判断首句是否是主题句，要看后面的句子是否围绕其展开。如果能够按照“文章结构分类表”看出分论点和首句的逻辑关系，那么就可以基本确定首句是主题句了。而如果首句是后面内容的铺垫，则可以判定它为引子。
2）具有归纳性、概括性、抽象性等特点。
3）多次在原文中重复。
（3）根据分论点和主题句的逻辑关系，可以把文章分成如下几种结构类型。只要考生能够把文章与如下类型的模板相对应，就说明考生已经基本掌握文章的主题。
1）描述性结构：主要介绍事物、问题或倾向的特点，对人物的描述如传记类文章，包括人物的身体特征、家庭背景、成长过程、个性爱好、成就贡献等，因此遇到此类文章时，时间、地点往往是出题重点。
2）释义性结构：解释某一理论、学科、事物，主要用例子进行比喻、类比、阐述。
3）比较性结构：把两个人或事物的功能、特点、优缺点进行对比。
4）原因性结构：这种结构主要分析事物的成因，是客观的还是主观的，直接的还是间接的。
5）问题解决性结构：文章开头提出存在的问题，然后论述如何解决该问题。
6）驳斥性结构：这种结构主要是先介绍一种观点，然后对其进行评论或驳斥，再分析其优点、缺点和危害性，最后阐明自己的观点。
➢ 文章结构类题的例题解析
为了让考生对该表格的内容有更加形象的了解，请看下面的具体解析。
1.How型文章
例文：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
【解析】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。基本可以判定这是“How型文章”，即作者马上就要论述它的作用如何大。接着，分别由in the first place及then并列了两个具体的方面，并展开讨论。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，考生要特别注意此例中提到的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，准确而全面地理解文章。
2.转折结构型文章
例文：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
【解析】作者从一则电视机的广告入手，引入主题，然后用However进行转折，介绍了降价推销的惯用手段，称为bait and switch（廉价出售某种不打算出卖的商品，意在诱人购买昂贵的物品），属于我们模板中的转折结构。最后作者总结出自己的真正意图，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。转折法会将段落的主题句安排在段落的中间。例如：For adults a cold is not that serious.However，this is not the case for children.Cold symptoms in children may be signs of more serious diseases and should be given prompt medical attention.
本段主题句为第二句，因为However后面的内容才是作者真正的看法，并在下文中进一步做了说明。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。
3.递进式文章
例文：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 intentionally.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 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.
【解析】这篇文章共有4段，谈的是肢体语言。第一段是递进式段落，第一句和第二句是引子，从肢体语言引入其作用，然后举例具体论述这些作用。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，与第一段的中心句相呼应。因此正确答案应是A项。
4.例证型文章
例文：And yet，the myth of controlling the waters persists.This week，in the heart of civilized Europe，Slovaks and Hungarians stopped just short of sending in the troops in their contention over a dam on the Danube.The huge complex will probably have all the usual problems of big dams.But Slovakia is bidding for independence from the Czechs，and now needs a dam to prove itself.
What is the myth concerning giant dams？
A.They bring in more fertile soil.
B.They help defend the country.
C.They strengthen international ties.
D.They have universal control of the waters.
【解析】主题句为“And yet，the myth of controlling the waters persists.（控制该河段水域的神话依然继续着。）”下面的句子是两个具体例子说明主题句。属于例证型文章。所以D项“它们有对河流水域的完全控制权”正确。
从这些例题当中可以看出，绝大部分的文章都遵循前面所讲到的“文章结构分类表”中的模板，考生的任务无非是通过看懂英文的一些语义，把这个表格套在实际的文章中，找到主题句，理解分论点和主题句之间的逻辑关系，判断是问题解决型文章，还是例证型文章，或是果因型文章等。只要把握这些就可以掌握文章的结构。
（一）主题类考题
1.主题类题的解题流程
主题类题是阅读考试中必然会出现的一类重点题目，它所考查的是考生能否看懂文章的结构脉络，也就是第一节讲到的文章结构分类表。建议考生在完成细节类题的时候，顺便查找各段的中心句，然后把所有的细节信息忘掉，对比在阅读时找到的各段的中心句，确定全文的中心句，最后解答主题类的题目。这样既可以节约时间，又可以保证正确率。
具体的解题流程如下：
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这五步当中最重要的是第二步、第三步和第五步。对于刚刚开始练习主题类题的考生来说，不可凭自己对一篇文章的感觉和对细节类题的印象来做题，这些都是选错答案的主要原因。有的考生怕耽误太多时间，这没有关系。在一定的练习后，思维会逐渐形成固定模式，对文章结构分类表了然于胸，对整个做题过程形成条件反射，那样做题速度自然会提高。
2.主题类题的考点及例题解析
在了解了主题类题的做题步骤和文章篇章结构的准备知识后，考生就可以把自己想象成出题人，考虑一下可以设置哪些障碍，这些障碍也就是主题类题的考点所在。现将这些考点总结在下面的表格中，再用例题一一讲解。
➢ 障碍的设置出现在两个环节：一个是找中心句的环节，另一个是和答案进行对比的环节。在找中心句的过程中，转折结构和“总—分、分—总”命题是重点，大约占到80%左右，而递进结构和无主题句的情况较少。
➢ 要注意95%的考题都是要求考生寻找主题句，而不是自己总结主要内容。只有在记叙文和无主题句的情况下，考生才可以引入自己的想法，进行提炼概括。下面用具体的例题分析上面讲解的知识点。
（1）转折结构命题
例文：Nowadays，we hear a lot about the growing threat of globalization，accompanied by those warnings that the rich pattern of local life is being undermined，and many dialects and traditions are becoming extinct.But stop and think for a moment about the many positive aspects that globalization is bringing.Read on and you are bound to feel comforted，ready to face the global future，which is surely inevitable now.
Consider the Internet，that prime example of our shrinking world.Leaving aside the all-to-familiar worries about pornography and political extremism，even the most narrow-minded must admit that the net offers immeasurable benefits，not just in terms of education，the sector for which it was originally designed，but more importantly on a global level，the spread of news and comment.It will be increasingly difficult for politicians to maintain their regimes of misinformation，as the oppressed will not only find support and comfort，but also be able to organize themselves more effectively.
MTV is another global provider that is often criticized for imposing popular culture on the unsuspecting millions around the world.Yet the viewers’judgment on MTV is undoubtedly positive；it is regarded as indispensable by most of the global teenage generation who watch it，a vital part of growing up.And in the final analysis，what harm can a few songs and videos cause？
Is the world dominance of brands like Nike and Coca-Cola so bad for us，when all is said and done？Sportswear and soft drinks are harmless products when compared to the many other things that have been globally available for a longer period of time—heroin and cocaine，for example.In any case，just because Nike shoes and Coke cans are for sale，it doesn’t mean you have to buy them—even globalization cannot deprive the individual of his free will.
Critics of globalization can stop issuing their doom and gloom statements.Life goes on，and has more to offer for many citizens of the world than it did for their parents’generation.
Which of the following could be the best title of the passage？
A.Globalization Is Standardization
B.Globalization：Like It or Lump It
C.Globalization：Don’t Worry，Be Happy
D.Globalization Brings Equality
【解析】在分析这篇文章的时候，请结合第一节中的文章结构分类表。在这篇文章的首段中出现了明显的转折词，这说明第一句和第二句提出了两种对立的观点，but连接了两个明显的转折关系的句子，意思是“当今我们听到了很多关于全球化带来的负面影响，但是我们冷静片刻就会发现全球化也有许多积极的因素”。
分论点部分是第二段、第三段和第四段，作者运用例证法来论证全球化与Internet，MTV，Nike一样利弊共存，但从总体上说是利大于弊。而且从文章的整体来看，作者支持后者的观点，也就是说全球化更多带来的是积极的影响。所以C为正确答案。
A选项指出“全球化是标准化”，与全文不符合，因此是错误的。B是“喜欢全球化，或是忍受它”，这个选项很具有迷惑性，因为它明显是从正反两个方面论证的。可是它与全文的中心议题不相符，因为全文虽然谈到了全球化利弊的两面性，但它们不是并列的关系，作者明显偏重转折后的论点，即对于全球化应该以乐观的态度去接受。
结合前面讲到的首段提出中心议题，再注意转折词，就可以很快地找到答案。请考生密切关注下面一些表示转折的词汇，它们后面引导的句子往往是作者真正的意图。例如：however，nevertheless，on the other hand，still，unfortunately等。
（2）递进和“分—总”结构命题
例文：Next week，as millions of families gather for their Thanksgiving（感恩节）feasts，many other Americans will go without.According to the United States Department of Agriculture，more than 12 million households lack enough food for everyone in their family at some time during the year—including holidays.
Hunger is surprisingly widespread in our country—one of the world’s wealthiest—yet the government estimates that we waste almost 100 billion pounds of food each year，more than one-quarter of our total supply.
Reducing this improper distribution of resources is a goal of America’s Second Harvest，the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.Last year，it distributed nearly 2 billion pounds of food to more than 23 million people in need.
America’s Second Harvest is a network of 214 inter-connected food banks and other organizations that gather food from growers，processors，grocery stores and restaurants.In turn，the network distributes food to some 50，000 soup kitchens，homeless shelters and old people’s centers in every county of every state.
A great deal of work is involved in distributing tons of food from thousands of donors（捐赠者）to hundreds of small，nonprofit organizations.Until a few years ago，America’s Second Harvest lacked any effective way to manage their inventory.Without accurate and timely information，soup kitchens were sometimes empty while food was left to spoil in loading places.
In 2000，America’s Second Harvest began to use a new inventory and financial-management system—Ceres.It is software designed specifically for hunger-relief operations.It is used by more than 100 America’s Second Harvest organizations to track food from donation to distribution.
Ceres has helped reduce the spoiling of food and improve distribution.An evaluation found that the software streamlined food banks’operations by 23 percent in the first year alone.With more accurate and timely reports，Ceres saves time，flees staff members to focus on finding new donors，and promises more efficient use of donations.
Hunger in America remains a troubling social problem.Technology alone cannot solve it.But in the hands of organizations such as America’s Second Harvest，it is a powerful tool that is helping to make a difference—and helping more Americans to join in the feast.
The main idea of the passage is that____.
A.technology can help in the fight against hunger
B.America’s Second Harvest has found more donors
C.America’s Second Harvest promotes the development of technology
D.hunger is a problem even in the wealthiest country in the world
【解析】这篇文章既体现了递进式结构，又体现了“总—分、分—总”的命题思路。文章第一段描述了一个具体事例，more than 12 million households lack enough food for everyone；第二段的中心句提出了这个例子要说明的论点，即“饥饿仍然是美国存在的问题”，然后解释了这个问题的原因，即we waste almost 100 billion pounds of food each year（浪费太多）。如果考生十分熟悉文章结构表，可知后面将要论述如何解决这个问题。所以第一段和第二段是一个引子，本文是“问题解决型”文章。
第三段果然提出了美国的Second Harvest这个组织，试图来解决这个问题；第四段是对Second Harvest的简介；第五段提出他们分发捐赠物的方法；第六段简单介绍Ceres；第七段指出Ceres的重要作用，围绕第六段展开；最后一段利用转折关系进行全文的总结。所以全文的中心句是But it is a powerful tool that is helping to make a difference，it就是前文的technology，故正确答案应该选择A。选项B和C从内容上看，都是细节型答案；而选项D是文章的引子，而非主题。
考生可以从这篇文章中体会出递进式论述和“分—总”的逻辑关系。由于第一段是例子，那它就不应该是主题。作者提出饥饿问题是为了引出解决的办法，即科技。这篇文章层层铺垫进行论述，因此，与其相关的主题类题有一定的难度。
（3）“总—分”结构命题
例文：The science of meteorology is concerned with the study of the structure state，and behavior of the atmosphere.The subject may be approached from several directions，but the scene cannot be fully appreciated from any point.
One may consider the condition of the atmosphere at a given moment and attempt to predict changes from that condition over a period of a few hours to a few days ahead.This approach is covered by the branch of the science called synoptic（天气图的）meteorology.
Synoptic meteorology is the scientific basis of the technique of weather forecasting by means of preparation and analysis of weather maps，which cannot be overestimated.In serving the needs of shipping，aviation，agriculture，industry，and many other interests and fields of human activity with accurate weather warnings and professional forecast advice，great benefits are reaped in terms of the saving of human life and property and in economic advantages of various kinds.One important purpose of the science of meteorology is constantly to strive，through advanced study and research，to increase our knowledge of the atmosphere with the aim of improving the accuracy of weather forecasts.
The tools needed to advance our knowledge in this way are the disciplines of mathematics and physics applied to solve meteorological problems.The use of these tools forms that branch of the science called dynamic meteorology.
Which of the following is the best title for the passage？
A.The Limitation of Meteorological Forecasting
B.New Advances in Synoptic Meteorology
C.Approaches to the Science of Meteorology
D.The Basics of Dynamic Meteorology
【解析】本文是一个典型的“总—分”结构文章。文章第一句The science of meteorology is concerned with
提出了一种“M科学”的定义。考生根本就不需要理解meteorology到底是什么意思，只要知道它是个专有名词即可。然后文章指出The subject may be approached from several directions
，意思是：“它可以通过很多途径进行研究”。紧接下来的各段就在论述这些途径到底有哪些，和主题句是什么关系。第二段提出synoptic meteorology，第三段解释说明这种途径；第四段提出dynamic meteorology。掌握了一定技巧的同学可以从线索词中发现正确答案。根据文章中多次提到的approach，science of meteorology可以很容易发现答案。A“气象预报的局限性”，这是文章分论点的一部分，不可以成为主旨。B“气象科学的进展”，这个选项是干扰项，仔细查看首尾段，我们会发现，文章讨论的主题是气象学的研究途径。D出现在文章的最后，是文章的分论点。因此正确答案是C。(https://www.daowen.com)
（4）全文没有中心句的文章概括题
例文：Americans usually consider themselves a friendly people.Their friendships，however，tend to be shorter and more casual than friendships among people from other cultures.It is not uncommon for Americans to have only one close friend during their life-time，and consider other“friends”to be just social acquaintances.This attitude probably has something to do with American mobility and the fact that Americans do not like to be dependent on other people.They tend to“compartmentalize”（划分）friendships，having “friends at work”，“friends on the softball team”，“family friends”，etc.
Because the United States is a highly active society，full of movement and change，people always seem to be on the go.In this highly charged atmosphere，Americans can sometimes seem brusque or impatient.They want to get to know you as quickly as possible and then move on to something else.Sometimes，early on，they will ask you questions that you may feel are very personal.No insult is intended；the questions usually grow out of their genuine interest or curiosity，and their impatience to get to the heart of the matter.And the same does for you.If you do not understand certain American behavior or you want to know more about them，do not hesitate to ask them questions about themselves.Americans are usually more eager to explain all about their country or anything“American”in which you may be interested.So much so in fact that you may become tired of listening.It doesn’t matter because Americans tend to be uncomfortable with silence during a conversation.They would rather talk about the weather or the latest sports scores，for example，than deal with silence.
On the other hand，don’t expect Americans to be knowledgeable about international geography or world affairs，unless those subjects directly involve the United States.Because the United States is not surrounded by many other nations，some Americans tend to ignore the rest of the world.
The general topic of the passage is____.
A.American culture B.American society
C.Americans’activities D.Americans’personality
【解析】这篇文章各段落是并列的关系，没有全文的主题句。首段提到了friendships，指明了美国式友谊的特点是随意、短暂，并对友谊进行了分类；引子部分属于结构表中的转折关系，注意线索词however后面的一句话指出与其他国家文化不同的是美国式友谊趋向于短暂和随意。分论点部分为因果关系。第二段揭示了这种美国式行为的特点是节奏快、缺乏耐心、喜欢谈论而不是沉默，以及这些特点形成的原因。最后一段指出美国人的另外一个特性：一些美国人会漠视其他国家的存在。于是不难发现这三段的中心句是并列关系，再经过总结提炼就可以找出答案。
可以首先排除B“美国社会”和C“美国人的行为”，这两个答案缩小了外延，均属于文章的细节。在A“美国文化”和D“美国人的个性”中，通过对比发现D的范围比A要小。而通观全文，一直论述的是美国人，而不是美国，所以D是正确答案，而A扩大了外延。应当特别注意的是：考生在总结和概括的时候切忌按自己的主观意愿扩大或缩小文章主旨的外延。同时，这道例题也为下面讨论“范围外延”的混淆项做了一个铺垫。
（5）概括和具体之间的区别
在这组例题当中，希望考生能够从逻辑上了解“范围”的意思，培养识别主题和细节的能力。同时，又不能随意扩大主题句的范畴。
中心句是文章中最基本、最具概括性的信息。这种信息应能归纳和概括文中其他信息所具有的共性。
例1：Choose the most general word.
A.chemist B.physicist C.scientist D.biologist
【解析】该问题要求找出最具概括性的词。C项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.
【解析】A、C和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四条信息，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，那么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 away from sources 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-ship 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.
【解析】A、B、C只是文章中的具体内容，如果作为主题，其范围太窄了。只有D才能概括全文要说明的问题，因此D是本文的主要思想。
例4：Read the following passage 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
【解析】该问题中，A泛指经济规律，范围过宽；C和D只是供需规则的两个单独方面，不能包含全部，范围太窄。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
【解析】该问题中，B只是文中提到的一项具体内容，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。
（6）答案对全文中心句偷换概念
例文：If you intend using humor in your talk to make people smile，you must know how to identify shared experiences and problems.Your humor must be relevant to the audience and should help to show them that you are one of them or that you understand their situation and are in sympathy with their point of view.Depending on whom you are addressing，the problems will be different.If you are talking to a group of managers，you may refer to the disorganized methods of their secretaries；alternatively if you are addressing secretaries，you may want to comment on their disorganized bosses.Here is an example，which I heard at a nurses’convention，of a story which works well because the audience all shared the same view of doctors.A man arrives in heaven and is being shown around by St.Peter.He sees wonderful accommodations，beautiful gardens，sunny weather，and so on.Everyone is very peaceful，polite and friendly until，waiting in a line for lunch，the new arrival is suddenly pushed aside by a man in a white coat，who rushes to the head of the line，grabs his food and stomps over to a table by himself.“Who is that？”the new arrival asked St.Peter.“Oh，that’s God，”came the reply，“but sometimes he thinks he’s a doctor.”
The best title for the text may be“____”.
A.Use Humor Effectively B.Various Kinds of Humor
C.Add Humor to Speech D.Different Humor Strategies
【解析】本文的中心句在第一句，“If you intend using humor in your talk to make people smile，you must know how to identify shared experiences and problems.（如果你想在谈话中使用幽默，令人发笑，那么你就要识别出你们共同的经历和问题。）”第二句话解释了为什么要这样做，和中心论点是因果关系。由此，我们首先排除了B项“不同种类的幽默”和D项“不同的幽默策略”，因为它们和中心句没有关系。而C项“增加幽默到谈话中”偷换了中心句里面的动词，原文是using humor in your talk而不是add Humor，所以正确答案是A“有效使用幽默”。如何有效使用幽默，就是要识别共同的经历和问题。
在将全文中心句和答案进行比较时，考生要十分仔细，看看哪个答案和原文最接近。通常这样的答案中包含几个原文中的原词，或者原词的近义词，这样的答案就叫作原文的正确改写型答案。
（二）态度类考题
1.态度类题的解题流程及考点
态度也就是评价。态度之中，以作者的态度尤为值得关注，因为它反映了作者对事物的评价是肯定的还是否定的。这些评价决定了这些事物存在的价值和意义。
态度类题在最后的考试中数量并不是很多，最多也就2～3道。而且态度类题的考点也比较系统，现将解题流程和考点合并在下列表格中。
（1）转折结构处命题是态度类题最常见的形式，大约占60%。所以当考生看到态度类题时，第一反应就是转折，找上下文的转折连词，切不可由于大意而错过真正的态度句。
（2）第二大类的题就是原文有优缺点句的类型，大约占30%。在说明文和议论文中，尽管作者没有直接说I think
，I believe
等，但如果有一些隐晦的说法，也可以判断其态度。作者通常通过副词状语或者形容词定语来表述态度，由于这些表述一般都比较隐蔽，不经过反复练习和强化很难形成挖掘它们的习惯。因此，在初期进行阅读练习的时候，读者可以试着圈出那些能表达作者褒贬态度的词汇，时间久了，就能形成关注它们的习惯了。
1）能表明态度的特征词通常如下：
➢ 有感情色彩的形容词：accessible，accurate，approval，popular，novel，unrealistic等。
➢ 一些副词：fortunately，unfortunately，merely，only，unhappily，falsely等。
➢ 有感情色彩的动词和词组：mislead，overestimate，fail to，oversimplify，be blind to，advocate等。
➢ 一些固定名词：limitation，misconception，omission，shortcoming等。
2）下面通过两个例句来论述这个问题：
➢ After careful examination of the constitutional issues involved，the mayor，responding to the people’s wishes，has announced that he will take immediate action.
➢ After hesitating for as long as he dared to，and taking refuge in the ambiguities of the constitution，the mayor has at long last yielded to pressure and grudgingly agreed to try to do something.
第一句和第二句内容基本相同，但第一句对市长的态度是肯定的，因为careful examination表示认真负责的态度，responding to the people’s wishes，take immediate action表示积极的态度。而第二句对市长的态度是否定的，因为hesitating for as long as表示犹豫不决、尽量拖延的态度，taking refuge in反映逃避、回避矛盾的态度，has at long last yielded to pressure和grudgingly agreed表示采取行动是被迫的。
（3）双方观点型文章和混合态度命题较少，大约占5%。
2.态度类题的例题解析
下面结合例文的具体语境，分析态度类题的命题点之所在。
（1）转折结构处命题
例文：Taking charge of yourself involves putting to rest some very prevalent myths.At the top of the list is the notion that intelligence is measured by your ability to solve complex problems：to read，write and compute at certain levels，and to resolve abstract equations quickly.This vision of intelligence asserts formal education and bookish excellence as the true measures of self-fulfillment.It encourages a kind of intellectual prejudice that has brought with it some discouraging results.We have come to believe that someone who has more educational merit badges，who is very good at some form of school discipline is“intelligent”.Yet mental hospitals are filled with patients who have all of the properly lettered certificates.A truer indicator of intelligence is an effective，happy life lived each day and each present moment of every day.
According to the author，the conventional notion of intelligence measured in terms of one’s ability to write and compute is____.
A.is a widely held but wrong concept
B.will help eliminate intellectual prejudice
C.is the root of all mental distress
D.will contribute to one’s self-fulfillment
【解析】根据题干中的关键信息notion of intelligence measured in terms of one’s ability to write and compute（用读写能力衡量智商的观点），可以在段落的第二句定位到相关信息。如果能够读懂第一句话，就可以直接判断出这是一个转折结构，“Taking charge of yourself involves putting to rest some very prevalent myths.（能够管理好自己就意味着放弃流行的观点）”。下面紧接着写出，最流行的观点就是At the top of the list
这正是题干中的内容，所以应该选择A“广泛接受却是错误的”。
而考生多半并不认识put
to rest这个词组，也无法辨认出分词词组的分裂结构，正常的语序是put myths to rest。如果这样就要继续读下去。后面几句话都是具体解释这种观点的内容，直到本段倒数第二句话，作者用yet进行转折，又列举出精神病医院的例子，从而引入其真正的观点：A truer indicator of intelligence is an effective，happy life（对智力更加准确的衡量是看一个人能否快乐而有意义地生活着），由此我们可以得出正确答案是A。C选项“精神疾病的根源”是一个比较大的迷惑项。选择该选项的人进行了自我引申，原文根本没有提到精神病的根源是什么，是考生自己在这两个现象上建立了因果关系。自我引申是我们在阅读理解中做错题的原因之一。
（2）识别优缺点句
例文：Nursing at Beth Israel Hospital produces the best patient care possible.If we are to solve the nursing shortage（不足），hospital administration and doctors everywhere would do well to follow Beth Israel’s example.
At Beth Israel each patient is assigned to a primary nurse who visits at length with the patient and constructs a full-scale health account that covers everything from his medical history to his emotional state.Then she writes a care plan centered on the patient’s illness but which also includes everything else that is necessary.
The primary nurse stays with the patient through his hospitalization，keeping track with his progress and seeking further advice from his doctor.If a patient at Beth Israel is not responding to treatment，it is not uncommon for his nurse to propose another approach to his doctor.What the doctor at Beth Israel has in the primary nurse is a true colleague.
Nursing at Beth Israel also involves a decentralized（分散的）nursing administration；every floor，every unit is a self-contained organization.There are nurse-managers instead of head nurses；in addition to their medical duties they do all their own hiring and dismissing，employee advising，and they make salary recommendations.Each unit’s nurses decide among themselves who will work what shifts and when.
Beth Israel’s nurse-in-chief ranks as an equal with other vice presidents of the hospital.She also is a member of the Medical Executive Committee，which in most hospitals includes only doctors.
The author’s attitude towards the nursing system at Beth Israel Hospital is____.
A.negative B.neutral C.critical D.positive
【解析】从文章的首段就可以看出作者的观点是正面的，在前面已经介绍过说明文中对优点的判断为正面态度。第二段和第三段具体介绍了护士对于病人全程接诊的过程，指出了这种护理方式给病人带来的好处；第四段和第五段介绍了护士的管理方式和在医院中的地位及作用。从文章的整体来判断作者的态度是积极的，所以D是正确答案。
（3）双方观点型文章——主客观命题
例文：In ancient Greek，the term euthanatos meant“easy death”.Today euthanasia（安乐死）generally refers to mercy killing，the voluntary（自愿）ending of the life of someone who is terminally ill.Like abortion，euthanasia has become a legal，medical and moral issue over which opinion is divided.
Euthanasia can be either active or passive.Active euthanasia means that a physician or other medical personnel takes an action that will result in death，such as giving an overdose of deadly medicine.Passive euthanasia means letting a patient die for lack of treatment，or stopping the treatment that has begun.Examples of passive euthanasia include taking patients off a breathing machine or removing other life-support systems.Stopping the food supply is also considered passive.
A good deal of the debate about mercy killing originates from the decision-making process.Who decides whether a patient is to die？This issue has not been solved legally in the United States.The matter is left to state law，which usually allows the physician in charge to suggest the option of death to a patient’s relatives，especially if the patient is brain dead.In an attempt to make decisions about when their own lives should end，several terminally ill patients in the early 1990s used a controversial suicide device，developed by Dr.Jack Kevorkian，to end their lives.
In parts of Europe，the decision-making process has become very flexible.Even in cases where the patients are not brain dead，patients have been put to death without their approval at the request of relatives or at the suggestion of physicians.Many cases of passive euthanasia involve old people or newborn infants.The principle justifying this practice is that such individuals have a“life not worthy of life”.
In countries where passive euthanasia is not legal，the court systems have proved very tolerant in dealing with medical personnel who practice it.In Japan，for example，if physicians follow certain guidelines they may actively carry out mercy killings on hopelessly ill people.Courts have also been somewhat tolerant of friends or relatives who have assisted terminally ill patients to die.
The attitude of the writer toward euthanasia is____.
A.negative B.positive C.objective D.casual
【解析】从文章的首段很难看出作者对于安乐死的态度，因为作者只是十分客观地给出了安乐死的定义；第二段介绍了安乐死的方法；第三段以美国和欧洲国家为例说明由谁来决定采取安乐死的方法。通读全文可以发现这篇文章属于双方观点型文章，前面提到：在双方观点型文章中，要看有无作者的观点，判断是主观还是客观。阅读之后，也没有找到作者对于安乐死的肯定或否定的态度，所以我们可以推断出作者的态度是客观的。故C是正确答案。
（4）混合态度命题
例文：Computers manipulate information，but information is invisible.There’s nothing to see or touch.The programmer decides what you see on the screen.Computers don’t have knobs like old radios.They don’t have buttons，not real buttons.Instead，more and more programs display pictures of buttons，moving even further into abstraction and arbitrariness.I like computers，but I hope they will disappear，that they will seem as strange to our descendants as the technologies of our grandparents appear to us.Today’s computers are indeed getting easier to us，but look where they started：so difficult that almost any improvement was welcome.
Concerning the author’s attitude towards computers，which of the following is most suitable？
A.He doubts the convenience of computers.
B.He loves them，but proposes to change them.
C.He doesn’t like them at all，but has to rely on it for his job.
D.He is dissatisfied with nowadays technological development.
【解析】本题的态度句是“I like computers，but I hope they will disappear
”，是明显的混合态度。A项没有错误，作者的确十分怀疑计算机的方便性，这点我们可以从字里行间中体会出来，比如“moving even further into abstraction and arbitrariness（进一步走向抽象和随意）”。但是B项更加符合原文的混合态度，既喜欢又讨厌，因此是most suitable的答案。正是考虑到此，出题人才问：“Which of the following is most suitable？”
Tips：
较高境界的阅读是把注意力集中在作者的思想上，而非个别零碎的单词上。比如读到but的时候，应当能够预见下一句的意思与上一句的不同，意思相反。如果能够抓住作者的思路及文章的脉络，这样就会越读越明白，而不会只见树木，不见森林。为了做到这点，需要熟练掌握如下知识点：
➢ 考试文章的常见脉络
● 时间顺序：按时间的先后说明某一理论的发展或某一研究成果由过去至现在的情况。
● 一般→具体：首段作总的说明，其他段落分别说明或具体论述首段观点。
● 具体→一般：前面几段分别说明，末段总结。
● 对比：以进行对比的两个事物之间的基本共同点或差异为主题展开。
➢ 根据分论点和主题句之间的逻辑关系，文章又可以分为：
● 问题解决型文章（见主题类题例2——科技解决美国饥饿）。
● 因果型文章（见主题类题例2的第2段——解释饥饿的原因）。
● 转折型文章（见主题类题例1——全球化的好处）。
● 例证型文章（见主题类题例6——段落最后进行举例）。
● 双方观点型文章（见态度类题例3——对安乐死的支持/反对观点）。
➢ 注意根据文章中的结构词把握文章的脉络。
➢ 熟悉主题类题的6大考点。
➢ 熟悉态度类题的4大考点。
➢ 请再仔细阅读本书选编的例题，最好能把它们背下来，这样就可以作为思维的模式在实际考试中使用了。