閱讀理解（reading comprehension）是大學英語六級考試中分值最高也是考生最感頭痛的部分，其成績的高低對考生能否順利通過六級至關重要。筆者擬對最新六級考試（2003年12月舉行，以下簡稱本次考試）閱讀理解試題做一下分析，有助于讀者在新一輪的考試中取得好成績。
變化趨勢
題材生僻
相對于往年的選材，這次考試的題材較為生僻，大部分考生可能只對閱讀的第一篇“維生素對人體的作用”有一些背景知識。這就要求考生平時多接觸不同題材的文章了解各方面知識，如相關科普知識、經濟、生活和社會文化等。本次考試的passage one 是一篇關于維生素對人類健康作用的文章，從結構上分析是典型的新老觀點型文章。文章一開始提出一種老觀點，認為服用的維生素人體難吸收，對人類健康無益。然后作者給出新看法，也就是服用適量的維生素是有益的，而整篇文章也就圍繞這一新看法展開。passage two 探討了婦女工作對婚姻和家庭的影響。文章也是給出了兩種不同的觀點，但是作者并沒有簡單地肯定或否定某一方的觀點，而是認為雙方都有可取之處，這是一種復雜的態度。這在以往的六級試題中是少見的，在筆者的記憶中這種復雜態度的文章只在1999年1月份的六級試題（passage one）中出現過。值得注意的是，在國外的一些標準化考試（如 gre 等）這一類的文章是很常見的。這在一定程度反映了六級閱讀今后的發展趨勢：與國外的標準化考試接軌。passage three 探討了人類本性（human nature）的問題，也是新老觀點型的文章。結構非常簡單，難點主要在于文章的內容考生可能不很熟悉。passage four 介紹了一種新的醫療技術（virtual reality）。這類介紹新技術、新發明的科普文章結構都較簡單，主要圍繞新技術和新發明作用、原理、優點、意義和影響來展開。大家可以看一看 2002年1月六級考題的passage one,熟悉一下這種文章的套路。總體來看，六級閱讀的文章集中在科技知識、經濟生活和人文社會三個方面，可以有意識地加強一下這幾個方面的背景知識。一定的背景知識有助于考生理解文章的內容。但需要強調的是，考生答題時要嚴格根據文章的內容作答，千萬不可根據自己所掌握的背景知識想當然地答題，這是在做閱讀題中一定要把握的一點。
主要題型
從題目的類型和難度來看：主要的題型仍是細節題、推斷題（包括詞義推測）和主旨題。本次考試細節題主要考查了以下幾個方面。
①對實驗結果和數據分析結論的考查，如passage one的23題，passage two 的27題。
②對強對比內容的考查，如passage two 的28、29題。
③對特殊標點的考查，如passage four 的39題，筆者對歷年六級試題總結發現：只要一句話中出現兩個破折號，這句話就經常成為考點。
④對段末句的考查，如passage four的40題。細節題的解題關鍵在于定位，只要找到題干在文章中的位置，一般不會出錯。而在六級閱讀中定位是比較容易的，因為閱讀順序和出題順序基本上是一致的。有一點需要指出，就是考生要善于把握題干中的隱藏信息。比如本次考試passage three 的32 和35題，這兩道題實際上是對文中新老觀點的考查，但題干中并沒有出現標志時間的詞，而是通過時態來隱諱表明，如果考生沒有注意到這一點解題就會出現困難，特別是第35題。推斷題的難度比以前有明顯提高，例如passageone的21題和passage four 的36題，就要求考生對文章首句的隱藏含義有深刻的理解，要能夠真正地read between lines，才會答對這兩道題。再比如passage three 的33 題，考查作者引用名人觀點的作用，難度也較大，它要求考生在讀文章的時候，不僅要看懂文章的意思，更能準確理解作者的寫作意圖，明白作者的行文邏輯。詞義推測題本次考試考了兩道，分別是passage two的26題和passage three 的34題，解題的關鍵是根據上下文的邏輯關系來推斷，難度不大。
應對策略
1．先讀文章后題目的題干，抓住問題的主干，然后全文通讀文章。不求了解細節，必須把握大意，特別注意以“段”為單位，抓住段落主題句。最好同時掃描考點標志詞，圈劃出標志詞附近關鍵實詞，將考點一網打盡。
2．通過問題返回文章找出所問的語言點。看考題時，首先要分清考題的題型。分清題型后，根據題干和選項中的信號詞，回到原文定位，仔細閱讀相關句。這時充分利用在原文的圈劃出的標志詞，快速定位。回讀的內容不需要全和多，在掌握大意的基礎上，只讀相關句即可。
3．在找到考點的情況下，根據不同題型的特點和解題技巧選出正確答案。注意干擾選項的特點，如“無中生有”，“答非所問”、“張冠李戴”、“偷梁換柱”、“過猶不及”、排除錯誤選項選出正確答案。
下面以2003年12月考試的第二篇文章為例，詳細說明閱讀的應對策略。
questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.
some futurologists have assumed that the vast upsurge(劇增)of women in the workforce may portend a rejection of marriage. many women, according to this hypothesis, would rather work than marry. the converse(反面)of this concern is that the prospects of becoming a multi-paycheck household could encourage marriage. in the past, only the earnings and financial prospects of the man counted in the marriage decision. now, however, the earning ability of a woman can make her more attractive as a marriage partner. data show that economic downturns tend to postpone marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead. as the economy rebounds, the number of marriages also rises.
coincident with the increase in women working outside the home is the increase in divorce rates. yet, it may be wrong to jump to any simple cause-and-effect conclusions. the impact of a wife"s work on divorce is no less cloudy than its impact on marriage decisions. the realization that she can be a good provider may increase the chances that a working wife will choose divorce over an unsatisfactory marriage. but the reverse is equally plausible. tensions grounded in financial problems often play a key role in ending a marriage. given high unemployment, inflationary problems, and slow growth in real earnings, a working wife can increase household income and relieve some of these pressing financial burdens. by raising afamily"s standard of living, a working wife may strengthen her family"s financial and emotional stability.
psychological factors also should be considered. for example, a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. she may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. on the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union.
also, a major part of women"s inequality in marriage has been due to the fact that, in most cases, men have remained the main breadwinners. with higher earning capacity and status occupations outside of the home comes the capacity to exercise power within the family. a working wife may rob a husband of being the master of the house. depending upon how the couple reacts to these new conditions, it could create a stronger equal partnership or it could create new insecurities.
文章解析：本文是一篇對比文，文章討論了女性的外出工作對婚姻的兩種相反的影響。首段前兩句表明專家觀點：工作女性的劇增可能預示著拒絕婚姻， 后半段又提出轉折，工作女性的劇增可能鼓勵婚姻。第二段兩種相反觀點繼續討論女性的外出工作對婚姻影響。第三段支持兩種相反觀點的兩種相反的心理因素。最 后一段，隨著工作女性的經濟能力的提高，女性在家庭的地位上升可能導致兩種相反結果。近年考試對比型的文章出現頻繁，包括兩種觀點的議論文和兩種事物的說 明文，特點是平行論述，沒有主次之分，作者不發表態度和結論，一般兩種觀點的開頭可當作文章主旨。 26. the word “portend” (line 2, para.1) is closest in meaning to “_____”.a) defy b) signal c) suffer from d) result from
詞義題 從文章第一句話大部分考生都不難理解portend是預示的意思。但是要知道正確選項b）signal也有顯示的意思，需要背到字典上signal動詞形 式的第三個意思。要求考生不能局限于一詞一義，而要熟練掌握大綱詞匯的每一個解釋。a) defy不服從, 反抗 c) suffer from忍受, 遭受 d) result from由……產生。27. it is said in the passage that when the economy slides,_____.
a) men would choose working women as their marriage partners
b) more women would get married to seek financial security
c) even working women would worry about their marriages
d) more people would prefer to remain single for the time being
細節題 題干的the economy slides等于原文的economic downturns。定位在data show that economic downturns tend to postpone marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead.數據顯示經濟低迷時期人們傾向推遲婚姻，因為雙方不能承擔一個家庭或者擔心更窘迫的日子。只有d)符合原文意思。a b c 都是“無中生有”和“答非所問”。28. if women find fulfillment through work outside the home,_____.
a) they are more likely to dominate their marriage partners
b) their husbands are expected to do more housework
c) their marriage ties can be strengthened
d) they tend to put their career before marriage
細節題 找到原文on the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union.輕松選出答案c)。正確答案就把形容詞stronger轉化為動詞strengthen。毫無難度。29. one reason why women with no career may seek a divorce is that_____.
a) they feel that they have been robbed of their freedom
b) they are afraid of being bossed around by their husbands
c) they feel that their partners fail to live up to their expectations
d) they tend to suspect their husbands?loyalty to their marriage
細節題 文章順序和題目順序有顛倒。定位在28題之前a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. she may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. 考查內在邏輯的因果關系。一個妻子被阻止外出可能會感覺被關在房子里。所以她可能認為惟一的選擇就是離婚。she may view her only choice as seeking a divorce.等于題干的women with no career may seek a divorce. a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house.相當于a) they feel that they have been robbed of their freedom. 她們感到被剝奪了自由。30. which of the following statements can best summarize the authors view in the passage?
a) the stability of marriage and the divorce rate may reflect the economic situation of the country.
b) even when economically independent, most women have to struggle for real equality in marriage.
c) in order to secure their marriage women should work outside the home and remain independent
d) the impact of the growing female workforce on marriage varies from case to case.
主旨題 因為這種平行的對比型文章作者不發表態度和結論，所以不可能有作者態度題只能理解為文章主旨題。a) 婚姻的穩定性和離婚率會影響國家經濟。文章只提及國家經濟會影響婚姻。顛倒黑白，排除。b)即使經濟獨立，大多數女性不得不為婚姻中真正的平等而奮斗。文 章從未提及，無中生有。c)為了保衛婚姻，女性應當外出工作保持獨立。以偏蓋全。只有d) the impact of the growing female workforce on marriage varies from case to case. 女性的外出工作對婚姻的影響是一例與一例不一樣的。只有d)才準確表達出文章的兩種平行的相反觀點。
復習策略
從根本上提高閱讀能力閱讀的基本功是取得閱讀高分的重要保證，同時也是取得四、六級考試高分的重要保證。因為即使是翻譯和簡答題也是和同學們的 閱讀能力息息相關的。閱讀考試的成功需要考生具有豐富的詞匯，固定短語以及實際應用的能力，熟練的語法知識及綜合應用的能力。因此同學應該在熟練的掌握六 級考試大綱的詞匯量的基礎之上，大量閱讀文章。這個能力提高的過程包括精讀六級考試真題的文章以及泛讀課外的英文文章以擴大視野。
學習應試技巧所謂技巧是對于多年的標準化考試的理性分析和科學總結，所得到的經驗和做題規則。在掌握出題規則上，預測題目；在不完全理解文章的 情況下，根據做題規則最大概率得到正確答案。甚至在來不及看文章時，直接做對題目。六級的閱讀文章經過人們長期研究和總結，有著很強的套路感和規律感。同 學們可以在考試以前做好準備。 掌握有效的應試技巧對于在考場上高效地去解答四六級閱讀題目是非常有裨益的，可以達到事半功倍的效果。最后，只有通過對真題的不斷實踐和練習，才能在考試 中心領神會，取得應有的成績。筆者深信全面打好語言基本功是提高分數的重要途徑，多練加巧練則定可取得事半功倍的成效。只要下功夫，六級考試一定有很好的 回報。
變化趨勢
題材生僻
相對于往年的選材，這次考試的題材較為生僻，大部分考生可能只對閱讀的第一篇“維生素對人體的作用”有一些背景知識。這就要求考生平時多接觸不同題材的文章了解各方面知識，如相關科普知識、經濟、生活和社會文化等。本次考試的passage one 是一篇關于維生素對人類健康作用的文章，從結構上分析是典型的新老觀點型文章。文章一開始提出一種老觀點，認為服用的維生素人體難吸收，對人類健康無益。然后作者給出新看法，也就是服用適量的維生素是有益的，而整篇文章也就圍繞這一新看法展開。passage two 探討了婦女工作對婚姻和家庭的影響。文章也是給出了兩種不同的觀點，但是作者并沒有簡單地肯定或否定某一方的觀點，而是認為雙方都有可取之處，這是一種復雜的態度。這在以往的六級試題中是少見的，在筆者的記憶中這種復雜態度的文章只在1999年1月份的六級試題（passage one）中出現過。值得注意的是，在國外的一些標準化考試（如 gre 等）這一類的文章是很常見的。這在一定程度反映了六級閱讀今后的發展趨勢：與國外的標準化考試接軌。passage three 探討了人類本性（human nature）的問題，也是新老觀點型的文章。結構非常簡單，難點主要在于文章的內容考生可能不很熟悉。passage four 介紹了一種新的醫療技術（virtual reality）。這類介紹新技術、新發明的科普文章結構都較簡單，主要圍繞新技術和新發明作用、原理、優點、意義和影響來展開。大家可以看一看 2002年1月六級考題的passage one,熟悉一下這種文章的套路。總體來看，六級閱讀的文章集中在科技知識、經濟生活和人文社會三個方面，可以有意識地加強一下這幾個方面的背景知識。一定的背景知識有助于考生理解文章的內容。但需要強調的是，考生答題時要嚴格根據文章的內容作答，千萬不可根據自己所掌握的背景知識想當然地答題，這是在做閱讀題中一定要把握的一點。
主要題型
從題目的類型和難度來看：主要的題型仍是細節題、推斷題（包括詞義推測）和主旨題。本次考試細節題主要考查了以下幾個方面。
①對實驗結果和數據分析結論的考查，如passage one的23題，passage two 的27題。
②對強對比內容的考查，如passage two 的28、29題。
③對特殊標點的考查，如passage four 的39題，筆者對歷年六級試題總結發現：只要一句話中出現兩個破折號，這句話就經常成為考點。
④對段末句的考查，如passage four的40題。細節題的解題關鍵在于定位，只要找到題干在文章中的位置，一般不會出錯。而在六級閱讀中定位是比較容易的，因為閱讀順序和出題順序基本上是一致的。有一點需要指出，就是考生要善于把握題干中的隱藏信息。比如本次考試passage three 的32 和35題，這兩道題實際上是對文中新老觀點的考查，但題干中并沒有出現標志時間的詞，而是通過時態來隱諱表明，如果考生沒有注意到這一點解題就會出現困難，特別是第35題。推斷題的難度比以前有明顯提高，例如passageone的21題和passage four 的36題，就要求考生對文章首句的隱藏含義有深刻的理解，要能夠真正地read between lines，才會答對這兩道題。再比如passage three 的33 題，考查作者引用名人觀點的作用，難度也較大，它要求考生在讀文章的時候，不僅要看懂文章的意思，更能準確理解作者的寫作意圖，明白作者的行文邏輯。詞義推測題本次考試考了兩道，分別是passage two的26題和passage three 的34題，解題的關鍵是根據上下文的邏輯關系來推斷，難度不大。
應對策略
1．先讀文章后題目的題干，抓住問題的主干，然后全文通讀文章。不求了解細節，必須把握大意，特別注意以“段”為單位，抓住段落主題句。最好同時掃描考點標志詞，圈劃出標志詞附近關鍵實詞，將考點一網打盡。
2．通過問題返回文章找出所問的語言點。看考題時，首先要分清考題的題型。分清題型后，根據題干和選項中的信號詞，回到原文定位，仔細閱讀相關句。這時充分利用在原文的圈劃出的標志詞，快速定位。回讀的內容不需要全和多，在掌握大意的基礎上，只讀相關句即可。
3．在找到考點的情況下，根據不同題型的特點和解題技巧選出正確答案。注意干擾選項的特點，如“無中生有”，“答非所問”、“張冠李戴”、“偷梁換柱”、“過猶不及”、排除錯誤選項選出正確答案。
下面以2003年12月考試的第二篇文章為例，詳細說明閱讀的應對策略。
questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.
some futurologists have assumed that the vast upsurge(劇增)of women in the workforce may portend a rejection of marriage. many women, according to this hypothesis, would rather work than marry. the converse(反面)of this concern is that the prospects of becoming a multi-paycheck household could encourage marriage. in the past, only the earnings and financial prospects of the man counted in the marriage decision. now, however, the earning ability of a woman can make her more attractive as a marriage partner. data show that economic downturns tend to postpone marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead. as the economy rebounds, the number of marriages also rises.
coincident with the increase in women working outside the home is the increase in divorce rates. yet, it may be wrong to jump to any simple cause-and-effect conclusions. the impact of a wife"s work on divorce is no less cloudy than its impact on marriage decisions. the realization that she can be a good provider may increase the chances that a working wife will choose divorce over an unsatisfactory marriage. but the reverse is equally plausible. tensions grounded in financial problems often play a key role in ending a marriage. given high unemployment, inflationary problems, and slow growth in real earnings, a working wife can increase household income and relieve some of these pressing financial burdens. by raising afamily"s standard of living, a working wife may strengthen her family"s financial and emotional stability.
psychological factors also should be considered. for example, a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. she may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. on the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union.
also, a major part of women"s inequality in marriage has been due to the fact that, in most cases, men have remained the main breadwinners. with higher earning capacity and status occupations outside of the home comes the capacity to exercise power within the family. a working wife may rob a husband of being the master of the house. depending upon how the couple reacts to these new conditions, it could create a stronger equal partnership or it could create new insecurities.
文章解析：本文是一篇對比文，文章討論了女性的外出工作對婚姻的兩種相反的影響。首段前兩句表明專家觀點：工作女性的劇增可能預示著拒絕婚姻， 后半段又提出轉折，工作女性的劇增可能鼓勵婚姻。第二段兩種相反觀點繼續討論女性的外出工作對婚姻影響。第三段支持兩種相反觀點的兩種相反的心理因素。最 后一段，隨著工作女性的經濟能力的提高，女性在家庭的地位上升可能導致兩種相反結果。近年考試對比型的文章出現頻繁，包括兩種觀點的議論文和兩種事物的說 明文，特點是平行論述，沒有主次之分，作者不發表態度和結論，一般兩種觀點的開頭可當作文章主旨。 26. the word “portend” (line 2, para.1) is closest in meaning to “_____”.a) defy b) signal c) suffer from d) result from
詞義題 從文章第一句話大部分考生都不難理解portend是預示的意思。但是要知道正確選項b）signal也有顯示的意思，需要背到字典上signal動詞形 式的第三個意思。要求考生不能局限于一詞一義，而要熟練掌握大綱詞匯的每一個解釋。a) defy不服從, 反抗 c) suffer from忍受, 遭受 d) result from由……產生。27. it is said in the passage that when the economy slides,_____.
a) men would choose working women as their marriage partners
b) more women would get married to seek financial security
c) even working women would worry about their marriages
d) more people would prefer to remain single for the time being
細節題 題干的the economy slides等于原文的economic downturns。定位在data show that economic downturns tend to postpone marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead.數據顯示經濟低迷時期人們傾向推遲婚姻，因為雙方不能承擔一個家庭或者擔心更窘迫的日子。只有d)符合原文意思。a b c 都是“無中生有”和“答非所問”。28. if women find fulfillment through work outside the home,_____.
a) they are more likely to dominate their marriage partners
b) their husbands are expected to do more housework
c) their marriage ties can be strengthened
d) they tend to put their career before marriage
細節題 找到原文on the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union.輕松選出答案c)。正確答案就把形容詞stronger轉化為動詞strengthen。毫無難度。29. one reason why women with no career may seek a divorce is that_____.
a) they feel that they have been robbed of their freedom
b) they are afraid of being bossed around by their husbands
c) they feel that their partners fail to live up to their expectations
d) they tend to suspect their husbands?loyalty to their marriage
細節題 文章順序和題目順序有顛倒。定位在28題之前a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. she may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. 考查內在邏輯的因果關系。一個妻子被阻止外出可能會感覺被關在房子里。所以她可能認為惟一的選擇就是離婚。she may view her only choice as seeking a divorce.等于題干的women with no career may seek a divorce. a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house.相當于a) they feel that they have been robbed of their freedom. 她們感到被剝奪了自由。30. which of the following statements can best summarize the authors view in the passage?
a) the stability of marriage and the divorce rate may reflect the economic situation of the country.
b) even when economically independent, most women have to struggle for real equality in marriage.
c) in order to secure their marriage women should work outside the home and remain independent
d) the impact of the growing female workforce on marriage varies from case to case.
主旨題 因為這種平行的對比型文章作者不發表態度和結論，所以不可能有作者態度題只能理解為文章主旨題。a) 婚姻的穩定性和離婚率會影響國家經濟。文章只提及國家經濟會影響婚姻。顛倒黑白，排除。b)即使經濟獨立，大多數女性不得不為婚姻中真正的平等而奮斗。文 章從未提及，無中生有。c)為了保衛婚姻，女性應當外出工作保持獨立。以偏蓋全。只有d) the impact of the growing female workforce on marriage varies from case to case. 女性的外出工作對婚姻的影響是一例與一例不一樣的。只有d)才準確表達出文章的兩種平行的相反觀點。
復習策略
從根本上提高閱讀能力閱讀的基本功是取得閱讀高分的重要保證，同時也是取得四、六級考試高分的重要保證。因為即使是翻譯和簡答題也是和同學們的 閱讀能力息息相關的。閱讀考試的成功需要考生具有豐富的詞匯，固定短語以及實際應用的能力，熟練的語法知識及綜合應用的能力。因此同學應該在熟練的掌握六 級考試大綱的詞匯量的基礎之上，大量閱讀文章。這個能力提高的過程包括精讀六級考試真題的文章以及泛讀課外的英文文章以擴大視野。
學習應試技巧所謂技巧是對于多年的標準化考試的理性分析和科學總結，所得到的經驗和做題規則。在掌握出題規則上，預測題目；在不完全理解文章的 情況下，根據做題規則最大概率得到正確答案。甚至在來不及看文章時，直接做對題目。六級的閱讀文章經過人們長期研究和總結，有著很強的套路感和規律感。同 學們可以在考試以前做好準備。 掌握有效的應試技巧對于在考場上高效地去解答四六級閱讀題目是非常有裨益的，可以達到事半功倍的效果。最后，只有通過對真題的不斷實踐和練習，才能在考試 中心領神會，取得應有的成績。筆者深信全面打好語言基本功是提高分數的重要途徑，多練加巧練則定可取得事半功倍的成效。只要下功夫，六級考試一定有很好的 回報。
下一篇：如何準備六級閱讀
