第四篇文章和第一篇文章的來源是一樣的,也是選自《經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家》,具體時(shí)間是《經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家》2004年1月29日的一篇文章。原文的標(biāo)題是《英語的進(jìn)化》(The Evolution of English),小標(biāo)題是《越說越俗的英語》(Talking Down)。這篇文章在考試時(shí)做了一些改編,拿掉了前兩段,然后它的字?jǐn)?shù)比較適合出考研閱讀的有關(guān)題目。這篇文章要注意是一個(gè)書評(píng),這是《經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家》雜志的一個(gè)特色。它經(jīng)常以比較學(xué)術(shù)的方式介紹有些作者的書,建議同學(xué)們以后可以閱讀類似的東西。
28.What does the author mean by “paralysis by analysis“(Last line, Paragraph 4)?
A. Endless studies kill action.
B.Careful investigation reveals truth.
C.Prudent palnnng hinders progress.
D.Extensive research helps decision-making.
根據(jù)題干可以找到原文的出題句,是文章倒數(shù)第二段的比較后一句:Instead of a plan of action, they continue to press for more research-a classic case of “paralysis by analysis.“根據(jù)這個(gè)出題句,我們得知這句話的意思是“不是采取行動(dòng),他們而是繼續(xù)去進(jìn)行研究——一個(gè)典型的‘X’案例(X表示本題被猜測(cè)的對(duì)象)!备鶕(jù)這句話我們就得知,“X”一定不是具體的行動(dòng),而應(yīng)該是研究(research),這句話中的破折號(hào)相當(dāng)于冒號(hào),表示對(duì)前句話的解釋說明。四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中只有A選項(xiàng)有這樣的意思,因此選A。
23.Female capuchin monkeys were chosen for the research most probably because they are
A. more inclined to weigh what they get
B. attentive to researchers‘ instructions.
C. nice in both appearance and temperament.
D.more generous than their male companions.
這個(gè)事實(shí)細(xì)節(jié)題,根據(jù)找中心詞的方法,我們找出這個(gè)題目的出題句是文章第三段的第一句話“Such characteristics make them perfect candidates for Dr. Brosnan‘s and Dr. de Wall‘s study.”根據(jù)這句話,我們得知是因?yàn)楹镒由砩系哪承┨卣魇顾鼈兂蔀榱搜芯空叩难芯繉?duì)象。根據(jù)這樣的一個(gè)信息點(diǎn),在四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中進(jìn)行排除。很顯然,A選項(xiàng)的意思是與原文的出題句的意思比較接近。而B選項(xiàng)意思是指對(duì)于研究者有什么吸引力,與原文相反。C選項(xiàng),原文沒有提及到。D選項(xiàng),原文也沒有提及到。因此,應(yīng)該選擇A選項(xiàng)。
李傳偉:第24題,Dr. Brosnan and Dr. de Waal have eventually found in their study that the monkeys
A. prefer grapes to cucumbers.
B. can be taught to exchange things.
C. will not be co-operative if feeling cheated.
D. are unhappy when separated from others.
這道題同樣是一道細(xì)節(jié)題,根據(jù)問題中的線索詞“eventually”,可以確定這道題所對(duì)應(yīng)的出題句可能在比較后一段。事實(shí)上,它對(duì)應(yīng)的是末段第二句“Such co-operation is likely to be stable only when each animal feels it is not being cheated.”C選項(xiàng)說到的正好是這個(gè)意思。所以,C選項(xiàng)是正確答案。