GRE阅读难句解析（5）：实例分析

　　1. It was possible to demonstrate by other methods refined structural differences among neuron types ; however , proof was lacking that the quality of the impulse or its condition was influenced by these differences , which seemed instead to influence the developmental patterning of the neural circuits . 有可能通过其他方法来证明神经元种类间的细微的结构差异;可是，这样的证据是缺乏的，即神经冲动的性质或者状态是受这些差异所影响的，而这些差异看起来却能影响神经网络的发育模式。

　　难免类型：复杂修饰、倒装

　　解释：与很多人的印象相反，lack从来就不能作形容词，它只有动词或名词的词性。其形容词的形式是lacking,意思是缺乏的、不足的。

　　本句的在however 之前和之后的两个分句，是两个倒装结构，前一个是小倒装，正常语序是：to demonstrate refined structural differences among neuron types by other methods: however后面是个大倒装，lacking之后的that引导的同位语人名是修饰主语proof的，但是因为它太长，所以为了避免头重脚轻，被放到lacking之后，正常的语序应该是proof that the quality of ..was lacking

　　意群训练：It was possible to demonstrate by other methods refined structural differences among neuron types; however, proof was lacking that the quality of the impulse or its condition was influenced by these differences, which seemed instead to influence the developmental patterning of the neural circuits.

　　2. Although qualitative variance among nerve energies was never rigidly disproved，the doctrine was generally abandoned in favor of the opposing view，namely，that nerve impulses are essentially homogeneous in quality and are transmitted as common currency throughout the nervous system. 尽管在神经能量上存在着质的不同，这一点从来都没有在严格的意义上被反对过，但是以上教条通常被抛弃掉，而转向相反的观点，即：神经冲动从根本上本质相同，而且被当作一种普通流在整个神经系统中传播。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、双重否定

　　解释：前半个分句中有一个双重否定，was never rigidly disproved,这种表示法用中文说出来还是比较好懂的，原因是我们熟悉中文的这种表示法，但在英文中出现，因为在以前的学习中见得少，所以感觉上很别扭。因此，同学们的任务，就是通过反复阅读此类句子来熟悉这样的英语。其实在英文表达中，很多双重否定与中文表达是一样的，表示肯定;如not unlimited就等于limited。但是值得读者注意的是在GRE和GMAT这两种对考生的逻辑有苛刻要求的考试中，如果这种双重否定中所涉及的概念不是dichotomous，则双重否定不一定表示肯定;比如本例中的not disprove, 不能理解为agree， 不反对者中，的确有人会同意，但通常心存疑虑，随大流者居多。不但如此，大双重否定中加上限定词以后，在否定的范围上也有所变化，如本句的be never rigidly disproved，没有完全被反对，不能理解为从来都被严格支持的，而应该理解成从来都可能有人支持的。综上所述，对双重否定的句子，简单的把其置换为肯定，不是最精确的理解。而最好的办法，就是通过多读、多练来熟悉其语言表达及其逻辑方式，按照其字面的表达理解成没有完全否定，然后大脑中反应出其目前的生存状态是一个仍未消失的状态;这种理解才是在考试现场既快速又精确的理解。

　　运用前面所说的用合理化原则中的取非读法，可以很容易的读出作者在后半个分句中想说前面的那种观点被反对了。但是，初学者会对这个分句中的something be abandoned in favor of something else这种语言表达感到突然，如果理解成因为喜后者而抛弃了前者，虽然也能说得通，但是其实原文从来没有这种因果关系，in favor of强调的是这两种动作的同时性;抛弃了前者，而转向后者，namely之后的内容是前面的opposing view的同位语。

　　意群训练：Although qualitative variance among nerve energies was never rigidly disproved, the doctrine was generallyabandoned in favor of the oppsing view, namely, that nerve impulses are essentially homogeneous in quality and are transmitted as common currency throught the nervous system

　　3. Other experiments revealed slight variations in the size，number，　　arrangement，and interconnection of the nerve cells，but as far as psycho neural correlations were concerned，the obvious similarities of these sensory fields to each other seemed much more remarkable than any of the minute differences. 尽管其他实验显示在神经细胞的大小、数量、排列和相互连接上有一些小的差异，但是就心理-神经的关系而言，这些感官区域彼此之间的明显的相似性看起来比起微小的差异更为令人注目。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、插入语

　　解释：在前后两个分句之间有一个插入语as far as psychoneural correlations were concerned。在后面的分句中，主语the obvious similarities之后的、修饰主语的成分较长、以至于有很多读者看到相隔很远的more remarkable than时一下子反应不过来是什么比后者更明显。其简化形式应为：similarities seemed more remarkable than differences。

　　意群训练：Other experiments revealed slight variations in the size, number, arrangement, and interconnection of the nerve cells, but as far as psychoneural correlations were concerned, the obvious similarities of these sensory fileds to each other seemed much more remarkable than any of the minute differences.

　　4. Although some experiments show that，as an object becomes familiar，its internal　representation becomes more holistic and　the recognition process correspondingly more parallel，the weight of evidence　seems to support the serial hypothesis，　　at least for objects that are not notably simple and familiar.

　　虽然某些实验表明，随着一个物体变得熟悉起来，其内心再现图像亦更具整体感，辨认过程相应地更趋于平行，但证据的砝码似乎在支持序列假设，至少是对于那些不甚简单、不甚熟悉的物体来说。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、插入语、省略

　　解释：在Although引导的分句中，谓语shows后面跟着一个长长的宾语从句，从句中先出现一个插入语as an object becomes familiar,之后的内容是由and 连接的两套并列的主谓宾。其实and前后就是两个句子，只不过作者省略了后面的句子中与前面相同的引导词that和谓语become。

　　句子中有一个生词holistic，其实即使不认识，也能用合理化原则猜出它是后面serial的反义词、parallel的同义词，大约是统一、完整或同时的意思;其实只要能理解到其是与serial相反的意思即可。

　　意群训练：Although some experiments show that，as an object becomes familiar，its internal　representation becomes more holistic and　the recognition process correspondingly more parallel，the weight of evidence　seems to support the serial hypothesis，at least for objects that are not notably simple and familiar.

　　5. In large part as a consequence of　the feminist movement，historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in　various periods.

　　在很大程度上，由于女权主义运动的缘故，史学家近年来汇聚了大量的注意力，来更为准确地确定妇女在各个历史时期的地位。 Focus A on B;

　　难句类型：倒装

　　解释：focus A on B指把A集中于B，本句中介词on的宾语determining/more accurately the status of women invarious periods中有一个小倒装，正常语序应该是determining the status of women in various periods more accurately。

　　意群训练：In large part as a consequence of the feminist movement, historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in various periods.

　　6. If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons , it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact real Amazonian societies but rather to offer moral lessons on the supposed outcome of womens rule in their own society . 如果我们先研究一下为什么古人会提到亚马逊人，下面的一点就变得清晰了，那就是古希腊对于这种社会的庙睡不是太多的被用来表达观察的历史事实真正的亚麻逊社会的而是为了对于妇女在其社会中的统治的预期后果提供一种道德教导。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、插入语、抽象词

　　解释：有两个词汇需要先解释一下：something be meant to represent是use something to mean的被动语态。mean在这里不是常用的的意思是的意思，而是表示做某事所表达的目的、意图，其英文释义为：to serve or intend to convey, show, or indicate。句中的结构为：something be meant not so much to,,, but rather to, 实际上是把be meant to和not rather 的两个固定搭配套在一起，意思是：不是为了...而是为了...

　　另外，suppose的意思很抽象，不容易理解。此词既有据信、被认为的意思，也有预期的意思，还有表示贬义的假想的被想当然的意思。

　　本句的supposed用法极其特殊，在此处的意思，用以上任何一个释义来理解居然都可以成立，既是在说一个预期的社会状态，又是在说一个虚构出来的、本来不存在的社会状态，其用法类似于中文中的一语双关，是文章作者自以为文笔精妙之处。

　　意群训练：If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons, it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact- real Amazonian societies- but rather to offermoral lessons on the supposed outcome of womens rule in their own society.

　　7. Thus，for instance，it may come as a shock to mathematicians to learn that the Schrodinger equation for the hydrogen atom is not a literally correct description of this atom，but only an approximation to a somewhat more correct equation taking account of spin，magnetic dipole，and relativistic effects;and that this corrected　equation is itself only an imperfect approximation to an infinite set of　quantum field-theoretical equations.

　　因此，举例来说，对数学家而言，了解到下述情形可能会令其惊愕不已，即薛定谔的氢原子方程式并非是对该原子作出的一种绝然正确的描述，而仅仅是个近似值，趋近于一个在某种程度上更为正确的将自旋、磁性偶极子、以及相对论效应考虑在内的方程式;而这个得以纠正的方程式就其本身而言也只是一个不完美的近似值，趋近于无穷无尽的一整套量子场论方程式。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、插入语、省略

　　解释：读到此句时，数学家不见得震惊，晕倒的考生恐怕不在少数。不但句子结构复杂，而且罗列了大量的专有名词。对于不是理科的同学来讲，在阅读这篇文章的现场清楚地明白应该读到什么程度远比研究这些生僻的专有名词更重要。其实是否知道薛定鄂方程对读者来说并不见得重要，GRE考试的出题者也不见得知道它;关键是要读懂句子的主要意思;数学家不能理解不精确和近似值的伟大意义。不过在本书中，出现的句子均以阅读训练为目的，所以读者仍要把句子的结构读清楚。

　　主句中的主语it是一个开工主语，其具体的内容应该是从to learn开始一直到句子结束的长达八行的不定式，但是此不定式实在太长，如果放在句首则句子无法平衡。Learn后面带着两个以that引导的宾语从句，中间以分号和and分开，可以把分号以后的句子看成是and it may come as a shock to mathematicians to learn that的省略形式。

　　意群训练：Thus, for instance, it may come as a shock to mathematiians to learn that the Schrodinger equation for the hydrogen atom is not a literally correct description of this atom, but only an approximation to a somewhat more correct equation taking account of spin, magnetic dipole, and relativistic effects; and that this corrected equation is itself only an imperfect approximation to an infinite set of quantum field-theoretical equations.

　　8. The physicist rightly dreads precise argument，since an argument that is　convincing only if it is precise loses all its force if the assumptions on　which it is based are slightly changed，whereas an argument that is convincing though imprecise may well be stable under small perturbations of its underlying assumptions.

　　物理学家恐惧于那些精确无误的论据不无道理，因为某种只有在它是精确无误的条件下才令人置信的论据，一旦它赖于建立其上的假设稍有变化，便会失去它一部的作用;而与此相反，一个尽管并不精确无误但却令人置信的论据，在其基本假设稍微受干扰的情况下，仍然有可能是站得住脚的。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰

　　解释：本句在文章中就是一个自然段，虽然长度比不上前面第一章中所举的那个长达10行的例子，但是难度绝不在那句话之下。本句堪称句子的大杂烩，连主句带从句居然一共有八个。从大往小说，由whereas连接了两个大句子，whereas后面的句子中的主语an augument之后又跟了一个定语从句that is convincing though imprecise， 修饰augument。whereas前面共有六个句子，由the physicist作主语的主句;由since引导的原因状语从句，修饰since从句中主语an augument的由that引导的定语从句，此定语从句中的条件状语从句only if it is precise; since从句中的条件状语从句if the assumptions on which it is based are slightly changed,以及修饰此从句中的主语assumptions的定语从句on which it is based一共八个句子，从句套从句，实在令人叹为观止。

　　然而，在考试现场去数句子的数目，是只有呆子才会干的事，读者们惟一要干的事就是反复阅读这句话，什么时候练到不必去想其语法结构就能按原文顺序读懂，才算初步掌握;再进一步把它读顺，直到你看不出这个句子有什么特别的地方，看上去还挺舒服就算训练成功。

　　意群训练：The physicist rightly dreads precise argument, since an argument that is convincing only if it is precise loses all its force if the assumptions on which it is based are slightly changed, whereas an argument that is convincing though imprecise may well be stable under small perturbations of its underlying assumptions.

　　9. However，as they gained cohesion，the Bluestockings came to regard themselves as a womens group and to possess a sense of female solidarity lacking in the salonnieres，who remained isolated from one another by the primacy each held in her own salon.

　　起初，蓝袜女们确实模仿了法国沙龙女主人，将男性襄括到其小圈子中来。然则，随着她们获得的凝聚力，她们渐趋将自己视作一女性团体，并拥有了一种妇女团结意识，而这种意识在法国沙龙女主人身上则荡然无存，因为她们每个人在其自己的沙龙中自视甚高而彼此孤立隔绝开来。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰

　　解释：本句读到表示并列的连词and开始变难。and之后的不定式与前面的不定式是并列的，to的前面省略了一个与前面一样的谓语came。　lacking之后的分词作定语修饰a sense of female solidarity其后的由who引导的定语从句又修饰逗号前面的salonnieres此从句中又有一个定语从句that each salonniere held in her own salon修饰其前的primacy,但是由于引导词that在从句中作宾语，因此被省略。

　　意群训练：However, as they gained cohesion, the Bluestocking came to regard themselves as a womens group and to possess a sense of female solidarity lacking in the salonnieres, who remained isolated from one another by the primacy each held in her own salon.

　　10. As my own studies have advanced，I have been increasingly impressed with the functional　　similarities between insect and vertebrate societies and less so with the structural differences that seem，at first glance，to constitute such an immense gulf between them.

　　随着我的研究不断深入，我对昆虫和脊椎动物群落之间的功能类似性印象愈来愈深刻，而对结构上的差异印象愈发淡漠，虽然这些结构上的差异初看上去似乎构成了二者间一条无法愈越的鸿沟。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、插入语、省略

　　解释：本句子的中间一段impressed with the functional similarites between insect and vertebrate societies and less so with the structural differences容易令人看晕，其中的insect and vertebrate societies and less so with由两个and连接了三个部分，然而它们其实不是同一层次的并列，第一个and实际上是between insect societies and vertebrate societies的一部分，是并列的，而and之后的less so with其实是对于一个完整的表达方式I have been increasingly less impressed with的省略形式，去掉了与前面重复的成分。

　　后面修饰的structural differences的定语从句that seem, at first glance, to constitute such an immense gulf between them中，又出现了一个别扭的插入语at first glance，把应该连在一起的seem to 粗暴地分开，令人不熟悉此类难句的人倍感不适。

　　意群训练：As my own studies have advanced, I have been increasingly impressed with the functional similarities between insect and vertebrate societies and less so with the structural differences that seem, at first glance, to constiture such an immense gulf between them.

　　11. Although fiction assuredly springs from political circumstances，its authors react to those circumstances in ways other than ideological，and talking about novels and stories primarily as instruments of ideology circumvents much of the fictional enterprise.

　　虽然小说无疑起源于政治情状，但其作者则是以非意识形态的方式对这些政治情状作出反应的，而将小说和故事主要地当作意识形态的工具来探讨，会在相当程度上阻碍小说事业。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰

　　解释：本句从句子的结构上来讲，惟一的难度在于and之后的句子的主语talking about novels and stories primarily as instruments ofideology太长，以至于看到谓语circumvent的时候已经搞不清楚主谓了。更大的难度恐怕还在于对两个词汇的理解circumvent和enterprise。我们以前所背过的circumvent有两个词义，一个是规避，一是以计谋战胜，但是这两种意思放到此处都显然不通;其实circumvent有一个我们没有背过的最常用的意思是包围、限制或陷害;至于enterprise常用的意思是企业，这里的指事业。

　　意群训练：Although fiction assuredly springs from political circumstances，its authors react to those circumstances in ways other than ideological，and talking about novels and stories primarily as instruments of ideology circumvents much of the fictional enterprise.

　　12. Is this a defect，or are the authors working out of，or trying to forge，a different kind of aesthetic?

　　这究竟是一种缺陷呢，还是这些作者想要按照一种与众不同的美学体系进行创作，抑或是在试图创立一种与众不同的美学体系?

　　难句类型：插入语

　　解释：本句的句子既短，意思也不难理解，但插入语的干扰作用却极强。

　　意群训练：Is this a defect, or are the authors working out of, or trying to forge, a different kind of aesthetic?

　　13. In addition, the style of some Black novels, like Jean Toomers Cane, verges on expressionism or surrealism ; does this technique provide a counterpoint to the prevalent theme that portrays the fate against which Black heroes are pitted , a theme usually conveyed by more naturalistic modes of expression ?

　　不仅如此，有些黑人小说的风格接近与表现主义和超现实主义;这种技巧是否为流行的主题提供了一个和谐的对应呢?这种主题刻画了黑人注意与之相抗争的命运，这是一个通常用更为自然主义的表现手法所表达的主题。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、插入语

　　解释：在本句中有三个词需要先解释一番：verge on这个词组是接近于、濒于的意思，hero在文学作品中是主人公的意思，pit作动词时，除了挖坑、窖藏之外，还有使竞争、使斗争的意思，其英文释义为：to set as gamecocks into or as if into a pit to fight, to set into opposition or rivalry usually used with against.在此用的是后一种语义的被动语态fate againt which Black heros are pitted.如果用主动语态则是：pit black heros againt fate。

　　另外本句的结构复杂，分号之后是一个一般疑问句，但是由于修饰成分过多，过长，使得读者看不清楚这个句子在问什么。其实如果没有最后的那个prevalent theme的同位语a theme usually conveyed by more naturalistic modes of expression，本句会易懂得多。

　　意群训练：In addition, the style of some Black novels, like Jean Toomers Cane, verges on expressionism or surrealism; does this technique provide a counterpoint to the prevalent theme that portrays the fate against which Black heroes are pitted, a theme usually conveyed by more naturalistic modes of expression?

　　14. Black Fiction surveys a wide variety of novels，bringing to our attention in the　process some fascinating and little-known works like James Weldon　Johnsons Autobiography of an Ex-　　Colored Man. 注意：bring A to B 〉bring to B A

　　《黑人小说》考察了极为广泛的一系列小说，在此过程中让我们注意到了某些引人入胜但却鲜为人知的作品，如詹姆斯。韦尔登。约翰逊的《一个曾经是有色人的自传》。

　　难句类型：倒装

　　解释：在以bringing开头的作状语的分词中出现了倒装，bring A to B被倒装为bring to B A,其倒装的原因仍是为了避免头重脚轻，正常的语序应该如下：bringing some fascinating and little-known works like James Weldon johnsons Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man to our attention in the process.

　　意群训练：Black Fiction surveys a wide variety of novels， bringing to our attention in the　process some fascinating and little-known works like James Weldon　Johnsons Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man.

　　15. Although these molecules allow radiation at visible wavelengths， where most of the energy of sunlight is concentrated，to pass through，they absorb some of the longer-wavelength，　　infrared emissions radiated from the Earths surface，radiation that would　otherwise be transmitted back into space.

　　虽然这些分子允许可见波长的辐射阳光的绝大部分能量就汇集于此不受阻挡地穿透，但它们却会吸收某些较长波长，亦即从地球表面辐射出的红外发射，这种辐射若不是二氧化碳的缘故就会被重新输送回太空。

　　难句类型：复杂修饰、抽象词

　　解释：前面的分句中有一个不算很长的插入语，但是因为它插入的位置正好在固定搭配allow something to do somthing中间，将allow和to分得很远，所以读起来让人感觉很不舒服。

　　后面的分句中的最后一行radiation that would otherwise be transmitted back into space是其前面的infrared emissions的同位语。其中的otherwise是副词作状语，表示如果后面的分句所说的they absorb some of the longer-waverlength, infrared emissions不发生时的后果。

　　意群训练：Although these molecules allow radiation at visible wavelengths， where most of the energy of sunlight is concentrated， to pass through， they absorb some of the longer-wavelength， infrared emissions radiated from the Earths surface， radiation that would　otherwise be transmitted back into space.