专家解析大学英语四级考试历年阅读真题试题(十四)

　　Passage One

　　Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage.

　　Im usually fairly skeptical about any research that concludes that people are either happier or unhappier or more or less certain of themselves than they were 50 years ago. While any of these statements might be true, they are practically impossible to prove scientifically. Still, I was struck by a report which concluded that todays children are significantly more anxious than children in the 1950s. In fact, the analysis showed, normal children ages 9 to 17 exhibit a higher level of anxiety today than children who were treated for mental illness 50 years ago.

　　Why are Americas kids so stressed? The report cites two main causes: increasing physical isolationbrought on by high divorce rates and less involvement in community, among other thingsand a growing perception that the world is a more dangerous place.

　　Given that we cant turn the clock back, adults can still do plenty to help the next generation cope.

　　At the top of the list is nurturing a better appreciation of the limits of individualism. No child is an island. Strengthening social ties helps build communities and protect individuals against stress.

　　To help kids build stronger connections with others, you can pull the plug on TVs and computers. Your family will thank you later. They will have more time for face-to-face relationships, and they will get more sleep.

　　Limit the amount of virtual violence your children are exposed to. Its not just video games and movies; children see a lot of murder and crime on the local news.

　　Keep your expectations for your children reasonable. Many highly successful people never attended Harvard or Yale.

　　Make exercise part of your daily routine. It will help you cope with your own anxieties and provide a good model for your kids. Sometimes anxiety is unavoidable. But it doesnt have to ruin your life.

　　21. The author thinks that the conclusions of any research about peoples state of mind are ________.

　　A) surprising

　　B) confusing

　　C) illogical

　　D) questionable

　　22. What does the author mean when he says, we cant turn the clock back ?

　　A) Its impossible to slow down the pace of change.

　　B) The social reality children are facing cannot be changed.

　　C) Lessons learned from the past should not be forgotten.

　　D) Its impossible to forget the past.

　　23. According to an analysis, compared with normal children today, children treated as mentally ill 50 years ago ________.

　　A) were less isolated physically

　　B) were probably less self-centered

　　C) probably suffered less from anxiety

　　D) were considered less individualistic

　　24. The first and most important thing parents should do to help their children is ________.

　　A) to provide them with a safer environment

　　B) to lower their expectations for them

　　C) to get them more involved socially

　　D) to set a good model for them to follow

　　25. What conclusion can be drawn from the passage?

　　A) Anxiety, though unavoidable, can be coped with.

　　B) Childrens anxiety has been enormously exaggerated.

　　C) Childrens anxiety can be eliminated with more parental care.

　　D) Anxiety, if properly controlled, may help children become mature.

　　... 下一页

　　这是一篇评论社会问题的文章，文章核心是当今儿童所肩负的压力问题。文章采用了经典的论说文结构：首先提出问题，而后分析问题，最后解决问题。

　　第一段很长，而且多是比较复杂的长句，这与它提出问题这一功能有关，长句往往信息容量更大，逻辑也较清晰，能够更好地向人呈现问题的方方面面，语气也较为客观。在解决问题阶段，作者多使用短句，是因为这时文章的功能已经转换为向父母们传授经验方法，短句接近口语，亲切感更强，有谆谆教诲的意思。

　　第一句话的基本结构是Im skeptical about research，至于是什么样的研究，作者用从句做了详细说明，后面的that代指research。从句的意思是说这些研究总是得出结论说现在的人们如何比50年前的人或快乐或不快乐等等。作者在第一句首先表明了一个观点，就是把不同历史时代的人们进行对比是没有意义的。随后就道出了原因：这种对比有可能是正确的，但在实证上无法得到论证。前两句占了第一段内容的一半，但实际上与文章的核心内容关系不大，作者之所以如此浓墨重彩是为了突出其对一项关于不同时代儿童所受压力的研究的惊讶之情，进而增加读者对文章核心论题的关注度。

　　第一段后半部分开始提出本文讨论的问题：normal children ages 9 to 17 exhibit a higher level of anxiety today than children who were treated for mental illness 50 years ago，现在的正常孩子比50年前接受精神治疗的孩子所受的压力还要大。这一观点确实耸人听闻，难怪作者要为此临时抛弃旧有的观念。

　　第二段第一句话是Why are Americas kids so stressed?为什么美国的孩子承受了如此重压?很显然这里是要分析原因了。后面给出了两个原因，一个是孤独，另一个是认识到世界更加危险了。

　　后面的部分都是对如何解决这一问题提出的忠告。

　　首先就是要向孩子传达个人主义存在局限的观念，孩子不是孤岛，社会联系可以为孩子减轻压力的冲击。

　　为了帮助孩子与他人建立更加紧密的联系，可以拔掉电视和电脑的插头，这样他们就有了更多的时间与人面对面地交往，也有了更多的睡眠时间。

　　减少孩子接触虚拟暴力的机会。不仅包括视频游戏、电影，在资讯上也出现了太多的谋杀、犯罪。

　　不要对孩子的期望值过高。要知道许多成功人士从来没上过哈佛或是耶鲁大学。

　　最后是要给孩子们做出榜样，告诉他们如何应对压力。方法就是坚持锻炼身体，这可以向孩子传达一个信息：有时忧虑是不可避免的，但那不至于毁了你的生活。

　　Passage Two

　　Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.

　　It is easier to negotiate initial salary requirement because once you are inside, the organizational constraints influence wage increases. One thing, however, is certain: your chances of getting the raise you feel you deserve are less if you dont at least ask for it. Men tend to ask for more, and they get more, and this holds true with other resources, not just pay increases. Consider Beths story:

　　I did not get what I wanted when I did not ask for it. We had cubicle offices and window offices. I sat in the cubicles with several male colleagues. One by one they were moved into window offices, while I remained in the cubicles, several males who were hired after me also went to offices. One in particular told me he was next in line for an office and that it had been part of his negotiations for the job. I guess they thought me content to stay in the cubicles since I did not voice my opinion either way.

　　It would be nice if we all received automatic pay increases equal to our merit, but nice isnt a quality attributed to most organizations. If you feel you deserve a significant raise in pay, youll probably have to ask for it.

　　Performance is your best bargaining chip when you are seeking a raise. You must be able to demonstrate that you deserve a raise. Timing is also a good bargaining chip. If you can give your boss something he or she needs just before merit pay decisions are being made, you are more likely to get the raise you want.

　　Use information as a bargaining chip too. Find out what you are worth on the open market.

　　What will someone else pay for your services?

　　Go into the negotiations prepared to place your chips on the table at the appropriate time and prepared to use communication style to guide the direction of the interaction.

　　26. According to the passage, before taking a job, a person should ________.

　　A) demonstrate his capability

　　B) give his boss a good impression

　　C) ask for as much money as he can

　　D) ask for the salary he hopes to get

　　27. What can be inferred from Beths story?

　　A) Prejudice against women still exists in some organizations.

　　B) If people want what they deserve, they have to ask for it.

　　C) People should not be content with what they have got.

　　D) People should be careful when negotiating for a job.

　　28. We can learn from the passage that ________.

　　A) unfairness exists in salary increases

　　B) most people are overworked and underpaid

　　C) one should avoid overstating ones performance

　　D) most organizations give their staff automatic pay raises

　　29. To get a pay raise, a person should ________.

　　A) advertise himself on the job market

　　B) persuade his boss to sign a long-term contract

　　C) try to get inside information about the organization

　　D) do something to impress his boss just before merit pay decisions

　　30. To be successful in negotiations, one must ________.

　　A) meet his boss at the appropriate time

　　B) arrive at the negotiation table punctually

　　C) be good at influencing the outcome of the interaction

　　D) be familiar with what the boss likes and dislikes

　　Passage Two

　　Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.

　　It is easier to negotiate initial salary requirement because once you are inside, the organizational constraints influence wage increases. One thing, however, is certain: your chances of getting the raise you feel you deserve are less if you dont at least ask for it. Men tend to ask for more, and they get more, and this holds true with other resources, not just pay increases. Consider Beths story:

　　I did not get what I wanted when I did not ask for it. We had cubicle offices and window offices. I sat in the cubicles with several male colleagues. One by one they were moved into window offices, while I remained in the cubicles, several males who were hired after me also went to offices. One in particular told me he was next in line for an office and that it had been part of his negotiations for the job. I guess they thought me content to stay in the cubicles since I did not voice my opinion either way.

　　It would be nice if we all received automatic pay increases equal to our merit, but nice isnt a quality attributed to most organizations. If you feel you deserve a significant raise in pay, youll probably have to ask for it.

　　Performance is your best bargaining chip when you are seeking a raise. You must be able to demonstrate that you deserve a raise. Timing is also a good bargaining chip. If you can give your boss something he or she needs just before merit pay decisions are being made, you are more likely to get the raise you want.

　　Use information as a bargaining chip too. Find out what you are worth on the open market.

　　What will someone else pay for your services?

　　Go into the negotiations prepared to place your chips on the table at the appropriate time and prepared to use communication style to guide the direction of the interaction.

　　26. According to the passage, before taking a job, a person should ________.

　　A) demonstrate his capability

　　B) give his boss a good impression

　　C) ask for as much money as he can

　　D) ask for the salary he hopes to get

　　27. What can be inferred from Beths story?

　　A) Prejudice against women still exists in some organizations.

　　B) If people want what they deserve, they have to ask for it.

　　C) People should not be content with what they have got.

　　D) People should be careful when negotiating for a job.

　　28. We can learn from the passage that ________.

　　A) unfairness exists in salary increases

　　B) most people are overworked and underpaid

　　C) one should avoid overstating ones performance

　　D) most organizations give their staff automatic pay raises

　　29. To get a pay raise, a person should ________.

　　A) advertise himself on the job market

　　B) persuade his boss to sign a long-term contract

　　C) try to get inside information about the organization

　　D) do something to impress his boss just before merit pay decisions

　　30. To be successful in negotiations, one must ________.

　　A) meet his boss at the appropriate time

　　B) arrive at the negotiation table punctually

　　C) be good at influencing the outcome of the interaction

　　D) be familiar with what the boss likes and dislikes

　　这篇文章讲的是职场加薪问题。开头先讲原始工资要求的提出更为容易，这是为了和下文所讲的加薪要求的提出作为对比，引出材料主要讨论的话题。第一段后面还有两句话，一是说如果你不提出加薪请求的话，获得理应得到的加薪机会就会大大减少。二是说男人们更喜欢要求，而且得到的也多。要注意这一句中的men是复数形式，那么就应该指的是男人，而不是统称的人。与此对应，女人在要求加薪上可能就要消极一些。由此可以推断第一段最后一句中的Beth是一位女士。

　　下一段就开始以Beth的视角讲述她的职场遭遇。这些遭遇是对第一段提到的二点的证明。这一段句子很多，主要意思无非是男同事们一个个地连升三级，有了自己的办公室，而自己却一直苦守在最初的小隔间里。原因呢?在这段的开头就已经给出了：没有要求，就没有收获。

　　下一段又恢复了第三人称视角，说到如果我们都能够自动获得与价值相当的加薪将是多么美好，但大多数公司并不如此美好，要想获得应得的加薪，最好还是自己提出申请。下文继续讲如何提出加薪要求。

　　最后四段讲了如何提出加薪要求的要点，其中前三段是准备工作，最后一段是即时提出要求时应采取的策略。首先，要拿业绩说话。这里需要注意的是要能够让老板看到你的表现值得加薪，另外提出要求的时机也很重要，最好是在刚刚满足了老板的需求之后。

　　其次，信息也是讨价还价的筹码，要看看你在市场上能值什么价，看看别人会付给你多少钱。

　　最后一段实际上讲的是提出要求的勇气和策略。Go into the negotiations，这是个祈使句，有鼓励、打气的含义。而后面的use communication style说的是提出要求时的基本策略。

　　26. According to the passage, before taking a job, a person should ________.

　　A) demonstrate his capability

　　B) give his boss a good impression

　　C) ask for as much money as he can

　　D) ask for the salary he hopes to get

　　题目是问在获得一个工作之前，一个人应当如何。

　　A，展现他的能力。

　　B，给他的老板留下一个好印象。

　　C，尽量要求最多的薪水。

　　D，要求希望得到的薪水。

　　第一道题考查的必然是第一段只要这一段不是太短。根据上面的分析可知，第一段里从第二句开始讲的都是如何要求加薪的问题，这已经是获得工作之后的事情了。本题问的是在获得工作之前如何如何，那么它的答案一定在第一句话中：It is easier to negotiate initial salary requirement because once you are inside, the organizational constraints influence wage increases。大意是：为原始工资谈判要更为容易，因为你一旦进入了公司以后，公司的限制就会影响工资增长。这句话只谈到了工资问题，所以第一步可以排除A和B，因为它们谈论的不是工资。C和D的区别只在于一个是尽量要求最多的工资，一个是只按自己的希望要求工资。实际上这二者本身有多大区别都很难说，因为一个人对工资的期望一般情况下当然是越多越好，那么C和D其实是可以互通的。但是我们必须选择出一个作为答案，那就只能揣测出题者的意思，是C对还是D对。

　　这一句话前半句既没有说尽量要求最高也没有说希望，从这里很难做出判断。先不看前半句，来分析后半句：因为你一旦进入了公司以后，公司的限制就会影响工资增长。既然担心入职后会限制工资增长，那么可以做出这样的推断最好是入职前谈好最理想的工资，否则入职后再谈涨工资就困难了。这样看来，出题者的意思很可能是选C，而不是事先希望的一个工资水平。很多机构给出的答案是D，其实并没有太多的依据。

　　27. What can be inferred from Beths story?

　　A) Prejudice against women still exists in some organizations.

　　B) If people want what they deserve, they have to ask for it.

　　C) People should not be content with what they have got.

　　D) People should be careful when negotiating for a job.

　　这道题是问从Beth的故事可以推断出什么。

　　A，对女性的偏见在一些机构依然存在。

　　B，如果人们想要得到他们理应得到的，就必须提出要求。

　　C，人们不应该满足于他们已有的东西。

　　D，为工作谈判时应该小心为妙。

　　Beth的故事就是第二段，因为这里使用的人称是I，而到了第三段，人称变成了we，可以判断不是Beth讲述的内容了。第二段首先要注意的是第一句话：I did not get what I wanted when I did not ask for it.，这是一个总领句，是后面部分所述的内容的核心，此后所说的具体故事都是为了说明这个观点。四个选项中B的说法与此最为接近，可以选B。C和D可以较容易地排除，A所说的偏见在文中并没有体现，导致女性工资停滞的原因是女性不愿主动提出涨工资的要求，而不是人们对女性的偏见。

　　28. We can learn from the passage that ________.

　　A) unfairness exists in salary increases

　　B) most people are overworked and underpaid

　　C) one should avoid overstating ones performance

　　D) most organizations give their staff automatic pay raises

　　题目问从文章可以了解到什么。

　　A，在工资增长问题上存在不公之处。

　　B，大多数人过度工作，报酬过低。

　　C，一个人应该避免夸大自己的业绩表现。

　　D，多数公司自动给员工增长工资。

　　这个题目比较吓人，乍看之下似乎在考查对全篇文章的理解。但可以看到这只是第三道题，后面还有两道。如果这道考的是全篇理解，按道理后面两道也应该考查全篇理解。一篇阅读有五分之三考查全篇是不可能的。那么应该如何缩小目标范围呢?第二段已经考查过，句子又都比较浅显，应该不会再考。大略看一下29题，是问为了获得工资增长，一个人应该怎么做，这是最后四段的内容。在最后四段和第二段之间，有一个比较短的段落，本题考查的对象应该就是它It would be nice if we all received automatic pay increases equal to our merit, but nice isnt a quality attributed to most organizations. If you feel you deserve a significant raise in pay, youll probably have to ask for it，大意是如果我们都能够自动获得与价值相当的加薪将是多么美好，但美好对于多数公司来说并不是必备特质。如果你觉得应获大幅度的加薪，那最好是提出来。

　　B和C在这里都没有提到，可以排除，D的说法与这一段的意思正好相反文中的观点是根据价值来自动增长工资是一种美好的理想而已，多数公司并不如此。言下之意也就是说根据价值来自动增长工资是不能实现的，做出了贡献，却没有相应地增长工资，这是一种什么现象呢?可以认为这是一种不公平的现象。A是正确的。

　　29. To get a pay raise, a person should ________.

　　A) advertise himself on the job market

　　B) persuade his boss to sign a long-term contract

　　C) try to get inside information about the organization

　　D) do something to impress his boss just before merit pay decisions

　　这道题是问一个人要想获得工资增长应该怎么做。

　　如何提出工资增长要求是最后四段的内容。其中前三段是准备工作，最后一段是即时提出要求的策略。把四个选项与最后四段内容做一下对照就可以找到正确答案了。

　　A，在人才市场上推销自己。文章提到market是这一句：Find out what you are worth on the open market，这里的意思是在市场上了解一下自己的价值，而不是去市场上推销自己，否则的话，就成了换工作而不是涨工资了。

　　B，劝说老板签订一份长期合同。没有找到类似的内容。

　　C，努力获得公司的内部信息。Use information as a bargaining chip too. Find out what you are worth on the open market. What will someone else pay for your services?这里讲到了信息问题，但显然这里所说的信息是指公司外部公开市场信息，获取信息目的是发现自己的真实市场价值，为提出合理的工资要求做好准备。

　　D，根据价值做出工资增长的决定之前，做一些贡献给老板留下深刻印象。If you can give your boss something he or she needs这一句的内容与D的说法一致。可以确定选D。

　　30. To be successful in negotiations, one must ________.

　　A) meet his boss at the appropriate time

　　B) arrive at the negotiation table punctually

　　C) be good at influencing the outcome of the interaction

　　D) be familiar with what the boss likes and dislikes

　　题目是问要想在谈判中获得成功，一个人必须怎么做。

　　A，在合适的时间与他的老板见面。

　　B，准时到达谈判桌。

　　C，善于影响交流互动的结果。

　　D，熟悉老板的好恶。

　　看完这四个选项之后，可以判断这里提到的内容与最后四段中的前三段无关，那么可以断定此题考查的是最后一段的内容。最后一段讲了两点，第一是Go into the negotiations prepared to place your chips on the table at the appropriate time，带上这些筹码，在合适的时间去谈判吧。这里的on the table是一种比喻说法，指让老板看到你的筹码;at the appropriate time指的是上文说的理想的时机，如刚刚签下了一个客户。这样A和B的说法就都不正确了。第二点是use communication style to guide the direction of the interaction ，这里的guide the direction of the interaction 直译是控制交流的方向，与C所说的影响交流互动的结果意思一样。D的说法在文中找不到，可以排除，这样只能选择C。

　　Passage Three

　　Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage.

　　When families gather for Christmas dinner, some will stick to formal traditions dating back to Grandmas generation. Their tables will be set with the good dishes and silver, and the dress code will be Sunday-best.

　　But in many other homes, this china-and-silver elegance has given way to a stoneware -and-stainless informality, with dresses assuming an equally casual-Friday look. For hosts and guests, the change means greater simplicity and comfort. For makers of fine china in Britain, it spells economic hard times.

　　Last week Royal Doulton, the largest employer in Stoke-on-Trent, announced that it is eliminating 1,000 jobsone-fifth of its total workforce. That brings to more than 4,000 the number of positions lost in 18 months in the pottery region. Wedgwood and other pottery factories made cuts earlier.

　　Although a strong pound and weak markets in Asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in Stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts. A spokesman for Royal Doulton admitted that the company has been somewhat slow in catching up with the trend toward casual dining. Families eat together less often, he explained, and more people eat alone, either because they are single or they eat in front of television;

　　Even dinner parties, if they happen at all, have gone casual. In a time of long work hours and demanding family schedules, busy hosts insist, rightly, that its better to share a takeout pizza on paper plates in the family room than to wait for the perfect moment or a real dinner party. Too often, the perfect moment never comes. Iron a fine-patterned tablecloth? Forget it. Polish the silver? Who has time?

　　Yet the loss of formality has its down side. The fine points of etiquette that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents must be picked up elsewhere. Some companies now offer etiquette seminars for employees who may be competent professionally but clueless socially.

　　31. The trend toward casual dining has resulted in ________.

　　A) bankruptcy of fine china manufacturers

　　B) shrinking of the pottery industry

　　C) restructuring of large enterprises

　　D) economic recession in Great Britain

　　32. Which of the following may be the best reason for casual dining?

　　A) Family members need more time to relax.

　　B) Busy schedules leave people no time for formality.

　　C) People want to practice economy in times of scarcity.

　　D) Young people wont follow the etiquette of the older generation.

　　33. It can be learned from the passage that Royal Doulton is ________.

　　A) a retailer of stainless steel tableware

　　B) a dealer in stoneware

　　C) a pottery chain store

　　D) a producer of fine china

　　34. The main cause of the layoffs in the pottery industry is ________.

　　A) the increased value of the pound

　　B) the economic recession in Asia

　　C) the change in peoples way of life

　　D) the fierce competition at home and abroad

　　35. Refined table manners, though less popular than before in current social life ________.

　　A) are still a must on certain occasions

　　B) axe bound to return sooner or later

　　C) are still being taught by parents at home

　　D) can help improve personal relationships

　　这篇材料讲的是生活方式的改变对精制陶瓷业的冲击。从这个核心内容出发，在布局时首先应该介绍的当然是生活方式的改变情况。作者也是这么做的，在开头两段，作者先是叙述了原有生活方式的状况：以圣诞节晚餐为例，人们遵循着奶奶那辈的传统，桌上摆放了精美的陶瓷器具和银器，衣着华丽。作者在这里虽然使用的是一般现在时，也就是说这一情况在现在依然存在，但从第二段所使用的But一词来看，这种情况应该是少数情况或者并非那么流行了。而后，又讲述如今很多家庭的做法：瓷器换成了粗陶，银器换成了不锈钢器具，衣服也成了便装。这样做的目的是出于简朴和舒适。然而这一变化却给精瓷制造商们带来了艰难时世。这第二段的最后一句恰好起到了承上启下的作用，预示着下文要开始讨论精瓷制造商们的苦处。

　　作者从制造商裁员讲起。一家最大的制造商Doulton宣布裁员1000个职位，这个数字是其总职位的五分之一。行业领袖尚且如此，可以推测，小型厂商实行裁员恐怕要更早一些。

　　作者罗列的这些事实是极具冲击力的，人们不禁要问，是什么原因致使行业衰微?随后的两段回答了这个问题。第四段给出了根本原因：剧烈的社会变迁，而制造商们没能适时而变。不过如今制造商对这种变化是清楚的，他们首先谈到家庭内部的变化。他们知道现在的家庭聚餐的次数减少了，更多人是单独进餐，原因是单身或者想边看电视边吃饭。

　　要注意上一段末尾使用了分号，也就意味着第五段所述的情形依然是制造商们的说法。除了家庭内部，受影响的还有晚餐会。因为时间紧，日程多，晚会主人情愿用外卖招待客人，这些外卖只要装盛在纸质的盘子里就可以了。人们不再期待perfect moment，不愿去熨烫精美的桌布，也不愿费力去擦磨银器。

　　材料的核心内容到此基本论述完毕。最后一段附带说明了由正式转为随便后所带来的一些不利影响。The fine points of etiquette that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents must be picked up elsewhere这句话虽然很长，但说明的意思却很简单：社会变迁使得孩子们的礼节意识无从培养。这个问题如何解决?作者举出了一个例子：一些公司开始召开礼节研讨会，以给在社交方面较为懵懂的人们提供帮助。

　　31. The trend toward casual dining has resulted in ________.

　　A) bankruptcy of fine china manufacturers

　　B) shrinking of the pottery industry

　　C) restructuring of large enterprises

　　D) economic recession in Great Britain

　　这道题是问随意风格的晚宴的流行其结果是什么。Result in表示导致了什么样的结果。

　　A，精瓷厂商的破产。

　　B，陶瓷产业的缩水。

　　C，大型企业的重组。

　　D，英国经济的衰落。

　　文章的前两段讲的是人们的生活方式是如何改变的，没有述及这种转变的结果。所以答案应该不在那里。第三段开始讲述新晚宴风格对精瓷厂商们的影响，答案选项的A和B均与此有关，可以判断答案很可能出自第三段。我们要做的就是比照第三段排除错误答案。

　　精瓷厂商的破产文中提到了此类厂商裁员的情形，从未提及bankruptcy一词，可以判断A错误。

　　陶瓷产业的缩水厂商集体裁员，意味着业务量减少，意味着整个产业的利润不能支撑原来的就业规模，也就是产业的缩水。

　　大型企业的重组文中没有此类说法，找不到与重组restructuring类似的内容，即使说到较大型的企业Doulton，也应该是限定在陶瓷产业，而不是笼统的large enterprises。

　　英国经济的衰落，这一说法就离文意更远了。确实可以认为陶瓷产业的缩水使得英国经济缩水，但随着陶瓷业的缩水，像不锈钢器具制造、纸质器具等行业会相应得到发展，弥补了陶瓷业的损失，英国经济总体上不会衰退。

　　32. Which of the following may be the best reason for casual dining?

　　A) Family members need more time to relax.

　　B) Busy schedules leave people no time for formality.

　　C) People want to practice economy in times of scarcity.

　　D) Young people wont follow the etiquette of the older generation.

　　题目问下列哪一项可以作为随意风格晚宴的最佳原因。

　　A，家庭成员需要更多的时间放松。

　　B，繁忙的日程安排留给了人们太少的时间，来不及进行正式晚宴。

　　C，人们想在困难时期实行节约。

　　D，年轻人不想遵循老一辈的繁文缛节。

　　题目问的内容似乎涉及的文章内容较广，如前两段就提到了风格转变的问题，后面的四、五段也有涉及。这里我们要记住一个要点，除了在每篇最后一题可能出现总括式的问题外，其余问题所涉及的内容不会超出2个段落。另外要记住的是，已经考查过的段落，如果是中小段，一般不会再次出题考查，更不会考完一段后、跳过本段再去考查前面的一段。有了这层认识，我们就可以判断这道题不会考查前两段，原因是第一道题已经直接考查了第三段。

　　这样的话，这道题的答案应该存在于第四、五段中。第四、五段分别从家庭内部和家庭外部两方面讲述了晚宴风格的转变。其中家庭内部转变的原因是进餐的人为单身或是想边看电视边吃饭。家庭外部转变的原因是时间短和日常安排过紧，原文是long work hours and demanding family schedules，这里的long work hours不是强调劳动量大，而是强调下班回家后所剩的时间不多。

　　四个选项中能够体现这两个原因的只有B。A似乎也对，但是要注意需要更多的时间放松和想边看电视边吃饭所表达的含义是不一样的，后者的意思是想边看电视边放松，而不是另外找出更多的时间来放松。

　　33. It can be learned from the passage that Royal Doulton is ________.

　　A) a retailer of stainless steel tableware

　　B) a dealer in stoneware

　　C) a pottery chain store

　　D) a producer of fine china

　　这道题问从文中可以得知Royal Doulton是

　　A，不锈钢餐具零售商。

　　B，瓷器经销商。

　　C，一家陶瓷连锁店。

　　D，精瓷生产商。

　　这是一道送分题，非常简单，所以它在题目中的顺序也有些随意。首先要正确区分几个关键词：retailer，dealer，producer，chain store也属于经销商和零售商的范畴。其次要看生产或销售的到底是什么产品。文章第三段最后一句讲到For makers of fine china in Britain, it spells economic hard times.意思是对于英国的精瓷生产商来说，经济困难时代来临了。下一段马上介绍了Royal Doulton的裁员，可见Royal Doulton属于精瓷生产商。此外，第三段讲完它裁员后，又说到其他企业裁员更早：Wedgwood and other pottery factories made cuts earlier。这里使用了factories，可以推断这些企业都是生产商。D的说法最为精确。

　　34. The main cause of the layoffs in the pottery industry is ________.

　　A) the increased value of the pound

　　B) the economic recession in Asia

　　C) the change in peoples way of life

　　D) the fierce competition at home and abroad

　　本题问陶瓷业裁员的主要原因是什么。Layoff有临时解雇， 操作停止，活动停止期间，失业期等意思，在文中应该是裁员、解雇的意思。

　　A，英镑的升值。

　　B，亚洲经济衰退。

　　C，人们生活方式的转变。

　　D，来自国内外的激烈竞争。

　　根据篇章分析可知，第四、五段讲的是瓷业衰落的原因。第四段开头第一句话涵盖了很多信息。Although a strong pound and weak markets in Asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in Stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts虽然英镑强势和亚洲市场萎靡是规模缩水的一个原因，但裁员的根源还在于剧烈的社会变迁。此后的内容均是在解释社会是如何变迁的。

　　可以看到，在这里没有提到D的说法，可以首先排除D。A、B、C的内容均有所涉及，应该选择哪一个呢?需要注意两点，一是题目问的是main cause主要原因，二是第四段开头所用的转折句式，这种句式意味着后半句的内容要更为重要。那么可以得出结论，earthshaking social shifts才是主要原因，而A和B都只是次要原因。应该选择C。

　　35. Refined table manners, though less popular than before in current social life ________.

　　A) are still a must on certain occasions

　　B) ar e bound to return sooner or later

　　C) are still being taught by parents at home

　　D) can help improve personal relationships

　　题目问优雅的餐桌礼仪在当今社会生活中虽然不及过去流行，但

　　最后一道题无非是考查全篇或是文章的最后部分。从题目问的内容来看，应该不是对全篇的考查，那么答案就只能存在于最后一两段。最后一段还是比较长的，从这里出一道题非常有可能，所以可以不看第五段，直接从最后一段中寻找答案。

　　最后一段一共三句话。第一句是说正式礼仪的失去也有消极的一面。

　　第二句很长，需要慢慢消化理解。The fine points of etiquette that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents must be picked up elsewhere。首先可以发现主语是The fine points of etiquette，that引导了一个从句，是对这个主语的修饰。谓语部分是must be picked up。基本结构就是etiquette must be picked up elsewhere礼节必须在别的地方重拾。从句部分的意思是孩子们在餐桌上通过观察和父母、祖父母的指导学到的礼仪。

　　第三句是说一些公司开始召开礼节研讨会，以给在社交方面较为懵懂的人们提供帮助。

　　这三句的逻辑顺序是这样的：社会不能丧失正式礼仪，因为它有消极的一面。过去孩子们可以在餐桌上学到正式礼仪，现在因为习惯改变已经学不到了，那么这种正式礼仪必须通过别的方式学习。有些公司开始召开礼节研讨会，以给在社交方面较为懵懂的人们提供帮助，这就是一种学习方式。

　　A，在某些场合还是必须的。文中强调正式礼仪必须重拾，可见是必须的。A的说法正确。

　　B，迟早还要回归的。文中没有类似说法。

　　C，父母们依然在家中教授孩子这种礼仪。根据上面的分析，实际情况与此恰恰相反，孩子们在餐桌上已经学不到正式礼仪了。

　　D，有利于促进个人关系发展。文章讲到礼仪研讨会可以帮助不懂社交的人，那么应该是有利于他们的社会关系的发展，而不是个人关系。

　　Passage Four

　　Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage.

　　Some houses are designed to be smart. Others have smart designs. An example of the second type of house won an Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Architects.

　　Located on the shore of Sullivans Island off the coast of South Carolina, the award-winning cube-shaped beach house was built to replace one smashed to pieces by Hurricane Hugo 10 years ago. In September 1989, Hugo struck South Carolina, killing 18 people and damaging or destroying 36,000 homes in the state.

　　Before Hugo, many new houses built along South Carolinas shoreline were poorly constructed, and enforcement of building codes wasnt strict, according to architect Ray Huff, who created the cleverly-designed beach house. In Hugos wake, all new shoreline houses are required to meet stricter, better-enforced codes. The new beach house on Sullivans Island should be able to withstand a Category 3 hurricane with peak winds of 179 to 209 kilometers per hour.

　　At first sight, the house on Sullivans Island looks anything but hurricane-proof. Its redwood shell makes it resemble a large party lantern at night, according to one observer. But looks can be deceiving. The houses wooden frame is reinforced with long steel rods to give it extra strength.

　　To further protect the house from hurricane damage, Huff raised it 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilingslong, slender columns of wood anchored deep in the sand. Pilings might appear insecure, but they are strong enough to support the weight of the house. They also elevate the house above storm surges. The pilings allow the surges to run under the house instead of running into it. These swells of water come ashore at tremendous speeds and cause most of the damage done to beach-front buildings, said Huff.

　　Huff designed the timber pilings to be partially concealed by the houses ground-to-roof shell. The shell masks the pilings so that the house doesnt look like its standing with its pant legs pulled up, said Huff. In the event of a storm surge, the shell should break apart and let the waves rush under the house, the architect explained.

　　36. After the tragedy caused by Hurricane Hugo, new houses built along South Carolinas shore line are required ________.

　　A) to be easily reinforced

　　B) to look smarter in design

　　C) to meet stricter building standards

　　D) to be designed in the shape of cubes

　　37. The award-winning beach house is quite strong because ________.

　　A) it is strengthened by steel rods

　　B) it is made of redwood

　　C) it is in the shape of a shell

　　D) it is built with timber and concrete