排除原则NO.3::排除用语过于极端或负面的选项
四级阅读文章来源多为学术性的报纸期刊,其语言的一大特征是客观性和严谨性,因此鲜少出现极端或过于负面信息的表达。如果题目选项中出现明显的极端选项,可以直接排除。
例如上文提到的2011年12月Passage2 Q63中的A)、C)两个选项也可以利用极端原则直接排除:
A)选项Money is considered to be the root of all evils.(钱是万恶之源),
C)选项Few people can resist the temptation of money.(没人能抵挡得住钱的诱惑),都是过于极端和负面的信息。
再如2012年6月四级考试Passage 1
Q61:What can be inferred from the last paragraph? 本文依然讨论的是经济衰退给家庭关系带来的问题。
题目选项为:
A) The economic recovery will see a higher divorce rate.
B) Few couple can stand the test of economic hardships.
C) A stable family is the best protection against poverty.
D) Money is the foundation of many a happy marriage.
精读选项发现,
B) 几乎没有那个家庭可以经历经济困难的考验,过于极端和负面,排除;
D) 钱才是很多幸福婚姻的基石,过于负面,与积极阳光的普世价值相左,排除;
C) 稳定的家庭是抵御贫困的最好的保护,虽然该选项是正面信息,但是best一词的判断力度未免太过强烈。
因此,初步分析,选项A) 似乎更加靠谱。
而回归原文验证后发现,文章末段结尾句恰恰表达了选项A) 对应的含义:So it's only when the economy is healthy again that we'll begin to see just how many broken families have been created. 只有当经济复苏之后,我们才能够看出到底有多少家庭破裂了。
选项A) 意为"经济的复苏将见证离婚率的上升"。二者为简单的同义改写。
排除原则NO.4:注意结合文章主旨和主题做排除
在解答个别较困难的题目时,除了应用以上排除原则外,还可以结合全文主旨和主题来排除选项作答,有时可大大简化做题的难度。
例如2011年6月四级考试Passage1
Q60:What does Alec Webley consider to be the "definition of integration"?
原文相关句:"One of the great things about freshman housing is that, with some exceptions, the process throws you together randomly," said Undergraduate Assembly chairman Alec Webley. "This is the definition of integration."
题目选项:
A) Students of different races are required to share room.
B) Interracial lodging is arranged by the school for freshmen.
C) Lodging is assigned to students of different races without exception.
D) The school randomly assigns roommates without regard to race.
首先,C)选项without exception与原文相关句表述"with some exceptions"正好相反,排除。在剩余三个选项中做判断时,可以参考全文主题。
主题句通常在文章开头:Several recent studies have found that being randomly (随机地) assigned to a roommate of another race can lead to increased tolerance but also, to a greater likelihood (可能性) of conflict. 从开头句可看出,全文讨论的主题是"随机给不同种族的同学安排宿舍"的问题。
再结合原文相关句中the process throws you together randomly,对于"随机"一词的重复印证,可以做出排除,选择答案D)。
而其他两选项也可通过主题相关原则做排除:A)选项的be required(被要求共用宿舍),原句未提及;B)选项arranged by the school(由学校安排),原文也未明确提出安排宿舍的主体。
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