英语阅读理解精读与巧读的绝妙配合

   

　　【例二】2000年1月四级Passage Two

　　Some studies suggest that straight, horizontal bars painted across roads can initially cut the average speed of drivers in half. However, traffic often returns to full speed within months as drivers become used to seeing the painted bars.

　　30. What does the author say about straight, horizontal bars painted across roads?

　　A) They cannot be applied successfully to traffic circles.

　　B) They tend to be ignored by drivers in a short period of time.

　　C) They are falling out of use in the United States.

　　D) They are applicable only on broad roads

　　请用心体会一下initially 这个词的内涵，其实，你一看到这个词，就必须准确predict出后面可能会有考点，而且肯定会出现but, however, ultimately 一类的转折、对比词。答案B)。

　　【例三】六级2001年6月Passage Two

　　For centuries, explorers have risked their lives venturing into the unknown for reasons that were to varying degrees economic and nationalistic. ……

　　Although their missions blended commercial and political-military imperatives, the explorers involved all accomplished some significant science simply by going where no scientists had gone before.

　　Today Mars looms as humanity’s next great terra incognita. And with doubtful prospects for a short-term financial return, with the cold war a rapidly fading memory and amid a growing emphasis on international cooperation in large space ventures, it is clear that imperatives other than profits or nationalism will have to compel human beings to leave their tracks on the planet’s reddish surface. Could it be science, which has long played a minor role in exploration, is at least destined to take a leading role? ……

　　With Mars the scientific stakes are arguably higher than they have ever been. …..

　　36. According to the passage, the chief purpose of explorers in going to unknown places in the past was_____ .

　　A) to display their country’s military might

　　B) to accomplish some significant science

　　C) to find new areas for colonization

　　D) to pursue commercial and state interests

　　37. At present, a probable inducement for countries to initiate large-scale space ventures is _____ .

　　A) international cooperation B) nationalistic reasons

　　C) scientific

　　D) long-term profits