CET閱讀指導:如何進行判斷推理
在閱讀中,人們首先理解的是語言的字面意義。然而,語言所表達的內(nèi)容常常超過其字面意義。這就需要我們掌握邏輯判斷和推理的方法,根據(jù)事物發(fā)展的自然規(guī)律以及語言本身的內(nèi)在聯(lián)系,從一定的文字符號中獲得盡可能多的信息。
有時,作者在文中并未把需要讀者理解的所有意思直接表達出來,而期待讀者能領悟文章的內(nèi)在含義,即從字里行間來體會他想表達的意思。由于有的意思文中沒有直接說明,讀者必須根據(jù)文中所陳述內(nèi)容的邏輯發(fā)展,上下文的聯(lián)貫以及文中有關部分的暗示,作出判斷或進行推理。在閱讀中,判斷和推理的能力是十分重要的。只有具備這種能力,才有可能真正地弄懂文章中語言上沒有明確表達卻又隱含的意思,達到真正的理解。
一、判斷
在閱讀中,有時要求我們對文章中闡述的事實或細節(jié),按照邏輯發(fā)展的規(guī)律進行分析和概括,并以此為依據(jù)得出結論。我們將這個過程稱作判斷。為了對所讀材料作出正確的判斷,以得出合乎邏輯的結論,我們必須仔細地閱讀,準確地掌握事實,并對其進行認真的分析和思考。
例一:
The male and female mosquitoes make an odd couple. The female is a vampire and lives on blood. The male is a vegetarian that sips nectar and plant juices. Females of different species choose different hosts on which to dine. Some feed exclusively on cattle, horses, birds, and other warm-blooded creatures. Some favor cold-blooded animals. Still others prefer man.
While the females menu varies, her bite remains the same. She drives her sharp tubular snout through the skin, injects a fluid to keep the blood from thickening, and drinks her fill, which takes a minute or less. It is the fluid she injects that carries disease. After her blood meal, she rests while her eggs develop. She then looks for a moist or flooded place to lay them.
根據(jù)文中the male is a vegetarian that sips nectar and plant juices我們可以得出結論:雄蚊相對地說對人類無害。根據(jù)文中The female is a vampire and lives on blood. Some feed on warm-blooded creatures. Some favour cold-blooded animals. Still others prefer man. 我們可以得出結論:雌蚊對多數(shù)動物構成威脅。縱觀全文,我們可作出判斷:蚊子應該被消滅。
二、推理
推理就是以已知的事實為依據(jù),來獲得未知的信息。在閱讀中,我們要善于利用文章中明確表示的內(nèi)容,進行正確的推理,以挖掘作者的隱含意思。要求進行推理的問題,在文中均找不到直接答案。如果問題要求理解某句或某段的含蓄意義,我們必須在文中找到所涉及的關鍵詞語,仔細閱讀一至兩遍,吃透意思,并以此為根據(jù),進行分析和推理。然后,再逐個考慮選擇項,選出答案。如果需要進行推理判斷的內(nèi)容涉及全文,則必須在理解通篇中心思想、掌握全文邏輯發(fā)展過程的基礎上,才能進行正確的推理判斷。答題時,還應認真審題,特別是注意原文中的意思在題目中的表達形式,準確理解題意和要求。
例二:
The telephone rang and I picked it up and the voice said, Block party tonight.Right then, I knew summer had arrived in North Dakota.
Ill tell you ,there is nobody who enjoys summer more than North Dakotan, possibly because it takes such a long time getting here. We emerge from our cocoons into the sun and ready to go. We take to summer like a chorus girl takes to diamonds. We flood to the parks and the swimming pools and the golf courses and the hiking trails and the lakes. You ask a dozen North Dakotans what summer means to them and you will get a dozen different answers.
根據(jù)文中Right then I knew summer had arrived,我們可以推斷the block party 通常是夏季舉行的活動,這表明夏天來臨了。根據(jù)文中there is nobody who enjoys summer more than the North Dakotans. Summer takes such a long time getting here.我們可以推斷這個地區(qū)的冬天是漫 長而枯燥無味的。根據(jù)文中We flood to the parks and the swimming pools and the golf courses and the hiking trails and the lakes. 我們還可以推斷出當?shù)氐娜藗兎浅O矚g戶外活動。
例三:
Like other opinions about the situation, Burkes predictably, and sensibly, fore casts a rise in unemployment among the young.
從此句我們可以推斷出:1) 說話者同意Burke的年青人失業(yè)現(xiàn)象要增多的看法(根據(jù)predict ably, and sensibly); 2) Burke 不是唯一持這種看法的人(根據(jù)like other opinions)
例四:
Directions: Read the following passage and choose the statement(s) which can definitely be inferred.
In 1980, Canada announced strict additional limits on ownership of energy companies by foreign institutions and individuals. Since these may no longer own more than 50 percent of such companies, sources of capital for these corporations are now sharply restricted.
(A) Before 1980, foreigners were allowed to own a majority of shares in Canadian energy companies.
(B) Canadas 1980 limitations on energy ― company ownership have caused some problems for these enterprises.
(C) After 1980, foreigners may not own a majority share in a Canadian company.
(D) Before 1980, there were no limitations on foreign individuals owning Canadian energy companies.
選擇項(A)符合題意,因為文中談到這一限制是80年宣布的,據(jù)此可以推斷80年前尚無此規(guī)定。選擇項(B)也符合題意,因文中談到這些企業(yè)資金將受到限制,據(jù)此可以推斷該限制將會給這些企業(yè)帶來問題。(C)項不符合題意,因文中指的是energy companies,而不是所有的公司。(D)項也不符合題意,因為文中談到80年宣布的是additional limits, 據(jù)此可以推斷在此以前已有其它限制。
三、預測
根據(jù)上文中已出現(xiàn)的語言信息,預測下文即將出現(xiàn)的信息,這也是我們必須掌握的一項閱讀技能。也就是說,在理解已知信息的基礎上,對隨之可能會出現(xiàn)的信息,作出初步推測。(這一推測,在進一步閱讀過程中可能會被肯定、修改或否定)。例如,當我們讀到Though progress on the subway has not actually stopped(雖然修建地鐵的工程尚未完全停止)。我們根據(jù)Though所引出的讓步狀語從句的意義,應能推測到Something is wrong with the project.(修建工程出了問題。);同時從not actually中推測到progress on the subject has almost stopped.(工程幾乎已經(jīng)停止了。);據(jù)此預測,下文可能會出現(xiàn)it is likely that the completion of the project will be delayed(這項工程的竣工很可能要推遲),卻不可能出現(xiàn)the project will be completed ahead of time(工程將提前完成)。
若下文與預測一致或基本一致,則證明自己對上文理解正確,可以繼續(xù)閱讀;若不一致,則說明對已讀信息的理解有偏誤,或這里有特殊含義,需要調理自己的思路,或應給予特別的注意。
通常,我們可以借助于語法結構、常用句型進行預測:通過標題或主題句進行預測:結合自己的背景知識進行預測;根據(jù)語篇標志的提示詞或者聯(lián)接上下文的承接手段(Transitional Devices)來進行預測等等。
同樣,我們也可根據(jù)所給的某一段文章的內(nèi)容,來推測上文討論的是什么話題,或已經(jīng)談到過什么事情。以Though progress on the subway has not actually stopped, it is likely that the completion of the project will be delayed.為例。根據(jù)該句所提供的信息,我們可以推測到上文討論的內(nèi)容可能是Strikes have severely hampered the project.(罷工已經(jīng)嚴重影響了工程的進展);而不可能是The boss has promised to give his men a pay rise.(老板同意給工人增加工資。)
例五:
Directions: Choose the item which best describes what came immediately before the statement given.
(A) Why the position is hazardous.
(B) How to make necessary repairs.
(C) In what circumstances staying in the car might be a good idea.
(D) In what circumstances getting out of the car is recommended.
In most cases, however, it is best to get out of the car and make necessary repairs quickly so that you can move away from your hazardous position.
題中,however表明前面所述部分的內(nèi)容必定是與后文中的內(nèi)容相對立的。(A),(B),(D)項都不能表現(xiàn)這種語義上的連貫,正確的答案是(C)。
例六:
Directions: Choose the sentence which best follows the statement given.
Valium and related drugs have recently been suspected of causing cancer or speeding the growth of existing tumors
(A) Approximately 42 percent of American women have used valium since it came on the market in 1963.
(B) Cyclamate is one of the many drugs already banned because of a possible link with cancer.
(C) A recent Canadian study showed that breast tumors in experimental rats treated with valium were about three times larger than those found in untreated rats.
該題中,C項對上文的論點加以說明并提供了數(shù)據(jù),表現(xiàn)了意思上的連貫,(A),(B)項都不能表現(xiàn)這種意思上的連貫,正確的答案是(C)。
在閱讀理解測試中,要求進行判斷和推理的問題,通常有以下幾種形式:
The writer (author, passage) implies (suggests) that ___________ .
2. It can be inferred from the passage that ___________ .
3. An inference which may not be made from this passage is ___________ .
4. Which of the following can be readily inferred from the passage?
5. It can be concluded from the passage that ___________ .
6. What does the author conclude about?
7. We may conclude from reading the passage that ___________ .
8. The passage is intended to ___________ .
9. The paragraph preceding (following) this one would most likely (probably) state (discuss, deal with) ___________ .
10. Where would this paragraph most probably appear (be found)?
在閱讀中,人們首先理解的是語言的字面意義。然而,語言所表達的內(nèi)容常常超過其字面意義。這就需要我們掌握邏輯判斷和推理的方法,根據(jù)事物發(fā)展的自然規(guī)律以及語言本身的內(nèi)在聯(lián)系,從一定的文字符號中獲得盡可能多的信息。
有時,作者在文中并未把需要讀者理解的所有意思直接表達出來,而期待讀者能領悟文章的內(nèi)在含義,即從字里行間來體會他想表達的意思。由于有的意思文中沒有直接說明,讀者必須根據(jù)文中所陳述內(nèi)容的邏輯發(fā)展,上下文的聯(lián)貫以及文中有關部分的暗示,作出判斷或進行推理。在閱讀中,判斷和推理的能力是十分重要的。只有具備這種能力,才有可能真正地弄懂文章中語言上沒有明確表達卻又隱含的意思,達到真正的理解。
一、判斷
在閱讀中,有時要求我們對文章中闡述的事實或細節(jié),按照邏輯發(fā)展的規(guī)律進行分析和概括,并以此為依據(jù)得出結論。我們將這個過程稱作判斷。為了對所讀材料作出正確的判斷,以得出合乎邏輯的結論,我們必須仔細地閱讀,準確地掌握事實,并對其進行認真的分析和思考。
例一:
The male and female mosquitoes make an odd couple. The female is a vampire and lives on blood. The male is a vegetarian that sips nectar and plant juices. Females of different species choose different hosts on which to dine. Some feed exclusively on cattle, horses, birds, and other warm-blooded creatures. Some favor cold-blooded animals. Still others prefer man.
While the females menu varies, her bite remains the same. She drives her sharp tubular snout through the skin, injects a fluid to keep the blood from thickening, and drinks her fill, which takes a minute or less. It is the fluid she injects that carries disease. After her blood meal, she rests while her eggs develop. She then looks for a moist or flooded place to lay them.
根據(jù)文中the male is a vegetarian that sips nectar and plant juices我們可以得出結論:雄蚊相對地說對人類無害。根據(jù)文中The female is a vampire and lives on blood. Some feed on warm-blooded creatures. Some favour cold-blooded animals. Still others prefer man. 我們可以得出結論:雌蚊對多數(shù)動物構成威脅。縱觀全文,我們可作出判斷:蚊子應該被消滅。
二、推理
推理就是以已知的事實為依據(jù),來獲得未知的信息。在閱讀中,我們要善于利用文章中明確表示的內(nèi)容,進行正確的推理,以挖掘作者的隱含意思。要求進行推理的問題,在文中均找不到直接答案。如果問題要求理解某句或某段的含蓄意義,我們必須在文中找到所涉及的關鍵詞語,仔細閱讀一至兩遍,吃透意思,并以此為根據(jù),進行分析和推理。然后,再逐個考慮選擇項,選出答案。如果需要進行推理判斷的內(nèi)容涉及全文,則必須在理解通篇中心思想、掌握全文邏輯發(fā)展過程的基礎上,才能進行正確的推理判斷。答題時,還應認真審題,特別是注意原文中的意思在題目中的表達形式,準確理解題意和要求。
例二:
The telephone rang and I picked it up and the voice said, Block party tonight.Right then, I knew summer had arrived in North Dakota.
Ill tell you ,there is nobody who enjoys summer more than North Dakotan, possibly because it takes such a long time getting here. We emerge from our cocoons into the sun and ready to go. We take to summer like a chorus girl takes to diamonds. We flood to the parks and the swimming pools and the golf courses and the hiking trails and the lakes. You ask a dozen North Dakotans what summer means to them and you will get a dozen different answers.
根據(jù)文中Right then I knew summer had arrived,我們可以推斷the block party 通常是夏季舉行的活動,這表明夏天來臨了。根據(jù)文中there is nobody who enjoys summer more than the North Dakotans. Summer takes such a long time getting here.我們可以推斷這個地區(qū)的冬天是漫 長而枯燥無味的。根據(jù)文中We flood to the parks and the swimming pools and the golf courses and the hiking trails and the lakes. 我們還可以推斷出當?shù)氐娜藗兎浅O矚g戶外活動。
例三:
Like other opinions about the situation, Burkes predictably, and sensibly, fore casts a rise in unemployment among the young.
從此句我們可以推斷出:1) 說話者同意Burke的年青人失業(yè)現(xiàn)象要增多的看法(根據(jù)predict ably, and sensibly); 2) Burke 不是唯一持這種看法的人(根據(jù)like other opinions)
例四:
Directions: Read the following passage and choose the statement(s) which can definitely be inferred.
In 1980, Canada announced strict additional limits on ownership of energy companies by foreign institutions and individuals. Since these may no longer own more than 50 percent of such companies, sources of capital for these corporations are now sharply restricted.
(A) Before 1980, foreigners were allowed to own a majority of shares in Canadian energy companies.
(B) Canadas 1980 limitations on energy ― company ownership have caused some problems for these enterprises.
(C) After 1980, foreigners may not own a majority share in a Canadian company.
(D) Before 1980, there were no limitations on foreign individuals owning Canadian energy companies.
選擇項(A)符合題意,因為文中談到這一限制是80年宣布的,據(jù)此可以推斷80年前尚無此規(guī)定。選擇項(B)也符合題意,因文中談到這些企業(yè)資金將受到限制,據(jù)此可以推斷該限制將會給這些企業(yè)帶來問題。(C)項不符合題意,因文中指的是energy companies,而不是所有的公司。(D)項也不符合題意,因為文中談到80年宣布的是additional limits, 據(jù)此可以推斷在此以前已有其它限制。
三、預測
根據(jù)上文中已出現(xiàn)的語言信息,預測下文即將出現(xiàn)的信息,這也是我們必須掌握的一項閱讀技能。也就是說,在理解已知信息的基礎上,對隨之可能會出現(xiàn)的信息,作出初步推測。(這一推測,在進一步閱讀過程中可能會被肯定、修改或否定)。例如,當我們讀到Though progress on the subway has not actually stopped(雖然修建地鐵的工程尚未完全停止)。我們根據(jù)Though所引出的讓步狀語從句的意義,應能推測到Something is wrong with the project.(修建工程出了問題。);同時從not actually中推測到progress on the subject has almost stopped.(工程幾乎已經(jīng)停止了。);據(jù)此預測,下文可能會出現(xiàn)it is likely that the completion of the project will be delayed(這項工程的竣工很可能要推遲),卻不可能出現(xiàn)the project will be completed ahead of time(工程將提前完成)。
若下文與預測一致或基本一致,則證明自己對上文理解正確,可以繼續(xù)閱讀;若不一致,則說明對已讀信息的理解有偏誤,或這里有特殊含義,需要調理自己的思路,或應給予特別的注意。
通常,我們可以借助于語法結構、常用句型進行預測:通過標題或主題句進行預測:結合自己的背景知識進行預測;根據(jù)語篇標志的提示詞或者聯(lián)接上下文的承接手段(Transitional Devices)來進行預測等等。
同樣,我們也可根據(jù)所給的某一段文章的內(nèi)容,來推測上文討論的是什么話題,或已經(jīng)談到過什么事情。以Though progress on the subway has not actually stopped, it is likely that the completion of the project will be delayed.為例。根據(jù)該句所提供的信息,我們可以推測到上文討論的內(nèi)容可能是Strikes have severely hampered the project.(罷工已經(jīng)嚴重影響了工程的進展);而不可能是The boss has promised to give his men a pay rise.(老板同意給工人增加工資。)
例五:
Directions: Choose the item which best describes what came immediately before the statement given.
(A) Why the position is hazardous.
(B) How to make necessary repairs.
(C) In what circumstances staying in the car might be a good idea.
(D) In what circumstances getting out of the car is recommended.
In most cases, however, it is best to get out of the car and make necessary repairs quickly so that you can move away from your hazardous position.
題中,however表明前面所述部分的內(nèi)容必定是與后文中的內(nèi)容相對立的。(A),(B),(D)項都不能表現(xiàn)這種語義上的連貫,正確的答案是(C)。
例六:
Directions: Choose the sentence which best follows the statement given.
Valium and related drugs have recently been suspected of causing cancer or speeding the growth of existing tumors
(A) Approximately 42 percent of American women have used valium since it came on the market in 1963.
(B) Cyclamate is one of the many drugs already banned because of a possible link with cancer.
(C) A recent Canadian study showed that breast tumors in experimental rats treated with valium were about three times larger than those found in untreated rats.
該題中,C項對上文的論點加以說明并提供了數(shù)據(jù),表現(xiàn)了意思上的連貫,(A),(B)項都不能表現(xiàn)這種意思上的連貫,正確的答案是(C)。
在閱讀理解測試中,要求進行判斷和推理的問題,通常有以下幾種形式:
The writer (author, passage) implies (suggests) that ___________ .
2. It can be inferred from the passage that ___________ .
3. An inference which may not be made from this passage is ___________ .
4. Which of the following can be readily inferred from the passage?
5. It can be concluded from the passage that ___________ .
6. What does the author conclude about?
7. We may conclude from reading the passage that ___________ .
8. The passage is intended to ___________ .
9. The paragraph preceding (following) this one would most likely (probably) state (discuss, deal with) ___________ .
10. Where would this paragraph most probably appear (be found)?