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《高校英语专业四级考试大纲》对于英语专业四级阅读部分选材的体裁描述为体裁多样，包括记叙文、描写文、说明文、议论文、广告、新闻报道、说明书和图表等。以下是针对2004年至2013年这10年的英语专业四级考试阅读部分文章体裁的统计：
根据上表所进行的统计，我们可以看出近十年来英语专业四级考试的阅读理解题的体裁基本以议论文为主，其次为说明文和叙述文，描写文几乎没有。下面对议论文、说明文和叙述文的特点分别加以说明：
1. 议论文
议论文一般对某事物发表看法或议论，或佐证某理论、阐释某问题、澄清某谬误或对某人某事进行评价。议论文都要形成某观点，这个观点有的是作者自己提出的，或是作者在赞同或批评别人的观点时所立。议论文的行文方式主要借助演绎法或归纳法。在遇到议论文时，我们的解题思路是首先判断作者采用的是演绎法还是归纳法。如果是演绎法，作者必然在一开始就亮出观点，然后再加以层层论证；如果是归纳法，那么作者会先罗列事实和论据，最后摆出观点。在思辨色彩浓厚的议论文中，学生应特别注意表示逻辑关系的各种连接词和标识语。此外，议论文一般行文比较规范，规律比较好把握，学生在阅读时应首先采取略读法把握各段的主题句，然后结合扫读法进行解题。
In the case of mobile phones, change is everything. Recent research indicates that the mobile phone is changing not only our culture, but our very bodies as well.
First, let's talk about culture. The difference between the mobile phone and its parent, the fixed-line phone, is that a mobile number corresponds to a person, while a landline goes to a place. If you call my mobile, you get me. If you call my fixed-line phone, you get whoever answers it.
This has several implications. The most common one, however, and perhaps the thing that has changed our culture forever, is the "meeting" influence. People no longer need to make firm plans about when and where to meet. Twenty years ago, a Friday night would need to be arranged in advance. You needed enough time to allow everyone to get from their place of work to the first meeting place. Now, however, a night out can be arranged on the run. It is no longer "see you there at 8", but "text me around 8 and we'll see where we all are".
Texting changes people as well. In their paper, "Insights into the Social and Psychological Effects of SMS Text Messaging", two British researchers distinguished between two types of mobile phone users: the "talkers" and the "texters"—those who prefer voice to text messages and those who prefer text to voice.
They found that the mobile phone's individuality and privacy gave texters the ability to express a whole new outer personality. Texters were likely to report that their family would be surprised if they were to read their texts. This suggests that texting allowed texters to present a self-image that differed from the one familiar to those who knew them well.
Another scientist wrote of the changes that mobiles have brought to body language. There are two kinds that people use while speaking on the phone. There is the "speakeasy":the head is held high, in a self-confident way, chatting away. And there is the "spacemaker": these people focus on themselves and keep out other people.
Who can blame them? Phone meetings get cancelled or reformed and camera-phones intrude on people's privacy. So, it is understandable if your mobile makes you nervous. But perhaps you needn't worry so much. After all, it is good to talk.
81. When people plan to meet nowadays, they ____.
A. arrange the meeting place beforehand
B. postpone fixing the place till the last minute
C. seldom care about when and where to meet
D. still love to work out detained meeting plans
82. According to the two British researchers, the social and psychological effects are mostly likely to be seen on ____.
A. talkers
B. the "speakeasy"
C. the "spacemaker"
D. texters
83. We can infer from the passage that the texts sent by texters are ____ .
A. quite revealing
B. well written
C. unacceptable by others
D. shocking to others
84. According to the passage, who is afraid of being heard while talking on the mobile?
A. Talkers.
B. The "speakeasy".
C. The "spacemaker".
D. Texters.
85. An appropriate title for the passage might be ____.
A. The SMS Effect
B. Cultural Implications of Mobile Phone Use
C. Changes in the Use of the Mobile
D. Body Language and the Mobile Phone
答案：81 – 85 BDACB
2. 说明文
英语专业四级考试阅读部分出现的说明文一般是狭义范围的说明文，即指那类对理论、现象或计划等加以说明和解释的文章，而不是广义上的那类说明产品性能或用法等的介绍或说明文章。英语专业四级考试中所选用的说明文往往掺以说明和议论，而判断原文是否为说明文的标准是要看：1.作者的写作目的是否是在解释和说明事物的原理或根源；2.作者是如何在说明和解释事物的原理和方法等；3.作者在行文时是否客观，且没有掺杂个人的观点。
The ideal companion machine—the computer—would not only look, feel, and sound friendly but would also be programmed to behave in a pleasant manner. Those qualities that make interaction with other people enjoyable would be imitated as closely as possible, and the machine would appear to be charming, and easygoing. Its informal conversational style would make interaction comfortable, and yet the machine would remain slightly unpredictable and therefore interesting. In its first encounter it might be somewhat hesitant, but as it came to know the user it would progress to a more relaxed and intonate style. The machine would not be a passive participant but would add its own suggestions, information and opinions; it would sometimes take the initiative in developing or changing the topic and would have a personality of its own.
Friendships are not made in a day, and the computer would be more acceptable as a friend if it imitated the gradual changes that occur when one person is getting to know another. At an appropriate time it might also express the kind of affection that stimulates attachment and intimacy. The whole process would be accomplished in a subtle way to avoid giving an impression of over-familiarity that would be likely to produce irritation. After experiencing a wealth of powerful, well-timed friendship indicators, the user would be very likely to accept the computer as far more than a machine and might well come to regard it as a friend.
An artificial relationship of this type would provide many of the benefits that people obtain from interpersonal friendships. The machine would participate in interesting conversation that could continue from previous discussions. It would have a familiarity with the user's life as revealed in earlier contact, and it would be understanding and good-humored. The computer's own personality would be lively and impressive, and it would develop in response to that of the user. With features such as these, the machine might indeed become a very attractive social partner.
96. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the ideal companion machine?
A. Active in communication.
B. Attractive in personality.
C. Enjoyable in performance.
D. Unpredictable in behaviour.
97. The computer would develop friendships with humans in a(n) ____ way.
A. quick
B. unpredictable
C. productive
D. inconspicuous
98. Which of the following aspects is NOT mentioned when the passage discusses the benefits of artificial relationships?
A. Being able to pick up an interesting conversation.
B. Being sensitive to earlier contact.
C. Being ready to learn about the person's life.
D. Having a pleasant and adaptable personality.
99. Throughout the passage, the author is ____ in his attitude towards the computer.
A. favourable
B. critical
C. vague
D. hesitant
100. Which might be the most appropriate title of the passage?
A. Artificial relationships.
B. How to form intimate relationships.
C. The affectionate machine.
D. Humans and computers.
答案：96 – 100 DDBAC
3. 叙述议论
所谓叙述议论指的是那类夹叙夹议的文章，在遇到这类文章时，要记住夹叙夹议的文章的原则是“先叙后议、叙是为了议”，即叙述不是重点，重点在于由叙述生发议论，作者力图形而上，由特殊性总结出普遍性。因此，叙述议论文章往往不是就事论事。
The kids are hanging out. I pass small bands of students, in my way to work these mornings. They have become a familiar part of the summer landscape.
These kids are not old enough for jobs. Nor are they rich enough for camp. They are school children without school. The calendar called the school year ran out on them a few weeks ago. Once supervised by teachers and principals, they now appear to be "self care".
Passing them is like passing through a time zone. For much of our history, after all, Americans arranged the school year around the needs of work and family. In 19th century cities, schools were open seven or eight hours a day, 11 months a year. In rural America, the year was arranged around the growing season. Now, only 3 percent of families follow the agricultural model, but nearly all schools are scheduled as if our children went home early to milk the cows and took months off to work the crops. Now, three-quarters of the mothers of school-age children work, but the calendar is written as if they were home waiting for the school bus.
The six-hour day, the 180-day school year is regarded as something holy. But when parents work an eight-hour day and a 240-day year, it means something different. It means that many kids go home to empty houses. It means that, in the summer, they hang out.
"We have a huge mismatch between the school calendar and realities of family life," says Dr. Ernest Boyer, head of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Dr. Boyer is one of many who believe that a radical revision of the school calendar is inevitable. "School, whether we like it or not, is educational. It always has been."
His is not a popular idea. Schools are routinely burdened with the job of solving all our social problems. Can they be asked to meet the needs of our work and family lives?
It may be easier to promote a longer school year on its educational merits and, indeed, the educational case is compelling. Despite the complaints and studies about our kids' lack of learning, the United State still has a shorter school year than any industrial nation. In most of Europe, the school year is 220 days. In Japan, it is 240 days long. While classroom time alone doesn't produce a well-educated child, learning takes time and more learning takes more time. The long summers of forgetting take a toll.
The opposition to a longer school year comes from families that want to and can provide other experiences for their children. It comes from teachers. It comes from tradition. And surely from kids. But the most important part of the conflict has been over the money.
95. Which of the following is an opinion of the author's?
A. "The kids are hanging out."
B. "They are school children without school."
C. "These kids are not old enough for jobs."
D. "The calendar called the school year ran out on them a few weeks ago."
96. The current American school calendar was developed in the 19th century according to ____.
A. the growing season of nation's form
B. the labor demands of the industrial age
C. teachers' demands for more vacation time
D. parents' demands for other experiences for their kids
97. The author thinks that the current school calendar ____.
A. is still valid
B. is out of date
C. can not be revised
D. can not be defended
98. Why was Dr. Boy's idea unpopular?
A. He argues for the role of school in solving social problems.
B. He supports the current school calendar.
C. He thinks that school year and family life should be considered separately.
D. He strongly believes in the educational role of school.
99. "The long summers of forgetting take a toll" in the last paragraph but one means that ____.
A. long summer vacation slows down the progress of learning
B. long summer vacation has been abandoned in Europe
C. long summers result in less learning time
D. long summers are a result of tradition
100. The main purpose of the passage is ____.
A. to describe how American children spend their summer
B. to explain the needs of the modem working families
C. to discuss the problems of the current school calendar
D. to persuade parents to stay at home to look after their kids
点评：上文是篇典型的叙述议论文章，作者由自身经历的事出发，讲到自己上班的路上看到许多闲逛的孩子，进而引发议论，探讨美国延长学年的必要性和可行性。
答案：95 – 100 BABDAC
4. 叙述文
叙述文就是记叙文，或俗称的讲故事。叙述文的主要目的就是叙述一件事情，并且要交代事件的前因后果。叙述文一般并不停留于完整地讲述一件事情，其最终目的往往是通过这个叙述来得出一个结论、表述一种观点、说明一个问题或是得出一个寓意（moral）。
I am afraid to sleep. I have been afraid to sleep for the last few weeks. I am so tired that, finally, I do sleep, but only for a few minutes. It is not a bad dream that wakes me; it is the reality I took with me into sleep. I try to think of something else.
Immediately the woman in the marketplace comes into my mind.
I was on my way to dinner last night when I saw her. She was selling skirts. She moved with the same ease and loveliness I often saw in the women of Laos. Her long black hair was as shiny as the black silk of the skirts she was selling. In her hair, she wore three silk ribbons, blue, green and white. They reminded me of my childhood and how my girlfriends and I used to spend hours braiding ribbons into our hair.
I don't know the word for "ribbons", so I put my hand to my own hair and, with three fingers against my head. I looked at her ribbons and said "Beautiful." She lowered her eyes and said nothing. I wasn't sure if she understood me. (I don't speak Laotian very well.)
I looked back down at the skirts. They had designs in them: squares and triangles and circles of pink and green silk. They were very pretty. I decided to buy one of those skirts, and I began to bargain with her over the price. It is the custom to bargain in Asia. In Laos bargaining is done in soft voices and easy moves with the sort of quiet peacefulness.
She smiled, more with her eyes than with her lips. She was pleased by the few words I was able to say in her language, although they were mostly numbers, and she saw that I understood something about the soft playfulness of bargaining. We shook our heads in disagreement over the price; then, immediately, we made another offer and then another shake of the head. She was so pleased that unexpectedly, she accepted the last offer I made. But it was too soon. The price was too low. She was being too generous and wouldn't make enough money. I moved quickly and picked up two more skirts and paid for all three at the price set; that way I was able to pay her three times as much before she had a chance to lower the price for the larger purchase. She smiled openly then, and, for the first time in months, my spirit lifted. I almost felt happy.
The feeling stayed with me while she wrapped the skirts in a newspaper and handed them to me. When I left, though, the feeling left, too. It was as though it stayed behind in marketplace. I left tears in my throat. I wanted to cry. I didn't, of course.
I have learned to defend myself against what is hard; without knowing it, I have also learned to defend myself against what is soft and what should be easy.
I get up, light a candle and want to look at the skirts. They are still in the newspaper that the woman wrapped them in. I remove the paper, and raise the skirts up to look at them again before I pack them. Something fails to floor. I reach down and feel something cool in my hand. I move close to the candlelight to see what I have. There are five long silk ribbons in my hand, all different colors. The woman in the marketplace! She has given these ribbons to me!
There is no defense against a generous spirit, and this time I cry, and very hard, as if I could make up for all the months that I didn't cry.
89. According to the writer, the woman in the marketplace ____.
A. refused to speak to her
B. was pleasant and attractive
C. was selling skirts and ribbons
D. recognized her immediately
90. Which of the following is NOT correct?
A. The writer was not used to bargaining.
B. People in Asia always bargain when buying things.
C. Bargaining in Laos was quiet and peaceful.
D. The writer was ready to bargain with the woman.
91. The writer assumed that the woman accepted the last offer mainly because woman ____.
A. thought that the last offer was reasonable
B. thought she could still make much money
C. was glad that the writer knew their way of bargaining
D. was tired of bargaining with the writer any more
92. Why did the writer finally decide to buy three skirts?
A. The skirts were cheap and pretty.
B. She liked the patterns on the skirts.
C. She wanted to do something as compensation.
D. She was fed up with further bargaining with the woman.
93. When the writer left the marketplace, she wanted to cry, but did not because ____.
A. she had learned to stay cool and unfeeling
B. she was afraid of crying in public
C. she had learned to face difficulties bravely
D. she had to show in public that she was strong
94. Why did the writer cry eventually when she looked at the skirts again?
A. She suddenly felt very sad.
B. She liked the ribbons so much.
C. She was overcome by emotion.
D. She felt sorry for the woman.
点评：本篇讲述了女作者在老挝购买裙子的经历，在文章末尾将这次经历进行升华，告诉读者一颗慷慨之心如何让人感动。
答案：89 – 94 BACCAC