信息时代的到来让阅读理解的文章内容趋于信息化、时代化、多元化。文章内容涉及科普、文化、社会、常识、经贸、人物等,体裁一般包含记叙文、议论文以及应用文等。文章的体裁不同,阅读的要求与方法也不相同。
记叙文阅读主要把握时间、地点、人物和事件四大要素,关注事件的起因、发展和结果,判断人物之间的关系,分析人物品质与性格等;议论文是作者阐明自己的观点、理论等的文章,阅读时必须正确把握文章的论点和论据,理清论证思路,明确文章结论;应用文是与日常工作和生活相关度最为紧密的一种文体,它包括通知、广告、便条、申请书、个人简历、说明书、信函、合同等,题材丰富、形式多样,阅读时应简明扼要地抓住核心信息,理解文章内容。
从文章内容来看,常见的文章可分为科普、叙事、人生意义、社会问题等四类。
科普类文章包含两类,一是比较新旧科技或产品,二是单纯介绍新技术。这类文章一般不会涉及作者的感情偏好,阅读的关键是留意细节。另外,还需要注意通过文章的语气和阐述方式来判断文章的阅读对象。叙事类文章通常是描述一个完整的故事,然后给出作者的意见或者提出问题。阅读的难点在于用当事人的眼光置身事件全过程,弄清事情的发展顺序和发展的方向。人生意义类的文章常由故事引出,它的理解难点在于正确地揣摩作者的心思,避免主观臆断。一般来说,这类文章都是引人向上、乐观积极的,阅读的重点是把握作者的观点。社会问题类文章人物观点众多,而且相对复杂,首先要弄清讨论的问题是什么,然后有目的地找出不同的观点。阅读的难点在于留意角色观点的切换,弄清不同观点的对峙主体、内容、原因、解决方案等信息。
例文1-1-1(议论文)
Online advertising is the means of selling a product on the Internet.With the arrival of the Internet,the business world has become digitalized(数字化)and people prefer buying things online,which is easier and faster.Online advertising is also known as e-advertising.It offers a great variety of services,which can not be offered by any other way of advertising.
One major benefit of online advertising is the immediate spread of information that is not limited by geography or time.Online advertising can be viewed day and night throughout the world.Besides,it reduces the cost and increases the profit of the company.
Small businesses especially find online advertising cheap and effective.They can focus on their ideal customers and pay very little for the advertisements.
In a word,online advertising is a cheap and effective way of advertising,whose success has so far fully proved its great potential(潜力).
(2010年6月B级考试真题)
这篇文章重在阐述作者对在线广告作为产品推广方式的优势的看法,文章观点明确,论证逻辑清晰。从文章内容的角度来说,我们可以把它看做一篇较为粗浅的介绍在线广告优势的科普文章,作者在本文表达了正面肯定的态度。
例文1-1-2(应用文——广告)
During our more than 60-year history,with our vast knowledge and experience,Trafalgar has created perfectly designed travel experiences and memories.
Exceptional value
Traveling with Trafalgar can save you up to 40%when compared with traveling independently.We can find you the right hotels,restaurants,and our charges include entrance fees,tolls(道路通行费),etc.Because we're the largest touring company with great buying power,we can pass on our savings to you.
Fast-track entrance
Traveling with us means no standing in line(排队)at major sights.Trafalgar takes care of all the little details,which means you are always at the front of the line.
Travel with like-minded friends
Because we truly are global,you will travel with English-speaking people from around the world,and that leads to life-long friendships.
Great savings
We provide many great ways to save money,including Early Payment Discount(折扣),Frequent Traveler Savings and more.
Fast check-in
Once your booking has been made,you are advised to check in online at our website and meet your fellow travelers before you leave.
(2010年6月B级考试真题)
这篇文章从五个方面说明了Trafalgar公司可以提供优质的旅行体验。作者用小标题的形式表明观点,让读者一目了然。
例文1-1-3(应用文——信函)
Dear Sirs,
I'm writing to tell you that your latest shipment(装运)of apples is not up to the standard we expected from you.Many of them are bruised(擦伤),and more than half are covered with little spots.They are classed as Grade A,but I think there must have been some mistakes,as they are definitely not Grade A apples.
We have always been satisfied with the quality of your product(产品),which makes this case all the more puzzling.I would be grateful if you could look into the matter.We would be happy to keep the apples and try to sell them at a reduced price,but in that case we would obviously need a credit(部分退款)from you.Alternatively,you could collect them and replace them with apples of the right quality.Would you please phone me to let me know how you want to handle it?
Yours faithfully,
Fiona Stockton
Purchasing Manager
(2010年6月B级考试真题)
在阅读信函的过程中需明确写信人与收信人的关系、写信的目的以及希望对方采取的行动。把握了上述三点信息也就把握了这封投诉信的主要内容。
例文1-1-4(记叙文)
Some years ago I was offered a writing assignment that would require three months of travel through Europe.I had been abroad a couple of times,but I could hardly claim to know my way around the continent.Moreover,my knowledge of foreign languages was limited to a little college French.
I hesitated.How would I,unable to speak the language,far from unfamiliar with local geography or transportation systems,set up interviews and do research?It seemed impossible,and with considerable regret I sat down to write a letter begging off.Halfway through,a thought ran through my mind:you can't learn if you don't try.So I accepted the assignment.
There were some bad moments.But by the time I had finished the trip I was an experienced traveler.And ever since,I have never hesitated to head for even the most remote of places,without guiders or even advanced bookings,confident that somehow I will manage.
The point is that the new,the different,is almost by definition scary.But each time you try something,you learn,and as the learning piles up,the world opens to you.
I've learned to ski at 40,and flown up the Rhine River in a balloon.And I know I'll go on doing such things.It's not because I'm braver or more daring than others.I'm not.But I'll accept anxiety as another name for challenge and I believe I can accomplish wonders.
(2008年6月大学英语四级真题)
这篇文章篇幅不长,却把时间、人物、事件交代得清清楚楚,作者的心路历程也跃然纸上。