下载掌阅APP，畅读海量书库
立即打开
在阅读理解中，首先需要解决的是词汇问题。考生经常发现，尽管大纲规定的单词已经背了不少，但是在阅读文章时依然有一些单词不认识。遇到生词时，考生可以通过词根词缀和上下文来推测词义。
在英语中，存在大量的衍生词，即一个基本的词根加上各种不同的词缀构成不同词性或词义的单词。比如，词根rupt有“中断，破裂”之意，含有这个词根的单词bankrupt（破产）、interrupt（打断）、erupt（爆发）都与“中断，破裂”的意思相关。
因此，如果能够掌握一些常见的词根词缀，对于考生推测单词的含义会非常有帮助。另外，还有一个规律要记牢：一般来说，前缀会改变词义，但是不改变词性；后缀会改变词性，但是不改变词义。
下面列出一些常见的词根词缀及其基本含义，以帮助考生更好地记词、猜词。
① 常用词根
词根往往包含一个单词最核心的内容。
② 常用前缀
前缀通常会改变一个单词的词义。英语中常见的前缀可以表示方式、态度、否定、时间、方向、程度、数量等。
③ 常用后缀
后缀一般不会从根本上改变单词的含义，但是它往往决定了单词的词性。下面是一些常见的名词、动词、形容词和副词后缀。
通过上下文推测生词含义的方法有四种：同义法、反义法、逻辑法和常识法。
① 同义法
同义法即利用释义、定义来推测生词的含义。在篇章中，作者往往会以各种各样的形式给出某个关键性生词的定义或者释义，主要有以下几种：
⯈ 通过is、means、refers to等含义为“意思是……”的动词或动词词组给出其前面生词的含义，如：
Intellectual disability refers to a general slowness to learn and function within society, and the identification of intellectual disability is usually based on an assessment of a person's performance in a variety of tests.
分析 根据refers to后面的a general slowness to learn...推测intellectual disability的意思为“智障；智力残疾”。
译文 智力残疾是指在社会中学习和活动的普遍迟缓，而智力残疾的鉴定通常是基于对一个人在各种测试中的表现的评估。
⯈ 通过举例的方法给出生词的含义，举例的一些标志词有for example、for instance、such as、just like等，如：
After a day of hunting, Harold is ravenous . Yesterday, for example, he ate two bowls of soup, salad, a large chicken, and a piece of chocolate cake before he was finally satisfied.
分析 根据for example后面列举的一系列食物推测ravenous的意思为“饿极的”。
译文 狩猎了一整天后，哈罗德饿极了。例如，昨天他喝了两碗汤，还吃了沙拉、一大只鸡和一块巧克力蛋糕，才终于吃饱了。
⯈ 通过生词后括号内或者破折号后的内容给出其含义，如：
He played a love game (a game in which his score is 0).
分析 根据括号里的a game in which his score is 0推测a love game的意思为“一方得零分的一场比赛”。
译文 他打了一场一方得零分的比赛（这场比赛他一分未得）。
⯈ 通过生词的同位语（从句）给出其含义，如：
Some books are anthologies , a collection of works by a number of authors.
分析 根据逗号后的同位语推测anthologies的意思为“选集”。
译文 有些书是选集，即许多作家的作品合集。
⯈ 通过生词的定语（从句）给出其含义，如：
When there is a language barrier, communication is accomplished through sign language in which motions stand for letters, words, and ideas.
分析 根据in which引导的定语从句推测sign language的意思为“手势语”。
译文 当存在语言障碍时，可以通过手势语进行交流，手势动作可以代表字母、单词和想法。
② 反义法
反义法即利用句子间的转折对比关系来推测生词的含义。此方法其实也是逻辑法的一种，但由于使用广泛，所以此处将其单独列出加以讲解。在阅读的过程中，如果遇到表示转折的信号词，如but、though、however等，以及表示对比关系的信号词，如unlike、different from、on the contrary等，那么这些词语的前后内容表达的就是两个完全相反的概念。考生可以利用这一关系来推测相关生词的含义，如：
Unlike her gregarious sister, Jane is an unsociable person who does not like to go to parties or to make new friends.
分析 根据信号词unlike（与……不同）和后面的句子内容，推测gregarious的意思为“爱交际的”。
译文 与她爱交际的妹妹不同，简是一个不合群的人，她不喜欢参加聚会或结交新朋友。
③ 逻辑法
逻辑法即利用句子间的类比、因果、递进等逻辑关系来推测生词的含义。在阅读中，如果遇到表示类比的逻辑信号词，如like、likewise、similarly、in the same way等，或表示因果的逻辑信号词，如as a result、consequently、hence、therefore、because、due to、on account of等，以及表示递进的逻辑信号词，如and、then、even等，考生就可以合理地利用相应的逻辑关系来推测相关生词的含义。例如：
⯈ 类比关系
Tom never allowed himself to become angry with customers. Like a parent with spoiled children, he always listened indulgently to their complaints.
分析 根据信号词like和其后的内容，推测indulgently的意思为“放任地；宽容地”。
译文 汤姆从不允许自己对顾客生气。就像一个溺爱孩子的家长，他总是宽容地倾听顾客的投诉。
⯈ 因果关系
Because of Mary's antagonistic nature, she finds it difficult to make friends.
分析 根据信号词because of及后半句内容，推测antagonistic的意思为“敌对的，敌意的”。
译文 由于玛丽生性敌对，她觉得很难交到朋友。
⯈ 递进关系
The idea is not only silly but also preposterous .
分析 根据信号词not only...but also...推测preposterous的意思比silly程度更甚，推测其意思可能是“荒谬的”。
译文 这个想法不仅愚蠢，而且还很荒谬。
④ 常识法
常识法即利用普通的科学知识或生活常识来推测生词的含义。如：
Some children display an unquenchable curiosity about every new thing they encounter.
分析 根据“孩子容易对新事物表现出强烈的好奇心”这一常识推测unquenchable的意思为“止不住的，难以抑制的”。
译文 一些孩子对他们碰到的每一种新事物都有止不住的好奇心。
在阅读理解中，经常会遇到一些非常复杂的句子，这些句子往往还是命题点。如果理解不准确，或者断章取义，就会做错题目。鉴于此，提高迅速分析句子结构的能力是阅读理解必过的另一关。
① 句子主干
想要准确、快速地把握难句的结构和含义，首先要做的就是抓住其主干。所谓句子的主干就是指句子的主要成分，包括主语、谓语、宾语、表语。定语、状语等则属于句子的修饰成分。
英语句子的主干有以下五种基本类型：
⯈ 主语＋谓语（SV）
Time flies. 时光飞逝。
⯈ 主语＋系动词＋表语（SVP）
He is a doctor. 他是一名医生。
⯈ 主语＋谓语＋宾语（SVO）
He teaches Chinese. 他教语文。
⯈ 主语＋谓语＋双宾语（间接宾语和直接宾语）（SVOO）
He teaches us Chinese. 他教我们语文。
⯈ 主语＋谓语＋复合宾语（宾语＋宾语补足语）（SVOC）
I heard her singing. 我听见她在唱歌。
其他的各种句子结构都是由这五种基本句型转换或者变化而来的。并列句的各个分句，复合句的主句和从句都必然是这五种基本句型中的一种。
② 难句分析方法
在分析难句的时候，可采取“层层剥离抓主干”的方法，即先抓主句的主干，然后抓从句的主干。对于句子内部的非从句修饰成分，如非谓语动词短语、介词短语等构成的定语、状语等，可以在把握句子主干的基础上进行分析。
在专四阅读理解中，常出现的复杂的句子结构主要可以分为以下四种类型：并列平行结构、多重复合结构、倒装结构、分隔结构。
① 并列平行结构
并列连词and、or、so、but、not only...but (also)...、as well、neither...nor...、either...or...等及标点符号，如分号或破折号，可以把若干个在语义上有联系或者相互照应的句子成分或简单句连在一起，同时中间有可能插入多个修饰成分，从而构成一种并列或者平行结构的长句。
Oatley was not involved in the research, but worked on some of the first studies to suggest that reading literature can boost people's sympathy for others. （2019年专四真题）
分析 该句为复合句，主句中包含but连接的并列谓语：was not involved in和 worked on；不定式短语to suggest that...作后置定语，修饰the first studies，该不定式短语中包含that引导的宾语从句。
译文 奥特利没有参与这项研究，但他曾从事过一些初步的研究，这些研究表明阅读文学作品可以提升人们对他人的同理心。
并列平行结构中常常会出现列举的现象，因此往往是命题点所在，需要考生在准确判断列举成分的基础上，利用排除法进行选择。不过只要大家抓住并列平行结构中并列的几个成分语法对等这一点，就可以正确答题。
② 多重复合结构
多重复合结构的句子就是句子主干本身或者句子主干以外的修饰成分由从句构成，且这些从句内又套有其他从句，环环相扣，因此又称“多重嵌套结构”。考生往往不容易分清各个修饰成分之间以及修饰成分和句子主干间的关系，因而造成分析句子结构时的混乱。
The most obvious possibility is that this shift is the result of changes that took place as we moved from a feudal agrarian society to one that was urban and industrial. （2021年专四真题）
分析 该句为复合句，主句主干为The most obvious possibility is that...，其中that引导表语从句。表语从句的主干为this shift is the result of changes，changes后接定语从句that took place as we moved from...to...，该定语从句又嵌套一个时间状语从句as we moved from...to...，该时间状语从句中又嵌套着定语从句that was urban and industrial，修饰先行词one。
译文 最明显的可能是，这种变化是我们从封建农业社会过渡到城市工业社会的结果。
多重复合结构的句子层次较多，信息量也大，不过读懂多重复合结构的句子其实并不难，关键且首要的一步就是要学会抓住句子的主干，运用“层层剥离抓主干”的难句分析法。这样一层层分析下来，句子内部的逻辑关系和句意就一目了然了。
③ 倒装结构
为了突出强调某一句子成分或某种表达语气，常常需要采用倒装结构，打破相对固定的常规语序。一般情况下所说的倒装指的是“主谓倒装”，即谓语不再按照陈述句的语序放在主语的后面，而是提到主语之前。具体说来可以分为“部分倒装”和“全部倒装”两种。
部分倒装是指将谓语的一部分（如助动词、be动词或情态动词）提到主语之前，而剩余的部分依然放在主语之后，构成“助动词/be动词/情态动词+主语+动词+其他”的结构。一般情况下，当表示否定意义的单词或词组位于句首，only开头的短语作状语位于句首，或者so、such等词语位于句首的时候，句子要部分倒装。例如：
· Only with the aid of a rich businessman could he finish his further studies on frogs. 只有在富商的赞助之下，他才能完成对青蛙的进一步研究。
· He will not go to Beijing, and nor will I. 他不会去北京，我也不会去。
· So busy is he that he barely has time to have lunch. 他忙得连吃午饭的时间都没有。
全部倒装则是将整个谓语部分提到主语的前面，常见于表示地点、方向的状语位于句首而句子的主语是名词或者名词短语时。例如：
· Here comes the teacher. 老师过来了。
上面所说的都是由于语法上的需要而进行的倒装，所以都属于“语法倒装”。然而在专四阅读理解中更常出现的，则是为了突出强调某一内容（如表语、状语等）或者为了平衡句子结构（避免主语或者宾语过长）而构成的倒装，即“修辞倒装”。例如：
Pinned to their drawing boards are blueprints for improved quake-resistant buildings.
分析 此句是典型的为了平衡句子结构而进行的倒装。句子的主语（blueprints for improved quake-resistant buildings）较长，而英语句子在结构上习惯“前短后长”，因此如果将此句的主语放在句首的话，不太符合英语句子的表达习惯。故将句子的表语pinned to their drawing boards提到了be动词之前，构成了全部倒装。
译文 改进过的抗震大楼的设计蓝图钉在他们的画板上。
又如：
Many a time did I stay up late practicing English pronunciation and intonation.
分析 此句则是为了强调状语many a time而将其置于句首，故将助动词did提到了主语之前，从而构成了部分倒装。
译文 多少次我熬夜练习英语发音和语调。
“修辞倒装”的句子，乍一看很难，但是只要熟知上文提到的使用倒装的情况和倒装的句子结构，理解句子便不成问题。
④ 分隔结构
一般说来，分隔结构不难辨认，但是当句子较长，成分较多且复杂，被分隔的部分相距较远时，也容易造成一定程度的理解障碍。在专四阅读中，较常见的是插入语分隔。
插入语分隔，指用于增加补充信息的插入语将句子成分分隔开来的现象。
A law passed in 1996 explicitly bars most immigrants, even those with legal status , from receiving almost any federal benefits. （2019年专四真题）
分析 该句主干为A law bars most immigrants from receiving almost any federal benefits，其中，bar sb. from sth. / doing sth.是常用搭配，意为“禁止某人做某事”，两个逗号之间的even those with legal status是插入语。passed in 1996作后置定语，修饰A law。
译文 1996年通过的一项法律明确禁止了大多数移民者——甚至包括那些拥有合法身份的移民——取得任何联邦福利。
在实际阅读中，在处理分隔时，可先忽略插入语，然后理解句意。
阅读理解的突破点，在于寻找出题来源，快速定位到答案段落，这样才能准确答题。因此了解考官的出题思路，掌握答题技巧，才能正确找到答案。
一般情况下，阅读文章的题目顺序与文章的行文顺序基本是一致的，因此，确定了前一题的出题位置就比较容易确定后面题目的出题位置了。以下面这篇阅读题为例：
(1) [41] Do you realize that every time you take a step, the bones in your hip are subjected to forces between four and five times your body weight? When you are running, this force is increased further still. What happens if through disease a hip-joint ceases to be able to resist such forces? For many years hip-joints and other body joints have been replaceable either partially or completely. It is after all a simple ball and socket joint; it has certain loads imposed on it; it needs reliability over a defined life; it must contain materials suitable for the working environment. [42] Any engineer will recognize these as characteristic of a typical engineering problem , which doctors and engineers have worked together to solve, in order to bring a fresh lease of life to people who would otherwise be disabled.
(2) This typifies the way in which engineers work to help people and create a better quality of life. The fact that this country has the most efficient agricultural industry in the world is another good example. [43/44] Mechanical engineers have worked with farmers and biologists to produce fertilizers, machinery and harvesting systems. This team effort has now produced crops uniformly waist high or less so that they are better suited to mechanical harvesting. Similar advances with other crops have released people from hard and boring jobs for more creative work, whilst machines harvest crops more efficiently with less waste. Providing more food for the rapidly increasing population is yet another role for the mechanical engineer.
41. According to the passage, when would most weight be imposed on hip-joints?
A. When one is walking.
B. When one is running.
C. When one is standing.
D. When one is lying down.
42. Engineers regard the replacement of hip-joints as a(n) ______ problem.
A. mechanical
B. medical
C. health
D. agricultural
43. According to the passage, how do engineers contribute to increasing efficiency of the agricultural industry?
A. By working with farmers.
B. By working in teams.
C. By growing crops of the same height.
D. By making agricultural machinery.
44. According to the context, “This team effort” in Paragraph Two refers to ______.
A. mechanical engineers
B. doctors and engineers
C. biologists, doctors and farmers
D. farmers, biologists and engineers
本文共两段，题目的分布为一段两道题，题目分布均匀且题目的顺序与文章的行文顺序一致。
文章的首尾一般为文章的主旨，而各段的首尾则是该段主要内容的总结和概括，所以这些地方考生应格外注意并重点研读。以下面这篇阅读题为例：
(1) [41] When the sun is up in Amsterdam, the largest city in the Netherlands sits quietly on the Amstel River. You can rent a bicycle, visit the Van Gogh or Anne Frank museum, or take a water taxi.
(2) [41] But when the sun goes down, the partying begins. In the big clubs and in coffee shops, tourists gather to hang out, talk politics and smoke.
(3) Several areas of the city clearly show the two worlds that rule Amsterdam. And they're all within a short cab ride of each other.
(4) [42] For example, Dam Square attracts daytime sightseers to its festivals, open markets, concerts and other events. Several beautiful and very popular hotels can be found there. And there is the Royal Palace and the Magna Plaza shopping mall.
(5) [42] But as evening descends on Dam Square so do the party-seekers. Hip pop or funk music begins blaring from Club Paradiso and Club Melkweg. These are two of the most popular clubs in Europe. So if you come, be ready to dance. The clubs don't shut down until 4 a.m.
(6) And while you are there, check out the various inexpensive ways to tour the city. [43] Don't worry about getting lost. Although Dutch is the official language, most people in Amsterdam speak English and are happy to help you with directions.
(7) [43] And you'll notice that half the people in the streets are on bicycles. They rent for US$17 to $20 for a whole day.
(8) Amsterdam also has a good canal system. From anywhere between US$2 and $9.50, you can use the canal bus or a water taxi to cruise the “Venice of the North”.
(9) [44] You can take in the picturesque canal house architecture : The rows of neat, narrow four-story dwellings of brownstone with large windows are well worth seeing. Many of them are several centuries old.
(10) [44] You might also want to jump out of the canal bus at the Museum Quarter and start walking. Masterpieces by Dutch artists such as Rembrandt, Bruegel, Van Gogh and others are on display at the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House and others.
(11) [44] The city has an appreciation of its historic past. One place to visit is the Anne Frank House in Nine Streets. It was there that the young Jewish girl wrote her famous diary during World War II. Visitors can view Anne's original diary and climb behind the bookcase to the room where she and her family hid from the Nazis for two years.
41. At the beginning of the passage, the author indicates that ______.
A. Amsterdam is generally known as a quiet city
B. parties go on all day long in Amsterdam
C. Amsterdam presents two different pictures
D. Amsterdam attracts many daytime visitors
42. Which tourist attraction is cited for elaboration in Paragraphs Four and Five?
A. Royal Palace.
B. Dam Square.
C. Club Paradiso.
D. Magna Plaza.
43. According to the passage, the local people have all the following characteristics EXCEPT ______.
A. they are party goers
B. they show hospitality
C. they can speak English
D. they are fond of cycling
44. Which of the following adjectives can best describe Amsterdam as a tourist city?
A. Modern.
B. Delightful.
C. Quiet.
D. Historic.
四道题目中，41、42和44题的答案都位于段首。41题问篇首表明了什么，答案在第一、二段段首，是阿姆斯特丹昼夜的对比；42题为细节排除题，答案在第四、五段段首，这两段的主题句都位于段首，所以42题实则是对第四、五段主题的考查；43题也为细节排除题，答案在第六段段尾和第七段；44题问哪个形容词最能描述阿姆斯特丹这个旅游城市，答案在最后三段的段首。
在做题过程中，我们可以从题干中获取很多信息，如有些题干是原文的同义转述、有些题干来自原文等。很多答案也是原文中的原词或原文的同义转述。
(4) The older woman detached from the younger one and began to tick through the DVDs on the nearest shelf. After the slightest hesitation, I walked over and asked if I could help her find something. The woman smiled up at me and showed me a title scrawled on a crumpled piece of paper. The title was unusual and a bit obscure. Clearly a person looking for it knew a little about movies , about quality. （2019年专四真题）
45. What does the title of the DVD reveal according to the shop assistant?
A. The elderly woman had some knowledge about movies.
B. The elderly woman liked movies for young children.
C. The elderly woman preferred movies her son liked.
D. The elderly woman liked both old and new movies.
分析 根据题干中的the title of the DVD可定位到第四段。第四段最后一句“很显然，寻找它的人对电影是有所了解的，知道什么是高质量的电影”表明了店员（即作者）的观点，因此A项“老妇人对电影有所了解”与文意相符，其中had some knowledge about movies是对文中knew a little about movies的同义转述，故A项为正确答案。
在阅读文章时，常常会遇到一些长词、难词或生词，这就给我们的阅读造成了障碍，但如果我们能采取有效的策略，它们也能够帮助我们解题。因为出题者常常会根据这些词来命题，所以利用它们来定位答案再适合不过了。
(3) Then, in adolescence , I began a long search for strange and radical ideas. I wanted to challenge my elders and betters, and stir up my peers with amazing points of view. Of course, the only place to look was in books. I hunted out the longest titles and the authors with the funniest names, and scoured the library for completely unread books. Then I found one which became my bible for the whole of 1982. It had a title composed of eleven long words and an author whose name I didn't know how to pronounce. It was really thick and looked dead serious. Even better, it put forward a whole world-view that would take days to explain. Perfect. I took it out of the library three times, proud to see the date-stamps lined up on the empty library insert. （2021年专四真题）
41. We learn from the author's reading habit in adolescence that he liked ______.
A. unread and serious books
B. real historical figures
C. works of literature
D. works of philosophy
分析 根据题干中的in adolescence定位到第三段。本题实际是问作者青少年时期喜欢读什么样的书。该段首句提到“青少年时期，我开始长时间搜罗古怪且激进的点子”；第四句提到“我竭尽全力搜罗书名最长的书以及名字最有意思的作者，在图书馆查个遍，去找完全没人读过的书（completely unread books）”；第七句提到“这本书极厚，看起来很严肃（looked dead serious）”。由此可知，作者喜欢的是没人读过的严肃书籍，故A项为正确答案。
阅读中常会考一些逻辑关系题。常见的逻辑关系有因果关系、转折关系、递进关系、举例关系等。寻找文章中的逻辑关系词，有助于考生理清文意，进而得出答案。
(8) What's so special about literary fiction ? “For one, it's usually more focused on characters than on plot,” Kidd noted. But beyond that, he said, there is usually no single “authoritative narrator” who takes us through the story. “It demands that the reader almost become a writer and fill in the gaps. You really have to think about the characters,” Kidd said.（2019年专四真题）
50. Which of the following is NOT a special feature of literary fiction?
A. More focus on character description.
B. Presence of an authoritative narrator.
C. Demand on readers’ ability to infer.
D. Presence of readers’ empathetic feelings.
分析 根据题干中的a special feature of literary fiction定位到第八段。该段首句以“文学小说有何特别之处？”引出话题；第三句出现了表示转折关系的连词But，提到“但除此之外，文学小说中通常没有一个‘权威的叙述者’带我们领略故事”，这与B项“存在一个权威的叙述者”表述不符，本题为选非题，故B项为正确答案。
标点符号，尤其是破折号、小括号、引号等，可以帮助我们了解不认识的词或句子的含义，也可以帮助我们定位题目的出处。
(8) It would be possible to say, however, that in the past, scientists and artists could win “patronage” from rich people —a king or a Lord would give the artist or scientist money to have them paint their palaces or help them develop new ways of making money. With the change in social systems across the world, this no longer happens. Scientific research is now either funded by the government or by private companies . （2018年专四真题）
46. According to Para. 8, one difference between scientists and artists in the past and those at present lies in ______.
A. nature of work
B. personal contact
C. source of funding
D. social status
分析 根据题干中的Para. 8定位到第八段。该段第一句提到“过去的科学家和艺术家可以从有钱人那里获得‘赞助’”，破折号后面的内容是对这种“赞助”的补充说明，指出在过去，国王或贵族会给艺术家或科学家钱，请他们为自己的宫殿作画，或帮他们开创赚钱的方法；最后一句提到“现在，科学研究要么由政府资助，要么由私营企业资助”。由此可知，过去和现在的资金来源不同，故C项为正确答案。
专四阅读理解的难点，不仅仅在于文章本身，题目选项的复杂性和迷惑性也是造成考生失分的一个重要原因。因此了解正确选项和错误选项的基本特征很有必要。
正确选项一般都是对原文的同义改写，一般有以下三种改写方式：
① 句子简化
将原文中的难句简化成一个比较简单的句子。
② 替换关键词
用同义词或者短语替换原文中的关键词汇，如原文用fundamental，答案用basic，意思都是“基本的”。
③ 正话反说
如果原文是主动语态，答案就换成被动语态；如果原文说A是B的原因，选项就说B是A的结果；如果原文使用双重否定，答案就使用肯定的表达方式等。
错误选项非常具有迷惑性，有混、偏、反、无四种情况：
① 混
混，即张冠李戴或者偷换概念，如原文中说A是白色的，B是黄色的，选项却说A是黄色的，B是白色的。
② 偏
偏，指以偏概全，如原文中说A在大部分情况下是白色的，选项却说A总是白色的。
③ 反
反，就是意义相反，如原文中说A是白色的，选项说A不是白色的。
④ 无
无，就是原文未提及，如原文中说A在90%的情况下是白色的，选项说A在有太阳照射的情况下是白色的，那么这个90%是否包括“有太阳照射”，原文中未提及，所以该选项错误。
以下面这篇阅读题为例：
(1) Psychologists agree that I.Q. contributes only about 20 percent of the factors that determine success. A full 80 percent comes from other factors, including what I call emotional intelligence. [50] Following are two of the major qualities that make up emotional intelligence, and how they can be developed:
(2) 1. Self-awareness. The ability to recognize a feeling as it happens is the keystone of emotional intelligence. People with greater certainty about their emotions are better pilots of their lives.
(3) Developing self-awareness requires tuning in to what neurologist Antonio Damasio calls “gut feelings”. Gut feelings can occur without a person being consciously aware of them. For example, when people who fear snakes are shown a picture of a snake, sensors on their skin will detect sweat, a sign of anxiety, even though the people say they do not feel fear. The sweat shows up even when a picture is presented so rapidly that the subject has no conscious awareness of seeing it.
(4) Through deliberate effort we can become more aware of our gut feelings. Take someone who is annoyed by a rude encounter for hours after it occurred. He may be unaware of his irritability and surprised when someone calls attention to it. [46] But if he evaluates his feelings, he can change them.
(5) Emotional self-awareness is the building block of the next fundamental of emotional intelligence: being able to shake off a bad mood.
(6) 2. Mood Management. [47] Bad as well as good moods spice life and build character. The key is balance. We often have little control over when we are swept by emotion. [48] But we can have some say in how long that emotion will last. Psychologist Dianne Tice asked more than 400 men and women about their strategies for escaping foul moods. Her research, along with that of other psychologists, provides valuable information on how to change a bad mood.
(7) Of all the moods that people want to escape, rage seems to be the hardest to deal with. When someone in another car cuts you off on the highway, your reflexive thought may be, That jerk! He could have hit me! I can't let him get away with that! The more you stew, the angrier you get. Such is the stuff of hypertension and reckless driving.
(8) What should you do to relieve rage? One myth is that ventilating will make you feel better. In fact, researchers have found that's one of the worst strategies. A more effective technique is “reframing”, which means consciously reinterpreting a situation in a more positive light. In the case of the driver who cuts you off, you might tell yourself: Maybe he had some emergency. This is one of the most potent ways, Tice found, to put anger to rest.
(9) Going off alone to cool down is also an effective way to refuse anger, especially if you can't think clearly. Tice found that a large proportion of men cool down by going for a drive—a finding that inspired her to drive more defensively. A safer alternative is exercise, such as taking a long walk. Whatever you do, don't waste the time pursuing your train of angry thoughts. Your aim should be to distract yourself.
(10) The techniques of reframing and distraction can alleviate depression and anxiety as well as anger. Add to them such relaxation techniques as deep breathing and meditation and you have an arsenal of weapons against bad moods.
46. According to the author, the importance of knowing one's gut feelings is that ______.
A. one can develop them
B. one can call others’ attention to them
C. one may get rid of them
D. one may control them
分析 这是一道细节题。第四段最后一句话说“But if he evaluates his feelings, he can change them.”，D项通过替换关键词的方式对原文进行了同义改写，所以是正确选项。gut feelings有可能是消极的，也可能是积极的，A项中的develop（发展）和C项中的get rid of（摒弃）都犯了以偏概全的错误，所以不对。B项是典型的偷换概念，即“混”类的错误。第四段倒数第二句话说“He may be unaware of his irritability and surprised when someone calls attention to it.”，意为“他自己可能都没有意识到自己的愤怒，而其他人却注意到了”，而B项中虽然也有call attention to这个词组，代入题干中意思却是“了解自己的gut feelings的重要性就是可以吸引别人对自己的gut feelings的注意”，和原文风马牛不相及，所以也不对。
再来看一道推断题：
48. On mood control, the author seems to suggest that we ______.
A. can control the occurrence of mood
B. are often unaware of what mood we are in
C. can determine the duration of mood
D. lack strategies for controlling moods
分析 第六段第四句话说“We often have little control over when we are swept by emotion.”，即“我们在受到情绪影响的时候很难控制自己”，A项意为“可以控制自己的情绪”，与原文意思相反，所以不对。B项在原文中并未提及，属于“无”类的错误选项。文章从第六段开始就探讨了控制情绪的诸多技巧，和D项所说的“缺乏控制情绪的技巧”相反。第六段第五句话说“But we can have some say in how long that emotion will last.”，即“但我们可以决定我们的情绪持续多久”，C项中的determine是对原文中have some say的同义替换，duration of mood是对原文中的how long that emotion will last的同义替换，故C为正确选项。
以上所说的正确选项和错误选项是针对专四阅读中的“细节题”和“推断题”而言的。关于另外三种题型，即主旨题、语义题和观点态度题，情况就简单多了。
主旨题的正确选项一定是对原文中心的总结和概括，而错误选项则有两种情况：
其一是原文未提及的内容或是对原文的曲解；
其二就是选项的内容虽然正确，但是属于原文的细节，不是主旨内容，即“以偏概全”。
以上面阅读的第50题为例：
50. What is the best title for the passage?
A. What is emotional intelligence?
B. How to develop emotional intelligence.
C. Strategies for getting rid of foul moods.
D. How to control one's gut feelings.
分析 第一段最后一句话点明了文章中心：“Following are two of the major qualities that make up emotional intelligence, and how they can be developed”，然后全文都围绕这个中心展开，说明了情商的两个组成部分以及情商是如何形成的。A、C、D三项均是原文的一部分，犯了“以偏概全”的错误，所以不对。只有B项正确概括了原文的中心，为正确选项。
语义题的正确选项一定是对原文单词的同义替换或解释。考生需要注意的是，有时考查的词汇的确是常见词汇，但是却考查其引申义。
以上面阅读的第47题为例：
47. The word “spice” in Paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. add interest to
B. lengthen
C. make dull
D. bring into existence
分析 spice对专四的考生来讲应该不是生词，本意为add flavor to sth.，但这里考查其引申义。单词所在句为“Bad as well as good moods spice life and build character.”，将spice life和build character相提并论，故应该选择一个褒义的词语对spice进行解释，根据上下文可知，应该选A。
观点态度题的选项本身并不具有迷惑性，主要要求考生必须认识四个选项的词汇，关于这一点，将在“第五章 5种题型深度剖析”之“观点态度题”中进行详细讲解。
做专四阅读时，总会觉得时间不够用。其实很大一部分原因是阅读速度慢。要提高阅读速度，最有效的方法就是多读，培养语感。
考试时为了追求阅读速度，一味快速扫读，反而可能会错过关键信息，回头再定位更耽误时间。所以有效阅读要综合运用略读、扫读和研读等方法。
略读可知文章大意，扫读可快速定位题目信息，研读可帮助准确答题。
略读，是常用的阅读方法之一，主要特征是有选择性地阅读。正常的阅读要求看到每一个词，每次注目看1~2个词；而略读，不需要看到每一个词，视线移动的频率和幅度都较大地提高，有时甚至从上一行跳到下一行。因此，略读不可能对所读内容全部了解，但是能大大地提高阅读速度，也能获得大量的信息。
略读的主要作用是了解文章的主旨，辨识文体，掌握结构。
扫读，是以最快的速度扫视所读材料，有针对性地从文章中迅速找出所需要的关键信息；在找到所需信息时才仔细阅读该项内容，如查找某个人名、时间、地点等。
扫读的主要作用是寻找特定信息、寻找具体事实、寻找答题所需内容。
研读，就是仔细阅读，对文章有透彻深刻的理解。根据考题，运用上下文、逻辑关系、背景知识等进行判断和推论。
首先我们要明确，专四阅读的考试时间为35分钟。然而，精读会耗费很长时间，需要逐句分析，考场上是不能这样做的，时间根本来不及，因此我们这里说的精读是在考前的阅读训练中进行的。下面是容易上手的精读方法：
准备一个word/excel或笔记本，把文章里不能快速想起中文意思的单词全部记下来，尤其注意里面的词组搭配，然后一个个去查字典，把这个单词在这篇文章里的意思写在旁边。这个过程非常费时，非常痛苦，但是千万不要偷懒，第一眼不能想到意思的单词也要记下来，这说明掌握的还不牢固；另外就是单词意思一定要查字典，不要自己编造，因为自己的认知很可能是错误的。
认真分析每道题目在文章里的对应句，可能是一句话也可能是多句话，把其中能够进行对应替换的表达全部积累下来。不要放过任何一个可能的表达，比如名词、动词、形容词、词组、句子等。例如：
把每句话的句子结构搞清楚，简单句找出主干，复杂句找出主从关系。先理解主干结构，再理解修饰部分。这一步结束，文章意思就基本理解了。这里尤其要注意，在理解长难句时，要按照词组意群正确断句，进行句子拆分。如果不会正确拆分句子，那就需要去学习句子这方面的语法知识了。
比如下面这个简单句，找出主干nuts show grooves，句子就很容易理解了。
Archaeological finds of nuts from the extinct Easter Island palm show tiny grooves , made by the teeth of Polynesian rats.
考古学研究发现，已灭绝的复活节岛棕榈树的坚果上显示出微小的槽，这是波利尼西亚老鼠的牙齿磕出来的。
下面这个复杂句，拆分成各个小结构，逐一理解。
①One's first inclination might be to argue ② that there must be some sort of built—in animal aggression instinct ③ that was activated by the experiment, and ④ that Milgram's teacher-subjects were just following a genetic need to discharge this pent-up primal urge onto the pupil by administering the electrical shock.
你或许最先想到的就是争论说，一定是某种与生俱来的动物性的进攻意识被实验激发了出来；你还会说，米尔格拉姆的实验对象只是出于基因的需要，将内心隐藏已久的原始的暴力欲望以电击的形式施加到了学生身上。
这里重点要关注的是指代关系和并列关系。
① 指代关系
英文文章的基本原则是避免重复，第一次出现的概念会完整介绍，而再次出现时就会用代词来代替。所以，想要通顺流畅地理解文章，必须把每一个指代对象找准确，这样逻辑就不会脱节，就不会觉得每句话都在讲新的信息，或者觉得前后不对应。与此同时，阅读的选择题通常有考查指代的题目，所以找指代关系这项技能非常重要。
② 并列关系
并列关系看似很简单，就是“A and B”的结构，但是当and前后并列项变长、变多时，就会对理解造成干扰，我们就可能看不出并列关系，而是单独割裂地去理解。当我们能够准确地找出并列关系之后，其中并列项的具体内容就变得不那么复杂了。
比如文章讲某事需要的条件有1、2、3和4，我们只需要看出1、2、3、4是并列的，它们都是某事的条件，至于这四个条件是什么，无所谓，即便里面有生词也不怕，因为根本不需要理解。
这一步是从微观细节上升到宏观结构，大多数同学就是太关注细节，而缺少这种整体把控的能力和意识。
对于文章结构，我们要知道它是在按时间顺序叙述，还是在提出问题和解决方案，或是在呈现不同人的观点等。
对于段落内部，如果有主题句，就理解主题句；如果没有，就尝试体会重点要表达的意思。这对于标题和信息匹配题目非常重要。
当我们把结构理清，主题细节分辨好之后，真正需要阅读的内容就会大大减少。
如果愿意，尝试写一个summary，用几句话把整篇文章概括一下。这一步是对主题的进一步整理，要求比较高，可以不做，把前五步做好，文章精读也就大功告成了。
最后，精读要坚持，要精不要量，真题或模拟题就够了。虽然一开始汇总单词很麻烦，但是从理论上说，如果每一篇阅读的所有单词都掌握了，那么下一篇中的陌生词就会越来越少，因为你认识的词已经越来越多了。