四级阅读长难句:运用框架阅读法(2)
例3 Scott Hahn, cofounder with Gregory of Rogan and Loomstate, which uses all-organiccotton, says high-quality sustainable materials can still be tough to find.(2009年6月).
根据框架式阅读法,先断句,
Scott Hahn,①// cofounder with Gregory of Rogan and Loomstate,②// which uses all-organic cotton,③// says high-quality sustainable materials can still be tough to find④.
分句1是人名,分句2和分句3均是对于人名的解释说明,因此可以略读,到分句4,发现代表词says,says后面"high-quality sustainable materials can still be tough to find"属于作者的观点,即为句子的核心。因此这句话的核心意思为:Scott Hahn表示高质量的可持续材料仍然不易找到。
例4 Modern cars are tougher to steal, as their engine management computer won't allowthem to start unless they receive a unique ID code beamed out by the ignition key.(2006年6月)
根据框架式阅读法,先断句:
Modern cars are tougher to steal, ①//as their engine management computer won't allowthem to start unless they receive a unique ID code beamed out by the ignition key②.
然后找句子的"主干"。通过浏览分句1和分句2,发现1和2中间有一个代表词as,表示原因。因此分句1表示的是结果,属于句子的核心,而分句2可以略读甚至不读。因此,本句话的核心为:"Modern cars aretougher to steal",意思为:"现代的汽车更难偷"。
例5. His results, to be presented at a conference on human-computer interaction inVienna, Austria, in April, have surprised psychologists.(2006年6月)
根据框架式阅读法,第一步断句找标点:
His results,①// to be presented at a conference on human-computer interaction inVienna,②// Austria,③ //in April, ④//have surprised psychologists⑤.
第二步,寻觅句"主干"。通过观察,句2,3,4作为插入语,是对句1的解释说明,因此略去不看。因此词句的核心为"His results have surprised psychologists",意思是"他的研究成果使心理学家们震惊"
三、框架式阅读法总结
综上, 如何判定句子的核心,又如何略去句子的次要内容呢?笔者通过研究20年四级考试真题中出现的长难句,并将其分成如下的几大类:
1. 让步转折类。代表词有although, though, despite, however, yet, but…等含有让步转折关系的词。让步(although, though, despite等)后面的内容都是句子的次要成分,略过即可;而转折(however,yet, but等)后面的内容往往是句子的核心。
2. 表明指出类。代表词有say, show, suggest, indicate, prove, point out等。这些词前面的部分属于句子的次要信息,而后面的部分属于句子的核心
3. 结果表达类。 代表词有so, such, lead to, result in, contribute to, because, because of, onaccount of , as等。比起原因来说,结果或结论更加的重要。因此原因作为次要内容可以不读,但结果作为句子的核心要重点读懂。
4. 学会看标点。英文中的标点较少,一旦出现":","-","()",那么这些标点后面的内容起到解释说明的作用,作为次要内容可以略读甚至不读。而标点前面的部分才是句子的核心。另外,两个","之间的内容常作为插入语成分,起解释说明作用,也可以略读。
5. 综合应用
以上四大类也可以综合出现在一个句子中,要学会灵活运用。
例7 Charles Hill, Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, points out thatthough any missions to the moon or to Mars would be "strategically important" to Boeing in itsattempts to broaden beyond commercial aviation and military work, Boeing has pressingissues to deal with now.
根据框架式阅读法,第一句断句找标点
Charles Hill,①// Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, ②// points out thatthough any missions to the moon or to Mars would be "strategically important" to Boeing in itsattempts to broaden beyond commercial aviation and military work③,// Boeing has pressingissues to deal with now④.
第二步,寻觅句"主干"
通过观察,句2位于两个逗号之间,属于插入语,理应略去,句3开始出现代表词词points out,属于表明指出类,后面的内容应该重点读。可是,随后又发现了一个代表词though,属于让步转折类,因此though后面的内容属于次要信息,略读,直接看分句4。因此,这个长难句的核心即为"Charels Hill points outBoeing has pressing issues to deal with now."意思是:"Charels Hill指出波音公司现在需要处理紧急事件。"
四、总结
长难句一直以来都是英文阅读最主要的障碍,对于理解四级阅读中的长难句,我们应该摒弃传统逐字逐词的阅读方法,选择框架式阅读法,不仅能够大大提升阅读速度,还可够理解句子的主要内容,为理解四级文章打下了良好的基础。框架式阅读法首先要在标点处断句,将我们不擅长看的"长句子"变为我们擅长的"短句子";然后再利用以上的四大类寻找句子核心的方法,找出句子真正想表达的内容。以上所涉及的几种方法虽并不适用于所有情况 ,但我们应从中学会找到开启理解长难句这扇大门的钥匙。只要能够多加练习,熟练掌握,那么四级阅读长难句的理解能力自然会大有长进。