四、 完形填空与阅读

?

（一）　知识概要 ?

 

完形填空是一种在语意封闭的情况下考察学生阅读能力及掌握语言基础知识能力的综合性题目。?学生应根据语义完整、语法正确的原则进行通篇阅读。借助文章的现成文字，通过逻辑思维，联系上下文，推断出可能的答案。然后再从所给选择答案中逐空选出在通读全文时脑海中已出现的答案填入空内。试推想在小学五六年级时去读"西游记"，"水浒传"，你也并非每个字都认得，每句话都能真正理解。但你还是可以明了全文的意思，读得有滋有味。这就是语言能力。所以完形填空考查的就是你能否在缺字，不认得字、词语的情况下，能否全面理解文章的正确意思，然后选入适当的词语。在选择后还要前后彼此呼应反复验证所选答案。有时答案一时不易验证，不要急于顺序填写，可能在填出后面答案时，而得到前面的答案。有时则需运用所学的词法、句法、时态和固定搭配等知识对4个选项进行分析，比较、排除干扰项，确定正确的答案。?待答案全部选定后，一定要复读全文以验证：①　所选答案是否能使全文流畅，逻辑推理是否正确。②　具体实事是否成立，前后关系是否理顺。③　语法是否正确，其中包括时态的选择、词汇选择、固定搭配等。在通读全文时最好在可能的条件下将所选答案填入文章中，反复阅读。而不要在文章空中只写选项的代号，这样影响全文的理解，不易找出错误之处。在做完形填空时，应注意以下几点：?

（１）　重视首句，首段的开篇启示作用，读懂了第一句，或第一段有可能预测到全篇大意。

（２）　一定要顾及上下文间的语意联系。在完形填空的设计中，一般是以语义为第一要素同时兼顾语法。有的4个选项单独填入这个单句中全是正确的，但拿到文中从下文联系起来看，则文理不通。为此要通篇考虑，顾及上下文的联系是十分重要的。?

（３）　要坚持语意第一的原则，而语法应放于第二位。完形填空形式上是一种单项选择式的考察。但实质上也是一种阅读能力和学生重建文意能力的考察。它一般是利用语法的正确性与内容排斥性的矛盾而命题的。所给答案大都是离开上下文均可说得通的。但语意上辩析、排斥才能找到答案。例如：?

It took Charlie Mui several months to save up seven dollars? He wanted to ______ a model plane and went to the shop with the money??

A?　sell B?　buy C?　hold D?　bring?

这里肯定需要一个动词，所给答案也都是动词，但只能从意义上考虑而选B项。?

（４）　要认真注意细节，做到语法正确。一些答案在意义上讲都是正确的，但从线索上看要找出语法正确的答案。如：?

Ｍr Evans is an old man of about sixty? His wife died a few years ago? His chi

ldren ______ him by then．?

A?　left B?　would leave C?　have left D?　had left?

答案应为D。这句话正确的语意都是"离开"，但仔细发现有 by then 之说，由此可得出这是个动作的截止时间，应选为 had left 过去完成时态。?下面再看一些例子。?

（１）　语意第一原则?

A young father was visiting an old neighbour? They were standing in the old man's garden? and talking about ______ ．?

A?　trees B?　flowers C?　children D?　old people?

那么他们谈论的中心是什么呢?可能是树、花，由于他们是在花园里谈论。但如果前后的段落配合看，则其谈论的也可能是孩子和老年人。这就是要求我们切勿望文生义。?

（２）　语法正确，注意细节的原则?

在语意正确的前题下，还要根据学过的语法知识，及词语的固定搭配，选择正确答案。?如：

One night the dog began to bark suddenly? It made Mr Erens ? ______ ①______ ? to sleep? He had to get up and tried his ?______ ② ______ ? to stop it， but the beast wouldn't stop， and kept on ?______ ③ ______ ???

①　A?　go not B?　not go C?　not to go D?　to not go?

②　A?　well B?　good C?　better D?　best?

③　A?　bark B?　to bark C?　barking D?　barked?

以上3个小题中所给答案从语意上都是正确的，这就要求选择语法正确的那一个。?第一空中根据句子结构，要填一个宾语补足语。而动词 make 后面的定语补足语应省去不定式符号 to， 且其否定式 ＋ not，即不定式的否定式为 not to do， 而省去 to 后则应为 not do． 在动词前直接＋ not?故应选B。?而第二个空显然是一个固定搭配。语意上为： Mr? Erens尽力地阻止狗叫，所以应选D。 try one's best 是尽力而为之意。?第三个空显然是 keep on doing something 连续不断之意，应选 ing 的动词形式。其答案为C。?

（３）　根据所给答案的不同词类，从不同角度分别考虑选择?

完形填空所给的词往往是不同类的，这就要求对不同词类作不同考虑。如果所缺的是动词，那么首先在选择语意正确的前提下，考虑动词的时态、语态和是否是要填入非谓语动词。若是介词或副词则要考虑是否固定搭配，以及介词、副词在结构和意义上的选择。若是连词，则应更多地从句子结构和上下文的连接上选择。若是代词，则应考虑性、数、格等方面，以及形容词和副词的比较级和最高级等。?

例如： A man and his wife had a small bar near a station? They often worked late into the night， ?______ ①______ ? people came to drink there while they were ? ______ ② ______ ? trains??At two o'clock one morning， one man was still at a table in the small bar? He was asleep? The bar man's wife wanted to leave? She looked ?______ ③______? the bar several times， and each time the man was ? ______ ④ ______ ? there? Then at last she went to her husband and said to him， "You ? ______ ⑤ ______ ? that man six times， George ，

? ______ ⑥ ______? he isn't drinking anything?"?

①　 A?　as soon as B?　because C?　so D?　though ?

②　 A?　catching up with B?　getting on C?　looking after D?　waiting for ?

③　 A?　at B?　for C?　into D?　out of ?

④　 A?　always B?　often C?　still D?　already ?

⑤　 A?　have woken B?　wake C?　had woken D?　will wake ?

⑥　 A?　and B?　but C?　yet D?　too ?

从文中看，第一选项，由于给了不同的连词，从意义选择应为B。第二选项均为分词形式，也应从语意上选择，其答案是D。 第三选项给了四个介词，而 into 则是从外向里观看，所以应选C。第四项是副词 still 意为仍然，从意义上应选择C。 而第五项所给的是同个动词，只是时态不同。从故事情景看，只能选完成时态A。 而最后一个选项是连词，由于句意则只能用 but 转折连词。?

从目前完形填空初中阶段的考察看，除语意第一外，更多地选择了单词的用法及意义，动词的时态，短语和惯用法等。为此，要做好完形填空题目，除有较好的阅读能力外，更要有扎实的语言基础知识及日常生活的逻辑推理能力。? 阅读理解能力在教学大纲中有明确的要求。它是目前条件下考查学生英语运用能力的常规题型之一，也是分值最高的题型之一。学生的阅读理解能力如何，标志着学生继续深入学习的潜力有多大，它是集语法，词汇，逻辑推理背景知识于一体的综合语言能力的测试。它除对学生的阅读理解的正确性进行测试外，同时从阅读速度、技巧、文化背景常识等方面对学生进行测试。?从近年各地中考题分析看，阅读类测试除为一般常规测试题型外，在试题中所占分值较大，为此应引起学生特别注意。?如何做好阅读理解题呢?首先要求考生有足够的基础知识和较好的阅读速度以及技巧方面的训练。同时还要注意以下几个方面的问题。?

 

1?　要了解阅读测试的重点?

如上所述，阅读过程是一个综合作用的过程，为此阅读的测试就不能仅将着眼点放在语言结构的测试上，而是通过看，通过阅读获取信息的能力。?在阅读一篇文章时，我们首先会想到：①　文章说的是什么事情(即中心思想是什么)。②　事情发生的时间、地点、人物是什么。③　作者所持态度如何。④　结论是什么。?有些说明性信息在文章中容易获取，如：时间、数字、地点、人物等。有些信息如作者的态度，事件的结论，中心思想，文章的标题，则需通过文中线索，说明信息等等去分析推断才能获取。而这些说明性及内隐性的信息正是阅读理解的测试重点内容。而其难点在于理解、推断、得出结论时，应从英语国家的风俗习惯、语言习惯、宗教信仰、民族问题等方面来考虑，而不是仅从中国人的语言习惯来作推论。这也是这方面的难点之一。?

例： John drove a taxi through the busy streets of Boston every day??John was ?____________

A?　a manager B?　a driver C?　a policeman D?　a dustman ?

由此我们应能由drive a taxi 来得出结论约翰是位出租车司机而不是别的什么人。?

例：Mrs Barker's sister was ill?　She had someone to look after her from Monday to Friday， but not at the weekend， so every Friday evening Mrs Baker used to go off to spend the weekend at her home in a neighboring town…?This meant that Mr?　Baker … First he had to drive home from the station?　Then he had to drive his wife to the station to catch her train??Who was ill? ____________ ??

A?　Mr?Baker B?　Mrs Baker?

C?　Mr?　Baker's sister D?　Mrs Baker's sister?

从这些只言片语中可以看出有三个人物出场，而问题的设计是表浅的，只要细心即可。?

［答案］ D.?

从中考阅读命题中，由于考虑到考生的能力有限，和大部分学生毕业的要求，语言结构的测试占很大一部分比重。但对于要考入重点中学的学生来讲，仅仅几分较高要求的题目可能会决定他们的升学命运。因为这一部分分值是往往使学生棘手的那些隐性问题的测试。如：?

Like many other families in 1870， Katie Olson and her family had come to the grassy plains of Kansas?　Katie liked the prairie and their new sold house?　But with no friends to play with， she was very lonely?　Besides her mother and father， she had only her little brother， Matt， for company?　She missed their old home in Wisconsir?　?Then one day her father had exciting news?　Some settlers had bought the farm near the Olson's land?　Katie became so excited on hearing the news that she thought she might burst?　She begged her father to let her ride over with him to greet their new neighbors??The two rode across the prairie?　They found Mr?　and Mrs Laski were hard at working building their sod home?　Katie was disappointed?　She had hoped there would be some children to play with?　But soon Mr Laski called out?" Anna， and Carl,come out of the wagon?" A boy and a girl?　jumped down and came over to Katie?　Katie didn't believe it?　Her wish had come true??

1?　 Who was the most important person in the story??

A?　Matt B?　Katie C?　Mr Laski D?　Anna and Carl ?

2?　 What was Katie's problem in the story??

A?　She had no friend. B?　She didn't like Kansas.?

C?　She couldn't ride a horse. D?　She didn't like Anna and Carl. ?

从上文中看，信息的获得不是直接的，而是必须通过整个文章的阅读，理清人物关系，掌握中心思想，才能作出正确的判定。如第一问故事中人物众多，但一直到读完才知，故事讲述了一个女孩Katie的事情。则她是故事的中心，所以应选择B?　第二问是测试通过阅读是否了解了人物的心理情绪。这些信息必须通过线索，综合判定，从而其结论是A。?

 

2?　阅读理解的解题思路和方法?

阅读理解的测试点是在通过由于阅读所能够获取信息的能力上，所以解题思路的重点应放在：

(1) 通读全文，了解文章的主题和大意；了解作者的写作目的、对事件的态度上。?

People sometimes change their way of doing business?　In a village in Africa， people are using money for the first time?　They're doing business with the world? ?Before this tribe (部落) used money， people came to the market in the village to trade (交易) things they had for things they needed?　Now people must use money to buy what they want??Before using money， people helped one another?　Their father who was head of the family， gave food， and clothing to his sons and their families?　In return， the sons worked for their father?　Now people no longer work for one another free?　Instead， they are paid for the work they do??When a new road was needed. Everyone in the village helped build it,Now people must pay money to the village chief (首领) for roads and schools?　The chief hires workers to build these new projects?　More and better roads and schools are being built?It is not easy for people to change a way of doing business?　To change from trading goods to using money takes time??

①　 The story doesn't say so， but it makes you think that ____________.?

A?　family members often quarrel (争吵) about money?

B?　Africans do not change their way of doing business?

C?　Africans refuse to use money?

D?　families do not help one another in the same way now ?

［答案］ D.?

②　 On the whole this story is about ____________ ??

A?　the life of some Africans

B?　changing from goods to using money?

C?　people helps one another

D?　building roads across Africa ?

［答案］ B.?

从以上的问题看，所设提问均不是对某个具体事实。而是真对整篇文章，由此可见通读全文，掌握中心和作者的态度的重要性。?

(2) 要注重文句间的相互关系。既注重主要情节又不可忽视细节。中考中阅读命题很多情况下是对事件的某个细节而进行测试的。?

例：… on Saturday afternoon they began with the back of the house?　The next Saturday Tom went to a football match while his wife painted the front of the house?　The next day they found they couldn't open any of the front windows?　They get them open at last， but they broke three of the seven and they were very expensive to repair

?①?　 They lasted for about ______ days??

A?　two B?　three?

C?　more than seven D?　Less than seven

?

［答案］ A.?

②?　 They had to get someone to make repair for ______ windows??

A?　seven B?　four C?　ten D?　three

?

［答案］ D.?

第一问中，如不分析第一句和第二句中的两个 Saturday， 很可能会选择答案C。事实上，他们只干了两个 Saturday， 而不是从这个星期六到下个星期六的7天时间。而第二问是他们弄坏了所有7个窗户中的3个，所以应选D。?

(3) 特别注意首尾句在整个文章中的作用，以及它起到的启示和结论性作用。?

例： Man has a big brain?　He can think， learn and speak…?…but no animal learns when we speak? Scientists do not really know?　They only know that man can speak because he has a big brain??

这篇文章只要我们注意了首尾句，即可得出结论，它是讲述人类大脑与语言的关系的。人脑的其中一个作用是使他拥有语言，也就是和动物 apes， dogs 有了根本的区别。这样这篇文章的许多细节可以迎刃而解了。?

①?　 In what way are men different from animals??

A?　Men can understand things quickly.

B?　Men can learn.?

C?　Men have learned language.

D?　Men have brains. ?

［答案］ C.?

②?　 Scientists now know ?______?

A?　how children learn to speak

B?　why apes can learn a few words?

C?　men's brain helps him to learn to speak

D?　what happens when men speak

?

［答案］ C.?

③?　 What is the topic the writer wants to talk about??

A?　ape's language

B?　men's brain and language?

C?　human brain

D?　animals' learning

?

［答案］ B.?

以上只是做阅读练习中的一般分析，要取得优异成绩，还有赖于扎实的阅读基础和语言能力，以及平时的技巧训练和刻苦练习。要坚持每天至少读三四篇文章，以逐步提高自己的英语水平。

 

(二) 例题解析?

 

通读下面短文，掌握其大意。然后从短文后各题所给的四个选项中选择最佳的一项。?

Once there was a clever farmer?　Though he was poor， he decided one day to take the king a roast goose (烤鹅) as a present?　He had not had ?____ 1 ____?to cat that day， and soon the ?____ 2 ____ ? of the roast goose became too much for him as (当……时) he ? ____ 3 ____ ? it to the king， so he ate one of its legs??When he came before the king and gave him the goose， the king ?____ 4 ?____ saw that it had only one leg??Now， the king ?____ 5 ____ ? was born with one bad leg， so he had never been able to ?____ 6 ____ ? properly (正常地)?　When he saw the goose with only one leg， he thought the farmer had ?____ 7 ____ ? this to laugh at him?　Of course he was very ?____ 8 ____??　The farmer was told that if anybody laughed at the king， he would be ?____ 9____ ? at once??"Where is ____? 10 ____ ? leg of the goose?" the king asked??" All the geese (goose 的复数) in this ? ____ 11 ____ ? of the country have one leg only， " the farmer answered??"Do you think I'm a fool(傻子)?" the king shouted??"____? 12 ____ ?，" said the farmer， "if you look out of the window， you will see geese with one leg by the ? ____ 13____ ??"?The king looked，and there the geese were ? ____ 14 ____ ? on one leg beside the water?　The king at once told one of his men to ? ____ 15 ____ ? them with a big stick， and of course， they ? ____ 16 ____ ?their other legs and ran away??"There， " said the king?　" You were lying(说谎)?　That ? ____ 17 ____ ? that the geese here have two legs， like all other ? ____ 18 ____ ? in the country?"?"But it doesn't show anything，" answered the farmer， "if your men threw a big stick like that at me， I would grow two ? ____19 ____ ? legs myself to help me to run away ____? 20 ____ ??"

1?　A?　less B?　all C?　little D?　much

2?　A?　head B?　neck C?　smell D?　temperature

3?　A?　returned B?　carried C?　sent D?　handed

4?　A?　at once B?　at last C?　by then D?　on time

5?　A?　once B?　really C?　himself D?　yet

6?　A?　come B?　walk C?　see D?　eat

7?　A?　kept B?　done C?　made D?　found

8?　A?　sorry B?　worried C?　sad D?　angry

9?　A?　helped B?　killed C?　saved D?　covered

10?　A?　other B?　another C?　that D?　the other

11?　A?　city B?　village C?　farm D?　part

12?　A?　Certainly not B?　Of course C?　That's nothing D?　Never mind

13?　A?　hole B?　forest C?　lake D?　house

14?　A?　swimming B?　resting C?　flying D?　lying

15?　A?　fill B?　lock C?　hit D?　keep

16?　A?　sent up B?　put down C?　did with D?　moved away

17?　A?　shows B?　talks C?　sees D?　knows

18?　A?　geese B?　animals C?　legs D?　farmers

19?　A?　slower B?　faster C?　less D?　more

20?　A?　more slowly B?　more carefully C?　faster D?　earlier

［答案］ 1?　D 2?　C 3?　B 4?　A 5?　C

6?　B 7?　B 8?　D 9?　B 10?　D

11?　D 12?　A 13?　C 14?　B 15?　C

16?　B 17?　A 18?　A 19?　D 20?　C

其中1选 much是应能从文章字里行间中猜到的，它应为much food to eat?　而将food 省略。2要知道 smell 可以作系动词，但也可以作名词，而4则为多个短语的词语辨析：at once 立刻， at last 最终， by then 到那时为止，on time 准时。所以应为at once?　7则要熟悉英语的习惯用法，即干这件事要用do，而不用make?　10之所以要用D则是因为鹅有两只腿，由于只剩一只而问另一只哪里去了，要用特指的定冠词。而 other 则为泛指的形容词，一般指复数， another虽然也指单数，但也应用于泛指的情况。而11题因其后有 of the country， 是在乡村的这个部分，所以只能用part?　country 是不可数名词作"乡村"讲，作为可数名词则作"国家"讲。而作"乡村"讲时，前面的定冠词不可少。19则是要通读全文才知道鹅一只腿站立体息，而一被哄赶则放下另一只腿跑走了，人是两条腿站着，当被哄赶时那应是再长出两条腿奔跑着逃走。由此可见中考的难题越来越不在语法项，而在阅读和完形上用以选拔高质量的学生。?

We were going to play a team from a country school?　They didn't come until the game time arrived?　They looked ? ____ 1 ____ ? than we had thought?　They were wearing dirty blue jeans (仔裤) and looked like farm boys?　We even thought that they had never seen a basketball before??We all sat down?　We felt that we didn't ? ____ 2 ____ ? any practice (训练) against a team like that??It was already so late that no ? ____ 3 ____ ? could be given to them for a warm?up??The game began??One of our boys ? ____ 4 ____ ? the ball and he shot (掷) a long pass to our forward (前锋)?　From out of nowhere a boy in a dirty T?shirt ____ 5____ ? the pass and with a beautiful form (姿势) he shot and got two points (分)??They ? ____ 6 ____ ? us??Then they got another ? ____ 7____ ? of points in a minute??Soon it was all over?　The country team ? ____ 8____ ? us??We certainly learned that even though a team is good， there is usually another ? ____ 9 ____ ? a little better?　But the important lesson learned was: One can't tell a man， or a team，by the ? ____10 ____ ???

1?　A?　stronger B?　younger C?　worse D?　less

2?　A?　get B?　try C?　use D?　need

3?　A?　basket B?　space C?　ball D?　time

4?　A?　got B?　played C?　missed D?　carried

5?　A?　caught B?　changed C?　started D?　stopped

6?　A?　surprised B?　kept C?　broke D?　hit

7?　A?　half B?　pair C?　group D?　double

8?　A?　won B?　saved C?　beat D?　joined

9?　A?　just B?　already C?　about D?　almost

10?　A?　T?shirts B?　clothes C?　places D?　points

［答案］ 1?　C 2?　D 3?　D 4?　A 5?　D

6?　A 7?　B 8?　C 9?　A 10?　B

［析］ 在1题中可以看出stronger， younger worse， less 四个选项全可以选，语法是正确的。从文章开始到这里并看不出其原因为什么要选择C，这时只能将其选择空出往后面看，所以提醒考生要注意的是千万不要一一对完形填空作出选择，有很多情况 是后面的情景决定了前面的选择。当看到 We even thought that they had never seen a basketball before 和 We felt that we didn't need (2) any practice against a team like that?　则就肯定会得到第一个空的选项决不是比我们强壮，也不可能是少，更不可能是年轻、而是球技不佳，比我们差得很远。?而5题是要仔细考虑才能得到正确的结论。这四个动词都可以用在篮球运动中，但要注意的是，其后面的名词是pass，在这里应译为"长传"。而这个长传这里决不是开始，而是被截住了。所以这里应用stopped。 即"拦截了一个长传。"而 caught 的宾语应换为ball球就对了。B 选项为"改变"，用于这里就不合题意了。而7项虽然很多人都知道篮球规则，投一球按两分计算，但这里应选哪个词则拿不准了，主要在B选项与D选项之间发生了问题。不知double的真实意义是"加倍，翻一翻"之意，还是"一对，一双，两倍"之意。其困难点还有9项，它的选择应为 just，这是由全文所决定的。它的意思是不论一个队多么好，总会有一个队会比你强出一点儿，哪怕是仅仅一点点。这也就是完形填空不易拿满分之处。这里要提醒大家的是：语言是十分灵活的，要经常不断地学习思考才会有所进步。?

Peter was a small boy?　He lived with his parents in a small house near some hills?　The people there were all poor??One night it was very dry and windy??When everybody was asleep， Peter suddenly heard some noise?　It came out from the kitchen (厨房)?　He got up and walked to the kitchen?　He found that the wood beside the stove (火炉) was burning?　There was no water tap (水龙头) in the house， so he could not put out (扑灭) the fire?　He shouted loudly to wake up everyone in the house?　Then he ran out of his house and knocked on the doors of many houses to wake the people up?　They all left their houses quickly??At last the fire was put out by the firemen?　Many houses were burnt?　But nobody was hurt in the fire??

1?　 Peter lived with his ______ ??

A?　sisters B?　brothers C?　uncles D?　parents

?

2?　 One night he found that ______ beside the stove was burning??

A?　the table B?　the wood C?　the door D?　the window

?

3?______　 ， so he could not put out the fire??

A?　Everybody was asleep B?　He couldn't shout loudly?

C?　The kitchen was very big D?　There was no water tap in the house

?

4?　 Peter knocked on the doors of many houses ______z??

A?　to wake the people up B?　to get some water?

C?　to find his classmates D?　to visit them ?

5?______hurt in the fire??

A?　People in other houses were B?　Peter's parents were?

C?　Nobody was D?　Peter was ?

［答案］ 1?　D 2?　B 3?　D 4?　A 5?　C?

［析］ 本题属于表层理解阅读考查题目，因为完成其答案所需要的信息基本上可以直接从文章中获取，并不太多的需要推理和对环境，习俗的分析与了解。例如1题可直接从文章中 He lived with his parents in a small…中获取。2 题则可以从 He found that the wood beside the stove was buring 获取答案。3 题几乎是文章中的原句， There was no water tap in the house?　所以得分率会很高。4 题也可从文章中：Then he ran out of his house and knocked on the doors of many houses to wake the people up?　直接找出答案。5题的答案则可以从文章中最后一句获得，如： But nobody was hurt in the fire。 这样的阅读题目，是属于表层理解题目，也就是为了那些获取毕业成绩的分数所设计的。其目的在于对普通同学给予适当的分以求达到毕业之目的。这样的题目虽然容易，但还是要小心为好，不要粗心大意，以免不必要的丢分。?

"You're just in time， Joe?　We're going to play cowboys (牛仔) and Indians， and you can be the Indians， " one of my cousins (堂兄弟) said??"How many Indians?" I asked??"Oh， about a thousand，" he answered， and before I could say no， I was pushed out into the night and became a thousand Indians?　Two minutes later I was running in the fields with a group of cowboys behind?　The shouts of "After them?　Let's catch the killers!" and other such TV?play language came into my ears as I ran round a corner and hurried into my Grandpa's car??"We've got him,boys?　Let's go and catch him!"?But no one wanted to come to get me?　All of my cousins except one were always very friendly with me?　It was quiet outside?　And I went out of the car to have a look??Just then I heard a shout， "Bring the rope (绳子)， and we can burn him?"?"Only Indians burn people?　Cowboys …，" I stopped just in time?　I had almost said， "Cowboys hang (绞死) people?"?I was tied to a tree， and the cowboys were looking for some wood when my dear mother called， "We're leaving now?"?"Untie me，" I shouted?　"We're going?"?"Why did Bobby want matches (火柴)?" Mum asked when we were in the car?　"He was asking Dad whether he had any?"?"Oh， he was just going to matches? MATCHES? Are you sure he wanted matches?"?Mother was quite sure， and I didn't say any more??

1?　 How many children played the Indians??

A?　One thousand. B?　One hundred. C?　One group. D?　One.

?

2?　 Why did Joe's cousin say that Joe was just in time? Because ______ ??

A?　there were not enough children for the game?

B?　the game was just going to start?

C?　none of his cousins wanted to be the Indians?

D?　they were waiting for Joe

3?　 Joe didn't say "Cowboys hang people?" out because ______??

A?　he was tied to a tree?

B?　that would make things worse?

C?　he was caught by the cowboys?

D?　that would make the cowboys angry ?

4?　 Which of the following is TRUE??

A?　One of Joe's cousins was looking for matches.?

B?　Dad didn't want to give the children any matches.?

C?　Bobby wanted to get some matches from his father.?

D?　Mum didn't think children should play with matches.

?

5?　 The name of the story should be "______ "??

A?　Joe and his cousins?

B?　Who knows what danger is waiting there?

C?　Cowboys?and?Indians is a favourite children's game?

D?　How cowboys and Indians fought in the past ?

［答案］ 1?　D 2?　C 3?　B 4?　A 5?　B?

［析］ 本文在阅读过程中会感到难度，而其问题与选项的设计更为困难。其难点不仅在于要阅读好文章，而且要对问题和问题中的选择项作深入仔细地阅读。如1题的问句之意是有多少个孩子在游戏中扮演印第安人。而文章中又有"How many Indians?" I asked 当作者问到有多少印第安人时，其答语为" about a thousand?" 这对于看不懂全文，而只认识个别单词的人就是一种很强的误导作用。因题目中问的是 How many，而文章中的数字是 a thousand?　但如果认真往下看则会发现：I was pushed out into the night and became a thousand Indians?　我被推入了黑暗之中变成了一千个印第安人。所以文章暗示了一个小孩来扮演一千个印第安人。这种题目的得分率自然不会很高。紧接而来的2题则更困难，问题问的是 Joe 的堂兄说他来的正是时候，是因为 ______。这是要认真去推理来判定的。由文中的句子 and before I could say no …这显然暗示了作者并不想扮演这样的角色，所以可以推论是没有人愿意扮演这个角色，但正在这个时候 Joe 来了，而且不由分说把Joe 推入了角色之中。而3题则更加困难，其题目之意是"Joe 没有说出牛仔是绞死人"的这一句话是为了什么 ______。从文章中 Joe 被一群孩子追逐后被抓住，十分不高兴，想从中解脱出来。因其他孩子讲我们可以烧死他。所以 Joe 为了摆脱困境而要讲出的话是："只有印第安人才烧人，而牛仔是用绳子绞死人。"后半句没有讲出来，是因为他看到如果要烧死人还需要找柴，找火柴，还是要一段时间的，但绳子就在他身上，如果绞死人那几乎是立刻马上之事。所以其答案选择了B。　这样的话可能会使事情更糟。4 题的题目是简单的，即下面陈述中那个是真实的。由于中考英语答案是唯一的，所以只有一个是符合标准的。这时可以采用选取正确答案的方法，但实际上更好的办法是排除法。把不正确的排除后再对其他项进行对比，作出选择。这叫作所谓的排除法。首先排除的应是C选项，因文章中讲在他们上车回家的路上妈妈问他："为什么Bobby 要火柴，他问爸爸是否有火柴。" 这里的爸爸显然指的是 Joe 的爸爸而不是 Bobby的爸爸。而其他三个选项则都处于可选之例：如A项应为 Joe 的一个堂兄在找火柴。B项是爸爸不想给孩子任何火柴。D项是妈妈认为孩子们不应玩火柴。而B项，在文章中根本没有进述Joe 爸爸的态度，所以应首先放弃，而D项是可以从推理中得到的，要不然他的母亲不会在车上问这个问题，但是文章中并未直接提出来，所以只有A是对的。因其妈妈讲 Bobby 是向 Joe的爸爸寻找火柴。而5项则更是要全文反复阅读才可能领会到其中的原由的。文章的题目要概括全部文章内容，但更重要的是从中抽取最重要的，也就是作者的主要意图。从文章的最后两句，当作者反问他妈妈时说："他真的在找火柴?火柴、你敢肯定他是在找火柴吗?"妈妈表示十分肯定，而作者再也不讲什么了。显然他感到如果玩下去危险的存在。所以其答案是B。这也就是中考中要求较高的题目，虽然分数不多但对要进入重点高中的学生来说，这是个关键问题，也就是成功与失败的焦点所在。?

例：We spent a day in the country and picked a lot of flowers?　Our car was full of flowers inside! On the way home we had to stop at traffic lights， and there my wife saw the bookshelf??It stood outside a furniture (家具)shop?　"Buy it，" she said at once?　"We'll carry it home on the roof?rack(车顶架)?　I've always wanted one like that?"?What could I do? Ten minutes later I was twenty dollars poorer， and the bookshelf was tied on to the roof?rack?　It was tall and?narrow， quite heavy too??As it was getting darker， I drove slowly?　Other drivers seemed more polite than usual that evening?　The police even stopped traffic to let us through?　Carrying furniture was a good idea??After a time my wife said， "There's a long line of cars behind?　Why don't they overtake(超车)?"?Just at that time a police car did overtake?　The two officers (警官) inside looked at us seriously when they went past?　But then，with a kind smile they asked us to follow their car through the busy traffic?　The police car stopped at our village church(教堂)?One of the officers came to me??"Right， sir，"he said?"Do you need any more help now?"?I didn't quite understand?"Thanks， officer，" I said?　"You've been very kind?　I live just down the road?"?He was looking at our things: first at the flowers， then at the bookshelf?　"Well， well，" he said and laughed?　"It's a bookshelf you've got there! We thought it was－er something else?"?My wife began to laugh?　Suddenly I understood why the police drove here?　I smilcd at the officer?　"Yes， it's a bookshelf， but thanks again?" I drove home as fast as I could??

1?　 From the story we know that ______??

A?　the writer was poor and didn't buy the bookshelf for his wife??

B?　the writer's wife didn't like the bookshelf at all?

C?　the writer was always glad to buy something for his wife?

D?　the writer was not very glad to buy the bookshelf for his wife

?

2?　 What made the writer think that carrying furniture was "a good idea"??

A?　He could drive slowly and it was safe??

B?　Other drivers would let him go first??

C?　His wife could use a new bookshelf??

D?　He could save a lot of money and time? ?

3?　 Why were the police and other drivers so kind to the writer??

A?　Because they thought the writer liked studying very much and needed a bookshelf

B?　Because they didn't think it was polite to overtake a car with a bookshelf on it??

C?　Because they thought somebody in the writer's family had died and he needed help

D?　Because they thought it was dangerous to carry a bookshelf on a car?

?

4?　 Why did the writer's wife begin to laugh??

A?　Because now she knew what mistake the police had made??

B?　Because at last her husband understood why the police had driven to the church

C?　Because the officer was always looking at the flowcrs and the bookshelf??

D?　Because the police had helped them a lot? ?

5?　 When did the officers begin to realize(意识到)they had made a mistake??

A?　Before they arrived at the church??

B?　Before they overtook (overtake的过去式) the writer's car??

C?　After one of them looked at the flowers and the bookshelf carefully at the church

D?　After the writer's family left the church? ?

［答案］ 1?D 2?B 3?C 4?A 5?C?

［析］ 这篇文章有英国幽默的味道。英国的幽默是十分特别的，它一般都是讲述一个故事，但当结尾时仅几句话则道出天机来。对于这样的文章要从头认真看到尾，不要在考场中为了赶时间自认为是全懂了，其实则不然。造成不必要的丢分。从1题可以看出作者十分不情愿地为其妻子买了个书架呢。第二段则出现"Buy it?"这样的祈使句。初学者不易看出里面的原委。要知道祈使句在对话中常常带有命令，或不客气之意，所以从这里开始已看出作者的情绪了。其后的What can I do?又是一句抱怨的话，"我还能作什么吗?"其后又是一句风趣的抱怨：Ten minutes later I was twenty dollars poorer?即暗示十分不情愿地又花了20美元。所以其答案是D。其后2题则是推理题，从作者买了书架之后一连串的奇怪事情发生了。首先是其他的驾驶员开车对他十分的礼貌，甚至警察阻挡其他车辆让他先行。所以其答案是B。第3题则一句道破天机。因为前两件事已使作者感到奇怪了。后来警察竟然亲自驾驶汽车为他开道。而且警察并不知道他要去什么地方就把他带到教堂来了。这是因为英美人一生三件大事都要在教堂做：其一是出生时在教堂洗礼，其二是结婚，其三则是死亡。所以警察不问其由而将他带到教堂是为了帮助他。所以答案是C。当警察讲到We thought it was …er something else?时，显然有个词是不好意思讲出口的，所以道出了文章的真实情况。这时不难对5题作出答复其答案是C。