The Most Powerful Computer in the Universe

一、学习目标
1. 四、六级词汇和短语
ability, amount, ancient, chemical, complex, complicated, differ, equipment, exactly, involve, limit, physical, potential, reaction, recall, recent, unable, universe
put … to (good) use, differ from, compared to / with, make notes, look into
2. 结构与句式
3. 同义辨析
1) current, new, recent, modern, contemporary
2) recall, remind, remember
3) accept, receive, admit
4. 提高英语听力（八）
5. 阅读理解阅读技巧 （八）
6. 提高英语写作 （八） 句子写作 （八）

二、写作赏析
本文是一篇说明文（exposition），按照时间顺序对人类在人脑研究工作方面所取得的进展进行了客观的描述。
按结构本文由3部分组成。第1部分是第1段，起引介下文的作用；第2部分是第2至第7段是本文的主体。其中第2和第3段简述人类从古至今对人脑所进行的探索和研究；第4至第7段阐明了人们从事这方面的研究所报的期望和目的。第3部分是第8段，与第1段相呼应，终结全文。
本文属于非常正式的科技文献体，语言典型，特色鲜明，主要体现在：句式完整，变化较小；长句多，短句少，容量大；较多地使用形式主语it引导的句式和that引导的从句；频繁地使用被动语态。

三、课文学习
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. People now have come to know very well how our brain works.
2. In ancient times people believed it was the heart, not the brain, that did the thinking for man.
3. Modern research has found that different parts of the brain control different activities respectively.
4. Because of an increasing amount of research done in this field, scientists have found satisfactory answers to most of the questions about the working of the human brain.
5. According to some recent research, we keep in mind practically everything that happens to us, though sometimes we fail to recall something that is stored in our memory.
6. Scientists have been doing research on the brain in order to help people make better use of it.
7. If we know exactly how the human brain learns to use language, we may be able to find a new and better way to teach language.
8. It has been found that old persons are generally quicker in thought than young men.
9. Now many people believe that we only use a very small part of the brain’s potential, and that the power of the brain is, so to speak, limitless.
10. We fail to bring the brain’s potential into full play, partly because of the fact that we are taught as children how to remember facts instead of how to make the best use of our brains.
11. Note-taking is, anyway, the best way to commit things to memory.
12. The author compares the human brain to a mysterious world inside ourselves.
Keys: F T F F T T T F T T F T

四 、课文辅导
（一）内容概述
本文回顾了人类为了探索脑的奥秘从古至今所进行的研究工作，阐明了从事这些研究工作的人所抱的期望和目的。古希腊哲学家亚里士多德就认为人脑是脑力活动的中心，但是直到十八世纪人们才真正认识到这一科学论断。十九世纪科学家的发现曾使人们一度认为脑的每一部分支配着人的不同行为，然而现在研究证明事实并非如此。最近五十年来， 科学家对人脑进行了大量的研究工作， 尽管有所发现，但是收获甚微，有关人类的诸多问题至今还是个谜。要对大脑的活动方式有个更好的了解，充分挖掘脑的潜力，科学家们还要付出艰辛的劳动，进行长期的探索。
（二）背景知识
各国科学家都在研究人及其它动物的大脑。 最近几年，电子设备使科学家能够观察到神经细胞发出的细微的电子信号。这些信号为了解人脑的活动机制提供了许多重要信息。通过其它一些仪器可以使极小的电流刺激或抑制大脑某些部分的活动。这些方法使人们得以穿梭于大脑，发现细胞间的联系，看到心海如何从一个中枢传向另一个中枢。这些实验也告诉我们大脑的不同区域都有什么样的功能。
但是，人类对大脑的研究才刚刚起步，多数秘密都尚未解开。随着越来越多的问题得以解答，更多的疑问产生了。比如，对人体不同部位的刺激是如何转换成人的所感、所见、所闻的？为什么学习可以在大脑中留下可以回忆起来的永久痕迹？大脑如何形成象词和数学公式那样的符号并用它们来解决复杂的问题的？大脑如何做判断、决定和拟定未来行动计划的？所有这些问题都还未得到解答。
（三）重点词汇精讲
1. complex adj. 联合的，复合的；复杂的
[举例] a complex system / network联合的体系/网
a complex argument / subject复杂的论证/理论
a complex sentence主从复合句
There is no simple solution to the complex problem.
这个复杂问题找不到简单的解决办法。
n. 综合系统，综合体；情结
a big industrial complex 大型工业联合体
a shopping / sports complex 综合性商场/体育场
a persecution complex 受迫害情结
an inferiority complex 自卑情结
He has a complex about his weight / has a weight complex.
他对自己的体重提心吊胆。
[派生] complexity n. 复杂性，复杂的事物
2. ancient adj. 古代的；古老的，旧的
[举例] a course in ancient history 古代史课程
ancient customs / ruins 旧风俗/古代废墟
3. involve v. 使卷入，使介入；包含，需要；牵涉，涉及
[举例] If I were you I wouldn’t get involved in their problems.
我要是你就不去介入他们的问题。
The job involves traveling abroad three months each year.
这份工作每年需要去国外三个月。
The accident involved a bus and a truck.
这起事故牵涉到一辆公共汽车和一辆卡车。
4. ability n. 能力，技能，才能
[举例] a man of great musical ability 有卓越音乐才华的人
She has demonstrated / has got a remarkable ability to get things done.
在办事方面，她显示了非凡的能力。
[举例] able adj. 有能力的，有本事的；能干的
ably adv. 能干地，巧妙地
unable adj. 不能的，不会的，无能力的
inability n. 无能，无力，没办法
5. exact adj. 正确的，精确的；严格的，严谨的
[举例] I don’t know the exact terms of the agreement.
我不知道协议的确切条款。
You have to be very exact in this job, because a small mistake can make a big difference.
你做这项工作必须非常严谨，因为一个小错误就能造成天壤之别。
[派生] exactly adv. 确切地，精确地；十分，确实如此
[举例] Tell me exactly where she lives.
确切地告诉我，她住在什么地方。
They were doing exactly the opposite to what I had told them.
他们做的与我告诉他们去做的完全背道而驰。
6. amount n. 总数，总额，数量
[举例] Large amounts of money were spent on the bridge.
那座桥耗费了大量金钱。
These figures should be treated with a certain amount of caution.
对待这些数字，应较为谨慎。
v. （数量上）达到，（意义上）等于
[举例] Her reply amounts to a refusal.
她的回答等于拒绝。
She hasn’t actually refused, but it amounts to the same thing.
她言词上没有拒绝，但实际上等于拒绝了。
Our debts amount to over $1000.
我们的负债总共超过了一美千元。
7. complicated adj. 复杂的，费解的；结构复杂的
[举例] a complicated legal problem 复杂的法律问题
It’s rather complicate to explain, but I’ll try.
这事解释起来相当复杂，不过我试试看吧。
a complicated machine结构复杂的机器
[派生] complicate v. 使复杂化
complication n. 使复杂化的事物，纠葛；并发症
8. reaction n. 反应，回应；反作用力
[举例] What was your reaction to the news?
你对这消息有何反应？
nuclear reaction核反应
action and reaction 作用与反作用
[派生] react v. 对…产生反应；回应，对应；起作用；反抗
reactionary adj. 反动的，反动分子的
n. 反动分子，反动派
reactor n. 反应器
9. equipment n. 装备，装置
[举例] She tested all her equipment.
她测试了全部器材。
fire-fighting equipment 消防设备
[派生] equip v. 装备，设备；使胜任
[举例] a well-equipped / poorly-equipped hospital设备完善/简陋的医院
They equipped themselves with a pair of sharp axes and set off for the forest.
他们带上两把锋利的斧子便朝森林走去。
Your education will equip you for your future life.
你（所受）的教育将使你能适应今后的生活.
10. recall v. 回想，回忆起；召回，收回
[举例] I can’t recall the exact details of the report.
我记不起报告的确切细节。
I don’t recall ever meeting him / that I have ever met him.
我想不起来我曾经见过他。
Do you recall why she left?
你能回忆起她为什么走的吗？
The government recalled its ambassador after the diplomatic row.
在外交争吵之后，政府召回了大使。
n. 召回，唤回；记忆力
John has total recall and never forgets anything.
约翰的记忆力无懈可击，从不忘记任何事情。
[词组] beyond / past recall不能挽回的，无法补救的
11. differ v. 有区别，不同于；看法不同
[举例] Their house differs from mine in having no garage.
他们的房子和我的不同，区别在于他们的没有车库。
The two squares differ in colour but not in size.
这两个正方形的颜色不相同，大小却一样。
The two sides in the dispute still differ (with each other) over the question of pay.
争执的双方在报酬问题上仍各执己见
[派生] difference n. 不同，差异
different adj. 不同的，各种各样的
12. physical adj. 身体的，肉体的；物质的；依照自然法则的；自然的
[举例] physical exercise 体育活动，体操
physical strength 体力
the physical world 物质世界
There must be a physical explanation for these strange happenings.
这些怪事一定可以根据自然规律做出解释.
13. potential n. 潜力，潜能，潜势；可能性
[举例] This new invention has (an) enormous sales potential.
这项新发明有巨大的销售潜力。
a young player with great potential 潜力很大的年轻选手
adj. 潜在的；可能的
potential energy / power潜力/潜能
a potential source of conflict可能引起冲突的根源
[派生] potentially adv. 有潜力地
potentiality n. 潜力，潜在性
14. limit n. 局限，限度；界限；限量
[举例] within the city limits在该城范围内
He tried my patience to my limits. 他把我逼得忍无可忍了。
The speed limit on this road is 70 mph.
这条路的车速限制是每小时七十公里。
v. 限定，限制
We must try and limit our expenditure.
我们必须设法限制我们的开支。
I shall limit myself to three aspects of the subject.
我仅探讨这一问题的三个方面。
[派生] limited adj. 有限的，少的；小的
limitless adj. 无限制的；无界限的
limitation n. 限制，限定；局限
[词组] within limits 适度地；有限度地
without limit无限地；无限制地

（四）重点词组
1. put … to good use = derive profit from sth, use (in a profitable way)
从某事物中获益
[举例] He ’ll be able to put his experience to good use in the new job.
他能在新的工作中把他的经验派上用场了。
As a student, you should know how to put your time to good use.
作为一名学生，你应该知道如何好好利用时间。
2. differ from 与…不同
[举例] In this respect, French differs from English.
在这一方面，法语不同于英语。
3. compared to / with 与… 相比
[举例] Compared with what it was, it has improved greatly.
与过去相比，它有了很大的改进。
Compared to many women, she was indeed very fortunate.
与许多妇女相比，她确实非常幸运。
4. make notes = take notes记笔记
[举例] She always make notes when she reads.
她读书时总要记笔记。
He sat making notes of everything that was said.
他坐在那里把说的每一件事都记了下来。
5. look into ＝examine, investigate, survey调查，观察
[举例] A working party has been set up to look into the problem.
已成立工作组调查该问题。
His disappearance is being looked into by the police.
他失踪一事警方正在调查。

（五）句子
1. It is only recently, however, that science has begun to give us a true idea of how the brain really works.
然而，只是到了近代，科学才开始使我们正确了解到人脑真正的活动方式。
本句使用了it is / was … that / who …的强调句型。强调部分指人时用who/whom/that连接，that 适用于一切，强调时间和地点等状语时用that, 不用when, where。强调部分也可以是句子。
[举例] It was he who / that did it.
这是他干的.
It is under the bridge that the businessman was found dead.
是在大桥下面人们发现那位商人死了的。
It was three years ago that a young mathematician solved the problem.
三年前，一位数学家解决了这个问题。
It is because the book is so useful to us that I bought it.
因为这本书对我们有用我才买了它。
2. It was not until the 18th century that man realized that the whole of the brain was involved in the workings of the mind.
直到18世纪人们才认识到是整个大脑在参与人的思维活动。
本句是not … until的强调句式，如不强调，正常语序应是：Man did not realize that the whole of the brain was involved in the workings of the mind until the 18th century. 其中that 引导的从句that the whole of the brain was involved in the workings of the mind 做realize的宾语。
[举例] It was not until yesterday that we knew about it.
直到昨天我们才听说此事。
It was not until the invention of web browser that internet began to be popular.
直到发明了网页浏览器，因特网才开始流行起来。
这个结构又常常以它的倒装结构出现，即：Not until … did / was / were …。
比如也可以将上面两句变成：
Not until yesterday did we know about it.
Not until the invention of browser did internet begin to be popular.
3. The more scientists find out, the more questions they are unable to answer.
科学家们发现越多，他们就有越多的问题不能回答。
the more … the more是比较级的一种特殊结构，通常前者相当于一个状语从句。比如，
The more I see of him, the less I like him.
我越是多看见他，越是不喜欢他。
The more he eats, the fatter he gets.
他越吃越胖。
4. Mathematicians who have tried to use computers to copy the way the brain works have found that even using the latest electronic equipment they would have to build a computer which weighed over 10,000 kilos.
试图利用计算机来复制人脑活动方式的数学家们发现，即使动用最先进的电子设备，他们也要建造一台重一万公斤以上的计算机才行。
本句结构复杂，主干结构是：Mathematicians … have found that … they would have built a computer. 定语从句who have tried to use to copy the way the brain works修饰mathematicians。定语从句(in which) the brain works修饰the way。定语从句which weighed over 10,000kilos修饰a computer。Even using the latest electronic equipment是现在分词短语作状语。
5. Scientists hope that if we can discover how the brain works, the better use we will be able to put it to.
科学家们希望，如果我们能够发现脑子是怎样活动的，我们将能够更好地运用它。
此句为了强调the better use将其提前，放在we的前面。原句可以改为: Scientists hope that if we can discover how the brain works, we will be able to put it to a better use. “the better use ”中的the 是副词，用在比较级前，通常the … the 成对使用时，表示“越… 越”。本句实际上相当于：… the more we discover how the brain works, the better use we will be able to put it to.
6. They are trying to find out whether there is something about the way we teach language to children which in fact prevents children from learning sooner.
他们正在试图查明，在我们教孩子们学习语言的方法中是不是有什么东西实际上却妨碍了他们学得更快些。
本句中包含三个从句。about the way we teach language to children作定语修饰something, 这个定语本身还有一个定语从句(in which) we teach language to children，其先行词是the way。另外，which in fact prevents children from learning sooner是另一个定语从句，修饰something。
7. It is now thought that the more we give our brains, the more they are able to do.
现在人们认为，我们给予大脑的工作越多，大脑就越能干更多的工作。
句型It + be + v-ed + that 从句中it是形式主语，that引导主语从句，置于句尾，动词多用被动结构，有些句子已有固定的说法和译法。如，
It is said that … 据说
It is reported that … 据报道
It is recorded that … 据记载
It will be seen that … 可以看出
It has been proved that … 业已证明
It has been found that … 业已发现
It should be noted that … 应当注意
It must be pointed out that … 必须指出
8. … the only limit on the power of the brain is the limit of what we think is possible.
人脑机能的唯一限度是我们认为所能及的那个限度。
本句中that引出的从句一直到句末，做say的宾语，what引出的从句what we think is possible做介词of的宾语，we think是插入语。

五、同义辨析
1. current, new, recent, modern, contemporary
a. new (新的)用以形容至今只存在了很短时间的现存事物的普遍用语；
b. recent (最近的)用以形容在不久前发生或产生的事物，尤用于形容事件；
c. modern (现代的，近代的)涉及的时间比new更长些，意为 “属于目前时期或不太遥远的过去的”；
d. current (目前的)表示某事物现在存在，但与从前不同，而且以后也许还会不同；
e. contemporary (当代的) 意为“属于现代的”。
[例句] a new road / law / book新的道路/法律/书
our recent holiday我们最近的假日
The recent election produced a new government.
最近的选举产生了一个新政府。
Modern medical science has conquered many diseases.
现代医学已征服了许多疾病。
contemporary art / music当代艺术/音乐
The current fashion is for men to have long hair.
当前的流行样式是男人留长发。
2. recall, remind, remember
a. recall回想，回忆，强调记得并能想起
b. remind使想起，提醒，强调经提醒、暗示后想起
c. remember记住，表示记得，但不一定能想起
[举例] Try to recall (to mind) exactly what happened.
把发生的事情尽可能仔细地回忆一下。
Remind me to answer that letter.
提醒我回复那封信。
If I remember rightly the party starts at 8 pm.
我记得聚会是在八点钟开始。
3. accept, receive, admit
a. accept接受，指主动的接受，表示一种态度
b. receive表示接收，收到这一动作或事实
c. admit侧重强调接受，是含有准许和批准之意。
[举例] He received some presents but didn’t accept them.
他收到了一些礼物但却没有接受。
Each ticket admits two people to the party.
每张票可供两人入场参加聚会。

六、学习误区警示
amount的用法提示

通常amount同不可数名词连用，如与大多数复数名词连用，则用number更为合适。但当谈到大量货物时，仍应使用amount。
[举例] Her case has attracted an enormous amount of public sympathy.
她的案件博得了无数公众的同情。
A large number of vehicles had to be abandoned because of the heavy snow.
大量的机动车因降大雪不得不停驶。
The shopkeeper had a large amount of oranges in his storeroom.
店主在货仓里存有大量橙子。

七、课后作业（答案在下一讲）
I. Vocabulary and structure
1. ______ the ages different ideas have been expressed about the workings of the human brain.
A. Over B. Through C. Throughout D. Across
2. Man still has _______ to learn about the most powerful and complex part of his body – the brain.
A. a lot B. a lot of C. lot of D. lots of
3. Aristotle, the philosopher of ancient Greece, thought that the _______ was based in the heart.
A. head B. brain C. thought D. mind
4. Scientists found that when certain parts of the brain were _______ we lost the ability to do certain things.
A. destroyed B. damaged C. wounded D. hurt
5. It is not easy to say exactly _______ each part of the brain does.
A. what B. which C. that D. whom
6. Scientists have found that the way the brain works is _______ complicated than they had thought.
A. far B. farther C. much D. far more
7. ______ scientists find out, _______ questions they are unable to answer.
A. The more … the most B. The many … the more
C. The more … the more D. the many
8. Over 100,000 chemical reactions ________ the brain every second.
A. take place in B. take the place of
C. give place to D. give place of
9. Mathematician have _______ computers to copy the way the brain works.
A. tried using B. tried to use C. tried use D. tried to using
10. We remembered everything that happens ________ us.
A. at B. to C. on D. in
11. We may not be able to ________ the information that we have ________.
A. remember … recalled B. recall … remembered
C. remember … reminded D. remind … remembered
12. Man differs most _______ all _______ in his ability to learn and use language.
A. from … the animals B. with … the animals
C. with … the other animals D. from … the other animals
13. We can put the brain ______ better use after we discover how it works.
A. to B. for C. at D. in
14. Some children learn to speak and read and write when they are very young compared ______ children.
A. with normal B. to average C. with usual D. to usual
15. There is something about the _______ we teach language to children which prevents children _______ sooner.
A. way … from learning B. means … from learning
C. means … to learn D. way … to learn
16. Earlier scientists thought that during a man’s lifetime the power of his brain _____.
A. diminished B. reduced C. decreased D. lessened
17. An old person who has always been _______ active has a quicker mind than a young person who has done only ________ work.
A. mentally … physically B. mentally … physical
C. physically … mentally D. physically … mental
18. He got gradually ______ in the case, though he didn’t intend to originally.
A. connected B. related C. interfered D. involved
19. He suddenly called my name on the street, but I could not ______ where I had met him before.
A. remind B. recall C. record D. reclaim
20. They are going to be very busy. There is a large ______ of work for them to do.
A. amount B. number C. lot D. deal
21. – Will you go to the movie with us tonight?
- I’m sorry. I have not made up my _______ yet.
A. heart B. brain C. mind D. head
22. I put the medicine bottle on the high shelf in order to ________ children _______ reaching it.
A. forbid … to B. prevent … from C. prohibit … to D. stop … from
23. It was his pride that _______ in his failure in the final exam.
A. resulted B. led C. caused D. gave
24. His political ideas were too ______ to get support from ordinary people.
A. competent B. complicated C. complimentary D. complex
25. Scientists have done _______ to reveal the effects of cigarette smoking.
A. many researches B. many searches
C. much research D. much search
26. This district has enormous _______ for economic development, but a great deal of money is needed.
A. opportunity B. potential C. possibility D. sensibility
27. We must keep away from some _______, for they will do harm to our health.
A. chemistry B. chemists C. chemical D. chemicals
28. His continuous failure revealed his ______ to handle this matter.
A. ability B. capability C. unability D. inability
29. Do you agree to set a ________ to the expense of our trip
A. limitation B. limit C. limited D. unlimited
30. Doctors have _________ his life, but they failed.
A. managed saving B. manage to save
C. tried saving D. tried to save

II. Reading comprehension
Passage one
In the 18th century New York was smaller than Philadelphia and Boston. Today it is the largest city in America. How can the change be explained.
To answer this question we must consider certain facts about geography, history, and economics(经济). Together these three will explain the huge development of America’s most famous city.
The map of Northeast show that four of the most heavily populated(居住于… ) areas in this region are around seaports. At these points materials from across the sea enter the United States, and the goods of the land are sent there for shipping across the sea.
It is known that places where transportation lines meet are good places for making raw(未加工的) materials into finished goods. That is why seaports(海港) often have cities nearby. But cities like New York needed more than their situation in order to become great industrial centers. Their development did not happen simply by chance.
About 1815, when many Americans have already moved towards the west, transportation routes from the seaports to the central regions of the country began to be a serious problem. In New York State a canal seemed to be the best solution(解决办法) to it. From the eastern end of Lake Erie all the way across the state to the Hudson River there is a huge piece of low land. Here Erie Canal was built. After several years of work it was completed in 1825.
1. Which of the following were causes of the development of New York?
A. Economics, geography, and weather
B. Geography, history and weather
C. Geography, history and economics
D. Economics, history and weather
2. In paragraph 3, “the land” and “there” refer to ______, respectively.
A. “the American continent” and “to Europe”
B. “the Northeast” and “to the sea”
C. “the heavily populated region” and “to New York”
D. “America” and “to the heavily populated areas around the seaports”
3. New York is a good place for making raw materials into finished goods because ______.
A. farming is done there
B. transportation is good there
C. it is heavily populated
D. it is in the Northeast
4. In New York State a canal seemed to be the best solution to the transportation problem because ______.
A. people preferred water transportation
B. it cost less to cut a canal than to build a railroad
C. the state was by the sea
D. there was low land lying between Lake Erie and the Hudson River
5. When completed in 1825, the Erie Canal connected ________.
A. Lake Erie with the Hudson River
B. the seaports with the central region
C. the east with the west
D. the heavily populated areas with places where raw materials were made into finished goods.
Passage Two
Have you ever seen a movie in which a building was burned down or a bridge was destroyed? Have you seen films in which a train crashed or a ship sank into the ocean? If so, you may have wondered how these things could happen without harming the people in the film.
The person who knows the answer is the “special-effects” person. He has one of the most important jobs in the film industry.
In a scene for one movie there was a big glass bowl filled with water in which small fish were swimming. The director of the movie wanted the fish to stop swimming suddenly while they seemed to stare at an actor. Then the director wanted the fish to stop staring and swim away. But fish can’t be ordered to do anything. It was quite a problem.
The special-effects person thought about this problem for a long time. The result was an idea for controlling the fish with a harmless use of electricity. First he applied electricity to the fish bowl, causing the fish to be absolutely(绝对地，完全地) still. Then he rapidly reduced the amount of electricity, allowing the fish to swim away. Thus he got the humorous effect that the director wanted.
As in other parts of movie making, there are those who have developed particular skill in creating certain kind of effects. Jim White, who has been a special-effects person for thirty-two years, is best known for work with ships and airplanes.
Calmly he builds and crashes airplanes or sends tiny models of ships on dangerous voyage. For a movie about World War II he built a boat which was a copy of a real ship. The copy was made of wood and was 165 feet long. As it sailed along at a speed of seven sea miles an hour in the Pacific Ocean, it seemed so real that a United States military(军事的) airplane flew down near it, trying to discover which country owned it.
All the special effects require training, skill, and experience. It also adds a great deal to the expense(花费) of producing the film. It helps explain why so many movies are expensive to make.

6. The special-effects people’s job is important because .
A. they reduce the costs of movie making
B. they make scenes look real
C. they make destroyed things reusable.
D. they protect their works from being destroyed
7. The special-effects person made the fish stop swimming .
A. by staring at them
B. by applying electricity to the fish bowl
C. by reducing the amount of electricity applied to the fish bowl
D. by ordering them to stop
8. A U.S. military airplane followed the boat because ________.
A. the boat was on a dangerous voyage
B. the boat was from an enemy country
C. the boat looked like a ship from an unknown country
D. it was the effect that the director wanted
9. According to this passage, one of the reasons that films are often expensive to make is that ____.
A. special effects often cost a lot
B. actors destroy many things
C. many actors are harmed or killed in film making
D. special-effects people earn high salaries
10. Which of the following is NOT an example of special effects in this passage?
A. Making the fish to stop swimming
B. Causing the fish to swim away
C. The flying of a military plane
D. The sailing of a 165-foot-long boat


八、英语技能训练

（一）提高英语听力，训练应试技能 （八）
听力测试中的短文应试技能训练
3．叙事型
叙事型短文是用来记录和叙述人物的行为或事件的发展变化的一种文章，传记、消息、历史、叙事诗歌、记事体短文等都属于这一类。它通常又分为以叙事为主的短文和以状物为主的短文。此类型短文的特点是语言简练、层次清楚；而且以叙事为主的短文一般都有事件的开始、发展及结局等部分，叙事时往往按时间顺序(也有倒叙)进行。这种类型的短文是听力测试短文部分常考的类型之一，在听力测试中，叙事的主要事实及短文的中心等是考查的重点，此类短文的听力技巧是，考生在听音时应抓住5W 和 1H，即who(人物)，when(时间)，where(地点)，what(内容)，why(原因)和how(方式)。
(一)考题解析
[例题]
You will read:
1. A) The long distance between his hometown and New York.
B) His unpopular character.
C) The high unemployment rate in New York.
D) His criminal record.
2. A) He wanted to be put in prison again.
B) He needed the money to support his family.
C) He hated the barber there.
D) He wanted to make himself well known.
3. A) He went directly to the police station.
B) He drove out of the town and tried to escape.
C) He waited for the police to arrest him.
D) He argued with the police angrily.
4. A) Mr. Spears enjoyed living in prison.
B) Mr. Spears was known as a greedy man in his community.
C) The police in New York were not very efficient.
D) The only way for Mr. Spears to support his family was by going to prison again.
You will hear:
In the local newspaper of my community recently, there was a story about a man named Virgil Spears. He lived in a small town about 40 miles from my home. He had served five years in a New York prison for robbing a restaurant. When he returned to his family, Mr. Spears couldn’t find a job. Everyone knew he had been in prison and nobody trusted him. Finally, in desperation, he calmly walked into a local barbershop where he was well known, pulled out a gun, and took all the money the barber had. Up to this point, it had been a fairly routine crime, but then something unusual happened. Mr. Spears didn’t try to get away. He got into his car, drove slowly out of town, and waited for the police. When they caught him, he made only one request. He turned to the arresting policeman and said: “Would you please ask the court to put my family on welfare just as soon as possible?”
(CET- 4, 96. Section B, Passage 3, Listening Comprehension)
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the passage you have just heard.
1. What made it difficult for Virgil Spears to find a job.
2. Why did Virgil Spears rob the local barbershop?
3. What did Mr. Spears do after he robbed the barbershop?
4. What can we infer from the passage?
这是一篇叙事型的短文，文中讲述了刊登在报纸上的一则故事：Virgil Spears 曾因抢劫一家餐馆而入狱五年，刑满释放后，因其有过犯罪记录而无人雇佣他。绝望之下，再度抢劫一家理发馆，坐等警察将其抓获。令人奇怪的是，他最后提出的要求竟是要法庭为其家属提供福利保障，这是本文的大意。文章按时间发生的先后顺序进行讲述。通常情况下，叙事型短文的测试重点多放在文章的情节上，且多问为什么，此外推断题在叙事型短文的测试中也较多，以考查考生对全文内容的驾驭能力。现将时体解析如下：第一题情节信息捕捉题，Virgil出狱找工作困难的原因是因为“Everybody knew he had been in prison and nobody trusted him.”这样只有答案D)与原文内容相近，故选D)。第二题仍是文章细节捕捉题，考查考生对短文有关信息的获取及加工能力，问的是为什么Spears抢劫理发店，本题需从后文中推理而知，由于Spears 不能找到工作，便再度实施犯罪，由于他 “rob a barbershop”后坐等警察到来的行为，我们可推知本题的正确答案是A)。第三题考查考生明辨信息的能力，比较容易，正确答案是C)。第四题是推断题，考生需在整体理解原文的基础上做出推断。本题可从文中最后 “Would you please ask the court to put my family on welfare just as soon as possible?”一句中推断出答案应是D)。

（二）阅读理解阅读技巧 （八）
二、熟练掌握词汇
熟练掌握词汇是准确理解文章和提高阅读速度的关键，而且根据上下文判断某些词汇和短语的意义又是一种重要的阅读技能。下面我们来看一个例子：
It is, everyone agrees, a huge task that the child performs when he learns to speak, and the fact that he does so in so short a period of time challenges explanation.
1. By “… challenges explanation” the author means that ________.
A. no explanation is necessary for such an obvious phenomenon
B. no explanation has been made up to now
C. it’s no easy job to provide an adequate explanation
D. it’s high time that an explanation was provided
本题要求正确理解文章的第一段的隐含意思。这里的关键词是challenge。challenge的原意是“向…挑战”，因而有“对…持异议”的意思。从上下文来看，原文是说解释儿童学会说话不是一件容易的事。所以C项是正确答案。
又如，
… Finally, many great players come from the same kind of neighborhood ---- a poor, crowded area where a boy’s dream is not to be a doctor, lawyer, or businessman, but to become a rich, famous athlete or entertainer. For example, Liverpool, which produced the Beatles, had one of the best English soccer teams in recent years. Pele practiced in the street with a “ball” made of rags. And George Best learned the tricks that made him famous by bouncing the ball off a wall in the slums of Belfast.
1. The word “tricks” in the last sentence is closest in meaning to _____.
A. experience B. cheating C. skills D. training
文章以George Best 为例说明他如何在贫民区练就了过硬的球艺。这里”tricks”指特殊的技能、技术，而不是“骗术”、“经验”或“训练”。因此，只有C项是正确答案。

（三）写作基础
有关平行结构的错误：
所谓平行结构是指用相同的语法结构表示几个意思上密切相关的内容。平行结构通常由以下词或词组连接：(both) … and, (not) but, neither … nor, either … or, not only … but also, whether … or.常见的平行结构有：
1. 名词短语的平行，如：
A well-known cultural center, my hometown has many libraries, museums and historic sites.
2. 形容词、副词短语的平行：
Our new teacher is young, tall, and handsome.
He always speaks loudly and clearly.
3. 动词短语的平行，如:
I got up at sunrise and took a walk in the garden.
4. 介词短语的平行，如：
The government should be of the people, by the people and for the people.
5. 非谓语动词短语的平行，如：
My brother likes reading novels and playing ball games.
6. 从句的平行，如：
a teacher who prepares his lectures carefully and answers students’ questions patiently will be respected and loved.
平行结构要求被连接词连接的成分在语法结构及句法功能上一致，否则就会出错。请看下面的句子：
1. [误] Mr. Smith is an engineer and also works as a businessman.
2. [误] Our teacher asked us to close our books, to take out a piece of paper, and that we were to write a short composition.
3. [误] I wondered whether I should make a telephone call or to see him in person.
上面的句子可以分别改为：
1. [正] Mr. Smith is an engineer and a businessman.
2. [正] Our teacher asked us to close our books, to take out a piece of paper, and to write a short composition.
3. [正] I wondered whether I should make a telephone call or see him in person.
为了使平行结构所表达的意思更清楚，我们常常需要重复引导平行结构的词或词组。如，
1. He spoke out for the party, for its leaders, but not for its principles.
2. I forgot that my research paper was due on Tuesday and that my teacher had said he would not accept late papers.
Exercises:
找出并纠正下列句子中有关平行结构的错误：
1. On New Year’s Day, Chinese people usually make either new year calls or watch TV programs.
2. The bookstore owner told us that the book was timely, informative, and could hold our interest.
3. I like group discussions better than going to lectures.
4. Her lectures are witty, interesting, and she plans them carefully.
5. My summer’s work proved not only interesting but also I learned much from it.
6. The neighbors complained that we made too much noise and we threw rubbish everywhere.

Unit 8写作基础练习答案：
1. Although their visit to our home was unexpected, we found it enjoyable.
2. correct
3. At first, the paint did not dry completely, which caused me to do the job again.
4. I had a summer job that year, which, therefore, enabled me to stay in school for another term.
5. For us to see this view properly, the sun must be shining.
6. While we were returning home in a taxi, the music of the opera still seemed to sing in our ears.

(九) Unit 8 练习答案
I. Vocabulary and structure
1. C 2. A 3. D 4. C 5. B
(注：第5题的四个选项应改为：A. sit down B. sit down with
C. sit around D. sit around with)
6. C 7. A 8. B 9. D 10. C
11. C 12. B 13. D 14. A 15. A
16. A 17. B 18. D 19. B 20. A
21. D 22. B 23. A 24. A 25. B
II. Reading comprehension
1. A 2. C 3. D 4. A 5. D
6. C 7. B 8. B 9. D 10. A