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1、2010年12月英语四级阅读练习详解2010年12月英语四级阅读练习详解Unit oneElementary Schools in early AmericaWhat accounts for the great outburst of major inventions in early America breakthroughssuch as the telegraph,the steamboat and the weaving machine?Among the many shaping factors,I would single out the countrys excellent e

2、lementaryschools;a labor force that welcomed the new technology;the practice of giving premiumsto inventors;and above all the American genius for nonverbal,spatial1 thinking aboutthings technological.Why mention the elementary schools?Because thanks to these schools our early mechanics,especially in

3、 the New England and Middle Atlantic states,were generally literate and at homein arithmetic and in some aspects of geometry and trigonometry.Acute foreign observers related american adaptiveness and inventiveness to this educationaladvantage.As a member of a British commission visiting here in 1853

4、 reported,With a mindprepared by thorough school discipline,the American boy develops rapidly into the skilledworkman.HA further stim ulus to invention came from the premium system,which preceded ourpatent system and for years ran parallel with it.This approach,originated abroad,offeredinventors med

5、als,cash prizes and other incentives.In the United States,m altitudes of premiums for new devices were awarded at country fairsand at the industrial fairs in major cities.Americans flocked to these fairs to admire the newmachines and thus to renew their faith in the beneficence of technological adva

6、nce.Given this optimistic approach to technological innovation,the American worker took readilyto that special kind of nonverbal thinking required in mechanical technology.As EugeneFerguson has pointed out,A technologist thinks about objects that cannot be reduced tounam biguous verbal descriptions;

7、they are dealt with in his mind by a visual,nonverbalprocess.The designer and the inventor are able to assemble and manipulate in their mindsdevices that as yet do not exist.*This nonverbal spatial thinking can be just as creative as painting and writing.robert fultononce wrote,The mechanic should s

8、it down among levers,screws,wedges,wheels,etc.,like a poet among the letters of the alphabet,considering them as an exhibition of histhoughts,in which a new arrangement transmits a new idea.When all these shaping forces-schools,open attitudes,the premium system,a genius forspatial thinking-interacte

9、d with one another on the rich U.S.mainland,they produced thatamerican characteristic,em ulation.Today that word implies mere im itation.But in earliertimes it meant a friendly but competitive striving for fame and excellence.invention n.1.发明,发明物2.捏造，虚构inventor n.发明家，发明者 联想词inventory n.1.详细目录2.存货清单b

10、reakthhrough n.1.突围，突 破2.重大成就，惊人发现 联想词breakdown n.1.垮台，破 裂2.衰竭，衰 弱3.损坏，故 障4.分类premium n.1.保 险 金2.额外费用3.奖品，赠品，额外津贴a.1.高级的，优 质 的2.售价高的 联想词subsidy n.津贴，补贴verbal a.1.口头的2.用言辞的，用文字的 联想词vocal a.发声的，嗓音的spatial a.空间的，与空间有关的literacy n.识字,有文化，读写能力literate a.1.有读写能力的2.有文化修养的stimulus n.1.促进 2.刺激 联想词provocation

11、n.1.挑衅，挑 拨2.刺激，激怒provocative a.1.挑衅的，煽 动 的2.刺激的precede v t.在.之前，先于precedent n.1.先例，范例，判 例2.惯例patent n.专利,专利权a.专利（权）的,受专利保护的vt.得到的专利权originate v i.起源于，来自，产生vt.创造，创始，开创 联想词commence v.开始incentive n.刺激，鼓励multitude n.1.大量，许 多2.大众，民众ambiguous a.引起歧义的,模式楂两可的，含糊不清的 联想词indefinite a.1.不明确的,含糊的2.无限期的exdplicit

12、a.1.明确的，明晰的;详述的2.直言的，毫不隐瞒的，露骨的manipulate vt.1.操纵，控制，影 响2.操作，使用lever n.1 .杠杆2.途径，工具，手段v t.撬动，撬起wedge n.楔（子）v t.把楔入，塞入 联想词groove n.沟，槽hinge n.较链interact v i.相互作用，相互影响emulation n.1.竞赛，竞 争2.仿效，仿真imitation n.1.模 仿2.仿制，仿 制 品3展 品strive v i.努力，奋斗，力求sculpture n.1.雕刻，雕 塑2.雕刻作品,雕塑品 联想词carve vt.1 .切，把切 碎2.雕刻，刻e

13、ngrave vt.1.在 上 雕 刻2.使铭记,使牢记statue n.雕像，塑像bust n.1.胸像,半身像2.胸部，胸围marble n.1.大理石diploma n.毕业文凭，毕业证书，资格证书 联想词diplomat n.1.外交官，外 交 家2.有交际手段的人，圆滑的人perpetual a.1.永久的，永恒的,长期的2.无休止的，没完没了的2010年12月英语四级阅读练习详解Unit TwoFight Again Youth SmokingThree years ago,appalled by how many children were becoming addicted t

14、o cigarettesevery year,the Vice President and I committed this administration to stopping the sale andmarketing of cigarettes to children.Today,thanks to these efforts and the persistence ofstate attorneys general,the public health comm2010 年 12 月英语四级阅读练习详解 Unity,andleaders in Congress,we have the b

15、est opport2010 年 12 月英语四级阅读练习详解 Unity ever topass comprehensive anti-smoking legislation that well save millions of our children from apremature,painful,and very preventable death.This week,in a historic and resounding 19 to 1 vote,a key Senate committee gave itsstamp of approval to comprehensive le

16、gislation sponsored by Senator John McCain,aRepublican,and Senator Fritz Hollings,a Democrat,that would cut youth smoking by halfover the next decade.This bill represents a dramatic step forward.It would raise the price ofcigarettes,give the FDA full authority to regulate tobacco products,ban advert

17、ising aimed atchildren,and protect tobacco farmers.We still have work to do in this legislation.Above all、we need to put in place toughpenalties that will cost the tobacco industry if it continues to sell cigarettes to young people.Just this week the Centers for Disease Control released a disturbing

18、 report that more than athird of teenagers in the 2010 年 12 月英语四级阅读练习详解 United States now smoke,eventhough its illegal.It is time to hold tobacco companies accountable.Reducidng youth smoking must beveerybodys bottom line.Lets remember-this is not about politics or money,or seekingrevenge against th

19、e tobacco industry for past practices.Were not trying to put the tobaccocompanies out of business;we want to put them out of the business of selling cigarattes tokids.This weeks progress in the Senate shows we have real mom entum in both parties todo just that.Therere still maly issues to be worked

20、out and many long nights ahead.But we havewithin our grasp one of the most important public health victories our nation has everachieved.Finally,lit me just pause a moment to observe the 30th anniversary of the death of oneof Americas greatest heroes,Dr.Martin Luther King.His dream,deeply rooted in

21、theAmerican Dream,is a dream for all Americans.Let us here at home always strive to heed Dr.Kings words and live up to his leqacv.Bill Clintonappall vt.使惊骇，使大吃一惊 联想词terrify vt.使害怕，使惊吓outrage vt.激起的义愤，激怒n.1.义愤，愤 慨2.暴行，骇人听闻的事件addict n.1.有瘾的人2.入迷的人vt.使成瘾，使入迷 联想词cocaine n.可卡因toxic a.有毒的，中毒引起的persistent

22、a.1.坚持不懈的,执意的2.持续的persistence n.1.坚持不懈，执 意2.持续性，持续状态 联想词stubborn a.1.顽固的，执拗的，倔 强 的2.难对付的，难于克服的legislation n.1.法律，法 规2,立法的，法律的制定 联想词legitimate a.1.合情合理的2.合法的，法律认可的judicial a.1.司法的，法庭的,审判的2.明断的,公正的sue vi.1.控告，起 诉2.要求，请 求vt.控告，起诉prosecute vt.1.对提起公诉，告发，检 举2.继续从事vi.起诉，告发defendant n.被告invalid a.1.无效的，作 废

23、 的2.无可靠依据的n.病弱者，残疾者testify vi.1.作证，证 明2.表明，说 明vt.作证，证明testimony n.1.证 词2,见证，证明premature a.1.比预期时间早是2.不成熟的,仓促的authority n.1.权力,管辖权2.官方，当 局3.当权者,行政管理机构4.权威，专家authoritative a.1.权威性的,可信的2.专断的，命令式的authorize vt.授权，批准 联想词definitive a.1.最可靠的，权威性的2.决定性的accountable a.负起责任的revenge n.报复，报仇momentum n.1.动力，冲力，势 力

24、2.动量 联想词impetus n.1.推动，促进，刺 激2.推动力strive vi.努力，奋斗，力求heed vt.留心，注意，听从legency n.遗赠的财物，遗产deadly a.1.致死的，致 命 的2.不共戴天的，殊 死 的3.极度的,十足的ad.非常，极度地 联想词drastic a.1.极端的，严 厉 的2.激烈的,迅猛的epidemic n.1.流 行 病2.流传，流 行a.流行性的，流传极广的lure vt,吸引，引诱，诱惑2010年12月英语四级阅读练习详解Unit ThreeBeauty Is MeaninglessA young man sees a sunset

25、and,unable to understand or to express the emotion that itrouses in him,concludes that it must be the gateway to a world that lies beyond.It is difficultfor any of us in moments of intense aesthetic experience to resist the suggestion that we arecatching a glimpse of a light that shines down to us f

26、rom a different realm of existence,different and,because the experience is intensely moving,in some wqy higher And,thoughthe gleams blind and dazzle,yet they do convey a hint of beauty and serenity greater thanwe have known or imagined.Greater too than we can describe,for language,which wasinvented

27、to convey the meanings of this world,cannot readily be fitted to the uses of another.That all qreat art has this Dower of suggesting a world beyond is undeniable.In somemoods,Nature shares it.There is no sky in June so blue that it does not point forward to abluer,no sunset so beautiful that it does

28、 not waken the vision of a greater beauty,a wisionwhich passes before it is fully glimpsed,and in passing leaves an indefinable linging andregret.But,if this world is not merely a bad joke,life a vulgar flare amid the cool radianceof the stars,and existence an empty laugh braying across the mysterie

29、s,if these intimationsof a something behind and beyond are not evil humour born of indigestion,or whimsies sentby the devil to mock and madden us,if,in a word,beauty means something,yet we mustnot seek to interpret the meaning.If we glimpse the unutterable,it is unwise to try to utterit,nor should w

30、e seek to invest with significance that which we cannot qraso.Beauty in termsof our human meanings is meaningless.intense a.1.强烈的，剧烈的,紧张的2.认真的,专注的3.热情的,热切的intensify v.（使）增强,（使）加剧aesthetic a.1.美学的，审 美 的2.悦目的,雅致的gleam vi.1.闪亮，闪 烁2.闪现，流 露n.1.闪光，闪 亮2.闪现，流露 联想词sparkle vi.1,发光，闪耀，闪 烁2.活跃，焕 发n.1.发光，闪耀，闪 烁2

31、.活力，生气glitter v i.闪闪发光，闪 耀n.闪光，灿烂的光辉2.耀眼，辉煌dazzle v t.使 眩 目n.1.耀眼的光2.令人赞叹的东西serenity n.1.平静，安 详2.晴朗，明朗denial n.1.否 认2.拒绝undeniable a.不可否认的vulgar a.1.粗野的，下流 的2.庸俗的,粗俗的 联想词boscene a.1.淫秽的，下 流 的2.可憎的,可恶的flare vi.1.（火焰）闪 耀2.突发，突然发怒n.闪光信号,照明弹 联想词erupt vi.1.（火山等）喷 发2.（战争等）爆发，突然发生ignite v t.点燃，引发radiant a.

32、1.容光焕发的，喜形于色的2.光芒四射的，光辉灿烂的3.辐射的 联想词radiate v.1.发出（光或热），辐 射2.流露，显示radioactive a.放射性的，有辐射的bray vi.1.（驴）叫2.以响而粗的声音说（或笑）whimsy n.1.怪念头，离奇的想法2.稀奇古怪 联想词bizare a.怪诞的，奇形怪状的weird a.1.古怪的，离 奇 的2.怪诞的，神秘可怕的mock vt.1.嘲笑，嘲 弄2.（为了取笑）模 仿vi.嘲笑，嘲弄a.1.模拟的，学 习 的2.假的，假装的2010年12月英语四级阅读练习详解Unit FourWaiting in LineThe Brit

33、ish queue up and the Americans wait in line,except for New Yorkers,who wait online.No one seems to know the reason for this local idiom.It issomething to ponder while waiting in/on line.Another thing to ponder:It is estimated that Americans spednd up to five years of theirlives in that tedious,w ear

34、y but unavoidable process known as waiting.Studies show thatotherwise rational people act irrationally when forced to stand in line or wait in crowds,evenbecoming violent.Queues are a grim reality of city life.While there seems to be no consensus onthe city*sworst line,the ones mentioned most often

35、in talks here and there were lunchtime lines atbanks and post offices and,among younger people,movie lines and college-registration lines.Bank lines,said Mark Sloane,an investor.*No matter what time of day you bank,thenumber of tellers is inadequate to the number of patrons.Even when the bank is ope

36、n yousee long lines infront of the money machines outside.“Supermarkets,said Ed Frantz,a graphic artist,who once abandoned a full shoppingcart in the middle of a long checkout line.It was not a political act.The line was filled withcoupon clippers and check writers/*he recalled.And suddenly I had to

37、 walk away.Food nolonger mattered.In any line the fundamental rule is first come,first served,or what dsocial scientists calldistributive justice.Exceptions may be made,say,in fancy restaurants where theheadwaiters have their favorites,but,in general,the rule prevails.If m isery loves corrwany,so do

38、 scorts fans.Dr.Leon Mann documented this severalyears ago when,as a Harvard professor,he studied the long overnight queues for tickets toball games in his native Australia.Outside the stadium something of a carnival atmosphere prevails,he wrote in TheAmerican Journal of Sociology.The devotees sing,

39、sip warm drinks,play cards and huddletogether.Like the teams they had come to watch,the fans in line took timeouts.Some worked inshifts,with certain members leaving to take naps or eat meals,while others saved theirplaces in line.Some staked claims in line with items of personal property such as sle

40、epingbags and folding chairs.During the early hours of waiting,Dr.Mann noted,Hthe queuesoften consisted of one part people to two parts inanim ate objects.1Nobody has ever seriously studied Helen Quinns Saturday morning line forMetropolitan Opera tickets,but perhaps someone should-Miss Quinn is not

41、an official atthe Met.For 15 years standees at the opera have been doing just that,thanks to Miss Quinsticketing system.She makes,dates and numbers her tickets-one for each of the 175standing room spots available-and dispenses them to early birds.Assured of a place,ticketholders then leave and retur

42、n shortly before 8 A.M.to line up for the real tickets.idiom n.1.习语，成 语2.风格，特色ponder v.思索考虑，沉思 联想词contemplate vt.1.盘算，计 议2.思量，周 密 考 虑3.注视，凝视weary a.1.疲劳的，疲 倦 的2.使疲劳的，令 人 厌 倦 的vi.厌倦的，不耐烦 联想词tiresome a.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的grim a.1.讨厌的，糟 糕 的2.严 厉 的3.严酷的,无情的consensus n.单（意见等）一致，一致同意patron n.1.资助人，赞 助 人2.老主顾，顾客re

43、sent v t.对表示忿恨，怨恨graphic a.1.生动的，形 象 的2.绘画的，文字的,图表的coupon n.1.礼券，优 惠 券2.配券，票证clip n.1.夹子，回形针，别 针2.弹夹，弹 仓3.剪，修 剪4.剪报，电影片断vt.（clipped;clipping）1 .夹住，扣 住2.剪，修 剪3.削减，缩短 联想词clamp n.夹头，夹具，夹 钳vt.（用夹具等）夹紧，固定prevail vi.1.流行，盛 行2.获胜，占优 势3.说明，劝说，诱使prevalent a.流秆的，普遍的misery n.1.痛苦，苦恼，苦 难2.悲惨的境遇，贫苦carnival n.1.表

44、 演 会2.庆祝，欢 宴3.狂欢节 联想词feast n.1.盛宴，筵 席2.节日sociology n.社会学sip v.（sipped,sippig）小口地喝，抿，呷 n.小口喝huddle vi.1.聚 集 在 一 起2.把身子蜷成一团vt.使聚集在一起n.挤在一起的人，一堆杂乱的东西inanimate a.1.无生命的，非 动 物 的2.无生气的,单调的metropolitan a.大城市的，大都会的dispense vt.1.分配，分 发2.配（药），发（药）3.实施，执行 联想词disperse vi.1.分散，散 开2.消散，消 失vt.1.使分散，赶 散2.使消散，驱散2010

45、年12月英语四级阅读练习详解Unit FiverioAggressive Pattism in SportsSome people believe that international sport creates goodwill between the nations.Others say that the opposite is true:that international contests encourage false nationalpride and lead to misunderstanding and hatred.There is probably some truth

46、in botharguments,but in recent years the Olympic games have done little to support the view thatsports encourages international brotherhood.Not only,was there the tragic incidentinvolving the murder of athletes,but the games were also ruined by lesser incidents causedprincipally by minor national co

47、ntests.One country received its second-place medals with visible indignation after the hockeyfinal.There had been noisy scenes at the end of the hockey match,the users objecting to thefinal decisions.They were convinced that one of their goals should not have been disallowedand that their opponents

48、victory was unfair.Their manager was in a rage when he said:Thiswasnt hockey.Hockey and the International Hockey Federation are finished.The presidentof the Federation said later that such behavior could result in the suspension of the team forat least three years.The American basketball team announ

49、ced that they would not yield first place to Russia,after a disputable end to their contest.The game had ended in disturbance.It was thoughtat first that the 2010 年 12 月英语四级阅读练习详解 United States had won,by a single point,but it was announced that there were three seconds still to play.A Russian playe

50、r then threwthe ball from one end of the court to the other,and another player popped it into the basket.It was the first time the USA had ever lost an Olympic basketball match.The Americanplayers then voted not to receive the silver medals.Incidents of this kind well continue as long as sport is pl