loading考点 41 阅读理解之说明文
＂英语说明文＂，顾名思义，就是一种以＂说明、解释＂为主要表达方式的英语文体。它是对客观事物的性状、特点、功能和用途等作科学解说的。它既不像故事那样重在情节的叙述和描写，也不像议论文那样，重在阐明主张和论点论据；更不像科幻作品那样富于想象和虚构夸张。说明文是通过解说事物、阐明事理，使人们增长知识和技能。说明文是高考英语阅读理解题中的重点内容之一。说明文具有与自己特点相适应的说明方法，因此说明文结构复杂，专业术语多，易于拉开考生分数档次，便于高校分层次选拔人才。然而对于考生来说说明文抽象度高，解题难度大。高考对说明文的考查多为科普知识，动植物特性、自然现象和新产品、新工艺介绍以及人文地理、风土人情等方面的说明文，文中解释性、定义性、说明性的句子居多。因此考生要掌握说明文的命题特点，叙述方式，以冷静的心态阅读原文，重点突破长句结构特点和逻辑关系，以便对其做出准确的语意理解。
说明文阅读理解的特征
一般说来，英语说明文与其他文体一样，文章所涉及的内容不外乎以下几个方面，即 who → what →
when → where → how → why。
1. who：问的是这篇文章的主体是谁？（即所要说明和描述的人或事物）
2. what：问的是主体做了什么事情？（即主体表现出的特性、功能和用途）
3. when 和 where：是在何时何地发生的？（即何时何地所表现出的特性、功能和用途）
4. how：通过什么方式表现出来的？
5. why：这种特性功能用途的原因是什么？
做说明文阅读理解题的时候，一定要记住上面的 wh-word。边阅读，边搜记，牢记要点，把握全文。
A
Welcome to London! Now let me tell you something about this wonderful city. London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is the biggest city in Western Europe with over 7 million people. It sits by the River Thames.
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London has a history of more than 2000 years. Because all over the world are familiar with the city’s red
double-decker (双层的) buses and black taxis.
People
The British Empire used to rule around the world, so many people from around the world moved to London. They have brought with them their own languages and cultures. More than 300 different languages are spoken in London.
Culture
London is known for its museums. One important museum is British Museum. It is the oldest public museum in the world. There are two main art museums in London: the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery. Besides, London is also home to arts, such as theatre and music. The Globe Theatre, which was popular in the late 16th and 17th centuries, was opened for performances of William Shakespeare’s central London.
Tourist attractions
London has many wonderful places to visit. For example, the well-known Clock Tower, a 320-foot-high tower, was called the Big Ben. Another famous London building is Buckingham Palace. The members of royal ( 皇家的) family of England live there. Besides, Hyde Park is the largest open area in central London. 1. What’s the population of London?
A. Less than 7 million.
B. Only 7 million. D. Nearly 7 million.
C. More than 7 million.
2. How many museums are there in London according to the passage?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four .
B. Buckingham Palace D. British Museum
D. Five
3. The members of royal family of England live in
A. the Big Ben
C. Hyde Park
4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned (提及) in the passage?
A. The Location of London.
B. The history of London.
C. The interesting places in London.
D. The food in London.
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5. From the passage, we can know that .
A. more than 300 different languages are spoken in London
B. the Globe Theatre has less than 300 years’ history
C. the Big Ben is a 320-foot-high clock
D. London is the biggest city in Europe
B
Different gestures (手势) mean different things in different countries. Sometimes a gesture that is polite in one country is not polite in another and should not be used. Different meanings of gestures can also cause problems in understanding what another person is trying to say. A gesture that many people do not understand is one that uses the thumb. Most westerners will sometimes show that they like something by holding out a closed hand with the thumb lifting in the air. This is called give someone or something ＂the thumbs up＂. Often, only one thumb is used, so it should be ＂the thumb up＂.
The usual explanation (解释) for the origin of this gesture is not really correct. It says that in ancient Roman
times, when people were pleased with the way a gladiator ( 角 斗 士 ) had fought, they showed their thumbs up. When they were not pleased, they gave the thumbs down. When a gladiator was given the thumbs up, the emperor allowed him to live. When a gladiator was given the thumbs down, the emperor ordered him to be killed.
The truth is, however, it was translated into a wrong meaning by mistake. If people wanted to save the gladiator, they put out their hands and hid their thumbs in their hands. If they wanted the gladiator to die, they pointed their thumbs straight at him. 1. Westerners lift their thumbs when they . B. like something D. want someone to live
.
A. want someone to die
C. want to go to a playground
2. Most people think that in ancient Rome, ＂thumbs up＂ meant that
A. the emperor could die
B. the people wanted the gladiator to live
C. the fighting could continue
D. the people were not pleased
3. In fact, if people wanted a gladiator to live, they
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.