一、問題形式
舉例說明概述題，也叫例證題，被ETS稱為“修辭目的題”(rhetorical purpose question)，基本形式如下：
The author uses X as an example of…
Why does the author mention X?
The author discusses X in paragraph 2 in order to…
二、解題技巧
舉例的目的在于反映概述，所以這類題的一般解題技巧是：繞過例子看概述，對概述進行同義替換的就是正確答案。具體技巧如下：
1. 例子說明概述
舉例說明概述題經(jīng)常對應(yīng)原文的舉例for example。做題時可以先根據(jù)問題中的關(guān)鍵詞確定例子的位置，再閱讀例子前的那個句子，這個句子一般就是例子所說明的概述，也就是答案對應(yīng)的地方。例如，
…sensitivity to physical laws is thus an important consideration for the maker of applied-art objects. It is often taken for granted that this is also true for the maker of fine-art objects. This assumption misses a significant difference between the two disciplines. Fine-art objects are not constrained by the laws of physics in the same way that applied-art objects are. Because their primary purpose is not functional, they are only limited in terms of the materials used to make them. Sculptures must, for example, be stable, which requires an understanding of the properties of mass, weight distribution, and stress. Paintings must have rigid stretchers so that the canvas will be taut, and the paint must not deteriorate, crack, or discolor. These are problems that must be overcome by the artist because they tend to intrude upon his or her conception of the work. For example, in the early Italian Renaissance, bronze statues of horses with a raised foreleg usually had a cannonball under that hoof. This was done because the cannonball was needed to support the weight of the leg…”
Why does the author discuss the bronze statues of horses created by artists in the early Italian Renaissance ?
? To provide an example of a problem related to the laws of physics that a fine artist must overcome
? To argue that fine artists are unconcerned with the laws of physics
? To contrast the relative sophistication of modern artists in solving problems related to the laws of physics
? To note an exceptional piece of art constructed without the aid of technology
根據(jù)問題中的關(guān)鍵詞bronze statues of horses定位段末，這里有標志詞for example，說明它是對前面所說的內(nèi)容進行例證。前一句These are problems that must be overcome by the artist…就是概述：藝術(shù)家必須克服這些問題，因為這些問題破壞他們對藝術(shù)作品的構(gòu)思。這里所說的問題就是上文談?wù)摰奈锢硪?guī)律對美術(shù)的限制，如必須考慮制作材料的物理特性。而本題對應(yīng)的原文以例子說明這一點：由于銅的特性，馬抬起的前腿下必須有支撐物。綜上所述，例子說明它前面的概述，第一個選項符合此意，為正確答案。
又如，
One of the most puzzling aspects of the paintings is their location. Other rock paintings—for example, those of Bushmen in South Africa—are either located near cave entrances or completely in the open. Cave paintings in France and Spain, however, are in recesses and caverns far removed from original cave entrances.
Why does the author mention Bushmen in South Africa in paragraph 2?
To suggest that ancient artists from all over the world painted animals on rocks
To contrast the location of their rock paintings to those found at Lascaux
To support the claim that early artists worked in cramped spaces
To give an example of other artists who painted in hidden locations
與上一題類似，本題的例子Bushmen in South Africa在原文也有標志詞for example，因此這一例子的目的是為了說明它前面的那句話，即這些繪畫的位置令人費解。作者以對比的手法來說明這一點：Bushmen in South Africa的繪畫常位于洞口或洞外，而法國和西班牙的洞穴繪畫(本文所說的繪畫)卻位于遠離最初洞口的深處。由此可見，Bushmen in South Africa的例子是為了說明Lascaux繪畫位置的怪異。第二個選項符合此意，為正確答案。