四. 利用文中的反義詞猜測詞義。
表示對比的詞有but, while, however, otherwise 等。
1.American businessmen expect employees to be punctual. They do not expect that the workers will come late.
文中be punctual.的意思, 可理解為not come late, 即"準時, 不遲到"。
2.Unlike her gregarious sister, Jane is a shy person, who does not like to go to parties, or to make new friends.
根據(jù)文中Unlike的意思, shy person, who does not like to go to parties, or to make new friends.應該表達了"gregarious"相反的意思, 所以gregarious的意思為"好交際的"。
3.A vegetarian does not want meat, but may rate the utility of banana very highly, while a meat-eater may prefer steak.
句中vegetarian通過while與meat-eater對比, 可猜為“吃素者”。
4.Most of them agreed; however, John dissented.
dissented通過however與agreed對比, "反對"。
5.I try hard not to make serious mistakes, but inevitably I slip up.
slip up通過but與make serious mistakes對比, 可猜為"犯小錯誤"。
6.Jane was talking with others while Bliza remained reticent all the time.
根據(jù)while的提示, 前后對照, reticent的含義是"沉默寡言"。
7.All of these ideas about the communication of the future are fantasies, to be sure, but many of them are fantasies that are very likely to become realities.
fantasies與realities意義相反, 可猜測其詞義為"幻想"。
8.104 studies, involving 15,000 people is proving that optimism can help you to be happier, healthier and more successful. Pessimism leads, by contrast, to hopelessness, sickness and failure, and is linked to depression, loneliness and painful shyness.
optimism"樂觀主義"與Pessimism意義相反, 可猜Pessimism之意為"悲觀主義"。
五. 利用同義詞, 近義詞或詞組。
1.Should the government regulate the cost of resources such as oil and gas? Some people do not believe that government control is the solution to the problem of the rising cost of fuel. 文中regulate的詞義可猜測為與government control的意思相近。
2.One of the predominant concerns today is the future of our natural resources. This issue is of greatest importance because it is becoming clear to many people that our present resources will not last forever.
文中predominant的詞義可猜測為與of greatest importance的意思相近。
3.Cleaning up waterways is an enormous task. The job is so large, in fact, that the government may not be able to save some of the rivers and lakes which have been polluted.
文中enormous 的詞義可猜測為與so large 的意思相近。
4.Doctors, scientists, and public health experts often travel to these regions to solve the
mystery of a long healthy life; the experts hope to bring to the modern world the secrets of
longevity.
生詞longevity，的意思為“長命的、長壽的”。
5.All the other members are of the same opinion. They are unanimous.
unanimous與of the same opinion同義, 可猜為“ 一致同意的”。
6.I see people, old and young alike, are now taking tests of intelligence, education and skill. I wonder why there is not test of one＇s virtue or goodness.
句中or后的goodness解釋了virtue, 其意為“善行”。
六. 利用下文定義的句子猜測詞義。
1.In some cultures, certain foods are taboo. Taboo is a word from the language of the Fiji Islands, used to describe something forbidden.
根據(jù)句子內(nèi)容, 可猜測Taboo為“禁忌”。
2.Instinctive behavior is a pattern of behavior that an animal is born with.
根據(jù)句子內(nèi)容, 可猜測Instinctive behavior為“本性”。
3.An expedition is a long, organized trip or journey, which is made into an unfamiliar area for a particular purpose by a group of people.
句中which引導的定語從句進一步解釋了expedition之意為“遠征隊”。
4.Some computer scientists are developing artificial-intelligence machines that they say will think like people.
根據(jù)定語從句, 可猜測artificial-intelligence之意為“人工智能”。
5.A gorilla always makes me think of the word aloof-- not friendly, of distance from others. 破折號后的內(nèi)容是aloof一詞"不友好, 冷漠"的釋意。
6. We all use onomatopoeic words --words that sound like the noise they are describing.
不難猜出onomatopoeic words意為"象聲詞"。
7. English speakers use a lot of euphemisms---polite, less direct words for thing or ideas that cause embarrassment.
euphemisms意思是"委婉說法"。
8. Children also need convictions -- something (and someone)to trust, to hold up as worthy of admiration.
convictions意為"信念"。
9. Globalization---one world one economy integration, is the buzz word of the 1990s.
破折號后one world one economy integration是Globalization一詞"全球經(jīng)濟一體化"的釋義。
七. 利用構(gòu)詞法猜測詞義。
1.They overestimate the interviewee＇s ability and asked him many difficult questions.
在overestimate詞中是前綴, 意思是"過分---"。因此, overestimate的詞義可猜測為"過高估計"。
2. We were told that ours was the most spacious room in the hotel. That was why we had to pay so much for it.
spacious是由詞根 space（空間）和ious（形容詞后綴）構(gòu)成。由此我們可以猜出其意思為"有空間的, 寬敞的"。
八. 綜合法。
以上幾種猜測詞義的方法不是互不聯(lián)系的, 有時可以同時采用幾種方法猜測詞義。
1.Since the discovery of nuclear energy there has been bitter controversy. In the supporters＇ view, atomic energy offers the only chance of survival for civilization. The opponents, however, think that it is the most direct way to extinction. While extremists on both sides shout slogans, moderates tend to agree that new sources of energy will eventually be developed and that nuclear energy will play its part.
根據(jù)上下文, 可以猜出controversy為"爭端"。在"爭端"中就會有"支持者" supporters和"反對者" opponents, 而兩派中還會有"激進派" extremists和"溫和派" moderates。
2.Sociologists divide families into two general types: the nuclear family and the extended family, which may include three or more generations living together. 根據(jù)定語從句, 可猜測extended family意思是"大家庭", 與extended family意思相反, 可猜測nuclear family為"小家庭"。
總之, 在英語閱讀中運用和掌握這些猜詞方法, 就會在很大程度上減少生詞的數(shù)量, 有助于提高閱讀速度和培養(yǎng)閱讀能力。
練習:
Reading the following selections and determine the meanings of the words in bold print.
1. The ruler had been so cruel and dishonest that after the revolution she was banished. A few members of the Senate opposed this decision, but the majority voted that the ruler should leave the country forever.
A) killed by stoning B) sent away
C) imprisoned D) punished by whipping
2. The prisoner seemed to relax but actually he was thinking hard, while his hand moved so slowly that the movement was imperceptible. It was only when the keys accidentally fell from the table that the guard suddenly realized that the prisoner＇s hand had almost reached them.
A) hardly noticeable B) heavy-handed
C) not capable of fast or immediate action D) a matter of habit
3. Mrs. Morgan＇s son was intelligent and charming, but his continual extravagance made her wonder if she could continue to support him. Each month she was going deeper into debt, attempting to pay for his expensive purchases.
A) superior manner B) wastefulness or carelessness in spending money
C) showing too great concern for current fashions D) insults to family or close friends
4. Although the hazards of the trip were many -- for example, the unbearable heat, the lack of water, the possibility of getting lost, the presence of wild animals and poisonous snakes ---- Collins nevertheless decided that she must go.
A) pleasures B) conveniences C) dangers D) equipment
KEY: B, A, B, C
在閱讀理解中要求判斷詞語意思的問題, 通常有以下形式：
1. According to the author, the word "...." Means __________.
2. By "......", the author means ____________.
3. Which of the following is nearest (closest) in meaning to "......"?
4. The word "......" in the passage means _____________.
5. The word "........" most likely means __________________.
表示對比的詞有but, while, however, otherwise 等。
1.American businessmen expect employees to be punctual. They do not expect that the workers will come late.
文中be punctual.的意思, 可理解為not come late, 即"準時, 不遲到"。
2.Unlike her gregarious sister, Jane is a shy person, who does not like to go to parties, or to make new friends.
根據(jù)文中Unlike的意思, shy person, who does not like to go to parties, or to make new friends.應該表達了"gregarious"相反的意思, 所以gregarious的意思為"好交際的"。
3.A vegetarian does not want meat, but may rate the utility of banana very highly, while a meat-eater may prefer steak.
句中vegetarian通過while與meat-eater對比, 可猜為“吃素者”。
4.Most of them agreed; however, John dissented.
dissented通過however與agreed對比, "反對"。
5.I try hard not to make serious mistakes, but inevitably I slip up.
slip up通過but與make serious mistakes對比, 可猜為"犯小錯誤"。
6.Jane was talking with others while Bliza remained reticent all the time.
根據(jù)while的提示, 前后對照, reticent的含義是"沉默寡言"。
7.All of these ideas about the communication of the future are fantasies, to be sure, but many of them are fantasies that are very likely to become realities.
fantasies與realities意義相反, 可猜測其詞義為"幻想"。
8.104 studies, involving 15,000 people is proving that optimism can help you to be happier, healthier and more successful. Pessimism leads, by contrast, to hopelessness, sickness and failure, and is linked to depression, loneliness and painful shyness.
optimism"樂觀主義"與Pessimism意義相反, 可猜Pessimism之意為"悲觀主義"。
五. 利用同義詞, 近義詞或詞組。
1.Should the government regulate the cost of resources such as oil and gas? Some people do not believe that government control is the solution to the problem of the rising cost of fuel. 文中regulate的詞義可猜測為與government control的意思相近。
2.One of the predominant concerns today is the future of our natural resources. This issue is of greatest importance because it is becoming clear to many people that our present resources will not last forever.
文中predominant的詞義可猜測為與of greatest importance的意思相近。
3.Cleaning up waterways is an enormous task. The job is so large, in fact, that the government may not be able to save some of the rivers and lakes which have been polluted.
文中enormous 的詞義可猜測為與so large 的意思相近。
4.Doctors, scientists, and public health experts often travel to these regions to solve the
mystery of a long healthy life; the experts hope to bring to the modern world the secrets of
longevity.
生詞longevity，的意思為“長命的、長壽的”。
5.All the other members are of the same opinion. They are unanimous.
unanimous與of the same opinion同義, 可猜為“ 一致同意的”。
6.I see people, old and young alike, are now taking tests of intelligence, education and skill. I wonder why there is not test of one＇s virtue or goodness.
句中or后的goodness解釋了virtue, 其意為“善行”。
六. 利用下文定義的句子猜測詞義。
1.In some cultures, certain foods are taboo. Taboo is a word from the language of the Fiji Islands, used to describe something forbidden.
根據(jù)句子內(nèi)容, 可猜測Taboo為“禁忌”。
2.Instinctive behavior is a pattern of behavior that an animal is born with.
根據(jù)句子內(nèi)容, 可猜測Instinctive behavior為“本性”。
3.An expedition is a long, organized trip or journey, which is made into an unfamiliar area for a particular purpose by a group of people.
句中which引導的定語從句進一步解釋了expedition之意為“遠征隊”。
4.Some computer scientists are developing artificial-intelligence machines that they say will think like people.
根據(jù)定語從句, 可猜測artificial-intelligence之意為“人工智能”。
5.A gorilla always makes me think of the word aloof-- not friendly, of distance from others. 破折號后的內(nèi)容是aloof一詞"不友好, 冷漠"的釋意。
6. We all use onomatopoeic words --words that sound like the noise they are describing.
不難猜出onomatopoeic words意為"象聲詞"。
7. English speakers use a lot of euphemisms---polite, less direct words for thing or ideas that cause embarrassment.
euphemisms意思是"委婉說法"。
8. Children also need convictions -- something (and someone)to trust, to hold up as worthy of admiration.
convictions意為"信念"。
9. Globalization---one world one economy integration, is the buzz word of the 1990s.
破折號后one world one economy integration是Globalization一詞"全球經(jīng)濟一體化"的釋義。
七. 利用構(gòu)詞法猜測詞義。
1.They overestimate the interviewee＇s ability and asked him many difficult questions.
在overestimate詞中是前綴, 意思是"過分---"。因此, overestimate的詞義可猜測為"過高估計"。
2. We were told that ours was the most spacious room in the hotel. That was why we had to pay so much for it.
spacious是由詞根 space（空間）和ious（形容詞后綴）構(gòu)成。由此我們可以猜出其意思為"有空間的, 寬敞的"。
八. 綜合法。
以上幾種猜測詞義的方法不是互不聯(lián)系的, 有時可以同時采用幾種方法猜測詞義。
1.Since the discovery of nuclear energy there has been bitter controversy. In the supporters＇ view, atomic energy offers the only chance of survival for civilization. The opponents, however, think that it is the most direct way to extinction. While extremists on both sides shout slogans, moderates tend to agree that new sources of energy will eventually be developed and that nuclear energy will play its part.
根據(jù)上下文, 可以猜出controversy為"爭端"。在"爭端"中就會有"支持者" supporters和"反對者" opponents, 而兩派中還會有"激進派" extremists和"溫和派" moderates。
2.Sociologists divide families into two general types: the nuclear family and the extended family, which may include three or more generations living together. 根據(jù)定語從句, 可猜測extended family意思是"大家庭", 與extended family意思相反, 可猜測nuclear family為"小家庭"。
總之, 在英語閱讀中運用和掌握這些猜詞方法, 就會在很大程度上減少生詞的數(shù)量, 有助于提高閱讀速度和培養(yǎng)閱讀能力。
練習:
Reading the following selections and determine the meanings of the words in bold print.
1. The ruler had been so cruel and dishonest that after the revolution she was banished. A few members of the Senate opposed this decision, but the majority voted that the ruler should leave the country forever.
A) killed by stoning B) sent away
C) imprisoned D) punished by whipping
2. The prisoner seemed to relax but actually he was thinking hard, while his hand moved so slowly that the movement was imperceptible. It was only when the keys accidentally fell from the table that the guard suddenly realized that the prisoner＇s hand had almost reached them.
A) hardly noticeable B) heavy-handed
C) not capable of fast or immediate action D) a matter of habit
3. Mrs. Morgan＇s son was intelligent and charming, but his continual extravagance made her wonder if she could continue to support him. Each month she was going deeper into debt, attempting to pay for his expensive purchases.
A) superior manner B) wastefulness or carelessness in spending money
C) showing too great concern for current fashions D) insults to family or close friends
4. Although the hazards of the trip were many -- for example, the unbearable heat, the lack of water, the possibility of getting lost, the presence of wild animals and poisonous snakes ---- Collins nevertheless decided that she must go.
A) pleasures B) conveniences C) dangers D) equipment
KEY: B, A, B, C
在閱讀理解中要求判斷詞語意思的問題, 通常有以下形式：
1. According to the author, the word "...." Means __________.
2. By "......", the author means ____________.
3. Which of the following is nearest (closest) in meaning to "......"?
4. The word "......" in the passage means _____________.
5. The word "........" most likely means __________________.