在高考英语阅读理解中,词句猜测题是一类颇具挑战性的题型,它不仅考查我们的词汇量,更考验我们对语境的理解和逻辑推理能力。这类题目通常会要求我们猜测某个生词、短语或句子在文中的含义。今天,张老师就为大家详细讲解几种实用的解题技巧,并结合高考真题进行分析,帮助大家攻克这一难关。
一、根据上下文语境猜测
上下文语境是我们猜测词句含义最常用、最有效的线索。通过阅读目标词句前后的句子,我们往往能够找到解释、举例、同义或反义等提示信息。
真题示例(2023 年全国甲卷)
原文:“I have a disability,” he explained in a video. “I always dreamed of becoming a policeman, but I’m just too short to be one.” But he said he never lost hope of achieving his dream. “I wanted to prove to myself and to others that I can do it,” he said. He spent four years training for the police academy entrance exam.
题目:What does the underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refer to?
A. Graduating from the police academy.
B. Becoming a policeman.
C. Training for the entrance exam.
D. Overcoming his disability.
解析:在这段文字中,前文明确提到他一直梦想成为警察,虽然因为身高原因难以实现,但他从未放弃梦想。由此可知,“I wanted to prove to myself and to others that I can do it” 中的 “it” 指代的就是 “成为一名警察”,所以答案选 B。通过上下文的紧密联系,我们能够轻松确定代词的指代对象。
二、利用构词法猜测
英语中许多单词是由词根、前缀和后缀构成的。掌握常见的词根、词缀的含义,能够帮助我们快速推测生词的大致意思。
真题示例(2022 年新高考 I 卷)
原文:The company’s “Future City” idea, for example, aims to make buildings more energy - efficient and environmentally friendly by using technology such as smart sensors and green roofs. The idea is to create a city that is more sustainable and livable for future generations.
题目:What does the underlined word “sustainable” probably mean?
A. Able to last for a long time.
B. Worth a lot of money.
C. Easy to be remembered.
D. Popular with young people.
解析:“sustainable” 这个单词的词根是 “sustain”,有 “维持、支撑” 的意思,后缀 “-able” 表示 “能够…… 的”。所以,“sustainable” 的意思大致为 “能够持续的”,与 A 选项 “Able to last for a long time” 意思相符,答案选 A。利用构词法,即使遇到陌生单词,我们也能有迹可循。
三、依据逻辑关系猜测
文章中的句子之间常常存在并列、转折、因果、对比等逻辑关系。通过这些逻辑关系词,我们可以推断出词句的含义。
真题示例(2021 年全国乙卷)
原文:The museum’s new “Inspiring Science” exhibition is a good example of such a show. It features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to explore scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way. The exhibition is designed to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, it also appeals to people of all ages who are interested in learning about the latest scientific discoveries.
题目:What does the underlined word “appeals to” in the second paragraph probably mean?
A. Attracts.
B. Surprises.
C. Confuses.
D. Educates.
解析:在这段内容中,“However” 一词表明前后句子存在转折关系。前文提到展览旨在激励年轻人从事 STEM 领域的职业,后面说它对所有对最新科学发现感兴趣的人也有某种作用。结合语境,这里应该是 “吸引” 的意思,“appeals to” 与 “Attracts” 意思相近,所以答案是 A。借助逻辑关系词,我们可以更准确地理解词句在文中的含义。
四、精选模拟题练习
模拟题 1
原文:The athlete’s performance in the competition was mediocre. He neither won a medal nor performed poorly, just achieving an average result.
题目:What does the underlined word “mediocre” probably mean?
A. Excellent
B. Average
C. Terrible
D. Surprising
答案:B
解析:根据后文 “He neither won a medal nor performed poorly, just achieving an average result” 可知,他的表现既不突出也不糟糕,是中等水平。所以 “mediocre” 意思是 “普通的,中等的”,与 “Average” 同义,答案选 B。
模拟题 2
原文:The old house was in a dilapidated state. Its walls were cracked, the roof leaked, and the windows were broken.
题目:What does the underlined word “dilapidated” mean?
A. New and beautiful
B. Strong and sturdy
C. Old and ruined
D. Clean and tidy
答案:C
解析:从后文对房子的描述 “墙壁开裂、屋顶漏水、窗户破碎” 可以看出,这所老房子处于破旧不堪的状态。“dilapidated” 意思是 “破旧的,荒废的”,与 “Old and ruined” 意思相符,答案选 C。
模拟题 3
原文:The politician’s speech was full of ambiguous statements. His words could be interpreted in different ways, leaving the audience confused.
题目:What does the underlined word “ambiguous” probably mean?
A. Clear and direct
B. Vague and unclear
C. Inspiring and powerful
D. Boring and dull
答案:B
解析:根据 “His words could be interpreted in different ways, leaving the audience confused” 可知,他的话能有不同的解释,让观众感到困惑。所以 “ambiguous” 意思是 “模糊的,不明确的”,与 “Vague and unclear” 同义,答案选 B。
模拟题 4
原文:The young man was very impetuous. He made decisions without thinking carefully and often regretted them later.
题目:What does the underlined word “impetuous” mean?
A. Careful and cautious
B. Slow and steady
C. Rash and hasty
D. Wise and thoughtful
答案:C
解析:从 “He made decisions without thinking carefully and often regretted them later” 可知,这个年轻人做事不仔细思考就做决定,还经常后悔。由此可推断 “impetuous” 意思是 “鲁莽的,冲动的”,与 “Rash and hasty” 意思相近,答案选 C。
模拟题 5
原文:The scientist’s new theory was initially met with much skepticism. Many colleagues doubted its validity and demanded more evidence.
题目:What does the underlined word “skepticism” probably mean?
A. Acceptance
B. Doubt
C. Praise
D. Interest
答案:B
解析:根据 “Many colleagues doubted its validity and demanded more evidence” 可知,很多同事怀疑这个新理论的正确性并要求更多证据。所以 “skepticism” 意思是 “怀疑”,与 “Doubt” 同义,答案选 B。
词句猜测题的解题关键在于多练习、多总结,熟练运用这些解题技巧。希望大家在平时的学习中不断积累经验,提高自己的阅读理解能力,在高考中取得优异成绩!