高考攻略READING风土人情美国篇.doc

高考攻略READING
风土人情篇
近年来，高考阅读理解的选材涉及英美国家概况、风土人情等内容的较多。这类题材的阅读材料不仅可以考查学生对英语语言的理解、运用，还可以考查学生对西方文化的理解，藉此提高学生的跨文化交际意识与能力，充分体现高中英语课程标准的教学目标与要求，所以此类题材必然受到命题者的青睐。为此，我们将相关的阅读理解题按不同主题进行梳理分类，为大家作分析介绍。
ANALYZE
（一）美国风情
[专题介绍]
翻阅近几年的高考阅读理解题，我们会发现有关美国概况、风土人情的介绍是一个热点题材，如：2004湖南卷的A篇；2004浙江卷的C篇；2005全国卷III 的A篇； 2007重庆卷的C篇；2007上海卷的C篇。2006湖南卷有四篇文章都是对美国风土人情的介绍（A篇是对一本美国畅销书的推介；B篇是对美国人读书习惯的调查和看法；C篇是对美国丛林狼的简介；E篇介绍的是美国女作家Susan Sontag）。2008年高考阅读理解美国风情题材的文章有两篇和美国科罗拉多大峡谷有关，还有一篇介绍威斯康辛州的景点的应用文。由此可见命题者高度关注美国题材的倾向。
[应考策略]
1. 平时要多阅读介绍美国风情的英语材料，了解和熟悉一些基本的背景知识。另外，要特别关注美国的民权运动、特殊节日（如万圣节、感恩节等）、南北战争、经济大萧条、“9· 11”等背景知识。虽然很多高考阅读材料并不直接体现以上内容，但却常以这些历史文化知识为背景。
2． 在阅读某一主题时，应积极运用平日积累的背景知识，充分发掘与本主题相关的信息，以便快速进入相应的阅读语境中。
3． 通过平时阅读，了解中西文化的不同，以及由此产生的思维方式、行为方式的不同，以利于准确把握阅读信息，提高做题准确率。
[高考实例]
A simple piece of clothesline hangs between some environmentally friendly Americans and their neighbors.
On one side stand those who see clothes dryers (干衣机) as a waste of energy and a major polluter of the environment. As a result, they are turning to clotheslines as part of the “what-I-can-do environmentalism (环境保护主义).”
On the other side are people who are against drying clothes outside, arguing that clotheslines are unpleasant to look at. They have persuaded Homeowners Associations (HOAs) access the U.S. to ban outdoor clotheslines, because clothesline drying also tends to lower home value in the neighborhood. This has led to a Right-to-Dry Movement that is calling for laws to be passed to protect people’s right to use clotheslines.
So far, only three states have laws to protect clothesline. Right-to-Dry supporters argue that there should be more.
Matt Reck, 37, is the kind of eco-conscious (有生态意识的) person who feeds his trees with bathwater and reuses water drops from his air conditioners to water plants. His family also uses a clothesline. But on July 9, 2007, the HOA in Wake Forest, North Carolina, told him that a dissatisfied neighbor had telephoned them about his clothesline. The Recks paid no attention to the warning and still dried their clothes on a line in the yard. “Many people say they are environmentally friendly but they don’t take matters into their own hands,” says Reck. The local HOA has decided not to take any action, unless more neighbors come to them.
North Carolina lawmakers are saying that banning clotheslines is not the right thing to do. But HOAs and housing businesses believe that clothesline drying reminds people of poor neighborhoods. They worry that if buyers think their future neighbors can’t even afford dryers, housing prices will fall.
Environmentalists say such worries are not necessary, and in view of global warming, that idea needs to change. As they say, “The clothesline is beautiful. Hanging clothes outside should be encouraged. We all have to do at least something to slow down the process of global warming.”
1. One of the reasons why supporters of clothes dryers are trying to ban clothesline drying is that ______.
A. clothes dryers are more efficient
B. clothesline drying reduces home value
C. clothes dryers are energy-saving
D. clothesline drying is not allowed in most U.S. states
2. Which of the following best describes Matt Reck?
A. He is a kind-hearted man.
B. He is an impolite man.
C. He is an experienced gardener.
D. He is a man of social responsibility.
3. Who are in favor of clothesline drying?
A. Housing businesses.
B. Environmentalists.
C. Homeowners Associations.
D. Reck’s dissatisfied neighbors.
4. What is mainly discussed in the text?
A. Clothesline drying: a way to save energy and money.
B. Clothesline drying: a lost art rediscovered.
C. Opposite opinions on clothesline drying.
D. Different varieties of clotheslines.
（浙江 2008）
[阅读赏析]
这篇阅读理解的主题非常有趣，切入角度很独特：我们是否应该立法禁止用晾衣绳来晾晒衣服。这在我们看来是有点滑稽，有点小题大作，但在美国却成为一个讨论热点。由此我们可以看到一个比较真实的美国：一个环保意识很强，而人情淡漠的国家；一个法律至上，而事实上法律又常常被利益集团所利用，而做出有悖于情理之规定的国家。以上矛盾的对立面往往会从自己的角度，千方百计找到合理的论据，并通过自己的院外游说团影响国会的立法和政府的决策。这是当代真实的美国。如果大家能从文中读出这些背景信息，那么问题自然迎刃而解了。
[答案解析]
1. B。由第三段中的because clothesline drying also tends to lower home value in the neighborhood，可知B为正确答案。
2. D。从第五段中的Matt Reck, 37, is the kind of eco-conscious person ... 和Reck所发表的言论：Many people say they are environmentally friendly but they don’t take matters into their own hands，可知Matt Reck是一个有责任心的环保主义者。
3. B。由最后一段中environmentalists的观点可知，他们是赞成和鼓励使用clotheslines的。故答案为B。
4. C。由文章第二、三段中On one side ... On the other
side ... 以及后面双方针锋相对的观点可知C为正确答案。

PRACTICE
阅读下列短文，从每题所给出的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。

A
Five million people visit Grand Canyon in the US every year. For the purpose of helping protect Grand Canyon for your fellow visitors and future generations, please follow the guidelines below.
Camping
To protect the park, camping is allowed only within permitted campgrounds. Permits are required for overnight camping at the North Rim. Advance booking can be received by mail. Please write: Information Center, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Fires
Because of the extreme fire danger, campfires are not allowed except at Mather and Desert View campgrounds. Collection of firewood is not allowed either.
Hiking (远足)
Please stay on permitted paths. Otherwise you may destroy desert plants. Pack out what you pack in, so you leave no signs of your visit. It is important to keep in mind that you are in a national park where wildlife exists.
Weather
The weather at Grand Canyon can change very quickly. With so much rock, lightning (闪电) causes a particular danger during sudden summer storms. These storms also frequently bring floods inside valleys, a danger to hikers. Watch the skies and check daily weather reports.
Wildlife
Do not feed park wildlife. There have been a few cases at Grand Canyon National Park where deer (鹿) were purposely shot because they ate plastic bags that left them sick and weak. Hungry deer can be a danger and have kicked and bitten visitors at Grand Canyon. Some other animals will also beg and bite. For your own safety and the well-being of the animals, please do not feed wildlife, no matter how gentle they may appear.
1. What can you do first if you want to go camping?
A. Know the permitted paths.
B. Book campgrounds in advance.
C. Make sure not to make a fire.
D. Stop at Mather and Desert View.
2. What do the underlined words “pack out what you pack in” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. keep everything out of campgrounds
B. take away everything you bring in
C. carry all the necessary food
D. look after your personal belongings
3. Why were some deer killed on purpose at Grand Canyon?
A. They ate wrong things and became very ill.
B. They were a danger to other gentle animals.
C. They begged food from visitors.
D. They kicked and bit visitors.
4. What is the main purpose of the text?
A. To provide travel information.
B. To report some recent news.
C. To teach tourists hiking skills.
D. To introduce the wildlife.
(四川 2008)

B
Camp David is the official place where the President of the Unite States goes to get away from Washington, D. C. It is in the Catoctin Mountains in Maryland, about one hundred kilometers from the nation’s capital Washington, D.C. The President goes there to enjoy a quiet time with his family and friends. American presidents also interview foreign leaders at Camp David.
Camp David has an office for the President and living areas for his family and guests. It also includes a swimming pool and areas to play golf and other sports. No one is permitted to enter Camp David except people invited by the President. Armed guards from the United States Marine Carps (美国海军陆战队) provide security.
President Franklin Roosevelt built the camp in 1942. He wanted a place where he could go to escape the summer heat of Washington, so he chose an area in the mountain. He called it Shangri-La, the name of a perfect mountain kingdom in a popular book.
President Harry Truman made the camp the official president holiday home in 1945. Eight years later, President Dwight Eisenhower changed its name to Camp David, for his grandson, David Eisenhower.
It is at Camp David that some important meetings have taken place since President Roosevelt interviewed there British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II. President Eisenhower interviewed Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1959. And President Jimmy Carter used Camp David for peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1978. Israel and Egypt made peace at those talks. Their agreement is called the Camp David Accords (《戴维营协议》).
5. The camp was first named after ______.
A. the mountain it was located in
B. a president’s grandson called David
C. President Roosevelt’ favorite place
D. a mountain kingdom in a popular book
6. When did the camp get the name Camp David?
A. In 1945. B. In 1953.
C. In 1947. D. In 1950.
7. All the following American presidents are mentioned in the passage EXCEPT ______.
A. Franklin Roosevelt B. George Bush
C. Jimmy Carter D. Dwight Eisenhower
8. We can infer from the passage that ______.
A. no one but the president’s family is allowed into Camp David
B. the Camp David Accords were signed between the US and Russia
C. Camp David was intended for the president to work there
D. it is cool in the summer in Camp David
Key3： 1-4 BBAA 5-8 DBBD