分析研究英语四六级考试阅读理解历届考题，可以发现命题者命制的考点是有一定规律的，且考点规律常与某种题型（主旨题、细节题、逻辑题、观点态度题、词义题）相对应。如果考生掌握了这些规律，就能在第一遍快速阅读短文时，敏锐地捕捉到考点并能预测可能会出的题型。考生此时应用笔在这些可能会出题的考点轻轻划上记号，等看完短文开始做题时，针对题干的提问，迅速找到做记号的考点，再仔细分析、答题。这样，考生就能节省不少时间，从而避免开始做题时又要通阅全文盲目找考点。下面，我们结合历届四六级真题和大学英语四六级考试90分突破《阅读与简答》分册（王长喜主编，学苑出版社，以下简称《分册》），将这些考点规律及对应题型归纳如下：
    1、列举处常考
    列举处指的是First,…，second, …，Third, …等逐步列出，然后要求考生从列举出的内容中，选出符合题干要求的答案项。该考点常出题型是"细节事实题"。
    例1. At third big difference between the drama detective and the real one is the unpleasant pressures: firstly, as members of a police force they always have to be have absolutely in accordance with the law. Secondly, as expensive public servants they have to get results. They can hardly do both. Most of the time some of them have to break the rules in small ways.
    Q: What's the policeman's biggest headache?
    (A) He has to get the most desirable results without breaking the law in any way.
    (B) He has to justify his arrests while unable to provide sufficient evidence in most cases.
    (C) He can hardly find enough time to learn criminal law while burdened with numerous criminal cases.
    (D) He has to provide the best possible public service at the least possible expense.
    (分析：选A。属事实细节题。依据文章，与电影中的警察很不相同的是，现实中警察既要绝对遵守法（firstly,…）,又要及时破案（secondly,…）,这令他们很难两头兼顾，有时只有犯规。很明显，B、C、D三项都与文章内容不符。)
    在做此类细节事实题时，只要把细节考点（firstly,…secondly…）找到，对照选项内容，跟细节事实不一致的就不是选项。考生只需细心一点都能辨清细节事实，选对答案。
    例2．I believe we have a three-part mission for the present．First, we must continue to press for improvements in the quality of life that people can make for themselves . Second，we mast investigate and understand the link between environment and health. Third，we must be able to communicate technical information in a form that citizens can understand.If we can accomplish these three goals in this decade，maybe we can finally stop environmental degradation, and not merely hold it back. We will then be able to spend pollution dollars truly on prevention rather than on barrages．
    Q:which of the following is true according to the last paragraph?
    (A)Efforts should be exerted on pollution prevention instead of on remedial measures.
    (B)More money should be spent in order to stop pollution.
    (C)Ordinary citizens have no access to technical information on pollution.
    (D)Envionmental degradation will be stopped by the end of this
    decade.
    (分析：选A。属事实细节题。专生只要看懂了文章内容三个方面，很容易排除掉B、C、D三项。)
    2、举例子打比喻的地方常考
    为了使自己的观点更有说服力、更加明确，作者经常用具体的例子打比方，句中常由as, such as, for example, for instance等引导的短语或句子作为举例句，这些例句或比喻成为命题者提问的焦点。考生需注意的是例子或比喻一般是和文章或段落中心紧密相关的，常以"细节事实性"题型和"推断性"题型出现，但偏倾于"推断性"题型。
    例1. The opinion seems ridiculous because, for one thing, computers lack the drives and emotions of living creatures. But drives can be programmed into the computer's brain just as nature programmed them into our human brains as a part of the equipment for survival.
    Q：Today, computers are still inferior to man in terms of ______ .
    (A) decision making (B)drives and feelings （见《分册》P145页）
    (C)growth of reasoning (D)information absorption
    (分析：选B项。这属辩认细节事实题，依据文章我们知道计算机缺少人类所具有的动机和情感：computers lack the drives and emotions of living creatures,至于动机可以被编入计算机程序，那是今后的事，就目前而言计算机在动机和情感方面不如人类。选项B符合题意。考生只要注意到for one thing 后面一句话，即可选出。)
    例2．…. However, very few of us have actually been interviewed personally by the mass media, particularly by television. And yet, we have a vivid acquainting with the journalistic interview by virtue of our roles as reader,listeners, and viewers. Even so, true understanding of the journalistic interview, especially television interviews, requires thoughtful analyses and even study, as this book indicates.
    Q: The passage is most like a part of 。
    （A）a news article (B) a journalistic interview
    (C) a research report (D) a preface
    (分析：选D项。这属判断、推理题。考生在了解全文梗概之后，要正确地对文章的内容作出判断，考生关键要看懂文章最后一句话："…as this book indicates。"由此便推断正确的答案是D项。)
    例3 …．In spite of the case against nuclear energy outlined above, nuclear energy programs are expanding. Such an expansion assumes a continual growth in industrial production and consumer demands. However, it is doubtful whether this growth will or can continue.…
    Q：Which of the following statements does the writer support?
    (A) The demand for commercial products will not necessarily keep increasing.
    (B) Nuclear energy is something we cannot do without.
    (C) Uranium is a good source of energy for economic and ecological reasons.
    (D) Greater safety provisions can bring about the expansion of nuclear every programmes.
    (分析：选A项，属推理题，依据文中"such an expansion assumes…. However,…便可推断出A项正确。)
    3、引用人物论断处常考
    作者为了正确表达出自己观点或使论点更有依据，常常引用某名人的论断或重要发现等。命题者常在此作文章。多以"推理性"题为主，有时也出"细节事实性"题型。
    例1．"There is a senseless notion that children grew up and leave home when they're 18, and the truth is far from that,"says sociologist Larry Bumpers of the University of Wisconsin….
    Q: There was apparently a trend in the USA ________ .
    (A) for young adults to leave their parents and live independently.
    (B) For middle class young adults to stay with their parents.
    (C) For married young adults to move back home after a lengthy absence.
    (D) For going adults to get jobs nearby in order to live with their parents.
    (分析：选A项。属推理题。作者引用的这句话意思是："孩子长到18岁时应离开父母去独立生活的概念是没有道理的，而事实情况也并非如此。"而题干问：过去在美国显然有一种什么趋势。考生通过细心推断引文，便能选中A项：年轻的成年人应该离开父母而去独立生活。)
    例2． …"people cheat on their sleep, and they don't even realize they're doing it,"says Dr. David."They think they're okay because they can get by on 6.5 howler, when they really need 7.5 , eight or even more to feel ideally rigorous."(见《分册》P12页例3)
    Q: According to Dr. David, Americans ________ .
    (A) are ideally vigorous even under the pressure of life.
    (B) Often neglect the consequences of sleep deficit.
    (C) Do not know how to relax themselves properly.
    (D) Can get by on 6.5 hoarse of sleep.
    (分析：选B项。属于归纳事实细节题。Dr. David所说的话，描述的是一种事实现象，即美国人睡眠不足而误认为这不是什么大的事，还自我感觉良好。从事实中我们可以看出美国人经常忽视睡眠不足的后果，即B项的内容。)
    例3. By the millions they are coming-no longer the tired, the poor, the wretched masses longing for a better living. These are the wealthy. "We don't have a budget,"says a biologist from Brazil. As she walks with two companions through New York lity's South Street, "We juse use our credit cards."
    Q：From what the Brazilian biologist says, we know that tourist
    like her ________ .
    (A) are reluctant to carry cash with them.
    (B) Simply don't care how much they spend.
    (C) Are not good at planning their expenditure.
    (D) Often spend more money that they can afford.
    (分析：选B项。属判断推理题。文章讲成千上万涌进美国的富有者与那个巴西生物学家一样，他们在购物时只管刷卡（"just use our credit cards."）而根本不做预算（"don't have a hudget"）,可推断出他们这类人是"根本不管花多少钱的。"即B项内容。）
    4、转折处与强对比处常考
    一般而言，转折后的内容常常是语义的重点，命题者常对转折处的内容进行提问。转折一般通过however, but, yet, in fact等词或短语来引导。强对比常由unlike, until, not so much…as等词或短语引导。命题者常对用来对比的双方属性进行考查。
    此类考点常出现在逻辑推理型题中，少数出现于其它题型中。
    例1. Some observers say the fault is with the young people…. But that's a condemnation of the students as a whole…. Others blame the state of the world… But disappointed graduates are learning that it can no longer absorb an army of trained twenty-two-year-olds, either.(见《分册》P148页例4).
    Q：According to the passage the problems of college education partly arise from the fact that _______ .
    (A) society cannot provide enough jobs for properly trained college graduates.
    (B) High school graduates do not fit the pattern of college education.
    (C) Too many students have to earn their own living.
    (D) College administrators encourage students to drop out.
    (分析：选A项。考生阅读文章时，应注意到文中有两个"but"的转折，特别是段末一转折句意即：但失望的毕业生了解到社会再也不能吸收大量的23岁的训练有素的大学生。这一转折后的内容正好是解答题干问题的依据，我们从这句话可以推断出大学考试之所以出了问题部分源于一个事实，即A项：社会不能为训练有素的大学生提供足够工作。此属逻辑推理题。)
    例2 … Unlike other lawbreakers, who must leave the country, commits suicide, or go to jail, computer criminals sometimes escape punishment, demanding….(见《分册》P161页例2)
    Q： It can be conduced from the passage that ________ .
    (分析：这道题属逻辑推理题，命题者利用unlike进行强烈对比，要求考生推断出正确结论。具体分析见《分册》P165页例2答案。)
    例3 Beauty has always been regard as something praiseworthy. Almost everyone thinks attractive more respectable occupations. Personal consultants give them better advice for finding jobs. Even judges are softer on attentive defendants(被告)。But in the executive circle, beauty can become a liability.
    Q：The author writes this passage to _______ .
    (A) discuss the negative aspects of being attractive.
    (B) Give advice to job-seekers who are attractive.
    (C) Demand equal rights for women.
    (D) Emphasize the importance of appearance.
    (分析：选A项。属主旨大意类题型。前面都是讲美给人带来的种种好处，用but突然进行转折，考生即可推测出下面要讲美给人带来的不利方面了。)
    例4. The sensation of sound involves a verity of factors in addition to its peak level. …In regular programming the intensity of sound varies over a large rage. However, sound levels in commercials tend to stay at or near peak level.（见《分册》P14例8）
    Q: Commercials create the sensate at the highest sound level.
    (A)TV stations always operate at the highest sound level.
    (B)Their sound levels are kept around peak level.
    (C)Their sound levels are kept in the middle frequency rarges.
    (D)Unlike regular programs their intensity of sound varies over a wide range.
    (分析：选B项，该题属阐述说明主旨大意的事实细节题。用however作转折，指出商业节目的音量是保持或接近峰值（peak levels）。命题者给出的B答案中，只是对however后原句进行了词语和句型的转换，详析见《分册》P16页例8答案。)
    5、复杂句常考
    复杂句常是命题者出题之处，包括同位语、插入语、定语、长句后半句，从句、不定式、副词等，命题者主要考查考生对句子之间指代关系。文章段落之间关系的理解，常以逻辑推理题型出现，包括少量其它题型。
    例1. As families move away from their stable community, their friends of many years, their extended family relationships, the informals flow of in formation is cut off, and with it the confidence that information will be available when needed and will be trustworthy and reliable…(见《分册》P104页例1).
    Q：The word "it" most probably refers to ________ .
    (A) the lack of stable communities.
    (B) The breakdown of informal imformation channels.
    (C) The increased mobility of families
    (D) The growing number of people moving from place to place.
    (分析：选B项，本题属句际关系推理题型，要善于分析句子结构，As 引导的前半部分是状语从句，主句是"the informal flow of information is cut off"， with引导的短语表伴随。详析见《分册》P110页例1答案。)
    例2. The manufacturer who increases the unit price of his product by his package size to lower the quantity delivered can, without undue hardship, put his product into boxes, bags, and tins that will contain even 4-iybcem, 8-ounce, one-pound, two-pound quantities of breakfast foods, cake, mixes, etc.
    Q：The word"undue" means " ______ "。
    （A）improper (B)unexpected (C)adequate (D)excessive
    (分析：选D项，这属词汇题型，但需要分析句子结构和上下文逻辑。该句看似复杂，但结构容易分析，主语"the manufacturer",谓语"can put",宾语his product, who引导定语从句，that此引导定语从句，without undue hardship介词组作插入部分。句子结构分析好，全句意思就易弄懂，制造商改变包装大小或样式不需要过多的艰辛努力，故选D。)
    例3 … All this will lead to a population in the twenty first century that is smaller than was feared a few years ago. For those anxious to see world population brang by under ventral the news is encouraging.
    Q:The population in the 21st century,arousing to the writer,_____.
    (A) will be smaller than a few gears ago.
    (B) will not be as small as people expect.
    (C) will prove to be a threat to the world.
    (D) will not constitute as serious a problem as expected.
    （分析：选D项。属逻辑推理型题。考生关键要理解that 引导的定语从句意思，然后联系下句，便知D项是正确选项。）
    6、因果句常考
    命题者常以文中因果句命制一些考查文中两个事件内在的因果关系的试题，或出些概括文意、段意试题。一般以"推理性"题型和主旨大意题型出现，兼顾少量其它题型。表示因果关系的词有：because, since, for，as, therefore, consequently, result in, originate from 等。
    例1. Why? Because company executives are afraid of the bad publicity that would result if the public found out that their computer had been misused . They hesitate at the thought of a criminal boasting in opera court of how…
    Q：The passage is mainly about______ .
    (A) why computer crimes are difficult to detect by systematic inspection.
    (B) Why computer criminals are often able to escape punishment.
    (C) How computer criminals manage to get good recommendations from their former employers.
    (D) Why computer crimes can't be eliminated.
    (分析：选D项。属主旨大意型。文章前几段说到了利用计算机犯罪的人即使被抓，不仅不受惩罚，而且还会得到以前老板充满热情的推荐信。这是什么原因呢（why?）Because…作了回答。这也就是全文要告诉读者的关于计算机犯罪清除不了的原因，故选D。)
    例2 … Certainly it (telephone) has extended the scope of human conflicts, since it impartially disseminates(传播)the useful knowledge of scientists and the nonsense of the ignorant, the affection of the affectionate and the malice(恶意)of the malicious.
    Q:The author describes the telephone as impartial because it______.
    (A) saves lives of people in remote places.
    (B) Enables people to live alone if they want to.
    (C) Spreads both love and ill will
    (D) Replaces much written communication.
    (分析：选C项。属逻辑推理型题。Since引导的从句表明电话不偏不倚地传播着科学家的真言，无知者的废话，仁者之爱心，恶者之恶意。因此，从这句话我们可以推断出电话"spreads both love and ill will"故选C)。
    例3 … The primary reason why it was revolutionary is that it led to great social change…(见《分册》P19页例6)
    Q：According to the author, the introduction of the composer is a revolution mainly because .
    (A) the computer has revolutionized the working of the human mind.
    (B) The computer can do the tasks that could only be done by people before.
    (C) It has helped to switch to an information technology.
    (D) It has a great potential impact on society.
    (分析：选D项。属逻辑推理型题。原段首句就交待了没有什么技术发展比计算机革命对我们生活产生的影响要大。然后指出工业革命之所以是一切革命在于它导致了巨大的社会变化。由此可以推断，计算机的诞生之所以是一场革命主要是D项：it has a great potential impact on society.)
    7、特殊标点符号后内容常考
    由于特殊标点符号后内容是对前面内容的进一步解释和说明，因此命题者常以标点符号后的内容进行提问。具体说，特殊标点符号包括：(1)破折号(表解释)；(2)括号(表解释)；(3)冒号(表解释)；(4)引号(表引用)。题型一般有推理题，主旨大意题，细节事实题等。
    例1. Just how critical this eye maneuvering is to the maintenance of conversational flow becomes evident when two speakers are wearing dark glasses there may be a sort of trefoil jam of words caused by interruption, false, and unpredictable pauses.
    Q：To keep a conversation flowing smoothing, it is better for the participants ______ .
    (A) out to wear dark spectacles
    (B) not to make any interruptions
    (C) not to glance away
    (D) not to make unpredictable pauses.
    (分析：选A。属辨认细节事实题型，冒号前一句话意思是当两个说话者戴墨镜进行交谈时，谈话的流利性就会受影响。冒号后一句话进一步解释了会有哪些影响，即会有一些停顿或错误表达，或随便插话。答案B、D项是结果，不是条件，C项短文没提，故选A。)
    例2．… She adds:"Most women and blacks are so frightened that people will think they've gotten ahead because of their sex or color that they play down (使…不突出)their visibility. "Her advice to those folks: learn the ways that white males have traditionally used to find their way into the spotlight.
    Q：The best title for this passage would be ______ .
    (A) pole of women and Minorities in Management
    (B) The Importance of Being Visible
    (C) Job Performance and Advancement
    (D) Sex and Career Success
    (分析：选B项，属主旨大意题型。冒号前面的内容讲的是女人和黑人常因自己的肤色和性别而畏首畏脚，不愿张扬自己，这样很难得到老板提拔。冒号后内容即建议他们要象白人一样善于突出自己并引人注意。此即全篇文章主旨，故选B项。)
    例3．… Human-resource management is not traditionally seen as central to the competitive survival of the firm in the United States. Skill acquisition is considered an individual responsibility. Lab our is simply another factor of production to be hired - rented at the lowest possible cost - much as one buys raw materials or equipment.
    Q：Which of the following applies to the management of human resources in American companies?
    (A) They hire people at the lowest cost regardless of their skills.
    (B) They see the gaining of skills as their employees' own business.
    (C) They attach more importance to workers than equipment.
    (D) They only hired skilled workers because of keep competition.
    (分析：选B项，属归纳事实细节题。文章主要意思讲美国大公司忽视人力资源管理。带破折号的句子是进一步解释，阐述这一主旨，强调劳动力仅被视为生产的最廉价因素--就象去买原料或装置一样。我们由此归纳，总结出美国公司把员工技能的培养看作员工自己的事。
    例4："Alternative fuels such as natural gas, burned in internal-Combustion engines, could be introduced at relatively low cost, but they would lead to only marginal reductions in pollution and greenhorns emissions (especially because oil companies are already spending billions of dollars every year to develop less of polluting types of gasoline).
    Q：Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
    (A)The decline of public transportation accounts for increased…
    (B)cars are popular in western Europe even though fuel prices …
    (C)The reduction of vehicle use is the only sustainable option…
    (D)Western European oil companies cannot sustain the cost of developing new-type fuels.
    (分析选B项 属推理题。此题虽需通阅全文才能做出。但命题者针对小括号内内容出了一干扰项D项。D项内容与文中小括号内容是有出入的，故错。)
    注：至引号处的考点，前面引用处常考一项已分析过。
    8、段首，段尾句常考
    在短文中第一段首句或末段末句往往是文章中心思想的表达处；有时某一段的段首，段尾句是该段的主题句。因此，命题者常在这些地方出题。题型基本上属主旨大意型。
    例1．The question of whether war is inevitable is one which has conviced many of the worlds great writers. Before considering this question, … (见《分册》P69页例子)
    Q：The passage is probably intended to answer the question _____ .
    (A) Is war inevitable?
    (B) why is there conflict and competition?
    (C) Is conflict desirable?
    (D) Can competition lead to conflict?
    (分析：选A。属段首主旨大意型。文章开头一句话即点明了文章中心思想，下面内容均围绕这一思想展开的。)
    例2．…"They think that if you work hard, …"She adds, Most women and blacks … because of their sex or color that play down (使…不突出)their visibility."Her advice to those folk . Learn the ways that white males have traditionally used to find their way into the spotlight." (见《分册》P74页例8)
    Q：The best title for this passage would be _________ .
    (A) Role of women and Minorities in Management.
    (B) The Importance of Being Visible
    (C) Job Performance and Advancement
    (D) Sex and Career Success.
    (分析：选B项，属段尾主旨大意型。文章开头就指出女人和黑人加入管理阶层之后，出现了一些新的观点。文中又介绍了Coleman观点及Kaleel Jamision 的评论，最后通过Kaleel Jamision的建议才点出文章中心意思。)
    例3．It is natural for yours people to be critical of their parents at times and to blame them for most of the misunderstands between them. They have always complained, more or less justly, that their parents are out of touch with modern ways; that they are possessive and dominate; that they do not trust their children to deal with crisis; that they talk too much about certain problems --and that they have no sense of humor, at least in parent-child relationships.
    Q：The first paragraph is mainly about ________.
    (A) the teenager's criticism of their parents.
    (B) misunderstandings between teenagers and their parents.
    (C) the dominance of the parents over their children.
    (D) the teenagers' ability to deal with crisis.
    (分析：选12项。属某一段落段首主旨大意型。此段第一句就指出年轻人批评其父母，认为他们的父母对他们之间的误解负责，这是很正常的事。然后用五个that 引导的宾语从句来阐述他们对父母不满的原因。段落结构一目了然，故知首句是中心思想。)
    例4：… These definition are necessary because it is important to emphasize that competition between individuals or groups is inevitable in a world of limited resources, but conflict is not. Conflict, nevertheless, is very likely to occur, and is probably and essential and desirable element of human societies.
    Q：In the first paragraph, the author gives the definitions of some terms in order to _______ .
    (A)argue for the similarities between animal societies and human societies
    (B) smooth out the conflicts in human societies.
    (C) distinguish between two kinds of opposition.
    (D) summarize the characteristic features of opposition and cooperation.
    (分析：选C项。属某一段段尾主旨大意型。文章此段给出了conflict (矛盾)和competition (竞争)的定义，然后进一步阐述了两种对抗(opposition)在很多情况下的不同。作者最后两句又强调了"These definitions are necessary because …"。很明显作者是想通过定义这两个词从而区分这两种对抗。
    以上分析，基本上概括了历届四六级考试阅读理解题考点常考处及其对应题型。考生掌握了这些规律，在读文章时，就要在这些考点常出现地方作些记号。阅读完毕，这些作记号的地方基本上就是出题的地方。然后再对照后面的题目，一一找到相对应的考点，再细细分、做题。这样就避免做一题，看一下整个段落，甚至全文，从而节省了时间。至于各种题型的特点及应试技巧，请参阅大学英语六级90分突破《阅读与简答》(王长喜主编，学苑出版社)。