我们今天侧重来讲解的是
例 Ⅰ:
The poet W. H. Auden believed that the greatest poets of his age were almost necessarily irresponsible, that the possession of great gifts ---------- the ---------- to abuse them.
(A) negates ... temptation
(B) controls ... resolution
(C) engenders ... propensity
(D) tempers ... proclivity
(E) obviates ... inclination
〖解答〗
本题在主句谓语动词believed后,继之以两个以that引导的宾语从句,后者以另一角度复述前者内涵。第一个宾语从句中所陈述的中心主题为irresponsible(不负责任的),带有贬义色彩,这就为第二个宾语从句提供了线索。换言之,出现在第二个宾语从句中的两处空格,应综合体现出前述的“不负责任”这一主题。在空格Ⅱ,五个选项代入后,均无不妥之处,且连同其后作为定语的动词不定式结构,都为贬义色彩。在此情况下,在空格Ⅰ,就再也不能代入任何贬义色彩的选项,否则,“负负得正”的规律会使第二个宾语从句整体上转而带上褒义色彩,故唯有中性色彩的(C) engenders为正确。其余四项代入后均致使事情朝着积极方向发展,无从与此前irresponsible这一主题谐调一致
〖词汇〗
abuse: 滥用,妄用
negate: 否定,取消,使无效
resolution: 决心,决意,决定
engender: 使发生,造成,招致
propensity: 倾向,习性
temper: 使变淡,使缓和,使温和
proclivity: 癖性,倾向
obviate: 排除,消除,避免
inclination: 倾向,意向,癖好
〖中译〗
诗人W. H. 奥登相信,他那时代最伟大的诗人们几乎都必定是不负责任的;拥有横溢的才华反而导致滥用这些才华的倾向。
例 Ⅱ:
During the 1960's assessments of family shifted remarkably, from general endorsement of it as a worthwhile, stable institution to widespread ---------- it as an oppressive and bankrupt one whose ---------- was both imminent and welcome.