2024年6月英语六级阅读真题（卷三） Passage One

Sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common: You know them when you hear them. Sarcasm is mostly understood through tone of voice, which is used to portray the opposite of the literal words. For example, when someone says, “Well, that’s exactly what I need right now,” their tone can tell you it’s not what they need at all.
Most frequently, sarcasm highlights an irritation or is, quite simply, mean.
If you want to be happier and improve your relationships, cut out sarcasm. Why? Because sarcasm is actually hostility disguised as humor.
Despite smiling outwardly, many people who receive sarcastic comments feel put down and often think the sarcastic person is rude, or contemptible. Indeed, it’s not surprising that the origin of the word sarcasm derives from the Greek word “sarkazein” which literally means “to tear or strip the flesh off.” Hence, it’s no wonder that sarcasm is often preceded by the word “cutting” and that it hurts.
What’s more, since actions strongly determine thoughts and feelings, when a person consistently acts sarcastically it may only serve to heighten their underlying hostility and insecurity. After all, when you come right down to it, sarcasm can be used as a subtle form of bullying—and most bullies are angry, insecure, or cowardly.
Alternatively, when a person stops voicing negative comments, especially sarcastic ones, they may soon start to feel happier and more self-confident. Also, other people in their life benefit even more because they no longer have to hear the emotionally hurtful language of sarcasm.
Now, I’m not saying all sarcasm is bad. It may just be better used sparingly—like a potent spice in cooking. Too much of the spice, and the dish will be overwhelmed by it. Similarly, an occasional dash of sarcastic wit can spice up a chat and add an element of humor to it. But a big or steady serving of sarcasm will overwhelm the emotional flavor of any conversation and can taste very bitter to its recipient.
So, tone down the sarcasm and work on clever wit instead, which is usually without any hostility and thus more appreciated by those you’re communicating with. In essence, sarcasm is easy while true, harmless wit takes talent.
Thus, the main difference between wit and sarcasm is that, as already stated, sarcasm is often hostility disguised as humor. It can be intended to hurt and is often bitter and biting. Witty statements are usually in response to someone’s unhelpful remarks or behaviors, and the intent is to untangle and clarify the issue by emphasizing its absurdities. Sarcastic statements are expressed in a cutting manner; witty remarks are delivered with undisguised and harmless humor.

1. Why does the author say sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common?
   A) Both are recognized when heard.
   B) Both have exactly the same tone.
   C) Both mean the opposite of what they appear to.
   D) Both have hidden in them an evident irritation.
2. How do many people feel when they hear sarcastic comments?
   A) They feel hostile towards the sarcastic person.
   B) They feel belittled and disrespected.
   C) They feel a strong urge to retaliate.
   D) They feel incapable of disguising their irritation.
3. What happens when a person consistently acts sarcastically?
   A) They feel their dignity greatly heightened.
   B) They feel increasingly insecure and hostile.
   C) They endure hostility under the disguise of humor.
   D) They taste bitterness even in pleasant interactions.
4. What does the author say about people quitting sarcastic comments?
   A) It makes others happier and more self-confident.
   B) It restrains them from being irritating and bullying.
   C) It benefits not only themselves but also those around them.
   D) It shields them from negative comments and outright hostility.
5. What is the chief difference between a speaker’s wit and sarcasm?
   A) Their clarity.
   B) Their appreciation.
   C) Their emphasis.
   D) Their intention.

文章大意

本文主要探讨了讽刺（sarcasm）与智慧（wit）的相关内容。开篇指出讽刺和爵士乐有相似之处，即一听便知。接着阐述讽刺多通过语调传达与字面相反的意思，常表达恼怒或带有恶意，因其本质是伪装成幽默的敌意，会让人感觉被贬低、不被尊重，经常使用讽刺还会加剧人的潜在敌意和不安全感。然后说明停止使用讽刺不仅能让自己更快乐自信，也对周围人有益。最后强调讽刺和智慧的主要区别在于意图，讽刺常伤人，而智慧旨在通过幽默澄清问题。

段落解析及翻译、短语、单词、语法

1. 第一段
   • 内容：提出讽刺和爵士乐有惊人的共同点，即听到时就能识别。讽刺主要通过语调理解，表达与字面意思相反的内容，并举例说明。
   • 翻译：讽刺和爵士乐有一些惊人的共同之处：当你听到它们时，你就知道它们是什么。讽刺大多是通过语调来理解的，语调被用来表达与字面意思相反的内容。例如，当有人说：“嗯，这正是我现在所需要的”，他们的语调能告诉你这根本不是他们所需要的。
   • 短语：have...in common（有……共同之处）；tone of voice（语调）；portray the opposite of（表达……的相反意思）
   • 四级单词：sarcasm（讽刺），portray（描绘，表达）
   • 语法：which引导的非限制性定语从句“which is used to portray the opposite of the literal words”，用于补充说明先行词tone of voice；when引导时间状语从句“when someone says...”。
2. 第二段
   • 内容：指出讽刺最常突出一种恼怒情绪，或者干脆就是刻薄。
   • 翻译：最常见的情况是，讽刺突出一种恼怒情绪，或者很简单地说，就是刻薄。
   • 短语：highlight（突出，强调）
   • 四级单词：irritation（恼怒），mean（刻薄的）
   • 语法：无特殊复杂语法结构。
3. 第三段
   • 内容：表明如果想更快乐并改善人际关系，就应摒弃讽刺，因为讽刺实际上是伪装成幽默的敌意。
   • 翻译：如果你想更快乐并改善你的人际关系，那就戒掉讽刺。为什么呢？因为讽刺实际上是伪装成幽默的敌意。
   • 短语：cut out（戒除，停止使用）；disguise as（伪装成）
   • 四级单词：hostility（敌意），disguise（伪装）
   • 语法：if引导条件状语从句“If you want to be happier and improve your relationships”；because引导原因状语从句“because sarcasm is actually hostility disguised as humor”。
4. 第四段
   • 内容：提到很多人听到讽刺评论时，尽管表面微笑，但内心感觉被贬低，认为讽刺者粗鲁、可鄙。还介绍了“sarcasm”一词源于希腊语，字面意思是“撕裂或剥去肉”，所以讽刺常与“伤人的”联系在一起。
   • 翻译：尽管表面上微笑，但许多听到讽刺评论的人会感到被贬低，并且常常认为讽刺的人很粗鲁，或者可鄙。事实上，“sarcasm”这个词源于希腊语“sarkazein”，字面意思是“撕裂或剥去肉”，这并不奇怪。因此，难怪讽刺常常与“伤人的”这个词连用，而且它确实伤人。
   • 短语：put down（贬低）；derive from（源于）；be preceded by（在……之前；与……连用）
   • 四级单词：contemptible（可鄙的），derive（源于），literally（字面上；确实地）
   • 语法：who引导定语从句“who receive sarcastic comments”，修饰先行词many people；that引导主语从句“that the origin of the word sarcasm derives from the Greek word “sarkazein” which literally means “to tear or strip the flesh off.”，其中which又引导定语从句修饰“sarkazein”。
5. 第五段
   • 内容：说明当一个人持续表现出讽刺时，可能会加剧其潜在的敌意和不安全感，因为讽刺可被视为一种微妙的欺凌形式，而大多数欺凌者都有愤怒、不安全或懦弱的特点。
   • 翻译：此外，由于行为强烈地决定思想和感情，当一个人持续表现出讽刺时，这可能只会加剧他们潜在的敌意和不安全感。毕竟，说到底，讽刺可以被用作一种微妙的欺凌形式——而大多数欺凌者都是愤怒、不安全或懦弱的。
   • 短语：serve to（有助于，起……作用）；come down to（归根结底，可归结为）；be used as（被用作）
   • 四级单词：heighten（加剧，提高），underlying（潜在的），subtle（微妙的），bullying（欺凌）
   • 语法：since引导原因状语从句“since actions strongly determine thoughts and feelings”；when引导时间状语从句“when a person consistently acts sarcastically”。
6. 第六段
   • 内容：阐述当一个人停止发表负面评论，尤其是讽刺性评论时，他们自己可能会更快乐自信，周围人也受益，因为不用再听伤人的讽刺语言。
   • 翻译：或者，当一个人停止发表负面评论，尤其是讽刺性评论时，他们可能很快就会开始感觉更快乐、更自信。而且，他们生活中的其他人受益更多，因为他们不再需要听到讽刺这种在情感上伤人的语言。
   • 短语：voice（发表，表达）
   • 四级单词：benefit（受益），emotionally（在情感上），hurtful（伤人的）
   • 语法：when引导时间状语从句“when a person stops voicing negative comments, especially sarcastic ones”。
7. 第七段
   • 内容：指出并非所有讽刺都不好，但应少用，就像烹饪中的强效香料，偶尔使用能增添聊天的趣味，但过多则会破坏对话氛围。
   • 翻译：现在，我并不是说所有的讽刺都是不好的。它可能最好像烹饪中的强效香料一样，少用为妙。香料太多，菜肴就会被它的味道所掩盖。同样，偶尔来一点讽刺的智慧可以为聊天增添趣味，并为其添加一种幽默元素。但是大量或持续的讽刺会破坏任何对话的情感氛围，而且对接受者来说可能味道非常苦涩。
   • 短语：sparingly（节俭地，少地）；be overwhelmed by（被……淹没，被……压倒）；a dash of（少量的）；spice up（增添趣味）
   • 四级单词：potent（强效的），overwhelm（淹没，压倒），element（元素）
   • 语法：like引导的方式状语“like a potent spice in cooking”；but连接的并列句“but a big or steady serving of sarcasm will overwhelm the emotional flavor of any conversation and can taste very bitter to its recipient.”
8. 第八段
   • 内容：强调应减少讽刺，培养智慧，因为智慧通常不带敌意，更受交流对象欣赏。还再次说明讽刺和智慧的主要区别在于意图不同，讽刺常伤人，而智慧旨在通过强调荒谬之处来理清和澄清问题。
   • 翻译：所以，减少讽刺，转而培养巧妙的智慧，巧妙的智慧通常不带任何敌意，因此更受与你交流的人的欣赏。本质上，讽刺很容易，而真正无害的智慧需要天赋。因此，智慧和讽刺之间的主要区别如前所述，讽刺常常是伪装成幽默的敌意。它可能意在伤害，而且常常是尖刻和刺痛人的。机智的言论通常是对某人无益的言论或行为的回应，其意图是通过强调其荒谬之处来理清和澄清问题。讽刺性的言论以伤人的方式表达；机智的言论则以毫不掩饰且无害的幽默方式表达。
   • 短语：tone down（降低……的强度，减少）；work on（致力于，努力做）；in response to（对……做出回应）
   • 四级单词：wit（智慧），appreciated（被欣赏的），essence（本质），untangle（理清，解开），absurdities（荒谬之处）
   • 语法：which引导非限制性定语从句“which is usually without any hostility and thus more appreciated by those you’re communicating with”，修饰先行词clever wit；while引导的并列句“while true, harmless wit takes talent”，表对比；过去分词短语“intended to hurt”和“delivered with undisguised and harmless humor”分别作后置定语修饰sarcastic statements和witty remarks。

题目讲解

1. 46. Why does the author say sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common?
   • 答案：A
   • 解析：根据第一段第一句“Sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common: You know them when you hear them.”可知，作者说讽刺和爵士乐有惊人的共同之处是因为当听到它们时就能识别，A选项“Both are recognized when heard.”符合文意。B选项“两者有完全相同的语调”文中未提及；C选项“两者都意味着与它们表面看起来相反的意思”，只有讽刺有此特点；D选项“两者都明显隐藏着恼怒情绪”，只有讽刺常突出恼怒。所以答案选A。
2. 47. How do many people feel when they hear sarcastic comments?
   • 答案：B
   • 解析：由第四段第一句“Despite smiling outwardly, many people who receive sarcastic comments feel put down and often think the sarcastic person is rude, or contemptible.”可知，许多听到讽刺评论的人会感到被贬低（put down），认为讽刺者粗鲁、可鄙，也就是感觉被轻视和不被尊重，B选项“They feel belittled and disrespected.”符合，其中belittled与put down意思相近。A选项“他们对讽刺的人充满敌意”，文中未提及听到讽刺评论的人对讽刺者有敌意；C选项“他们有强烈的报复冲动”，文中未提及；D选项“他们无法掩饰自己的恼怒”，不符合文意。所以答案是B。
3. 48. What happens when a person consistently acts sarcastically?
   • 答案：B
   • 解析：从第五段第一句“What’s more, since actions strongly determine thoughts and feelings, when a person consistently acts sarcastically it may only serve to heighten their underlying hostility and insecurity.”可知，当一个人持续表现出讽刺时，会加剧他们潜在的敌意和不安全感，B选项“They feel increasingly insecure and hostile.”与之相符。A选项“他们觉得自己的尊严大大提高”与原文不符；C选项“他们在幽默的伪装下忍受敌意”，原文说的是讽刺本身是伪装成幽默的敌意，并非忍受；D选项“即使在愉快的互动中他们也尝到苦涩”，文中未提及此内容。所以选B。
4. 49. What does the author say about people quitting sarcastic comments?
   • 答案：C
   • 解析：根据第六段“Alternatively, when a person stops voicing negative comments, especially sarcastic ones, they may soon start to feel happier and more self - confident. Also, other people in their life benefit even more because they no longer have to hear the emotionally hurtful language of sarcasm.”可知，当一个人停止发表讽刺评论，不仅自己可能更快乐自信，周围人也因不用再听伤人的讽刺语言而受益更多，C选项“It benefits not only themselves but also those around them.”正确。A选项“这让别人更快乐自信”，原文是说停止讽刺的人自己更快乐自信；B选项“这限制他们变得恼人和欺凌他人”，原文强调的是停止讽刺对自身和他人情绪方面的积极影响，而非限制行为；D选项“这使他们免受负面评论和公然的敌意”，文中未提及。所以答案为C。
5. 50. What is the chief difference between a speaker’s wit and sarcasm?
   • 答案：D
   • 解析：文章最后一段提到“Thus, the main difference between wit and sarcasm is that, as already stated, sarcasm is often hostility disguised as humor. It can be intended to hurt and is often bitter and biting. Witty statements are usually in response to someone’s unhelpful remarks or behaviors, and the intent is to untangle and clarify the issue by emphasizing its absurdities.”，明确指出讽刺和智慧的主要区别在于意图，讽刺常意在伤人，而智慧旨在通过强调荒谬之处来理清和澄清问题，D选项“Their intention.”符合。A选项“清晰度”、B选项“欣赏程度”、C选项“强调重点”均不是两者的主要区别。所以选D。