懒笔记
2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2)
CET-6 · 来自 2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 · Part III Section C (2) · 阅读理解（四选一）

2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2)

议论文 · 阅读理解（四选一） · 真题文章逐层精读

本页是 2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 文章的精读视角页——这篇议论文全文 442 词、7 段，CEFR 难度 C1（C1 级在英语六级文章中占 58%），作者立场为「消极批判」；英文原文之外，本篇已有的 11 项精读维度逐项展开，其中能迁移到其他英语六级真题文章的判断方法（篇章结构、修辞、言外之意、作者态度、体裁速判）随各维度一并讲透。

精读最佳实践

本页解析里的段号（P1）都可以点——点一下，原文在顶部翻开并定位到该段，解析引用的原文同步标亮；合上原文，你还停在刚才读到的位置。点 P1 试试。

PASSAGE · 文章原文

7 段英文原文

以下为2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 的阅读理解（四选一）原文，共 7 段。左侧 P1–P7 是段落编号——本页全部解析（结构、逐段、修辞、自检题）都以它为坐标回指原文，点击解析里的段号，原文即在顶部翻开并定位到该段、引用的原文同步标亮；合上原文仍停在当前阅读位置。原文保持卷面形态，不带翻译与标注。

Economic inequality is the "defining challenge of our time," President Barack Obama declared in a speech last month to the Center for American Progress. Inequality is dangerous, he argued, not merely because it doesn't look good to have a large gap between the rich and the poor, but because inequality itself destroys upward mobility, making it harder for the poor to escape from poverty. "Increased inequality and decreasing mobility pose a fundamental threat to the American Dream," he said.

Obama is only the most prominent public figure to declare inequality Public Enemy No.1 and the greatest threat to reducing poverty in America. A number of prominent economists have also argued that it's harder for the poor to climb the economic ladder today because the rungs(横档) in that ladder have grown farther apart.

For all the new attention devoted to the 1 percent, a new dataset from the Equality of Opportunity Project at Harvard and Berkeley suggests that, if we care about upward mobility overall, we're vastly exaggerating the dangers of the rich-poor gap. Inequality itself is not a particularly strong predictor of economic mobility, as sociologist Scott Winship noted in a recent article based on his analysis of this data.

So what factors, at the community level, do predict if poor children will move up the economic ladder as adults? What explains, for instance, why the Salt Lake City metro area is one of the 100 largest metropolitan areas most likely to lift the fortunes of the poor and the Atlanta metro area is one of the least likely?

Harvard economist Raj Chetty has pointed to economic and racial segregation, community density, the size of a community's middle class, the quality of schools, community religiosity, and family structure, which he calls the "single strongest correlate of upward mobility." Chetty finds that communities like Salt Lake City, with high levels of two-parent families and religiosity, are much more likely to see poor children get ahead than communities like Atlanta, with high levels of racial and economic segregation.

Chetty has not yet issued a comprehensive analysis of the relative predictive power of each of these factors. Based on my analyses of the data, of the factors that Chetty has highlighted, the following three seem to be most predictive of upward mobility in a given community: 1. Per-capita(人均) income growth 2. Prevalence of single mothers (where correlation is strong, but negative) 3. Per-capita local government spending

In other words, communities with high levels of per-capita income growth, high percentages of two-parent families, and high local government spending—which may stand for good schools—are the most likely to help poor children relive the Horatio Alger's rags-to-riches story.

PARAGRAPHS · 逐段精读

7 段逐段主旨与解读

逐段拆解2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 的这篇原文——每段给出英文段落主旨、段落标题与中文解读，并提炼一条「这段为什么这样读」的具体方法。

  1. P1

    Obama's Warning About Inequality

    Obama argues that economic inequality undermines upward mobility and threatens the American Dream.

    本段承担引出主流观点的任务，为全文建立一个看似合理的 premise：贫富不平等是穷人向上流动的主要障碍。后文将用 new dataset 对这一 premise 提出挑战，因此本段是全文论证的“靶子”。

    抓住因果链
  2. P2

    The Broad Consensus on Inequality

    Obama's view is widely shared by public figures and economists.

    本段进一步增强了“inequality 是首要问题”的既有共识，使后文的转折更有力量。作者先让读者看到该观点拥有广泛支持，再提出 data-based challenge，从而形成典型的“先立后破”结构。

    识别权威铺陈
  3. P3

    Inequality Is a Weak Predictor of Mobility

    New research challenges the claim that inequality strongly determines upward mobility.

    本段是全文的 central turning point，正式提出与前两段相反的核心判断。它直接对应文章主旨中的“inequality itself poorly predicts mobility”，并为后文寻找真正影响流动性的 factors 铺路。

    锁定转折结论
  4. P4

    What Makes Communities Promote Mobility?

    The article turns to community-level factors that explain upward mobility.

    本段发挥承上启下作用：它承接 第3段 对 inequality 的否定性发现，并引出下一段对 alternative factors 的具体列举。它把全文的焦点从收入差距转移到社区环境。

    从设问看转向
  5. P5

    Community Factors Behind Upward Mobility

    Chetty identifies several community factors, especially family structure, as correlates of upward mobility.

    本段首次给出替代 inequality 的解释框架，具体回应 第4段 提出的研究问题。它与文章主旨中的 two-parent families 和 community religiosity 相呼应，并证明穷人能否上升与社区社会结构密切相关。

    总述例证结合
  6. P6

    Three Strong Predictors of Mobility

    The author's analysis highlights three leading predictors of community upward mobility.

    本段把 第5段 的宽泛因素清单压缩为三个更有解释力的 predictors，使论证从“可能相关”走向“相对重要性比较”。它直接支撑文章主旨中的 income growth、family structure 和 local government spending。

    抓住列表限定
  7. P7

    Conditions for a Rags-to-Riches Community

    Communities with economic growth, stable families, and strong public investment are most likely to promote poor children's mobility.

    本段是全文的 concluding synthesis，将前文的统计性 predictors 转化为清晰的政策与社区图景。它最终回答了文章的核心问题：比起 inequality 本身，家庭稳定、经济增长和公共投入更能解释 upward mobility 的差异。

    整合条件与结果
SELF CHECK · 段落自检题

7 道逐段细节自检题

针对2015年12月英语六级真题第2套这篇原文，每段配 1 道细节题（ 1 个正确项 + 5 个干扰项 ，由懒笔记精读引擎基于本段命制，非试卷原题）。 选项默认中性；点「显示答案与解析」展开正确项、解析与最快解法，现代浏览器会同步高亮正确选项。

  1. 第 1 段 定位词 President Obama

    According to President Obama, what is the fundamental reason that inequality is dangerous?

    • A Because it results in an unattractive large gap between the rich and the poor.
    • B Because it fundamentally threatens the American Dream.
    • C Because it undermines economic mobility and opportunities for the poor to escape poverty.
    • D Because it is the defining challenge of our time.
    • E Because it is Public Enemy No.1 for poverty reduction.
    • F Because it causes decreasing mobility alone.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：C

    原文中Obama明确指出 inequality itself destroys upward mobility, making it harder for the poor to escape from poverty. This matches undermines economic mobility and opportunities exactly，是correct answer。To create difficulty, the examiner uses synonyms: “destroys” becomes “undermines”, “upward mobility” becomes “economic mobility”, and “making it harder...” is rephrased as “opportunities... to escape poverty”. 考生需要recognize 这种同义替换。

    专名首段定位+抓but后核心动词同义替换 在时间极度紧张的情况下，看到题干有 President Obama，直接到文章开头寻读。扫到 his speech 那段，重点找 but 后面的内容。看到 destroys upward mobility, making it harder...，然后立刻在选项中寻找含有 economic mobility 或 escape poverty 的同义表述，直接匹配。其他无关 American Dream、defining challenge 等都可秒排。

  2. 第 2 段 定位词 prominent economists

    What do prominent economists believe about economic mobility in America?

    • A Economic inequality is the greatest threat to reducing poverty.
    • B The American Dream is under a fundamental threat.
    • C The economic ladder has become shorter for the poor.
    • D It has become harder for the poor to climb the economic ladder as the rungs have grown farther apart.
    • E The rungs in the economic ladder are getting closer together.
    • F Economic inequality does not affect poverty reduction.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：D

    原文明确指出 because the rungs in that ladder have grown farther apart，这使得 harder for the poor to climb the economic ladder。正确项只是调整了语序，保持了因果关系，并使用climb the economic ladder 同义替换原文的 climb the economic ladder，rungs have grown farther apart 保留原词，便于考生识别。

    主体定位+因果关系直接匹配 扫到题干有 prominent economists，立刻跳到第二段 they argue 的句子，直接读 because 之后的 rungs... grown farther apart。选项中凡是没有直接体现 rungs 和 ladder 的都排除，最后保留含有此比喻的选项即可。

  3. 第 3 段 定位词 new dataset

    According to the new dataset from the Equality of Opportunity Project, what is the finding about economic inequality?

    • A The rich-poor gap vastly exaggerates the dangers of inequality.
    • B Economic inequality is the defining challenge of our time.
    • C Inequality is a strong predictor of economic mobility.
    • D The 1 percent receives too much attention.
    • E Inequality itself is not a strong predictor of upward mobility.
    • F Inequality destroys upward mobility significantly.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：E

    原文 directly says: 'Inequality itself is not a particularly strong predictor of economic mobility'。正确项将 particularly 简化为 strong，保留了核心否定含义，是典型的 paraphrase。

    数据暗示语抓否定预测 看到 new dataset，直接跳到第三段，找到 suggests that, ... we're vastly exaggerating... 然后扫描到引用语句 Inequality itself is not a particularly strong predictor。选项中包含 not a strong predictor 的就是答案，其他夸大或反义的都排除。

  4. 第 4 段 定位词 Salt Lake City metro area

    Why does the author mention the Salt Lake City metro area and the Atlanta metro area?

    • A To show that Salt Lake City has the highest upward mobility.
    • B To compare the economic conditions of two cities.
    • C To demonstrate that Atlanta is the worst place for poor children.
    • D To criticize the lack of mobility in large metropolitan areas.
    • E To suggest that religiosity is the key factor.
    • F To illustrate the difference in upward mobility and introduce the follow-up analysis of contributing factors.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：F

    第4段开头问 So what factors... predict，然后举例说明某些地区最 likely 或 least likely，显然是为了直观展示差异并过渡到下一段的分析。正确项概括了这种功能，用 illustrate 和 introduce 恰当表达。

    举例前设问句寻目的 题干问举例目的，直接定位至第四段，看例子前的句子：So what factors... predict... 这表明下文将会分析 factors。因此正确项中应该含有 introduce analysis of contributing factors 这样的意思。只要看到 introduce 一词，即可锁定。

  5. 第 5 段 定位词 single strongest correlate

    According to Raj Chetty, which factor is the single strongest correlate of upward mobility?

    • A Family structure.
    • B Economic and racial segregation.
    • C Community density.
    • D The size of the community's middle class.
    • E Community religiosity.
    • F Two-parent family levels.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：A

    原文说 'family structure, which he calls the single strongest correlate of upward mobility.' 关系直接，family structure 就是那个最强 correlate。选项只用名词，简洁准确。

    引号内最高级短语锁定先行词 直寻引号短语 'single strongest correlate'，看它修饰哪个词，即 family structure。其他选项都是在同一个句子前半部分列举的，直接排除。

  6. 第 6 段 定位词 author's analysis

    What does the author's analysis reveal about the most predictive factors of upward mobility?

    • A Per-capita income growth and prevalence of single mothers are both positive predictors.
    • B Per-capita income growth, prevalence of single mothers (negative correlation), and per-capita local government spending.
    • C Per-capita local government spending is the least predictive factor.
    • D Only economic segregation and family structure matter.
    • E Community religiosity and school quality are the most predictive.
    • F The size of the middle class is the strongest predictor.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：B

    原文指出 the following three seem to be most predictive: 1. Per-capita income growth 2. Prevalence of single mothers (where correlation is strong, but negative) 3. Per-capita local government spending。正确项完整复述了这三个因素，并保留了 negative 的说明，是准确的。

    作者第一人称段找列表，锁定含 negative 选项 直接扫描 'Based on my analyses' 的后文，找到 the following three... 列表。对比选项：凡是缺少 negative 或者多出其他因素的选项都错。唯一含有 negative correlation 并完整包含三个因素的就是答案。

  7. 第 7 段 定位词 rags-to-riches story

    According to the last paragraph, which type of community is most likely to help poor children achieve the Horatio Alger rags-to-riches story?

    • A Communities with a large middle class.
    • B Communities with high racial integration.
    • C Communities with high per-capita income growth, high percentages of two-parent families, and high local government spending.
    • D Communities with strong economic segregation.
    • E Communities with low local government spending.
    • F Communities where single mothers are prevalent.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：C

    原文 In other words... 总结到 communities with high levels of per-capita income growth, high percentages of two-parent families, and high local government spending are the most likely... 正确项几乎原词重现，只是把 levels of 省略了，意思完整。

    末段复述句抓三个high 硬核定位末段，找 In other words 后面的 communities with... 并读三个 high 条件。选项中凡是没有同时包含 per-capita income growth, two-parent families, government spending 的或用了 low/negative 的都马上排除。

STRUCTURE · 篇章结构

5 个意群的议论文骨架

按议论文 的行文骨架切分意群，每个意群标注它覆盖的段落与对主旨的作用——逐段读完后回到这里俯瞰全篇，能看清作者为什么按这个顺序行文。

  1. 引言 P1 P2

    奥巴马提出经济不平等威胁

    这个 opening section 引出了 Obama 的核心观点，即 economic inequality 是当代的 defining challenge，它不仅仅是 gap between rich and poor 的表象问题，更重要的是 inequality destroys upward mobility，让 the poor 更难 escape from poverty，从而对 American Dream 构成 fundamental threat

    这个 introductory part 建立了一个 conventional wisdom 作为 discussion 的 starting point，为后文 challenge this view 做好铺垫，通过引用 authority figure 的观点来 set up the contrast 显得更有说服力

    提出文章将要反驳的主流观点
  2. 分论点 P3

    哈佛研究挑战不平等威胁论

    这个 turning point paragraph 引入 new dataset from Harvard and Berkeley 来 challenge the previous claims，明确指出如果关注 upward mobility overall，我们 vastly exaggerating the dangers 关于 rich-poor gap。关键论据是 inequality itself is not a strong predictor of economic mobility，这直接 contradicts 前面 Obama 和 economists 的观点

    这个 pivotal section 完成了 argumentative shift，从 presenting others' views 转向 author's own position。通过 authoritative research data 来 establish credibility，为后续 explore the real factors 打开空间，是整个 argument 的 cornerstone

    提出研究证据反驳主流观点
  3. 分论点 P4 P5

    探究真正影响社会流动的因素

    既然 inequality 不是 key predictor，那么 what factors actually matter 呢？这个 exploratory section 通过 rhetorical question 引导读者思考，然后 present specific evidence：比如 Salt Lake City 和 Atlanta 的 contrasting outcomes。接着引入 Chetty's research findings，列举 multiple factors 包括 segregation、community density、middle class size、school quality、religiosity、family structure，特别强调 two-parent families 是 single strongest correlate

    这个 evidence-building section 通过 systematic presentation of research findings 来 substantiate the claim that factors other than inequality matter more。它用 concrete examples 和 comprehensive list 来 build a persuasive case，为后续 narrow down to key factors 做好充分铺垫

    罗列研究发现的多项影响因素
  4. 分论点 P6

    作者筛选核心预测因素

    这个 analytical synthesis section 是 author's independent contribution，从 Chetty's multiple factors 中 distill out the three most predictive ones：per-capita income growth、prevalence of single mothers (negative correlation)、per-capita local government spending。这是从 comprehensive list 到 prioritized insights 的 critical transition

    这个 refinement paragraph 体现了 author's analytical value，不是简单 report research 而是 interpret and prioritize。通过 based on my analyses 来 establish authorial voice，将 scattered findings 转化为 actionable insights，为 final synthesis 做好准备

    提炼出三项最关键因素
  5. 结论 P7

    总结促进社会流动的社区特征

    这个 concluding summary 用 in other words 明确标志 restatement，将前面筛选的 three factors 整合成一个 coherent picture：communities with high income growth、high percentages of two-parent families、high local government spending 最有可能 help poor children 实现 rags-to-riches story。这里用 Horatio Alger 典故来 evoke American Dream narrative

    这个 final synthesis 不仅 restate findings 还通过 cultural reference 将 analytical conclusion 与 broader American values 联系起来，强化 argument 的 relevance 和 emotional resonance。它完成了从 challenge inequality narrative 到 offer alternative framework 的完整 argumentative arc

    重申社区成功要素组合
MAIN IDEA · 速判主旨

4 步定位这篇文章的主旨

不读完全篇也能锁定主旨——以下 4 步按2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 这篇原文的实际行文顺序给出，每步说明看哪里、看出什么，可直接迁移到其他英语六级文章。

  1. 首段权威观点定位 P1 P2

    议论文通常会在 first paragraph 引入一个 widely accepted view 或 authoritative statement 作为讨论的 starting point，这个 initial claim 往往不是作者的 final position，而是用来建立 contrast 的 foil，帮助我们预判文章可能会出现 counter-argument 或 alternative perspective。

  2. 转折词后核心论点 P3

    议论文的 rhetorical structure 通常遵循 setup-challenge pattern，作者先 present 一个 prevailing view，然后用 transitional markers 引入 counter-evidence 或 alternative interpretation。这个 turn 往往出现在 third paragraph，是文章 central argument 开始 unfold 的 critical juncture，直接指向作者的 true thesis。

  3. 设问引出真正焦点 P4 P5 P6

    议论文作者常用 rhetorical questions 来 guide readers' attention 到他们认为 truly important 的 aspects。这类 questions 不是真正求解，而是 framing device，用来 introduce 作者的 focal argument 和 supporting analysis。Question 之后的 paragraphs 通常 contain 文章的 substantive content 和 main thesis。

  4. 对比-反驳-替代方案 P1 P2 P3 P5 P6 P7

    议论文的 main idea 通常是一个 complete argument arc，包含 what is challenged（conventional view）和 what is proposed（author's position）。单独 extract 任何一部分都不足以 capture 文章的 full thesis，必须 synthesize opening contrast 和 subsequent elaboration 才能得到 accurate main idea。

主旨信号词 defining challenge P1 vastly exaggerating P3 not a particularly strong predictor P3 So what factors P4 single strongest correlate P5 In other words P7

MAIN IDEA · 主旨

这篇文章在说什么

尽管奥巴马总统和经济学家强调经济不平等是向上流动的主要障碍,但哈佛-伯克利的最新研究表明,不平等本身并不能很好地预测流动性。相反,双亲家庭、社区宗教信仰、收入增长和地方政府支出等因素能更好地解释为什么贫困儿童在某些社区比其他社区更容易获得经济成功。
While President Obama and economists emphasize economic inequality as the primary barrier to upward mobility, recent Harvard-Berkeley research suggests inequality itself poorly predicts mobility. Instead, factors like two-parent families, community religiosity, income growth, and local government spending better explain why poor children succeed economically in some communities versus others.
WORD INFERENCE · 生词推断

5 个生词的上下文推断

不查词典，只用文中线索推出词义——每个词给出推断出的释义与 完整推理链。已收录进英语六级高频真题词集的单词可点击进入词条页。

  • rung 梯子的横档;梯级

    我们通过 metaphor 的 analysis 来推断：economic ladder 是一个 extended metaphor，用来描述 upward mobility。在这个 metaphor 中，poor people 要 climb up，而 rungs 作为 ladder 的 component，grown farther apart 就意味着 mobility 变得更 difficult。结合 bracket 里的 Chinese annotation，我们可以确认 rung 指的是梯子的横档，是攀爬时的支撑点。

    隐喻结构的物理映射法
  • correlate 相关因素;相关物

    通过 contextual clues，我们知道 correlate 描述的是 factors 和 outcomes 之间的关系，特别是 strongest 这个 modifier 暗示这是可以量化比较的。通过 morphological analysis，cor- (together) + relate (关系) 表明是两个 variables 共同变化的关系。结合 第6段 中 predictive power 的表达，我们可以确定 correlate 是一个描述 statistical relationship 的 term，表示相关性。

    学术术语的三维定位法
  • segregation (种族或经济上的)隔离;分离

    通过 comparative analysis of cities，我们看到 segregation (especially racial and economic) 是阻碍 upward mobility 的 barrier。Morphological breakdown 揭示 seg- (apart) + greg (group) 的 core meaning 是 'separation of groups'。Combined with the negative correlation with mobility outcomes，我们可以推断 segregation 指的是种族或经济上的隔离，即不同 groups 在 communities 中被 physically or socially separated，缺乏 mixing 和 equal opportunities。

    社会现象的对比定位法
  • religiosity 宗教性;笃信宗教(的程度)

    通过 geographic reference (Salt Lake City) 和 cultural knowledge，我们联想到 religious community。Morphological analysis 显示 religious + -osity = 'the state of being religious'。从 parallel structure with other community metrics 来看，religiosity 是一个 measurable characteristic，描述 community 的 religious atmosphere or the degree of religious engagement。作为 positive correlate of mobility，它可能反映 community cohesion, social support networks, 或 shared values。

    抽象概念的词根还原法
  • prevalence 流行;盛行;(疾病等的)流行率

    从 grammatical structure 看，'prevalence of X' 表示 X 的某种可测量状态。Morphological analysis 揭示 pre- + val (strong) 的含义与 'prevail' 相关，指 widespread or common。在 statistical context 中，和 per-capita growth/spending 等 metrics 并列，prevalence 显然指的是某个群体（single mothers）在 population 中的 proportion or frequency，即流行率、普遍程度。Negative correlation 说明这个比例越高，mobility 越低。

    统计术语的结构类比法
RHETORIC · 修辞手法

6 处修辞手法与仿写

每处修辞给出它在本文的具体用法、同类信号词清单与一份可直接套用的 写作仿写建议——读完能认，也能写。

  • 引用论证

    P1 P2

    文章开篇直接引用 President Barack Obama 在 Center for American Progress 的演讲原话，称 economic inequality 是"defining challenge of our time"。这个 authoritative quote 为全文奠定了讨论的 premise，同时也成为作者后续反驳的 target。通过引用 prominent public figure 的观点，作者establish了当前主流discourse的方向,然后在第三段用数据evidence进行challenge,形成了强烈的argumentative tension,凸显了文章要推翻conventional wisdom的core purpose。

    信号词 declared said argued stated claimed asserted noted pointed out according to as [Person] put it

    仿写： 在写议论文时,可以思考:我要讨论的topic,有哪些influential figures或experts发表过relevant statements?如果要反驳mainstream view,先quote它是个excellent strategy。模版:"According to [Authority], '[Direct Quote].' However, recent evidence suggests..."或"While [Authority] claims that [Paraphrase], closer examination reveals..."。关键是quote要serve your argumentative purpose,而不是randomly插入。

  • 对比论证

    P4 P5

    文章在第四、五段通过concrete examples形成striking contrast:Salt Lake City metro area作为most likely to lift fortunes of the poor的代表,versus Atlanta metro area作为least likely的代表。这个geographical comparison不是random的,而是基于underlying factors——Salt Lake City拥有high levels of two-parent families and religiosity,而Atlanta则characterized by high racial and economic segregation。这种side-by-side juxtaposition让abstract statistical findings变得tangible and memorable,同时powerfully demonstrates作者的central argument:不是inequality本身,而是specific community characteristics决定upward mobility。

    信号词 versus while whereas in contrast on the other hand however unlike different from compared to rather than

    仿写： 写议论文时,寻找能形成meaningful contrast的examples或cases。理想的contrast应该有comparable基础但critical differences。可以用这个structure:"While [Case A] exhibits [Characteristic X] and achieves [Outcome Y], [Case B] shows [Characteristic Z] and results in [Outcome W]." 或者"[Case A] and [Case B] serve as contrasting examples: the former..., whereas the latter..."。关键是contrast要directly support你的thesis,不是为了对比而对比。选择的cases要specific enough to be concrete,但representative enough to illustrate broader patterns。

  • 因果论证

    P4 P5 P6 P7

    第五、六、七段形成完整的causal chain:作者先提出question"what factors predict upward mobility",然后identify具体的causative factors(two-parent families, religiosity, income growth, local government spending),最后establish这些factors与positive outcomes之间的predictive relationship。特别是第六段列举的three factors用了explicit predictive language,第七段用"are most likely to help"来reinforce这种causation。这个因果论证directly serves文章的central thesis:不是inequality,而是these specific factors才是真正的determinants of mobility。通过建立clear causal links,作者dismantles了Obama's argument的logical foundation。

    信号词 predict because since as a result therefore thus consequently leads to causes results in due to attributes to explains why

    仿写： 构建因果论证时,首先identify你要explain的outcome,然后trace back to potential causes。可以用这些structures:"[Factor X] leads to/results in/causes [Outcome Y]" 或 "[Outcome Y] occurs because/is attributable to/stems from [Factor X]"。更sophisticated的写法:"Communities with [Characteristic A] are more likely to experience [Outcome B], suggesting that [Characteristic A] plays a causal role in..."。Critical point:要distinguish between correlation和causation,用cautious language like"predict," "correlate with," "associated with"当evidence不够strong时,但use stronger causal verbs like"cause," "lead to"当有solid support时。Always provide reasoning or evidence来support你的causal claim。

  • 举例论证

    P3 P5

    第三段引用Equality of Opportunity Project at Harvard and Berkeley的new dataset作为concrete evidence,第五段引用Harvard economist Raj Chetty的研究findings,这些都是specific examples of empirical research来support作者的argument。特别是Chetty's analysis提供了detailed examples of factors(economic segregation, community density, family structure等),这些不是abstract theories而是grounded in actual data analysis。通过citing这些authoritative research examples,作者establish了argument的empirical foundation,使claim不再是mere opinion而是data-driven conclusions。这种举例论证effectively counters Obama's assertion,因为用hard evidence来challenge political rhetoric。

    信号词 for instance for example such as consider take like including notably specifically in particular

    仿写： 运用举例论证时,选择examples要strategic。问yourself:这个example是否clearly illustrate我的point? 是否来自credible source? 可以用这些structures:"For instance/example, [Specific Example]..." 或 "Research by [Authority] shows that [Specific Finding]..." 或 "Consider the case of [Example], which demonstrates..."。在academic writing中,citing研究或数据是particularly powerful,因为它combines举例和引用两种techniques。记住:example不应该standalone,必须explicitly connect back to你的main argument,用phrases like"This example illustrates/demonstrates/shows that..."来make the connection clear。

  • 排比修辞

    P6 P7

    第六段用numbered list形式呈现three predictive factors:"1. Per-capita income growth 2. Prevalence of single mothers 3. Per-capita local government spending"。这个parallel structure不仅visually striking,而且create rhythmic emphasis。每个item都follow相同的grammatical pattern(noun phrase),使information易于process和remember。第七段进一步reinforce这个structure,用"high levels of..., high percentages of..., and high local government spending"这种triple parallel construction。这种排比修辞makes作者的key findings stand out clearly,同时convey a sense of comprehensive analysis——不是single factor而是multiple factors working together,这strengthens argument的complexity和credibility。

    信号词 first second third not only...but also both...and either...or neither...nor

    仿写： 创造排比效果时,首先identify你要present的multiple related points。确保它们grammatically parallel:如果第一个是noun phrase,其他也应该是noun phrases;如果第一个是complete sentence,其他也应该是。可以用numbered or bulleted lists来enhance visual impact,或者用连续sentences with repeated structure。Pattern:"[Point 1], [Point 2], and [Point 3]" 或 "First, [Item A]. Second, [Item B]. Third, [Item C]." 记住:parallel structure不仅是stylistic choice,它communicates that these items belong together conceptually。通常用于listing causes, effects, solutions, or characteristics。Avoid breaking the pattern,因为inconsistency会disrupt the rhetorical effect。

  • 比喻修辞

    P2 P7

    第二段使用economic ladder作为central metaphor,具体通过"climb the economic ladder"和"rungs in that ladder have grown farther apart"来visualize抽象的economic mobility concept。这个metaphor非常effective因为它将complex socioeconomic dynamics转化为familiar physical image:爬梯子。Ladder metaphor暗示upward movement需要effort(climbing)和opportunity(rungs的存在和spacing)。当说rungs变得farther apart时,instantly conveys that mobility变difficult了,因为每一步需要bigger leap。这个具象化让readers无需economic expertise就能grasp文章讨论的core issue,同时metaphor本身成为discussion framework,后面段落继续围绕"向上流动"这个概念展开。

    信号词 like as metaphorically figuratively resembles similar to

    仿写： 使用比喻时,选择一个concrete image that shares key characteristics with你要explain的abstract concept。问yourself:我的topic的essential features是什么?什么familiar object或experience has similar features? Economic mobility需要effort和opportunity → ladder需要climbing和rungs。可以用these structures:"[Abstract concept] is like [Concrete image]..." 或直接使用metaphorical language:"climb the ladder of success," "navigate the waters of..."。Important:不要over-explain metaphor——让it work through implication。同时be careful not to extend metaphor too far,否则会become forced or confusing。一个good metaphor应该feel natural and immediately make sense to readers。

IMPLIED MEANING · 言外之意

7 处话里有话

作者没有明说、但靠信号词传递出来的态度与暗示——每处给出原文片段、信号词类型与解读。

  • 奥巴马的inequality论断暗含质疑

    P1
    Economic inequality is the "defining challenge of our time," President Barack Obama declared

    情态词 declared claimed asserted insisted proclaimed maintained contended

    作者 deliberately 用 declared 来 quote Obama,而不是中性的 said 或 noted,这就 creates 一种 distance。紧接着文中还 quote Obama 说 inequality destroys mobility,用了 argued 这个词。这些 reporting verbs 都在 signal:这是 Obama's perspective,不一定是 objective truth。对 main thesis 的作用是 crucial 的——文章要 challenge inequality 作为 primary barrier 的观点,所以第一段就把这个 dominant narrative present 出来,用 strong language highlight 它,为后面第三段的 转折 we're vastly exaggerating 做 setup。这是典型的 argumentative structure:先 present 对方观点 as strong claim,然后 knock it down。

  • 用最高级暗示观点的极端性

    P2
    Obama is only the most prominent public figure to declare inequality Public Enemy No.1 and the greatest threat

    夸张修辞 Public Enemy No.1 No.1 greatest most ultimate paramount foremost

    作者说 Obama is only the most prominent 来 declare inequality 是 Public Enemy No.1,这个 phrasing 很 strategic。Only 这个词看似在说 Obama 不是唯一一个,但实际 effect 是 emphasize 连 most prominent figure 都这么说,暗示这是个 widespread 但可能 misguided 的 consensus。Public Enemy No.1 这个 dramatic phrase 被 author 刻意保留,就是要 show 这个 framing 多么 extreme。对 thesis 的作用是:第二段继续 pile on——prominent economists also argued,形成一个 everybody believes this 的 impression,然后第三段立刻用 For all the new attention 和 we're vastly exaggerating 来 deliver 转折。这是 classic rhetorical strategy:先 build up 对方观点的 momentum,让转折更 dramatic。

  • 转折标志暗示前述观点被推翻

    P3
    For all the new attention devoted to the 1 percent, a new dataset from the Equality of Opportunity Project at Harvard and Berkeley suggests that, if we care about upward mobility overall, we're vastly exaggerating the dangers of the rich-poor gap.

    让步转折类 For all Despite In spite of Although While Even though Granted that

    这是全文最 critical 的 turning point。前两段 built up 了一个 narrative:inequality 是 defining challenge,是 Public Enemy No.1,Obama 和 prominent economists 都这么认为。然后第三段用 For all 突然 shift——acknowledge 大家都在 pay attention to 1 percent,但 data suggests 我们 vastly exaggerating。Vastly 这个 adverb 非常 strong,表明 previous view 不只是 slightly off,而是 fundamentally misguided。Inequality itself is not a particularly strong predictor 直接 contradicts 第一段 Obama 说的 inequality destroys mobility。对 thesis 的作用是 pivotal:这句话 introduces 文章的 true position——inequality 不是 main factor,后面段落会 explore 真正的 factors。这个转折 establishes 作者的 analytical authority,表明他们有 new data 来 challenge conventional wisdom。

  • 反问句引导读者质疑既有认知

    P4
    So what factors, at the community level, do predict if poor children will move up the economic ladder as adults?

    反问引导类 So what factors So what What then The question is What explains How do we account for Why is it that

    第四段的 So what factors 是个 strategic transition。作者刚 refuted inequality 作为 predictor,现在 pose 这个 question 来 shift focus 到正确的 factors。这个 question 还 does something subtle:它用 at the community level 来 frame 接下来的 discussion,限定 scope。What explains, for instance 引入 specific examples(Salt Lake City vs Atlanta),让 abstract question 变得 concrete。对 thesis 的作用是:question format creates momentum,reader 自然想知道 answer,这就 prepares them 接受第五、六段 presented 的 factors。这比直接 state 结论更 engaging,让 reader feel 他们在 following 一个 logical inquiry process,而不是 being told what to think。

  • 最高级词暗示因素重要性排序

    P5
    family structure, which he calls the "single strongest correlate of upward mobility."

    强调限定类 single strongest most predictive primary factor chief determinant strongest correlate key driver leading indicator

    Chetty 认为 family structure 是 single strongest correlate,这个 finding 被 author quote 但 placement 很 strategic。第五段 lists multiple factors,把 family structure 放最后,用 which he calls 来 attribute 这个 judgment 给 Chetty。然后第六段作者说 Chetty has not yet issued comprehensive analysis,暗示 Chetty 的 ranking 可能 incomplete。接着作者 based on my analyses 提出 three factors that seem most predictive,其中第二个才是 single mothers(negative correlation)。这个 subtle repositioning 很 important:作者不 directly contradict Chetty,但 through data re-analysis 给出 more nuanced picture。对 thesis 的作用是:establish 作者自己的 analytical authority,表明即使 respected economists 的 findings 也 need further scrutiny,同时 introduce 作者认为更 predictive 的 factors。

  • 限定短语缩小观点适用范围

    P6
    Based on my analyses of the data, of the factors that Chetty has highlighted, the following three seem to be most predictive

    模糊限制语 Based on my analyses Based on seem to be appear to suggest that tend to likely to

    第六段作者 explicitly say Based on my analyses,这 establishes ownership of interpretation。紧接着 of the factors that Chetty has highlighted 表明作者在 same dataset 上 doing own analysis,不是 presenting new factors。Seem to be most predictive 这个 hedge 很 appropriate,因为 correlation 不等于 causation,作者 being scientifically careful。这段对 thesis 的作用是 crucial:作者从 refuting inequality focus 转向 identifying real predictors。Three numbered factors 给出 clear alternative framework。这个 section delivers 文章的 constructive argument,不只说 what's wrong,而说 what matters。Hedging language 让这个 shift 更 credible,因为 author 不是 making dogmatic claims,而是 presenting data-driven insights with appropriate caution。

  • 换言之标记前述观点的具象化

    P7
    In other words, communities with high levels of per-capita income growth, high percentages of two-parent families, and high local government spending—which may stand for good schools—are the most likely to help poor children relive the Horatio Alger's rags-to-riches story.

    解释说明类 In other words That is That is to say Put differently To put it simply In simpler terms Namely

    最后一段的 In other words 是个 powerful closing move。前一段 listed three factors with technical language(per-capita income growth、prevalence of single mothers、local government spending),这段 translate 成 accessible narrative。High percentages of two-parent families(rephrasing negative correlation with single mothers)更 positive。Which may stand for good schools 在 parenthetical 里 clarify government spending 的 meaning。最妙的是 rags-to-riches story 这个 allusion,它 connects 整个 empirical analysis 回到 American Dream 这个 Obama 在第一段 mentioned 的 concept。对 thesis 的作用是 complete the circle:文章从 challenging Obama's inequality focus 开始,ending with what actually enables American Dream。这个 reformulation 让 complex statistical argument 变成 compelling narrative,making research findings relatable 并 memorable。

AUTHOR ATTITUDE · 作者态度

作者态度：消极批判

结论先行：本文作者态度为消极批判（ Skeptical toward the inequality-as-main-culprit narrative）。下面是按步骤还原的判断过程与文中的态度信号词。

  1. 识别开篇权威引用 P1 P2

    议论文常见的结构是先引出一个被广泛接受的观点作为讨论起点，作者本人不一定认同它，这是为后续的反驳或补充做铺垫，所以要留意这个观点究竟是background还是作者自己的argument。

  2. 锁定转折句 P3

    议论文里最关键的态度信号往往出现在转折处，作者用新的dataset来质疑前文提到的主流看法，这种"承认现象+但有新证据"的写法是典型的批判性表达方式。

  3. 提炼支撑性证据 P4 P5 P6

    议论文中作者摆出data、研究者名字、具体数字等evidence，是为了增强观点的credibility，evidence越具体、越量化，说明作者的态度越坚定和明确。

  4. 首尾呼应验证 P1 P7

    议论文末段通常是对全文argument的总结和强化，如果末段的结论和开篇的主流观点形成明显对比，就能确认作者从始至终保持的是批判或修正性的态度，而不是单纯中立陈述。

文中的态度信号词

  • declared P1

    这类reporting verb用来客观引入Obama的观点，让读者知道这是他人的argument而不是作者自己的judgement，为后文的反驳留出空间。

    同类词 argued claimed asserted stated

  • vastly exaggerating P3

    这个短语直接表达作者认为大众对inequality-mobility关系的severity有overstatement，是全文批判态度最明确的体现。

    同类词 overstate overemphasize overblow inflate the importance of

  • not a particularly strong predictor P3

    这个短语用弱化的表达direct否定了inequality在预测mobility方面的重要性，进一步支撑作者的批判立场。

    同类词 weak correlation fails to predict poor indicator insignificant factor

  • strongest correlate P5

    这个表达点出family structure是Chetty研究中与upward mobility相关性最高的因素，说明作者认同并突出这一替代性argument。

    同类词 most predictive key determinant primary factor most significant factor

  • most likely to help P7

    这个短语出现在结尾总结句中，说明作者将三个因素positive地关联到帮助poor children实现向上流动，是全文argument的最终落脚点。

    同类词 most likely to tend to are more apt to help...relive

GENRE · 速判体裁

30 秒判定这是一篇议论文

体裁决定读法与出题套路。以下判断步骤与标志词全部以本文为例，可直接迁移到其他英语六级 真题文章。

如何快速判断这是一篇议论文？

  1. 开头呈现争议性观点 P1

    说明文的开头通常是 neutral 地 introduce 一个 topic 或 phenomenon,不会带有明显的 value judgment;新闻报道更多是 report facts 和 events。而议论文从一开始就会 establish 一个需要 defend 或 challenge 的 position,这里 Obama 的 declaration 就是一个 arguable claim。

  2. 呈现对立观点形成张力 P1 P2 P3

    说明文通常是 linear 地 explain information,不会刻意 set up opposing views;新闻报道虽然可能 quote different sources,但不会像议论文那样明确地 build up argumentative tension。议论文的 core feature 就是通过 present contrasting perspectives 来 develop argumentation。

  3. 作者明确立场并举证 P3 P4 P5 P6

    说明文的作者通常保持 neutral 和 objective,只是 present information;新闻报道虽然可能有 angle,但主要是 report what happened。而议论文的作者会明确 advocate 一个 viewpoint,通过 evidence、examples、expert opinions 来 convince readers,这里作者用 Chetty 的 research 和 data analysis 来 build 自己的 argument。

  4. 结尾强化中心论点 P7

    说明文的结尾通常是 summary of information presented;新闻报道可能以 latest development 或 quote 结束。而议论文的结尾会 circle back 到 central argument,通过 restate thesis 或 draw implications 来 leave readers with 作者想要 convey 的 message,这里作者 conclusively identify 了 three predictive factors,是在 finalize 自己的 stance。

  5. 四步检查点完整链条 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7

    议论文的 defining characteristic 就是这种 thesis-antithesis-synthesis 的 dialectical structure,以及作者明确的 persuasive intent。说明文是 informative,新闻报道是 factual reporting,而议论文是 argumentative 和 persuasive。通过 identify 这四个 key checkpoints,可以 efficiently distinguish 议论文 from other genres。

哪些词暴露了议论文体裁？

  • declared P1 观点引导词 argued claimed asserted maintained contended
  • argued P1 观点引导词 contended reasoned debated disputed advocated
  • but P1 论证逻辑连接词 however yet nevertheless nonetheless whereas
  • threat P1 立场表态词 danger risk challenge problem crisis
  • only the most prominent P2 立场表态词 only the most merely simply just even
  • For all P3 论证逻辑连接词 for all despite in spite of notwithstanding regardless of
  • vastly exaggerating P3 立场表态词 exaggerating overestimating overstating inflating misrepresenting
  • suggests that P3 观点引导词 indicates that implies that shows that demonstrates that reveals that
  • So P4 论证逻辑连接词 so therefore thus hence consequently
  • Based on P6 观点引导词 based on according to in light of given considering
  • In other words P7 论证逻辑连接词 in other words that is to say to put it differently in essence essentially
SENTENCE INSIGHTS · 句子精讲

4 句真题句逐层精讲

下列真题句各有独立的句子解析页——中文翻译、结构树逐层拆解、成分与时态、考点讲解与真题高频词。点击句子进入完整解析。

FAQ · 常见问题

关于 2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 的常见问题

2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 文章的主旨是什么？
尽管奥巴马总统和经济学家强调经济不平等是向上流动的主要障碍,但哈佛-伯克利的最新研究表明,不平等本身并不能很好地预测流动性。相反,双亲家庭、社区宗教信仰、收入增长和地方政府支出等因素能更好地解释为什么贫困儿童在某些社区比其他社区更容易获得经济成功。（英文表述：While President Obama and economists emphasize economic inequality as the primary barrier to upward mobility, recent Harvard-Berkeley research suggests inequality itself poorly predicts mobility. Instead, factors like two-parent families, community religiosity, income growth, and local government spending better explain why poor children succeed economically in some communities versus others.）
2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 文章是什么体裁？难度如何？
体裁为议论文，作者立场是消极批判（Skeptical toward the inequality-as-main-culprit narrative）。CEFR 难度 C1，全文 442 词、7 段；在英语六级全部 593 篇真题文章中，C1 级共 343 篇（占 58%）。
2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 文章的篇章结构是怎样的？
全文 7 段按议论文骨架分为 5 个意群：引言 · 第1段、第2段——奥巴马提出经济不平等威胁；分论点 · 第3段——哈佛研究挑战不平等威胁论；分论点 · 第4段、第5段——探究真正影响社会流动的因素；分论点 · 第6段——作者筛选核心预测因素；结论 · 第7段——总结促进社会流动的社区特征。
2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 文章的作者态度是什么？
作者态度是消极批判（Skeptical toward the inequality-as-main-culprit narrative）。判断路径：识别开篇权威引用 → 锁定转折句 → 提炼支撑性证据 → 首尾呼应验证；文中的态度信号词包括 declared（第1段）、vastly exaggerating（第3段）、not a particularly strong predictor（第3段）、strongest correlate（第5段）、most likely to help（第7段）。
2015年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part III Section C (2) 文章中有哪些值得积累的生词？
按文中出现顺序共 5 个：rung（梯子的横档;梯级）、correlate（相关因素;相关物）、segregation（(种族或经济上的)隔离;分离）、religiosity（宗教性;笃信宗教(的程度)）、prevalence（流行;盛行;(疾病等的)流行率），每个词的词义都可以由文中上下文线索推断得出。

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