2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2)
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2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2)

说明文 · 听力 · 真题文章逐层精读

本页是 2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 文章的精读视角页——这篇说明文全文 250 词、5 段,CEFR 难度 B2(B2 级在英语六级文章中占 39%),作者立场为「客观中立」;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

5 段英文原文

以下为2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 的听力原文,共 5 段。左侧 P1–P5 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。

In recent years, the death rate among American centenarians—people who have lived to age 100 or older—has decreased, dropping 14 percent for women and 20 percent for men from 2008 to 2014. The leading causes of death in this age group are also changing.

In 2000, the top five causes of death for centenarians were heart disease, stroke, flu, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. But by 2014, the death rate from Alzheimer's disease for this age group had more than doubled—increasing from 3.8 percent to 8.5 percent—making the progressive brain disease the second leading cause of death for centenarians.

One reason for the rise in deaths from Alzheimer's disease in this group may be that developing this condition remains possible even after people beat the odds of dying from other diseases such as cancer. People physically fit enough to survive over 100 years ultimately give in to diseases such as Alzheimer's which affect the mind and cognitive function. In other words, it appears that their minds give out before their bodies do.

On the other hand, the death rate from flu dropped from 7.4 percent in 2000 to 4.1 percent in 2014. That pushed flu from the third leading cause of death to the fifth.

Overall, the total number of centenarians is going up. In 2014, there were 72,197 centenarians, compared to 50,281 in 2000. But because this population is getting larger, the number of deaths in this group is also increasing—18,434 centenarians died in 2000, whereas 25,914 died in 2014.

PARAGRAPHS · 逐段精读

5 段逐段主旨与解读

逐段拆解2016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

    Changing Mortality Trends

    Death rates among American centenarians have fallen, while their leading causes of death are changing.

    本段承担 introduction 的功能,它先建立百岁老人 mortality 改变这一研究背景,再为全文比较不同死因的升降变化确定讨论框架。

    抓住总趋势与下文预告
  2. P2

    Alzheimer's Disease Rises Sharply

    Alzheimer's disease more than doubled as a cause of death and became the second leading killer of centenarians.

    本段是全文最核心的事实展开,它具体说明 leading causes 正在改变,并突出 Alzheimer's disease 是这一变化中最值得关注的上升因素。

    从数据锁定排名变化
  3. P3

    Why Alzheimer's Becomes More Deadly

    Centenarians may outlive physical diseases but eventually die from Alzheimer's disease as mental functions decline.

    本段为 Alzheimer's disease 上升提供机制性解释,使文章不只呈现 statistics,还揭示长寿人群中身体存活与认知衰退之间的反差。

    识别现象背后的原因
  4. P4

    The Declining Impact of Flu

    Flu became a less important cause of death among centenarians, falling from third place to fifth.

    本段补充了另一项关键死因的下降情况,通过 flu 与 Alzheimer's disease 的反向变化,更完整地证明百岁老人死因结构正在重组。

    借对比词寻找反向趋势
  5. P5

    Population Growth and Total Deaths

    The growing centenarian population has led to an increase in the total number of deaths.

    本段从个别死因回到 overall population,补充解释死亡总数增加的背景,并以“比例下降但人数上升”的现象丰富了全文的死亡趋势分析。

    区分死亡率和死亡人数
SELF CHECK · 段落自检题

5 道逐段细节自检题

针对2016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 American centenarians death rate 2008 and 2014

    What can be inferred about the death rate among American centenarians between 2008 and 2014?

    • A It increased for women but decreased for men.
    • B It decreased by 14% for men and 20% for women.
    • C It fell by 14 percent for women and 20 percent for men.
    • D It dropped more sharply for women than for men.
    • E It remained unchanged for both genders.
    • F It fluctuated during the period.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案:C

    来源段落明确给出dropping 14 percent for women and 20 percent for men。正确项用fell替换dropping,但trend、percentage及gender pairing均保持一致。障碍在于考生必须区分两组数字分别对应哪个群体。

    数字性别配对 时间紧张时,直接用2008与2014的组合定位第1段,不必通读全文。找到data句后,只建立women-percentage与men-percentage两组配对,再检查各选项的direction和pairing;同时保留两组正确对应关系的选项就是正确项。

  2. 第 2 段 定位词 Alzheimer's disease centenarians by 2014

    What does the passage say about Alzheimer's disease among centenarians by 2014?

    • A It was still the fifth leading cause in 2014.
    • B It became the leading cause of death.
    • C Its death rate dropped to 8.5 percent.
    • D Its death rate more than doubled and it became the second leading cause of death.
    • E Heart disease was surpassed by Alzheimer's as the top cause.
    • F The death rate from Alzheimer's remained unchanged.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案:D

    来源段落明确说明death rate had more than doubled,并由3.8 percent升至8.5 percent,随后成为the second leading cause of death。正确项完整保留了trend和ranking两个核心事实。

    趋势排名双信号 直接用Alzheimer's disease和by 2014定位第2段,在对应句中只提取change word与ordinal ranking两个信号。随后忽略选项中的修饰信息,寻找同时匹配这两个信号的正确项,可快速排除只复用了数字或疾病名称的干扰项。

  3. 第 3 段 定位词 death rate from Alzheimer's disease increased centenarians

    Why has the death rate from Alzheimer's disease increased among centenarians according to the passage?

    • A Their bodies become too weak to fight off diseases.
    • B They have a higher chance of developing flu.
    • C Alzheimer's disease is more fatal than cancer.
    • D Medical advances have focused more on body than on mind.
    • E They can still develop Alzheimer's after surviving other potentially fatal diseases.
    • F Centenarians neglect their mental health.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案:E

    来源段落说明,即使人们beat the odds of dying from other diseases,developing this condition仍然可能发生。正确项用surviving other potentially fatal diseases概括这一生存顺序,准确表达该段提出的possible reason,且没有把可能性夸大为必然性。

    原因信号后读一链 用题干中的Alzheimer's disease与increased寻找原因引导句,定位第3段后只阅读reason signal之后的完整逻辑单元。将其压缩成survival sequence,再检查哪个正确项保持相同先后关系与可能性语气,无需分析全文所有疾病数据。

  4. 第 4 段 定位词 flu death rate 2000 and 2014

    What happened to flu among centenarians between 2000 and 2014?

    • A Its death rate increased from 4.1% to 7.4%.
    • B It rose to become the second leading cause.
    • C It remained the third leading cause in 2014.
    • D Its death rate change was not mentioned.
    • E It became less deadly only for women.
    • F Its death rate dropped, moving it from the third to the fifth leading cause of death.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案:F

    来源段落说明death rate从7.4 percent降至4.1 percent,并由third leading cause变为fifth。正确项省略具体比例,但准确保留了下降方向及ranking endpoints。

    双重起止结构匹配 直接用flu和2000定位第4段,只读取包含from...to...的两个结构:一个对应rate,另一个对应ranking。将两组端点和方向一次性编码,再选择同时匹配两组结构的正确项,不必计算percentage差值。

  5. 第 5 段 定位词 centenarian population total number

    What does the passage say about the centenarian population?

    • A Both the total number and the number of deaths increased.
    • B The total number decreased while deaths increased.
    • C Only the total number increased.
    • D The number of deaths remained stable.
    • E There were fewer centenarians in 2014 than in 2000.
    • F The death rate increased, but the population decreased.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案:A

    来源段落分别说明total number is going up以及number of deaths is also increasing,并用2000与2014的数据支持两点。正确项用Both...and完整合并两个并行趋势,同时没有把number of deaths误写为death rate。

    双主体趋势压缩 用centenarian population的同义表达定位第5段后,不读取全部具体数字,只抓住total number与number of deaths两个subject及各自的trend verb。随后寻找同时覆盖两组subject-trend关系、且未偷换为rate的正确项。

STRUCTURE · 篇章结构

5 个意群的说明文骨架

按说明文 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. 百岁老人死亡率下降现象

    这个 opening paragraph 引出了 recent years 美国 centenarians 的 death rate 呈现 decrease 的 trend,女性 dropped 14%,男性 dropped 20%,同时点明这个 age group 的 leading causes of death 也在 changing

    作为 expository text 的 introduction,这个 paragraph 通过 presenting statistical data 来 establish 文章要 explore 的 central phenomenon,为后续 detailed explanation 搭建 framework

    直接呈现死亡率下降数据
  2. 死因变化的具体数据对比

    这个 paragraph 通过 time comparison 来 illustrate 第一段提到的 changing causes,用 2000 和 2014 的 data 显示 top five causes 的 ranking,特别 highlight 了 Alzheimer's disease 从 3.8% 上升到 8.5%,成为 second leading cause

    作为 expository text 的 first supporting paragraph,这里通过 concrete statistics 和 temporal contrast 来 substantiate 前文的 general claim about changing death causes,用 specific numbers 增强 credibility

    阿尔茨海默症死亡率翻倍
  3. 阿尔茨海默症死亡率上升的原因解释

    这个 explanatory paragraph 针对前段的 data 进行 causal analysis,指出 one reason 是即使 survive 了 cancer 等 diseases,people 仍可能 develop Alzheimer's,physically fit 的 centenarians 最终 give in to 这种 affect the mind 的 disease,用 minds give out before bodies 来 summarize

    说明文的 core function 之一是 explain why,这个 paragraph 通过 causal reasoning 来 deepen understanding,从 mere data reporting 转向 mechanism explanation,帮助 readers grasp underlying logic

    解释认知疾病增长机制
  4. 流感死亡率下降的对比数据

    这个 contrastive paragraph 用 on the other hand 来 introduce opposite trend,展示 flu 的 death rate 从 7.4% 降到 4.1%,从 third 降到 fifth leading cause,形成和 Alzheimer's 上升的 contrast

    在 expository structure 中,这个 paragraph 通过 present contrasting data 来 provide balanced view,showing 不是所有 death causes 都在 increase,这种 contrastive element 增强文章的 completeness 和 objectivity

    呈现流感影响减弱数据
  5. 百岁老人总体人口增长与死亡数量变化

    这个 concluding paragraph 将 focus 拉回到 overall picture,用 overall 作为 signal,指出 total number of centenarians 在 increasing,从 50,281 到 72,197,因此 absolute death numbers 也在 rising,从 18,434 到 25,914,这 contextualize 了前面的 rate changes

    说明文的 effective conclusion 常 return to broader context,这个 paragraph 通过 provide population growth data 来 frame 前面的 rate discussions,提醒 readers 理解 relative rates 和 absolute numbers 的 relationship,增强 comprehensiveness

    提供人口基数增长背景
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2016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. 首段提取对象+趋势+时间 P1

    说明文的 first paragraph 通常会 introduce the topic 并建立 framework,这里明确了研究对象是 American centenarians,时间跨度是 2008 to 2014,核心现象是 death rate decrease,这三个要素构成了文章的 basic structure

  2. 区分数据例证与核心论点 P2 P4 P5

    第二段提供了 detailed breakdown(top five causes, percentage changes),第四段和第五段继续提供 numerical evidence。这些 specifics 是用来 illustrate 首段提出的 general trend,而不是 main point 的核心

  3. 识别因果解释的次要地位 P3

    第三段用 'One reason for...' 引入了 causation analysis,解释 why Alzheimer's is rising。这是在 deepen understanding,但 main idea 依然是 'what's changing'(trends),而非 'why it's changing'(causes)

  4. 综合多线索形成全貌 P1 P2 P4 P5

    文章不只讨论 death rate decrease(第1段),还涉及 Alzheimer's rise(第2段),flu decline(第4段),和 population growth(第5段)。准确的 main idea 必须 capture 这些 parallel and contrasting developments,而不是只提其中一个

主旨信号词 changing P1 leading causes P1 but P2 from... to... P2 overall P5

MAIN IDEA · 主旨

这篇文章在说什么

该文章阐释了2000年至2014年间美国百岁老人死亡率的变化趋势,重点说明了死亡率下降、阿尔茨海默病成为第二大死因、流感影响减弱等现象,同时指出百岁老人群体总数在增长。
The article explains changing mortality trends among American centenarians from 2000 to 2014, highlighting decreased death rates, the rise of Alzheimer's disease as the second leading cause of death, and the declining impact of flu, while noting the overall growth in the centenarian population.
WORD INFERENCE · 生词推断

4 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。

  • centenarian 百岁老人

    我们来把这些 clues 串联起来。首先,文章在第一次出现这个词时就用了 explicit definition,告诉我们是 'people who have lived to age 100 or older'。然后,从 word structure 来看,cent- 的 hundred 含义加上 -arian 的 person 含义,完美地 match 了这个 definition。最后,全文的 statistical context 都围绕这个特定的 age demographic 展开讨论,进一步 confirm 了我们的推断。三条线索形成了一个 self-reinforcing 的 logical chain。

    标点定义+词根分解+全文语境三重验证
  • stroke 中风

    让我们 synthesize 这些 observations。首先,它出现在 top causes of death 的 list 中,与 heart disease、cancer 等 major killers 并列,确立了它是 serious medical condition 的 status。其次,它被 positioned 在 heart disease 旁边,suggest 了某种 cardiovascular connection。结合 elderly population 的 context,我们可以推断这是一种突发的、potentially fatal 的 health crisis,很可能涉及 blood flow 或 circulation system。

    并列项共性分析+邻近词关联+主题语境细化
  • beat 战胜,击败

    我们可以这样 connect the dots:文章在讨论 centenarians 为什么最终 die from Alzheimer's,解释是因为他们已经 'beat the odds' of other diseases。从 logical flow 来看,这些人 lived to 100+,意味着他们 didn't die from cancer 或其他 diseases。'beat the odds' 后面紧跟的 'survive over 100 years' 进一步 clarify 了这个意思。所以 'beat' 在这个 context 中表示 overcome 或 defeat,具体指 successfully avoided death。

    固定短语整体理解+平行结构互释+逻辑流验证
  • give in to 屈服于,被...击垮

    让我们 integrate 这些 clues。首先,'ultimately' 设置了一个 final outcome 的 expectation。然后,immediate context 中的 'beat the odds' 与 'give in to' 形成 opposition,前者是 overcome,后者应该是 succumb。最关键的是下一句的 'In other words' restatement,直接用 'give out'(fail,collapse)来 explain 'give in to',这给了我们 definitive confirmation。三条线索 converge 到同一个 meaning。

    话语标记改写+对比词反义定位+时间副词定性
RHETORIC · 修辞手法

5 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。

  • 列数字

    P1 P2 P4 P5

    文章 extensively uses numerical data 来 support its claims,比如 death rate decreased 14 percent for women and 20 percent for men,Alzheimer's death rate increased from 3.8 percent to 8.5 percent,flu death rate dropped from 7.4 percent to 4.1 percent,以及 centenarian population 从 50,281 增长到 72,197。这些 precise statistics 让 mortality trends 的变化变得 concrete and convincing,强化了文章关于 centenarian health patterns shifting 的 main argument,使读者能够 quantify the magnitude of change 而不是仅仅依赖 vague descriptions。

    信号词 percent rate number compared to from...to increase decrease drop more than doubled 72,197 50,281 18,434 25,914

    仿写: 在写作 health trends 或 demographic changes 的说明文时,think about what aspects 需要 quantification。问自己:What exactly changed? By how much? Over what period? 然后 collect precise data 来 answer these questions。模版:「从[年份]到[年份],[指标]从[数值A]变化到[数值B],[上升/下降]了[百分比/数值]。」或「在[时间段]内,[现象]的[指标]达到[具体数值],compared to [对比数值]。」记住要 pair numbers with clear context,让数字 serve the argument 而不是 overwhelm readers。

  • 作比较

    P1 P2 P4 P5

    文章 systematically compares data across different time periods (2000 vs 2014, 2008 vs 2014) 和 between different groups (women vs men)。Through these comparisons,读者能够 grasp the directional changes in mortality patterns。比如 comparing Alzheimer's as third cause in 2000 to second in 2014 demonstrates its rising significance,while flu dropping from third to fifth shows its declining impact。这种 temporal and categorical comparison 是文章 establish trends 的 fundamental method,让 static numbers 变成 dynamic narratives of change,perfectly serving 文章关于 shifting health challenges among centenarians 的主旨。

    信号词 compared to but by from...to whereas while in contrast on the other hand versus than more than less than top five in 2000...by 2014

    仿写: 当你想 demonstrate change or evaluate significance 时,establish clear comparison frames。问自己:What two points (时间、群体、类别) best illustrate my argument? 确保 comparison elements 是 parallel and meaningful。模版:「在[时间A],[对象]是[状态A],but by [时间B],[对象]变成了[状态B]」或「[群体A]的[指标]是[数值A],compared to [群体B]的[数值B]」。Key principle: 让 comparison serve a purpose,不要为了 compare 而 compare。每个 comparison 都应该 reveal something important about your topic。

  • 举例子

    P2 P3

    文章在 第2段 specifically lists the top five causes of death (heart disease, stroke, flu, cancer and Alzheimer's disease),这是 concrete examples of what kills centenarians。在 第3段,文章 uses cancer as a specific example 来 explain why Alzheimer's rises ("even after people beat the odds of dying from other diseases such as cancer")。These examples 把 abstract concept of "leading causes of death" 变成 tangible diseases that readers can visualize,making the discussion of mortality patterns more accessible and relatable,同时 supporting 文章关于 disease hierarchy shifting 的 central claim。

    信号词 such as for example for instance including like e.g. namely specifically the top five one reason

    仿写: 当你 present a general category or abstract concept 时,ask yourself: What specific instances would make this clear? Choose examples that are representative and recognizable。模版:「[总体概念]包括[具体例子A]、[具体例子B]和[具体例子C]」或「比如[具体例子],它[如何体现总体概念]」。在 medical or scientific writing,diseases, conditions, or specific cases 都是 powerful examples。Remember: examples 应该 illuminate rather than overwhelm,选择 most illustrative ones 而不是 exhaustive lists。

  • 作诠释

    P3

    文章在 第3段 对 Alzheimer's rise 提供了 explanatory interpretation:"One reason for the rise...may be that developing this condition remains possible even after people beat the odds of dying from other diseases." 然后进一步 elaborates with "In other words, it appears that their minds give out before their bodies do." 这个 interpretive explanation 不是 simply stating facts,而是 offering a causal mechanism 来 help readers understand why the pattern occurs。这种 interpretive layer adds depth to the statistical data presented elsewhere,让文章不仅 report changes 还 explain underlying logic,perfectly serving 文章探讨 mortality pattern shifts 的 analytical purpose。

    信号词 One reason may be In other words This means That is to say This suggests appears that This indicates The explanation is This is because due to as a result

    仿写: 当你 present complex data or phenomena 时,don't just state facts—explain the logic behind them。问自己:Why does this happen? What does this mean in practical terms? How can I make this clearer? 使用 explanatory phrases 来 introduce your interpretation。模版:「[现象]的原因可能是[解释性说明]」或「换句话说,[用更易懂的方式重述]」或「这意味着[阐明含义或影响]」。Key technique: 提供 a causal chain or a simplified restatement that makes your point more digestible。记住 use "may be," "appears," "suggests" 来 appropriately hedge interpretations when dealing with complex causality。

  • 分类别

    P1 P2

    文章在 第1段 implicitly categorizes centenarians by gender (women and men) 来 compare death rates,在 第2段 explicitly categorizes by disease types ("the top five causes of death"),organizing mortality causes into ranked categories。这种 categorical organization 让 complex mortality data 变得 structured and manageable,帮助 readers systematically understand different dimensions of centenarian health。By breaking down information into gender categories and disease type categories,文章能够 present a comprehensive yet organized picture of mortality trends,directly supporting 文章关于 changing patterns 的 analytical framework。

    信号词 top five categories types groups divided into classified as can be grouped falls into among leading causes women and men first...second...third

    仿写: 当你 deal with complex or multifaceted topics 时,ask yourself: What are the natural divisions or types within this subject? 确保 your categories are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive when possible。模版:「[主题]可以分为[类别A]和[类别B]」或「根据[分类标准],[主题]包括[类别列举]」。在 health or demographic writing,common classification bases include gender, age groups, disease types, time periods。Key principle: 让 your classification serve analytical purposes,每个 category 应该 reveal something meaningful about the phenomenon you're explaining。

IMPLIED MEANING · 言外之意

5 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。

  • 百岁老人死亡率下降暗示医疗进步

    P1
    the death rate among American centenarians...has decreased, dropping 14 percent for women and 20 percent for men from 2008 to 2014

    动态变化词 dropping declining decreasing rising surging soaring plummeting

    作者用 dropping 和具体的 percentage decrease 来 present data,言外之意是 medical advances 和 healthcare improvements 正在 extend longevity 并 reduce mortality risks for centenarians。这为整篇 article 奠定了一个 paradoxical foundation:虽然活得更久了,但 cause of death 的 composition 却在 shifting,这个 contrast 正是文章要探讨的 core issue。

  • 死因变化暗示疾病竞争关系

    P2
    But by 2014, the death rate from Alzheimer's disease for this age group had more than doubled—increasing from 3.8 percent to 8.5 percent—making the progressive brain disease the second leading cause of death

    转折类 but however yet nevertheless nonetheless whereas while

    But 引出的 sharp contrast 暗示:当 centenarians 成功 survive 其他 traditional killers 后,Alzheimer's 这种 mind-affecting disease 就 becomes prominent。言外之意是存在一种 disease competition—beating one disease 只是让 another disease 有机会 manifest。这个 insight 直接 supports 文章主旨中关于 mortality trends shifting 的 observation,并为第三段的 explanation 做了 groundwork。

  • 身体与大脑的存活顺序悖论

    P3
    developing this condition remains possible even after people beat the odds of dying from other diseases such as cancer

    让步类 even after even though despite in spite of regardless of notwithstanding albeit

    Even after 结构的言外之意是:physical resilience 和 cognitive health 是 separate dimensions of longevity。即使 physically 足够 strong 去 beat cancer 等 diseases,cognitive decline 仍然 unavoidable。这个 paradox 被第三段结尾的 summary sentence 明确化:minds give out before bodies do。这个 insight 是文章的 philosophical core,解释了为何 Alzheimer's 在 centenarians 中 rising so dramatically。

  • 流感死亡率下降揭示医疗干预成效

    P4
    On the other hand, the death rate from flu dropped from 7.4 percent in 2000 to 4.1 percent in 2014. That pushed flu from the third leading cause of death to the fifth.

    对比类 on the other hand in contrast conversely on the contrary by contrast alternatively in comparison

    On the other hand 引入的 positive trend 言外之意是:某些 diseases 是 controllable through interventions (如 vaccines、public health measures),而 neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's 仍然 lack effective prevention。这个 contrast reinforces 文章主旨:mortality landscape 正在 transform,reflecting both medical victories (flu) 和 emerging challenges (Alzheimer's)。这种 nuanced picture 比 single trend 更 accurately captures centenarian health reality。

  • 人口增长与死亡增加的表面矛盾

    P5
    But because this population is getting larger, the number of deaths in this group is also increasing—18,434 centenarians died in 2000, whereas 25,914 died in 2014

    因果解释类 but because because since as due to owing to given that

    But because 的言外之意是:不要被 absolute death numbers 的 increase mislead—这是 denominator effect 而非 health crisis。作者通过 causal explanation 确保 readers 理解:increasing deaths 和 decreasing death rates 可以 coexist,这是 demographic reality 而非 contradiction。这个 clarification 对文章主旨至关重要,因为它 validates opening statement 的 positive framing (death rates declining) despite seeming negative data (more deaths)。

AUTHOR ATTITUDE · 作者态度

作者态度:客观中立

结论先行:本文作者态度为客观中立( Objective and Analytical)。下面是按步骤还原的判断过程与文中的态度信号词。

  1. 数据先行,情感词过滤 P1

    说明文的核心任务是informative reporting,如果开篇只有percentage和number而没有情感色彩的形容词,就说明作者倾向于neutral stance,而不是主观judgment。

  2. 因果段落抓hedge词 P3

    说明文常常需要给出causal explanation,但严谨的作者会用hedge word来保留uncertainty,这正是objective和scientific态度的典型标志。

  3. 对比段落查平衡性 P4

    说明文里如果作者同时呈现Alzheimer's death rate上升和flu death rate下降这两种相反趋势,且没有偏向某一方做过多的评价,就说明作者保持了balanced、neutral的报道立场。

  4. 全文信号词汇总确认 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5

    说明文的整体目的通常是informing而非persuading,如果全文从头到尾都是数字、hedge词和平衡转折,没有一句judgmental statement,就可以确定作者态度是objective neutral。

文中的态度信号词

  • decreased/dropped P1

    这类纯粹的quantitative change动词只描述数据变化,不带任何emotional judgment,说明作者在用neutral的语气呈现death rate的变化,而不是在做positive或negative的评价。

    同类词 decreased dropped declined fell reduced

  • may be P3

    这个hedge word表明作者在给出causal explanation时保持了tentative的态度,没有把这个原因当作absolute fact来断言,体现出scientific caution而非主观judgment。

    同类词 might could possibly perhaps

  • appears that P3

    这个短语再次强化了作者对'minds give out before bodies do'这一结论的谨慎态度,说明作者是在基于data做inference,而不是下达definitive judgment。

    同类词 seems that suggests that indicates that

  • On the other hand P4

    这个转折词引出了与Alzheimer's上升相反的flu death rate下降的trend,说明作者在平行呈现两种相反的数据变化,没有偏向某一个方向做过多渲染,体现出balanced reporting。

    同类词 However In contrast Conversely Meanwhile

  • Overall P5

    这个总结性副词引出了全文最后的population数据总结,进一步印证作者从头到尾都是在做quantitative summary,而不是在表达个人的opinion或emotion。

    同类词 In total Altogether In summary On the whole

GENRE · 速判体裁

30 秒判定这是一篇说明文

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说明文?

  1. 首段呈现客观数据 P1

    第1段 直接给出了 death rate 的具体 percentage drops(14% for women, 20% for men),这是典型的 factual information presentation。议论文会先抛出一个 debatable viewpoint,新闻报道则会用 who-what-when-where 的 lead structure。说明文的特征是 informative opening,没有明显的 argumentative stance 或 news angle。

  2. 时间对比展示变化 P2

    第2段 用了明确的 time contrast(2000 vs 2014)来说明 causes of death 的变化,这种 before-and-after comparison 是说明文的典型 organizational pattern。议论文不会花大量篇幅做 factual comparison,而是会用 examples 来 support arguments;新闻报道虽然也会提到时间,但重点在 recent events,不会做这种 systematic temporal analysis。

  3. 因果机制中性阐释 P3

    第3段 开头就是 'One reason for the rise...',然后详细 explain 了 causation logic。这种 explicit causal explanation 是说明文的 hallmark。议论文虽然也会讲 reasons,但目的是 justify an opinion,语气会更 assertive;新闻报道可能会 quote experts 来解释,但不会像这样进行 extended analytical explanation。说明文的 explanatory tone 是 neutral and educational。

  4. 全面平衡数据呈现 P4 P5

    第4段 和 第5段 都继续提供 specific numbers(7.4% to 4.1%, 72,197 vs 50,281),而且是 balanced presentation,既说 death rate 下降也说 total deaths 上升。这种 comprehensive data coverage 是说明文的特征。议论文会 selectively use data 来 strengthen arguments;新闻会 highlight most newsworthy numbers。说明文的 data presentation 是 systematic and complete,目的是 inform 而非 persuade 或 sensationalize。

  5. 通篇客观解释现象 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5

    这篇文章从头到尾都在 explain centenarian death patterns,用 data, chronological comparison, causal analysis 来构建 comprehensive understanding。没有任何 'we should' 或 'this is alarming' 的 judgmental language,也没有 'officials announced' 或 'incident occurred' 的 news reporting structure。Tone 始终是 informative and analytical,这正是说明文的 defining characteristic。和议论文相比缺少 persuasive intent,和新闻相比缺少 timeliness and event focus。

哪些词暴露了说明文体裁?

  • centenarians—people who have lived to age 100 or older P1 说明对象定义解释词 Alzheimer's disease progressive brain disease cognitive function heart disease stroke
  • In recent years P1 说明顺序与例证词 from 2008 to 2014 In 2000 by 2014 In 2014 compared to 50,281 in 2000
  • the death rate...has decreased, dropping 14 percent for women and 20 percent for men P1 事物属性功能描述词 the death rate...has decreased, dropping 14 percent the top five causes of death the death rate from Alzheimer's disease...had more than doubled increasing from 3.8 percent to 8.5 percent the second leading cause of death
  • One reason for...may be that P3 说明顺序与例证词 In other words On the other hand Overall but because
  • The leading causes of death in this age group are also changing P1 事物属性功能描述词 the leading causes of death...are also changing making the progressive brain disease the second leading cause People physically fit enough to survive over 100 years ultimately give in to diseases their minds give out before their bodies do the total number of centenarians is going up
SENTENCE INSIGHTS · 句子精讲

10 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 2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 的常见问题

2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 文章的主旨是什么?
2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 文章章阐释了2000年至2014年间美国百岁老人死亡率的变化趋势,重点说明了死亡率下降、阿尔茨海默病成为第二大死因、流感影响减弱等现象,同时指出百岁老人群体总数在增长。(英文表述:The article explains changing mortality trends among American centenarians from 2000 to 2014, highlighting decreased death rates, the rise of Alzheimer's disease as the second leading cause of death, and the declining impact of flu, while noting the overall growth in the centenarian population.)
2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 文章是什么体裁?难度如何?
体裁为说明文,作者立场是客观中立(Objective and Analytical)。CEFR 难度 B2,全文 250 词、5 段;在英语六级全部 593 篇真题文章中,B2 级共 233 篇(占 39%)。
2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 文章的篇章结构是怎样的?
全文 5 段按说明文骨架分为 5 个意群:第1段——百岁老人死亡率下降现象;第2段——死因变化的具体数据对比;第3段——阿尔茨海默症死亡率上升的原因解释;第4段——流感死亡率下降的对比数据;第5段——百岁老人总体人口增长与死亡数量变化。
2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 文章的作者态度是什么?
作者态度是客观中立(Objective and Analytical)。判断路径:数据先行,情感词过滤 → 因果段落抓hedge词 → 对比段落查平衡性 → 全文信号词汇总确认;文中的态度信号词包括 decreased/dropped(第1段)、may be(第3段)、appears that(第3段)、On the other hand(第4段)、Overall(第5段)。
2016年12月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section B (2) 文章中有哪些值得积累的生词?
按文中出现顺序共 4 个:centenarian(百岁老人)、stroke(中风)、beat(战胜,击败)、give in to(屈服于,被...击垮),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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