懒笔记
2021年考研英语一真题 Section II Part A (3) Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures
Postgraduate · 来自 2021年考研英语一真题 · Section II Part A (3) · 阅读理解（四选一）

Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures

2021年考研英语一真题文章逐层精读

BBC History《BBC历史》2020年1月刊文章Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures(微笑的维多利亚人:为何我们的祖先拍照不笑是个谣言)。

本页是 2021年考研英语一真题 Section II Part A (3) 文章的精读视角页——这篇说明文全文 444 词、6 段，CEFR 难度 C1（C1 级在考研英语一文章中占 90%），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，其中能迁移到其他考研英语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

6 段英文原文

以下为2021年考研英语一真题 Section II Part A (3) 的阅读理解（四选一）原文，共 6 段。左侧 P1–P6 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。

Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures

As a historian who's always searching for the text or the image that makes us re-evaluate the past, I've become preoccupied with looking for photographs that show our Victorian ancestors smiling (what better way to shatter the image of 19th-century prudery?). I've found quite a few, and—since I started posting them on Twitter—they have been causing quite a stir. People have been surprised to see evidence that Victorians had fun and could, and did, laugh. They are noting that the Victorians suddenly seem to become more human as the hundred-or-so years that separate us fade away through our common experience of laughter.

Of course, I need to concede that my collection of 'Smiling Victorians' makes up only a tiny percentage of the vast catalogue of photographic portraiture created between 1840 and 1900, the majority of which show sitters posing miserably and stiffly in front of painted backdrops, or staring absently into the middle distance. How do we explain this trend?

During the 1840s and 1850s, in the early days of photography, exposure times were notoriously long: the daguerreotype photographic method (producing an image on a silvered copper plate) could take several minutes to complete, resulting in blurred images as sitters shifted position or adjusted their limbs. The thought of holding a fixed grin as the camera performed its magical duties was too much to contemplate, and so a non-committal blank stare became the norm.

But exposure times were much quicker by the 1880s, and the introduction of the Box Brownie and other portable cameras meant that, though slow by today's digital standards, the exposure was almost instantaneous. Spontaneous smiles were relatively easy to capture by the 1890s, so we must look elsewhere for an explanation of why Victorians still hesitated to smile.

One explanation might be the loss of dignity displayed through a cheesy grin. "Nature gave us lips to conceal our teeth," ran one popular Victorian maxim, alluding to the fact that before the birth of proper dentistry, mouths were often in a shocking state of hygiene. A flashing set of healthy and clean, regular 'pearly whites' was a rare sight in Victorian society, the preserve of the super-rich (and even then, dental hygiene was not guaranteed).

A toothy grin (especially when there were gaps or blackened gnashers) lacked class: drunks, tramps, and music hall performers might gurn and grin with a smile as wide as Lewis Carroll's gum-exposing Cheshire Cat, but it was not a becoming look for properly bred persons. Even Mark Twain, a man who enjoyed a hearty laugh, said that when it came to photographic portraits there could be "nothing more damning than a silly, foolish smile fixed forever".

PARAGRAPHS · 逐段精读

6 段逐段主旨与解读

逐段拆解2021年考研英语一真题 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

    Smiling Victorians Reconsidered

    Smiling photographs humanize Victorians and challenge their prudish image.

    本段承担 introduction 的功能，它先否定“维多利亚人天性冷漠或过分拘谨”的简单印象，为全文追问“为何多数照片仍不笑”建立了问题背景。

    照片打破刻板印象
  2. P2

    The Puzzle of Unsmiling Portraits

    Most Victorian portraits were unsmiling, raising the question of why.

    本段是全文的 problem-setting paragraph，它校正首段可能造成的印象，并正式引出说明对象：Victorians 为什么在照片中很少微笑。

    让步后提出谜题
  3. P3

    Long Exposure, Blank Expressions

    Long early exposure times made neutral expressions the norm in photographs.

    本段提供全文的第一个解释，即摄影技术原因；它说明早期的不笑未必反映情绪，而可能只是拍摄条件造成的 practical limitation。

    长曝光难以保持笑容
  4. P4

    Beyond Technical Limitations

    Improved photography meant that later Victorian unsmiling portraits needed another explanation.

    本段发挥 transition 的作用：它承认早期技术原因成立，却指出其不能解释后期现象，从而把全文的解释重心转向社会观念。

    技术进步排除旧因
  5. P5

    Teeth, Hygiene, and Dignity

    Poor dental hygiene made showing teeth in a smile seem undignified.

    本段提出全文第二类、也是更深层的原因：不笑不仅是技术问题，更与 Victorian society 对牙齿、卫生和体面的文化判断有关。

    牙齿差而羞于露齿
  6. P6

    Why a Broad Smile Lacked Class

    Victorian social norms treated broad smiles as low-class and unsuitable for formal portraits.

    本段进一步完成社会原因的论证：它把“牙齿卫生差”提升为“阶层与礼仪规范”的问题，并最终说明维多利亚人不笑主要不是因为不快乐，而是因为正式肖像中的 smile 被认为不得体。

    露齿笑被视为低俗
SELF CHECK · 段落自检题

6 道逐段细节自检题

针对2021年考研英语一真题这篇原文，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 posted photographs perception of Victorians

    What effect did the posted photographs have on people's perception of Victorians?

    • A They proved that Victorian portrait photography was technically advanced.
    • B They convinced people that most Victorian portraits showed smiling sitters.
    • C They made Victorians appear more human and capable of ordinary joy.
    • D They encouraged people to reject all images of Victorian prudery.
    • E They revealed that laughter had disappeared for more than a century.
    • F They showed that Twitter had replaced historical research.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：C

    正确项准确压缩了段中的两层结果：一是公众发现 Victorians could have fun and laugh；二是共同的 laughter 拉近了时代距离，使他们 seem more human。选项没有照抄原句，而是用 appear more human 和 ordinary joy 完成同义改写。障碍在于题干问 effect，原文却将效果拆分为 surprised、had fun、could laugh、more human 等连续表达；考生须合并这些 evidence，而不能只截取一个词。

    发布后的认知回声 时间极紧时，不必逐句翻译。用题干中的 posted photographs 直接定位到 第1段，再把视线只投向该动作后的评价词和心理动词；将选项按“认知结果”与“事实/技术/媒介”二分，只有正确项属于前者。这个“词性功能筛选”比逐项逐字比对更快。

  2. 第 2 段 定位词 general pattern acknowledge

    What general pattern in Victorian photographic portraiture does the writer acknowledge?

    • A Smiling portraits formed the dominant category between 1840 and 1900.
    • B Portraits usually showed sitters engaged in lively social activities.
    • C The catalogue contained only portraits made with painted backdrops.
    • D Most portraits depicted sitters as stiff, miserable, or distant rather than cheerful.
    • E Victorian sitters preferred to look directly into the camera.
    • F The writer's collection covered nearly all Victorian photographic records.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：D

    该项以 Most 对应 majority，以 stiff、miserable、distant 分别概括 posing miserably and stiffly、staring absently into the middle distance，并用 rather than cheerful 凸显与 smiling images 的反差。它既保留了“主流肖像”的范围，也保留了人物姿态和神情的负面特征。障碍在于原文用两种不同画面描写主流状态，选项则将它们整合为一个概括。

    数量词审计 用 acknowledge 反向寻找 第2段 的让步信号，而不必从全文搜索 Victorian portraiture。随后只做“比例审计”：把选项中的 most、only、dominant 等词，与原文的 tiny percentage、majority 逐一对照。通过比例关系的正确项即为答案项，其他内容甚至可暂不精译。

  3. 第 3 段 定位词 blank stare early photographic portraits

    Why did a blank stare become common in early photographic portraits?

    • A Sitters considered smiling morally improper in all public settings.
    • B Daguerreotypes automatically produced expressionless faces.
    • C Painted backdrops prevented photographers from recording smiles.
    • D Sitters needed to move their limbs constantly during the process.
    • E Long exposure times made it difficult for sitters to maintain a fixed smile.
    • F Photographers deliberately preferred blurred portraits to smiling ones.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：E

    该项准确抓住原因链的核心：exposure times notoriously long，拍摄过程可持续 several minutes；人物一动便会 blurred，因此 holding a fixed grin 不可行，blank stare 才成为 norm。Long exposure times 与 maintain a fixed smile 分别是对原文技术条件和行为困难的凝练复述。障碍在于原文插入 daguerreotype、silvered copper plate 等技术细节，考生需抽取真正服务因果关系的主干。

    盯住so前因 锁定 第3段 后，直接寻找段末的 so；在说明文中，so 前通常压缩直接原因，so 后通常落在现象结果。题干复现的是结果端，因此只需把 so 前的关键限制与选项比对，正确项即答案项，无须逐一处理技术插入语。

  4. 第 4 段 定位词 another explanation reluctance to smile

    Why does the writer say that another explanation is needed for Victorian reluctance to smile?

    • A Exposure times became longer again after the introduction of portable cameras.
    • B The Box Brownie could capture smiles only under digital standards.
    • C Portable cameras made formal portraiture completely impossible.
    • D Victorians had stopped using cameras by the 1890s.
    • E Spontaneous smiles were harder to record than fixed grins.
    • F Faster exposure had made spontaneous smiles easy to capture, yet people still hesitated to smile.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：F

    正确项完整复现作者的推理：by the 1880s exposure times were much quicker，by the 1890s spontaneous smiles were relatively easy to capture，然而 Victorians still hesitated to smile。因此，早期的技术解释已不能单独覆盖后期现象。障碍在于选项通过 yet 压缩了原文跨句的反差；考生必须识别“技术可行性”与“社会行为意愿”不是同一层面。

    改善未解旧题 在 第4段 中，不看具体相机名，专找语义反转轴：but 与 still。把 but 前后的技术进步、以及 still 后的持续现象压缩成“条件改善／现象未改”，能同时排除只讲技术或只讲时间的选项；符合双端结构的正确项即答案项。

  5. 第 5 段 定位词 maxim lips and teeth

    What does the Victorian maxim about lips and teeth imply?

    • A Poor dental hygiene meant that healthy, attractive teeth were uncommon and that many people had reason to hide their teeth.
    • B Lips were believed to improve the medical condition of damaged teeth.
    • C Proper dentistry had made clean teeth common among ordinary people.
    • D Victorians regarded every visible tooth as a sign of super-rich status.
    • E A cheesy grin was admired as the highest form of dignity.
    • F Dental hygiene was guaranteed even for the super-rich.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：A

    该项还原了格言的隐含前提：before proper dentistry，mouths were often in a shocking state of hygiene；healthy, clean, regular pearly whites 是 rare sight。因此，conceal teeth 并非单纯礼仪动作，而与牙齿常不整洁、不健康的现实有关。障碍在于原文先说 dignity，再引 maxim；正确理解必须把格言后面的 alluding to 视为作者提供的解释钥匙。

    引文后的白话钥匙 在 第5段 看到引号后，跳过格言的修辞难点，直接抓 alluding to the fact 之后的内容；它是作者的“白话解码器”。将该释义区的卫生状况与 rare sight 两个信息合并，能迅速选出正确项，避免被 lips 的字面含义带偏。

  6. 第 6 段 定位词 toothy grin properly bred persons

    Why was a broad toothy grin considered unsuitable for properly bred persons?

    • A It made people appear too wealthy to be socially acceptable.
    • B It was associated with low-class or comic figures and was seen as lacking dignity.
    • C It could not be captured clearly in photographic portraits.
    • D It was reserved exclusively for respected music hall performers.
    • E Mark Twain believed it showed a person's hearty sense of humor.
    • F It was unsuitable only when a sitter had gaps in their teeth.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：B

    该项整合了段落的两个直接证据：toothy grin lacked class；drunks、tramps 与 music hall performers 可以 gurn and grin，而这不是 properly bred persons 的 becoming look。low-class or comic figures 概括前三类群体，lacking dignity 则概括 lacked class 与 not becoming 的规范判断。障碍在于 Mark Twain 的引语把焦点扩展到 photographic portraits，考生需抓住其与前文一致的负面评价，而不能被 hearty laugh 误导。

    人群对照判身份 定位 第6段 后，采用“人群替换法”：不细读所有修辞，只看 grin 前后被并列的群体，以及 but 后的身份标签。若一个选项能把前一组群体的社会形象与后一组人的规范冲突合并，正确项即答案项；任何技术、财富或个人喜好的说法都可秒排。

STRUCTURE · 篇章结构

6 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. P1

    引入话题：维多利亚时代人物微笑照片的发现

    作者以 historian 的身份 introduce 了一个 surprising discovery，即找到了 Victorians smiling 的 photographs，这些 evidence 打破了人们对 19th-century prudery 的 stereotype，让 Victorians 显得 more human and relatable through laughter。

    这个 opening paragraph 通过 present 反常的 smiling Victorians photos，为后文 explain 为什么 majority of portraits show unsmiling faces 这个 central question 做好 preparation，形成 contrast 和 curiosity。

    提出待解释现象
  2. P2

    提出核心问题：为何大多数照片中维多利亚人不微笑

    作者 acknowledge 了一个 important fact：smiling photos 只占 tiny percentage，而 majority of Victorian portraits show sitters posing miserably and stiffly，然后 explicitly raise 了文章的 central question：how to explain this trend of unsmiling faces。

    这个 transitional paragraph 从 opening 的 interesting discovery 转向文章的 core inquiry，通过 concede the statistical reality 并 pose a direct question，为后续的 systematic explanation 建立了 clear direction 和 argumentative structure。

    明确研究问题
  3. P3

    第一个解释：早期摄影的长曝光时间

    文章 provide 了 first explanation：在 1840s and 1850s 的 early photography era，daguerreotype method 需要 several minutes 的 exposure time，这导致 holding a grin 太 difficult，所以 blank stare 成为了 norm。

    这个 paragraph 给出了 chronologically first explanation，通过 describe technical constraints of early photography 来 account for unsmiling portraits。它 establish 了 technical factors 作为 one layer of causation，为后续 explore other reasons 提供了 baseline。

    技术原因解释
  4. P4

    技术进步后问题依然存在，引出深层原因

    作者 point out 了一个 crucial fact：到 1880s exposure times 已经 much quicker，1890s 时 spontaneous smiles 已经 easy to capture，但 Victorians 仍然 hesitated to smile，所以 must look elsewhere for explanation，暗示有 deeper social reasons。

    这个 transitional paragraph 起到 critical pivoting role：它 refute 了 technical explanation 的 sufficiency，通过 establish 技术 improvement 与 behavior persistence 的 contrast，为 shift to social and cultural explanations 创造了 logical necessity。

    排除技术因素
  5. P5

    第二个解释：牙齿卫生状况与尊严观念

    文章 present 了 second explanation：showing teeth 被视为 loss of dignity，因为 proper dentistry 出现之前 oral hygiene 普遍 shocking，只有 super-rich 才有 healthy teeth。Victorian maxim "Nature gave us lips to conceal our teeth" reflect 了这种 social attitude。

    这个 paragraph introduce 了 social and physiological explanation，通过 link dental hygiene to social norms about dignity，为 unsmiling portraits 提供了 cultural context。它 expand the causal framework from pure技术 to socio-cultural dimension。

    卫生原因解释
  6. P6

    第三个解释：阶级观念与社会规范

    文章 elaborate 了 class-based social norms：toothy grin 被认为 lack class，是 drunks, tramps, and performers 的 behavior，不适合 properly bred persons。Even Mark Twain criticize "silly, foolish smile" in photographs，reinforcing 这种 social convention about photographic decorum。

    这个 concluding paragraph 完成了 explanation framework，通过 establish social class distinctions 和 cite authoritative opinion（Mark Twain），solidify 了 cultural explanation for unsmiling portraits。它 bring together hygiene concerns 和 behavioral norms into a coherent social picture。

    阶级规范解释
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2021年考研英语一真题 这篇原文的实际行文顺序给出，每步说明看哪里、看出什么，可直接迁移到其他考研英语文章。

  1. 首段对比定调 P1

    说明文的 opening 通常会 present 一个 puzzle 或 debunk 一个 misconception，这里 historian 通过 posting smiling Victorian photos 来 shatter the image of prudery，这个 contrast 就是文章要 address 的 central issue。

  2. 显性提问定位 P2

    说明文的 core structure 是 question-answer pattern，当 author 明确提出 'How' 或 'Why' question 时，subsequent paragraphs 就是在 provide explanations。这个 question 把文章的 focus 从 challenging stereotype 转向 explaining the phenomenon。

  3. 多因素并列识别 P3 P4 P5 P6

    说明文通常采用 multi-causal explanation structure，每个 body paragraph 提供一个 contributing factor。通过识别 temporal markers（1840s, 1880s, 1890s）和 transitional phrases（One explanation might be），可以快速把握 author 正在 layer multiple reasons 来 build a comprehensive explanation。

  4. 三元素整合提炼 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6

    说明文的主旨是 comprehensive understanding，不是单一 claim。通过 integrating opening context、central question、和 layered explanations，可以形成完整的 thematic statement：debunking misconception + explaining phenomenon + identifying root causes。

主旨信号词 explain P2 shatter P1 notoriously P3 but P4 might be P5

MAIN IDEA · 主旨

这篇文章在说什么

这篇说明文解释了为什么维多利亚时代的人在照片中很少微笑,打破了维多利亚时代古板严肃的刻板印象。文章将不笑的肖像归因于早期摄影的长曝光时间,以及将露齿与口腔卫生差和缺乏尊严联系起来的社会态度,而非不快乐。
This expository text explains why Victorians rarely smiled in photographs, debunking the stereotype of Victorian prudery. It attributes unsmiling portraits to early photography's long exposure times and social attitudes associating visible teeth with poor hygiene and lack of dignity, rather than unhappiness.
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。已收录进考研英语高频真题词集的单词可点击进入词条页。

  • preoccupied 全神贯注于、专注于、心思被占据

    现在让我们把这些 clues 串联起来。首先，从 morphology 看，pre- + occupy 的组合暗示某事物提前占据了 mind；其次，句法上 'become preoccupied with doing' 这个 pattern 表明这是一种状态，且与 specific activity 紧密关联；最后，从整体 context 看，作者从 always searching 发展到 preoccupied 再到 found quite a few，这个 progression 显示这不是 casual interest，而是一种 deeply absorbed 的状态。三条线索共同指向：preoccupied 描述的是一种 mind 被某事物 completely occupied 的状态，即全神贯注、专注投入的意思。

    构词分解加句法搭配加语境逻辑的三维验证
  • concede 承认、认可（尤指不情愿地承认不利事实）

    让我们整合这些 evidence。从 morphology 看，con- 可能有 together 的意思，但这条 clue 较弱。关键在于后两条：syntactically，'I need to concede that' 这个 pattern 后面跟的是对作者 previous argument 不利的 fact（only tiny percentage）；从 discourse level 看，第1段 的 enthusiastic claim 和 第2段 的 'Of course' 转折形成 claim-counterclaim structure，concede 在这里承担的是 acknowledge limitation 的 rhetorical function。两条 strong clues 共同指向：concede 意思是承认、认可，尤其是承认对自己 argument 或 position 不利的 fact。

    识别话语转折功能推断表态动词含义
  • gurn 做怪相、扭曲面部表情（尤指夸张地咧嘴）

    现在串联这些 clues：首先，'gurn and grin' 的 parallel structure 告诉我们 gurn 是与 grin 相关的 facial expression；其次，social context 显示这是 drunks, tramps 等 lower-class people 的 behavior，lacking dignity；最关键的是 gum-exposing Cheshire Cat 这个 vivid image，暗示 extremely wide mouth opening 和 facial contortion。综合这三条线索，gurn 应该是指一种 make exaggerated, distorted facial expression 的 action，比 regular grin 更夸张、更扭曲，可能涉及 pulling faces 或 contorting features。

    并列句法加社会评价加具象比喻三层收窄
  • gnasher 牙齿（非正式、口语化用法）

    让我们整合 evidence：从 morphology 看，-er suffix 表明这是某种 concrete object；从 thematic context 看，整个 paragraph 围绕 teeth 和 dental hygiene 展开，gnashers 出现在 gaps or blackened 的修饰下；从 syntactic relationship 看，toothy grin 和 gaps or blackened gnashers 形成 cause-effect，说明 gnashers 就是 teeth being shown。三条线索共同指向：gnashers 是 teeth 的 informal/colloquial term，在这个 Victorian context 中，可能是一种带有 lower-class 或 crude connotation 的说法。

    词类加话题域加搭配词加正式对比判断俚语
RHETORIC · 修辞手法

7 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。

  • 举例子

    P1

    作者在 第1段 中提到自己在 Twitter 上发布 Victorian 时期的 smiling photographs，引发了 quite a stir。这个 concrete example 不仅证明了 Victorians 确实会 laugh 和 have fun，更重要的是通过 specific case 打破了读者对 19th-century prudery 的 stereotype，为后文探讨 why most Victorian photos show unsmiling faces 建立了 contrast 和 curiosity。Example 的 power 在于让 abstract argument 变得 tangible and relatable。

    信号词 for example for instance such as like I've found take...as an example consider look at case in point

    仿写： 当你要 explain 一个 phenomenon 或 debunk 一个 misconception 时，可以先提供一个 concrete example 作为 entry point。模版：As a [你的角色] who's [你在做什么], I've [发现了什么具体例子]. I've found [具体发现], and [这个发现引发的反应]. People have been [人们的反应], noting that [从例子得出的insight]。这种 opening strategy 让 abstract topics 立刻变得 accessible。

  • 列数字

    P1 P2 P3 P4

    文章在 第2段 和 第3段 中频繁使用 specific time periods：'between 1840 and 1900'、'the 1840s and 1850s'、'by the 1880s'、'by the 1890s'。这些 precise numbers 建立了清晰的 chronological framework，帮助 readers 理解 photographic technology 的 evolution 和不同时期 smiling 的 feasibility。Numerical data 让 explanation 更加 scientific 和 authoritative，避免了 vague generalizations。

    信号词 between...and... during the by the several minutes the 1840s the 1880s 19th-century hundred-or-so years

    仿写： When explaining historical or technical topics，strategically embed specific numbers 来 anchor your explanation。模版：During the [具体年代], [现象]; by the [另一个年代], [变化]; [具体数字/时长] meant that [结果]。注意 numbers 要 serve a purpose：用来 show progression、establish scale、或 provide evidence，而不是单纯的 decoration。在说明文中，time-related numbers 特别有效，因为它们 create a narrative of change。

  • 作比较

    P4

    第4段 中的'slow by today's digital standards, the exposure was almost instantaneous'构成了 temporal comparison。通过 contrasting Victorian-era photography 和 modern digital photography，作者 highlights 了 1890s 技术的 relative advancement。这个 comparison 对 thesis 至关重要：它 eliminates technology 作为 later Victorian photos 中 unsmiling faces 的 excuse，forcing readers 去 consider social and cultural factors。Comparison 是 analytical thinking 的 cornerstone。

    信号词 by...standards compared to unlike in contrast whereas while than more...than different from similar to

    仿写： 使用 comparison 来 contextualize information 或 eliminate alternative explanations。模版：Though [A] by [标准B], [主体] was [实际状态] [by 标准A]. 或：Unlike [早期情况], [later situation] meant that [新的可能性], so we must look elsewhere for [真正原因]。这种 contrastive structure 特别适合 debunking common misconceptions 或 narrowing down causal factors。记住让 comparison serve your argument：每个 contrast 都应该 push readers toward your thesis。

  • 引资料

    P5 P6

    文章在 第5段 引用了'Nature gave us lips to conceal our teeth'这句 popular Victorian maxim，在 第6段 引用了 Mark Twain 的话'nothing more damning than a silly, foolish smile fixed forever'。这些 quotations 不是简单的 decoration，而是提供了 primary evidence of Victorian attitudes。Direct quotes 让 readers 直接接触 period mentality，比作者的 paraphrasing 更 authentic 和 persuasive。它们 substantiate 作者关于 Victorian values 的 claims with contemporary voices。

    信号词 said stated ran according to quoted as...put it in the words of remarked noted observed

    仿写： Strategic use of quotations 要选择那些 capture the essence of an era's mindset 或 crystallize a key concept。模版：'[引用原文],' ran/said [来源]，alluding to/indicating [引文deeper meaning 或 implication]. 引用后要 unpack 其 significance：不要让 quote 自己说话，而要 explain 它如何 support your point。在说明文中，优先选择 reveal attitudes、values、或 contemporary understanding 的 quotes，而不仅是 factual statements。

  • 作诠释

    P3 P5

    第3段 中对 daguerreotype method 的解释'producing an image on a silvered copper plate'，以及 第5段 中对 maxim 的阐释'alluding to the fact that before the birth of proper dentistry, mouths were often in a shocking state'都是典型的 explanatory elaboration。这些 parenthetical clarifications 确保 readers 能 grasp technical terms 和 understand underlying reasons。作诠释让 complex concepts accessible，同时 deepens readers' understanding of causal relationships，这对说明文的 explanatory purpose 至关重要。

    信号词 alluding to meaning indicating suggesting implying in other words that is i.e. namely referring to

    仿写： Use interpretive phrases 来 unpack technical terms 或 explain significance。模版：[术语/概念] ([具体解释]) could/meant/resulted in [影响]；或：[statement], alluding to/indicating [deeper meaning or context]. 注意 parenthetical explanations 和 'alluding to' structures 特别有效。在说明文中，每当引入 specialized term 或 making a claim that needs context 时，immediately provide interpretation。这种 anticipatory clarification 防止 readers 产生 confusion 或 misunderstanding。

  • 打比方

    P6

    第6段 中用'a smile as wide as Lewis Carroll's gum-exposing Cheshire Cat'来形容 exaggerated grins。这个 vivid simile 不仅 creates a memorable image，更重要的是 conveys Victorian attitudes：wide smiles 被 associated with fictional、comical、甚至 somewhat unsettling characters，而不是 respectable individuals。The metaphorical language 让 abstract social judgment 变得 concrete and visceral，帮助 readers 感受 Victorian class consciousness 和 aesthetic standards。

    信号词 as...as like similar to resemble reminiscent of akin to comparable to metaphorically figuratively

    仿写： Deploy figurative comparisons 来 make value judgments tangible 或 create memorable images。模版：[行为/特征] as [形容词] as [具体形象对比]。选择 culturally recognizable images（如文学角色、自然现象）来 anchor comparisons。在说明文中，metaphors 特别适合 conveying social attitudes 或 making qualitative distinctions。但要确保 comparison 服务于 explanation：每个 metaphor 都应该 illuminate rather than obscure your point。

  • 分类别

    P6

    第6段 中将 Victorian society 分为不同 social categories：'drunks, tramps, and music hall performers'代表 lower-class groups who could grin widely，而'properly bred persons'代表 upper-class individuals who should maintain dignity。这种 categorical distinction 对 thesis 至关重要：它 reveals 了 smiling 不仅是 aesthetic choice，更是 class marker。通过 classification，作者 demonstrates 了 Victorian social hierarchy 如何 regulate even facial expressions。

    信号词 and or such as including types of kinds of categories groups classified into divided into ranging from...to

    仿写： Use classification 来 reveal social structures 或 organize multiple factors。模版：[Group A, Group B, and Group C] might [行为A], but it was not [评价] for [Group D]. 或列举多个 categories 后用'but'或'while'来 highlight key distinction。在说明文中，有效的 classification 不仅 lists groups，还 shows 它们之间的 hierarchical 或 functional relationships。让 categories 服务于你的 argument：每个 category 都应该 illuminate a different aspect of your explanation。

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。

  • 微笑维多利亚人照片稀少但确实存在

    P1
    I've found quite a few

    模糊限制语 quite a few quite a bit a number of some several a certain amount of to some extent

    作者用 'quite a few' 这个 hedging expression，言外之意是虽然找到了一些 smiling Victorians 的照片，但这些只是 minority cases。这为第二段的 'only a tiny percentage' 做了铺垫，服务于文章主旨：说明 unsmiling portraits 才是 Victorian photography 的 dominant trend，需要被解释。这个 subtle qualification 让作者的 argument 显得更 credible and balanced，避免了 overgeneralization。

  • 微笑照片占比极小需要解释不笑的主流现象

    P2
    Of course, I need to concede that my collection of 'Smiling Victorians' makes up only a tiny percentage of the vast catalogue

    让步类 Of course, I need to concede that of course I need to concede that admittedly it is true that granted while it is true

    这个让步结构的言外之意是：虽然提到了 smiling Victorians，但作者真正想探讨的是 why the majority didn't smile。'Of course, I need to concede' 的 tone 表明作者在 deliberately shifting 话题，从 exceptions 到 general phenomenon。这个 concession 配合 'only a tiny percentage' 和 'How do we explain this trend?'，完成了从 opening anecdote 到 main thesis 的过渡，为后文解释 unsmiling portraits 的成因奠定了 argumentative foundation。对文章主旨而言，这个转折明确了 explanatory focus。

  • 早期长曝光时间不再是后期不笑的原因

    P4
    But exposure times were much quicker by the 1880s, and the introduction of the Box Brownie and other portable cameras meant that, though slow by today's digital standards, the exposure was almost instantaneous. Spontaneous smiles were relatively easy to capture by the 1890s, so we must look elsewhere for an explanation

    转折类 But but however yet nevertheless nonetheless on the contrary

    这个转折的言外之意是：技术层面的 obstacle（长曝光时间）在1880-1890年代已经 overcome，所以 Victorians 的 unsmiling 必然有 deeper social or cultural reasons。'We must look elsewhere' 明确告诉读者，真正的 explanation 不在 technical constraints，而在 social attitudes。这个转折对文章主旨至关重要，因为它把 discussion 从 superficial technical factor 推向 more profound cultural explanation（牙齿卫生和 class dignity），揭示 Victorian unsmiling 是 deliberate choice 而非 technical limitation。

  • 笑容展示牙齿有损体面形象

    P6
    A toothy grin (especially when there were gaps or blackened gnashers) lacked class: drunks, tramps, and music hall performers might gurn and grin with a smile as wide as Lewis Carroll's gum-exposing Cheshire Cat, but it was not a becoming look for properly bred persons

    委婉表达 lacked class not becoming improper unseemly undignified not befitting beneath one's station

    这段话的言外之意是 Victorian society 对 visible smiles 的 rejection 根植于 class-based notions of propriety and refinement。'Lacked class' 和对比 lower-class individuals 的描述，揭示了 smiling 被视为 socially inferior behavior 的文化逻辑。这直接服务于文章主旨：Victorians 不笑不是因为不开心或技术限制，而是因为 exposing teeth through smiles 与他们的 social identity and dignity 观念相悖。这个 cultural explanation 比技术原因更 fundamental，解释了为什么即使在技术允许的情况下，properly bred Victorians 依然 chose not to smile。

  • 连享受大笑的名人也反对照片中的笑容

    P6
    Even Mark Twain, a man who enjoyed a hearty laugh, said that when it came to photographic portraits there could be 'nothing more damning than a silly, foolish smile fixed forever'

    强调类 Even even not even even though as far as to to the extent that so much so that

    引用 Mark Twain 的言外之意是：即使是以 humor and laughter 闻名的人物，在 photographic portraiture 这个 formal context 中也坚决反对 smiling，说明这个 social convention 有多么 deeply entrenched。Twain 的 'nothing more damning' 用词之强烈，further emphasizes Victorian attitudes 的 rigidity。这个例子对文章主旨的作用是 providing authoritative validation：不笑不是 individual preference，而是 cross-class, widely accepted social standard，即使 culturally predisposed to laughter 的人也要 conform to it when facing the camera。这 consolidates 前面关于 dignity and propriety 的 cultural explanation。

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（ Curious and analytical with mild amusement）。下面是按步骤还原的判断过程与文中的态度信号词。

  1. 开篇人称与投入度 P1

    说明文作者如果用 first-person narrative 并且展现出 personal interest（比如 searching, preoccupied），通常说明这是一种 engaged but exploratory 的态度，而不是 detached reporting 或者 strong advocacy。

  2. 问题引入与让步承认 P2

    说明文作者如果使用 rhetorical questions 来 frame problems，并且用 concession language（need to concede, of course）来 acknowledge counterpoints，说明态度是 balanced and investigative，在 present 多个 perspectives 而不是 advocate 某一个 position。

  3. 多角度事实陈述 P3 P4 P5 P6

    说明文中如果作者 systematically present 多个 possible explanations（technical reasons in 第3段, social reasons in 第5段-6），并用 neutral descriptive language 而非 evaluative terms，说明态度是 exploratory and comprehensive 而非 argumentative。

  4. 趣味性文化例证 P5 P6

    说明文作者如果 incorporate literary references 和 vivid cultural examples 来 illustrate points，同时保持 informative purpose，说明态度是 intellectually curious with lighthearted touch，在 educate 的同时 entertain readers。

  5. 多维度特征整合 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6

    通过综合 first-person engagement, question-driven structure, multi-causal analysis, neutral language, 和 entertaining elements，可以 conclude 作者态度是 intellectually curious and analytical，保持 objective stance 来 explore 一个 intriguing historical phenomenon，属于 informed and balanced exposition。

文中的态度信号词

  • preoccupied P1

    Preoccupied 这个词 conveys sustained interest 和 intellectual engagement，显示作者不是 casually mentioning 这个 topic，而是 deeply invested in the search，这种 intensity of interest 表明 genuine curiosity 而非 detached observation。

    同类词 fascinated intrigued absorbed captivated engrossed

  • I need to concede P2

    这个 concession phrase 表明作者在 acknowledge limitations 和 counterevidence，显示 intellectual honesty 和 balanced thinking。说明文作者用 concede 来 qualify 自己的 findings，保持 objectivity 而不是 overstate a case。

    同类词 admittedly granted to be fair it must be acknowledged of course

  • How do we explain P2

    Rhetorical question 用 we 而不是 I，创造 collaborative inquiry atmosphere。这个 device invites readers 进入 analytical process，显示作者是 guiding exploration 而非 delivering answers，体现 investigative rather than declarative 的 approach。

    同类词 Why might this be What accounts for How can we understand What explains The question is

  • notoriously P3

    Notoriously 这个 adverb 带有 mild evaluative color，但在 neutral factual statement 中使用，显示作者在 acknowledge common knowledge 而不是 inject personal judgment。它 adds color 而保持 informative purpose。

    同类词 famously well-known for widely recognized commonly understood generally accepted

  • One explanation might be P5

    Tentative modal language（might be）表明作者在 present possibilities 而非 assert certainties。这种 hedging 显示 intellectual caution 和 openness to alternatives，是 analytical objectivity 的 marker。

    同类词 Perhaps Possibly It could be that Another factor may be This might account for

  • shocking state P5

    Shocking 这个 strong adjective 用来 describe historical fact（dental hygiene），加入 mild dramatic color 来 engage readers，但在 factual context 中使用，保持 descriptive rather than condemnatory purpose，显示 entertaining without judgment。

    同类词 shocking surprising remarkable striking notable

  • Lewis Carroll's gum-exposing Cheshire Cat P6

    Literary allusion 用 familiar cultural image 来 illustrate point，adding intellectual playfulness 和 reader engagement。这种 device 显示作者在 make exposition accessible and entertaining 而保持 informative goal，透露 lighthearted scholarly approach。

    同类词 literary reference cultural allusion metaphor comparison analogy

  • nothing more damning P6

    这个 strong phrase 来自 Mark Twain quote，作者通过 citation 来 present Victorian attitude 而不是 express own judgment。用 others' words 来 convey period perspective，保持 authorial distance 和 analytical objectivity。

    同类词 damning condemning critical harsh severe

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，可直接迁移到其他考研英语 真题文章。

如何快速判断这是一篇说明文？

  1. 首段功能识别 P1

    议论文的opening会directly state一个thesis或者controversial claim需要defend,新闻报道会lead with最重要的事件和when/where/who。但说明文的开头是introduce一个topic或者phenomenon,为后续的explanation做铺垫。这篇文章开头present了一个surprising discovery,而不是argue一个观点。

  2. 问答式结构 P2 P3 P4 P5

    说明文的core organizational principle是explanation和information delivery,常用question-answer pattern或者cause-effect pattern。这里第2段直接问'how do we explain',后面paragraphs就是answer这个question。议论文会围绕prove thesis来organize,用topic sentences supporting main argument。新闻会把most important info放最前面。

  3. 客观陈述语气 P3 P4 P5 P6

    议论文会用persuasive language、strong modals like 'must/should'、value judgments来convince readers。新闻会用urgent tone、active voice、recent time markers。说明文maintain neutral scholarly tone,focus on presenting facts和explaining mechanisms。这里作者是describing和explaining,不是arguing或reporting breaking news。

  4. 多角度解释 P5 P6

    议论文会clearly favor一个position并refute opposing views,用counter-arguments来strengthen own thesis。新闻会present facts但通常不deep dive into multiple theoretical explanations。说明文的hallmark是explore multiple angles、present various contributing factors、acknowledge complexity,目的是inform而非convince。这里作者列举technical reasons、social reasons来fully explain现象。

  5. 整体目的把握 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6

    说明文、议论文、新闻报道三者的fundamental difference在于writer-reader relationship和purpose:说明文是teacher-student dynamic,目标是knowledge transfer;议论文是advocate-audience dynamic,目标是change minds;新闻是reporter-public dynamic,目标是timely information delivery。这篇文章clearly establishes educator role,systematically building understanding through historical context和multiple explanations,这是quintessential expository writing。

哪些词暴露了说明文体裁？

  • explain this trend P2 说明对象定义解释词 explain explanation definition meaning refers to
  • During the 1840s and 1850s P3 说明顺序与时间框架词 during in the early days of by the 1880s by the 1890s first
  • the daguerreotype photographic method (producing an image on a silvered copper plate) P3 技术术语及其括号注释式定义 parenthetical definitions (also known as) (that is) (i.e.) (namely)
  • resulting in P3 因果关系说明词 leading to causing due to because of as a result of
  • we must look elsewhere for an explanation P4 说明推进与探究引导词 we must look for we need to consider we should examine let us explore it is necessary to investigate
  • One explanation might be P5 多元解释呈现词 one explanation another reason a further factor additionally moreover
  • alluding to the fact that P5 事实陈述与背景说明词 the fact that given that considering that in reality actually
  • before the birth of proper dentistry P5 历史背景与条件状态描述词 before prior to in the absence of without lacking
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 Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures 的常见问题

2021年考研英语一真题 Section II Part A (3) 文章 Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures 的原文出自哪里？
BBC History《BBC历史》2020年1月刊文章Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures(微笑的维多利亚人:为何我们的祖先拍照不笑是个谣言)。
2021年考研英语一真题文章 Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures 的主旨是什么？
2021年考研英语一真题 Section II Part A (3) 文章 Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures 说明文解释了为什么维多利亚时代的人在照片中很少微笑,打破了维多利亚时代古板严肃的刻板印象。文章将不笑的肖像归因于早期摄影的长曝光时间,以及将露齿与口腔卫生差和缺乏尊严联系起来的社会态度,而非不快乐。（英文表述：This expository text explains why Victorians rarely smiled in photographs, debunking the stereotype of Victorian prudery. It attributes unsmiling portraits to early photography's long exposure times and social attitudes associating visible teeth with poor hygiene and lack of dignity, rather than unhappiness.）
Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures（2021年考研英语一真题文章）是什么体裁？难度如何？
体裁为说明文，作者立场是客观中立（Curious and analytical with mild amusement）。CEFR 难度 C1，全文 444 词、6 段；在考研英语一全部 102 篇真题文章中，C1 级共 92 篇（占 90%）。
2021年考研英语一真题文章 Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures 的篇章结构是怎样的？
全文 6 段按说明文骨架分为 6 个意群：第1段——引入话题：维多利亚时代人物微笑照片的发现；第2段——提出核心问题：为何大多数照片中维多利亚人不微笑；第3段——第一个解释：早期摄影的长曝光时间；第4段——技术进步后问题依然存在，引出深层原因；第5段——第二个解释：牙齿卫生状况与尊严观念；第6段——第三个解释：阶级观念与社会规范。
Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures 一文的作者态度是什么？
作者态度是客观中立（Curious and analytical with mild amusement）。判断路径：开篇人称与投入度 → 问题引入与让步承认 → 多角度事实陈述 → 趣味性文化例证 → 多维度特征整合；文中的态度信号词包括 preoccupied（第1段）、I need to concede（第2段）、How do we explain（第2段）、notoriously（第3段）、One explanation might be（第5段）、shocking state（第5段）、Lewis Carroll's gum-exposing Cheshire Cat（第6段）、nothing more damning（第6段）。
2021年考研英语一真题文章 Smiling Victorians:why it's a myth that our ancestors didn't smile for pictures 中有哪些值得积累的生词？
按文中出现顺序共 4 个：preoccupied（全神贯注于、专注于、心思被占据）、concede（承认、认可（尤指不情愿地承认不利事实））、gurn（做怪相、扭曲面部表情（尤指夸张地咧嘴））、gnasher（牙齿（非正式、口语化用法）），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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