通过研究04年考题，我发现文章最后一段的段首句十分重要。假设我们只读
这一句，看看会有什么结果：

Text 1
Even those who aren't hunting for jobs may find search agents worthwhile.
搜索代理甚至对那些不找工作的人也有价值。
本句暗含的意思：SA对找工作的人很有价值。

1. How did Redmon find his job?
[A] By searching openings in a job database.
[B] By posting a matching position in a database.
[C] By using a special service of a database.
[D] By E-mailing his resume to a database.
由于没读文章，所以我们不知道R是如何找到工作的，但至少应和SA有关。
看四个选项中的动词：search, post, use, E-mail，能和SA发生关系的只有
use，所以选C。

5. Which of the following is true according to the text?
[A] Personal search agents are indispensable to job-hunters.
[B] Some sites keep E-mailing job seekers to trace their demands.
[C] Personal search agents are also helpful to those already employed.
[D] Some agents stop sending information to people once they are
      employed.
本题的C与我们读的这句几乎一样，考研阅读中有这样一个原则，没有哪个选项
是因为太接近原文而被排除的，所以选C。

Text 2
The humiliation continues.
耻辱的感觉还在继续。
本句暗含的意思：本文的主题(Topic)，是讲一种耻辱。

7. What can we infer from the first three paragraphs?
[A] In both East and West, names are essential to success.
[B] The alphabet is to blame for the failure of Zoë Zysman.
[C] Customers often pay a lot of attention to companies' names.
[D] Some form of discrimination is too subtle to recognize.
在四个选项中找与耻辱有关的词，马上找到discrimination，选D。另外，
像A、B、C这样的选项是很典型的就事论事的选项，不读文章也能分辨得出。

Text 3
Many folks see silver linings to this slowdown.
面对这种衰退，人们看到了一线希望。
本句暗含的意思：从绝望中寻找希望。

11. By "Ellen Spero isn't biting her nails just yet"(Line 1, Paragraph 1), the
author means_____.
[A] Spero can hardly maintain her business
[B] Spero is too much engaged in her work
[C] Spero has grown out of her bad habit
[D] Spero is not in a desperate situation
由于是第一句，既可以是文章主旨，也可以是首句陷阱（后面有But），所以
本题A、D都有可能。但根据常识，咬指甲表示紧张，所以选D的可能性更大。

12. How do the public feel about the current economic situation?
[A] Optimistic.
[B] Confused.
[C] Carefree.
[D] Panicked.
本题首先排除“永陪选项”B、C，剩下A和D。现在要用另一条原则：考研
阅读的文章，态度绝大多数是积极乐观的，尤其当谈到经济的时候。
“看到一线希望”，应该不至于恐慌吧，所以选A。

15. To which of the following is the author likely to agree?
[A] A new boom, on the horizon.
[B] Tighten the belt, the single remedy.
[C] Caution all right, panic not.
[D] The more ventures, the more chances.
找从绝望中寻找希望的意思，选C。

Text 4
School remains a place where intellect is mistrusted.
学校仍在排斥对智力的培养。
本句暗含的意思：学校原来就这么干的。

16. What do American parents expect their children to acquire in school?
[A] The habit of thinking independently.
[B] Profound knowledge of the world.
[C] Practical abilities for future career.
[D] The confidence in intellectual pursuits.
本题选C。原则三：考研文章，常常找两个东东，让它们打架。
如：intellectual Vs practical; scientists Vs "untaught minds"; right-to-life  
Vs right-to-die; businessmen Vs consumers——关键看作者是哪头儿的。

17. We can learn from the text that Americans have a history of_____.
[A] undervaluing intellect
[B] favoring intellectualism
[C] supporting school reform
[D] suppressing native intelligence
本题选A。

20. What does the author think of intellect?
[A] It is second to intelligence.
[B] It evolves from common sense.
[C] It is to be pursued.
[D] It underlies power.
根据mistrusted，就能选C。

读了四句话，得了18分，效果还可以。