第四节 长句句法结构
为了提高阅读理解试题的难度，命题人就"事实与细节"命题时，也经常是针对句子结构比较复杂的长句来设计问题。遇到这种情况，考生首先要找出句中的主干成分，分清次要成分，如：定语、状语、插入语等；然后对照选项来进行选择，判断该问题+正确选项能否准确地表达原句的信息值。
例1 (1996年考题第3篇59题)
In the last half of the nineteenth century " capital" and "labor" were enlarging and perfecting their rival organizations on modern lines. Many an old firm was replaced by a limited liability company with a large professional element and prevented the decline in efficiency that so commonly spoiled the fortunes of family firms in the second and third generation after the energetic founders It was moreover a step away from individual initiative, towards collectivism and municipal and state-owned business. The railway companies, though still private business managed for the benefit of shareholders, were very unlike old family business. At the same time the great municipalities went into business to supply lighting, trams and other services to the taxpayers.
It's true of the old family firms that _____ .
［A］ they were spoiled by the younger generations
［B］ they failed for lack of individual initiative
［C］ they lacked efficiency compared with modern companies
［D］ they could supply adequate services to the taxpayers
本题解题依据在文中第二、三句。第二句提出"许多老公司被拥有各级拿薪水的经营的有限公司所取代"，而第三句叙述"这一变化通过一大批专业人员使用适应了新时代技术的要求，防止效率下降。而效率下降使许多老家族公司破产，因为第二、三代继承人已不像公司创立者那样精力充沛"。该句是一个并列句，即："The change met the technical requirements of the new age ...... and (the change)prevented the decline in efficiency ..."，在前一个句中"by"短语作方式状语；在后一个句中关系代词"that"引导定语从句，其先行词为"efficiency"。为此，解题范围可以压缩到"many an old firm was replaced by a limited liability company .... The change ... prevented the decline in efficiency ..."。言外之意 "limited liability company"(即modern company)代替"old family firms"是为防止"the decline in efficiency"。故而正确答案为C项。
例2 (1996年考题第5篇 68题)
The first four chapters of Kitcher's book give a very brief introduction to evolution. At appropriate places, he introduces the criticisms of the creationists and provides answers. In the last three chapters, he takes off his gloves and gives the creationists a good beating. He describes their programs and tactics, and, for those unfamiliar with the ways of creationists, the extent of their deception and distortion may come as an unpleasant surprise. When their basic motivation is religious, one might have expected move Christian behavior.
Kitcher's book is intended to _____ .
［A］ recommend the views of the evolutionists
［B］ expose the true features of creationists
［C］ curse bitterly at this opponents
［D］ launch a surprise attack on creationists
该题解题范围在文中第三句，即："He describes their programs and tactics, and, for those unfamiliar with the ways of creationists, the extent of their deception and distortion may come as an unpleasant surprise"，本句是个并列句，连词"and"连接前后两个句子，在后一个句子当中，主语是"the extent ... and distortion"；"may come"作这两个并列成分的谓语；介词短语"for those ..."作状语。全句的句意为："他描述了他们的纲领及骗人手段，对那些不了解他们把戏的人来讲，他们的欺骗程度和歪曲程度会令人感到吃惊和厌恶"。正确答案为B项。