[编者按]精心收集近十多年来(1990年-2003年)的全国高考完形填空语篇，以及上海和广东的高考完形填空语篇,让考生好好地消化吸收。希望考生分四步走，第一步，快速阅读，迅速把握文章的文体类别，中心大意及篇章结构；第二步，仔细精读，落实文章中的关键词汇，疑难句子及重要语法点，做好笔记，归类总结；第三步，回头研读，展开联想，学会自己命题，考查自己运用英语的能力；第四步，反复朗读，培养语感。相信考生照此努力，定会收获意想不到的效果！（湖北省公安县车胤高级中学　刘昌军）
（一）
While my father was an officer of the British army in south Africa, we lived in a two-storied house. One evening my father and sister and I were sitting together. He was opposite the window. I suddenly noticed that he was turning very pale. I sat still, for I did not want to frighten my sick sister. Soon father said in a calm voice," Kate and Joan, a friend of mine is coming here to see me this evening, and I wish to be alone with him. Will you go up to your own room?" We obeyed, went to our room and closed the door.
Soon I heard a sound like that of a door burst in, and then a climb of feet. They were hurrying up the narrow stairs. Fearing that there was some danger near, I seized the pistol(手枪)on the table. Then I heard my father cry out," For God's sake(快!), child, open the door. "I did so. To my horror(恐怖),I saw, over my father's shoulder, a gorilla(大猩猩),the worst enemy of the soldier in Africa. He was running after my father. I raised the pistol and fired. The animal fell backwards with an angry loud cry. Father took the still smoking pistol from my hand, and fired another shot, which killed the gorilla.
It happened that father had sent us upstairs because he thought he would be able to lock the door－which was twenty feet away－before the animal reached it. However, the gorilla was too quick for him; and this was the cause of the hurried flight(逃跑)up the stairs. [NMET90]
简析：故事，记叙作者在南非的一次经历，最后补充说明作者父亲打发孩子们上楼的原因以及他后来匆忙上楼的原因。侧重动作描写。

(二)
On the night of the play, Jack was at the theatre early and he was already dressed in a policeman's clothes long before the end of the first scene. He certainly looked the part all right, he thought as he admired himself in the mirror. He even thought of going out into the street to see whether he could pass as a policeman out there. Just for fun, of course.
Then he suddenly felt nervous. After all, it was his first time to have a part in a play. How could he face all those people watching the play? He put his head in his hands and tried to remember his lines, but nothing came to his mind.
A knock on the door made him look up. He was to go on stage in the second scene." Have I missed my part and ruined(破坏)the play for everybody ?"He thought to himself. But it was only the manager. She noticed how nervous he was and suggested he should stand near the stage where he could watch and follow the play. It was a good way of getting rid of his nervousness, she said. She was right, it seemed to work. In fact the more he watched the play, the more he felt himself part of it.
At last the moment came for him to appear on the stage. But suddenly the manager came to him again, looking worried as she placed a hand on his arm to hold him back." Has anything gone wrong?" Jack asked. "I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed, she said." They've jumped three pages of the play and have missed your part out completely."
[NMET91]
简析：故事，记叙Jack刚开始满怀希望想在一场戏剧中扮演一个警察角色，但以失望告终。侧重人物情感的变化，可归纳为happy-nervous-careful-disappointed.

(三)
On Thursday afternoon Mrs Clarke locked the door and went to the women's club as usual, It was a pleasant way of passing time for an old woman who lived alone.
When she came home she sensed something unusual. Had someone got in? The back door and the windows were all locked and there was no sign of forced entry(进人).Had anything been taken? She went from room to room, checking, and found her camera and spare watch missing.
The following Thursday she went out at her usual time, but didn't go to the club. Instead, she took a short walk in a park nearby and came home, letting herself in through the back door. She settled down to wait and see what would happen.
It was 4 o'clock when the front doorbell rang. Mrs Clarke was making tea at the time. The bell rang again, and the next moment she heard her letter -box being pushed open. picking up the kettle(壶)of boiling water, she moved quietly towards the door. A piece of wire appeared through the letter-box, and then a hand. The wire turned and caught around the knot（圆形旋钮）on the door-lock Mrs Clarke raised the kettle and poured the water over the hand. A sharp cry was heard outside as the wire fell to the floor and the hand was pulled back, which was followed by the sound of running feet.
It wasn't long before the police caught the thief. And Mrs Clarke was greatly admired at the club for her successful self-protection.[NMET92]
简析：故事，记叙Mrs clarke智擒盗贼，侧重细节描写。

(四)
"Where is the bus?" I asked myself. I was going to be late and the manager wasn't going to be pleased." Thank God, here it is!" The bus came round the corner and I got on. Ten minutes later I was walking into the bank where I work," Twenty-five past nine, I hope the manager doesn't notice. "But no such luck!
"Smith!" shouted the manager." Late again. What's your excuse this time?" "I'm afraid the bus is late, Mr Brown."" Get up earlier tomorrow! Anyway, go to your place at the counter(柜台).We'll be opening in a few minutes."
My first customer(顾客)was a pretty girl wearing a red dress. Behind her was a young man of about 25.He seemed very nervous, and every few seconds he looked towards the main entrance. The girl asked about opening a bank account(帐户).I gave her the necessary information and she walked out. Then ,I noticed a tall man by the door, carrying something covered with brown paper. Turning to my next customer, I was terrified to see a gun stuck out of his coat. The next moment a loud noise filled my ears. Everything went black. I was falling… After what seemed a very long time, I opened my eyes and found myself －in bed! still shaking from the memory of this terrible dream, I got dressed and ran out of the house. As usual ,the bus wasn't on time, and I got to the bank at 9:25.
"Smith!" the manager cried out in a voice like thunder." None of your excuses! Go start work at once!" To my surprise, the first customer was a girl in a red dress and behind her stood a man carrying something wrapped in brown paper. The dream! Wasn't that the surprise of my life![NMET93]
简析：记叙文文体，记叙作者一次奇特的经历，他梦中的情景和现实中的情景，极其相似，侧重"虚实对比。"

(五)
It was an early morning in summer. In the streets, sleepy-eyed people were moving quickly, heading towards their jobs .This was the beginning of another ordinary day in New York City. But this day was to be different.
Waiting above the crowded streets, on top of a building 110 stories high, was Philippe Pettit. This daring Frenchman was about to walk a tightrope(绷索)between the two towers of the World Trade Center.
Philippe took his first step with great care. The wire held. Now he was sure he could do it. With only a balancing polar, Philippe walked his way across, a distance of 131 feet.
Soon the rush-hour crowds began to notice. What a wonder!There,1350 feet above the street, a tiny figure was walking on air.
Philippe made seven trips, back and forth(来回).He wasn't satisfied with just walking. At times, he would turn, sit down, and even go on his knees. Once, he had the astonishing courage to lie down on the thin thread. And thousands of terrified watchers stared with their hearts beating fast.
After the forty-five-minute show, Philippe was taken to the police station. He was asked why he did it. Philippe shrugged(耸肩)and said, "When I see two tall buildings, I walk."[NMET94]
简析：故事，描述Philippe在纽约世贸大厦高空走钢丝的场景。

(六)
Washoe is a young chimpanzee(黑猩猩).She is not an ordinary chimpanzee, though. Scientists are doing a research on her. They want to see how civilized(驯化)she can become. Already she does many things a human being can do.
For example, she has been learning to exchange messages with people. The scientists are teaching her sign language. When she wants to be picked up, Washoe pointed up with one finger. She rubs her teeth with her finger when she wants to brush her teeth. This is done after every meal.
Washoe has also been trained to think out and find answers to problems. Once she was put in a room with food hanging from the ceiling. It was too high to reach. After she considered the problem, she got a tall box to stand on .The food was still too high to be reached. Washoe found a long Polar. Then she climbed onto the box ,grasped the Polar, and knocked down the food with the Polar.
Washoe lives like a human, too. The scientists keep her in a fully furnished(家具齐全的)house. After a hard day in the laboratory, she goes home. There she plays with her toys. She even enjoys watching television before going to bed.
Scientists hope to learn more about people by studying our closest relative(亲属)－chimpanzee.[NMET95]
简析：综述型文体，介绍科学家们如何驯化chimpanzee 的。

(七)
The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.
－Thomas Macaulay.
Some thirty years ago, I was studying in a public school in New York. One day, Mrs Manette O'neill gave an arithmetic test to our class. When the papers were marked she discovered that twelve boys had made exactly the same mistakes throughout the test.
There is nothing really new about cheating in exams. Perhaps that was why Mrs. O'neill didn't even say a word about it. She only asked the twelve boys to remain after class ， I was one of the twelve.
Mrs.O'neill asked no questions, and she didn't scold us either. Instead, she wrote on the blackboard the above words by Thomas macaulay. She then ordered us to copy these words into our exercisebooks one hundred times.
I don't know about the other eleven boys. Speaking for myself I can say: it was the most important single lesson of my life. Thirty years after being introduced to Macaulay's words, they still seem to me the best yardstick(准绳),because they give us a way to measure ourselves rather than others.
Few of us are asked to make great decisions about nations going to war or armies going to battle. But all of us are called upon daily to make a great many personal decisions. Should the wallet, found in the street, be put into a pocket or turned over to the policeman? Should the extra change received at the store be forgotten or returned? Nobody will know except you . But you have to live with yourself, and it is always better to live with someone you respect.[NMET96]
简析：记叙文文体，作者叙述大约三十年前学生时代的一次作弊，并阐述Macaulay的名言对自己人生观的影响。

(八)
Todd was working at his gas station(加油站)at night when he heard over the radio that a bank in Long Island had been broken into by an armed man who had killed the night guard and got away with $ 150.000."One hundred and fifty thousand, "Todd whistled." Here's a fellow who just walks into a bank and helps himself to so much money. "Todd thought of the difficulty with which he managed to get the amount of money he needed to start his gas station. So many papers to sign, so much money to pay back.
The news continued twenty minutes later. The gunman had stopped a car for a ride, and then pushed out the driver .He was possibly heading for the Southern State Parkway in a white Ford. License plate(车牌)number LJR1939.The voice of the announcer continued, "Look out for white cars .Don't pick up strangers, and all you folks in gas stations better not do service to a white Ford car."
Todd stood up and tried to see out into the cold night. It was dark but Todd knew the Southern state Parkway was out there .Just then, Todd saw the headlights coming at him and a car pulled in for gas. There it was, a white ford. He saw the number,LJR1939.
"What should I do?" Todd had to make a quick decision.
"Yes, sir?" Todd asked while making up his mind for sure.
"Fill her up" ,the man said sounding like any other driver When the tank (油箱)was full, Todd quickly turned round and pointed a gun at the man ."Hands up and get out!"[NMET97]
简析：故事，记叙Todd智擒劫匪，侧重心理活动描写。

(九)
Ella Fant was a middle -aged lady who lived with her only son John in a small house. She loved John very much. In her eyes he couldn't do anything wrong .Every morning she would give him breakfast in bed and bring him the papers to read .It isn't really true that he was too lazy to work------ in fact he had tried a few jobs .First of all he was a window-cleaner and in his first week he managed to break at least six windows. Then he became a bus conductor and on his second day a passenger stole his bag with all the fare(车费)collected. He even lost his job as a postman because he sent off all the letters when he should have taken them to people's houses .It seemed that there was no suitable work for him. So he decided to join the army .Mrs. Fant was so excited about this that she told the news to all her neighbours ."My John is going to be a soldier," She said "He is going to be the best soldier there ever was， I can tell you!"
Then the great day came when he was to march past the palace in the parade(接受检阅的队伍)。His proud mother travelled to the city early in the morning to be sure of getting a good position in the crowd.
The parade was full of sound and colour. But when John and his fellow soldiers came in sight some of the people watching couldn't help laughing at the one who couldn't keep pace with the others as they marched along.
But Ella Fant, who was filled with happiness, shouted at the top of her voice, "Look at them !They're all out of step except my John! Isn't he the best!"[NMET98]
简析：故事，记叙John 因受到母亲 Ella fant过份溺爱而引发的一系列黑色幽默插曲。

(十)
People of Burlington are being disturbed by the sound of bells. Four students from Burlington College of High Education are in the bell tower of the church and have made up their minds to ring the bells nonstop for two weeks as a protest(抗议)against heavy trucks which run day and night through the narrow High Street.
"They not only make it difficult to sleep at night, but they are doing damage to our houses and shops of historical interest "said John Norris, one of the protesters.
"If we must have these noisy trucks on the roads, "said Jean Lacey, a biology student, "why don't they build a new road that goes round the town? Burlington isn't much more than a large village. Its streets were never meant for heavy traffic."
Harry Fields also studying biology said they wanted to make as much noise as possible to force the government officials to realize what everybody was having to stand." "More of them don't live here anyway," he said, "They come in for meetings and that, and the Town Hall is soundproof(隔音),so they probably don't notice the noise all that much .It's high time they realised the problem."
The fourth student, Liza Vernum, said she thought the public were mostly on their side, and even if they weren't they soon would be.
I asked if they were afraid that the police might come to stop them.
"Not really, "she said, "Actually we are proper bell－ringers. I mean we are assistant bell－ringers for the church. There is no law against practising."
I left the church with the sound of the bells ringing in my ears.[NMET99]
简析：新闻报道，作者采访了四名利用不断敲响教堂钟声来抗议卡车噪音的大学生。

(十一)
Kate said "Hello" to Mr.Patel as she entered .She picked up a wire basket and walked towards the back of the store where the rice was kept. The room was quite large and divided by three long aisles(过道),with rows of shelves full of goods. Besides her and Mr. Patel there were only two boys in the store. They were both wearing long overcoats. They looked rather strange because the overcoats were too big for them ."watch out," she heard one of them whisper to the other. She walked on to the next aisle and found the rice she was looking for. Then she heard something else. It sounded like a box dropping on the floor. She looked through the small open space between goods on the shelf and saw one of the boys picking up a box. But instead of putting it in the basket. he dropped it into the inside pocket of his overcoat. Kate looked back and could see Mr. Patel at the door checking through a list. Then she looked through the space in the shelf again. The boys still had their backs to her. They were putting something else into their inside pockets and then one of them said, "Let's get out of here." They moved away from her.
When she got to the door the two boys were in front of her. She watched them paying for the few things in their basket. They had both buttoned their overcoats. Mr. Patel did not seem to know what they had done. He even smiled at them as they were about to leave. Now, Kate decided to stop them.
简析：故事，记叙kate在商店亲眼目睹两个男孩偷东西藏在内口袋，并躲过店主的检查，最后决定阻止他们。

(十二)
Two years ago, my husband bought me a bicycle. If you live in a town, it is often faster than a car and you don't have to worry about parking(停车).You can leave it anywhere. As it has a seat at the back and a basket at the front. I can take my small daughter to school, to the library, shopping. anywhere in fact.
I use it most in summer when the weather is warm and dry. It can be very unpleasant in winter when it is cold and the rain is pouring down. It can also be very dangerous. You must of course be careful on a bicycle .Accidents are not the only problem though. One day I went shopping and came back to find my front wheel was missing. It was a long walk to the bicycle shop! Now I have three strong locks.
My husband uses my bicycle sometimes for short journeys. He says it is better than waiting for a bus. He still uses his car for longer journeys, but I think that all this sitting down is making him fat and lazy. On my bicycle I get a lot of exercise and fresh air, and this makes me feel a lot younger.
简析：说明文文体，作者主要阐述自行车给她带来的便利。

(十三)
What actually happens when we read? Some people think that we read one word at a time, understand it and then go on to the next. Other people think that our eyes smoothly move over each line from left to right, then back to the beginning of the next line, and so on. In fact, the physical action of reading usually doesn't work in either of those ways.
Suppose you do this experiment with a friend. Get hold of a book with a large page size and with lines that go right across the page. Get your friend to hold the book up and to read it with the top of the book just below his eye level. This means that you can watch the movement of his eyes as he reads the page. If you do this, you will see that your friend's eyes do not make a continuous forward sweep. Instead they progress(向前)by little "jumps", moving, then stopping, as they progress along the line.
There has to be this starting and stopping movement because the eye can see only when it is not moving. Every time the eye pauses it sees a phrase or even a sentence, then jumps to the next part of the line, and so on.
There is another interesting fact about eye movement. You will notice that, from time to time ,the reader goes back and looks again at something he has read before, in other words, he returns to an earlier part of the text probably because he realizes he is not understanding it properly. Then he comes back where he stopped and continues reading.
简析：说明文文体，主要阐述阅读的准确动作。

(十四)
My work keeps me in Hong Kong most of the year, but I do try to get away for a month in summer－usually July. Now as you probably know that's the main holiday season in Europe, the favourite places for holiday and the famous cities are usually very crowded. But I'm not seeking(寻求) the sun－I get plenty of sunshine in Hong Kong －and I'm certainly not seeking the crowds !So when I go on holiday I buy a Train Pass (a sort of train ticket) that allows me first class travel on most of the railways of western Europe. First class compartments(车厢)are hardly crowded and they are very comfortable. If you're going on an overnight journey you can take a sleeping train for some extra money. There are usually dining cars in the train.
I find that train travel is restful and interesting. There's always something to see. I particularly enjoy travelling through Switzerland and Italy. You can get a very good idea of what a country is like from a train; you don't go too fast and you stop quite often. Also rail travel is safe and I am never sick on a train as I am on a ship! Then there are always people to talk to if you feel like a chat(闲聊)。
The reason that I seldom travel by plane is quite simple: as train stations are usually built in the city centre, I don't have to worry about transport(交通);transport can be a problem when arriving by air.
简析：说明文文体，作者主要阐述度假乘火车旅行的优点。

(十五)
This book is not about empty words and false promises, rather about cooperation(合作)needed by deaf people(people who cannot hear or hear well) from those who speak to them. Any person who is willing to give his co-operation by practising the following points will not only make conversation(谈话)easier for deaf people, but also for himself.
Please do not shout at deaf people if possible. Shouting usually distorts(扭曲)the speaker's face so as to make the listener feel uncomfortable and the conversation unnatural. Speech is best heard when it is given in a clear voice just slightly louder than normal.
Clearness rather than loudness is often the main requirement in speaking. Many deaf people have some ability to lip-read without going to lip-reading classes. Some partly-deaf people may practice this skill without realizing it. They feel that they can hear a speaker better when he is facing them. They probably understand more exactly because what they see in the speaker's expressions and lip-movements also help them understand what they only partly hear.
简析：说明文文体，阐述听力正常的人在和听力不正常的人交淡时，给予合作应注意的两大要领。
(十六)
Education is not only the teaching and learning of knowledge, but also the developing of person's character. Now liberal education(开明教育)has a great effect on the world. Much work has been done to find better ways of teaching. Students are encouraged to have their own thoughts and their own ideas when they have lessons. They are often held in the form of group discussions. They are properly guided to use the knowledge learned .In liberal education punishment no longer exists. Teachers and students are just like friends. The idea is of course a perfect one if it can really be carried out. However it only exists in the imagination and will never be realized. We must admit that children should at least be guided properly. Just close your eyes and think how many students there are in every hundred that will carry out the duties of a student if they are not pushed. What is the use of advice only if it is not supposed by a reasonable degree of control and punishment? It is hard for us to judge the success and failure of this kind of education now, but from the bad behaviour(行为)of the children who are actually the result of liberal education, we can see that something must be done to help these children.
简析：议论文文体，评析开明教育的优缺点。

(十七)
When one asks students the question "Who likes grammar?", perhaps they dare to raise their hands. In many ways this is understandable in Britain. Yet, strangely, the study of grammar is one of the fastest growing areas of research in universities all over the world. Even more so is the fact that many students who do not like grammar in school choose grammar as their subject of study in the university.
The rather strange state of affairs needs an explanation. On the whole, students consider the study of grammar uninteresting, and grammar is poorly taught in most Britain middle schools. However, language, which would be impossible without grammar, is an important part of human society. In fact, it is the foundation(基础)on which our society builds itself. And it is our ability(能力)to use language that makes it possible for us to let others know our thoughts and aims, in other words, to communicate(交流思想，交际).A large part of our ability even to think depends on language.
简析：议论文文体，评析语法的重要性。

(十八)
Is the world really going mad? The other day I was sitting in a small restaurant having a quiet drink and a talk with a few friends, when it suddenly struck me that almost everyone in the restaurant was smoking. It wasn't long before the whole room was filled with smoke. I asked with an apology for permission to open a window to stop myself dying!
Nowadays air pollution is something that we hardly question any more. However, I still can't walk down the streets in any of the big cities without thinking that people are suffering from the air pollution. It is time for the government departments all over the world to introduce emission (废气排出)control on all cars and improve the public transport system(公共交通系统)to encourage people to leave their cars at home. A friend of mine takes flying lessons each morning and it really makes him sick when he climbs above the smog layer(烟雾层)and looks down into it and thinks: "I'm breathing that! "This kind of pollution results from the bad management of resources. Waste things can, and should, be treated properly. House building, road construction and industrial development are all earthmoving(or earth－reducing)operations and can change the balances of life created over millions of years. I would like to see serious studies done on all these main works before they are built. Also, there should be more national parks set up to keep the most beautiful parts of our countries in their natural states.
简析：议论文文体，作者论述大气污染的危害、成因及解决措施。

(十九)
Sometimes a writer takes a short cut(捷径)when painting a word picture. Instead of giving a detailed description(细节描写)of a thing, the writer may compare(比较)it to something else－to something which you, the reader, have certainly seen many times before. A writer knows that this is a short cut to writing which is an effective way of painting a clear picture in your mind's eye and painting it quickly too. The following example shows how this short cut works out to the benefit of both writer and reader.
A writer sets out to tell you how the dust rose under the feet of a team of horses as they ran fast over a dirt road. Instead of writing a long and detailed description of the rising dust, the writer makes the following comparison. The yellow dust of the road rose like a cloud under the horse feet.
The phrase like a cloud calls up a mental picture which immediately enables you to see in your mind's eye the yellow cloud of dust boiling up from the road and dancing about the horses' feet.
简析：议论文文体，论述一个作家在进行生动的文字描述时，打比喻往往是一种有效的方法。

(二十)
Mt. Qomolangma was first conquered(征服)in 1953,when Sir Edmud Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing, his guide(向导),became the first climbers to reach the top. More than 750 times have people tried to conquer the mountain, but not all successful. Yet every climber knows the danger. This doesn't stop teams of climbers arriving at the base camp every year with the courage of reaching the top.
Two such climbers, and two unlucky ones, are Scott Fischer and Rob Hall.Fischer, an American guide with much experience, was lost in a terrible storm which swept across the mountain. A rescue team(营救)found him and his friend, but didn't manage to bring Fischer to safety in the terrible conditions because he was dying. New Zealander Rob Hall, another experienced climber and guide, was lost near the top. These two men had something in common: they were both guides who took' tours' of less experienced climbers up the mountain.
There is a lot of that can go wrong in an action to reach the top of Mt. Qomolangma: a sudden change in weather conditions or a wrong turning. Planes will only be sent to rescue if they have been paid for in advance. In spite of all these, there is a business in leading guided tours to the top. Wealthy mountain climbers can now pay $ 64,000 or more to achieve their aim.
Many people wonder how guides can hope to look after their inexperienced climbers when they fail to keep themselves. Steve Bell, also a guide who has recently led a team to Mt.Qomolangma, believes that they are safer than others, because the guide can ask a weak climber to turn back at any point if he feels that climber is danger to the team. Whether these expeditions(远征)are safe or not, many climbers feel that they have turned Mt.Qomolangma into a business, like a park for the very rich. One truth,h owever, will always remain: it doesn't matter how much money you have,if you make a mistake on Mt.Qomolangma, the possible result will be death.
简析：议论文文体，论述登山者及其向导在征服MT. Qomolangma的过程中遭遇的困难。

(二十一)
According to some scientists, high－risk sports can be particularly valuable for certain types of people. Such activities help them to learn that being frightened doesn't mean they have to lose control. The recent fashion for jumping from bridges fastened to a length of elastic(有弹性的)rope, known as "bungee jumping", has now been tried by over one million people worldwide, and interest in it is continuing to grow.
Before the special elastic rope tightens(拉紧)around them, jumpers reach speeds of nearly 160 kilometers per hour. First－timers are unusually too frightened to open their mouths, and when are finally lowered safely to the ground, they walk around with broad smiles on their face, saying repeatedly how exciting it was. However, for some people, it is only the embarrassment(难堪)of refusing to jump at the last minute that finally persuades them to conquer their fear of heights and push themselves off into space.
简析：说明文文体，阐述高风险运动对某些特定人群很有价值。

(二十二)
College and university graduations in the United States are arriving earlier and earlier each year as the average length of school year gets shorter.
The school year has fallen by nearly six weeks, from 191 days in 1964 to 156 days in 1994,according to the National Associations of Scholars. By comparison, most American kindergarten, elementary(初等的)and high school students are required to the spend 180 days a year in their schools. The length of the average class period also has fallen, from more than 57 minutes to less than 54,the Association reports.
"The conclusion has to be that students are simply learning less, "said the director of the Association." If you count the actual number of contact hours, you'll find they are spending four years in college getting an education that would have taken about three years in 1964."
The universities argue that they are simply teaching more effciently. "The traditional idea that learning took place in the classroom and through reading and writing assignments based on seat time is out of date, "said a spokesman for American Council on Education. Rather than attending lectures, students now chat with their professors on their computers or use other types of information technology, allowing for a shorter school year, he said. "It is very likely that, in many schools, they are going to spend less time in the classroom than they used to ."
简析：新闻报道，叙述人们对美国学生学年减少的不同看法。

(二十三)
What an exciting day it was for Jennifer and Valerie! They had been friends since Grade Three and had shared many of their high school experience. Now they were driving together to their final high school event. Today was graduation day at Lamar High school .Although they were close friends, they were different in many ways. Jennifer was a fairly diligent student while Valerie did just enough to get by and was mainly interested in a good social life.
"Isn't it great that we've all finished? "said Valerie." I'm really looking forward to having a good time this summer."
"Must be nice. "Jennifer replied," I'm afraid I'm going to have to work most of the summer to help pay for my college expenses."
Junnifer's parents had only a small income and she had made up her mind to have an occupation in which she could afford all the things her parents could not.
Valerie, on the other hand ,came from a fairly well－to－do family. She had little desire to work hard for what she had always taken for granted.
"I really don't want to go to college for a while," she admitted.
"My uncle runs a restaurant in the Bahamas and he has proposed me to spend a year there as a waitress. That should give me plenty of time for the beach."
"It seems we'll really be going different ways now," thought Jennifer.
简析：记叙文文体，叙述Jennifer和Valerie虽是朋友，但中学毕业后两人将各奔前程。

(二十四)
There are times when you find yourself unable to work out a problem. It is at this point that the way in which you use your teacher is important. With a good teacher, such times should be less frequent than with a bad one, so the worse the teacher the more responsibility you have for your success! Whatever your luck in this respect, one thing is most significant and stays the same, whatever the quality of teaching you receive: if there is something you don't understand, you must ask, again and again if necessary, until you do understand it fully. Obvious though this may seem, it is almost unbelievable how many people would rather sit in silent ignorance than admit not understanding. To behave in such a way is the only truly stupid thing a student can do: it's a false form of pride, which is the most useless, damaging quality anyone can have, to say nothing of a student! Therefore, regard your teacher as a guide or even a friend and do not sit quietly wondering what he's going on about.
简析：议论文文体，论述学生向老师请教的正确方式。

(二十五)
I climbed the stairs slowly, carrying a big suitcase, my father following with two more. By the time I got to the third floor, I was tired and at the same time feeling lonely. Worse still, Dad missed a step and fell, sending my new suitcases rolling down the stairs. "Damn!" he screamed, his face turning red. I knew trouble was ahead. Whenever Dad's face turns red look at!
How could I ever get him to finish unloading the car without screaming at me and making a scene in front of the other girls, girls I would have to spend the rest of the year with? Doors were opening and faces peering out(探出)，as Dad walked with difficulty close behind. I felt it in my bones that my college life was getting off to a (n)bad start.
"Find the room quickly, "I thought." Get him into a chair and calmed down." But then again, would there be a chair in Room 316?Or would it be a(n)empty room?
Finally I turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open, with Dad still complaining(抱怨)about a hurting knee or something. I put my head in, expecting the worst. But to my surprise, the room wasn't empty at all! It had furniture, curtains, a TV, and even paintings on the walls.
And there on a well－made bed sat Amy, my new roommate, dressed neatly. Greeting me with a nod, she said in a soft voice, "Hi, you must be Cori. "Then, she turned down the music and looked over at Dad. "And of course, you're Mr. Faber, "she said, smiling." Would you like a glass of iced tea? "Dad's face turned decidedly less red before he could bring out a "yes."
I knew then that Amy and I would be friends and my first year of college would be a success. [NMET2000]
简析：记叙文文体，描述父亲送我上大学那一天的情感变化。

(二十六)
Alfred Hitchcock is one of the best-known film-makers, and because of
his habit of making quick appearance in each of his films ever since the 1930s, his face is easily recognized. People all over the world have come to connect the gentle-looking, over-weight Englishman with some of the most frightening films ever made.
Alfred Hitchcock was the son of a shop owner. He had a strict education and went to several strict schools. He was a quiet boy who kept himself to himself. When he left school at fourteen, he began to train as an engineer. He had always been a theatre lover and by sixteen he became interested in the cinema too. About this time he found he also had a talent（天才） for drawing, and he went to a course in drawing at London University － at first it was to help him in his job. But as young Hitchcock's career（事业） developed, so did his interest in the arts and with his drawing talent came an interest in writing. His first written work was in the magazine of his factory. This led to another change in the direction of his career, as he found himself writing the advertising（广告） for the factory. This was the first time Hitchcock had been asked to use his imagination, and for the first time he started to make experiments with characters and stories.
简析：人物传记，叙述Hitchcock多才多艺的一生。
(二十七)
He has been called the "missing link". Half-man, half-beast. He is supposed to live in the highest mountain in the world-Mount Everest.
He is Known as the Abominable Snowman. The story of the Snowman has been around for many years. Climbers in the 19205 reported finding marks like those of human feet high up on the side of Mount Everest. The native People said they knew of this creature and called it the "Yeti", and they said that they had even caught Yetis on two occasions though none has ever been produced as evidence（证据）.
Over the years, the story of the Yetis has continued. In 1951, Eric Shipton took photographs of a set of tracks in the snow of Everest, Shipton believed that they were not simply the tracks of a monkey or bear and felt that the Abominable Snowman might really exist.
Further efforts have been made to find out about Yetis. But the only things people have ever found were more footprints. Most believe the footprints are nothing more than ordinary animal tracks, which had been made large as they melted(融化) and refroze in the snow. However, in 1964, a Russian scientist said that the Abominable Snowman was real and was a remaining link with the prehistoric humans. But, again, no evidence has ever actually been produced.
These days, only a few people continue to take the story of the Abominable Snowman seriously. But if they ever succeed in catching one, they may face a real problem. Would they put it in a zoo or give it a room in a hotel? [NMET2001]
简析：新闻综述，围绕雪人是否存在进行叙述。

(二十八)
At the beginning of this century, medical scientists made an interesting discovery: we are built not just of flesh（肌肉）and blood but also of time. They were able to show that we all have a 'body clock' inside us, which controls the rise and fall of our body energies, making us different from one day to the next.
The idea of a 'body clock' should not be too surprising since the lives of most living things are controlled by the 24-hour night -and-day cycle（循环）. We feel tired and fall asleep at night and become lively and energetic during the day. If the 24-hour cycle is disturbed most people experience unpleasant feelings. For example, people are not used to working at night can find that lack of sleep causes them to perform badly at work.
As well as the daily cycle of sleeping and waking, we also have other cycles which last longer that one day. Most of us would agree that we feel good on some days and not so good on others; sometimes our ideas seem to flow and at other times, they just do not exist. [NMET2000]
简析：说明文文体，阐述生物钟对我们的影响。

(二十九)
What is intelligence（智力）anyway? When I was in the army I received an intelligence test that all soldiers took, and against an average of 100, scored 160.
I had an auto-repair man once, who, on these intelligence tests, could not possibly have scored more than 80. Yet, when anything went wrong with my car I hurried to him - and he always fixed it.
Well, then, suppose my auto-repair man designed questions for some intelligence tests. By every one of them I'd prove myself a fool. In a world where I have to work with my hands, I'd do poorly.
Consider my auto-repair man again. He had a habit of telling jokes. One time he said, "Doc, a deaf-and-dumb（聋哑）man needed some nails. Having entered a store, he put two fingers together on the counter and made hammering movements with the other hand. The clerk brought him a hammer. He shook his head and pointed to the two fingers he was hammering. The clerk brought him some nails. He picked out the right size and left. Well, Doc, the next man who came in was blind. He wanted scissors（剪刀）. How do you suppose he asked for them? " I lifted my right hand and made scissoring movements with my first two fingers. He burst out laughing and said, "Why, you fool, he used his voice and asked for them. I've been trying that on all my customers today, but I knew for sure I'd catch you." "Why is that? "I asked. "Because you are so goddamned educated, Doc. I knew you couldn't be very smart ."
And I have an uneasy feeling he had something there. [NMET2002]
简析：作者通过与一位汽车修理工人的交往谈话，引出对intelligence的疑问。

(三十)
I played a racquetball game against my cousin Ed last week. It was one of the most surprising and tiring games I've ever had. When Ed first phoned and suggested we play, I laughed quietly, figuring on an easy victory. After all, Ed's idea of exercise has always been nothing more effort-making than lifting a for to his mouth. As long as I can remember, Ed's been the least physically fit member in the family, and strangely proud of himself. His big stomach has always ballooned out between his T-shirt and trousers. Although the family often joked about that, Ed refused to buy a larger T-shirt or to lose weight. So when Ed arrived for our game not only with the bottom of his shirt gathered inside his trousers but also with a stomach you could hardly notice, I was so surprised that I was speechless. My cousin must have made an effort to get himself into shape. As a result, at the point in our game when I'd have predicted（预计）the score to be a bout 9 to 1 in my favor, it was instead 7 to 9-and Ed was leading. The sudden realization was painful. We continued to play like two mad men. When the score was 16 up, I was having serious doubts about staying alive until 21years old, let alone scoring that many points. When the game finally ended, both of us were lying flat on our backs, too tired to move. In a way, I think we both won: I the game, but cousin Ed my respect. [NMET2003]
简析：作者叙述他与Ed的一场令他惊讶而又困倦的壁球比赛。

以下是我对近十多年来高考完形填空难度变化的一点体会：
高考考试说明对完形填空题型有以下规定：考生必须通篇考虑，掌握大意，综合运用所学的词汇和语法等知识，选择最佳答案。我认为难度变化总地来说，有以下两个特点：
一、单纯的语法知识、固定搭配、惯用法、常用句型、词语辨异等趋于淡化。下面仅以词语辨异为例总结如下：
1.night/evening
night指the time of darkness between evening and morning;而evening 指the time between sunset and bedtime.
2.know/learn/notice
know知道；熟悉 learn 听说；认识到；了解 notice 注意到
3.sound/cry/voice/shout/noise
sound 泛指各种声音 cry, voice, shout一般都指人的声音 noise 指噪音
4.take place 预料中的发生；happen意料外的发生 ；occur 两者兼有
What happened to (became of)you?你发生了什么事？
5.anxious/eager/worried/hurried/nervous
anxious 渴望的(eager);担心的(worried ) hurried匆忙的 nervous 神经紧张的
6.admire/enjoy
admire oneself自我欣赏 enjoy oneself玩得高兴
7.fun/joke/trick
fun和joke都有开玩笑之意，fun不可数，joke是可数名词、前面要加不定冠词 a play a joke on sb 开某人的玩笑；a practical joke=a trick恶作剧；play a trick on sb 捉弄某人。
8、wonder/imagine/notice/examine
wonder想知道 ；imagine想象； notice 注意到； examine 考查
9、way/weans/method
means[常用作单]方法；手段，工具; a means to an end达到目的方法；method方法、办法与way 可以替换使用。
10、path/road/way
path 小路；人行道 road公路 way 道路 the way to the station
11、idea/opinion/suggestion/advice/tip
idea 主意；意见 opinion 意见；见解
suggestion可数 advice不可数 tip n.告诫，提示；劝告
12、examine/check/search
examine 检查；诊察；审查，目的在于想了解有关的情况 check核实，检查，目的在于判断正误或是否正常 search搜查
13、usual/spare修饰
usual惯常的，平常的 spare空闲的(free)
14、instead/however都作副词时，instead"而是"含有某种对比,However"可是""仍然"含有"转折""让步"。
15、lost/missing/gone都可"丢失""不见了"
lost可作定语；用被动语态；missing和gone一般作表语
16、pour/drop
pour倒，灌；drop 使滴下，使落下
17、admire/inspire/support
admire钦佩 inspire鼓舞 support 支持
18、courage/spirit/courage
courage勇气 spirit 精神 strength力气
19、journey/travel/trip
journey长途旅行 travel广义的旅行 trip旅行（一次来回）a round trip
20、common/ordinary/usual/average/regular/normal
common 公用的；普通的 ordinary普通的；平凡的 usual 平常的；惯常的（as usual） average平均的；普通的；平常的 (an article of average quality 普通产品) regular 固定的；有规律的（the regular people生活有规律的人）normal 正常的(return to normal恢复正常)
21、develop/become
develop vt.养成；形成（form）
become 变成（grow, turn, get等）连系动词
22、cheat/lie
cheat作弊 lie 说慌
23、small change零钱 extra change 多给的零钱
24、walk/step/march
walk走、步行 step 跨，踏 march(齐步)前进、行进、行军、游行
25、out of step 步调不一致 out of order 不整齐，出故障
26、out of sight, out of mind(谚语)眼不见，心不想
27、suffering 苦难 trouble麻烦 difficulty困难 danger危险
28、remain/last
remain 保持，仍然 系动词 last 延续，持续
29、disturb/bother/trouble/interrupt
bother one's head(或brains)about … 为…费脑筋
what troubles me most is… 使我极不安的是…
disturb 打扰，扰乱，妨碍 interrupt 打断，打扰
Don't bother to care about others' matter.不要费心去管别人的事
30、possible 可能的 probable 较可能的 likely 很有可能的
31、exercise 锻炼；练习 practice练习训练（业余的） training训练（专业性强）
二、灵活的词汇意义以及上下文乃至全篇文章内容的理解等更加强化。下面仅以一些常用词在具体的上下文语境中的词义变化为例：
1、opposite the window
2、sit still the still smoking pistol
3、over one's shoulder
4、send children to bed(打发)孩子们上床睡觉
5、have(play, act)a part
6、miss one's part miss a step
7、The medicine didn't work
8、make(the)tea 沏茶，沧茶
9、go to one's place (固定或指定的)位置，座位，席位
10、none of your excuse! ＝Don't give me your excuse!
11、speak for oneself＝in one's personal opinion
12、pick up sb 让某人搭车；give sb a lift用车接某人
13、look out for 注意
14、be meant for ＝be intended for 打算使 ……成为
15、papers 报纸；试卷；论文；文件；契约；借据等
16、stand n.货摊 vt.容忍，忍受(bear＝put up with)
17、button one's coat do up the buttons of one's coat
18、get a very good idea of＝be familiar with…
19、call up＝remind sb of…
20、share many experience have many experience in common
21、in this respect (way)
22、introduce sb to sth 把某事介绍给某人
23、explain sth to sb向某人解释某事
24、help oneself to 擅自带走；自用
25、It won't hurt to take an umbrella with you.带把伞去总没有坏处。
26、pick up
(1)He silpped and fell, but quickly picked himself up.(跌倒后)使（自己）爬起。
(2)pick up a wallet 拾起、捡起
(3)pick up some knowledge of physics(偶然地，无意地)获得(收益、生计、知识、消息)等
(4)pick up a foreign language(未经听课等)学会外语
(5)pick up a girl(非经正式介绍)随便地结识(常指异性)
(6)pick up the programme(依靠探照灯、雷达等)测知看到（在无线电里）听到
(7)pick up passengers(goods)(车辆等)中途搭(人)中途带(货)
(8)pick up one's courage He is beginning to pick up 恢复精神；恢复健康
(9)The train picked up speed 加速
(10)pick up a room 收拾，整理
(11)pick up a criminal 逮住（罪犯）
(12)pick up the subject 重提（话题）
总之，做完形填空题，了其大意，先易后难，瞻前顾后，通过直接暗示、间接暗示，前、后暗示，层次、段落暗示，逻辑、推断暗示做题是非常关键的。当然，更重要的是扩大阅读面，增加阅读量，积累语言经验，培养语感能力。望大家反复认真阅读，对提高解答完形填空的能力大有裨益。