英语复习长难句破题方法与实例分析

英语复习长难句破题方法与实例分析

综观各类英语考试的试题，我们发现在阅读文章时往往会碰到许多结构复杂的句子。命题者在句子难度或长度上做文章，无非是想通过这种方式来干扰考生正常的阅读习惯和思维方式，从而达到考查考生阅读综合能力的目的。从根本上来说，要提高对长难句的理解并没有太多捷径，必须多看。
理解长难句的关键是理清句子成分，抓住句子的关键部分。在分析时有如下一些原则需要把握：
第一、先结构，后意义.面对一个长句，我们不要立即开始逐字阅读，而应该先通过一些线索，比如固定结构、语法规则、标点符号等，确定这个句子的逻辑关系。
第二、先主干（主谓），后分支（定语、补语、同位语等）。
第三、只看需要看的分支。对于长句中的分支成分在第一遍阅读时可以暂时先不管，如果题目未涉及，则可以忽略不看。
下面我们将分别分析阅读中常见的几种类型的长句，希望大家能从中得到一些启示。
（一）含有分隔结构的句子
分隔结构在英语表达中经常出现，它的作用主要是调整语气、补充信息以及平衡句子结构。在阅读长难句中出现较多的分隔形式是插入语。
插入语有很多不同的类型，可以是一个词，比如形容词（strange，etc）、副词（personally，honestly，fortunately，luckily，etc）；可以是短语，比如形容词短语（worst still，sure enough，etc）、介词短语（of course，in short，as a matter of fact，by the way，etc）、分词短语、动词不定式（tobesure，to tell you the truth，etc）；也可以是句子，比如to be sure，to tell you the truth，etc）；也可以是句子，比如if I may say so，if you don't mind，that is（to say）等都是非常常见的插入语。通常，去掉句中这些插入成分不会影响句子的完整性。如：I say /hear，I think/hope/believe，you know/see，what's more，I'm afraid，do you think/suppose等。
如：His journey to the e-mail hell began innocently enough when, as chairman of Computer Associates International, a software company, he first heard how quickly his employees had accepted their new electronic-mail system.这是一个典型的含有多个插入语的长句。as chairman of Computer Associates International是he的同位语，a software company是Computer Associates International的同位语，它们将从属连词when引导的时间状语从句的主语分隔开了。去掉这些插入语后，这句话的意思就很清楚了。
（二）被从句拉长的简单句
这些句子较长，有时甚至出现一个从句套另一个从句、环环相扣的情况。遇到这种情况时，考生在阅读过程中经常会遗忘前面刚刚读过的内容，往往读了几遍，还搞不清整个句子的结构。
如：Probably there is not one here who has not in the course of the day had occasion to set in motion a complex train of reasoning, of the very same kind, though differing in degree, as that which a scientific man goes through in tracing the causes of natural phenomenon.
事实上，无论多长多复杂的句子，都是由主干和修饰成分这两部分组成的。主干是整句话的主体框架，主要指主谓宾结构（He plays basketball）或主系表结构（This is an apple）。修饰成分可以是单词，可以是短语，也可以是从句，无论是何种形式，它在句中都只起到修饰和补充主干的作用。因此，对于这种类型的长句，我们要做的首先是确定主干，然后理清从句结构，再按照所确定的各个成分想想句子的大意，再联系上下文看是否与语境相吻合。如果前后文理不通，则可能是分析有误，这时就需要对句子结构重新进行分析。
用上述的方法简化上述的那句话，就会发现，句子的主干是there is not one，后面都是修饰成分。定语从句who has not…natural phenomenon修饰先行词one，在这个定语从句中，of the very same kind…as that…作为后置定语修饰a complex train of reasoning；句中有一个让步状语though differing in degree作为分隔结构，把the very same…as that分隔开；as that which…中的that是先行词，被which所引导的定语从句修饰。
在考研英语阅读中，常用来拉长简单句的就是定语从句和状语从句。尽管很多考生对这两种从句并不陌生，但仍然被它们迷惑，分不清单词、短语和从句之间的相互关系。比如分不清定语从句所修饰的先行词是哪一个，或者一个从句究竟该在哪里结束。出现这种情况并不完全是因为对语法不够熟悉，而是因为忘记了一个重要的原则——在没有列举的情况下，以句号为标记的一句话中一般只能有一个谓语动词。因此，从句应该在其后的第一个谓语动词和第二个谓语动词之间结束。如果从句中出现连词and等，则有可能连接了两个谓语动词，那么从句就应该在第二个和第三个谓语动词之间结束，以此类推。
（三）多个并列句构成的长句
这是一种相对简单的情况，我们首先要做的就是找到并列连词（and，so，but，or，etc），然后将长句分解成多个分句，理清各分句的内部结构和句意，然后再综合考虑全句，即可明了整句话想表达的意思。如：In the 1970s he was a surgeon at Yale, had a wonderful wife and five beautiful children, but he was terribly unhappy.需要注意的是，这种类型的句子中常出现省略现象，比如在本例中，第二个并列句即had前面就省去了and he.
 
实例解析
（一）定语从句
1. He is referring to the upsurge of interest in mobile television, a nascent industry at the intersection of telecoms and media which offers new opportunities to device-makers, content producers and mobile-network operators. （The Economist Jan. 5, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，是一个复合句。句首部分He is referring to the upsurge of interest in mobile television是主句，其后的a nascent industry at the intersection of telecoms and media…作mobile television的同位语，句末的关系代词which引导定语从句which offers new opportunities to device-makers, content producers and mobile-network operators来修饰先行词a nascent industry，关系代词which在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】 他谈到了众人对移动电视的巨大兴趣，这是一个在电信和媒体领域有交叉的新兴产业，它给设备制造商、电视内容制作者以及移动网络运营商提供了新的机遇。
2. Meanwhile, Apple Computer, which launched a video-capable version of its iPod portable music-player in October, is striking deals with television networks to expand the range of shows that can be purchased for viewing on the device, including “Lost”， “Desperate Housewives” and “Law &Order”. （The Economist Jan. 5, 2006）
【结构分析】本句使用了分隔结构，体现了非限制性定语从句分隔，从句which launched a video-capable version of its iPod portable music-player in October修饰主语Apple Computer（关系代词which在从句中作主语）分隔了主语和系动词。连接后得到Meanwhile, Apple Computer is striking deals with television networks to expand the range of shows…其中that又引导定语从句that can be purchased for viewing on the device…修饰先行词shows（关系代词that在从句作主语，从句中使用了被动语态），句末的分词结构including “Lost”， “Desperate Housewives” and “Law &Order”作伴随状语，表明range of shows的具体内容。
【参考译文】与此同时，苹果电脑公司在10月发售了一款可以观看电视的便携式音乐播放器iPod，这个播放器大大帮助了电视网络扩大其可以供用户购买的、用于在移动终端的节目范围， 包括《迷失》、《绝望的主妇》以及《法律与秩序》。
3. Some technologies do indeed improve at such a predictable pace that they obey simple formulae such as Moore’s law, which acts as a battle plan for the semiconductor industry. （The Economist Sep. 21, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，主句为Some technologies do indeed improve at such a predictable pace that they obey simple formulae such as Moore’s law，使用了such…that…结构；关系代词which引导定语从句which acts as a battle plan for the semiconductor industry，修饰先行词formulae such as Moore’s law，which在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】的确，有些技术的进步是以一种可预测的节奏进行着，它们遵循摩尔定律般简单的公式，好比是半导体工业的设计图纸。
4. Visit many online sites to research a car, and they will sell your name immediately to local dealerships which will then harass you in the old-fashioned way. （The Economist May 27, 2006）
【结构分析】以and为切入点，本句包含两个并列分句。注意前一分句省略了和后一分句相同的主语they（指代网络销售商）。后一分句中，they will sell your name immediately to local dealerships是主句，关系代词which引导定语从句which will then harass you in the old-fashioned way，which指代上文的一整句话。
【参考译文】网络销售商通过访问大量的网站去寻找一部车，然后就会把你的名字提供给当地的经销商，这又会让你重回到以前那种购车模式所带来的困扰中。
5. Even China’s population will be declining by the early 2030s, according to the UN, which projects that by 2050 populations will be lower than they are today in 50 countries. （The Economist Jun.5, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，是一个复合句。主句为Even China’s population will be declining by the early 2030s, according to the UN，其后的定语从句which projects that by 2050 populations will be lower than they are today in 50 countries修饰先行词UN，关系代词在从句中作主语，注意这里project作动词用，译为“指出”，且从句里使用了比较级。
【参考译文】联合国有关报告指出，即便是中国，到2030年初期人口也将开始递减。这份报告同时还指出，到2050年，将有50个国家的人口低于今天的水平。
6. That is surely how history will judge modern criticism of video games, which are accused of turning young people into violent criminals. （The Economist Jun.18, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句的主句That is surely how history will judge modern criticism of video games是主系表结构，其中表语由how引导的名词性从句充当，定语从句which are accused of turning young people into violent criminals修饰先行词video games，关系代词which指代先行词video games在从句中作主语，这里使用了被动语态be accused of，在翻译时我们译成主动。
【参考译文】 对于当今时代那些控诉电视游戏使年轻人变成暴力罪犯的批评者们，历史最终也将对他们作出同样的批判。
7. Management and HR groups spend a lot of time talking about “engagement”， which comes down to getting employees excited about the work they’re doing and its contribution to the company. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】本句的主干一目了然：Management and HR groups spend a lot of time talking about “engagement”，which引导的定语从句which comes down to getting employees excited about…。修饰先行词engagement，关系代词which在从句中作主语。介词about后有两个宾语the work and its contribution，其中work的修饰语由一个省略了关系代词that/which的定语从句they’re doing充当，关系代词在从句中作宾语，contribution则由后置的介词短语修饰。
【参考译文】管理和人力资源群体花费大量的时间来谈论“参与”，激发雇员对他们的工作和为公司做贡献的兴趣。
8. To make the technology as simple as possible, Sony, HP, and other vendors are finally creating software that can be used across all their devices—be it PCs, TVs, or set—top boxes. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句结构比较清晰，是一个复合句。句首的不定式短语To make the technology as simple as possible作全句的目的状语。主句为Sony, HP, and other vendors are finally creating software…。关系代词that引导的定语从句that can be used across all their devices修饰先行词software，that在从句中作主语，并且使用了被动语态。第一个破折号后面是对across all their devices的具体说明，注意这里采用了whether…or…引导的让步状语从句省略whether的特殊形式be it PCs, TVs, or set。第二个破折号后top boxes是对software的最终阐释，我们去掉中间让步状语作的分隔成分，可以连接全句为Sony, HP, and other vendors are finally creating software that can be used across all their devices—top boxes。
【参考译文】为了让科技尽可能的简单，索尼、惠普和其他销售者最终开发了可以在所有装置上使用的软件——不论是个人电脑、电视机或是数字解码器——这种软件就是机顶盒。
9. On the face of it, that doesn’t seem especially surprising: we feel strong emotion at important events, which are obviously more memorable than ordinary moments. （Time Jan. 18, 2007）
【结构分析】这是典型的冒号前为主句，冒号后作解释说明的实例。句首部分On the face of it为全句的状语，主句部分为that doesn’t seem especially surprising，这里seem采用了系动词的用法。注意形容词surprising指物的-ing使用。冒号后we feel strong emotion at important events是对主句的解释说明，非限制性定语从句which are obviously more memorable than ordinary moments使用了比较结构，关系代词which在从句中作主语。注意which后的be动词使用了复数形式are，联系上文，我们不难判断出它指代 important events。
【参考译文】乍看起来，那似乎不会使我们特别吃惊：在重大事件上我们会感到强烈的感情冲击——重大事件显然比平常日子让人记忆深刻。
10. An animal that can remember the significance of that large, nasty-looking thing with the big teeth and sharp claws will survive longer and produce more offspring. （Time Jan. 18, 2007）
【结构分析】本句是复合句，句子的主干为An animal will survive longer and produce more offspring。主语animal后接关系代词that引导的定语从句，关系代词代替animal在从句中作主语。在从句里，谓语动词 remember的宾语是the significance，它的后置定语为that large, nasty-looking thing with the big teeth and sharp claws；介词短语with the big teeth and sharp claws补充说明thing的特点。
【参考译文】一种动物只有记住了长相丑恶（具有巨大牙齿和锋利爪子）且身体庞大的重要性，才能生存长久并繁殖更多的后代。
11. Women who live in areas of high air pollution, exposed to invisible particles from traffic fumes, coal-fired power stations and wood fires, are at increased risk of heart disease and death, according to a study. （The Guardian Feb. 1, 2007）
【结构分析】本句是主系表结构。主语Women后是定语从句 who live in areas of high air pollution，关系代词who在从句中代替women作主语，系表部分are at increased risk of heart disease and death被分词结构（表被动）作的后置定语exposed to invisible particles from traffic fumes, coal-fired power stations and wood fires分隔，由于定语部分较长，在翻译时我们可以译为并列结构；句子末尾的according to a study作全句的状语。
【参考译文】一项研究表明，生活在严重空气污染地区的女性，暴露在车辆尾气、燃煤发电厂、森林火灾所产生和排放的无形的微小颗粒中，越来越容易患心脏病，甚至会因此直接导致死亡。
（二）名词性从句
1. The console can determine how the controller is moving in space and what it is pointing at, and uses that information to control what is happening on screen. （The Economist Dec. 2, 2006）
【结构分析】以逗号后and为切入点，得到主句部分的并列平行结构The console can determine…, and uses that information to control…，uses与can determine一起作该句的谓语。其中determine的宾语也以and切入，得到how引导的名词性从句how the controller is moving in space和what引导的名词性从句what it is pointing at（how在从句中作状语，what在从句中作宾语）；在use的宾语补足语to control…中，control的宾语使用了what引导的名词性从句what is happening on screen充当，what在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】游戏机能测出手柄的移动轨迹，识别手柄指着屏幕上的什么东西，然后根据得到的信息控制屏幕上的游戏。
2. If left unchanged, it appears that the time to cash in on digital sales via services like iTunes is starting to evaporate, especially if the music is set to start leaking into the public domain in the country where it was originally produced. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】本句主干为主系表结构，注意appear在这里是系动词用法。表语部分由that引导的名词性从句that the time…is starting to evaporate…充当，不定式短语to cash in on digital sales via services like iTunes 作后置定语修饰the time。especially直到句末是条件状语从句，使用了被动语态 if the music is set to…句末关系副词where引导的定语从句where it was originally produced修饰先行词the country，关系副词在从句中作状语，相当于in which。句首部分If left unchanged，我们可以理解为是分词结构作的条件状语，注意这里使用了leave sth.+adj。用法。
【参考译文】如果不改变，则通过诸如iTunes利用数字销售赚钱的时代可能开始消亡了，尤其是当音乐在其最初发表的国家已经进入公共领域时。
3. If I ever had any doubts about how demanding a teacher’s job is, it would have disappeared for good when I spent some time recently in schools. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句的结构清晰，为主从复合句。it would have disappeared for good when I spent some time recently in schools为主句部分，其中包含一个when引导的时间状语从句when I spent some time recently in schools。If引导的条件状语从句中，had any doubts about后的宾语由how引导的名词性从句how demanding a teacher’s job is充当，how与形容词demanding相连作从句的表语。注意整个句子使用了与过去相反的虚拟语气，从句为if+had done，主句为would/could/should/might+have done的形式。
【参考译文】 如果说我以前还曾怀疑教师的工作有多吃力，那么当我最近在学校中待了一段时间后，我永远改变了原来的想法。
4. The teachers who took part in the program also told me of their worries that they might be force-feeding their pupils information rather than stimulating the discussion necessary to ensure they grasped the importance to them of what they were being taught. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】本句成分复杂。主语The teachers 后跟who引导的定语从句who took part in the program also told me of their worries…作修饰语，关系代词who在从句中作主语。told后我们可以认为是双宾语（对象+内容），直接宾语部分their worries后跟that引导的名词性从句that they might be force feeding their pupils information rather than stimulating the discussion necessary to ensure…说明worries的具体内容。ensure后面的宾语是一个省略了引导词that的宾语从句they grasped the importance to them of…，grasped的宾语the importance of…被不定式结构to them分隔，of构成的介宾短语的宾语由what引导的名词性从句充当，且从句使用了被动语态的现在进行时。
【参考译文】参与节目的老师们还告诉我，他们担心自己可能是在向学生强行灌输知识与信息，而不是激励他们讨论，以此保证他们能掌握他们所学知识的要领。
5. The trouble with that approach is that consumers tend to prefer devices that require simply plugging them in, without complicated setups of wireless channels, security, and other features common to home networks. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句主干很清晰，是主系表结构。其中表语部分由that引导的名词性从句that consumers tend to prefer devices…充当。device后是that引导的定语从句 that require simply plugging them in…,关系代词that在从句中作主语。逗号后的介词短语 without complicated setups of wireless channels, security, and other features…作从句中的伴随状语（在翻译时我们可以转译为定语），句末的形容词结构common to home networks后置作features的定语。
【参考译文】 这一方式的问题在于，消费者更喜欢不需要创立复杂的无线电频道、安全保护以及家庭网络所共有的其他特性，便可以简单插入的装置。
6. Davies says guidance must strike a balance between being flexible enough to take account of the differences between disciplines and providing enough detail to be of use. （The Guardian Oct. 3, 2007）
【结构分析】本句不难，主句谓语says后是省略了that的宾语从句guidance must strike a balance between being flexible enough to take account of the differences between disciplines and providing enough detail to be of use。注意两个between的使用。第一个between与后面的and 相连，构成being flexible enough to…and providing enough detail to…结构，第二个between后跟disciplines表示“各学科之间”，并且前后都使用了be enough to do的形式。
【参考译文】戴维斯说，指导规范必须在足够灵活考虑各学科的不同点和提供充足的可操作的细节之间寻求一种平衡。
7. In its 16 years of operation it has found the first convincing evidence for the existence of black holes, made observations supporting the theory that the universe’s expansion is accelerating and confirmed that dark matter exists. （The Economist Nov. 2, 2006）
【结构分析】去掉句首介宾In its 16 years of operation作的时间状语，以and为切入点，得到主句it has found…, made…and confirmed…其中made后的宾语中，包含现在分词结构supporting the theory…作的伴随状语，在此伴随状语中，that引导同位语从句that the universe’s expansion is accelerating解释说明theory的内容；而confirmed后的宾语由that引导的名词性从句that dark matter exists充当。
【参考译文】在它运行的16年中，首次发现了关于黑洞的令人信服的证据，很多观测都支持宇宙加速膨胀的理论并确认暗物质的存在。
（三）非谓语动词
1. The energy used to separate oxygen from air before burning is almost as great as that needed to filter out nitrogen afterwards, leading to a similar loss of efficiency. （The Economist Nov. 30, 2006）
【结构分析】本句是一个简单句，为一个主系表结构The energy is almost as great as that needed to filter out nitrogen afterwards，使用了as…as…结构，其中被比较的对象that needed to filter out nitrogen afterwards中，that指代上文的energy，过去分词结构needed to…作后置定语体现被动。其中主语energy由过去分词结构used to separate oxygen from air before burning 作后置定语体现被动；句末的现在分词结构leading to a similar loss of efficiency作全句的结果状语。
【参考译文】 燃烧前将氧气从空气中分离所需的能源几乎不亚于上述将氮气过滤所需的耗费，这就使得两者在效率损失上不相上下。
2. Some great manufacturers and great service companies may have become too lean in their relentless drive to reduce costs, outsourcing not just their non-core activities but essential ones too. （The Economist Jun. 15, 2006）
【结构分析】本句不难，逗号前为主句Some great manufacturers and great service companies may have become too lean in their relentless drive to reduce costs,使用了too…to…结构，句末的现在分词结构outsourcing not just their non-core activities but essential ones too作伴随状语，进一步补充说明reduce costs的具体内容。
【参考译文】有些大的制造商和服务供应商热衷于降低成本，不仅把非核心业务外包，而且连核心业务也不放过。
3. The study shows that nearly half the organizations featured in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers plan to expand their graduate programs this year, increasing the total number of vacancies available for new graduates by more than 10 percent compared with 2006 recruitment levels. （The Sunday Times Jan. 11, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句是复合句。逗号前为主句，是主谓宾结构，其中谓语shows的宾语由that引导的名词性从句that nearly half the organizations featured in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers plan to expand their graduate programs this year充当。现在分词结构increasing the total number of vacancies available for new graduates by more than 10 percent compared with 2006 recruitment levels作状语，我们可以理解其为结果状语，注意增加的幅度用介词by表示。句末的过去分词结构compared with 2006 recruitment levels作比较状语。
【参考译文】研究表明，《时代》排名前100名的毕业生雇主单位中有将近一半计划今年将扩大毕业生接收规模，为新的毕业生增加可利用的空缺职位数量，这个数量与2006年的新成员水平相比，会增加10%以上。
4. The trouble is, as soon as you’ve been given a clean bill of health you’re back at your desk, facing the same situation that led to depression and compulsive behavior problems in the first place. （Times Online Jan. 11, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句主干是一个主系表结构The trouble is…，其中表语部分由从句充当。在表语从句中，包含as soon as引导的时间状语从句as soon as you’ve been given a clean bill of health，翻译为“一……就……”。现在分词短语facing the same situation…作you’re back at your desk的伴随状语，关系代词that引导的定语从句 that led to depression and compulsive behavior problems in the first place修饰先行词the same situation，that在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】 问题是，一旦你得到清楚的健康证明，你就得立刻回到你的办公桌，并且首先就要面对与原来曾导致沮丧和强迫性行为问题的同样的情形。
5. Drivers can instruct their car stereos to “play similar”， prompting the system to call up songs in the same musical genre. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，主干是一个主谓宾结构：Drivers can instruct their car stereos to “play similar”，其中不定式结构to “play similar”构成了instruct their cars的复合宾语。现在分词结构prompting the system to call up songs in the same musical genre作instruct their car stereos to “play similar”的状语，我们可以理解为结果状语，在这里，prompt后也采用了不定式结构to call up songs in the same musical genre与the system一起构成复合宾语的形式。
【参考译文】 驾驶者可以指令车内立体声设备“播放相似音乐”，提示系统集合相同风格的音乐。
6. Having succeeded as a convenient vehicle for every conceivable political and commercial slogan, the threads themselves are becoming the newest message, logically enough. （Time Jan. 18, 2007）
【结构分析】本句为主从复合句。主句中的主语与从句中的主语一致，从句中省去主谓，造成分词作伴随状语的形式，我们可以还原为since the threads have succeeded as…主句部分是the threads themselves are becoming the newest message,句末的 logically enough是状语，在翻译时，我们可以转译为be becoming the newest message的补充部分。
【参考译文】成功作为政治和商业口号的一种便捷媒介物，（T恤）衣服本身也成了最新的信息，这种情况（的发生）合乎逻辑。
7. Some of the biggest venture capital firms are raising large funds, targeting more established companies, and increasingly setting their sights abroad. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，主句为Some of the biggest venture capital firms are raising large funds,两个现在分词结构targeting more established companies和increasingly setting their sights abroad由and并列，作全句的伴随状语。
【参考译文】 某些大的风险投资公司正在筹集大量的资金，他们的目标是已经稳定的企业，并且日益将目光投向海外市场。
（四）分隔结构
1. Adding a Bluetooth chip to a phone now costs very little—around $2, down from $20 in 2001—but allows the manufacturer to increase the price of the handset by far more, and opens up a new market for high-margin accessories. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句是典型的破折号分隔。首先以连词为切入点，得到Adding a Bluetooth chip to a phone now costs…but allows…, and opens up…，介词短语around $2, down from $20 in 2001充当的分隔成分作上文costs very little的具体解释说明，分隔了前两个并列的谓语。
【参考译文】 在手机里添加一个蓝牙芯片的成本很低——从2001年时的20美元下降到2美元左右——但是可以允许制造者提高远远高出这个的价格，并且打开了一个高利润附件的市场。
2. It was refreshing, across the age groups of the children I met, to see how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how, with a little bit of prompting from their teachers and me, they saw how relevant they were to their daily lives. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句使用了两处分隔，均由逗号表现。第一处分隔across the age groups of the children I met,分隔了主系表结构的一种特殊形式，即形容词+to do作表语。去掉分隔部分，我们得到It was refreshing to see how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how, with a little bit of prompting from their teachers and me, they saw how relevant they were to their daily lives。这里我们注意到see后面的宾语由两个how引导的从句充当：how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how…清晰看到第二处分隔为介宾短语with a little bit of prompting from their teachers and me作的伴随状语。去掉分隔，得到It was refreshing to see how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how they saw how relevant they were to their daily lives，即由and并列的两个how引导的宾语从句。在第二个从句中，谓语say后仍然是由how引导的名词性从句how relevant they were to their daily lives充当宾语。在翻译时，我们可将两个分隔部分所作的状语提前。
【参考译文】 在我所见到的同年龄段的孩子们中，在我和他们的老师只给了一点儿提示的情况下，见证他们如何快速地领会人权的整体观念，如何认识到人权与他们的生活密切相关，这一点是非常让人兴奋的。
3. What was interesting was how quickly, by using relevant and local examples where possible, the pupils cottoned on to how the interplay of rights and responsibilities could affect their lives, and so became active and engaged participants in the classroom debates. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句体现了逗号分隔。主语部分由what引导的名词性从句充当，what在从句中作主语。表语由how引导的从句充当，被插入的方式状语by using relevant and local examples where possible分隔。去掉分隔，我们连接为What was interesting was how quickly the pupils cottoned on to how the interplay of rights and responsibilities could affect their lives, and so became active and engaged participants in the classroom debates。注意表语从句由and so连接了两个谓语cottoned on（理解）和became active and engaged participants，并且cottoned on to（理解）后的宾语也由how引导的从句充当。在翻译时，我们仍然将分隔部分所作的状语提前。
【参考译文】 有意思的是，通过讲述可能发生在身边与自己息息相关的例子，学生们很快地理解了权利与责任间的相互作用是怎样影响他们的生活，然后更积极主动地参加课堂讨论。
4. It is only when the environment demands our attention—a dog barks, a child cries, a telephone rings—that our mental time machines switch themselves off and deposit us with a bump in the here and now. （Time Jan. 19, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句是破折号分隔。分隔部分a dog barks, a child cries, a telephone rings分隔了原本的强调句型It is only when the environment demands our attention that our mental time machines switch themselves off and deposit us with a bump in the here and now。被强调的部分是when引导的状语从句表示时间。分隔部分由三个并列的名词短语构成，举例说明前文the environment的具体情况。
【参考译文】 只有在环境需要我们的注意的时候——狗在吠，孩子哭，电话铃响——我们的精神时间机制才会自动关闭，且让我们在此时此地受到一击。
5. Nokia, which has made emerging markets a priority, continues to introduce low-cost phones designed for markets where many users do not have access to reliable electricity, and may not even be able to read. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句是逗号分隔，体现为非限制性定语从句。which has made emerging markets a priority分隔了主谓部分，去掉分隔，得到Nokia continues to introduce low-cost phones designed for markets where many users do not have access to reliable electricity, and may not even be able to read。我们注意到markets后是一个关系副词where引导的定语从句where many users do not have access to reliable electricity，and may not even be able to read，where在从句中作状语，相当于in which。在翻译时，我们根据汉语习惯，将定语从句转译为全句的状语，并根据其使用了完成时态翻译为“……后”。
【参考译文】 在新兴市场中取得了优先地位后，诺基亚继续引进低成本的手机，这些手机是针对不能获得可靠电力甚至可能是不识字的使用者构成的市场而设计的。
（五）被动语态
1. Car drivers can buy electro-petrol hybrids but aircraft are, for now, stuck with kerosene, because its energy-density makes it the only practical fuel to carry around in the air. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 以连词but为切入点，本句包含两个并列分句。其中第二个并列分句aircraft are, for now, stuck with kerosene, because its energy-density makes it the only practical fuel to carry around in the air包含because引导的原因状语从句，使用了make it sth。（使它成为……）结构，主句aircraft are, for now, stuck with kerosene使用了被动语态，并由介词短语for now分隔，连接后得到aircraft are stuck with kerosene，翻译时为符合汉语习惯译为主动。
【参考译文】 小汽车司机可以购买电力汽油混合动力的汽车，但是飞机只能用煤油，因为它的能量密度使其成为唯一可以在空中携带的燃料。
2. It can be plugged into a hand-held device （such as a mobile phone, music player or portable games console） to power or recharge it, and has sufficient capacity to provide around 30 hours of talk-time on a mobile phone, or 60~80 hours of playback time for an iPod music player. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 去掉括号内的举例补充说明，以and为切入点，得到It can be plugged into a hand held device to power or recharge it, and has sufficient capacity to provide…, and并列了两个谓语，前一谓语使用了被动语态be plugged，翻译时我们可转译为主动，后一谓语的宾语补足语to provide后的宾语由or并列，分别为around 30 hours of talk-time on a mobile phone和60~80 hours of playback time for an iPod music player。
【参考译文】 它可以放入手持设备（比如手机、音乐播放器或便携式游戏机）给其提供能源或充电，足以供一部手机通话30小时，或者一台iPod音乐播放器播放60到80小时。
3. Questions are increasingly being asked by the councils about how they can be sure that misconduct is not taking place on the grants they provide.（The Guardian Oct. 3, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句使用了被动语态的现在进行时结构，主干为Questions are increasingly being asked about…，施动者by the councils构成了分隔结构。在翻译时，我们可以化被动为主动，the councils are increasingly asking questions about…，介词about后的宾语由how引导的从句how they can be sure…充当，这里又包含一个特殊的结构“主语+adj.+从句”，that引导的名词性从句 misconduct is not taking place on the grants they provide中，grants后是一个省略了关系代词that/which的定语从句，关系代词在从句中作provide的宾语。
【参考译文】 各委员会越来越多地提出问题——关于他们如何能够确保在他们同意的情况下避免发生处理不当的行为。
4. It’s much easier to say “Great idea!” when a terrific solution has been put forward by someone on your team, than it is to take the time to explain why an employee’s favorite brainchild isn’t going anywhere except the circular file. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句成分复杂。以逗号为切入点，得到一个比较结构It’s much easier to say “Great idea!”…than…。it是形式主语，前半部分的真正主语由不定式结构to say “Great idea!”…充当，这里包含一个when引导的时间状语从句when a terrific solution has been put forward by someone on your team，使用了被动语态的现在完成时。后半部分真正主语为to take the time to explain…，explain后的宾语是why引导的宾语从句 why an employee’s favorite brainchild isn’t going anywhere except the circular file。在翻译时，我们将状语提前，且化被动为主动。
【参考译文】 当团队中的某个人提出了极好的解决方案时，说“好主意”要比花时间解释为什么一个职员最喜欢的想法最终被抛弃要容易得多。
（六）状语从句
1. The engines would have variable nozzles, which would be fully opened on take-off and landing, so that the exhaust would be slow and relatively quiet, and narrowed when the aircraft was cruising, providing the necessary speed. （The Economist Nov. 9, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句是主从复合句。主句为The engines would have variable nozzles。其后的定语从句比较复杂，以逗号后and为切入点，得到which would be fully opened…and narrowed…，关系代词which指代先行词nozzles在从句中作主语。其中so that引导的结果状语从句so that the exhaust would be slow and relatively quiet说明（nozzles）would be fully opened on takeoff and landing情况发生时所产生的结果，句末的现在分词结构providing the necessary speed 作（nozzles）would be narrowed when the aircraft was cruising情况发生时的伴随结果，其中when引导的从句作时间状语。
【参考译文】 引擎将配有各种各样的尾喷管，在起飞和降落时这些尾喷管会全部打开，这样喷气速度会下降，噪音也会更小；而在飞机巡航过程中，尾喷管将变小以保证必要的飞行速度。
2. If it decides in favour, the whole industry will feel the impact, for it will affect not just European airlines but all those that fly into and out of the EU. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 以连词for为切入点，得到两个并列结构，分别为If it decides in favour, the whole industry will feel the impact和for it will affect not just European airlines but all those that fly into and out of the EU。前一分句中，if引导从句If it decides in favour作条件状语；后一分句中，谓语affect的宾语部分使用了not just…but…结构，句末的定语从句that fly into and out of the EU修饰先行词those。
【参考译文】 如果意见是肯定的，那么整个民航业将受到影响，因为这个方案不仅影响欧洲的航线，同样也对到达欧洲和飞离欧洲的航线产生作用。
3. The business director concentrates on planning and practicality, whether it’s deciding how to change a company’s business strategy or ensuring that everyone attending a meeting can see the overhead projector. （The Sunday Times Jan. 11, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句的主句在逗号前The business director concentrates on planning and practicality，后面的让步状语从句由whether引导。在从句中，由or并列了两个谓语be deciding 和ensuring。decide的宾语由how to do的形式充当，ensure的宾语由that引导的名词性that everyone attending a meeting can see the overhead projector构成，注意everyone的后置定语是一个现在分词结构，我们可以还原成一个定语从句，who is attending…
【参考译文】 商业导演集中于计划和实施，不管是决定怎样改变一个公司的商业战略，还是保证每位参加会议的人都能看到头顶的放映机。
4. Some jobs require specific qualifications but most top employers will take any degree discipline provided you’ve got a first or an upper second from a decent university. （Times Online Jan. 11, 2007）
【结构分析】 以but为切入点，定位本句为两个并列分句Some jobs require specific qualifications but most top employers will take any degree discipline…句末部分的provided引导条件状语从句provided you’ve got a first or an upper second from a decent university，翻译为“假如……”。
【参考译文】 有些工作需要特别的资格，但大多数的一流雇主会采取某种程度的原则，即你要在一个不错的大学获得一流或上流的成绩。
5. Even if the actual instances of mailroom-to-boardroom ascendancy are one in a million, it’s pleasant to think that somewhere out there is a person pushing a mail cart or answering phones who will one day run the company. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 逗号前为even if引导的让步状语从句Even if the actual instances of mail room to board room ascendancy are one in a million，翻译为“尽管……”，主句为it’s pleasant to…，其中it作形式主语，真正的主语是后面不定式结构。在不定式中，think 的宾语由that引导的名词性从句充当。在此从句中，使用了there be句型there is a person…，person后有两个现在分词短语作的后置定语 pushing a mail cart和 answering phones…这两个定语由or并列，句末的定语从句 who will one day run the company也修饰先行词person，关系代词who在从句中代替person作主语。
【参考译文】 尽管从传达室转到董事会的实际例证只有百万分之一的比率，但猜想在这之外的某个地方有一个开邮车的人或是接电话的人某天会掌管一个公司是件令人高兴的事。
（七）比较结构
1. Keep in mind, though, it’s much more important to be able to show your manager how you contributed to the company’s results （such as incremental revenue or reduced cost） than just a difference in pay between you and someone else. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句使用了more…than…的比较结构。以副词though所充当的分词结构切入，本句为祈使句，keep后的宾语由省略了that的名词性从句充当。在此从句中，使用了it作形式主语，不定式结构to be able to show your manager…作真正主语的形式，show后是双宾语结构，than并列了比较的两端，为（show your manager） how you contributed to the company’s results和just a difference in pay between you and someone else。
【参考译文】 尽管如此，要记住向你的上司展示你对公司业绩的贡献（比如，提高收入降低成本）要比仅仅展示你和其他人的工资差别更为重要。
2. It’s much better for the manager to offer a pay increase, beaming with pride over his or her good judgment in hiring you, than for you to get the same pay increase by having to ask for it. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句的比较结构与例（40）同，主干为It’s much better for the manager to…than for you to…注意两个逗号之间的分词结构beaming with pride over his or her good judgment in hiring you作前文It’s much better for the manager to offer a pay increase的目的状语。
【参考译文】 上司为你加薪——为他或她录用你的判断而自豪高兴，要比自己为获得同样的加薪而要求更好。
3. Women’s control over the number of children they have is an unqualified good—as is the average person’s enjoyment, in rich countries, of ten more years of life than they had in 1960. （The Economist Jun. 5, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句主句为Women’s control over the number of children they have is an unqualified good，其中they have为省略了关系代词的定语从句，修饰先行词children，破折号部分as is the average person’s enjoyment…为as引导的定语从句，修饰先行词an unqualified good，注意这里good作名词用；句末的比较结构often more years of life than they had in 1960使用了than加从句，整体作从句中表语the average person’s enjoyment的后置定语。
【结构分析】 女人拥有一种绝对的优势，那就是对自己生孩子的数量的掌控。在发达国家，对普通人而言，能比六十年代的人多享受十年的生活也同样是种绝对优势。
4. Moreover, most participants could find an angry face just as quickly when it was mixed in a group of eight photographs as when it was part of a group of four. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句的比较结构清晰，使用了as…as…形式，比较的两端为when it was mixed in a group of eight photographs和 when it was part of a group of four。
【参考译文】 另外，不管这些图片是八张一组还是四张一组，参与者都能同样迅速地辨别出愤怒的表情。
（八）倒装语序
1. Not only does a green thing look different from a red thing, remind us of other green things and inspire us to say, “That’s green”， but it also actually looks green: it produces an experience of sheer greenness that isn’t reducible to anything else. （Time Jan. 19, 2007）
【结构分析】 该句子中，逗号前表示否定的词not only放在句首，使用了部分倒装。正常语序为：a green thing looks not only different from a red thing，reminds us of other green things and inspires us to say, “That’s green”。这是并列了三个谓语（look different…，remind us…and inspire us…）。but之后为递进部分，but it also actually looks green…，其中冒号后为具体的解释说明，并且这里包含一个定语从句that isn’t reducible to anything else，关系代词that指代先行词sheer greenness，在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】 一件绿色的东西不仅仅看起来与红色的东西不同，使我们想起其他绿色的东西并刺激我们说：“那是绿色”，而且它确实看起来是绿色的：它产生了一个完全的绿色的经验，那不能简化成任何其他事情。
2. Clever though this is, it is just a stepping stone towards the direct incorporation of fuel cells into portable devices and, in particular, laptops—the application that remains the industry’s Holy Grail. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句体现了典型的将表语部分提前构成的让步状语从句倒装，还原后应为though this is clever。主句为it is just a stepping stone towards the direct incorporation of fuel cells into portable devices and, in particular, laptops—the application that remains the industry’s Holy Grail，其中包含incorporation…into…的结构，portable devices和laptops作介词into的宾语。句末的名词短语the application that remains the industry’s Holy Grail作上文的补充说明，其中包含that引导的定语从句，修饰先行词appplication。
【参考译文】 虽然这很聪明，但它只能算是通往直接将燃料电池与便携设备整合的道路上的垫脚石，特别是对笔记本电脑而言——这一设备现在仍是工业界的圣杯。
（九）并列平行结构
1. In each case the pattern is the same: young people adopt a new form of entertainment, older people are spooked by its unfamiliarity and condemn it, but eventually the young grow up and the new medium becomes accepted—at which point another example appears and the cycle begins again. （The Economist Jun. 18, 2006）
【结构分析】 以but为切入点，得到并列结构“…，…，but…and…”即young people…, older people…, but eventually the young…and…其中第二个并列结构older people are spooked by its unfamiliarity and condemn it中又由连词and并列两个谓语。句末使用了介词提前的定语从句，其中which指代上文的一整句the new medium becomes accepted，与at一起作从句的时间状语，其中从句中又由and并列两个分句another example appears和 the cycle begins again。
【参考译文】 上述每一个实例都有着相同的模式：年轻人接受了一种新的娱乐形式，年长的人因陌生而受惊，于是对其批评指责。最终，年轻人长大成人，于是新媒体被社会承认——此时，另一种娱乐形式出现，循环模式再次开始。
2. If you are a person, as I am, who is perfectly delighted for the thick people to go happily about their thick people’s business, but who also believes in elites—not only believes in them, but thinks they ought to be cherished, that the Today programme and News night, as it were, are more worthy of our licence fee than thick people’s television, regardless of audience figures—then the whole subject becomes complicated. （The Sunday Times Nov. 4, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句主干为then the whole subject becomes complicated。句首部分为if引导的条件状语从句，其中包含两个并列平行的定语从句，分别为who is perfectly delighted for…以及but who also believes in…在第二个定语从句中，破折号之间的部分为对它的补充说明，这里又出现了not only…but…表现的并列平行结构，but引导的第二个并列分句中，谓语动词thinks后有they ought to be cherished及that…两个并列的宾语从句，还包含一处比较级。
【参考译文】 假如你是像我一样的人，为普通人快乐地追求普通人自己的生活而高兴，但也相信精英——不仅相信他们，而且也认为他们应该受到珍视，甚至认为不管收视率如何，“今日”节目和“晚间新闻”在某种程度上比普通人看的电视节目更有花钱收看的价值——那么整件事就变得复杂了。
3. Call me incredulous but I find that very difficult to believe, which means we are back to the wrongheaded kind of political correctness that mulishly refuses to identify excellence in some children and in doing so damages them and robs them of any chance to better themselves or feel any pride in their achievements—all in the name of head teachers’ “ideology”. （The Sunday Times Nov. 4, 2007）
【结构分析】 以连词but为切入点，主句由两个并列分句构成。第一个分句Call me incredulous是祈使句，第二个并列分句中包含一个由which引导的非限制性定语从句which means…，关系代词which在从句中作主语。在此从句中，又包含一个定语从句that mulishly refuses to identify excellence in some children and in doing so damages them and robs them of any chance to better themselves or feel any pride in their achievements修饰先行词the wrongheaded kind of political correctness。去掉枝叶，我们看到that从句中，谓语动词refuses，damages和robs由and并列。句末破折号后是对前文的补充说明。
【参考译文】 你可以说我多疑，但我还是觉得难以让人相信，这意味着我们返回到政治正确性的错误判断类别：固执地拒绝承认某些孩子的优秀品质，这样做的结果伤害了他们，剥夺了他们提升自己、或为自己取得的成绩感到骄傲的机会——所有这一切就是校长们所谓的“思想观念”。
（十）否定句
1. It is not every day that you get to witness the birth of a new social system. But General Motors’June 1 bankruptcy, and the company’s likely reorganization under the ownership of the U.S. Treasury, does suggest the arrival of a novel relationship—at least for the United States—between the citizen and his government。（Weekly Standard Jun. 15, 2009 ）
【结构分析】 本句使用了强调句型的否定式It is not…that…，在这个句型中，it没有词汇意义，只是引出被强调的成分。every day是所强调的内容，并使用了not直接否定。But后的句子又使用了借助助动词do强调句子谓语的强调词结构，句中表现为用does强调suggest即does suggest…整句话还包含一个较长的分隔结构and the company’s likely reorganization under the ownership of the U.S. Treasury，对主语General Motors’June 1 bankruptcy起补充说明的作用。
【参考译文】 不是每天人们都可以见证一个新社会体系的诞生。但是通用6月1日宣告破产，它将在美国财政部的掌控下进行可能的重组，这一事件正是暗示了一种新关系的到来——至少是在美国——公民与政府之间的新型关系。
2. Best known as a destination for honeymooners in search of perfect white beaches and swaying palms, the Seychelles islands rarely make any sort of headlines. Few tourists would even have noticed the presidential election on July 30th, in which James Michel, leader of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front, was returned with 54% of the ballot. （The Economist Aug. 10, 2006）
【结构分析】 本段出现了两处否定。前一句中，使用了否定副词rarely体现否定，译为“几乎不”，Best known as…作该句状语。后一分句中，使用否定代词few体现否定，译为“很少”，其中包含了which引导的定语从句in which James Michel，leader of do the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front, was returned with 54% of the ballot, which指代先行词election, 并与in一起在从句中作状语，且该从句的谓语使用了被动语态；leader of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front为分隔结构，补充说明James Michel此人的身份。
【参考译文】 说起塞舌尔群岛，许多人只知道它是度蜜月者找寻美丽的白色沙滩和摇曳的棕榈树的目的地之一。除此之外，几乎没有媒体对其进行报道，就连游客们也很少有人注意到7月30日该国举行的总统选举。在这次选举中，塞舌尔人民进步阵线领导人詹姆斯?米歇尔获得了54%的选票。
长难句破题方法与实例分析综观各类英语考试的试题，我们发现在阅读文章时往往会碰到许多结构复杂的句子。命题者在句子难度或长度上做文章，无非是想通过这种方式来干扰考生正常的阅读习惯和思维方式，从而达到考查考生阅读综合能力的目的。从根本上来说，要提高对长难句的理解并没有太多捷径，必须多看。
理解长难句的关键是理清句子成分，抓住句子的关键部分。在分析时有如下一些原则需要把握：
第一、先结构，后意义.面对一个长句，我们不要立即开始逐字阅读，而应该先通过一些线索，比如固定结构、语法规则、标点符号等，确定这个句子的逻辑关系。
第二、先主干（主谓），后分支（定语、补语、同位语等）。
第三、只看需要看的分支。对于长句中的分支成分在第一遍阅读时可以暂时先不管，如果题目未涉及，则可以忽略不看。
下面我们将分别分析阅读中常见的几种类型的长句，希望大家能从中得到一些启示。
（一）含有分隔结构的句子
分隔结构在英语表达中经常出现，它的作用主要是调整语气、补充信息以及平衡句子结构。在阅读长难句中出现较多的分隔形式是插入语。
插入语有很多不同的类型，可以是一个词，比如形容词（strange，etc）、副词（personally，honestly，fortunately，luckily，etc）；可以是短语，比如形容词短语（worst still，sure enough，etc）、介词短语（of course，in short，as a matter of fact，by the way，etc）、分词短语、动词不定式（tobesure，to tell you the truth，etc）；也可以是句子，比如to be sure，to tell you the truth，etc）；也可以是句子，比如if I may say so，if you don't mind，that is（to say）等都是非常常见的插入语。通常，去掉句中这些插入成分不会影响句子的完整性。如：I say /hear，I think/hope/believe，you know/see，what's more，I'm afraid，do you think/suppose等。
如：His journey to the e-mail hell began innocently enough when, as chairman of Computer Associates International, a software company, he first heard how quickly his employees had accepted their new electronic-mail system.这是一个典型的含有多个插入语的长句。as chairman of Computer Associates International是he的同位语，a software company是Computer Associates International的同位语，它们将从属连词when引导的时间状语从句的主语分隔开了。去掉这些插入语后，这句话的意思就很清楚了。
（二）被从句拉长的简单句
这些句子较长，有时甚至出现一个从句套另一个从句、环环相扣的情况。遇到这种情况时，考生在阅读过程中经常会遗忘前面刚刚读过的内容，往往读了几遍，还搞不清整个句子的结构。
如：Probably there is not one here who has not in the course of the day had occasion to set in motion a complex train of reasoning, of the very same kind, though differing in degree, as that which a scientific man goes through in tracing the causes of natural phenomenon.
事实上，无论多长多复杂的句子，都是由主干和修饰成分这两部分组成的。主干是整句话的主体框架，主要指主谓宾结构（He plays basketball）或主系表结构（This is an apple）。修饰成分可以是单词，可以是短语，也可以是从句，无论是何种形式，它在句中都只起到修饰和补充主干的作用。因此，对于这种类型的长句，我们要做的首先是确定主干，然后理清从句结构，再按照所确定的各个成分想想句子的大意，再联系上下文看是否与语境相吻合。如果前后文理不通，则可能是分析有误，这时就需要对句子结构重新进行分析。
用上述的方法简化上述的那句话，就会发现，句子的主干是there is not one，后面都是修饰成分。定语从句who has not…natural phenomenon修饰先行词one，在这个定语从句中，of the very same kind…as that…作为后置定语修饰a complex train of reasoning；句中有一个让步状语though differing in degree作为分隔结构，把the very same…as that分隔开；as that which…中的that是先行词，被which所引导的定语从句修饰。
在考研英语阅读中，常用来拉长简单句的就是定语从句和状语从句。尽管很多考生对这两种从句并不陌生，但仍然被它们迷惑，分不清单词、短语和从句之间的相互关系。比如分不清定语从句所修饰的先行词是哪一个，或者一个从句究竟该在哪里结束。出现这种情况并不完全是因为对语法不够熟悉，而是因为忘记了一个重要的原则——在没有列举的情况下，以句号为标记的一句话中一般只能有一个谓语动词。因此，从句应该在其后的第一个谓语动词和第二个谓语动词之间结束。如果从句中出现连词and等，则有可能连接了两个谓语动词，那么从句就应该在第二个和第三个谓语动词之间结束，以此类推。
（三）多个并列句构成的长句
这是一种相对简单的情况，我们首先要做的就是找到并列连词（and，so，but，or，etc），然后将长句分解成多个分句，理清各分句的内部结构和句意，然后再综合考虑全句，即可明了整句话想表达的意思。如：In the 1970s he was a surgeon at Yale, had a wonderful wife and five beautiful children, but he was terribly unhappy.需要注意的是，这种类型的句子中常出现省略现象，比如在本例中，第二个并列句即had前面就省去了and he.
 
实例解析
（一）定语从句
1. He is referring to the upsurge of interest in mobile television, a nascent industry at the intersection of telecoms and media which offers new opportunities to device-makers, content producers and mobile-network operators. （The Economist Jan. 5, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，是一个复合句。句首部分He is referring to the upsurge of interest in mobile television是主句，其后的a nascent industry at the intersection of telecoms and media…作mobile television的同位语，句末的关系代词which引导定语从句which offers new opportunities to device-makers, content producers and mobile-network operators来修饰先行词a nascent industry，关系代词which在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】 他谈到了众人对移动电视的巨大兴趣，这是一个在电信和媒体领域有交叉的新兴产业，它给设备制造商、电视内容制作者以及移动网络运营商提供了新的机遇。
2. Meanwhile, Apple Computer, which launched a video-capable version of its iPod portable music-player in October, is striking deals with television networks to expand the range of shows that can be purchased for viewing on the device, including “Lost”， “Desperate Housewives” and “Law &Order”. （The Economist Jan. 5, 2006）
【结构分析】本句使用了分隔结构，体现了非限制性定语从句分隔，从句which launched a video-capable version of its iPod portable music-player in October修饰主语Apple Computer（关系代词which在从句中作主语）分隔了主语和系动词。连接后得到Meanwhile, Apple Computer is striking deals with television networks to expand the range of shows…其中that又引导定语从句that can be purchased for viewing on the device…修饰先行词shows（关系代词that在从句作主语，从句中使用了被动语态），句末的分词结构including “Lost”， “Desperate Housewives” and “Law &Order”作伴随状语，表明range of shows的具体内容。
【参考译文】与此同时，苹果电脑公司在10月发售了一款可以观看电视的便携式音乐播放器iPod，这个播放器大大帮助了电视网络扩大其可以供用户购买的、用于在移动终端的节目范围， 包括《迷失》、《绝望的主妇》以及《法律与秩序》。
3. Some technologies do indeed improve at such a predictable pace that they obey simple formulae such as Moore’s law, which acts as a battle plan for the semiconductor industry. （The Economist Sep. 21, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，主句为Some technologies do indeed improve at such a predictable pace that they obey simple formulae such as Moore’s law，使用了such…that…结构；关系代词which引导定语从句which acts as a battle plan for the semiconductor industry，修饰先行词formulae such as Moore’s law，which在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】的确，有些技术的进步是以一种可预测的节奏进行着，它们遵循摩尔定律般简单的公式，好比是半导体工业的设计图纸。
4. Visit many online sites to research a car, and they will sell your name immediately to local dealerships which will then harass you in the old-fashioned way. （The Economist May 27, 2006）
【结构分析】以and为切入点，本句包含两个并列分句。注意前一分句省略了和后一分句相同的主语they（指代网络销售商）。后一分句中，they will sell your name immediately to local dealerships是主句，关系代词which引导定语从句which will then harass you in the old-fashioned way，which指代上文的一整句话。
【参考译文】网络销售商通过访问大量的网站去寻找一部车，然后就会把你的名字提供给当地的经销商，这又会让你重回到以前那种购车模式所带来的困扰中。
5. Even China’s population will be declining by the early 2030s, according to the UN, which projects that by 2050 populations will be lower than they are today in 50 countries. （The Economist Jun.5, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，是一个复合句。主句为Even China’s population will be declining by the early 2030s, according to the UN，其后的定语从句which projects that by 2050 populations will be lower than they are today in 50 countries修饰先行词UN，关系代词在从句中作主语，注意这里project作动词用，译为“指出”，且从句里使用了比较级。
【参考译文】联合国有关报告指出，即便是中国，到2030年初期人口也将开始递减。这份报告同时还指出，到2050年，将有50个国家的人口低于今天的水平。
6. That is surely how history will judge modern criticism of video games, which are accused of turning young people into violent criminals. （The Economist Jun.18, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句的主句That is surely how history will judge modern criticism of video games是主系表结构，其中表语由how引导的名词性从句充当，定语从句which are accused of turning young people into violent criminals修饰先行词video games，关系代词which指代先行词video games在从句中作主语，这里使用了被动语态be accused of，在翻译时我们译成主动。
【参考译文】 对于当今时代那些控诉电视游戏使年轻人变成暴力罪犯的批评者们，历史最终也将对他们作出同样的批判。
7. Management and HR groups spend a lot of time talking about “engagement”， which comes down to getting employees excited about the work they’re doing and its contribution to the company. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】本句的主干一目了然：Management and HR groups spend a lot of time talking about “engagement”，which引导的定语从句which comes down to getting employees excited about…。修饰先行词engagement，关系代词which在从句中作主语。介词about后有两个宾语the work and its contribution，其中work的修饰语由一个省略了关系代词that/which的定语从句they’re doing充当，关系代词在从句中作宾语，contribution则由后置的介词短语修饰。
【参考译文】管理和人力资源群体花费大量的时间来谈论“参与”，激发雇员对他们的工作和为公司做贡献的兴趣。
8. To make the technology as simple as possible, Sony, HP, and other vendors are finally creating software that can be used across all their devices—be it PCs, TVs, or set—top boxes. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句结构比较清晰，是一个复合句。句首的不定式短语To make the technology as simple as possible作全句的目的状语。主句为Sony, HP, and other vendors are finally creating software…。关系代词that引导的定语从句that can be used across all their devices修饰先行词software，that在从句中作主语，并且使用了被动语态。第一个破折号后面是对across all their devices的具体说明，注意这里采用了whether…or…引导的让步状语从句省略whether的特殊形式be it PCs, TVs, or set。第二个破折号后top boxes是对software的最终阐释，我们去掉中间让步状语作的分隔成分，可以连接全句为Sony, HP, and other vendors are finally creating software that can be used across all their devices—top boxes。
【参考译文】为了让科技尽可能的简单，索尼、惠普和其他销售者最终开发了可以在所有装置上使用的软件——不论是个人电脑、电视机或是数字解码器——这种软件就是机顶盒。
9. On the face of it, that doesn’t seem especially surprising: we feel strong emotion at important events, which are obviously more memorable than ordinary moments. （Time Jan. 18, 2007）
【结构分析】这是典型的冒号前为主句，冒号后作解释说明的实例。句首部分On the face of it为全句的状语，主句部分为that doesn’t seem especially surprising，这里seem采用了系动词的用法。注意形容词surprising指物的-ing使用。冒号后we feel strong emotion at important events是对主句的解释说明，非限制性定语从句which are obviously more memorable than ordinary moments使用了比较结构，关系代词which在从句中作主语。注意which后的be动词使用了复数形式are，联系上文，我们不难判断出它指代 important events。
【参考译文】乍看起来，那似乎不会使我们特别吃惊：在重大事件上我们会感到强烈的感情冲击——重大事件显然比平常日子让人记忆深刻。
10. An animal that can remember the significance of that large, nasty-looking thing with the big teeth and sharp claws will survive longer and produce more offspring. （Time Jan. 18, 2007）
【结构分析】本句是复合句，句子的主干为An animal will survive longer and produce more offspring。主语animal后接关系代词that引导的定语从句，关系代词代替animal在从句中作主语。在从句里，谓语动词 remember的宾语是the significance，它的后置定语为that large, nasty-looking thing with the big teeth and sharp claws；介词短语with the big teeth and sharp claws补充说明thing的特点。
【参考译文】一种动物只有记住了长相丑恶（具有巨大牙齿和锋利爪子）且身体庞大的重要性，才能生存长久并繁殖更多的后代。
11. Women who live in areas of high air pollution, exposed to invisible particles from traffic fumes, coal-fired power stations and wood fires, are at increased risk of heart disease and death, according to a study. （The Guardian Feb. 1, 2007）
【结构分析】本句是主系表结构。主语Women后是定语从句 who live in areas of high air pollution，关系代词who在从句中代替women作主语，系表部分are at increased risk of heart disease and death被分词结构（表被动）作的后置定语exposed to invisible particles from traffic fumes, coal-fired power stations and wood fires分隔，由于定语部分较长，在翻译时我们可以译为并列结构；句子末尾的according to a study作全句的状语。
【参考译文】一项研究表明，生活在严重空气污染地区的女性，暴露在车辆尾气、燃煤发电厂、森林火灾所产生和排放的无形的微小颗粒中，越来越容易患心脏病，甚至会因此直接导致死亡。
（二）名词性从句
1. The console can determine how the controller is moving in space and what it is pointing at, and uses that information to control what is happening on screen. （The Economist Dec. 2, 2006）
【结构分析】以逗号后and为切入点，得到主句部分的并列平行结构The console can determine…, and uses that information to control…，uses与can determine一起作该句的谓语。其中determine的宾语也以and切入，得到how引导的名词性从句how the controller is moving in space和what引导的名词性从句what it is pointing at（how在从句中作状语，what在从句中作宾语）；在use的宾语补足语to control…中，control的宾语使用了what引导的名词性从句what is happening on screen充当，what在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】游戏机能测出手柄的移动轨迹，识别手柄指着屏幕上的什么东西，然后根据得到的信息控制屏幕上的游戏。
2. If left unchanged, it appears that the time to cash in on digital sales via services like iTunes is starting to evaporate, especially if the music is set to start leaking into the public domain in the country where it was originally produced. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】本句主干为主系表结构，注意appear在这里是系动词用法。表语部分由that引导的名词性从句that the time…is starting to evaporate…充当，不定式短语to cash in on digital sales via services like iTunes 作后置定语修饰the time。especially直到句末是条件状语从句，使用了被动语态 if the music is set to…句末关系副词where引导的定语从句where it was originally produced修饰先行词the country，关系副词在从句中作状语，相当于in which。句首部分If left unchanged，我们可以理解为是分词结构作的条件状语，注意这里使用了leave sth.+adj。用法。
【参考译文】如果不改变，则通过诸如iTunes利用数字销售赚钱的时代可能开始消亡了，尤其是当音乐在其最初发表的国家已经进入公共领域时。
3. If I ever had any doubts about how demanding a teacher’s job is, it would have disappeared for good when I spent some time recently in schools. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句的结构清晰，为主从复合句。it would have disappeared for good when I spent some time recently in schools为主句部分，其中包含一个when引导的时间状语从句when I spent some time recently in schools。If引导的条件状语从句中，had any doubts about后的宾语由how引导的名词性从句how demanding a teacher’s job is充当，how与形容词demanding相连作从句的表语。注意整个句子使用了与过去相反的虚拟语气，从句为if+had done，主句为would/could/should/might+have done的形式。
【参考译文】 如果说我以前还曾怀疑教师的工作有多吃力，那么当我最近在学校中待了一段时间后，我永远改变了原来的想法。
4. The teachers who took part in the program also told me of their worries that they might be force-feeding their pupils information rather than stimulating the discussion necessary to ensure they grasped the importance to them of what they were being taught. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】本句成分复杂。主语The teachers 后跟who引导的定语从句who took part in the program also told me of their worries…作修饰语，关系代词who在从句中作主语。told后我们可以认为是双宾语（对象+内容），直接宾语部分their worries后跟that引导的名词性从句that they might be force feeding their pupils information rather than stimulating the discussion necessary to ensure…说明worries的具体内容。ensure后面的宾语是一个省略了引导词that的宾语从句they grasped the importance to them of…，grasped的宾语the importance of…被不定式结构to them分隔，of构成的介宾短语的宾语由what引导的名词性从句充当，且从句使用了被动语态的现在进行时。
【参考译文】参与节目的老师们还告诉我，他们担心自己可能是在向学生强行灌输知识与信息，而不是激励他们讨论，以此保证他们能掌握他们所学知识的要领。
5. The trouble with that approach is that consumers tend to prefer devices that require simply plugging them in, without complicated setups of wireless channels, security, and other features common to home networks. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句主干很清晰，是主系表结构。其中表语部分由that引导的名词性从句that consumers tend to prefer devices…充当。device后是that引导的定语从句 that require simply plugging them in…,关系代词that在从句中作主语。逗号后的介词短语 without complicated setups of wireless channels, security, and other features…作从句中的伴随状语（在翻译时我们可以转译为定语），句末的形容词结构common to home networks后置作features的定语。
【参考译文】 这一方式的问题在于，消费者更喜欢不需要创立复杂的无线电频道、安全保护以及家庭网络所共有的其他特性，便可以简单插入的装置。
6. Davies says guidance must strike a balance between being flexible enough to take account of the differences between disciplines and providing enough detail to be of use. （The Guardian Oct. 3, 2007）
【结构分析】本句不难，主句谓语says后是省略了that的宾语从句guidance must strike a balance between being flexible enough to take account of the differences between disciplines and providing enough detail to be of use。注意两个between的使用。第一个between与后面的and 相连，构成being flexible enough to…and providing enough detail to…结构，第二个between后跟disciplines表示“各学科之间”，并且前后都使用了be enough to do的形式。
【参考译文】戴维斯说，指导规范必须在足够灵活考虑各学科的不同点和提供充足的可操作的细节之间寻求一种平衡。
7. In its 16 years of operation it has found the first convincing evidence for the existence of black holes, made observations supporting the theory that the universe’s expansion is accelerating and confirmed that dark matter exists. （The Economist Nov. 2, 2006）
【结构分析】去掉句首介宾In its 16 years of operation作的时间状语，以and为切入点，得到主句it has found…, made…and confirmed…其中made后的宾语中，包含现在分词结构supporting the theory…作的伴随状语，在此伴随状语中，that引导同位语从句that the universe’s expansion is accelerating解释说明theory的内容；而confirmed后的宾语由that引导的名词性从句that dark matter exists充当。
【参考译文】在它运行的16年中，首次发现了关于黑洞的令人信服的证据，很多观测都支持宇宙加速膨胀的理论并确认暗物质的存在。
（三）非谓语动词
1. The energy used to separate oxygen from air before burning is almost as great as that needed to filter out nitrogen afterwards, leading to a similar loss of efficiency. （The Economist Nov. 30, 2006）
【结构分析】本句是一个简单句，为一个主系表结构The energy is almost as great as that needed to filter out nitrogen afterwards，使用了as…as…结构，其中被比较的对象that needed to filter out nitrogen afterwards中，that指代上文的energy，过去分词结构needed to…作后置定语体现被动。其中主语energy由过去分词结构used to separate oxygen from air before burning 作后置定语体现被动；句末的现在分词结构leading to a similar loss of efficiency作全句的结果状语。
【参考译文】 燃烧前将氧气从空气中分离所需的能源几乎不亚于上述将氮气过滤所需的耗费，这就使得两者在效率损失上不相上下。
2. Some great manufacturers and great service companies may have become too lean in their relentless drive to reduce costs, outsourcing not just their non-core activities but essential ones too. （The Economist Jun. 15, 2006）
【结构分析】本句不难，逗号前为主句Some great manufacturers and great service companies may have become too lean in their relentless drive to reduce costs,使用了too…to…结构，句末的现在分词结构outsourcing not just their non-core activities but essential ones too作伴随状语，进一步补充说明reduce costs的具体内容。
【参考译文】有些大的制造商和服务供应商热衷于降低成本，不仅把非核心业务外包，而且连核心业务也不放过。
3. The study shows that nearly half the organizations featured in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers plan to expand their graduate programs this year, increasing the total number of vacancies available for new graduates by more than 10 percent compared with 2006 recruitment levels. （The Sunday Times Jan. 11, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句是复合句。逗号前为主句，是主谓宾结构，其中谓语shows的宾语由that引导的名词性从句that nearly half the organizations featured in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers plan to expand their graduate programs this year充当。现在分词结构increasing the total number of vacancies available for new graduates by more than 10 percent compared with 2006 recruitment levels作状语，我们可以理解其为结果状语，注意增加的幅度用介词by表示。句末的过去分词结构compared with 2006 recruitment levels作比较状语。
【参考译文】研究表明，《时代》排名前100名的毕业生雇主单位中有将近一半计划今年将扩大毕业生接收规模，为新的毕业生增加可利用的空缺职位数量，这个数量与2006年的新成员水平相比，会增加10%以上。
4. The trouble is, as soon as you’ve been given a clean bill of health you’re back at your desk, facing the same situation that led to depression and compulsive behavior problems in the first place. （Times Online Jan. 11, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句主干是一个主系表结构The trouble is…，其中表语部分由从句充当。在表语从句中，包含as soon as引导的时间状语从句as soon as you’ve been given a clean bill of health，翻译为“一……就……”。现在分词短语facing the same situation…作you’re back at your desk的伴随状语，关系代词that引导的定语从句 that led to depression and compulsive behavior problems in the first place修饰先行词the same situation，that在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】 问题是，一旦你得到清楚的健康证明，你就得立刻回到你的办公桌，并且首先就要面对与原来曾导致沮丧和强迫性行为问题的同样的情形。
5. Drivers can instruct their car stereos to “play similar”， prompting the system to call up songs in the same musical genre. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，主干是一个主谓宾结构：Drivers can instruct their car stereos to “play similar”，其中不定式结构to “play similar”构成了instruct their cars的复合宾语。现在分词结构prompting the system to call up songs in the same musical genre作instruct their car stereos to “play similar”的状语，我们可以理解为结果状语，在这里，prompt后也采用了不定式结构to call up songs in the same musical genre与the system一起构成复合宾语的形式。
【参考译文】 驾驶者可以指令车内立体声设备“播放相似音乐”，提示系统集合相同风格的音乐。
6. Having succeeded as a convenient vehicle for every conceivable political and commercial slogan, the threads themselves are becoming the newest message, logically enough. （Time Jan. 18, 2007）
【结构分析】本句为主从复合句。主句中的主语与从句中的主语一致，从句中省去主谓，造成分词作伴随状语的形式，我们可以还原为since the threads have succeeded as…主句部分是the threads themselves are becoming the newest message,句末的 logically enough是状语，在翻译时，我们可以转译为be becoming the newest message的补充部分。
【参考译文】成功作为政治和商业口号的一种便捷媒介物，（T恤）衣服本身也成了最新的信息，这种情况（的发生）合乎逻辑。
7. Some of the biggest venture capital firms are raising large funds, targeting more established companies, and increasingly setting their sights abroad. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句结构清晰，主句为Some of the biggest venture capital firms are raising large funds,两个现在分词结构targeting more established companies和increasingly setting their sights abroad由and并列，作全句的伴随状语。
【参考译文】 某些大的风险投资公司正在筹集大量的资金，他们的目标是已经稳定的企业，并且日益将目光投向海外市场。
（四）分隔结构
1. Adding a Bluetooth chip to a phone now costs very little—around $2, down from $20 in 2001—but allows the manufacturer to increase the price of the handset by far more, and opens up a new market for high-margin accessories. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句是典型的破折号分隔。首先以连词为切入点，得到Adding a Bluetooth chip to a phone now costs…but allows…, and opens up…，介词短语around $2, down from $20 in 2001充当的分隔成分作上文costs very little的具体解释说明，分隔了前两个并列的谓语。
【参考译文】 在手机里添加一个蓝牙芯片的成本很低——从2001年时的20美元下降到2美元左右——但是可以允许制造者提高远远高出这个的价格，并且打开了一个高利润附件的市场。
2. It was refreshing, across the age groups of the children I met, to see how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how, with a little bit of prompting from their teachers and me, they saw how relevant they were to their daily lives. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句使用了两处分隔，均由逗号表现。第一处分隔across the age groups of the children I met,分隔了主系表结构的一种特殊形式，即形容词+to do作表语。去掉分隔部分，我们得到It was refreshing to see how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how, with a little bit of prompting from their teachers and me, they saw how relevant they were to their daily lives。这里我们注意到see后面的宾语由两个how引导的从句充当：how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how…清晰看到第二处分隔为介宾短语with a little bit of prompting from their teachers and me作的伴随状语。去掉分隔，得到It was refreshing to see how quickly they grasped the whole idea of human rights and how they saw how relevant they were to their daily lives，即由and并列的两个how引导的宾语从句。在第二个从句中，谓语say后仍然是由how引导的名词性从句how relevant they were to their daily lives充当宾语。在翻译时，我们可将两个分隔部分所作的状语提前。
【参考译文】 在我所见到的同年龄段的孩子们中，在我和他们的老师只给了一点儿提示的情况下，见证他们如何快速地领会人权的整体观念，如何认识到人权与他们的生活密切相关，这一点是非常让人兴奋的。
3. What was interesting was how quickly, by using relevant and local examples where possible, the pupils cottoned on to how the interplay of rights and responsibilities could affect their lives, and so became active and engaged participants in the classroom debates. （The Guardian Sep. 12, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句体现了逗号分隔。主语部分由what引导的名词性从句充当，what在从句中作主语。表语由how引导的从句充当，被插入的方式状语by using relevant and local examples where possible分隔。去掉分隔，我们连接为What was interesting was how quickly the pupils cottoned on to how the interplay of rights and responsibilities could affect their lives, and so became active and engaged participants in the classroom debates。注意表语从句由and so连接了两个谓语cottoned on（理解）和became active and engaged participants，并且cottoned on to（理解）后的宾语也由how引导的从句充当。在翻译时，我们仍然将分隔部分所作的状语提前。
【参考译文】 有意思的是，通过讲述可能发生在身边与自己息息相关的例子，学生们很快地理解了权利与责任间的相互作用是怎样影响他们的生活，然后更积极主动地参加课堂讨论。
4. It is only when the environment demands our attention—a dog barks, a child cries, a telephone rings—that our mental time machines switch themselves off and deposit us with a bump in the here and now. （Time Jan. 19, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句是破折号分隔。分隔部分a dog barks, a child cries, a telephone rings分隔了原本的强调句型It is only when the environment demands our attention that our mental time machines switch themselves off and deposit us with a bump in the here and now。被强调的部分是when引导的状语从句表示时间。分隔部分由三个并列的名词短语构成，举例说明前文the environment的具体情况。
【参考译文】 只有在环境需要我们的注意的时候——狗在吠，孩子哭，电话铃响——我们的精神时间机制才会自动关闭，且让我们在此时此地受到一击。
5. Nokia, which has made emerging markets a priority, continues to introduce low-cost phones designed for markets where many users do not have access to reliable electricity, and may not even be able to read. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句是逗号分隔，体现为非限制性定语从句。which has made emerging markets a priority分隔了主谓部分，去掉分隔，得到Nokia continues to introduce low-cost phones designed for markets where many users do not have access to reliable electricity, and may not even be able to read。我们注意到markets后是一个关系副词where引导的定语从句where many users do not have access to reliable electricity，and may not even be able to read，where在从句中作状语，相当于in which。在翻译时，我们根据汉语习惯，将定语从句转译为全句的状语，并根据其使用了完成时态翻译为“……后”。
【参考译文】 在新兴市场中取得了优先地位后，诺基亚继续引进低成本的手机，这些手机是针对不能获得可靠电力甚至可能是不识字的使用者构成的市场而设计的。
（五）被动语态
1. Car drivers can buy electro-petrol hybrids but aircraft are, for now, stuck with kerosene, because its energy-density makes it the only practical fuel to carry around in the air. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 以连词but为切入点，本句包含两个并列分句。其中第二个并列分句aircraft are, for now, stuck with kerosene, because its energy-density makes it the only practical fuel to carry around in the air包含because引导的原因状语从句，使用了make it sth。（使它成为……）结构，主句aircraft are, for now, stuck with kerosene使用了被动语态，并由介词短语for now分隔，连接后得到aircraft are stuck with kerosene，翻译时为符合汉语习惯译为主动。
【参考译文】 小汽车司机可以购买电力汽油混合动力的汽车，但是飞机只能用煤油，因为它的能量密度使其成为唯一可以在空中携带的燃料。
2. It can be plugged into a hand-held device （such as a mobile phone, music player or portable games console） to power or recharge it, and has sufficient capacity to provide around 30 hours of talk-time on a mobile phone, or 60~80 hours of playback time for an iPod music player. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 去掉括号内的举例补充说明，以and为切入点，得到It can be plugged into a hand held device to power or recharge it, and has sufficient capacity to provide…, and并列了两个谓语，前一谓语使用了被动语态be plugged，翻译时我们可转译为主动，后一谓语的宾语补足语to provide后的宾语由or并列，分别为around 30 hours of talk-time on a mobile phone和60~80 hours of playback time for an iPod music player。
【参考译文】 它可以放入手持设备（比如手机、音乐播放器或便携式游戏机）给其提供能源或充电，足以供一部手机通话30小时，或者一台iPod音乐播放器播放60到80小时。
3. Questions are increasingly being asked by the councils about how they can be sure that misconduct is not taking place on the grants they provide.（The Guardian Oct. 3, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句使用了被动语态的现在进行时结构，主干为Questions are increasingly being asked about…，施动者by the councils构成了分隔结构。在翻译时，我们可以化被动为主动，the councils are increasingly asking questions about…，介词about后的宾语由how引导的从句how they can be sure…充当，这里又包含一个特殊的结构“主语+adj.+从句”，that引导的名词性从句 misconduct is not taking place on the grants they provide中，grants后是一个省略了关系代词that/which的定语从句，关系代词在从句中作provide的宾语。
【参考译文】 各委员会越来越多地提出问题——关于他们如何能够确保在他们同意的情况下避免发生处理不当的行为。
4. It’s much easier to say “Great idea!” when a terrific solution has been put forward by someone on your team, than it is to take the time to explain why an employee’s favorite brainchild isn’t going anywhere except the circular file. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句成分复杂。以逗号为切入点，得到一个比较结构It’s much easier to say “Great idea!”…than…。it是形式主语，前半部分的真正主语由不定式结构to say “Great idea!”…充当，这里包含一个when引导的时间状语从句when a terrific solution has been put forward by someone on your team，使用了被动语态的现在完成时。后半部分真正主语为to take the time to explain…，explain后的宾语是why引导的宾语从句 why an employee’s favorite brainchild isn’t going anywhere except the circular file。在翻译时，我们将状语提前，且化被动为主动。
【参考译文】 当团队中的某个人提出了极好的解决方案时，说“好主意”要比花时间解释为什么一个职员最喜欢的想法最终被抛弃要容易得多。
（六）状语从句
1. The engines would have variable nozzles, which would be fully opened on take-off and landing, so that the exhaust would be slow and relatively quiet, and narrowed when the aircraft was cruising, providing the necessary speed. （The Economist Nov. 9, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句是主从复合句。主句为The engines would have variable nozzles。其后的定语从句比较复杂，以逗号后and为切入点，得到which would be fully opened…and narrowed…，关系代词which指代先行词nozzles在从句中作主语。其中so that引导的结果状语从句so that the exhaust would be slow and relatively quiet说明（nozzles）would be fully opened on takeoff and landing情况发生时所产生的结果，句末的现在分词结构providing the necessary speed 作（nozzles）would be narrowed when the aircraft was cruising情况发生时的伴随结果，其中when引导的从句作时间状语。
【参考译文】 引擎将配有各种各样的尾喷管，在起飞和降落时这些尾喷管会全部打开，这样喷气速度会下降，噪音也会更小；而在飞机巡航过程中，尾喷管将变小以保证必要的飞行速度。
2. If it decides in favour, the whole industry will feel the impact, for it will affect not just European airlines but all those that fly into and out of the EU. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 以连词for为切入点，得到两个并列结构，分别为If it decides in favour, the whole industry will feel the impact和for it will affect not just European airlines but all those that fly into and out of the EU。前一分句中，if引导从句If it decides in favour作条件状语；后一分句中，谓语affect的宾语部分使用了not just…but…结构，句末的定语从句that fly into and out of the EU修饰先行词those。
【参考译文】 如果意见是肯定的，那么整个民航业将受到影响，因为这个方案不仅影响欧洲的航线，同样也对到达欧洲和飞离欧洲的航线产生作用。
3. The business director concentrates on planning and practicality, whether it’s deciding how to change a company’s business strategy or ensuring that everyone attending a meeting can see the overhead projector. （The Sunday Times Jan. 11, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句的主句在逗号前The business director concentrates on planning and practicality，后面的让步状语从句由whether引导。在从句中，由or并列了两个谓语be deciding 和ensuring。decide的宾语由how to do的形式充当，ensure的宾语由that引导的名词性that everyone attending a meeting can see the overhead projector构成，注意everyone的后置定语是一个现在分词结构，我们可以还原成一个定语从句，who is attending…
【参考译文】 商业导演集中于计划和实施，不管是决定怎样改变一个公司的商业战略，还是保证每位参加会议的人都能看到头顶的放映机。
4. Some jobs require specific qualifications but most top employers will take any degree discipline provided you’ve got a first or an upper second from a decent university. （Times Online Jan. 11, 2007）
【结构分析】 以but为切入点，定位本句为两个并列分句Some jobs require specific qualifications but most top employers will take any degree discipline…句末部分的provided引导条件状语从句provided you’ve got a first or an upper second from a decent university，翻译为“假如……”。
【参考译文】 有些工作需要特别的资格，但大多数的一流雇主会采取某种程度的原则，即你要在一个不错的大学获得一流或上流的成绩。
5. Even if the actual instances of mailroom-to-boardroom ascendancy are one in a million, it’s pleasant to think that somewhere out there is a person pushing a mail cart or answering phones who will one day run the company. （Business Week Jan. 29, 2007）
【结构分析】 逗号前为even if引导的让步状语从句Even if the actual instances of mail room to board room ascendancy are one in a million，翻译为“尽管……”，主句为it’s pleasant to…，其中it作形式主语，真正的主语是后面不定式结构。在不定式中，think 的宾语由that引导的名词性从句充当。在此从句中，使用了there be句型there is a person…，person后有两个现在分词短语作的后置定语 pushing a mail cart和 answering phones…这两个定语由or并列，句末的定语从句 who will one day run the company也修饰先行词person，关系代词who在从句中代替person作主语。
【参考译文】 尽管从传达室转到董事会的实际例证只有百万分之一的比率，但猜想在这之外的某个地方有一个开邮车的人或是接电话的人某天会掌管一个公司是件令人高兴的事。
（七）比较结构
1. Keep in mind, though, it’s much more important to be able to show your manager how you contributed to the company’s results （such as incremental revenue or reduced cost） than just a difference in pay between you and someone else. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句使用了more…than…的比较结构。以副词though所充当的分词结构切入，本句为祈使句，keep后的宾语由省略了that的名词性从句充当。在此从句中，使用了it作形式主语，不定式结构to be able to show your manager…作真正主语的形式，show后是双宾语结构，than并列了比较的两端，为（show your manager） how you contributed to the company’s results和just a difference in pay between you and someone else。
【参考译文】 尽管如此，要记住向你的上司展示你对公司业绩的贡献（比如，提高收入降低成本）要比仅仅展示你和其他人的工资差别更为重要。
2. It’s much better for the manager to offer a pay increase, beaming with pride over his or her good judgment in hiring you, than for you to get the same pay increase by having to ask for it. （Business Week Feb. 5, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句的比较结构与例（40）同，主干为It’s much better for the manager to…than for you to…注意两个逗号之间的分词结构beaming with pride over his or her good judgment in hiring you作前文It’s much better for the manager to offer a pay increase的目的状语。
【参考译文】 上司为你加薪——为他或她录用你的判断而自豪高兴，要比自己为获得同样的加薪而要求更好。
3. Women’s control over the number of children they have is an unqualified good—as is the average person’s enjoyment, in rich countries, of ten more years of life than they had in 1960. （The Economist Jun. 5, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句主句为Women’s control over the number of children they have is an unqualified good，其中they have为省略了关系代词的定语从句，修饰先行词children，破折号部分as is the average person’s enjoyment…为as引导的定语从句，修饰先行词an unqualified good，注意这里good作名词用；句末的比较结构often more years of life than they had in 1960使用了than加从句，整体作从句中表语the average person’s enjoyment的后置定语。
【结构分析】 女人拥有一种绝对的优势，那就是对自己生孩子的数量的掌控。在发达国家，对普通人而言，能比六十年代的人多享受十年的生活也同样是种绝对优势。
4. Moreover, most participants could find an angry face just as quickly when it was mixed in a group of eight photographs as when it was part of a group of four. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句的比较结构清晰，使用了as…as…形式，比较的两端为when it was mixed in a group of eight photographs和 when it was part of a group of four。
【参考译文】 另外，不管这些图片是八张一组还是四张一组，参与者都能同样迅速地辨别出愤怒的表情。
（八）倒装语序
1. Not only does a green thing look different from a red thing, remind us of other green things and inspire us to say, “That’s green”， but it also actually looks green: it produces an experience of sheer greenness that isn’t reducible to anything else. （Time Jan. 19, 2007）
【结构分析】 该句子中，逗号前表示否定的词not only放在句首，使用了部分倒装。正常语序为：a green thing looks not only different from a red thing，reminds us of other green things and inspires us to say, “That’s green”。这是并列了三个谓语（look different…，remind us…and inspire us…）。but之后为递进部分，but it also actually looks green…，其中冒号后为具体的解释说明，并且这里包含一个定语从句that isn’t reducible to anything else，关系代词that指代先行词sheer greenness，在从句中作主语。
【参考译文】 一件绿色的东西不仅仅看起来与红色的东西不同，使我们想起其他绿色的东西并刺激我们说：“那是绿色”，而且它确实看起来是绿色的：它产生了一个完全的绿色的经验，那不能简化成任何其他事情。
2. Clever though this is, it is just a stepping stone towards the direct incorporation of fuel cells into portable devices and, in particular, laptops—the application that remains the industry’s Holy Grail. （The Economist Jun. 8, 2006）
【结构分析】 本句体现了典型的将表语部分提前构成的让步状语从句倒装，还原后应为though this is clever。主句为it is just a stepping stone towards the direct incorporation of fuel cells into portable devices and, in particular, laptops—the application that remains the industry’s Holy Grail，其中包含incorporation…into…的结构，portable devices和laptops作介词into的宾语。句末的名词短语the application that remains the industry’s Holy Grail作上文的补充说明，其中包含that引导的定语从句，修饰先行词appplication。
【参考译文】 虽然这很聪明，但它只能算是通往直接将燃料电池与便携设备整合的道路上的垫脚石，特别是对笔记本电脑而言——这一设备现在仍是工业界的圣杯。
（九）并列平行结构
1. In each case the pattern is the same: young people adopt a new form of entertainment, older people are spooked by its unfamiliarity and condemn it, but eventually the young grow up and the new medium becomes accepted—at which point another example appears and the cycle begins again. （The Economist Jun. 18, 2006）
【结构分析】 以but为切入点，得到并列结构“…，…，but…and…”即young people…, older people…, but eventually the young…and…其中第二个并列结构older people are spooked by its unfamiliarity and condemn it中又由连词and并列两个谓语。句末使用了介词提前的定语从句，其中which指代上文的一整句the new medium becomes accepted，与at一起作从句的时间状语，其中从句中又由and并列两个分句another example appears和 the cycle begins again。
【参考译文】 上述每一个实例都有着相同的模式：年轻人接受了一种新的娱乐形式，年长的人因陌生而受惊，于是对其批评指责。最终，年轻人长大成人，于是新媒体被社会承认——此时，另一种娱乐形式出现，循环模式再次开始。
2. If you are a person, as I am, who is perfectly delighted for the thick people to go happily about their thick people’s business, but who also believes in elites—not only believes in them, but thinks they ought to be cherished, that the Today programme and News night, as it were, are more worthy of our licence fee than thick people’s television, regardless of audience figures—then the whole subject becomes complicated. （The Sunday Times Nov. 4, 2007）
【结构分析】 本句主干为then the whole subject becomes complicated。句首部分为if引导的条件状语从句，其中包含两个并列平行的定语从句，分别为who is perfectly delighted for…以及but who also believes in…在第二个定语从句中，破折号之间的部分为对它的补充说明，这里又出现了not only…but…表现的并列平行结构，but引导的第二个并列分句中，谓语动词thinks后有they ought to be cherished及that…两个并列的宾语从句，还包含一处比较级。
【参考译文】 假如你是像我一样的人，为普通人快乐地追求普通人自己的生活而高兴，但也相信精英——不仅相信他们，而且也认为他们应该受到珍视，甚至认为不管收视率如何，“今日”节目和“晚间新闻”在某种程度上比普通人看的电视节目更有花钱收看的价值——那么整件事就变得复杂了。
3. Call me incredulous but I find that very difficult to believe, which means we are back to the wrongheaded kind of political correctness that mulishly refuses to identify excellence in some children and in doing so damages them and robs them of any chance to better themselves or feel any pride in their achievements—all in the name of head teachers’ “ideology”. （The Sunday Times Nov. 4, 2007）
【结构分析】 以连词but为切入点，主句由两个并列分句构成。第一个分句Call me incredulous是祈使句，第二个并列分句中包含一个由which引导的非限制性定语从句which means…，关系代词which在从句中作主语。在此从句中，又包含一个定语从句that mulishly refuses to identify excellence in some children and in doing so damages them and robs them of any chance to better themselves or feel any pride in their achievements修饰先行词the wrongheaded kind of political correctness。去掉枝叶，我们看到that从句中，谓语动词refuses，damages和robs由and并列。句末破折号后是对前文的补充说明。
【参考译文】 你可以说我多疑，但我还是觉得难以让人相信，这意味着我们返回到政治正确性的错误判断类别：固执地拒绝承认某些孩子的优秀品质，这样做的结果伤害了他们，剥夺了他们提升自己、或为自己取得的成绩感到骄傲的机会——所有这一切就是校长们所谓的“思想观念”。
（十）否定句
1. It is not every day that you get to witness the birth of a new social system. But General Motors’June 1 bankruptcy, and the company’s likely reorganization under the ownership of the U.S. Treasury, does suggest the arrival of a novel relationship—at least for the United States—between the citizen and his government。（Weekly Standard Jun. 15, 2009 ）
【结构分析】 本句使用了强调句型的否定式It is not…that…，在这个句型中，it没有词汇意义，只是引出被强调的成分。every day是所强调的内容，并使用了not直接否定。But后的句子又使用了借助助动词do强调句子谓语的强调词结构，句中表现为用does强调suggest即does suggest…整句话还包含一个较长的分隔结构and the company’s likely reorganization under the ownership of the U.S. Treasury，对主语General Motors’June 1 bankruptcy起补充说明的作用。
【参考译文】 不是每天人们都可以见证一个新社会体系的诞生。但是通用6月1日宣告破产，它将在美国财政部的掌控下进行可能的重组，这一事件正是暗示了一种新关系的到来——至少是在美国——公民与政府之间的新型关系。
2. Best known as a destination for honeymooners in search of perfect white beaches and swaying palms, the Seychelles islands rarely make any sort of headlines. Few tourists would even have noticed the presidential election on July 30th, in which James Michel, leader of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front, was returned with 54% of the ballot. （The Economist Aug. 10, 2006）
【结构分析】 本段出现了两处否定。前一句中，使用了否定副词rarely体现否定，译为“几乎不”，Best known as…作该句状语。后一分句中，使用否定代词few体现否定，译为“很少”，其中包含了which引导的定语从句in which James Michel，leader of do the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front, was returned with 54% of the ballot, which指代先行词election, 并与in一起在从句中作状语，且该从句的谓语使用了被动语态；leader of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front为分隔结构，补充说明James Michel此人的身份。
【参考译文】 说起塞舌尔群岛，许多人只知道它是度蜜月者找寻美丽的白色沙滩和摇曳的棕榈树的目的地之一。除此之外，几乎没有媒体对其进行报道，就连游客们也很少有人注意到7月30日该国举行的总统选举。在这次选举中，塞舌尔人民进步阵线领导人詹姆斯?米歇尔获得了54%的选票。