今年八月，新美国GRE粉墨登场，全球考生翘首以待。改革后的美国GRE到底新在何处，尤其是阅读部分，到底有怎样的新手段，估计很多学生心中都有些忐忑。看完本文后，我相信很多人都会大为宽心，新美国GRE阅读其实没有变出什么新花样，只不过大量模仿了GMAT逻辑题的出题方式罢了。一言以蔽之：新美国GRE阅读 = 老美国GRE阅读 + GMAT逻辑。
大家都知道，老美国GRE阅读从篇幅上分有长文章和短文章;而在新美国GRE阅读中不但保留原来的长文和短文，还增加了只有一到四句话的超短文章，我将其称之为微文。微文不但微小，还有微妙之感。试看下例(新美国GRE官方指南 P71)：
In the United States between 1850 and 1880, the number of farmers continued to increase, but at a rate lower than that of the general population
Which of the following statements directly contradicts the information presented above?
The number of farmers in the general population increased slightly in the 30 years between 1850 and 1880.
The rate of growth of the United States labor force and the rate of growth of the general population rose simultaneously in the 30 years between 1850 and 1880.
The proportion of farmers in the United States labor force remained constant in the 30 years between 1850 and 1880.
The proportion of farmers in the United States labor force decreased from 64 percent in 1850 to 49 percent in 1880.
The proportion of farmers in the general population increased from 68 percent in 1850 to 72 percent in 1880.
仔细考量这道微文题，明显感到这不是传统的阅读理解，而是对思维的考察，这就是微文题目的特点。ETS正是要通过微文题来实现其改革的两大目标：强调复杂推理能力和强调量化推理能力。过去的美国GRE因为在这两方面的欠缺，导致了大多商学院只认可GMAT对能力的测试。而如今，美国GRE为了与GMAT竞争，故而自我完善，弥补欠缺。而且ETS还选择了一条最取巧的道路——模仿GMAT的逻辑题。
比如说(新美国GRE官方指南 P313)：
In the past ten years, there have been several improvements in mountain-climbing equipment. These improvements have made the sport both safer and more enjoyable for experienced climbers. Despite these improvements, however, the rate of mountain-climbing injuries has doubled in past ten years.
Which of the following, if true, best reconciles the apparent discrepancy presented in the passage?
Many climbers, lulled into a false sense of security, use the new equipment to attempt climbing feats of which they are not capable.
Some mountain-climbing injuries are caused by unforeseeable weather conditions.
Mountain climbing, although a dangerous sport, does not normally result in injury to the experienced climber.
In the past ten years there have been improvements in mountain-climbing techniques as well as in mountain-climbing equipment.
Although the rate of mountain-climbing injuries has increased, the rate of mountain-climbing deaths has not changed.英语作文
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