(二)具體定義

　　就是對(duì)文中某個(gè)現(xiàn)象或術(shù)語(yǔ)加以定義。這種具體定義有時(shí)成為詞義題的考試內(nèi)容。

　　例2 Statuses are marvelous human inventions that enable us to get along with one an- other and to determine wher we "fit" in society. As we go about our everyday lives, we mentally attempt to place people in terms of their statuses. For example, we must judge whether the person in the library is a reader or a librarian, whether the tele- phone caller is a friend or a salesman, whether the unfamiliar person on our property is a thief or a meter reader, and so on.

　　The statuses we assume often vary with the people we encounter, and change throughout life. Most of us can, at very high speed, assume the statuses that Various situations require. Much of social interaction consists of identifying and selecing among appropriate statuses and allowing other people to assume their statuses in rela- tion to us. This means that we fit our actions to those of other people based on a con- stant mental process of appraisal and interpretation. Although some of us find the task more difficult than others, most of us perform it rather effortlessly.

　　A status has been compared to ready-made clothes. Within certain limits, the buyer can choose style and fabric. But an American is not free to choose the costume(服裝)of a Chinese peasant or that of a Hindu prince. We must choose from among the clothing presented by our society. Furthermore, our choice is limited to a size that will fit, as well as by our pocketbook(錢(qián)包). Having made a choice within these lim- its we can have certain alterations made, but apart from minor adjustments, we tend to be limited to what the stores have on their racks. Statues too come ready made, and the range of choice among them is limited.

　　In the first paragraph, the writer tells us that statuses can help us

　　A. determine whether a person is fit for a certain job

　　B. behave appropriately in relation to other people

　　C. protect ourselves in unfamiliar situations

　　D. make friends with other people

　　這道題問(wèn)statuses的作用，這是第一段的內(nèi)容。第一段首句就是一個(gè)定義：Statuses are marvelous human inventions that enable US to get along with one another and to determine wher we "fit" in society.這個(gè)定義為第一段的主題句，也是本題的相關(guān)句，由此可知B項(xiàng)為正確答案：(statuses有助于)人們?cè)谌穗H交往中保持言談舉止得體。