2018 考研英语一 · Text 4阅读真题精讲 · 美国邮政改革的困境原文逐句三色标注 · STEP 四步法解题Part 1 · 原文与翻译谓语动词 红色加粗 ｜ 连词 蓝色加粗 ｜ 从句 黄色荧光导读 本文讨论美国邮政服务局（USPS）的财务困境与改革难题。作者既肯定国会达成的改革方案是好的开端，又批评它只是"最低限度的补救"而非系统性改革，呼吁对 21 世纪的邮政系统进行根本性转型。§ 段落 1① The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) continues to bleed red ink. ② It reported a net loss of $5.6 billion for fiscal 2016, the 10th straight year its expenses have exceeded revenue. ③ Meanwhile, it has more than $120 billion in unfunded liabilities, mostly for employee health and retirement costs. ④ There are many reasons this formerly stable federal institution finds itself at the verge of bankruptcies. ⑤ Fundamentally, the USPS is in a historic squeeze between technological change that has permanently decreased demand for its bread-and-butter product, first-class mail, and a regulatory structure that denies management the flexibility to adjust its operations to the new reality.① 美国邮政服务局（USPS）继续大出血（亏损）。② 它报告称 2016 财年净亏损 56 亿美元，这是其支出连续第 10 年超过收入。③ 与此同时，它有超过 1200 亿美元的无资金准备的负债，主要用于员工医疗和退休成本。④ 有许多原因导致这个曾经稳定的联邦机构发现自己处于破产边缘。⑤ 根本上， USPS 处于一场历史性挤压之中：一方面是技术变化（已永久性地减少了对它的拳头产品——一类邮件——的需求），另一方面是监管结构（拒绝给予管理层灵活调整运营以适应新现实的灵活性）。§ 段落 2① And interest groups ranging from postal unions to greeting-card makers exert self-interested pressure on the USPS's ultimate overseer — Congress — insisting that whatever else happens to the Postal Service, aspects of the status quo they depend onget protected. ② This is why repeated attempts at reform legislation have failed in recent years, leaving the Postal Service unable to pay its bills except by deferring vital modernization.① 从邮政工会到贺卡制造商等利益集团，对 USPS 的最终监督者——国会——施加着出于私利的压力，坚持要求：无论邮政服务发生什么其他变化，他们所依赖的现状的某些方面都必须得到保护。② 这就是为什么近年来多次改革立法的尝试都失败了，导致邮政服务除了推迟重要的现代化之外，无法支付其账单。§ 段落 3① Now comes word that everyone involved — Democrats, Republicans, the Postal Service, the unions and the system's heaviest users — has finally agreed on a plan to fix the system. ② Legislation is moving through the House that would save USPS an estimated $28.6 billion over five years, which could help pay for new vehicles, among other survival measures. ③ Most of the money would come from a penny-per-letter permanent rate increase and from shifting postal retirees into Medicare. ④ The latter step would largely offset the financial burden of annually pre-funding retiree health care, thus addressing a long-standing complaint by the USPS and its union.① 现在传来消息：所有相关方——民主党人、共和党人、邮政服务局、工会以及该系统最重要的用户——终于就修复该系统的方案达成了一致。② 一项法案正在众议院推进，该法案将在五年内为 USPS 节省约 286 亿美元，这笔钱可用于购置新车辆等生存措施。③ 大部分资金将来自每封信一美分的永久性提价，以及将邮政退休人员转入联邦医疗保险。④ 后一项举措将在很大程度上抵消每年预拨退休人员医疗保健资金的财务负担，从而回应了 USPS 及其工会的一项长期抱怨。§ 段落 4① If it clears the House, this measure would still have to get through the Senate — where someone is bound to point out that it amounts to the bare, bare minimum necessary to keep the Postal Service afloat, not comprehensive reform. ② There is no change to collective bargaining at the USPS, a major omission considering that personnel accounts for 80 percent of the agency's costs. ③ Also missing is any discussion of eliminating Saturday letter delivery. ④ That common-sense change enjoys wide public support and would save the USPS $2 billion per year. ⑤ But postal special-interest groups seem to have killed it, at least in the House. ⑥ The emerging consensus around the bill is a sign that legislators are getting frightened about a politically embarrassing short-term collapse at the USPS. ⑦ It is not, however, a sign that they 're getting serious about transforming the postal system for the 21st century.① 如果该措施在众议院通过，它仍须在参议院闯关——在那里必会有人指出，它只是让邮政服务勉强维持的最低、最低限度的补救，而非全面改革。② USPS 的集体谈判制度没有改变，考虑到人事成本占该机构成本的 80%，这是一项重大遗漏。③ 同样缺失的是关于取消周六信件投递的讨论。④ 这一常识性变化享有广泛的公众支持，每年可为 USPS 节省 20 亿美元。⑤ 但邮政特殊利益集团似乎已经扼杀了它，至少在众议院是如此。⑥ 围绕该法案形成的共识是一个信号：立法者正对 USPS 短期内可能在政治上令人尴尬的崩溃感到恐惧。⑦ 然而，这并不是一个他们正认真对待为 21 世纪改造邮政系统的信号。长难句精析【长难句 1】段 1 ⑤Fundamentally, the USPS is in a historic squeeze between technological change that has permanently decreased demand for its bread-and-butter product, first-class mail, and a regulatory structure that denies management the flexibility to adjust its operations to the new reality.▸ 结构：主句为 the USPS is in a historic squeeze between A and B（在 A 与 B 之间处于历史性挤压）； A = technological change，后跟 that 定语从句修饰； B = a regulatory structure，后跟 that 定语从句修饰。 bread-and-butter product（拳头产品）是 first-class mail 的同位语。▸ 译文：根本上， USPS 处于一场历史性挤压之中：一方面是技术变化（已永久性地减少了对它的拳头产品——一类邮件——的需求），另一方面是监管结构（拒绝给予管理层灵活调整运营以适应新现实的灵活性）。【长难句 2】段 2 ①And interest groups ranging from postal unions to greeting-card makers exert self-interested pressure on the USPS's ultimate overseer — Congress — insisting that whatever else happens to the Postal Service, aspects of the status quo they depend on get protected.▸ 结构：主句为 interest groups exert pressure on Congress； ranging from...to... 为现在分词短语作后置定语； insisting that... 为现在分词作伴随状语， that 引导宾语从句；宾语从句内嵌 whatever 让步状语从句，主句为 aspects... get protected，其中 they depend on 为省略 that 的定语从句修饰 aspects。▸ 译文：从邮政工会到贺卡制造商等利益集团，对 USPS 的最终监督者——国会——施加着出于私利的压力，坚持要求：无论邮政服务发生什么其他变化，他们所依赖的现状的某些方面都必须得到保护。【长难句 3】段 4 ①If it clears the House, this measure would still have to get through the Senate — where someone is bound to point out that it amounts to the bare, bare minimum necessary to keep the Postal Service afloat, not comprehensive reform.▸ 结构： If 引导条件状语从句；主句为 this measure would still have to get through the Senate； where 引导非限制性定语从句修饰 Senate；定语从句内嵌 that 引导的宾语从句； necessary to keep... 为形容词短语作后置定语修饰 minimum。▸ 译文：如果该措施在众议院通过，它仍须在参议院闯关——在那里必会有人指出，它只是让邮政服务勉强维持的最低、最低限度的补救，而非全面改革。逐段生词短语（纯文本，可复制粘贴）段 1bleed red ink 大出血（亏损）； net loss 净亏损； fiscal 财年的； straight 连续的； expenses 起支； revenue 收入； unfunded liabilities 无资金准备的负债； retirement costs 退休成本； formerly 以前； stable 稳定的； federal institution 联邦机构； at the verge of 在...边缘； bankruptcy 破产； fundamentally 根本上； historic squeeze 历史性挤压； technological change 技术变化； permanently 永久性地； bread-and-butter product 拳头产品； first-class mail 一类邮件； regulatory structure 监管结构； deny 拒绝给予； flexibility 灵活性； adjust operations 调整运营； new reality 新现实段 2interest groups 利益集团； range from... to... 从...到...； postal unions 邮政工会； greeting-card makers 贺卡制造商； exert pressure on 对...施加压力； self-interested 出于私利的； ultimate overseer 最终监督者； insist 坚持； status quo 现状； depend on 依赖； get protected 得到保护； repeated attempts 多次尝试； reform legislation 改革立法； fail 失败； unable to 无法； pay bills 支付账单； except by 除非通过； defer 推迟； vital modernization 重要现代化段 3comes word 传来消息； everyone involved 所有相关方； Democrats 民主党人； Republicans 共和党人； heaviest users 最重要用户； finally agreed 终于达成一致； fix the system 修复系统； legislation 法案； move through the House 在众议院推进； an estimated 估计； survival measures 生存措施； penny-per-letter 每封信一美分； permanent rate increase 永久性提价； shifting... into... 将...转入...； postal retirees 邚政退休人员； Medicare 联邦医疗保险； the latter step 后一项举措； largely offset 大大抵消； financial burden 财务负担； annually 每年地； pre-funding 预拨资金； retiree health care 退休人员医疗保健； long-standing complaint 长期抱怨段 4clear the House 在众议院通过； get through the Senate 在参议院闯关； be bound to 必然会； point out 指出； amount to 相当于； bare minimum 最低限度； keep afloat 维持； comprehensive reform 全面改革； collective bargaining 集体谈判； major omission 重大遗漏； considering 考虑到； personnel 人事； account for 占比； agency costs 机构成本； eliminating 取消； Saturday letter delivery 周六信件投递； common-sense change 常识性变化； enjoy wide public support 享有广泛公众支持； special-interest groups 特殊利益集团； kill 扼杀； emerging consensus 形成中的共识； a sign 一个信号； legislators 立法者； frightened 恐惧； politically embarrassing 政治上令人尴尬的； short-term collapse 短期崩溃； get serious about 认真对待； transforming 改造；21st century 21 世纪Part 2 · 阅读做题四步法：找定位词 → 找定位句 → 精读定位句 → 匹配选项答案速览
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36. The financial problem with the USPS is caused partly by ________.[A] its unbalanced budget [B] its rigid management [C] the cost for technical upgrading [D] the withdrawal of bank support
STEP 1
定位词： financial problem, USPS, caused partly by
STEP 2
定位句：段 1 ⑤ ...a regulatory structure that denies management the flexibility to adjust its operations to the new reality.
匹配：[B] its rigid management = "僵化的管理"，与 denies management the flexibility 同义替换 ✓。[A] 预算不平衡是财务问题的"表现"而非"原因"，因果倒置 ✗[C] 原文说"技术变化减少需求"，非"技术升级成本"，偷换概念 ✗[D] 原文未提及银行支持，无中生有 ✗
答案： B37. According to Paragraph 2, the USPS fails to modernize itself due to ________.[A] the interference from interest groups [B] the inadequate funding from Congress [C] the shrinking demand for postal service [D] the incompetence of postal unions
STEP 1
定位词： Paragraph 2, USPS fails to modernize
STEP 2
定位句：段 2 ① interest groups... exert self-interested pressure on... Congress — insisting that... aspects of the status quo they depend on get protected. + 段 2 ② This is why repeated attempts at reform legislation have failed... leaving the Postal Service unable to pay its bills except by deferring vital modernization.
匹配：[A] the interference from interest groups = "利益集团的干预"，与 exert self-interested pressure 同义替换 ✓。[B] 原文未提"国会资金不足"，无中生有 ✗[C] 邮政需求萎缩是段 1 提到的财务困境原因，非段 2 现代化失败原因，定位错 ✗[D] 原文说工会"有意施压保护现状"，非"无能"，偷换概念 ✗
答案： A38. The long-standing complaint by the USPS and its unions can be addressed by ________.[A] removing its burden of retiree health care [B] making more investment in new vehicles [C] adopting a new rate-increase mechanism [D] attracting more first-class mail users
STEP 1
定位词： long-standing complaint, USPS and its unions, addressed by
STEP 2
定位句：段 3 ③ ...from shifting postal retirees into Medicare. + 段 3 ④ The latter step would largely offset the financial burden of annually pre-funding retiree health care, thus addressing a long-standing complaint by the USPS and its union.
STEP 3
精读： the latter step = shifting postal retirees into Medicare（将邮政退休人员转入联邦医疗保险）； would largely offset the financial burden of annually pre-funding retiree health care = "将大大抵消每年预拨退休医疗资金的财务负担"。即通过转移退休人员减轻医疗负担，从而解决长期抱怨。
STEP 4
匹配：[A] removing its burden of retiree health care = "减轻退休医疗负担"，与 offset the financial burden of... retiree health care 同义替换 ✓。[B] 投资新车辆——段 3 ②"help pay for new vehicles"是法案资金的用途，非解决长期抱怨的措施，对象错 ✗[C] 采用新提价机制——段 3 ③"penny-per-letter rate increase"是资金的另一来源，非解决抱怨的措施 ✗[D] 吸引更多一类邮件用户——原文未提，无中生有 ✗
答案： A39. In the last paragraph, the author seems to view legislators with ________.[A] respect [B] tolerance [C] discontent [D] gratitude
STEP 1
定位词： last paragraph, author, view legislators（态度题）
STEP 2
定位句：① 段 4 ① ...it amounts to the bare, bare minimum... not comprehensive reform. ② 段 4 ⑥ The emerging consensus... is a sign that legislators are getting frightened about a politically embarrassing short-term collapse... ③ 段 4 ⑦ It is not, however, a sign that they're getting serious about transforming the postal system for the 21st century.
STEP 3
精读：作者用"bare minimum"批评方案治标不治本；用"frightened about... short-term collapse"指出立法者只关心短期政治影响；用"not... serious about transforming"直接否定立法者的改革诚意。三层批评叠加 = 不满态度。
STEP 4
匹配：[C] discontent "不满"——与 bare minimum / frightened / not serious 三处批评立场一致 ✓。[A] respect "尊重"——与作者批评立场相反 ✗[B] tolerance "容忍"——作者明确指出不足，非默认接受 ✗[D] gratitude "感激"——与 not serious 批评完全矛盾 ✗
答案： C40. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?[A] The USPS Starts to Miss Its Good Old Days [B] The Postal Service: Keep Away from My Cheese [C] The USPS: Chronic Illness Requires a Quick Cure [D] The Postal Service Needs More than a Band-Aid
STEP 1
定位词： best title（主旨题，需通览全文核心论点）
STEP 2
定位句：① 段 4 ① ...the bare, bare minimum necessary to keep the Postal Service afloat, not comprehensive reform. ② 段 4 ⑦ It is not, however, a sign that they're getting serious about transforming the postal system for the 21st century.
STEP 3
精读：全文核心论点——USPS 财务困境深重（段 1-2），当前方案只是"最低限度的补救"（bare minimum）而非"全面改革"（comprehensive reform），立法者并未"认真对待系统改造"（not serious about transforming）。即当前方案治标不治本，需要更多。
STEP 4
匹配：[D] The Postal Service Needs More than a Band-Aid = "邮政服务需要的不仅仅是创可贴"——Band-Aid（创可贴）比喻治标不治本的临时补救，对应 bare minimum； Needs More than 呼应 not comprehensive reform / not serious about transforming ✓。[A] "怀念好日子"——全文焦点是改革方案而非怀旧，偏题 ✗[B] "远离我的奶酪"——比喻牵强，与原文论点无对应 ✗[C] "慢性病需要快治"——原文作者立场是"治标不够，需系统性改革"，而非"快治"，且"quick cure"非作者观点 ✗
