题文
Although in the 17th century in the United States fine art and folk art had similar qualities, a difference between them began to appear as time went on in the 18th and 19th centuries artists with ambition studied abroad and came back to paint portraits(肖像) of upper-class families in American society. The less ambitious or less fortunate artists traveled around their own areas and created pictures of countryside society. Anyway, artists got trained and those simple creations improved a lot.Around 1930，folk art began to take on a new meaning and was considered as an expression of a small cultural class. Folk art is never the product of art movements, but comes out of craft traditions. This art is based not on measurements or calculations and rarely goes with the standards of realism. It goes straight to the bases of art which the folk artists feel naturally.
The period 1930~ 1960 was the time when folk artists began to receive recognition. They often began their art careers late in life and used art as an outlet（出口） for their energy. Their materials were cheap and simple, their subjects were different, but their creativity flowed. Doing their own things became the norm（标准）, and was what made folk art so desirable.
Although it is hard to define folk art, one thing is certain --- it touches us in a special way because the artists show us how he or she brought beauty into their everyday life. Since folk artists come from all walks of life, each piece of art created is one of a kind, emphasizing color, simplicity of line and brave, simple form. Most importantly, it exemplifies（作为…的例子） the history of American life.
小题1:What similar qualities did folk art and fine art probably have in the 17th century?A．They were both simple creations.B．The artists of both focused on family life.C．The artists of both came from the lower class.D．They were both gifted creations by trained artists.小题2: What was folk art around 1930 based on according to the second paragraph?A．The traditions of the upper class.B．The progress of art in that period.C．The standards of realism.D．The feelings of the artists.小题3:Which of the following statements can be used to describe the works of folk artists?A．They are difficult to understand.B．They help artists let out their energy.C．They show pictures of unreal life.D．They are similar to one another.小题4:Why did folk art become popular during the period from 1930 to 1960?A．It offered artists the freedom of expression.B．Artists didn’t need to spend much on materials.C．Other kinds of art couldn’t express the beauty of life.D．Artists could express their dissatisfaction towards society.小题5:The author’s purpose in writing the text is to ___________. A．speak highly of folk artB．compare folk art and fine artC．explain the history and characteristics of folk art in AmericaD．explain the development and changes of American art 题型：未知 难度：其他题型
答案
小题1:A
小题2:D
小题3:B
小题4:A
小题5:C
解析
文章介绍民间艺术的历史和特点。民间艺术家的作品来自艺术家的感觉，民间艺术受欢迎是因为它们提供艺术家展示的空间。
小题1:推理题：从第一段的句子：Anyway, artists got trained and those simple creations improved a lot.可知在17世纪，民间艺术和美术的创作都很简单，选A
小题2:细节题：从第二段的句子：It goes straight to the bases of art which the folk artists feel naturally.可知民间艺术家的作品来自艺术家的感觉，选D
小题3:细节题：从第三段的句子：They often began their art careers late in life and used art as an outlet（出口） for their energy.可知民间艺术帮助艺术家释放精力，选B
小题4:细节题：从第三段的句子：Their materials were cheap and simple, their subjects were different, but their creativity flowed. Doing their own things became the norm（标准）, and was what made folk art so desirable.可知20世纪30-60年代民间艺术受欢迎是因为它们提供艺术家展示的空间。选A
小题5:主旨题：文章第一段比较民间艺术和美术之间的差别，后面几段重点讲的是民间艺术的历史和特点。选C
考点
据考高分专家说，试题“Although in the 17th.....”主要考查你对 [政治经济类阅读 ]考点的理解。政治经济类阅读
政治经济类文章的概念：
要做好这类阅读，平时就要注意了解国内外发生的政治经济大事，掌握一定背景知识，对这类文章的叙述特点及内容安排有一定了解，还要扩展这方面的词汇。阅读这类文章，要抓住文章的核心，即文章整体和各段主要在说什么，也要注意段落之间的逻辑关系。
如何备考政治经济类阅读理解题：
【题型说明】政治经济类阅读文章是高考常选材料之一。该类文章时代气息浓郁，语言鲜活，但熟字新义词、超纲词及专业词语多，长句、难句多。政治类文章大多数是同学们感性趣的内容，读起来倒有似曾相识的感觉，经济类文章读起来就像是雾里看花，文章看完，一头雾水。再加之这类文章的命题侧重于词义猜测、推理判断和文章主旨，同学们对这类题材是望而生畏。
【备考策略】建立心理优势。针对不同体裁的文章，我们要采取相应的阅读方法和技巧。政治类文章多采用记叙文形式，我们可采取“顺读法”，以便抓关键语句，领会文章主旨；而经济类文章则多采用说明文形式，我们则可以采取“逆读法”，先读试题，再从文章中查找有用信息。若遇到的确难读的材料。千万不用着急，因为你觉得难，其他人也一定是同感。在高考前，我们就要有这种心理准备，高考试卷肯定有一、两篇难以阅读的材料。不过，我们平时可以有意识地从报刊杂志上找一些较难的阅读材料来阅读，以培养自己迎难而上的心理素质。
【答题方法】
1、寻找主干：
根据英语中五种基本句型结构，把句子中的主语、谓语、宾语、表语等主要成分找出来，其他成分如定语、状语、补语等则易于理解。找到了句子主干，句子的意思至少明白了一半。
2、剔除从句：
在一个长句中可能会出现若干个从句，在理解时，如果把各个从句剔除出来单独理解，然后把大意拼凑起来，整个长句的意思就会明白六、七分。
3、辨别分句：
一个长句如果是由几个并列、转折、递进、对比关系的分句组成，句中往往有表示这些分句关系的连接词，只要能弄清楚分句和分句之间的逻辑关系，再把各层分句的意思加以连贯，整个长句的句意基本上能跃然脑中。
4、寻找关键词：
如果一个句子看完，一点句意的感觉也没有，下下策就是抓住句中的关键词，通过关键词大体弄懂这个长句的意思。
