选择合适的词

正确的选项其句意一定是明确的，不存在歧义。所在在GMAT考试中，你的任务之一是选择最简洁明确的选项来传达作者的意图。(正确的答案将永远清楚地反映作者的意思。)

一个英语单词往往不只一个意思，我们使用单词时是否是要表述其精确的意思?GMAT考试很少测试纯单词的知识，但通常考查的是在特定环境下单词的准确使用。

　　◆ My decision to drive a hybrid car was motivated by ECONOMIC considerations.

　　◆ ECONOMICAL considerations motivated my decision to drive a hybrid car.

第二个句子，这是短更简洁但其意思表达准确吗?Economical 意思是thrifty、efficient。作者的原意是想表达希望有一个高效的汽车。正确的词组应该economic considerations。

思考下面对字和词句及其独特含义：

　　◆ aggravate (worsen) vs. aggravating (irritating)

　　◆ known as (named) vs. known to be (acknowledged as)

　　◆ loss of (no longer in possession of) vs. loss in (decline in value)

　　◆ mandate (command) vs. have a mandate (have authority from voters)

　　◆ native of (person from) vs. native to (species that originated in)

　　◆ range of (variety of) vs. ranging (varying)

　　◆ rate of (speed or frequency of) vs. rates for (prices for)

　　◆ rise (general increase) vs. raise (a bet or a salary increase)

　　◆ such as (for instance) vs. like (similar to)

　　◆ try to do (seek to accomplish) vs. try doing (experiment with)

一些单词的改变就能造成句子整体上意思的变化。所以要注意每个单词在句子中的的准确含义。特别是一些助动词，像may, will, must, should,等，也会改变句子的整体意思。

Example 1

　　◆ Certain — The drop in interest rates WILL create better investment opportunities.

　　◆ Uncertain — The drop in interest rates MAY create better investment opportunities.

Either of these sentences could be correct. However, do not jump from one to the other! Stay with the intent of the original sentence, whether it uses will or may.

Example 2

　　◆ Absolutely Necessary — The court ruled that the plaintiff MUST pay full damages.

　　◆ Morally Obliged — The court ruled that the plaintiff SHOULD pay full damages.

请注意，第二句是不正确的should应该是指“道义上的责任”的东西，而法院不能强加。另一方面，第一个句子中的must指的是原告实施的一项具有法律约束力的义务。因此，我们要用must。还应当注意，GMAT中must是指“道义责任”，而不是 “可能性。”

Example 3

　　◆ Actual — If Chris and Jad met, they DISCUSSED mathematics.

　　◆ Hypothetical — If Chris and Jad met, they WOULD DISCUSS mathematics.

第一句可能是由不确定Chris and Jad是否见面的人说的。“If this did indeed happen, then that is　the consequence.”第二句则预测了这两个人见面后的结果“If this were to happen, then that would be the consequence.”