考研人數逐年增加，競爭之激烈使得我們不得不加急復習的日程。眾所周知，閱讀理解占據了考研英語二100分試卷的一半分值，而考研英語閱讀文章大多來自英美國家的主流報刊雜志，所以如果能在日常就多多閱讀這些文章，對以后讀懂文章做對題目來說會大有裨益。

學習步驟如下：

1.不看漢語譯文自己看一遍短文做理解

2.看漢語譯文比對自己理解的意思與之出入

3.強化記憶重點單詞（以記憶其漢語意思為主）

文段一

These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes oldhat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms. Dumn and Mr. Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time—as stories or memories—particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.

短文翻譯 

?這兩位學術研究者通過一系列的行為研究表明：回報率最高的花錢方式可能是與我們的直覺相反的。說起巨額財富人們往往會想到名車與豪宅，然而購買的這些物質性的東西所帶來的滿足感很快就會消耗殆盡。曾經的新意和激動很快就退去，隨之而來的是后悔。鄧恩女士和諾頓先生認為錢應該花在一些有意義的經歷上，例如有趣的旅行，別致的聚餐或者看場電影。這些經歷會隨著時間變得更有價值——正如故事和記憶一樣——特別是如果這些經歷包含了更多與他人有關的情感。

重點單詞

counterintuitive [?ka?nt(?)rin?tju?itiv]

adj.反直覺的，反常的

extravagant [?k?str?v?ɡ?nt]

adj.奢侈的; 揮霍的; 鋪張浪費的;

satisfaction [?s?t?s?f?k?n]

n.滿足; 滿意; 欣慰; 令人滿意(或欣慰)的事;

wear off

（感覺等）逐漸消逝，消失

purchase [?p??t??s]

n.購買; 采購; 購買的東西;

文段 II

This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most “happiness bang for your buck.” It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib—a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.

短文翻譯

這本書雖然薄但卻有很多小訣竅可以幫助工薪階層以及贏得彩票的人獲得“貨真價實”的幸福。如果大多數人能夠減少他們的工作時間，花更多的時間和朋友以及家人在一起，少看點電視(看電視是平均每個美國人一年會用整整兩個月的時間所做的一件事情，并且他們從中獲得的樂趣幾乎很少)，他們會過得更快樂一點。買禮物送給別人或者做慈善通常要比給自己買東西帶來更多的樂趣，奢侈品只有偶然的買一回才能讓你感到真正的快樂。這就是為什么麥當勞限制供應其傳奇的烤汁豬排骨的原因——一種市場營銷的手段，使豬肉三明治變成了讓人們著魔的一樣東西。

重點單詞

commute [k??mju?t]

v.(乘公共汽車、火車、汽車等)上下班往返，經常往返(于兩地) ;

jollier [?d??l??]

adv.非常; 很;

adj.愉快的; 快樂的; 高興的;

pleasurable [?ple??r?bl]

adj.愉快的; 快活的; 適意的

luxury [?l?k??ri]

n.奢侈的享受; 奢華; 奢侈品; 不常有的樂趣(或享受、優勢);

sparingly ['spe?r??li]

adv.很少; 細嚼慢咽地; 節儉地;

obsession [?b?se?n]

n.癡迷; 著魔; 困擾; 使人癡迷的人(或物);