旧词新意
2012高考英语考生须知-旧词新意
近年来，为了考查考生猜测词义的能力，高考英语阅读理解题中出现了大量生词，其中有不少词属于熟词换新义的情况，很多考生因不懂这些熟词的新含义，而出现思维被堵的现象，严重影响了对全文的正确理解，造成了不应有的失分。
例1：Ottawa has given out special passes to some 300 US citizens in that area so they can enter the country when Canadian customs stations are closed, but the US stopped a similar program last May. （2005全国卷I）
析：custom原本为名词，表风俗习惯。由句中special passes、enter the country和are closed之间的语境逻辑可以推断该词仍为名词，表“海关”。
例2：The other teams, disappointed, were on the bus heading home. （2004山东卷）
析：head本为名词，表头。由the bus和home的语境逻辑可以推断，该句head为动词，表方向，结合全句可译为“开往、驶向”。
例3：I had first known she was wrong, that her anxiety had clouded her judgment. （2004全国卷Ⅱ）
析：cloud本为名词，表云。分析语境逻辑可知，忧虑会影响一个人的判断，因此该句clouded应译为使难以……。
例4：Finally, although some social science majors may still find it more difficult than their technically trained classmates to land the first job, recent graduates report that they don't regret their choice of study. （2004山东卷）
析：land作动词，表登陆、着陆。结合语境可知，登陆第一份工作就指找到第一份工作，因此该句land应译为“得到、找到”。
例5：How could they begin to picture modern life？
析：picture本为名词，表图画。分析语境逻辑可知，该句picture作为动词，可理解为使……出现图画，即描绘。
不少考生因不理解划线部分熟词的新含义，给全句甚至全文的理解带来很大困难。显然为了提高阅读效率，我们很有必要归纳一下熟词的新词义。
1. fire vt. 解雇
Work hard or you will be fired. 努力工作，否则你将被解雇。
2. fine vt. 罚款
If you pay no attention to the red light and run across the street, you'll be fined.如果你对红灯不予理睬，强行过马路，你将被罚款。
3. fall n. 秋天
In fall all the leaves fall of themselves. 秋天所有树叶都会无风自落。
4. wind vt. 使弯曲前进 vi. 迂回，蜿蜒
The Great Wall of China winds its way from west to east.长城自西向东蜿蜒前进。
5. lay 下蛋，产卵
The hens lay there, laying eggs. 母鸡伏在那里下蛋。
6. spring n. 泉水，弹簧，弹力；vt. 跳跃
The spring has run dry. 这眼泉干涸了。
This is a dead spring. 这弹簧失去了弹性。
He rose with a spring. 他一跃而起。
The ball sprang back and hit him. 球弹回打在他身上。
7. mine n. 矿山；vt. 开采（矿物）
This mine will be ope
ned. 这个矿井将被开采。
Coal is mined from underground. 煤采自地下。
8. egg n. 卵
An ant starts as an egg. 蚂蚁的生命自卵开始。
9. can n. 罐头
This is a can of oranges.这是一罐头桔子。
10. bear vt. 忍受
I can't bear this pain. 我无法忍受这样的痛苦。
11. stand vt. 忍受
I can't stand being treated like this. 我受不了别人这么对我。
12. clear vi. 天气转晴
The sky will clear up this afternoon. 下午天将转晴。
13. cross n. 十字架
It is not right for you to wear a cross. 你戴十字架不合适。
14. cost vt. 使丧失
The storm cost the king all his ships. 这场暴风雨使国王失掉了所有船只。
15. date vi. 始于或属于（某一历史时期）；n. 约会
This tower dates from / back to the 14th century. 此塔历史可追溯到十四世纪。
I will have a date with Jenny tonight. 今晚我与詹妮有约会。
16. way n. 领域，场合
Science can help peasants in many ways. 科学可在很多领域对农民们有帮助。
17. flat n. 一套房间
I have a flat in this building. 我在这幢楼里有一套房间。
18. gift n. 天资，才能
He has a gift for music. 他有音乐天赋。
19. good n. 好处，利益
We study for the good of the people. 我们为人民利益而学习。
20. break n. 课间/工间休息
Let's have a break. 让我们休息一会儿。
21. green adj. 青的，生的
These apples are still green, you can't pick them.这些苹果还未成熟，请别摘。
22. table n. 表格
This is a railway timetable. 这是一张火车时刻表。
23. tear vt. 撕
He tore the letter open. 他将信撕开了。
24. china n. 瓷器
I will buy a set of china. 我要买一套瓷器。
25. interest n. 利益
I criticize you for your interest. 我批评你是为了你好。
26. iron n. 熨斗
She is pressing her dress with an iron. 他在用熨斗烫衣服。
27. lift n. 电梯
The building is too high, please take the lift. 楼房太高了，请乘电梯。
28. must n. 必须做的事情
To learn English well is a must. 学好英语是非常必要的。
29. promise vt. 有希望
He promises to be a scientist. 他有希望成为科学家。
30. race n. 种族，人种
They are black races. 他们是黑色人种。
31. seat vt. 可容纳……，坐得下……人
Our hall can seat 1 000 people. 我们的大厅可容纳1 000人。
32. second n. 秒
A minute is equal to sixty seconds. 一分钟等于60秒。
33. sound vt. 使发出声音
If there is a fire, please sound the fire alarm. 如果发生火灾，请按火警。
34. word n. 消息，情报
Word comes that there will be a film this evening. 有消息说，今晚将有一场电影。
35. world n. ……界
He is very popular in the world of music. 他在音乐界颇受欢迎。
36. hold vt. 容纳，盛得下
Our classroom can hold 100 students. 我们的教室可容纳100个学生。
37. run vt. 经营，开办；操作
He runs a famo
us school. 他开办着一所著名学校。
He is running a machine. 他正在操作一台机器。
38. excuse vt. 使免去……
Excuse me from work next Friday. 请同意我星期五不上班。
39. will n. 意志，决心
He has a strong will. 他有坚强的意志。
40. some adv. 大约
There are some fifty students in our class. 我们班大约有五十个学生。