TASK 1要求考生在20分鐘內(nèi)完成至少150詞的寫作任務(wù);TASK 2要求考生在40分鐘內(nèi)完成至少250詞的寫作任務(wù)。A類TASK 1考試內(nèi)容為曲線圖、表格或圖表,而G類TASK 1考信件(索取信息或說明信息);就TASK 2而言,A類和G類的考試內(nèi)容都是針對一個(gè)看法、論點(diǎn)或問題作答。
由于TASK 2所占的分?jǐn)?shù)比重是TASK 1的兩倍,同時(shí)該部分A類與G類考題內(nèi)容以及問題形式趨于一致,也是中國考生錯(cuò)誤比較密集的部分,所以接下來的內(nèi)容將圍繞著Task 2 展開。
錯(cuò)誤一:語言絕對化
根據(jù)能量守恒定律(Law of energy conservation),即“各種能量形式互相轉(zhuǎn)換是有方向和條件限制的,能量相互轉(zhuǎn)換時(shí)其量值不變,表明能量不能被創(chuàng)造或消滅”,人們在使用語言描述事物變化時(shí),應(yīng)盡可能避免語言過于絕對化,尤其是在使用第二語言進(jìn)行正式的書面表述時(shí),更應(yīng)該注意該語言中非絕對化表達(dá)方式的學(xué)習(xí),這樣才能盡顯文章內(nèi)容的客觀性。
這是絕大多數(shù)中國考生在面對雅思寫作TASK 2時(shí)所忽視的,大家可以對比如下兩組句子:
This tends to occur whenever there is a downturn in commodity prices.
This occurs whenever there is a downturn in commodity prices.
A child learning a foreign language at primary school causes confusion between their native language and the foreign one.
A child learning a foreign language at primary school is likely to cause confusion between their native language and the foreign one.
為解決該問題,筆者總結(jié)了一些表達(dá)委婉語氣的用語和句式,考生可以嘗試使用,如:may, might, would, could, largely, possibly, probably, be likely (unlikely) to, be inclined to, tend to, to a large (some) extent, there is a higher probability/possibility that…等。
錯(cuò)誤二: 只回答部分問題
An increasing number of people are moving and living in big cities. Why is this case? Is it a positive or negative trend? (2010年1月23日 G類) 該題有兩個(gè)問題,很多考生在作答時(shí)忽視了第一問,只回答第二問,抑或是把第一問和該現(xiàn)象積極的一面混為一談,如:
On the one hand, living in big cities brings about a considerable number of advantages, which is also why people move to big cities. Initially, it is undeniable that work conditions in big cities are usually better that those in countries and small cities. With more work opportunities and a higher level of salary, people in other places, especially the young, are inclined to move to big cities. Subsequently, not only does living in big cities offer people better work conditions, but also it affords dwellers with facilities of higher quality. These facilities, such as the premium hospitals and education resources, are extremely attractive to countryside people and those in small cities. (考生答卷)
該現(xiàn)象的原因應(yīng)從大城市移民的角度考慮,如可以享受更好的生活設(shè)施,教育資源和就業(yè)機(jī)會等。而其積極的一面應(yīng)從城市居民或管理者的角度考慮,如大量的“移民”給城市帶來了更多的勞動力和稅收。
遇到此類考題,考生可以將全文分為四個(gè)段落,除去開頭和結(jié)尾段,主體兩個(gè)段落分別回答一個(gè)問題,即第二段回答產(chǎn)生該現(xiàn)象的“原因”,第三段選取積極或消極任何一面展開論述。
錯(cuò)誤三:容易跑題
該現(xiàn)象產(chǎn)生的原因主要是考生沒有正確地理解題目,如Some people think that foreign tourists abroad should be charged more than local people to visit a country’s cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (2011年4月30日A類)
就該題而言,很多考生將意思是“收費(fèi)”的charged一詞理解為“控制”,而該詞是我們在中學(xué)階段就已經(jīng)學(xué)習(xí)過的。這就很容易導(dǎo)致作文跑題,而跑題的作文分?jǐn)?shù)為5分。
避免該問題,首先,在積累詞匯階段,考生應(yīng)連同其同義詞準(zhǔn)確記憶;其次,由于每年的考題重復(fù)率相對較高,所以,如果時(shí)間允許,考生可以在練習(xí)階段把近幾年題目通讀一遍,準(zhǔn)確理解題目內(nèi)容。
錯(cuò)誤四:文章沒有分段或分段不充分
雅思作文應(yīng)按照論文的寫作格式分段,即有開頭段,結(jié)尾段和由兩到三段構(gòu)成的主體段落。不論是四段式還是五段式,考生只要進(jìn)行合理的分段,就能滿足考試在邏輯性方面的要求。
錯(cuò)誤五:字?jǐn)?shù)不夠
字?jǐn)?shù)不夠,即在規(guī)定時(shí)間內(nèi)(40分鐘)沒有達(dá)到文章字?jǐn)?shù)要求(至少250單詞)。字?jǐn)?shù)不足250單詞,文章最高將不會超過5.5分,這在《劍8》Test 2和《劍7》Test 4提供的考生答卷中均有體現(xiàn)。
產(chǎn)生該問題的原因主要有:1. 觀點(diǎn)數(shù)量少;2. 不知道觀點(diǎn)如何展開;3. 寫作速度太慢。那么,要在規(guī)定時(shí)間內(nèi)滿足字?jǐn)?shù)要求,考生需要想出足夠多的觀點(diǎn),學(xué)習(xí)如何展開觀點(diǎn),熟練運(yùn)用復(fù)雜句并提高寫作速度。接下來我們將分析如何滿足以上要求:
首先,考生需要想出足夠多的觀點(diǎn)。為此,很多考生會搜集各種網(wǎng)站所做的“寫作預(yù)測”,從而提前準(zhǔn)備觀點(diǎn)。需要提醒考生的是不要盲目相信各種“預(yù)測”,預(yù)測題目可以練習(xí)使用,但目的是更好地提升寫作水平;相反,若把所有精力集中在預(yù)測題目上,并背誦相關(guān)內(nèi)容,最終很有可能會被當(dāng)作模板處理,而對于使用模板或者是含有大量語言記憶片段的文章,最高分?jǐn)?shù)不會超過5分。所以,建議考生積累觀點(diǎn)要走“正道”即:1. 擴(kuò)大閱讀面。閱讀中文相關(guān)內(nèi)容也可以有效地增加考生的背景知識。2. 積累同類話題的通用觀點(diǎn)。
在文章總字?jǐn)?shù)要求不變的情況下,每個(gè)段落觀點(diǎn)數(shù)量越多,意味著支持句的數(shù)量就可以相應(yīng)地減少。如果一個(gè)段落中含有兩個(gè)觀點(diǎn),那么每個(gè)觀點(diǎn)句展開一個(gè)支持句就滿足字?jǐn)?shù)要求了,如:Charity organizations should give aid to people in the greatest need, wherever they are from, or help people in their own countries. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (2010年1月9日A類)
Opponents of charity organizations only giving aid domestically, however, contend the assistance should be open to people in need no matter where they are from. To start with, it is the functionality of charity organizations to render help to those who are in great need, regardless of their nationalities. Otherwise, it may be considered as going breach of the purposes they are established for. What is more, not only can international charity assistance enhance the friendship of two nations, but also help eliminate the conflicts and misunderstandings, thereby stimulating the cultural exchanges between countries. (94words)
如果一個(gè)段落只有一個(gè)觀點(diǎn),在保持段落字?jǐn)?shù)不變的情況下,支持句的數(shù)量就要相應(yīng)地增加,如:Some people think that foreign tourists abroad should be charged more than local people to visit a country’s cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (2011年4月30日A類)
The reason that I oppose to the above view is the unfairness and inequality this proposal may conduce to. As is known to all, historic attractions are owned by all human beings and should be shared by people from all over the world equally and without discrimination. Once this proposal being implemented, an unfavorable impression of this country would be formed in no time. There is a fear that foreign travelers may never come again. Neither do their friends nor those who gain this negative information. And this will inevitably lead to a vicious circle. (95words)
因此,在觀點(diǎn)較少的情況下,能否將觀點(diǎn)充分地展開成為滿足字?jǐn)?shù)要求的關(guān)鍵所在。
其次,如何展開一個(gè)觀點(diǎn),關(guān)鍵在于是否能夠靈活運(yùn)用論證方式。常用的論證方式包括:解釋(explanation),延伸(extension),舉例(exemplification)和對比(contrast)等,如:
A lot of innovations are made with the aim of making money for a few. This is because it is the rich and powerful people in our society who are able to impose changes (such as in working conditions or property developments) that are in their own interests. (第二句為解釋論證)(《劍6》Test 4)
My view is that young people should be encouraged to broaden their horizons. That is the best way for them to get a clear perspective of what they are hoping to do with their lives and why. (第二句為延伸論證) (《劍5》Test 2)
To do this, we need to improve the choice of public transport services available to travelers. For example, if sufficient sky train and underground train systems were built and effectively maintained in our major cities, then traffic on the roads would be dramatically reduced.(第二句為舉例論證)(《劍8》Test 3)
The reasons for this trend may involve the recognition that a young adult who passes directly from school to university is rather restricted in terms of general knowledge and experience of the world. By contrast, those who have spent some time earning a living or traveling to other places, have a broader view of life and better personal resources to draw on. (第二句為對比論證)(《劍5》Test 2)
最后,提高寫作速度,其關(guān)鍵在于“固定”。要想在那么短的時(shí)間內(nèi),在考場上高度緊張的狀態(tài)下寫出滿足字?jǐn)?shù)要求同時(shí)又非常優(yōu)秀的文章來,的確是非常困難的,但是雅思考官曾講過,考場上任何一篇優(yōu)秀文章中的每一個(gè)單詞都是經(jīng)過精心準(zhǔn)備的。因此,要想保證字?jǐn)?shù)同時(shí)又保證質(zhì)量,考前精心的準(zhǔn)備和設(shè)計(jì)是非常必要的。如:
固定開頭段
The late 20st century witnessed the every surging boom of advanced technology, which has brought attention to a heated debate concerning whether housework should be accomplished manually.
The late 20st century witnessed the ever surging boom of the world population, which has brought attention to a heated debate concerning whether people should be encouraged to move into skyscrapers.
固定常用句型
引導(dǎo)觀點(diǎn)或者解釋論證
It is a widely held perception that…
It is a commonly shared convention that…
舉例子
A great case in point is that…
延伸論證
So…that…
對比論證
主語+should/would/could/might + do +其他+ if +主語+did/be(were) +其他
連接兩個(gè)觀點(diǎn)
Not only…but also…
注意:文章中固定下來的內(nèi)容,尤其是開頭段、結(jié)尾段和文中的一些固定句型,最好不要摘自比較流行的輔導(dǎo)參考書,避免被考官認(rèn)為是抄襲或者模板。因此,考生需要自己總結(jié)或者在閱讀國外期刊雜志以及相關(guān)網(wǎng)站原版內(nèi)容的過程中不斷積累,同時(shí)還要保證固定內(nèi)容不能超出自身英語水平太高,否則,被考官認(rèn)定是語言記憶片段的可能性較大。把固定下來的內(nèi)容運(yùn)用熟練,就可以有效地提高寫作速度,從而滿足字?jǐn)?shù)要求。
錯(cuò)誤六:用詞不恰當(dāng)
首先,考生應(yīng)避免口語詞匯,如a lot of可以由a substantial number of和a significant number of等詞來替換;
其次,使用正式詞匯。盡可能用兩個(gè)音節(jié)以上的詞匯替代一個(gè)音節(jié)的詞匯,如comprehend替代get和 establish替代set up。這是因?yàn)樵趯W(xué)術(shù)類文章中,要求使用正式詞匯。單音節(jié)詞多屬于非正式詞匯,而正式詞匯都屬于兩個(gè)音節(jié)以上的詞匯,為了避免增加考生詞匯記憶的負(fù)擔(dān),建議考生在選擇用詞時(shí),盡可能避免單音詞即可。
以上內(nèi)容的總結(jié),目的是為了讓大家了解這些錯(cuò)誤的根源并盡可能地避免,這有利于大家取得較好的雅思寫作成績。與此同時(shí),本文提供的一些錯(cuò)誤解決辦法對大家出國以后的論文寫作也具有一定的指導(dǎo)意義。這也是雅思考試的科學(xué)之處,即讓考生通過備考階段,掌握留學(xué)生活中所需要的各種語言能力,如快速閱讀及論文寫作,從而幫助學(xué)生更好地適應(yīng)海外的學(xué)術(shù)生活。