阅读量:
夫英明者,卓越而明智也。一试何以显英明?当是万全准备,方能才华尽显。能力与技巧之珠联璧合,便能所向披靡。文从口语题,窥一斑以见托福全貌。
托福口语题:准备时间15秒,回答时间45秒,需让考生基于个人经验谈论诸如最喜欢的人、地点、电影、书籍等等。
经过大量的学生回答,总结发现考生的困难是:
一、考试准备时间短,无话可说;
二、范围太广,平时无从准备;
三、表达上逻辑混乱;
四、用语平平,大量的语法错误和中式表达。
一、考试准备时间短,无话可说
由于准备时间太短,耍帅和结巴者甚也。耍帅者的基本表现是well, you know, as far as I am concerned, actually, let’s say, so to speak…等过渡词的疯狂叠用,基本占去二十秒左右的时间,还没有奔向主题的意向(注:用过渡词会显得口语自然、流畅,但反对疯狂叠用);而结巴者在断续蹦出的单词间出现很长时间的黑暗停顿,偶尔加上uh强调其停顿。归根结底,原因不过是无话可说。
解决方案:
既然无话可说,那就依靠平时的积累和准备,分类准备。把已考过的题(2005年12月03日至2009年09月26日)进行一个简单的统计,得出如下表格:
我们既然知道ETS的出题方向,就按照这些细分的大类,好好准备一些段子,不管考到什么样的题目,瞬间搜索出准备好的内容,短时间内做出答案,不成问题。准备好这些问题还有附带的好处,参加国外大学面试,外企面试,困难也会迎刃而解。
二、范围太广,平时无从准备
既然已经知道了大类,准备好了分类的段子,接下来的工作就是尝试回答已考过的题喽。但突然发现,用心凝视已考过的这几百个题目,眼神纠结,夜难成寐。几百个题目要都回答下来还真不是一件容易的事情。
解决方案:
活版印刷法。
什么意思?不管什么样的题,我们口语答案的结构应该是一个主题句,两个分论点以及细节。我们准备好的分类段子,就像活版印刷里活动的汉字,而想组织成不同题的答案,就像移动汉字组成不同文章一样。把相同的段子,分别用在不同的题里,成为不可缺少的部分。比如,回答喜爱的地点:
The place that impresses me most is my hometown.
Firstly, I like my hometown because it has a splendid landscape. In the North of my hometown, there lies a park with a beautiful lake and wonderful grassland. When the breeze is blowing, you can get a pleasant feeling and see the grass dancing. Listening to the birds singing beside the lake is really an enjoyment.
I like it also because the precious memories it has given to me. You know, I spent the Mid-Autumn Day in my hometown with my friend Nancy. We talked about our hobbies and we were surprised to find out we were both interested in being a musician. On leaving, she even gave me a book called the old man and the sea. That’s really amazing!
那回答印象深刻的事件,我们只需要稍微移动一下,主题句变成中秋节难忘,另外的两个分论点,可以是:一、因为这个中秋节在家过;二、因为这个中秋节有很多回忆。
回答远离家乡时最怀念什么,同理,主题句可以是怀念家乡,可以是怀念家乡的中秋节,可以是怀念家乡的朋友Nancy, 可以怀念家里的一本书,老人与海。而分论点,当然又可以是段子的反复移动喽。
这样看来,准备的题量会从几百个变为十几个。
三、表达上逻辑混乱
很多同学不习惯先说主题,再说分点和细节,导致在这回答的45秒的时间内是说了些东西,但是ETS愣是不知道您到底要表达什么。
解决方案:
本身的思路要清晰,再用上过渡词和过渡句,如:
Firstly, I like it because;On the other hand;In addition;What’s more;however;but;in spite of;nevertheless;on the contrary;for example…;such as…; for instance;in fact;important to note;most above all;especially valuable;
accordingly;for this reason;hence;So;then;thus;therefore;since;consequently…
四、用语平平,大量的语法错误和中式表达
口语反应时间短,平时练习又不够,所以导致答案用语平平,大量语法错误和中式表达。经常出现he/she乱用,过去事情用现在时态,动词乱用,形容词匮乏的情况。
解决方案:
每天翻译三个较复杂的句子,中翻英(材料带英文原文)。这样的练习可以真正提高语言能力,对比中英文差异,体会地道的表达法,胜似多一个外教在身边。再者,多留意生活和体会生活的细节感触。
比如,这样的描述:
Also, there is another reason I like this bar. They provide various kinds of drink that I never know. I would like to try one of them each time.
如果改成:Well, the place that impresses me most is an awesome coffee bar located in our community. I like this bar because it’s a fantastic place. The atmosphere is so fun. The building is amazing, and the food there is so nice. Stopping in after the meal at that coffee bar, you will be surprised to find the place fully packed with people. I decided to try their drip coffee instead of the latte. It was excellent, strong without being bitter. The chocolate chip cookie was good too.要生动具体很多。