第二节 高分的四大根本点
从上表可以看出,雅思口语考试的评分标准由四个部分组成:即Fluency and Coherence(流利性和连贯性); Lexical Resource(词汇多样性); Grammatical Range and Accuracy(语法多样性和准确性); Pronunciation(发音)。下面就这四个方面分别做出解析。
一、流利性和连贯性
1.常用逻辑关系信号词的熟练运用
在雅思口语考试中,考官不仅对你的个人观点感兴趣,而且还会了解你是如何充分运用自己的语言技能来表达这些观点的。也就是说,在流利性和连贯性方面,考官特别关注的是考生如何运用连接性和指示性词汇将自己的答题要点有机地结合起来。如果要点很多却很散,则会大大失分。下面的一些逻辑关系信号词非常重要,其实这些词汇考生都非常熟悉,请大家结合本书后面章节中的话题熟练掌握和运用。
(1)表示转折或对比关系的信号词
尽管
despite/in spite of
即使
even if/even though
虽然
though/although/notwithstanding
但是
but/yet
然而
whereas/while/however/nevertheless
相比之下,与……相比
by contrast/in comparison with/in contrast to
相反(地)
on the contrary/conversely
(2)表示顺序或序列关系的信号词
首先
to begin with/to start with/first of all/at first/firstly
其次
in addition/besides/what's more/moreover/secondly
其间,同时
meanwhile/meantime
此后
after/after that/afterwards/subsequently
最后
finally/eventually/lastly
(3)表示因果关系的信号词
……的原因
the reason why…
因此,从而
accordingly/consequently/hence/thereby/therefore/thus/for this reason
因为,由于
because (of)/for/since/by reason of/due to/owing to/thanks to
结果
as a result/so
结果导致,引起
lead to/result in/contribute to/cause
(4)表示同等关系的信号词
也,也是
also/too
和,和……一样
and/as well as
两个都
both…and
不但……而且
not only...but also
或者……或者
either…or
同等重要
equally important
同样地
in the same way/likewise
像,如同,类似地
like/similarly
(5)表示进一步解释的信号词
换言之
in other words
也就是说
say/that is to say
也就是
i.e.
即,那就是
namely
我的意思是……
What is in particular I mean…
(6)表示举例说明的信号词
例如
for example/for instance/such as/like
让我们看一个例子。
Let's see an example.
以……为例,这是一个非常明显的例子。
Take…for an example. It is a very obvious case.
我们可以把……作为一个例子。
We could take…as an example.
阐明……的一个很好的例子就是……
a (good) case in point to illustrate… is… .
(7)表示归纳或结论的信号词
总而言之
all in all/in sum/in conclusion/to conclude/to summarize/to sum up
无论如何,总之
anyhow/anyway/on the whole
简言之
in brief/in short
2.正常的语速和自然的停顿
有些考生误认为流利性就是语速,语速越快越流利。其实不然。语速过快会给考官带来背诵的感觉甚至是听力障碍,试想如果考官连你说什么都听不懂,何谈高分。对于语音语调较差的同学尤其要注意调整自己的语速,以便考官能很轻松地听懂你回答的思路和内容。
其实,除了逻辑关系信号词的恰当运用,流利性和连贯性还指的是考生能否保持一般程度的流利性,并把思路通过连贯的语言表达出来。考生不应该出现明显的停顿,例如花5秒钟回忆一个想不起来的单词,花10秒钟造一个不熟悉的句子。停顿是可以的,但要合理、自然,尤其不能造成考官理解的困难,而且考生应该把自己的思考过程也用英语表达出来,这样就不会对分数造成影响了。例如:思考时可以说下面的句子:
What's that word…?
How should I say the sentence, let me see…
This might not be the exact word but what I'm trying to say is…
I don't know how to say that in English, it means…
这些都是可以用来连接思路、保持连贯性的有效内容,都可以成为考官评分所需要的语言素材。即正常的语速和自然的停顿也是取得高分的秘诀。
二、词汇多样性
1.关键词同义替换
雅思口语有很多时候需要在一个话题中两次甚至多次表达同一个意思,但是,如果用词有很多重复,就显得词汇量太少了。所以对于一些经常会用到的词汇,我们需要记忆一些它们的替换表达,以免在交流的时候出现“词穷”的状况。
★ 常用形容词
明显的
obvious = apparent = evident = manifest
灵活的
flexible = adjustable = adaptable
重要的
important = crucial = significant
富裕的
rich = wealthy = affluent = well-to-do = well-off
优秀的
excellent = eminent = top = outstanding
积极的,好的
good = positive = conducive = beneficial=advantageous
消极的,不良的
bad = negative = detrimental= baneful =undesirable
贵重的
valuable = precious = expensive = pricey
健康的
healthy = robust = sound = wholesome
惊人的
surprising = amazing = extraordinary = miraculous
美丽的
beautiful = attractive = gorgeous = eye-catching
有活力的
energetic = active = dynamic = vigorous =animated
流行的
popular = prevailing = prevalent= pervasive = widespread
信息量大的
informative = educational = instructive
可用的,有空的
available = ready for service = convenient = accessible
高效的,能干的
efficient = effective = competent
单独的,一个人的
individual = personal = single
有趣的
interesting = stimulating = entertaining
非凡的
great = wonderful = marvelous
守时的
punctual = on time
便宜的
cheap = inexpensive
给人鼓舞的
inspiring = encouraging
聪明的
bright = smart = intelligent
体贴的,关心人的
caring = considerate
高兴的
happy = delighted
不可避免的
inevitable = unavoidable = certain = sure
困难的
difficult = tough
没劲的,乏味的
boring = monotonous
★ 常用动词
提高,加强
improve = enhance= promote = strengthen = optimize
引起
cause = trigger = endanger
解决
solve = resolve = address = tackle = cope with = deal with
拆除,摧毁
destroy = tear down = knock down = eradicate
培养
develop = cultivate = foster = nurture
激发,鼓励
encourage = motivate = stimulate = spur
认为
think = assert= hold = claim = argue
完成
complete = fulfill = accomplish= achieve
保留
keep = preserve = retain = hold
有害于
impair = undermine = jeopardize
减轻
ease = alleviate = relieve = lighten
合理
make sense = be reasonable
遇见
meet = run across = encounter
减少
reduce = decrease = lessen
发现
find = discover = notice = hit on = recognise
给予
give = offer = render = provide
理解
understand = figure out
建立
build up = establish = set up
★ 常用名词
影响
influence = impact
危险
danger = peril = hazard
污染
pollution = contamination
人类
human being = mankind = humane race
人们
folk = people
东西
things = stuff(注:stuff不能加“s”)
老人
old people = the old = the elderly = the aged = senior citizens
幸福
happiness = cheerfulness = well-being
老师
teacher = instructor = educator = lecturer = mentor
教育
education = schooling = family parenting = upbringing
青少年
young people = youngsters = youths = adolescents
孩子
child = offspring = descendant= kid
优点
advantage = merit = superiority = virtue
责任
responsibility = obligation = duty = liability
能力
ability = capacity = power = skill
职业
job = career = employment = profession
娱乐
enjoyment = pastime = recreation= entertainment
休闲
leisure = relaxation
★ 常用副词
实际上
actually = in fact = in reality = indeed = essentially
基本上,主要地
basically = principally
十分,极大地
very much = immensely = hugely = largely = greatly =enormously = tremendously
因此,所以
accordingly = consequently = hence = so
具体来说
specifically = speaking concretely
多半
mostly = typically
几乎
almost = practically
立刻
immediately = right away = at once = soon = shortly
现在,目前
currently = now = at the moment
不幸的是
unfortunately = sadly
非常
pretty = very
★ 常用数词
几个
a few = several = a couple of
几十个
dozens of = scores of
几百
hundreds of = several hundred(注:这里的hundred不能加“s”)
一些
some = a bunch of
许许多多
lots of = loads of = tons of = a multitude of
无数
innumerable = countless = hundreds of thousands of = millions of
2.高分短语
在雅思口语考试中,短语的恰当使用是考官评价考生词汇量的一个很重要的方面。下面的这些短语,是英文里非常地道的表达,考生不仅要认识,还要在平时备考的过程中不断运用,以达到应用自如的程度。这是取得口语高分非常重要的途径。
(1)attach importance to 重视
【例】 We attach importance to collaboration within our team and clients.我们重视与团队和顾客的协作。
(2)take an active part in 积极参加
【例】 We take an active part in the sports.我们积极参加体育运动。
(3)at home and abroad 国内外
【例】 Our products command a good market both at home and abroad.我们的产品在国内外市场上都很畅销。
(4)be absorbed in 专心于
【例】 The writer was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice him enter the room.那位作家如此专注于她的工作,以至于没有注意到他进入了房间。
(5)have access to 有机会接触或利用……
【例】 The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature.如果老年人有机会接触大自然,那么他们的生活就是相当好的。
(6)easy access 容易接触(或利用)
【例】 Advertising on radio continues to grow because it provides easy access to consumers.收音机广告在持续增加,因为消费者容易接触到它。
(7)online access 在线访问
【例】 Besides, many banks added online access, or online banking and bill paying became flexible.此外,许多银行增加了在线访问,或者说网上银行,因此,账单支付变得很灵活。
(8)traffic accident 交通事故,车祸
【例】 So badly had he been injured in the traffic accident that he had to stay in the hospital for a whole year.他在车祸中伤得如此严重,以至于不得不在医院里住一整年。
(9)survive the accident 在事故中幸存下来
【例】 Tom survived the accident.汤姆在事故中幸存了下来。
(10)by (sheer) accident (纯属)偶然,偶然地
【例】 We met together by sheer accident.我们的相会纯属偶然。
(11)allow sb. to do sth.允许某人做某事
【例】 In 1993, few companies had a web page, and slightly a handful allowed one to order products or services online.在1993年,很少有公司有网页,并且极少有公司允许人们在线订购产品或服务。
(12)allow for 允许,考虑到
【例】 We should allow for unexpected difficulties.我们应考虑到那些意想不到的困难。
(13)be amazed (at) (对)……感到吃惊
【例】 With a goal in mind, you will be amazed at how stimulated and uplifted you feel.心中有了目标,你就会吃惊地感到你是多么的情绪高昂和精神振奋!
(14)have an ambition to do 想做……
【例】 He should have an ambition to make some meaningful contributions to man's knowledge.他应该是想为人类的知识做出一些有意义的贡献。
(15)tell…apart 区分,分辨
【例】 We also tell people apart by how they behave.我们也根据人们的行为举止来对他们加以区分。
(16)apart from 除此之外
【例】 Apart from caring for her children, she has to take on such heavy housework as carrying water and firewood.除了照顾她的孩子,她还不得不承担诸如挑水和担柴这样繁重的家务。
(17)appear to be 似乎是
【例】 The results appear to be magic.结果似乎不可思议。
(18)be applicable to (适)用于
【例】 It is obvious that this new rule is applicable to everyone without exception.显然,这条新的规则无一例外地适用于每一个人。
(19)apply…to… 把……应用于……;(apply to向……申请)
【例】 It enables me to apply theory to practice.它使我能够把理论应用于实践。
【例】 Meanwhile, if you want to buy a cheap house, apply to a house agent.同时,如果你想买一栋便宜的房子,请向房地产经纪人申请。
(20)apply for 申请,请求得到
【例】 With rising incomes, fewer students are applying for need-based aid.随着收入的增加,很少有学生申请助学金。
(21)have an appointment(with sb.)(和某人)有约会,有预约
【例】 I have an appointment with my dentist this afternoon.我已约好今天下午去看牙医。
(22)appreciate doing sth.很荣幸做某事,很开心做某事
【例】 They appreciate having worked with him because he has a good sense of humour.和他一起工作,他们感到很开心,因为他很有幽默感。
(23)at the appropriate time 在适当的时候
【例】 We should avoid being reckless, and act at the appropriate time.我们要见机行事,不可鲁莽。
(24)take … into account 考虑……,重视……
【例】 We will take the feedback into account in improving the plan.我们会参考反馈意见,以进一步完善计划。
(25)come up with 给出(答案,想法)
【例】 I hope I can come up with a good idea to this question.我希望我能就这个问题想出一个好主意。
(26)figure out 想出;理解,弄明白
【例】 He's trying to figure out a way to solve the problem.他正在努力想办法解决这个问题。
(27)cope with 处理,应付
【例】 Inexperienced as she was, she could cope with the difficulties wonderfully well.尽管她没有经验,但她能巧妙地克服这些困难。
(28)think of 想起
【例】 I can't think of his name at the moment.我一时想不起他的名字。
(29)adapt to 适应,习惯于
【例】 I adapted quickly to the new climate.我很快就适应了这种新的气候。
(30)stick to 坚持
【例】 But one problem is that few people can stick to a diet for long.但有一个问题是很少有人能长期坚持节食。
3.常用插入语
英语句子中(尤其在口语中),常插入一些单词、短语或者句子,语法上称它们为“插入语”。一般来说,插入语在句中不起主要作用,如果把插入语去掉,句子的含义不大受影响。但是,有时插入语却是表达中不可缺少的一部分,它的作用非常广泛,不仅可以表示各种语气,而且也会使口语表达句式多变,结构更加清晰。
★形容词短语作插入语
说来也奇怪
strange to say
最重要的是
most important of all
果然,的的确确
sure enough
★副词作插入语
的确
indeed
确实
surely
幸运地
fortunately
平心而论
frankly
★介词短语作插入语
实际上
in fact
其实,说起来
as a matter of fact
在我看来
in my opinion
通常,大体上
in general
换句话说
in other words
当然,自然
of course
顺便提一下
by the way
结果
as a result
例如
for example/for instance/such as/like
相反
on the contrary
使某人感到吃惊的是
to one's surprise
简言之
in brief/in short
★现在分词短语作插入语
一般来说
generally speaking
严格来说
strictly speaking
从……来判断
judging from/judging by
谈到,提及
talking of
考虑到,就……而论
considering
★不定式短语作插入语
坦率地说
to be frank
说实话
to be honest
诚然,无可否认
to be sure
更糟糕的是,更严重的是
to make matters worse
总而言之
to sum up
说实话
to tell you the truth
4.经典成语
雅思口语考试中有一些必考的高频题目(如季节、气候、景观、人物和经历等),考生在谈论这些话题的时候,头脑中经常会想到一些成语,但瞬间却又不知道用英语该怎么说。的确如此,汉语中的成语,英语中都有相应的固定表达,是不能随便翻译的。下面给出了一些雅思口语中必备的“成语”,虽然不多,但确是加分的好素材。
★ 季节和气候
风和日丽
The wind is mild and the sun is bright.
春暖花开
In the warm spring, flowers are coming out with a rush.
During the warmth of spring all the flowers bloom.
Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom.
绿树成荫
Trees shade the streets.
秋高气爽
The autumn sky is clear and the air is crisp.
硕果累累
countless rich fruits
滴水成冰
No sooner does the water drop down than it freezes up.
冰天雪地
a world of ice and snow
a frozen and snow-covered land
be all covered with ice and snow
★ 经历
死里逃生,幸免于难
a close call/have a narrow escape from
注:这是一个非常地道的口语9分词汇,主要用于描述交通事故或其他冒险刺激的运动爱好(如赛车、蹦极、跳伞)等经历。注意时态要用一般过去时。
如《剑9》中有这样一句话:
Another keen paramotorist recently experienced a close call when in the air.另外一个动力滑翔运动的痴迷者最近在空中经历了一次死里逃生。
不经一事,不长一智
We learn by experience.
不期而遇
run across
★ 人物
风度翩翩(指男子)
be dapper in appearance
举止大方
comport oneself decently
和颜悦色
a pleasant smile on one's face
德才兼备
have both ability and political integrity
possess both political integrity and ability
心不在焉
absence of mind
不到黄河心不死。
Ambition never dies until there is no way out.
患难之交
companion in adversity
良师益友
a good teacher and helpful friend
a scholarly mentor and beneficial friend
三、语法多样性和准确性
1.避免几种绝大多数考生都会犯的语法错误
大家都知道,在雅思口语考试正式开始之前,考官会问考生:Do you mind showing me your ID card with candidate number on it, please?我的好多学生在课上回答成: Yes, here it is.或Yes, sure, here you are.听上去很自然,但在语法上却是错误的。正确的回答应该是No, certainly not, here you are!(不,当然不介意,给你。)因为,考官问的是Do you mind doing …?(你介意做……吗?)
再请看一个相似的例子:
在一次口语考试中,考官问考生:Do you like taking pictures?考生答道:I am not really photogenic(上相), and I usually close my eyes when you click the flash.考官很满意他的答案,随后又问了一句:So basically you don't like being taken pictures, not a big fan of it, right?考生不假思索地说:Yes, I really don't like it.但其实正确的说法应该是:No, I really don't like it!(是的,我真的不喜欢。)所以不难看出语法的错误会把前面很好的印象分白白断送掉。
再看下面的例子:
有一个男的考生向考官描述他的女朋友,他说:I am a very lucky male. I has a very pretty girlfriend. His smile is always hanging on face; I like the feeling when he turns on the TV and see the romantic MTV with me.(该句中的has应改为have, his应改为her;he应改为she。)
在以上的几个例子中,我只想说,大家不要不以为然,犯这样的语法错误是最吃亏的,但却在每次考试的过程中都会有不少的考生出现类似的情况。
2.加分句型
上面讲到了语法准确性的问题,除此之外,雅思口语评分标准中关于语法的要求还有很重要的另一方面,那就是语法的丰富性,或者说是语法范畴。如果考生绝大部分的回答都是用“主谓宾”结构的简单句,就算是没有明显错误,也是很难取得高分的。下面向大家介绍一些经典的雅思口语高分句型。
(1)倒装句
• Hardly...when刚一……就;几乎未来得及……就
【例】 Hardly had I gone out of the hotel when I met my friend.我刚一走出饭店就遇见了我的朋友。
• No sooner… than刚一……就
【例】 No sooner do you buy a computer than they bring out a new one which supersedes it.你买电脑后不久他们就会推出新产品取代它。
• Not only…but (also)
【例】 Not only is she pretty but also kindhearted.她不仅漂亮,而且心地善良。
• Only…can
【例】 Only a successful combination of both can our education system cultivate talents with healthy personality.只有成功结合这两方面的因素,我们的教育体系才能培育出拥有健康人格的人才。
• So + 形容词 + be + 主词 + that… 如此……,以至于……
【例】 So precious is time that we cannot afford to waste it.时间是如此珍贵,我们不能浪费它。
• On no account can we + do我们绝对不能……
【例】 On no account can we ignore the value of friendship.我们绝对不能忽略友情的价值。
(2)强调句
• do/does/did +动词原形
【例】 But some people do believe that academic learning can necessarily ensure better future careers.但是,一些人确实认为学术方面的学习能确保未来拥有较好的职业。
• It is/was +被强调部分+ that/who +其他部分
【例】 It is the first step that costs.万事开头难。
• It is/was not until+被强调部分(时间)+ that +其他部分
【例】 It was not until the spring of that year that she was introduced to Pierre Curie.直到那年春天,她才被介绍给皮埃尔·居里。
• very修饰名词或形容词表示强调
【例】 This is the very phenomenon that deserves our careful discussion.就是这个现象值得我们仔细探讨。
• 双重否定表示强调
【例】 Taking part-time jobs is never without any drawbacks.做兼职工作永远不是没有任何弊端的。
(3)虚拟语气
• It is high time that是时候该……
注:这是一个极好的口语和写作加分句型,该句型后面的从句谓语动词要用过去式或用should(不能省略)加动词原形。
【例】 So I think it is high time that both the government and the whole media made concerted efforts to let all the news be believable.该是政府和整个媒体共同努力让所有的新闻都变得可信的时候了。
• 与现在事实相反:If +主语+动词过去式(或were)+主句(谓语用should/would + do)
【例】 If I had to choose, I would say the living room.如果一定要做出选择,我要选的就是客厅。
• 与过去事实相反:If +主语+had+过去分词+主句(谓语用should/would + have done)
【例】 If I had gotten there earlier, I should not have missed the flight.如果我早到那儿,我就不会错过航班了。
• 与将来事实相反:If +主语+ should do(或were to do)+主句(谓语用should/would + do)
【例】 If driving a car should be as easy as riding a bicycle, I would have no hesitationto buy one.如果将来驾驶一辆小汽车像骑自行车那么容易,我就会毫不犹豫地买一辆。
• for fear that/in case/lest唯恐,假使,以防万一
【例】 We blocked up the old building for fear that it (should) collapse.我们用木头把那座旧楼房撑住,以免倒塌。
• Without… 假如没有……
【例】 Without your help, it is doubtful I would have managed to do this.如果没有你的帮助,很难说我能成功做到这一点。
• Were it not for…, sb. would not have done sth.要不是……,某人肯定不能做某事。
【例】 Frankly speaking, were it not for the experience of studying abroad, I would never have had such achievements.坦白地讲,要不是那段出国留学的经历,我永远不可能取得这样的成就。
(4)There be句型
• There is no doubt that… 毫无疑问的是……
【例】 There is no doubt that our educational system leaves something to be desired.毫无疑问的是,我们的教育制度令人不满意。
• There is no denying that...不可否认的是……
【例】 There is no denying that the environment is playing an important role in our daily life.不可否认的是,环境在我们的日常生活中扮演着重要的角色。
• There seems to be… 似乎有……
【例】 There seems to be no order in their discussion.他们的讨论似乎很无序。
• There appears to be… 似乎有……
【例】 There appears to be no difficulty in marketing any products.在市场上推销这些产品似乎没有什么困难。
• There is no one but… 没有人不……
【例】 There is no one but longing to participate in the ceremony.没有人不渴望参加这次典礼。
(5)其他
• For the past + 时间,I have been busy with doing… 过去……,我一直忙于……
【例】 For the past two months, I have been busy with preparing for the examination.过去两个月来,我一直忙着准备考试。
• It pays to do…做……是值得的
【例】 It is generally believed that it pays to work hard.一般人都相信努力是值得的。
• be closely related to与……息息相关
【例】 Phenomenon is closely related to hypostasis.现象与本质息息相关。
• …be the root cause of ……是……的根源
【例】 Diligence and thrift are the root cause of success.勤奋和节俭是成功的根源。
• the more…the more…越……,越……
【例】 The more you give, the more you get.你付出的越多,你得到的也就越多。
• … cannot emphasize the importance of … too much.再怎么强调……的重要性也不为过。
【例】 We cannot emphasize the importance of careful driving too much.我们再怎么强调小心驾驶的重要性也不为过。
• … is in the best interests of someone做某事符合某人的利益
【例】 Preserving the environment is in the best interests of humanity.保护环境符合人类的利益。
• A is an indispensable part of B A是B不可缺少的一部分
【例】 The Internet has become an indispensable part of our lives and it has been exerting profound influences on the way we live, work, play and learn.互联网已经变成我们生活中不可缺少的一部分,它对我们的生活、工作、娱乐和学习方式有着深远的影响。
四、发音
任何一种语言,发音都是公认的一种衡量人们语言水平的标准之一。请看下面的例子:
Examiner: What bad influences that TV programmes are having on young kids?
Candidate: Basically, there are too much violence, crime and pornography involved in TV programmes…(现在的电视节目中有太多的暴力、犯罪和色情内容……。)但由于发音不准确,结果考生说成了Basically, there are too much violins, cream and photography involved in TV programmes…,结果意思就成了“现在的电视节目中有太多的小提琴、奶油和图片”。完全答非所问。可见发音在雅思口语考试中的重要性。
如何练就标准的发音,在此强调一点,那就是“跟读和模仿”外教的发音和语调、语速。考生可利用书中的光盘进行这方面的训练,而不要仅仅把光盘当作听力材料使用。