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2017托福寫(xiě)作常見(jiàn)關(guān)鍵問(wèn)題
導語(yǔ)：經(jīng)過(guò)一年多的摸索，目前對托�？荚嚨暮芏嗬斫夂涂捶ɑ径ㄐ�。本文通過(guò)綜合多個(gè)權威信息渠道的信息(Official Guide，Teacher's Guide，Propell Workshop Manual，以及ETS高級專(zhuān)員Susan Hines的講解和對本人私下提問(wèn)的回答等)，試圖為大家揭開(kāi)托福寫(xiě)作眾多關(guān)鍵問(wèn)題的答案。
本文分為三個(gè)部分：其中Independent Writing Task 9個(gè)問(wèn)題，Integrated Writing Task 6個(gè)問(wèn)題，以及牽涉全局寫(xiě)作的3個(gè)問(wèn)題。
Independent Task
Q: Independent Writing Task有沒(méi)有題庫?
A: 沒(méi)有，但是可以借鑒TWE的題庫。
"You will see topics very similar to these [TWE Topics] on the TOEFL iBT." [OG, P267]
Q: 準備Independent Writing Task需不需要專(zhuān)業(yè)知識?
A: "None of the topics requires specialized knowledge. Most topics are general and are based on the common experience of people in general and students in particular." [OG, P267]
Q: 寫(xiě)作的時(shí)候，觀(guān)點(diǎn)重不重要?
A: "It does not matter whether you agree or disagree with the topic; the raters are trained to accept all varieties of opinions." [OG, P267]
"I think test takers had better simply pick one side rather than straddle the fence." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
"Creativity is not necessary." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 是否可以通過(guò)增加深刻的邏輯和復雜的例子來(lái)掩蓋或者彌補語(yǔ)言能力的不足?
A: 不可以。
"If your language is hard to follow, your sentences are overly simple, and your vocabulary is limited, you may score no higher than 3 no matter how impressive your ideas may be." [OG, P260]
而且從例子的選擇上講，并不要求使用龐大、復雜的例子，盡管這些例子可能論證力更強。個(gè)人經(jīng)歷就是一種很好寫(xiě)的例子。閱卷人并不依據論據的復雜性來(lái)看文章。
"Personal experiences are common." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 可不可以使用前人的模板(templates)來(lái)寫(xiě)作?
A: 那要看你怎么定義"模板"這個(gè)詞。如果"模板"指的是段落結構和文章結構，那沒(méi)有任何問(wèn)題，比如"五段式結構"可能會(huì )一直是TOEFL文章最好的寫(xiě)法。但如果"模板"是指背下來(lái)的，可以不加思考就可以套到任何題目上的.段落內容，那就千萬(wàn)不要這樣做。
Do not "memorize" long introductory and concluding paragraphs just to add words to your essay. Raters will not look favorably on wordy introductory and concluding paragraphs such as the following:
"The importance of the issue raised by the posed statement, namely creating a new holiday for people, cannot be underestimated as it concerns the very fabric of society. As it stands, the issue of creating a new holiday raises profound implications for the future. However, although the subject matter in general cannot be dismissed lightheartedly, the perspective of the issue as presented by the statement raises certain qualms regarding practical application."
"In conclusion, although I have accept that it is imperative that something be done about creating a new holiday for people and find the underlying thrust of the implied proposal utterly convincing, I cannot help but feel wary of taking such irrevocable steps and personally feel that a more measured approach would be more rewarding."
Likewise, raters will not look favorably on paragraphs like the following, which uses a lot of words but fail to develop any real ideas:
"At the heart of any discussion regarding an issue pertaining to creating a new holiday, it has to borne in mind that a delicate line has to be trod when dealing with such matters. The human resources involved in such matters cannot be guaranteed regardless of all the good intentions that may be lavished. While it is true that creating a new holiday might be a viable and laudable remedy, it is transparently clear that applied wrongly such a course of action could be calamitous and compound the problem rather than provide a solution." [OG, P259]
"I think you could use it as long as it is on topic." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 閱卷人最主要看重文章的哪些方面?
A: Your ability
to respond directly to the question;
to take a clear position; and
to write an essay characterized by (1) good organization, (2) proper use of supporting examples, (3) sentence variety, and (4) correct sentence structures.
[Workshop Manual, P26]
Q: 5分和4分最大的區別在哪里?
A: "Those that receive a score of 4 also have clear, well-written essays, but there are more flaws and the ideas are less developed." [Teacher's Manual]
Q: 詞匯和句式是不是越復雜越好?
A: 詞匯和句式需要一定的復雜性。
"Raters will also judge your essay based on the complexity of sentence structures and on the quality and complexity of your vocabulary. If you use very simple sentences and very basic vocabulary, you will probably not be able to express very complex ideas." [OG, P260]
但是，不是越復雜越好。
就詞匯而言，關(guān)鍵是表達的準確性。請參看OG第287頁(yè)的滿(mǎn)分范文1，評語(yǔ)中有這樣一句話(huà)：The writer does not use high-level vocabulary, but word choice is correct throughout.同時(shí)請參看Workbook第57頁(yè)的范文，同樣沒(méi)有big words，也是滿(mǎn)分。
就句式而言，關(guān)鍵是表意準確、流暢且能夠變化。但為了達到變化或者準確表達復雜意思的目標，出現一些復雜的句式是很正常的。但一味追求復雜是沒(méi)有意義的。
Q: 文字是不是越正式(formal)越好?
A: 不是。Independent Writing Task并不偏好formal expressions.只要能把意思表達清楚，并把問(wèn)題回答好了，就行了。參見(jiàn)OG第288頁(yè)滿(mǎn)分范文2，評語(yǔ)中這樣寫(xiě)道：the writer consistently demonstrates command of language and English idioms, especially by using various informal expressions ("Let's assume," "we would all agree," "can make or beak," "come in very handy").
Integrated Task
Q: 閱讀文章和聽(tīng)力文章中共有幾種可能的關(guān)系?
A: There are three kinds of connections between the reading passage and the listening passage.
a. The listening passage that challenges the points made in the reading.
b. The listening passage that presents the reasons/ways the problem described in the reading passage is solvable or really not a problem at all.
c. The listening passage that supports the points made in the reading.
[OG, P252] [Workshop Manual, P41]
目前考的都是Contrast題目(只有一次考到了Solution，但也和Contrast差不多)，預計在不久的將來(lái)也不會(huì )有太大變化。根據ETS高級專(zhuān)員(Assessment Specialist II)Susan Hines [Dec, 2006]的說(shuō)法，目前題庫中還沒(méi)有出過(guò)關(guān)于support的題目("Comparison is not available now.")，所以建議大家主要針對contrast題目進(jìn)行訓練，偶爾也可以用朗文的.光盤(pán)訓練一下solution的寫(xiě)法。
Q: 閱讀文章和聽(tīng)力文章之間一般會(huì )有幾點(diǎn)相關(guān)聯(lián)?
A: "Typically the main idea will be developed with three points." [OG, P252]
Q: 文章中可不可以出現自己對所談問(wèn)題的看法?
A: "Remember that you are NOT being asked for your opinion. You ARE being asked to explain how the points in the listening relate to points in the reading." [OG, P253]
Q: 寫(xiě)作的時(shí)候可不可以照搬閱讀和聽(tīng)力中的原話(huà)?
A: 總的來(lái)講，照搬原文是不可以的。關(guān)鍵詞可以不變，但是整體內容必須被paraphrase出來(lái)，特別是閱讀材料里面的內容。
"In English-speaking countries, you must follow the rules for citing when you use the same words of the original speaker or author. If you do not do this, it is considered a form of intellectual stealing, called plagiarism. While this may be accepted in some cultures, it is not acceptable in most English-speaking academic settings. Therefore, paraphrasing skills are important to learn." [TOEFL iBT Tips, P29]
"Restatement and paraphrasing is, of course, needed." [Susan Hines, Dec., 2006]
Q: 5分和4分的區別在哪里?
A: "A response that scores at level 4 has many of the characteristics of a 5, but it does not reflect the content of the listening passage as accurately." [Workshop Manual, P45]
Q: 高分(5分、4分)和3分的區別在哪里?
A: "The response may omit one major key point made in the lecture." [Workbook, P7]
"Response generally cannot receive a score higher than 3 if they do not address all three points and usually need to address two of the points of contrast." [Workbook, P11]
"Responses that earn a score of 3 respond to the prompt, but they are vaguer than either 4 or 5 responses. Some details might be incorrect or altogether missing and inaccuracies increase. This combination may cause the reader to be slightly confused." [Workshop Manual, P46]
All Writing Tasks
Q: 高分(5分和4分)和低分(1~3分)在評分程序上有什么區別?
A: 總的來(lái)講，高分(4和5分)的文章要符合評分標準上的'所有要求才能評為高分，但是低分文章(1到3分)只要符合評分標準的某一條就可以評為低分。
"In general, responses should be scored at the highest levels (4 or 5) if all the score descriptors fit the response. In contrast, a response should be scored at one of the lower levels (3, 2, or 1) if some or any of the score descriptors noticeably fit the response." [OG, P267]
Q: 拼寫(xiě)錯誤和語(yǔ)言問(wèn)題要不要緊?
A: 關(guān)于這一點(diǎn)，我們要一分為二來(lái)看。一方面，我們沒(méi)必要吹毛求疵;閱卷人知道這是first draft并且是under timed condition，只要看得懂，不構成理解障礙，就沒(méi)太大問(wèn)題(minor flaw)。另一方面，語(yǔ)法和拼寫(xiě)還是重要的，一旦這些小錯誤導致閱卷人覺(jué)得難以理解，就會(huì )構成重大問(wèn)題(major flaw)。
把"dependence"寫(xiě)成"dependency"沒(méi)太大問(wèn)題;偶爾把"becomes independent"寫(xiě)成了"becomes independency"是個(gè)可以看到的錯誤，但還是問(wèn)題不大;偶爾寫(xiě)出"They prefer to be depended on their parents."這樣的奇怪句子也會(huì )得到閱卷人的寬恕。
"Occasional language errors will not count against you as long as they do not cause you to misrepresent the meaning of points from the reading and the lecture." [OG, P253]
"If your essay includes a few minor lexical and grammar errors, you can still get a high score. However, if you make a lot of grammar errors and if those errors make it hard to understand your meaning, you will get a lower score." [OG, P260]
Q: 字數是不是很重要?
A: 首先，字數沒(méi)有上限。
其次，目前字數會(huì )比以前更有意義，因為考試有計數器專(zhuān)門(mén)動(dòng)態(tài)顯示字數，為的是讓考生對自己的字數做到心里有數。而且兩篇文章都有了推薦字數。所以，我的建議是超過(guò)這個(gè)建議字數，雖然不用超過(guò)太多。(Integrated Task超過(guò)150，Independent Task超過(guò)300)
最后，關(guān)鍵是內容，而不是數量。不要為了求字數而導致文章很啰嗦。
"Suggested length is between 150 to 225 words. You will not be penalized if you write more, so long as what you write answers the question." [OG, P253]
"An effective response is typically about 300 words long. If you write fewer than 300 words, you may still receive a top score, but experience has shown that shorter responses typically do not demonstrate the development of ideas needed to earn a score of 5. There is no maximun word limit. You may write as much as you wish in the time alloted." [OG, P258]
"The length is not considered."
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