Friday, August 4, 2017

雅思7分作文的语法是这样的(六)




雅思写作大部分是观点式议论文,问题方式是应该(should)怎么样,是一篇 argumentative essay, 比如大学是否应该免费?政府是否应该建设更多博物馆?老的建筑是否应该拆除等等。

当你有了立场,或者清晰的观点之后,别人自然会问:Why?  Why do you think the higher education should be free? Why some old buildings should be protected?

不管你的观点是什么,你一定得给出理由,有理由才有说服力。

这种论证的思维就必然会用到一种逻辑思维关系:因果关系 cause→effect.  这也是为什么高分作文以及考官作文里有那么多 because 引导的从句。

因果关系的从句就是这么自然而然的写出来了。我们来看几个例子。

·       An emphasis on memorization by repetition may curb the leaning outcome because this approach discourages students from correctly understanding the information, let alone critically thinking of it.  过分强调机械记忆会阻碍学习效果,因为这种方式不鼓励学生正确理解信息,更不要说批判性思维。

·       College students would not be capable of innovation at work because the education system rarely encourages them to think critically and freely. 大学生在工作中不会有创新能力,因为教育体制不鼓励他们思想自由。

·       I missed the opportunity to specialize in science because it was seen as the natural domain and career path for boys when I was a girl. 当我还是小女孩的时候,我错过学习科学的机会,因为当时认为科学是男孩子的职业选择

·       Happiness is very difficult to define because it means so many different things to different people.  媳妇很难下定义是因为对不同人来说他的意义也不同。

甚至可以说because 的从句一定会出现在雅思作文里,因为它是 causeeffect必不可少的一种逻辑关系。

除了because,还经常用到两个介词短语 because of 和 due to 表示因果关系,只不过because后面接从句,介词后面接名词或名词短语。

举两个例子:

The company has to lay off 30 employees because of the increasing rent and labor cost.
公司不得解雇30名员工,因为房租和劳工成本不断上涨。

The increasingly high dropout rate is due to the economic recession and high unemployment rate.  退学率不断上升,是因为经济萧条,失业率上升。

提醒:有同学喜欢用 due to the fact that 这一表达方式,在native speaker 眼中,这实在太罗嗦,用一个 because 就可以搞定,为什么要用5个单词?

要嘛凑字数,要嘛不懂装懂,考官是不会觉得你用这样的短语有多高明。

总之,准确表达是衡量你英文水平的唯一标准,不存在“高级用法” “普通用法” 这样的词汇。

Thursday, August 3, 2017

雅思7分作文的语法是这样的(五)


无论是词汇,还是语法,都是为写作的 ideas服务的,他们的关系应该是:先有ideas, 然后有相应的词汇和语法;

一旦有机械套用的词汇或者语法,作为 native speaker 的雅思考官一定会发现。下面是雅思考官Simon对同学们眼中所谓“高级语法的看法”.

Some IELTS students spend a lot of time preparing "difficult" sentence structures to impress the examiner. One particular issue that people ask me about is the use of 'compound' and 'complex' sentences.

“有些考生花大量时间准备高难度句子结构,希望给考官留下一个深刻印象。其中一个问题是有关“并列句”“复合句”的。

The first thing I would say about compound and complex sentences is that they are not "difficult". Here in the UK, children learn about these sentence structures in primary school.

首先,我想说并列句和复合句并不难,在英国,孩子们在小学就开始学习这样的句子。

 If you use words like and, but, because, although, while, when to connect ideas, you will automatically write a longer sentence that will be either compound or complex.

当你用下面的连接词,如 and, but, because, although, while, when, 来连接你的 ideas时候,你写出来的句子自然就是并列句或复合句。

The second thing I would say is that you should not be worrying about these things when you are writing an IELTS essay. Just focus on answering the question and explaining your ideas well. I'm sure you'll naturally use "connecting" words to join ideas and create some longer sentences, so there's no need to worry about this at all.

其次,我想说在写作时,不应该担心这些语法结构。专注你所要回答的问题和把你的ideas解释清楚。 我坚信你自然会用到这些连接词。”

所以,平时在练习写作的时候,应该花更多的功夫在审题和组织内容上;如果写出来的句子都很短,或者根本没有用上连接词,那说明我们的ideas存在两个问题:

1. 可能我们的ideas碎片化,没有细节,只有概括,导致句子很短;

2. 也有可能我们的ideas之间没有逻辑关系,想到是什么写什么,才导致没有连接词。


这两个问题的本质,都是思维的不完善。就语法来说,我们学习的思维顺序应该是这样的:

首先,我们必须明白我们要想表达什么样的 ideas; 其次,学习这些 ideas有哪些语法手段可以表达出来。

从传统的语法教学来看,完全是本末倒置,学一大堆语法规则,可是老师从来不告诉我们这些语法到底想表达什么思想。

这里,Allen给大家推荐一本从“思维方式”出发写的一本语法书,林语堂的开明英文文法,英语程度比较好的可以阅读英文原版,希望对大家有所帮助。

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

雅思7分作文的语法是这样的(四)

在雅思7分的写作里,还经常出现一种结构:V-ing 动名词短语。

通常来说,一个句子主语或者宾语可以是名词、代词。有时候,主语或宾语是为了表示一个动作,就需要在动词后面加-ing, 把动词名词化。


一旦动词短语变成名词,那么主语或者宾语就可以变得丰富多彩。

动名词 V-ing做主语:


  1. Studying abroad could enrich students' life experience and enable them to become independent.
      “出国学习”是一个动作,主语不能写成study abroad, 而要把study名词化变成 studying.

  2. Spending long time watching TV is very harmful to children's eyesight.
  “花时间看电视” 是一个动作,spend long time 做主语需要将spend 名词化变成 spending.
     spend time (in) doing sth 是固定搭配,因此 watch 也要相映变成 watching.

 3. Smoking cigarettes in public places is illegal behavior in some countries.
  “在公共场合抽烟” 是一个动词短语,smoke cigarettes 做主语需要把smoke变成smoking.

 4. Purchasing the latest fashion clothing will cost people a lot of money, especially the young people.
   "购买最新潮的时尚衣服" 是一个动词短语, purchase动词要变成名词purchasing.

5. Leading a rich and peaceful life is a major factor of being happiness.
   "过上富裕祥和的生活" 是动词短语,过上什么生活是短语 lead a ……life. lead 动词做主语变成动名词 leading.

动名词还可以做宾语。当宾语里含有动词性质的短语时,将动词短语变成名词性质的短语。通常是一些固定的动词或者动词搭配。


1. Children could avoid being bullied if they study at home with their parents.
    避免的内容是“被欺负”, be bully, 做avoid 宾语变成动名词 being bullied. 

2. Making class more engaging can prevent students from cutting class.
   这里是介词 from 的宾语,阻止学生“逃课”,cut class 变成动名词 cutting class. 当然
  也可以直接理解成 prevent sb from doing sth 这个固定搭配。

3. The government looks forward to exchanging opinions with its people.  
   期待“交换意见”, exchange opinions 作介词 to 宾语,变成动名词 exchanging.

最后,动名词还经常作表语,放在be 动词后面。

1. The main task of the government is serving the people and protecting the public interest.

“服务人民” “保护公共利益” 均是动词短语,be动词 is 后面,变成动名词 -ing形式。

2. The most urgent mission is reducing the air pollution and purifying the drinking water.
“减少空气污染“”净化饮用水“ 动词短语,reduce 和 purify 变成动名词作表语。

3. The challenge for women in work place is dealing with gender discrimination and fighting for their deserved rights.
”应对歧视“争取权利” 动词短语,作表语放在 is后面,deal with 和 fight for 变动名词.

4. One easy way of communication is talking face to face by face time.
   "面对面交谈" talk face to face 作表语,talk变talking.


动名词的用法比较简单,但比较容易出错。中文句子中动词较多,而英文中一个句子只能在谓语中出现动词,其他成分如主语、宾语、表语等,则不能出现动词,需要动词名词化,也就是动名词。





Tuesday, August 1, 2017

雅思7分作文的语法是这样的(三)


今天给大家展示一种最常见的7分语法结构—平行结构(parallelism)。

平行结构有多种形式,这里给大家介绍三种简单的方式。

第一种:平行主语(主语中含有2个名词或者短语)

  • Traffic and pollution from vehiclehave become huge problems. (2个并列名词)
  • The convenience, flexibility and cost-effectiveness of distance learning are apparent(3个并列名词)
  •  Long-term traffic and pollution reductions would depend on educating the publicto use public transit more(2个并列名词短语)
  • Efficient sky trains and underground train systems plays a key role in reducing traffic jam. (2个并列名词短语)

第二种:平行宾语(宾语中含有2个名词短语或者形容词)

  • Sitting in front of a screen for too long can be damaging to both the eyes and physical posture of a young child.  (两个名词短语)
  • Some electronic games tend to be very intense and rather violent. (两个形容词)
  • Distance learning students can save on transport costs and commuting time.  (两个名词短语)


第三种:平行谓语(谓语中含有2个动词或者动词短语)

  • Some high buildings not only function as a commercial organizations but serve as tourist attractions for people around the world. (两个动词短语)
  • History can provide a mirror of the past and thus help people make wise decisions about future. (两个动词)
  • Single-sex schools would reduce distractions and encourage students to concentrate ontheir studies. (两个动词短语)
  • The government should respect the will of the majority and change these laws and rules. (两个动词短语)

以上句子结构都属于简单句,但简单句不代表句子就很短,通过补充说明主语、宾语和谓语部分,也可以写出长的句子。

Sunday, July 30, 2017

雅思7分作文的语法是这样的(二)

句子写的简单是因为思维的简单;复杂的句子伴随着复杂的思维。


如果你的汉语思维就是简单的:今天我很高兴。

那么你脱口而出的句子也会很简单: I am so happy today. (5个单词)

但是这样的句子是不完整的,会让大家有疑问:为什么高兴? 于是你可以比较完整的说:那是因为我收到了大学的录取通知了。于是这个句子就变成了这样子:
I am so happy today because I received my college offer. (11个单词)

但是这样的回答依然缺少必要的细节,比如:什么时候收到? 早上?还是我中午?几点钟?
I am so happy today because I  received my college offer at 9 o'clock in this morning. (17个单词)

还可以接着问:怎么收到的?信差还是电子邮件?

I am so happy today because I received my college offer at 9 o'clock in this morning by email. (19个单词)

最关键的问题,哪一个大学呀?哈佛大学还是一所普通社区大学?
I am so happy today because I received my college offer from Harvard at 9 o'clock in this morning by email. (21个单词)

只是你一个人高兴还是全家都为你高兴呢?
I am so happy today because I received my college offer from Harvard at 9 o'clock in this morning by email and all my family members are so proud of me. (31个单词)


这就是一个句子,从5个单词扩展到31个单词。单词很简单,但语法绝对是雅思7分级别的语法了。

因此,要想写出长句子,必须先让自己的思维起飞,让自己的思维更完整,而不是碎片化。

我们再来看一个例子。

孩子可以得到更好的照顾。

Children could be taken good care of. (7个单词)

继续问下去,得到谁的照顾,老师还是家长?
Children could be taken good care of by their parents.(10个单词)

哪些孩子得到父母好的照顾?在学校上学还是在家上学呢?
Children who study at home could be taken good care of by their parents.(14个单词)

得到父母照顾当然不错,难道没有弊端吗?任何事物都有两个方面,在家上学的孩子失去了和其他孩子玩耍和交往的机会。



Children who study at home could be taken good care of by their parents, but those homeschooling students may lose the opportunity to play and socialise with other children. (29个单词)

雅思写作的句子不需要太长,最长不要超过30个单词,15到25个字最好,整个作文基本控制在15-18句话,很容易写到250字。


只要学会基本的句子连接的手段,写出7分的雅思句子其实很简单。



Friday, July 28, 2017

雅思7分作文的语法是这样的(一)

雅思7分作文的语法要求是:结构的多样性和复杂性。

什么是多样性,什么是复杂性,我们先来分析一篇范文 。 

It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance sports or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. 

A sample answer:
The relative importance of natural talent and training(复合主语)is a frequent topic of discussion when 时间状语从句)people try to explain different levels of ability in, for example, sport, art or music

Obviously,education systems are based on the belief that 同位语从句all children can effectively be taught to acquire different skills,including现在分词短语) those associated with sport, art or music.  So from our own school experience, we can find plenty of evidence to support the view that (同位语从句)a child can acquire these skills with continued teaching and guided practice. 

However,some people believe that宾语从句) innate talent is what differentiates a person who (定语从句has been trained to play a sport or an instrument, from those who (定语从句)become good players. In other words, there is more to the skill than a learned technique, and(并列句 this extra talent cannot be taught, no matter how good the teacher or how frequently a child practices. (让步从句)

I personally think that (宾语从句,)some people do have talents that 定语从句are probably inherited via their genes. Such talents can give individuals a facility for certain skills that 定语从句 allow them to excel, while more hard-working students never manage to reach a comparable level. while引导从句)But, as with all questions of nature versus nurture, they are not mutually exclusive.(简单句)Good musicians or artists and exceptional sports stars 三个并列主语)have probably succeeded because of both good training and natural talent.(简单句)Without the natural talent, continuous training would (would虚拟语气)be neither attractive nor productive, and without the training, (并列平行结构)the child would (would虚拟语气) not learn how to exploit and develop their talent. how to 短语作宾语

In conclusion, I agree that any child can be taught particular skills, but to be really good in areas such as music, art or sport, then some natural talent is  required.  (but 引导并列句)

这里面所出现的句法有:

  1. 复合的主语、宾语(两个或两个以上的并列名词或名词短语)
  2. simple sentence 简单句 (只有一个谓语动词)
  3. compound sentence 并列句(and, but 等连接)
  4. complex sentence 复合句(常见从句,如宾语从句,定语从句,表语从句,状语从句)
  5. passive voice 被动语态
  6. model verbs 情态动词 (can, could, would, may等)

这些语法都是高中语法知识,实在没有什么高级的语法,并且这还是考官的范文。

对于语法,实在没必要迷信;只要没有基本语法错误,比如单复数,主谓一致等,能写出基本的简单句和从句,语法单项就不会低于6分。

7分的要求就是灵活运用上述提到的句子结构,通过句子的翻译练习,1-2周即可以完成语法的学习。

没有什么高分语法结构,因为即使你背下来,考试也未必用得到,因为这是本末倒置的做法。

Ideas  come first, organization second, and then vocabulary and grammar. 

所有的复杂句子,都是由最简单的句子simple sentence演变而来。

接下来Allen会给大家展示,如何由简单句写出各种复杂的句子。


Thursday, July 27, 2017

雅思写作高分段落是怎样炼成的(六)

经常有学生问我,Allen, Band 7 的作文需要300个字吗?结构是写四段式还是五段式比较好?每一段必须写5-6句话吗? 没时间写结尾会不会影响7分?

之所以会问这样的问题,是因为我们中“模板”“套路“的毒太深了。

Allen见过有的雅思作文,从头到尾不分段 依然得 Band 7;  有的作文写 6段,每一段都2-3句话,依然得 band 8; 当然,很多雅思考官得范文只写 255个字,那也是 band 9 呀。

高分作文(> band 7)和这些外在的特征都没关系。它只和下面三个条件有关:

  1. 紧扣题,不偏题,不跑题(on topic)
  2. 观点清晰,论证逻辑强 (logically organized and easily understood )
  3. 表达手段多样化 (vocabulary and grammar)

举一个不恰当得比喻,1,2 就是文章的灵魂(soul),3 是文章的肉体(body)。传统的英语学习过于看重词汇和语法,轻视甚至忽视审题和内容之间的逻辑结构。

这也是为什么花这么多时间来分析内容,分析思维的原因。

下面是两个具有不同”特征“的段落,均是从高分范文的作文中选取。

第一个选自考官范文 (band 9) 的其中一个段落。该段讨论男女共校的好处。

On the other hand, some experts would argue that mixed schools prepare their pupils better for their future lives. Girls and boys learn to live and work together from an early age and are consequently not emotionally underdeveloped  in their relations with the opposite sex. They are also able to learn from each  other, and to experience different types of skill and talent than might be  evident in a single gender environment.

这一段只有三句话,但是内容集中紧凑,没一句废话。除also之外,段落中没有明显的连接词。句子内在关系完全靠”内容的一致性unity“和连贯性统一起来。

仔细看题目中的黑体加粗字体,该段重点谈论男女共校好处,主题当然是学生,pupils, boys and girls, they, 三句话,每一句话都有主题词。

红色字体则体现出共校的特征和性别差异,如 together,  opposite sex, single gender等。
下划线部分则是平行结构,②和③句用同样动词 learn来表示并列关系,②和③都是对的支持。

这就是Allen强调的,如果你写的每一句话都紧扣一个话题,那么句子里面会有关键词体现,并且反复出现,而不是每一句话里会出现不同话题的关键词。

下面是考官给出一个 Band 7作文的一个段落。支持学生应先在学校完成学业,然后找工作,而不是觉得学校课程没用,过早踏入社会。

①One reason for this is that schools provide a plenty of academic knowledge to students and it is possible to enlarge students’ knowledge background when they are young. ②It is also a good method to force students to focus on their school work and this conditions might avoid students to spend their time to do bad thing. ③In Addition, some educations at school are useful for their life such as students might learn professional skills or knowledge that they may have more opportunities to find a job in their future. ④For example, an employee prefers to hire a employer who had a good degree and owns a lot of professional skills and knowledge in Taiwan.

这一段没有主题句topic sentence, 但是①、②和③的意思很清楚,列出在学校学习的三个原因,gain academic knowledge, focus on study and avoid doing bad things, professional skills for job hunting, ④是对③的具体例子说明。

加粗红体字则是和话题密切相关的关键词,显然和考官比起来,缺少灵活性,单词重复较多,有不少语法错误;但优点是:每一个句子都牢牢紧扣话题,这一点对想要考band 7的同学来说尤其重要。

下划线的是表示句子关系的连接词,表示句子之间他们的关系。当然这只是表面的,重要的是每一句话都和学生需要在学校学习的原因有关。

也许,你会指责这篇作文,用词简单,重复也比较多,甚至有错误,但不得不承认它思路很清楚,结构安排也符合逻辑。7分是内容、连贯、词汇、语法四项的平均分,而每一篇文章其实都有自己的优势和劣势。

(给大家提个醒,那就是 band 7的作文并不是完美的,依然会有瑕疵甚至错误。如红色字体标出的 employer 和 employee就用反了。它只是整体符合 Band 7的写作要求)。

If you really think that every sentence in your paragraph is supporting your topic or topic sentence, then it is time to spend more time polishing your vocabulary and grammar. Otherwise, vocabulary and grammar is but the air in the castle to an essay without ideas and organization.