就目前大陸考區(qū)學(xué)生所接觸的北美地區(qū)四類熱門考試(TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT)的難度而言,TOEFL的難度系數(shù)是低的。
在實(shí)際教學(xué)中,朗閣海外研究中心的專家發(fā)現(xiàn)經(jīng)常有一些基礎(chǔ)很弱的同學(xué)在閱讀托福文章的過程中喜歡把所有生詞的漢語意思全查出來,但是做題的正確率依然很低。在單詞的意思已經(jīng)知道的情況下為什么還是不會(huì)做題?
很多基礎(chǔ)差的同學(xué)雖然了解了每個(gè)單詞的意思,但是當(dāng)這些獨(dú)立的單詞組合成一句長難句的時(shí)候就看不懂了,也就是長難句分析能力太差。長難句分析能力差不僅會(huì)影響閱讀速度和閱讀準(zhǔn)確性,而且還會(huì)影響某些題型的正確率。因?yàn)樵谕懈i喿x十大題型當(dāng)中,句子簡化題、事實(shí)信息題和推理題這幾種題型都直接或間接地在考察學(xué)生分析長難句的能力。
朗閣海外考試研究中心的專家認(rèn)為,在面對(duì)長難句時(shí),考生一定不能“只見樹木(單詞),不見森林(結(jié)構(gòu))”,句子主干部分永遠(yuǎn)比修飾部分要重要。下面筆者就來談一談托福閱讀真題當(dāng)中的長難句結(jié)構(gòu)類型。
一、定語從句
首先,定語從句應(yīng)該是托福閱讀喜歡考察的結(jié)構(gòu),一般可以將其分為兩種:單層定語從句結(jié)構(gòu)和多層定語從句結(jié)構(gòu)。
1. 單層定語從句結(jié)構(gòu):指整個(gè)句中包含一個(gè)或兩個(gè)并列關(guān)系的定語從句。
例:包含一個(gè)定語從句的情況
In the late 1700s JamesWatt designed an efficient and commercially viable steam engine that was soon appliedto a variety of industrial uses as it became cheaper to use. (TPO 26 Energy and the Industrial Revolution)
解析:該句是that引導(dǎo)的定語從句
固定搭配:
(be) applied to應(yīng)用于
a variety of很多…...
詞匯:
viable=practicable=feasible=practical=possible(adj.) 切實(shí)可行的
variety=category=group=lot (n.) 種類
翻譯:十七世紀(jì)末,James Watt設(shè)計(jì)了一種高效并且可商用的蒸汽機(jī),隨著其價(jià)格降低,很快被應(yīng)用于各種工業(yè)。
例:包含兩個(gè)并列定語從句的情況
Without predators, the species thatis the best competitor for food, shelter, nesting sites, and other environmentalresources tends to dominate and exclude the species with which it competes. (TPO27 Predator-Prey Cycles)
解析:
該句含有兩個(gè)并列的定語從句,分別由that和which來引導(dǎo)。
詞匯:
predator = eater捕食者
dominate = govern = control = predominate (v.) 控制;統(tǒng)治
exclude = rule out = eliminate (v.) 排除
翻譯:沒有捕食者時(shí),那種在對(duì)食物、庇護(hù)所、筑巢點(diǎn)和其它環(huán)境資源的爭奪中勝出的競爭者,趨向于成為統(tǒng)治者,并且使與其競爭的其它物種滅絕。
2. 多層定語從句結(jié)構(gòu):指包含兩個(gè)及以上從屬關(guān)系的定語從句
例:
If so, the green algae would have been subjected to environmentalpressures that resulted in adaptations that enhanced their potential to give riseto land-dwelling or organisms. (TPO 25 The EvolutionaryOrigin of Plants)
解析:
該句主要包含了兩個(gè)由that引導(dǎo)的定語從句(但兩者并不是并列關(guān)系,而是存在等級(jí)上的分層,即多層結(jié)構(gòu))
一層:that resulted in adaptations
二層:that enhanced their potential to give riseto land-dwelling or organisms.
固定搭配:
be subjected to… 容易受到......影響
result in… 導(dǎo)致......
give rise to… 產(chǎn)生......
詞匯:
be subjected to…= be vulnerable to… = be susceptible to… 容易受到......影響
result in = give rise to = lead to = contribute to… 導(dǎo)致......
enhance = improve = boost = increase (v.) 提高
organism = organic matter = organic = substance (n.) 有機(jī)物;有機(jī)體
翻譯:如果事實(shí)如此的話,綠藻可能曾經(jīng)受到環(huán)境的壓力,產(chǎn)生了適應(yīng)機(jī)制,即提高進(jìn)化出陸生植物或其他有機(jī)體的可能性。
例:
These include conducting vessels that transport water and mineralsupward from the roots and that move the photosynthetic products from the leavesto the rest of the plant body and the stiffening substance lignin, which supportthe plant body, helping it expose maximum surface area to sunlight. (TPO25 The Evolutionary Origin of Plants)
解析:
該句包含三個(gè)定語從句,前兩個(gè)是由that引導(dǎo)的并列結(jié)構(gòu),共同來修飾先行詞vessel, 構(gòu)成第一層結(jié)構(gòu)。
(1) that transport water and minerals upward from the roots
(2) that move the photosynthetic products from leaves to therest of the plant body and the stiffening substance lignin
第三個(gè)定語從句是由which引導(dǎo)來修飾lignin, 構(gòu)成第二層結(jié)構(gòu)。
(3) which support the plant body
固定搭配:
transport sth. upward from… 把某物從….向上運(yùn)輸
expose sth. to… 把某物暴露在…下
詞匯:stiffening = rigid = tough (adj.)堅(jiān)硬的
substance = matter = material (n.)物質(zhì)
expose = reveal = unveil (v.)暴露
翻譯:其中包括從根部向上運(yùn)輸水分和礦物質(zhì)的導(dǎo)管,從葉片向植物其他部分輸送光合作用產(chǎn)物的篩管以及用來支撐植物體、使得它以大表面積接觸陽光的硬化木質(zhì)。
二、同位語從句
同位語從句在托福當(dāng)中也算是一個(gè)高頻的結(jié)構(gòu),主要是因?yàn)镋TS比較人性化,喜歡以同位語或同位語從句的形式來對(duì)專有名詞或抽象名詞進(jìn)行解釋。
例:
A major development was the discovery, again about 3000B.C.E., that if copper, which had been known in Mesopotamia since about 3500 B.C.E.,was mixed with tin, a much harder metal, bronze, would result. (TPO26 Sumer and the First Citiesof the Ancient Near East)
解析:
首先這個(gè)句子主要含有一個(gè)由that引導(dǎo)的同位語從句thatif copper, which had been known in Mesopotamia since about 3500 B.C.E., was mixedwith tin, a much harder metal, bronze, would result.
在該同位語從句中又含有一個(gè)原因狀語從句if copper, which had been known in Mesopotamiasince about 3500 B.C.E., was mixed with tin
在該狀語從句中又含有一個(gè)定語從句which had been known in Mesopotamia sinceabout 3500 B.C.E.
因此,如果按照句子的結(jié)構(gòu)層數(shù)分析,該句應(yīng)該屬于三層結(jié)構(gòu)的句子。
固定搭配:
be mixed with… 和…混合
詞匯:
major = primary = staple= main (adj.)主要的
mix = blend = mingle(v.)混合
翻譯:一個(gè)重大進(jìn)展同樣也發(fā)生在約公元前3000年,銅在約公元前3500年就為美索不達(dá)米亞人所熟知,如果將銅和錫混合在一起,就可以制造出一種更堅(jiān)硬的金屬——青銅。
三、狀語從句
就難度而言,狀語從句相對(duì)比較簡單,因?yàn)樵擃愋蛷木浜椭骶涓髯远加型暾闹髦^賓結(jié)構(gòu),只要看到連接狀語從句的連詞考生就能分得清主句與從句。狀語從句總共可以分為八類:時(shí)間狀語從句;地點(diǎn)狀語從句;讓步狀語從句;條件狀語從句;原因狀語從句;結(jié)果狀語從句;目的狀語從句;比較狀語從句。大體上可以將狀語從句與主句的關(guān)系分為兩大類:并列或平行關(guān)系 & 讓步轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系。
1. 并列與平行關(guān)系
包括:條件 / 原因/ 結(jié)果 / 時(shí)間幾大類狀語從句
例子:
Scientists have no direct evidence forrecent or ongoing eruptions, but if these volcanoes were active as recently as100 million years ago (an estimate of the time of last eruption based on theextent of impact catering on their slopes), some of them may still be at leastintermittently active. (TPO25 The surface of Mars)
解析:該句含有一個(gè)由if引導(dǎo)的條件狀語從句。
固定搭配:
bebased on… 以…為依據(jù)
atleast 至少
詞匯:
evidence= proof n. 證據(jù)
estimate= reckon n. 估計(jì);估算
intermittently = discontinuously adv. 間斷地
翻譯:科學(xué)家們沒有直接證據(jù)顯示這些火山近期是否噴發(fā)過,或是否正處于噴發(fā)階段,但是如果這些火山近期的活躍狀態(tài)一如一千萬年前那般(這一近的爆發(fā)期是根據(jù)火山斜坡上隕石坑的范圍估算出來的),它們當(dāng)中的幾個(gè)也許至少仍然會(huì)保持間歇性的活躍。
2. 讓步轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系
包括:讓步 / 比較 兩類從句
例子:
While population estimates are notoriouslyunreliable, scholars assume that Uruk inhabitants were able to supportthemselves from the agricultural production of the field surrounding the city,which could be reached with a daily commute. (TPO 27 Craftsin the Ancient Near East)
解析:
該句首先由while引導(dǎo)一個(gè)讓步狀語從句,其次,還包含一個(gè)which引導(dǎo)的定語從句。
固定搭配:beable to 能夠…
詞匯:
notorious = infamy adj. 臭名昭著的
inhabitant = resident =dweller = occupant = settler = citizen n. 居住者
翻譯:雖然人口估計(jì)數(shù)通常是不可靠的,但學(xué)者們認(rèn)為烏魯克居民可以通過日常與周圍地區(qū)的通勤,得到周圍地區(qū)產(chǎn)的農(nóng)業(yè)產(chǎn)品以自給自足。
四、強(qiáng)調(diào)句
該句型是托福閱讀中相對(duì)來說比較少見的一個(gè)結(jié)構(gòu),但是托福寫作中這卻是一個(gè)加分的句型結(jié)構(gòu),因?yàn)閺?qiáng)調(diào)句的使用會(huì)讓一篇議論文更加的有力度。常見的強(qiáng)調(diào)句型固定結(jié)構(gòu)為:It is + 被強(qiáng)調(diào)部分 + that…..
例子:
It was this that made the organization ofirrigation, particularly the building of canals to channel and preserve thewater, essential. (TPO 26 Survival ofPlants and Animals in Desert Conditions)
解析:該句是一個(gè)強(qiáng)調(diào)句的句型結(jié)構(gòu)即it was……that……
固定搭配:make…essential 使…成為必要
詞匯:
irrigation = watering n. 灌溉
particularly = especially = in particular
preserve = conserve = save = hold v. 保存
essential = indispensable = necessary adj. 必要的
elementary = fundamental = basic adj. 基本的
翻譯:這就使得灌溉系統(tǒng)的規(guī)劃至關(guān)重要,特別是(如何)建造水渠以疏導(dǎo)和保存水資源。
五、倒裝句
該句型結(jié)構(gòu)不算高頻類句型,難度不算太大。一般考生在見到倒裝句的時(shí)候要具備能把它調(diào)整成一個(gè)正常語序的句子的能力即可。
Northwest of Tharsis is the largest volcano of all: Olympus Mons, witha height of 25 kilometers and measuring some 700 kilometers in diameter at itsbase. (TPO25 The surface of Mars)
解析:該句首先是一個(gè)倒裝句,并且含有一個(gè)現(xiàn)在分詞結(jié)構(gòu)做狀語。
固定搭配:數(shù)字 + in + diameter / length / height 表示直徑 / 長度 / 高度 為多少……
詞匯:
measure = survey v. 測量
step; method; way n. 措施;方法
base = bottom n. 底部
衍生出----basis n. 盆地;臉盆
翻譯:位于塔爾西斯西北的奧林帕斯山是其中大的一座火山:25千米高,測得其基部直徑大約有700千米。
六、固定搭配
主要指某些長難句中含有一些固定搭配結(jié)構(gòu),比如:not only…but also…;not…but…; neither…nor…; either…or…; both…and…等等。在很多情況之下,這些固定搭配都是在連接句子的主干,因此,考生需要熟悉這些固定搭配。
例子:
Earth’s surface isnot made up of a single sheet of rock that forms a crust but rather a number of“tectonic plates” that fit closely, like the pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle.(TPO 27 The Formation of Volcanic Islands)
解析:
該句主要含有一個(gè)固定搭配結(jié)構(gòu)not…but…,以及一個(gè)定語從句thatfit closely, like the pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle.
詞匯:
be made up of = be composed of = consist of 由...組成
giant = huge = enormous = immense = gigantic adj. 巨大的
翻譯:地球的外殼并不是由單塊巖石形成的,而是許多的構(gòu)造板塊嚴(yán)密地組合在一起,就像是一個(gè)巨大的拼圖。