近几年的英语写作基础试卷在考查内容和试题类型上改动不大,保持了命题的连贯性。考查内容包括三大部分:句子的组成、段落的写作、应用文写作。题型有重写句子、改写病句、识别主题句、重新组合段落、识别与段落内容无关的句子、写信六种。本文将按题型顺序对2000年试题的考核知识点与解题思路进行分析和探讨,同时,也将对考生答题中的典型错误作一剖析,希望能有益于准备参加今年考试的同学。 第一大题 重写句子(本大题共10小题,每小题1.5分,共15分) Rewrite each of the following sentences according to the requirement. 一,考核知识点:考查loose sentence 与periodic sentence之间的转换。 ●试题: 2. I felt like taking a walk after watching the sunset. (periodic sentence) 3. While they were waiting in line for the concert tickets, the rain stopped. (loose sentence) ●答案: 2. After watching the sunset, I felt like taking a walk. 3. The rain stopped while they were waiting in line for the concert tickets. ●解题关键: (1) 明确两种句型的特点:就语义结构而论,periodic sentence(掉尾句)中主要信息在后,次要信息在前,使句子的重心置于句尾,旨在造成悬念,引人入胜;而loose sentence(松散句)则正相反,将句义重心放在句首,使主要信息一目了然。就语法结构而言,periodic sentence(掉尾句)将句子成分中的修饰部分放在主要成分(一般为主谓结构)之前;而loose sentence(松散句)则反之。 (2) 第二题原句主要信息为 I felt like taking a walk,放在次要信息After watching the sunset之前,原句是loose sentence(松散句),变换句型只要将主次信息换位即可。第三题原句的主要信息为the rain stopped,次要信息为while they were waiting in line for the concert tickets,原句是periodic sentence(掉尾句),变换成loose sentence(松散句),需主次信息换位。 二,考核知识点:考查将两个独立短句合并成一个simple sentence的能力。 ●试题: 5. The letter is from my foreign friend. The letter arrived today. (simple sentence) 9. My roommate was waiting for me at the door. He had a book in his hand. (simple sentence) ●答案: 5. The letter from my foreign friend arrived today. 9. My roommate with a book in his hand was waiting for me at the door. ●解题关键: (1) 明确simple sentence(简单句)的构成:simple sentence(简单句)包含一个主语 谓语动词(S V)的结构。 (2) 将两个短句的共同主语作为合并后的simple sentence(简单句)的主语,并将其中包含主要信息的短句的谓语动词确立为simple sentence(简单句)的谓语动词,另一短句转化为修饰成分。 (3) 第5题原句中第一个短句为次要信息,介词短语from my foreign friend可作为修饰成分。第9题原句中,第一个短句包含主要信息,其谓语动词was waiting可作为合并后的simple sentence(简单句)的谓语动词,第二个短句He had a book in his hand,可转化为with引导的介词短语结构,作修饰成分。 ●考生典型答题错误分析 (错误)The letter which arrived today is from my foreign friend. (分析)错误有二:一、未将原句中包含主要信息的短句的谓语动词arrived作为合并后的simple sentence(简单句)的谓语动词;二、含有定语从句的句子不是simple sentence(简单句),而是complex sentence(复合句)。 (错误)The letter arrived today is from my foreign friend. (分析)这是一个病句,句中出现两个没有合适方式连接的谓语动词,根本不符合语法规则。 (错误)My roommate, who had a book in his hand, was waiting for me at the door. (分析)此句中who had a book in his hand是定语从句,而simple sentence(简单句)中不能含有从句。 三,考核知识点:考查独立短句与compound sentence之间的转换 ●试题: 1. Jerry is a good student. He studies hard and grasps concepts well. (compound sentence) 6. We could take a taxi. We could walk to the restaurant. (compound sentence) 10. I needed butter to make the cookie better. I couldn t find any. I used vegetable oil instead. (compound sentence) ●答案: 1. Jerry is a good student, for he studies hard and grasps concepts well. 6. We could take a taxi or we could walk to the restaurant. 10. I needed butter to make the cookie better, but I couldn t find any, so I used vegetable oil instead. ●解题关键: (1) 明确compound sentence(并列句)的特点:compound sentence(并列句)是由并列连词或特定的标点符号将意义相关、结构完整的两个或两个以上的simple sentence(简单句)连接起来构成的。 (2) 理顺独立短句间逻辑关系:是承递、转折、选择、还是因果?确定好后在并列连接词and, nor, but, yet, or, for, so之中选一个出来连接各分句。 (3) 第1题中,两分句间的关系为前因后果,所以选择for引出解释原因的分句。第6题中,两分句为选择关系,可用or连接。第10题较为复杂,前两个分句是转折关系,可用but或yet连接;它们又与第三个分句形成前因后果的关系,所以选择so引出结果。 ●考生典型答题错误分析 (错误)Jerry is a good student for he studies hard and grasps concepts well. (分析)用for引导表示原因的分句时,它前面一定要用comma(逗号)。 (错误)For Jerry is a good student, he studies hard and grasps concepts well. (分析)除了因果关系不妥外,for的位置也不正确。用for连接两个简单句时,前句表示结果或结论,后句说明产生前述结果的原因,所以for只能出现在后句中。 (错误)We could take a taxi or walk to the restaurant. (分析)此句仍是一个simple sentence(简单句)而不是compound sentence(并列句),compound sentence(并列句)必须包含两个或两个以上的simple sentence(简单句) 四,考核知识点:考查compound sentence与complex sentence之间的转换 ●试题: 4. The tape recorder was not working right, so I returned it to the store. (complex sentence) ●答案: 4. Because the tape recorder was not working right, I returned it to the store. ●解题关键: (1) 了解complex sentence(复合句)的构成:complex sentence(复合句)包含一个主句及一个或多个从句。从句分为名词性从句、形容词性从句和副词性从句。 (2) 第4题原句是compound sentence(并列句),两个分句为因果关系,要把compound sentence(并列句)重写成complex sentence(复合句)时,只需将第一个分句改为由从属连接词because引导的原因状语从句即可。 ●考生典型答题错误分析 (错误)I returned the tape recorder to the store, for it was not working right. (分析)for虽然也可引导表示原因的分句,但它是并列连接词,用在compound sentence(并列句)中,这点与because、as、since等引导原因状语从句的从属连接词不同。 五,考核知识点:考查对compound-complex sentence的掌握和运用。 ●试题: 7. If you want me to clean your windows, please give me a week s notice. I am very busy this month. (compound-complex sentence) ●答案: 7. If you want me to clean your windows, please give me a week s notice, for I am very busy this month. ●解题关键: (1) 了解compound-complex sentence(并列复合句)的构成:顾名思义,compound-complex sentence(并列复合句)是由复合句并列而形成的。具体地说,compound-complex sentence(并列复合句)可以是一个简单句与一个主从复合句用并列连接词连接起来的,也可以是两个主从复合句的并列。 (2) 第7题原句中的第一个句子是含有条件状语从句的主从复合句,第一句与第二句是前因后果的关系,将两句话用并列连接词for连接起来,即可合并为一个compound - complex sentence(并列复合句)。 ●考生典型答题错误分析 (错误)Please give me a week s notice if you want me to clean your windows, because I am very busy this month. (分析)此句仍是complex sentence(复合句),因为because为从属连接词。在表示原因的连接词中,只有for是并列连接词,用于连接两个具有并列关系的分句。阅卷中发现,相当多的考生没有掌握好连接词for的用法。 六,考核知识点:考查对parallel structure概念的掌握和运用 ●试题: 8. Minnie bought a ticket to the play. She went out for dinner. She arrived at the theater by 8:00. (parallel structure) ●答案: 8. Minnie bought a ticket to the play, went out for dinner, and arrived at the theater by 8:00. ●解题关键: (1) 明确parallel structure(平行结构)的特点:parallel structure(平行结构)是把两个或两个以上意思并列的成分用同等的语法形式表示出来。平行的结构可以是单词、词组、从句,也可以是句子。 (2) 第8题原有的三个短句中,主语均为Minnie,谓语动词bought、went out、及arrived是意思并列的成分,可以成为平行结构。 ●考生典型答题错误分析 (错误)Minnie bought a ticket to the play, arrived at the theater by 8:00,and went out for dinner. (分析)Minnie买票、外出吃饭、到达剧院是按照时间顺序先后发生的,次序不能随意更改。 (错误)Minnie bought a ticket to the play, went out for dinner, then arrived at the theater by 8:00. (分析)then不是并列连接词,不能取代and. 上一讲,我们对第一种题型“重写句子”的考核知识点与解题思路进行了分析和探讨,并对考生答题中的典型错误作了剖析。本讲我们将研究第二种题型“改写病句”,病句中的一些语病在中国学生的英文写作中十分常见,值得认真推敲。 第二大题 改写病句(本大题共5小题,每小题3分,共15分) Correct the errors in the following sentences 一, 考核知识点:考查对连接词(joining word)使用错误的识别与修正。 ●试题: 11. Your sales are up, therefore, your bonus is forthcoming. ●答案: 11. Your sales are up; therefore, your bonus is forthcoming. ●解题关键: (1) 连接词(joining word)可分为连词(如:and, but, for, so, because, although, since等)和连接性副词(如:therefore, consequently, accordingly, moreover, furthermore, otherwise, likewise, however, nevertheless等)。连词和连接性副词在用法上有很多相似之处,但也有不同点。 (2) 连词和连接性副词在连接两个分句时,前后使用的标点符号不同:连词之前常用逗号(,),之后通常不用标点;而连接性副词之前要求用分号(;)或句号(。),之后常用逗号(,)。 (3) 该句最简便的修正方法是将连接性副词therefore前的逗号(,)改为分号(;)。另外也可改为:Your sales are up. Therefore, your bonus is forthcoming. “评分标准”中规定:“与标准答案不一致,但句子结构正确,表意准确,也得满分。否则,酌情给分或不得分。” ●考生典型答题错误分析: (错误)If your sales are up, your bonus will be forthcoming (分析)原句中的两个分句之间是因果关系,而不是假设关系。 (错误)Your bonus is forthcoming, therefore, your sales are up. (分析)有些考生识别不出病句结构上的错误,就以为句义有误,对两个分句的因果关系作了调整。值得注意的是,写作基础试卷改写病句一题中的病句通常错在结构上,而不是语义上。 二, 考核知识点:考查对破句(fragmentary sentence)的识别和修正。 ●试题: 12. People worked together on the assembly line. Moving quickly and efficiently. They wanted to make as much money as possible. ●答案: 12. People worked together on the assembly line, moving quickly and efficiently. They wanted to make s much money as possible. ●解题关键: (1) 了解破句(fragmentary sentence)的特点:把句子的一部分当成了一个句子。英语中一个完整的句子必须包含“主语 谓语”结构,否则就是破句(fragmentary sentence)。 (2) 找出病句中结构不完整的句子(即不包含主谓结构的句子):Moving quickly and efficiently. (3) 由于用分词结构而引起的破句的修改方法为:将分词结构还原为谓语形式使其独立成句,或者将分词结构与其前面或后面的句子融合在一起。本句最简便的修正方法是将moving前的句号(。)变成逗号(,),使moving quickly and efficiently融入前面的句子,成为表示伴随状况的分词短语。 ●考生典型答题错误分析: (错误)People worked together on the assembly line, moving quickly and efficiently., they wanted to make s much money as possible. (分析)这是一个串句(run-on sentence),误将两个独立分句合写在一个句子里面而没有适当地分离标识。 (错误)People worked together on the assembly line moving quickly and efficiently. They wanted to make s much money as possible. (分析)moving的逻辑主语是people,不是assembly line,因此moving前必须有逗号(,),否则分词短语moving quickly and efficiently就变成了修饰名词assembly line的定语,而不再是谓语动词worked的伴随状况。 三, 考核知识点:考查对垂悬修饰语(dangling modifier)的识别和修正。 ●试题: 13. Watching the parade, my wallet was stolen. ●答案: 13. While watching the parade, I had my wallet stolen. / While I was watching the parade, my wallet was stolen. ●解题关键: (1) 了解垂悬修饰语(dangling modifier)的特点:修饰语在句中找不到逻辑上被修饰的对象。分词结构、不定式结构和介词短语做修饰语修饰句子时,易发生垂悬修饰现象。 (2) 修正时,可调整句子的主语,使之与上述结构或短语的逻辑主语一致;也可将分词结构、不定式结构或介词短语带上自己的逻辑主语,将其扩展成从句。 (3) 原句中做修饰语的分词结构watching the parade的逻辑主语与句子主语my wallet不一致,所以可将句子主语调整为I,或将句子主语保持不变,使watching the parade带上自己的逻辑主语I. ●考生典型答题错误分析: (错误)While watching the parade, my wallet was stolen. (分析)分词结构watching the parade前加上连词while或when,不能改变其垂悬修饰语(dangling modifier)的性质,因为其逻辑主语I未变,而与从句的主语my wallet仍然不一致。 (错误)Watching the parade, I lost my wallet. (分析)修正病句不应该改变原句的意思。钱包丢失的原因可能是被盗,但也可能是别的原因,例如由于粗心遗忘在某地等。另外,从这一修改中,可看出相当一部分考生对have sth. done结构不太熟悉。 四, 考核知识点:考查对错误平行结构(faulty parallelism)的识别和修正。 ●试题: 14. If a publisher rejects a novel, it is either because the story is unsaleable or the author is unknown. 15. Our new car not only is more user-friendly, but also it is more comfortable than our old one. ●答案: 14. If a publisher rejects a novel, it is either because the story is unsaleable or because the author is unknown. 15. Our new car is not only more user-friendly but also more comfortable than our old one. ●解题关键: (1) 了解错误平行结构(faulty parallelism)产生的原因:平行结构(parallelism)是把两个或两个以上意思并列的成分用同等语法形式表达,如果意思上并列的成分用不同等的语法形式来表达,就破坏了其平行结构。 (2) either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, both…and等关联并列连接词(correlative conjunction)用于连接意思并列的成分,所以每个连词后所跟的成分必须有相同的语法形式。 (3) 14题原句中连词either后是because引导的原因状语从句,or后也应补上because. 15题病句最简便的修正方法,是将两个形容词比较级作为平行成分,用not only…but also连接。 ●考生典型答题错误分析: (错误)If a publisher rejects a novel, either the story is unsaleable or the author is unknown. (分析)从全句来看,这是一个逻辑关系模糊,句法不当的病句。不过应当肯定的是,平行的结构可以是单词、词组,也可以是从句甚至句子。 (错误)Not only our new car is more user-friendly but also it is more comfortable than our old one. (分析)not only…but also可以连接两个平行结构的句子,但not only后的句子必须倒装,如:Not only is our new car more user-friendly, but also it is more comfortable than our old one. 另外,not only…but also连接两个主语、谓语相同的句子时显得啰嗦和没有必要,故常用来连接两个主语、谓语不同的句子,如:Not only is he himself interested in the subject, but also all his students have begun to show an interest in it. 前两讲,我们讨论了“句子的组成”部分考核知识点与解题思路,下面我们将研究“段落的写作”方面的内容。 第三大题 标出主题句(本大题共3小题,每小题5分,共15分) 一, 考核知识点:考查对主题句(topic sentence)特征的掌握以及识别主题句的能力。 ●试题: 16. Choose the best topic sentence from the group below. Write the letter of the choice in the blank. [A] Temperatures in the western hemisphere have stayed the same in the past century. Temperatures in the western hemisphere are being studied by scientists. [C] Temperatures in the western hemisphere are gradually warming. [D] Temperatures in the western hemisphere are being changed. ●答案: 16. [C] Temperatures in the western hemisphere are gradually warming. ●解题关键: (1) 了解主题句(topic sentence)的特征:主题句(topic sentence)是一个段落中最重要的句子,它的作用是概括一个段落的中心意思,所以往往是表示一般概念的句子。范围太大或太小,都会使作者无法展开段落,必须通过某些限制性词语将内容范围限制到一定程度,因此主题句应包括主题和限制性词语。从语义层次分析,主题句是一个概括性的语句(general statement),它必须包涵段落要谈论的主体(subject)和这个主体的某一所谈论的方面(controlling idea),即Topic sentence=Subject Contrlling idea. (2) 比较16题中的四句,看哪一句既有一定的概括性,又能留出一定的展开余地。 (3) [C]句符合上述的条件,其中Temperatures in the western hemisphere是subject; are gradually warming是controlling idea,有待推展和细节支持。 (4) 其余三句虽也符合主题句“Topic sentence=Subject Contrlling idea”的特征,但[A]句中have stayed the same in the past century是静态的描述,不利于推展;句中are being studied by scientists意义笼统,缺乏探讨的价值;[D]句中被动语态are being changed的使用使句义不够明晰,令人费解。 二, 考核知识点:考查在段落中寻找主题句(topic sentence)的能力。 ●试题: 17. Read the following paragraph and underline the topic sentence. I don t like algebra this semester, and I’m not too found of history. But I m enjoying my racquetball class a lot. I’m getting a lot of exercise, and I m also enjoying the game. We usually play partners and compete in small tournaments within the class. The competition is fun, and playing partners keeps it relaxed. I also have found that I have some ability in racquetball that I haven’t had in other sports. I may sign up for intermediate racquetball next semester. ●答案: 17. Topic sentence: I m enjoying my racquetball class a lot. ●解题关键: (1) 段落中的主题句(topic sentence)是全段的统领,它说明段落的中心思想和作者写作的目的。段落的其余句子必须与主题句密切相关,共同阐明、证实主题句。因此,主题句具有概括性,支配段落中其他各句的走句。 (2) 多数情况下主题句出现在段首,但也可以在段中或段尾。17题段落中的第二句I m enjoying my racquetball class a lot包含subject(racquetball class)和controlling idea(I’m enjoying it a lot),下文各句就enjoying一词展开,详细说明喜欢racquetball class的事实和原因。所以敲定该句为主题句。 ●考生典型答题错误分析: (错误)Topic sentence: I may sign up for intermediate racquetball next semester. (分析)该句适合做结论句(concluding sentence),因为它必须依赖前文对enjoying my racquetball class的探讨才有效度。 三, 考核知识点:考查根据段落中的支持句(supporting sentences)来推断主题句(topic sentence)的能力。 ●试题: 18. Read the following paragraph carefully and 0select the best topic sentence from the four possible answers that follow the paragraph. Topic sentence: First, there are always customers to be served. I work in a downtown McDonald s that gets lots of traffic, and as soon as I serve one customer, there is always another one ready to order. There is constant pressure because I can never step back for a few minutes and relax. Second, I have to put together all of the orders myself. To do that, I have to move all over the serving area: French fries on one side, drinks on the other, and burgers in middle. It’s easy to get sloppy and spill a Coke or throw French fries on the floor. Also, I must always move at a fast pace. McDonald s has an image to uphold, and its workers must scurry about like ants. If I don’t move fast enough, some customers will say, “Hey, speed it up,” or “I though McDonald s had fast service.” And with all of this nonstop work, I only get one ten-minute break every two hours. However, ten minutes isn’t enough time to rest and feel like getting back to work. It only gives me enough time to realize hoe tired I am, so I go back to work depressed. Finally, my manager really keeps the pressure on. He watches us like a hawk, and every time I do something wrong, he seems to catch it. He also has a reputation for firing people, and he never lets any of the workers feel that their jobs are safe. By the end of the day, I m emotionally and physically drained, like everyone else, and we all head out the door grumbling. [A] The hamburger sold at McDonald s is my favorite food. There are several reasons that I like McDonald s. [C] Working at McDonald s is very tiring. [D] I have no idea about working at McDonald s. ●答案: 18. Topic sentence: [C] Working at McDonald s is very tiring. ●解题关键: (1) 明确主题句(topic sentence)与支持句(supporting sentence)的关系:主题句(topic sentence)是统领,起着开宗明义、提纲挈领的作用,其余的与主题相关的支持句(supporting sentences)都围绕主题句来展开,用来阐明、证实主题句。 (2) 18题段落中的各句描述了麦当劳员工工作的情况:店员要不停地接待一个又一个顾客,异常忙碌,身体极度疲劳,还要承受顾客的诸多抱怨和经理的严厉监督。所有这些supporting sentences都用细节支持说明一个事实:在麦当劳工作十分辛苦。故[C]句Working at McDonald s is very tiring就是该段落的topic sentence. (3) [A]、[D]三句,与段落各支持句内容或不相关或相矛盾,故为错解。百考试题收集整理