托福改革作了很多改变,其中变化最多当属新托福口语部分,虽然大多数托友们刚开始对这种改变并不感冒,但是ETS却是设身处地地从托友们的长远利益出发考虑,对出国深造的学子的实际英语应用能力提出更高要求,虽然这样是很好,但是也把大多数听力欠佳的托友们折磨得够呛,去年不是有一首特别流行的歌曲嘛,是马郁的《如果下辈子还记得你》:如果下辈子我依然还记得你,我们死也要在一起……。我想对于新托福口语,“下辈子再也不想见到你!”才是广大托友们的心声!

本文将通过一道例题来具体地解析口语部分的Task3。

一、题型分析

我个人认为Task3是新托福口语部分最有挑战性的题目。为了模拟北美大学课堂的学术气氛和学生在校园生活的方方面面,integrated speaking部分的Task3从不同程度上涉及了Read/Listen/Speak三个方面,并且首次允许考生作课堂笔记。这种题型有利有弊吧,对听力不好的托友来说这是个坎儿,而它的优势就在于它通过听力和阅读给大家提供了更多的信息点。通常这部分是围绕着Campus situation topic 而展开的。

提议:因为这部分对话一般都是在male和 female之间进行的,所以建议大家在做笔记的时候如下面所示这样记录,这样会更加有条理,你无论是在做笔记还是在preparation时都可以更加便利!

Note-taking strategy: Note format

Female Male

**** ****

二、例题分析

Here is an example of an integrated reading-listening-speaking task:

READING

Notice of Vote on Campus Food Service

Students are encouraged to vote on the university’s proposal to change the food service on campus. Students should vote for which of two options they prefer. Option 1 would expand the main cafeteria in the Student Center, including the addition of more food choices and more dining space; this option would also close the two snack bars on campus. Option 2 would close the cafeteria in the Student Center but would maintain the two snack bars, and would add five food service areas across campus, including two cafes, a deli, a barbecue grill, and a fine dining room.

SPEAKING

Sample conversation

W: Have you voted on the food service yet?

M: No, but I intend to. I’m going to vote for the second option.

W: That’s the one that closes the main cafeteria, isn’t it?

M: Right.

W: But the main cafeteria is in the Student Center. That’s where everyone goes at lunchtime. Doesn’t it make sense to have food there?

M: But it’s always so crowded in there at lunchtime. You have to wait a long time in the food line. And there are never enough places to sit.

W: That’s true, but they say they’ll add more tables.

M: There aren’t enough bike racks outside either. I have no place to put my bike. Most of the time, I eat at one of the snack bars. Besides, I like the idea of having several smaller eating places all over campus. That seems a lot more convenient, sine we have classes all over campus anyway. It also means less crowding, and you don’t have to wait as long to get your food. More food choices, too-----I also like the idea of barbecue on campus.

W: Yeah, that does sound good, doesn’t it?

The man expresses his opinion about the campus food service. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.

Sample answer 

The man votes to close the cafeteria in the Student Center. Because he thinks it is very crowding there in lunchtime. There is no place for his bike when he wants to have dinner. There are also not enough space for every student. She likes the idea to open several food service centers around campus. Because it’s more convenient and it’s not crowded if there are many food service centers. He also has not --------

三、试题评析

(1)人称的正确使用。She likes the idea to open several food service centers around campus. 主语应该是he。这个问题很小我们也一再地强调,但是还是有人不断地犯错,在这里再申明一次请在准备之前一定仔细阅读清楚它的题目要求,State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion. 

(2)There are also not enough space for every student.这句话如果表达为:There is also no enough space for every student to sit. 这样会更好一些!还有在这句话和前句话之间夹一个moreover这样会使陈述过渡地更加自然。同时建议大家在平常的学习中多多积累一些signal words或者可以说是 transitions(过渡词),这无论对广大托友的口语还是写作都有很大帮助!

(3)语言表达多样性上有待提高。通观他的全部陈述内容,首先可以肯定他已经很好地把握了听力和阅读部分的主要信息。不足之处就是不止一次出现food service centers,这样会造成考官的听觉疲劳,他会认为你的词汇量缺乏。听力中的several smaller eating places可以拿来和它互换使用,而且阅读中的最后一句:Including two cafes, a deli, a barbecue grill, and a fine dining room.可以加进陈述内容中去,这样会使你的表达更加丰满!