雅思口语考试中,描述人物是很常见的题目。这类话题按理说不算难,可是考生遇到这些话题,分数却时常不理想。总结一下,发现最大的问题在于考生在描述人物时容易走两个极端:一是用绝大部分时间描述人的外貌,而且语言也相当平常;二是完全忽略外貌,只叙述一些跟该人物有关的事情,而且内容毫无逻辑。

真正好的答案一定是描述与叙述的结合,这是雅思口语考察的最重要的两项能力。所以,推荐给大家一个被考官认可的好的思路:

1. 个人基本信息(身份,名字,年龄)
2. 外貌
3. 性格
4. 相关的故事或经历

例子:

An old man

An old man I’d like to talk about is my next door neighbor who is at his 60s. I don’t know exactly about his real name, but because he likes smiling, we call him “Mr. Smile”. 本部分完成了基本信息的描述,让考官很清晰的了解这个人的背景,他才有兴趣继续听下去。

Mr. Smile is a man of medium build with short, silver hair and healthy complexion. What’s special about him is that he has a pair of pretty big ears which make him look very funny. 本段完成对描述能力的展示。尽量少用big, small 等稀松平常的词汇,那只会让考官怀疑你的词汇量和语言能力,真正好的描述是要找出人物外表的“特点”,以此达到“传神”的目的,这也是语言的较高境界。

As an easy-going and optimistic old man, Mr. Smile usually impresses others a lot by his hearty laughter. To some young people, his words are always motivating as well as convincing. 本部分是对性格的展现。另外,同学们习惯使用的 “kind” “nice” “happy”等词和一些单纯的并列句真的已经太“俗”了。请参考上文的用词和句式。

Mr. Smile used to study in Japan for 7 years. He came back to China when he was 26. Because of the living in Tokyo, he is really good at cooking Japanese food, especially sushi. I was invited to share his cooking before, and I was shocked by his sushi that was so fresh and delicate. I even doubt the authentic flavor can win some restaurant chefs’.
最后这部分内容是讲了一个关于老人的故事,展现了考生的叙事能力。故事可以奇特也可以普通,但一定要带着感情讲出来,目的是能够感染考官。

以此思路,关于人物的卡片就迎刃而解了。