二、四级写作常考题型及写作思路   

四级写作常考话题主要为两类:校园类和社会类。校园话题含绿色校园、选修课、社团活动等;社会话题为博物馆、环境、娱乐活动等。   

四级写作体裁有三种:论说文、应用文及图表作文。1990年至2010年42次四级写作中三种体裁的分布如下:   

可见,四级写作考察重点是论说文。其中,近12次四级考试中论说文考了10次,应用文2次,图表作文0次。 因此,建议复习重点为论说文。   

论说文有三种:问题解决型、观点对比型和现象描述型。其中问题解决型作文是近年考察重点(5次),其次是观点对比型(3次)和现象描述型(2次)。   

论说文建议采用三段式写作思路。  

(1)观点对比型:该类作文是2011年重点备考类型,理由如下: 2008年12月至2010年12月连续五次均考“问题解决型”作文,改换类型几率较高。接下来,请关注一下该类作文命题形式的变化。

下面,以2008年6月份真题为例介绍该类作文的最新破题思路

2008年6月英文题目:Recreational activities

提纲:

1、娱乐活动多种多样

2、娱乐活动可能使人们受益,也可能有危害性

3、作为大学生我的看法

例文:

首段:描述现象+ 观点阐述(利)+原因

Living in the era of information and technology, individuals have access to a variety of recreational activities. Some people argue that it is absolutely necessary for people to participate in these activities, because they bring convenience and benefits. In their eyes, without these activities, it is impossible for them to ease their working and studying pressure. Moreover, what makes them convinced is that enjoying recreational time is of great significance for them to make friends.

二段:观点阐述(弊) +原因

Beneficial as these activities are, others have an opposite perspective. First, they argue that taking part in them means a great amount of time, money and energy; therefore, their work may be afflicted. In addition, what worries many parents or teachers is that some games (gambling or computer games) may have negative influences on teenagers’ learning.

尾段:我的看法(观点阐述)+具体说明(理由)

Who is right? I think there is something right in both arguments. However, I am convinced that we should attach more importance to our study or work firstly. Then, we are also expected to get relaxed through positive recreational activities.

(2)问题解决型:问题解决型作文是近年重点,也是2011年6月四级备考次重点。其写作思路一般可以总结为:现象(问题)描述+原因(危害)分析+建议措施(我的看法)。

以2010年6月份真题为例介绍该类题型的破题思路。

2010年6月英文题目:Due Attention Should Be Given to Spelling

汉语提纲1.如今不少学生在英语学习中不重视拼写。

2.出现这种情况的原因。

3.如何避免这一问题

例文:

首段:问题描述 = 背景+描述+总结

In the present-day world, English has become indispensable. However, it can be noticed that learners pay less attention to spelling than ever before. Therefore, this problem has become a matter of concern for teachers and students.

中间段:原因分析= 主题句+原因1+原因2

Generally speaking, several reasons can account for this phenomenon. To begin with, while writing, students tend to type on computers, which can correct spelling mistakes automatically. In addition, most English tests are based on choosing correct answers, in which spelling is not a necessity.

尾段:建议措施= 主题句+建议1+建议2

To tackle this issue, I am convinced that “Practice makes perfect.” First, all English learners – students from primary schools, middle schools and colleges – are highly hoped to practice word-spelling. Second, it is suggested that English exams should be reformed, in which correct spelling should be a basic requirement.

(3) 现象描述型:该类作文针对社会或者校园话题(非负面问题)展开讨论,在近年考查较少。2007年12月就是典型的现象描述型作文,真题如下:

英文题目:What Electives to Choose

汉语提纲:1. 各学校开设了各种各样的选修课

2. 学生选课有不同的原因

3. 就我而言

下面以一道四级模拟题为例说明该类作文的破题思路,题目如下:

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled On Volunteering activities. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below:

1. 越来越多的人从事志愿者工作

2. 志愿者工作的社会意义

3. 作为大学生,应该怎么做

范文:

首段:现象描述= 引入现象+具体描述+总结现象

In recent years, the volunteering spirit has spread among the Chinese people, especially among youngsters. According to a survey, in 2010, there were about 70,000 volunteers who offered service for Shanghai World Expo. Actually, an increasing number of people become volunteers every year in China.

中间段:意义阐述= 主题句 + 具体意义

Volunteering actions are of tremendous benefits to both volunteers and the society. For volunteers, these activities provide wide opportunities for them enrich their social experience, as well as to cultivate their awareness of responsibility. For the society as a whole, volunteers have been playing an active role in constructing a more harmonious society. It is their contribution that makes our society more livable.

尾段:我的看法(观点阐述)= 主题句+具体建议

As modern college students, we are well-advised to get actively involved in volunteering activities. By participating, we can learn how to work well in a team, how to improve our interpersonal skills and organizational ability. Undoubtedly, all of these are critical for our person growth. So, we should take this chance to learn and to grow. 以上三种体裁的写作从段落层面上来看就是现象描述段、原因分析、问题(危害)分析、意义阐述、建议措施和观点阐述段等六种功能段落的排列组合。因此,当考生无法识别该考题为哪一类型时,可按照段落层面进行破题。

(4)例文点评及高分作文特征:内容切题、结构清晰和语言精彩。

按照大纲规定,写作从内容和语言两个方面对作文进行综合评判。想在写作部分取得理想分数,考生需从三方面入手:内容切题、结构清晰和语言精彩。三方面中,内容切题是基本要求,结构清晰体现在段落层面上有清晰的写作思路,语言精彩是写作本质要求。在满足前两个条件的基础上,语言质量最终决定写作成绩的高低。

语言精彩表现在三个方面:遣词、造句、连贯。概括为:句子结构词多变、起承转合逻辑显。遣词:例文用词有一定的广度和深度。广度(variety):广泛使用多种不同形式的词汇表达,如同义词、同根词、同一范畴内的上义词、下义词和相关词汇,以及代词替换等。深度(academic):选择用词方面不一定要字字珠玑,但最后有一些亮点词汇的点缀,如:important 可以替换为 indispensable;more and more people 可以替换为 an increasing number of people, I think that 可以替换为 I am convinced that等等。

造句:例文句子结构富有变化,如:长短句结合、被动句、定语从句、名词性从句、强调句式、同位语等。

连贯:体现在起承转合的逻辑关系词上:如,moreover, to begin with, however, so, first, second等词语的运用使逻辑思路清晰可见。

(5)应用文和图表作文的复习:应用文和图表作文的写作虽非近年考查重点,但它们是考试大纲和教学大纲中规定的考查内容,应该全面复习。

应用文的写作复习重点在于掌握其格式(如,书信、通知、海报、交通事故见证书、演讲词)、开头和结尾的惯用表达方式。若应用文给出提纲,则只需在满足格式要求的前提下,按照提纲要求进行写作即可。值得一提的是四级考试之中的应用文复习对于现行的研究生入学英语考试写作部分小作文很有帮助。

图表作文是近年四级写作出现频率最低的一类作文,最近一次考查是2002年6月。建议在考前复习首段图表描述的写法,该类作文其他段落的写法与论说文无异。