關於托福寫作的常見問題（一）

05-15

相信很多托福考生在備考托福寫作部分時都存在種種疑惑，比如哪裡可以找到例題練習？需不需要在作文中用很多高級的辭彙？agree/disagree觀點的選擇對評分有影響嗎？針對這些問題，ETS（美國教育考試中心）給出了官方的解答。

Independent Task 獨立寫作

Q: Independent Writing Task有沒有題庫?

A: "You will see topics very similar to these [TWE Topics] on the TOEFL iBT." [OG, P267]

真實考題會和《TWE TOPICS》(一本書)中的題目很相似。

Q: 準備Independent Writing Task需不需要專業知識?

A: "None of the topics requires specialized knowledge. Most topics are general and are based on the common experience of people in general and students in particular." [OG, P267]

不需要。大部分題目都基於學生的常識、生活經驗。

Q: 寫作的時候，觀點重不重要?

A: "It does not matter whether you agree or disagree with the topic; the raters are trained to accept all varieties of opinions." [OG, P267]

"I think test takers had better simply pick one side rather than straddle the fence." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]

"Creativity is not necessary." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]

閱卷者接受各種觀點；考生要選擇任意一方觀點，而不是模稜兩可。

Q: 是否可以通過增加深刻的邏輯和複雜的例子來掩蓋或者彌補語言能力的不足?

A: "If your language is hard to follow, your sentences are overly simple, and your vocabulary is limited, you may score no higher than 3 no matter how impressive your ideas may be." [OG, P260]

"Personal experiences are common." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]

不可以。不論想法多好，如果語言不流暢，句子過於簡單，辭彙過於貧乏，不會得到3分以上；而且從例子的選擇上講，並不要求使用龐大、複雜的例子，儘管這些例子可能論證力更強。個人經歷就是一種很好寫的例子。閱卷人並不依據論據的複雜性來看文章。

Q: 可不可以使用別人的模板(templates)來寫作?

A: 那要看你怎麼定義"模板"這個詞。如果"模板"指的是段落結構和文章結構，那沒有任何問題，比如"五段式結構"可能會一直是TOEFL文章最好的寫法。但如果"模板"是指背下來的，可以不加思考就可以套到任何題目上的段落內容，那就千萬不要這樣做。

Do not "memorize" long introductory and concluding paragraphs just to add words to your essay. Raters will not look favorably on wordy introductory and concluding paragraphs such as the following 評分者不會喜歡下面這種過於冗長的開頭、結尾段：

"The importance of the issue raised by the posed statement, namely creating a new holiday for people, cannot be underestimated as it concerns the very fabric of society. As it stands, the issue of creating a new holiday raises profound implications for the future. However, although the subject matter in general cannot be dismissed lightheartedly, the perspective of the issue as presented by the statement raises certain qualms regarding practical application."

"In conclusion, although I have accept that it is imperative that something be done about creating a new holiday for people and find the underlying thrust of the implied proposal utterly convincing, I cannot help but feel wary of taking such irrevocable steps and personally feel that a more measured approach would be more rewarding."

Likewise, raters will not look favorably on paragraphs like the following, which uses a lot of words but fail to develop any real ideas 同樣評分者也不會喜歡下面這樣很啰嗦但是沒有展開任何實際觀點的段落：

"At the heart of any discussion regarding an issue pertaining to creating a new holiday, it has to borne in mind that a delicate line has to be trod when dealing with such matters. The human resources involved in such matters cannot be guaranteed regardless of all the good intentions that may be lavished. While it is true that creating a new holiday might be a viable and laudable remedy, it is transparently clear that applied wrongly such a course of action could be calamitous and compound the problem rather than provide a solution." [OG, P259]

"I think you could use it as long as it is on topic." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]

Q: 閱卷人最主要看重文章的哪些方面?

A: Your ability to respond directly to the question; to take a clear position; and to write an essay characterized by

(1) good organization,

(2) proper use of supporting examples,

(3) sentence variety, and

(4) correct sentence structures.

組織語言能力；恰當使用例子；句式多樣性；句法結構。

Q: 5分和4分最大的區別在哪裡?

A: "Those that receive a score of 4 also have clear, well-written essays, but there are more flaws and the ideas are less developed." [Teachers Manual]

4分作文比起5分有更多語法錯誤，想法表達不夠清晰。

Q: 辭彙和句式是不是越複雜越好?

A: "Raters will also judge your essay based on the complexity of sentence structures and on the quality and complexity of your vocabulary. If you use very simple sentences and very basic vocabulary, you will probably not be able to express very complex ideas." [OG, P260]

辭彙和句式需要一定的複雜性。但是，不是越複雜越好。

就辭彙而言，關鍵是表達的準確性。請參看OG第287頁的滿分範文1，評語中有這樣一句話：The writer does not use high-level vocabulary, but word choice is correct throughout.同時請參看Workbook第57頁的範文，同樣沒有big words，也是滿分。

就句式而言，關鍵是表意準確、流暢且能夠變化。但為了達到變化或者準確表達複雜意思的目標，出現一些複雜的句式是很正常的。但一味追求複雜是沒有意義的。

Q: 文字是不是越正式(formal)越好?

A: 不是。

Independent Writing Task並不偏好formal expressions.只要能把意思表達清楚，並把問題回答好了，就行了。參見OG第288頁滿分範文2，評語中這樣寫道：

"The writer consistently demonstrates command of language and English idioms, especially by using various informal expressions ("Lets assume," "we would all agree," "can make or beak," "come in very handy").

作者用了很多非正式的表達。

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