大学英语四级写作存在的问题及应对措施.doc

大学英语四级写作存在的问题及应对措施

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大学英语四级写作存在的问题及应对措施
　　英语写作是体现英语运用能力的一个重要方面,也是各类英语考试的必考题型之一。可是从历年考试的情况来看,写作作为主观题型一直是考生的薄弱环节。
　　为了提高大学生英语写作水平,从1997 年6 月起,四、六级考试采用"作文最低分制"来计算成绩。按规定,考生写作成绩若为0 分,无论其总分是否高于60 分,均按不及格处理;若成绩高于0 分,低于6分,计算成绩时,需从总分中减去6 分,再加上实得作文分,也就是说,要从总分中减去实得作文分与6分之间的差额部分。
　　举例来说:若前边85 总分得分65 分,可是作文得分为0 分,那么最后成绩评为不合格;若前边85总分得分59 分,作文得分为5 分,那么最后成绩不是64 分,而是59 + 5 - 6 = 58 分。
　　这一评分原则体现了国家对提高大学英语水平的高度重视,也反映了英语教学正在向重视培养语言应用能力的方向发展。因此写好一篇文章对参加四级考试的学生来说可谓至关重要,不容忽视。纵观历次四级考试作文阅卷的情况,普遍存在着以下几方面的问题,而这些问题正是考生作文拿不到高分的关键所在。
　　第一,英语底子太薄。主要表现为对语法知识掌握不牢及对基本词汇记忆不清。它包括定冠词和不定冠词的滥用,主谓不一致,单复数搞不清楚(例如:a people 等) ,时态和语态混乱及词语的各种形式掌握不牢。许多考生的写作仍停留在句子水平上,还没有上升到语篇,因此写出的文章不流畅很生硬,虽篇幅很长,字迹也很工整,可是读完之后只觉得思路紊乱,支离破碎,没有一个完整的句子,只能得两三分。还有一些学生,中学所学的语言基础知识在大学里没能够得到巩固。
　　第二,词汇量太小,且对已学词汇记忆不清。比如1999 年1 月的作文,题目是"Don't Hesitate to say No",大部分学生能够领会题意并能按给出的汉语提纲作文,但有的学生连Hesitate是什么意思都不知道,更不用说在此基础上再作发挥了。另外有的学生虽然对题目及要求非常清楚,可是因为自己所掌握的词汇所限,无法用一些合适的词来表示自己的思想,于是只有绕着题目翻来覆去乱说一气,再加上这次出的作文提纲就象一道绕口令:
　　1.别人请求帮助时,在什么情况下我们会说"不";
　　2.为什么有些人在该说"有"的时候不说"不";
　　3.该说"不"时不说"不"的坏处。因此在看过一个又一个的"No"再加几个"Yes"之后,阅卷考师也给搞得云里雾里,头脑发胀,最后也只得酌情给个两三分罢了。还有的一写到纸上就是错别字满篇,有些词汇的用法也走了样。其中最典型的是将for example 写成example for ,for instance 写成for a instance ,illegal 写成unlegal ,而such as ,in spite of 等许多短语则是乱用一气。词汇的有限导致许多学生有口难言,欲说不能,对她们来说,用英语作文实在是一件很头疼的事情。
　　第三,母语干扰的痕迹非常明显。例如,1998年1 月的作文题目为"Harmfulness of Fake Commodities"。有一位考生要表示"别人赚钱有人眼红"这样的意思,她不会使用"envy"或"envious"等词语,而是直接把眼红翻成了"red eyes",使人感到费解。另一位考生想要讲述自己买了一双假冒皮鞋不久鞋上开了一个洞这样的意思,就写出了"There was a cave in the shoe"这样的句子。这些虽然都是极端的例子,但也反映了母语干扰的一个方面。
　　第四,缺乏思想,深度不够。很多学生虽然已是大二,甚至是大三大四,可是她们在作文当中所表现出的智力水平与阅历似乎只相当于一个初高中生。写出的文章着眼点低,视野狭窄。作文着眼于同学之间的关系,反映同学之间的帮助,这并不为过,可是这种帮忙不能仅仅限于在考试当中的帮忙,而且对这种帮忙都是一句话"Don't hesitate to say'No'"。与在校考生比较起来,社会考生应多一些社会阅历,也多了一些看法,可是举出来的例子也是范围太窄,大多是讲老板或领导让干的事只能答"Yes"而不能回答"No"。其实可举的例子很多,关键是要抓住实质,有思想,有深度。
　　第五,缺乏应试技巧。主要表现为有些学生在篇首或篇尾有喊口号倾向(如Dear Friends, let's not hesitate to say"No"),或画蛇添足,原来文章该结束了,却偏要罗罗嗦嗦再来两句多余的话;另外一些学生字数把握不准,不是写得太短就是写得太长,即使内容好,却得不到应得的分数;还有一些学生的笔迹(特别是用纯蓝墨水纲笔和出水太浅的圆珠笔写的),让阅卷老师难以看清楚。
　　以上是四级英语考试中常见的几个问题,更是我们平时英语作文当中应该注意的几个方面。要写好一篇英语文章,关键要在平时下功夫,打好牢固的基础,同时注意写作技巧。
　　写作的技巧很大程度上不能从分析考试题目本身来得出,需要经过对大量英文文章的学习和总结得来,即功夫在题外。笔者在英语写作中有几点心得。
　　一、要善于模仿
　　对大多数学习英语的学生来说,英语的词汇量、句式的积累还极其有限,远不能达到用英文流畅表示、挥洒自如的境地。在这一阶段进行创作是不合时宜的,如果非要创造,只能写出"long time no see"这样的文字来。因此,模仿是这一阶段的必要手段。
　　谈到模仿,一些学生的办法就是背一堆范文,然后再到考场上进行一个"剪切"、"粘贴"的工作,效果可想而知。这不是真正意义的模仿,充其量算是默写课文。如何模仿呢?
　　首先,模仿的目标要明确。模仿的重点永远在一定的句式结构上,而非个别的词汇。道理很简单:一个词,随着文章内容的变换,可能就不能用了;而句式结构是放置四海而皆准的,适用的范围广,学来对写作的帮助也就明显。
　　其次,模仿的材料要地道。像新概念英语这样的教材就提供了很多原汁原味的英语表示法。盲目选择文章学习,记一些不中不洋的句子,只能是以讹传讹,浪费时间。
　　最后,模仿要体现在实际动笔上。比如说,新概念第三册有一个句式:" for the simple reason that ."表示某种现象的原因是什么,如果将其用在大学英语考试我们对解释为什么自行车在中国如此流行时,就能够表示为:"The bicycle is very popular in China for the simple reason that ."。然而,很多同学经常背了这些句式不用,一谈到原因依然是"because",等等。
　　二、要灵活变通
　　在批改英语作文的过程中,经常能发现一些将中文生硬地翻译成英文的表示法。由于中英文之间的差异和词汇量、表示法积累的不足,出现难于表示的情况是十分正常的,关键问题在于如何处理。有一句话叫做"立志如山,行道如水",套用在这个问题上就很合适。写作遇到问题时要灵活,能像流水一样变通解决问题。
　　有个翻译界的故事说:在某大型国际会议的招待会上,一道菜是用鸡蛋做的。与会的客人问翻译:"What is it made of ?"原来是非常简单的一个问题,结果翻译太紧张,忘了"egg"这个词,可是她急中生智,回答:"It is made of Miss Hen'son. "这就是一个灵活变通的范例。绕道表示,是写作中应该常常运用的一种方法。
　　三、要细心观察
　　要写好英语作文,还要带着敏锐的目光细心地观察,注意英语中一些表示上的习惯。
　　比如,在正式文体的写作中,很少用"it isn't"这样的缩略形式,而往往是一板一眼地写作"it is not"。同理,在正式文体中的日期一般不缩写,阿拉伯数字一般会用英文表示(特别长的数字除外)。
　　再比如,在新概念第三册所有的课文中,凡是文章的段首句出现转折时,转折词However都放在句子结构中的第二部分,以插入语的形式出现。分析原因,是因为段落一开始就用转折词,会显得较生硬、突兀。
　　最后,许多同学在写作文时,习惯于把"since""because""for"这样的词放在句首引导原因状语从句。事实上,在我们见到的英语报刊杂志文章中,这样的从句一般都是放在主句之后的。另外",and"也常常被误放在一句话的开头,表示两个句子之间的并列或递进关系。其实,经常留心地道的英语文章能发现,如果是并列关系,完全能够不用连词;如果是递进关系,用"furthermore""what is more"更为普遍。
　　四、要心有全局
　　英文写作十分强调形式上的严谨性,特别是全局的丝丝入扣。如果写作时结构意识良好,应试写作就简化成为一个填空的过程了。框架万变不离其宗,适当地填加观点、素材,文章就自然而然地立起来了。
　　掌握了这些英文写作中的练习技巧,会使提高英文写作水平的努力有更大的收益。
大学英语四级写作十种常考类型作文及范文：
　　1、致辞
　　2、求职信/求学信
　　3、邀请信
　　4、个人简历
　　5、告示
　　6、就业
　　7、考试
　　8、读后感
　　9、难忘的人
　　10、 论述文框架
　　1、致辞
　　Directions: Write a speech on the opening of a conference of no less than 120 words. In your speech, you should：1、进行自我介绍，2、详细介绍大会内容，3、结束语。
　　Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Beijing! To begin with, I would like to make a brief introduction to myself. I am the president of Motorola (China) Electronics Ltd.
　　The following is my introduction to the conference. First, it is my great honor to be here with all of you and declare open the Conference of International Trade Cooperation. Second, on behalf of our company, I would like to express my heartfelt welcome to all the guests and delegates. Last, I believe our cooperative efforts are sure to be productive.
　　I wish all of you enjoy yourselves during this conference and hope the above information will help you. If you have any question for me, please feel free to ask at any time. Thank you for your attention.
　　2、求职信/求学信：
　　Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter applying for a position of a company. You should write at least 120 words according to the outline given below in Chinese：1、申请职位，2、简要介绍自己的情况，3、期待回信。
　　Dear Sir or Madam,
　　I am senior from the Department of Business Administration of Beijing University. I am writing the letter in purpose of applying for admission into your esteemed institution/your recently advertised position for a staff member.
　　I am sure that I am qualified for it. First, enclosed with this letter is my resume, which further details my previous academic qualifications and work experience. Second, not only do my qualifications and experience make me a perfect candidate for it, my cheerful personality is well suited to studying in your prestigious university/working as a staff member. Last, my hobbies include sports and music.
　　Words fail me when I try to express my heartfelt gratitude to the help you rendered me. Your prompt and favorable attention to my inquiry would be highly appreciated.
　　Yours sincerely,
　　Li Ming
　　3、邀请信：
　　Directions: You want to invite some friends to a party. Write an invitation letter to them individually：1、邀请参加晚会，2、说明举办晚会的原因，3、将安排哪些活动。
　　Dear Wangcai,
　　I am greatly honored to formally invite you to participate in Mr. Old Fish’s wedding ceremony with Ms. Fujiwora to be held at Beijing Grand Hotel from 8 to 10 p.m. on April 1, .
　　As you are a close friend of us, we would very much like you to attend the celebration and share our joy. The occasion will start at seven o’clock in the evening, with the showing of their wedding ceremony. This will be followed by a dinner party. At around ten, we will hold a small musical soiree, at which a band will perform some works by Bach and Strauss.
　　If you do not have any prior appointment on April 1, we look forward to the pleasure of your company.
　　Yours sincerely,
　　Li Ming
　　4、个人简历：
　　1、致辞：
　　Directions: Write of resume of yourself of no less than 120 words. In it, you should：1、说明姓名、地址、联系方式、求职目标，2、教育背景、工作经历、资历，3、所获奖励、特长，以及个人资料。
　　RESUME
Li Ming
　　P. O. Box 237, Beijing University
　　5, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871
　　Tel: [phone] Email:
　　Career Objective: A position with management potential in the
　　banking business specializing in international corporate financing
　　Educational Background:
　　Sept to Beijing University
　　July Major in International Business Management
　　Main courses include English,
　　computer,Business Management, Accounting, International Commercial Law
　　Work Experience:
　　July to Bank of China
　　June Internship, Secretary to Deputy Manager of Marketing
　　Draft business correspondence
　　Schedule deputy manager’s appointments
　　Qualifications: University graduation certificate and
　　bachelor degree to be conferred upon graduation ( )
　　College English Test Band 4 June
　　Honors & Awards: Twice awarded scholarship by Beijing
　　University &
　　Special Skills: Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel
　　Ability to work independently
　　Outstanding Organizational skills
　　Experience: President of Student Union -present
　　Personal Data: Date of Birth: Sep. 17, 1984
　　Gender: Female
　　Marital Status: Unmarried
　5、告示：
　　Directions: The Students’ Union of your department is planning a Chinese Speaking Contest. Write an announcement which covers the following information：1、比赛目的、时间、地点，2、参赛者的要求，3、裁判和奖励的细节。
　　You should write about 120 words. Do not sign your own name at the end of the letter. Use Department of Chinese Language and Literature at the end of the announcement.
　　Chinese Speaking Contest
　　December 22,
　　To improve students’ ability to speak Chinese and enrich after-class activities, the Students’ Union of Department of Chinese Language and Literature is organizing a school-wide Chinese speaking contest to be held on Saturday next week (29 December) at the Students’ Auditorium. Those who are interested in taking part in it may sign up with the monitor of their classes before Tuesday next week. Five professors will be invited to be judges. The first six winners will be given awards. Everybody is welcome to be present at the contest.
　　The Students’ Union
　　Department of Chinese Language and Literature
　　6.就 业：
　　Directions: For this part you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic Jobs for Graduates. You should write at least 120 words and base your composition on the outline below：1、大学生难找工作，2、原因很多，3、解决的办法。
　　Job hunting has always been a headache for college students. Though many graduates are employed right after graduation, some are not. Most serious of all, some still have no idea where to go working even a long time after graduation.
　　The reasons for this phenomenon are various. On the one hand, a few years ago colleges and universities enrolled so many students in popular majors, such as economy, finance and so on that the number of graduates was greater than the need in the market. On the other hand, most graduates would rather stay in large cities without suitable job to do than go to the country.
　　I reckon this problem can be solved if both colleges and students take measures. First, they should research the market and develop special skills to suit its need. Second, students’ attitude towards employment should be changed. They should go to small cities and country. There they can also give full play to their professional knowledge. In a word, if we pay much attention, the situation can be improved.
　　7、考试：
　　Directions: For this part you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic My Views on Examinations. You should write at least 120 words and base your composition on the outline below：1、大学都用考试来衡量学生的成绩，2、考生可能带来的副作用，3、我对考试的看法。
　　In most colleges and universities the examination is used as a chief means of deciding whether a student succeeds or fails in mastering a particular subject. Although it does the job quite efficiently, its side effects are also enormous.
　　To begin with, examinations lower the standards of teaching. Since teachers are often judged by examination results, they are reduced to training their students in exam techniques. No subjects can be taught successfully merely through being approached with intent to take examinations. In addition, the most undesirable effect is that examinations encourage bad study habits. As the examination score is the only criterion for his academic performance, a student is driven to memorize mechanically rather than to think creatively.
　　In fact, few of us admit that examinations can contribute anything really important to the students’ academic development. If that is the case, why cannot we make a change and devise something more efficient and reliable than examinations?
　　8、读后感：
　　Directions: For this part you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic My Favorite Novel. You should write at least 120 words and base your composition on the outline below：1、我最喜爱的小说，2、该小说的内容，3、我为什么喜爱。
　　My favorite novel is Around the World in Eighty Days which is written by Jules Verne. The author was born in France and devoted himself to literature and wrote several scientific romances, which gained him the name——Father of Modern Science Fiction.
　　This is a book of science fiction which tells us an exciting story about an English gentleman, Mr. Phileas Fogg, who makes a bet with his clubmates and manages to travel around the world in eighty days. It gives us a vivid description of the many difficulties and incidents which happen on his journey.
　　From this story, we can see the author’s deep love for the sea, travel and adventure, which played a vital role in his life. We are also astonished and convinced by his fertile imagination and scientific and geographical knowledge.
　　9、难忘的人：
　　Directions: For this part you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic The most unforgettable Person I ever Know. You should write at least 120 words and base your composition on the outline below：1、我生活中最难忘的人是，2、为什么她(或她)令我难以忘怀，3、结论。
　　In my life I have met a great many people who are really worth recalling. But perhaps the most unforgettable person I ever know is my English teacher.
　　What frequently brings back memories of my school teacher is his special qualities. First and foremost, he gave us the greatest gift a teacher can offer—an awakening of a passion for learning. He not only led us to an appreciation of the beauty and perfection of English language and literature, but also aroused our great interest in exploring something deeper in this field. Furthermore, I was attracted by his lively wit. I remember that we students always anticipated his class with great eagerness because his lecture were humorously delivered, never failing to provoke chuckles or loud laughs.
　　Although it is nearly two years since I attended his last class, he is the talk of our old classmates, and I know part of him has already stayed in my heart.
　　10、论述文框架：
　　Owing to the speedy economic development, the number of people who…has considerably increased/declined. It is universally acknowledged that … plays a crucial role in modern society.
　　Due attention has to be paid to the issue of…. With the reform and opening-up in recent decades，people in mounting numbers have come to realize the significance of …. If we let this situation continue as it is, we do not know where humans will be in the forthcoming future.
　　Accordingly, it is imperative for us to take drastic measures. To begin with, we should appeal to the authorities to make strict laws to …. In addition, we should cultivate the awareness of people that … is essential to us. Only in this way can we reverse this disturbing trend illustrated above.