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论雅思和新托福考试中议论文的异同点(3)

2010-01-26来源:和谐英语

  在上一篇论文中,笔者重点从考试形式方面讨论了雅思和新托福写作部分考试中议论文在考试形式上的异同点。在本文中,笔者将转换视角,从两者对于文章的写作内容的要求上进行深入的总结和分析。
  关键字: 话题种类、话题范围和指令体裁
  雅思考试和新托福考试在话题种类上比较相似:他们都要求考生对一个特定的社会现象或事物发表自己的观点和加以论证。并且,话题都涉及教育、科技、文化、社会、环境等等诸多范围。下面的表格将呈现出这一特点。
  

雅思议论文

托福议论文

教育类

Some people think that teachers should be responsible for teaching students to judge what is right and wrong so that they can behave well. Others say that teachers should only teach students academic subjects. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer. ( Topic 14 from 185 TOEFL topics)

科技类

There are social, medical and technical problems associated with the use of mobile phones. What forms do they take? Do you agree that the problems outweigh the benefits of mobile phones?

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has made the world a better place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. ( Topic 82 from 185 TOEFL topics)

文化类

Some people think museums should be enjoyable places to attract and entertain young people, while others think the purpose of museums should be to educate, not entertain. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. ( Topic 98 from 185 TOEFL topics)


   社会类

Housing shortage in big cities can cause severe social consequences. Some people think only government action can solve this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents’ generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. ( Topic 174 from 185 TOEFL topics)

环境类

Some people believe that air travel should be restricted because it causes serious pollution and uses up the world's fuel resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed(damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. ( Topic 29 from 185 TOEFL topics)


  除了以上5个主流话题类别以外,雅思和新托福的议论文话题范围还可能涉及到生活方式、个人喜好、金钱等等方面。总而言之,对于议论的话题,这两种考试都是不拘一格,可能涉及到生活、学习、工作的方方面面的。因此,无论是准备其中哪一种考试的考生,都需要对话题写作所需要用到的词汇和观点进行充分的扩充和准备,扩大自己平时的阅读量。
  从话题范围来说,雅思和新托福的区别比较明显。虽然从1989年就开始了雅思考试,而且它进入中国市场也有将近10载,但是官方从来没有公布过雅思议论文话题的题库。在中国大陆培训市场上所流传的题库多是经由考生回忆,考生或者老师整理起来的。虽然在二、三年前,雅思议论文曾经出现过重复考题现象较多的情况,但是随着2006年5月取消了原来的90天考试限制,雅思的试题研发力度加大,新的雅思议论文话题层出不穷。新托福考试的议论文则部分沿用了原来的老托福的题库。旧托福时代的作文题目是公开的,一共有185题。新托福考试采用了网考的形式后仍然有相当数量的考题沿用了185题库中的原题,或者稍作修改。
  雅思议论文题目的范围虽然大,但是它的出题指令却是相对而言比较简单的。雅思议论文的主流出题指令是出现在主题后,并有以下4种:
  1. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (双边/单边)
  2. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (双边)
  3. Do you agree or disagree? (单边/双边)
  4. Analyze the reasons to the problem and give some solutions. (问题解决)
  从以上指令可以看出,雅思议论文写作的题材基本为单边支持,双边中立和问题解决三种。
  而同样的写作体裁,在托福文章中的指令出现的位置和使用的语言却会发生变化。以下是新托福议论文写作不同的指令以及相对应的体裁。
  1.同意/不同意
  这类题目通常会含有 “ Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?” 的指令。要求让考生对特定的一件事情选择赞成或不赞成的观点并进行论证。题号有:
  2,8,10,23,27,28,34,37,38,39,40,41,49,53,54,55,58,60,61,63,66,68,
  72,74,76,77,81,82,83,88,94,97,99,102,119,120,122,123,125,126,131,133,
  134,136,137,148,150,153,162,173,175
  2.二选一
  这类题目通常会含有 “ Some people think……, others think……. Which do you prefer?”的指令。要求学生在两个不同观点或事件中选取其中一点进行支持并论证。题号有:
  4,9,11,13,14,17,19,20,29,31,32,33,35,44,45,47,50,51,56,57,64,65,67,
  71,73,75,78,92,95,100,101,104,105,107,108,109,110,111,112,114,115,117,
  118,121,124,127,128,129,135,138,140,143,144,145,146,157,158,160,163,167,
  177,181,184,185
  3.多选一
  这类题目通常给出或者隐含有较多可供选择的选项。要求考生选取其中一项进行论证。题号有:
  6,36,42,62,69,79,87,89,90,91,98,106,116,132,141,142,151,152,155,156,
  159,165,171,176
  4.分析题
  这类题目的指令通常不固定。要求考生对特定的话题进行分析和论证。题号有: 3,7,15,18,22,46,48,52,80,93,96,103,147,164,166,172,174,178,179,183
  5.原因说明
  这类题目要求考生写出导致某一个特定现象的原因。指令中通常包括 “Why……?”。题号有:
  1,12,21,43,161,168,169,170,180
  6.优缺点
  这类题目通常指令不固定。要求考生写出特定的一件事情的优点和缺点。题号有: 5,24,84,70,113,130,154,182
  7.假设
  这类题目的指令通常含有 “If……”或者 “Imagine……”。 要求考生对一件没有发生事情进行想象并且论证。题号有:16,25,26,30,85,86,149。