计玉飞
(合肥市第三中学,安徽 合肥)
全国高考英语作文评分最高档的标准为:“使用了较多的语法结构或词汇;语法结构或词汇方面有少量错误,但为尽量使用较复杂结构或较高级词汇所致;准确地使用了语句间的连接成分,使文章结构清晰。”写作时,如果学生只是把要点交代清楚,全部使用简单句,那么写出来的文章单调,毫无生机。
著名学者李赋宁先生在《英语学习经验谈》一书中指出:“我个人学英语的第一条经验就是学会造句……词法固然重要,但句法更为重要,因为不掌握句法就无从造句;不会造句,就不能表达思想。”因而,英语老师在作文教学中一定要培养学生遣词造句的能力。要想写出漂亮的句子,必须懂得造句的原则。
为了让文章生动,富有感染力,避免文章乏味,应尽量避免同一谓语动词在句中的过度使用,尤其是口语中频繁使用的词汇。使用一些较复杂或较高级的短语动词代替常用,让人有一股清晰的感觉。例如,在写作中我们可以用这样的词汇appreciate,prefer,show interest in,be interested in,be fond of,be attached to,be crazy about,be keen on来代替被过度使用的like或love。
例1.I like popular music while my friend Jack likes Jazz.可以改为I like popular music while my friend Jack is crazy about Jazz.
例2.I sometimes met the beggar on my way to school.可以改为I sometimes came across the beggar on my way to school.
例3.Another Hope Project School is being built in my hometown.可以改为Another Hope Project School is under construction.
英语句式多种多样,按照结构划分,有简单句和复合句。在英语写作中,根据行文的需要,灵活运用多种句式如定语从句、名词性从句、状语从句、倒装句、强调句型等。这样使文章显得精彩亮丽,错落有致,而且文章读起来掷地有声,朗朗上口。
例 1.They were excited.They couldn’t help bursting into tears.可以改为They were so excited that they couldn’t help bursting into tears.
例2.We can guarantee the safety of food only in this way.可以改为Only in this way can we guarantee the safety of food.
例3.We had to work around the clock to complete the task on schedule.可以改为 What we had to do was to work around the clock,trying to complete the task on schedule.此句增加了what引导的主语从句,what相当于汉语中“所……”,有很强的概括力。
例 4.In fact,you have the most important role to play in stopping Yellow River erosion.可以改为 In fact,it is you who have the most important role to play in stopping Yellow River erosion.相比之下,强调句型的使用,凸显每个人都需要承担阻止黄河水土流失这一责任。
文章中出现大量的简单句让人感觉到单一,句与句之间关系显得不紧凑;如果过度使用复合句又显得冗长,朗读起来费力。适当地使用分词、独立主格、不定式等结构对简单句和复合句进行转换,不仅使其成为较高级的表达形式,而且读起来言简意赅,同时会给人一种熟练驾驭语言的印象。
例 1.Though they had been beaten by the opposite team,the players were not discouraged and practised even harder.可以改为Beaten by the opposite team,the players were not discouraged and practised even harder.
例 2.As he hadn’t received an answer,he decided to write another letter to them.可以改为 Not having received an answer,he decided to write another letter to them.
例3.As the last bus had gone,we had to walk home.可以改为 The last bus having gone,we had to walk home.
高考英语作文的评分原则鼓励学生“尽量使用较复杂或较高级词汇”,并对由此产生的错误采取宽容的态度。因此,老师在作文教学中要让学生明白什么样的词汇是高级词汇,而且要求学生敢于使用高级词汇,从而提高学生的作文档次和水准。那么,什么是高级词汇?通常指较为正式的、文雅的、复杂的词汇。高级词汇的使用能展现学生丰富的词汇知识、人文素养和魅力,而且使文章生动活泼,吸引人的眼球,成为文章的亮点。
在写作中“高级词汇”使用主要是指大纲上没有的词语、考试大纲上的词汇衍生的派生词汇或考试大纲上没有却在阅读材料上常看到的词汇。
例1.They have many activities to take part in during the summer holidays.可以改为 They have endless activities to take part in during the summer holidays.
例2.The dinning room and the kitchen are excellent.可以改为The dinning room and the kitchen are well-furnished.
有些词汇虽属于大纲词汇,但其用法是中学中不常见的或不曾有的,若使用得当,可以收到意想不到的效果。
例如 Hearing it,he felt a bit stressed.可以修改为 Hearing it,he felt kind of stressed.
今天的英语教学中,很多老师进行了大量作文训练,但实际效果并不佳。许多中学生在英语写作中能较好地表述要点,然而贫乏的词汇和单调的句式影响了文章的生机。灵活多变的句式和高级词汇的运用可以让英语短文变得生机盎然,跌宕起伏,使读者产生耳目一新之感。