從事教學超過十年的經驗,遇到許許多多的雅思學生,多數的學生都先考過了雅思,後面因為口說和寫作成績卡關,才會找上我,而多數的考生寫作成績都是比其他三科若,但這個非常的正常,本來聽力跟閱讀分數就比寫作跟口說好拿,對第一次準備雅思的考生們而言,寫作就是需要花最多時間準備的那個。
多數的學生寫作考不到6.0分,更別說目標的6.5/ 7.0
每次上體驗課之前我都會要求學生先傳一篇文章給我,而十之八九的學生(已經考過並且準備過雅思的),問題都是出在task response – 有沒有寫在點上
到底怎樣才能在task response 拿到高分?
官方對六分的描述是
- Addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others.
- Presents a relevant position although the conclusions may become unclear or repetitive.
- Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed / unclear
對七分的描述是:
- Addresses all parts of the task
- Presents a clear position throughout the response
- Presents, extends and supports main ideas, but there may be a tendency to over-generalise and/or supporting ideas may lack focus
我們把他們一一比較:
1. 回答問題:
六分和七分的共同要求是:Addresses all parts of the task 題目的全部都得討論到,但六分的部分是某些部分可能沒有被討論的詳細,這邊意味著- 你有沒有看懂題目要你討論什麼?以及 - 如果你沒有提到題目裡全部要你討論的項目,你連六分都沒了!
2. 立場:
文章中有沒有一個明確的個人立場,這點也是六分和七分的標準,但六分的部分你的立場可能在最後有點模糊,七分則是非常的明確
這裡要告訴你的是,如果你沒有一個明確的立場- 譬如說你同意前者意見不同意後者,或是你部分同意大部分不同意,又或是你沒有好好解釋你為什麼有這樣的立場(見下點)那你的分數也會掉下去。
3. 論點:
六分和七分的共同要求是:Presents relevant main ideas 有清楚的大重點,但六分的部分是你沒有好好發展你的論點,有點解釋不清,七分則是有好好支持並發展論點,但是有點過度概括
記得,雅思要找的是“supported ideas” not “unique ideas”不要一直花時間去想怎樣寫才會很厲害,這不是基測作文,雅思考的是你的語言力,因此你能不能用你的英文能力去表達出一個邏輯並且強力的論點是非常重要的,這也是為什麼許多排名較前面的學校會要求寫作基本分6.5 甚至是7.0 ,沒有這樣的分數也意味著你到時候出國唸書會很辛苦。
*發展論點的部分會分享關於計畫寫作的文章
看得懂題目才是致勝關鍵
綜合上面幾點來看,你要能夠正確地知道題目到底在問你什麼,你才能夠把task response 這塊拿高分。
進入重點
雅思task 2 考題大約分五種,我們一一來看
1. Opinion 意見相關
例題一
Many people believe that women make better parents than men and that is why they have the greater role in raising children in most societies. Others claim that men are just as good as women at parenting.
Do you agree or disagree?
在這樣的題目要去思考的是:我要同意不同意什麼?
通常這會是某人的敘述、想法、概念,常常會出現在“many people believe”之後,以這題來說就是 women make better parents than men 以及 men are just as good as women at parenting.
所以在這個題目有兩個部分要你同意不同意,你是否同意女生比較會帶孩子,還是你同意男生女生都一樣會帶孩子(注意:並不是男生比女生更會唷)
所以在這邊你可以說
I totally agree that women are better at parenting. 然後去展開你的論點
Or I believe gender has nothing to do with parenting so both of them can be equally good.
Or I believe in most cases women are better at it while in some cases men can be equally good. 接著去解釋哪些狀況之下
記得雅思沒有特別要求你一定要寫怎樣的立場,只要你接下來的內容是可以清楚的支持你的立場,這樣就足夠了。
例題二
Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
這個例題跟上面敘述多了“to what extent”,很多學生不以為意,但是其實差這裡差很多,這邊它問你的是你同不同意的『程度』到哪裡,如果你只寫 I agree 你就沒有完全回答到題目,這時必須用 I mostly / totally / slightly / moderately …. agree or disagree 來去發展。
例題三
Some people prefer to have temporary jobs, which means they only work a few months in a year and use the rest of the time to do what they want.
What is your opinion?
這邊直接問你的opinion ,這樣可以寫作的方式就會比較廣一點,但你的立場還是要明確,例如:
I believe having temporary jobs in order to be flexible brings more drawbacks than benefits.
I believe having temporary jobs could certainly bring more flexibility, but it can create problems as well.
2. Discussion 討論相關
例題一
It is generally believed that the Internet is an excellent means of communication, but some people suggest that it may not be the best place to find information.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
第一種要你討論的是雙方的立場,為什麼別人這樣說?而你就是站在哪邊?
首先你要先確定立場是哪些,接著你要問自己,是否可以雙方你都同意,這種題型有兩種狀況,一是雙方立場完全相反,二是兩個點根本不相干,以這題來說就是兩個點其實討論的是完全不同的事情,一個是網路是不是最好的溝通工具,另個是網路是不是最好找資料的地方,當你確定兩者都可以同意時,一般來說這樣的題目會建議立場直接選都同意,因為你已經要花兩段分別去寫別人為什麼分別支持這兩個論點了,如果要完全反對他人論點,你就要自己開一段寫,這樣會花費更多的時間。
例題二
Some people think that the best way to reduce the time spent in travelling to work is to replace parks and gardens close to the city center with apartment buildings for commuters, but others disagree.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
例題二就是完全相反的,這時候你只要知道哪邊立場你可以寫得比較多,就支持那邊就對了。
例題三
In some countries, marriages are arranged by the parents but in other cases, people choose their own marriage partner.
Discuss both systems.
這類型的題目較少見一點,這個部分是單純的主觀分析兩個點,無需加入個人的意見。
3. Pros and cons 好處壞處
例題一
Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with.
What are the advantages and disadvantages for the child of having a large number of toys?
這題只是單純的分析好處壞處,但要特別注意,題目裡的好處(advantages)壞處(disadvantages)都是複數,因此要多想幾個唷!在這個題目裡面並沒有問你哪個比較多哪個比較少,因此做分析即可,不用在結語的地方在說哪個多哪個少。
例題二
With a fast pace of modern life more and more people are turning towards fast food for their main meals.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
這個題目就有問你“你是否覺得好處大於壞處”,但要特別注意的是outweigh 這個字本身是指『本質上超過』,劍橋字典解釋他為:to be greater or more important than something else. 意思就是說不是“數量上的差異(outnumber)“ 例如我們可以說:出國讀書有很多的風險:水土不服、思鄉、語言障礙、身處異地需要幫忙時找不到人、跟不上課業…等,但好處是: 可以增加世界觀、拿到國外文憑,這點就很多人,像是正在讀這篇文章的你們而言,就是好處大於壞處。
4. Cause/ problem/ effect / solution 問題解決方案類
例題一
The population of most cities is growing as people move to cities to find work and new opportunities.
What problems does overpopulation in cities cause?
How can these problems be solved?
這種類型的題目都還蠻直白的,直接一段回答他的一個問題即可,但也要特別注意,這邊的problems 是複數唷!
例題二
In some countries around the world men and women are having babies late in life.
What are the reasons?
What are the effects on society and the family?
這題也是一段回答一個問題,是造成原因和影響的問題,但影響的部分有對於社會和對於家庭的影響,建議把這兩者分開寫,因此這個題目會有3個body 段落。
5. direct questions 直接問題
例題一
With deforestation, urban development and illegal hunting, many animal species are becoming endangered as they lose their habitat and some are even threatened to the point of extinction.
Do you think it is important to protect animals?
What measures can be taken to deal with this problem?
直接問題有很多種,這種是雙問題的,裡面也會混著“cause/ problem/effect/solution“這類型的題目,回答時針對兩個問題分段去寫作即可。
例題二
Universities and colleges are increasingly offering distance learning qualifications over the Internet.
Is this development a positive one?
這種類型的題目最近很常見,詢問這個發展是否是正向的,你也可以說 It is mostly a positive development. 然後去解釋哪部分是沒那麼positive 的。
了解了題目類型才有辦法了解要怎樣去寫作,才會address all parts of the question.
下一章我們會討論遇到各題目要如何分析,並且做例題分析!
See you soon!
- Joanna
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