1). 追根溯源法
即從托福寫作題目給出的話題中找出這個現(xiàn)象產(chǎn)生的原因來擴展背景句。這種方法適合大多數(shù)的話題,考生要盡量在考前做托福作文練習,這樣在考試就可以得心應手了。
請看下面的例子:
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?
這個題目中給出的話題是mobile phone,所以考生可以從它產(chǎn)生的原因來考慮,就是科技的繁榮,而科技的繁榮,手機的廣泛使用是在20世紀末,這樣背景句就有內(nèi)容可寫了。當然要通過相應的句型來寫了。如
… (time) witnessed …
這個背景句就可以寫成: The late 20th century witnessed the boom of science and technology, which gave rise to a series of technological innovations, including the mobile phone.
再看一例:
Nowadays, some universities offer students skills that assist them to find employment, but some people believe that the main function of a university should be to provide students with access to knowledge for its sake. What is your opinion?
這題要求大家討論大學是提供職業(yè)技能還是傳授知識。那從傳統(tǒng)觀點來看,大學是傳授知識的地方,為什么會提出要傳授技能呢,所以這里考生也可以用追根溯源法思考下,大家肯定可以想到是由于找工作已經(jīng)成為當今教育的目的之一了,所以很多大學就轉(zhuǎn)移到以傳授技能為主了。那當然還是要結(jié)合句型,這里可以用as 引導的原因狀語從句。
參考:As job-hunting has become one of the main purposes of university education, the majority of the universities tend to offer vocational trainings to prepare the students for their future career.
2). 重述法。
即對關(guān)于這個話題的當前現(xiàn)狀的重述。
請看一例:
Nowadays, people are facing more and more work-related stress. State the possible reasons for this phenomenon and make some recommendations about how to combat it。
本題的話題關(guān)于壓力,那考生可從當前社會現(xiàn)象來考慮這個問題,考生不難想出當下對壓力這一現(xiàn)象的情況,即很多人都在承受著或多或少的壓力。可用it is generally believed that … 形式主語的句型。
參考: It is generally believed that white-collar as well as blue-collars workers are suffering from psychological and physical stress stemming from work.
再看一例:
Environmental problem is too big for individual countries and individual people to address. In other words, we have reached the stage where the only way to protect the environment is at an international level. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
本題話題為環(huán)境問題,考生也可用重述法對當前環(huán)境問題進行重述,這時,可以用In modern society/ At present, 等表時間的介詞短語來引導一個敘述句型。
參考:In modern society, environment related issues have confronted ecological scientists, government agencies and the general public.
3). 定義法。
即通過對話題詞的定義的介紹,這種方法在新托福開頭寫作中有一定難度,考生需要有淵博的知識,才能做到對名詞的解釋,但對特別明顯的詞語,考生可借鑒這種方法。
請看一例:
The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books and they should not waste their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
本題中的話題詞為圖書館,可以解釋的詞也是圖書館比較方便容易。那么到底如何解釋呢,比如說圖書館在傳統(tǒng)意義上來看,是收藏書的地方,而現(xiàn)在因為科技發(fā)展,使得圖書館的意義發(fā)生改變,從而引出話題。這里同樣可以用形式主語:
It is generally believed that public libraries are places with a large collection of books; however, the digital time has given it a new means of storing and retrieving information.