雅思听力中的选择题型包括单选题,多选题与配对题,是两大基本题型之一(另一为填空题型)。
考试中同学们对选择题型的普遍感觉是:信息出现速度快,比较杂乱,因而易错。
要解决选择题型一定要把握住听力的出题思路,亦即它的核心考查方向:Listening Comprehension(听力理解)。
1. 特点分析
为了考查考生的听力理解能力,雅思听力采用了两大方法:Indirect Information(间接信息)与Trap(干扰项)。
间接信息指的是:录音中听到的内容与正确选项中的内容貌离神合,经常是文字不一致,但意思一致。
干扰项指的是:录音中听到的内容与若干错误选项中的内容貌合神离,往往是文字一致,但意思风马牛。
例1: Cambridge 4 Test 4 Section 2 Question 13
The walks offered by Travellite
A.cater for a range of walking abilities.
B. are planned by guides from the local area.
C.are for people with good fitness levels.
录音:Each day we offer three separate walks catering for all skills and fitness levels.
解析:干扰项为C选项,选项中的fitness levels是干扰的重点,与录音原文文字一致,但起限定作用的形容词good与录音原文中all含义不一致,所以C是错选。
正确选项为A选项,选项中的walking abilities指的就是录音原文中的fitness levels, 而a range of指的就是录音原文中的all, 因此A是正确选项.
例2: Cambridge 5 Test 2 Section 2 Question 18-20
Which THREE things can the general public do to help the charity Pedal Power?
A. organize a bicycle collection
B. repair the donated bikes
C. donate their unwanted tools
D. do voluntary work in its office
E. hold an event to raise money
F. identify areas that need bikes
G. write to the government
录音:Also, you could help by contacting the voluntary staff at our offices. They’ll be able to suggest activities you could organize to bring in funds for us.
解析:这个多选题的D选项是一个极其容易错选的干扰项,选项与录音中都有voluntary, 但意思并不一致,选项讲的是做志愿者工作,录音讲的是联系机构中的志愿者。相反,E选项虽然没有一样的文字,但意思完全对应,选项中的event和money分别就是录音里的activities和funds, 所以是正确选项。
因此得出一个结论:雅思听力中的正确选项往往不像,干扰项往往很像;
提出一点建议:Do not judge a choice by its look.
和分享一个体会:雅思听力的出题思路生动的再现了经典的英国国民性格即:含蓄或拐弯抹角。
必须特别注意的是,绝大部分选择题在解题过程中都要做到的必不可少的一步是:Paraphrase(同意转换);如all-a range of, fitness levels-walking abilities, activities-event, funds-money…。
这是由于听力的根本考点是Listening Comprehension, 于是也就有了选择题型Indirect Information和Trap的特点,最后也就决定了要做好选择题型一定要做好Paraphrase; 听力中Paraphrase做的好不好,直接决定了一次考试的成败。
2. 针对方案
(以Paraphrase为核心的解题方法)
读题
解题的基础是读题,读好题相当于解了一半的题。读题的重点在于找好Keywords(关键词)。找关键词是为听题铺垫,可以让我们了解题目的内容,明确听题的侧重点。
关键词分两类:问题中的关键词Question KW与选项中的关键词Choices KW.
1) Question KW:
问题中的关键词是为了更有效的Locate(定位),也就是让我们在听题时更快速的找到录音中与问题相关的部分(雅思听力是一个Section, 10题连放),从而更加从容的进行判断。
首先,要多找名词,尤其是专有名词,如人名,地名,时间等;因为它们在录音中不容易转换为其它内容,即不易发生同意转换,因此更容易听到。
同时,不要忽视动词,因为担当谓语的动词表达的是具体的内容,因此也有定位作用,尤其是在缺少专有名词的情况下,动词就更加重要;但是,必须注意的是动词是非常容易被替换的,因此要做好同意转换的准备。
最后,充分利用偶尔出现的形容词或副词,这两种关键词都可以提示录音中有可能出现的同意转换。
例3: Cambridge 4 Test 3 Section 3 Question 22
The “Study for Success” seminar lasts for
A. one day
B. two days
C. three days
读题:名词关键词是专有名词Study for Success, 动词关键词是lasts
录音:First, there’s our “Study for Success” seminar on the first and second of February.
解析:名词关键词Study for Success在录音中是一字不动的出现的,使得题目在录音中非常容易被找到;然后根据last明确听题方向是持续时间,得到间接信息在二月的一号和二号,同意转换就是两天的意思,最后选择正确答案B.
例4: Cambridge 4 Test 4 Section 2 Question 12
Travelite currently offer walking holidays
A. only in Western Europe.
B. all over Europe.
C. outside Europe.
读题:名词关键词是旅行社的名字Travelite, 副词关键词是时间状语currently, 强调的是目前的,不是将来的,也不是过去的(将来和过去的内容在录音中都很有可能出现,进行干扰)。
录音:Thank you for calling our Travelite Walking Holiday Line…We offer guided walking tours to suit the discerning traveler in twelve different centres throughout the whole of Western Europe. We are planning to open our first centre outside this area in the coming year.
解析:旅行社的名字使得听力中很容易定位到题目。答案在the whole of Western Europe, 干扰内容在first centre outside this area, 通过planning与coming year来排除;正确选项为A, 干扰项为C.
因此,问题中关键词划取的快速原则是:名词-动词-形容词/副词。
2) Choices KW:
选项中的关键词是为了更有针对性的进行Judge(判断);在雅思听力中听到一句话后,要在短时间内对3个选项进行排除和判断,时间较为紧迫;为了更加有效的进行判断,要在读题时找出一些关键词作为判断的依据,来加快判断速度和准确性。
首先,还是多找名词,名词是每个选项的内容主体,是区分选项的依据;不能录音中讲的是car, 题目中判断的是bus.
同时,要多找形容词或副词,这两种关键词在选项中起的是限定名词主体的作用,往往是区分选项之后,判断一个选项是否正确的依据。
最后,不要忽视动词,动词所表示的内容,也能够起到一定的限定作用,也是一个判断依据。
例5: Cambridge 5 Test 3 Section 2 Question 17
What does the speaker say about university accommodation on campus?
A. Most places are given to undergraduates.
B. No places are available for postgraduates with families.
C. A limited number of places are available for new postgraduates.
读题:题目中找到关键词accommodation on campus.
选项中ABC中的undergraduates, postgraduates with families和new postgraduates分别是三个选项的名词主体,可以帮助区分选项;另外,most, no和limited分别是对三个名词主体进行限定的形容词,可以成为选项对错判断的依据。
录音:One or two of you touched on the subject of accommodation earlier, so I’ll just add a few point. It is the university’s policy to give priority in the allocation of residence places to three categories, and those are, visiting students, exchange students and new postgraduate students. However, demand exceeds supply, so there’s still a need to put your name down early for campus accommodation, particularly, if your family is accompanying you.
解析:最初出现的accommodation帮助定位。
随后,new postgraduate students引导视线到C选项,在听到demand exceeds supply并进行同意转换后,确定C是正确答案(供不应求就是limited的意思)。
后面,出现干扰内容:if your family is accompanying you, 调整视线到B选项,但根据选项中的形容词no可以判断B的内容与录音不符(录音中强调的是有家庭成员陪同位置就更有限,B选项说的是有陪同就没位置),因此B是一个干扰项。
例6: Cambridge 4 Test 3 Section 3 Question 27
Students who want to do the “Study for Success” seminar should
A. register with the Faculty Office.
B. contact their Course Convenor.
C. reserve a place in advance.
读题:本题与例3来自同一Section, 因此必须首先明确一点:在同一Section中同一名词关键词只在第一次出现时有效,因为同一名词在一次对白或独白中不会重复不断出现。因此问题中关键词应该是student …want …seminar should, 属于内容定位。
选项中的关键词,AB中都有名词主体,分别是Faculty Office和Course Convenor, 也都有动词来进行限定,分别是register和contact, 可以作为判断依据. 而C选项中只需要划在reserve上即可,因在雅思中出现reserve/book(预订)必同时出现in advance/ahead of time(提前)的概念,所以划一个就够了。
录音:Now, I need to tell you that this is a very popular course and it’s essential that you book well ahead of time. In fact, the Course Convenor tells me that there are only five places left.
解析:通过I need to tell you that这样一个强调句型来定位题目中的students should.
随后,通过对book well ahead of time的同意转换(reserve in advance),选出C。后面,出现干扰内容:the Course Convenor tells only five places left, 视线移到B, 但根据B里的动词contact, 可判断B内容与录音不符(录音说Course Convenor告诉说话者只有5个位置留下来,其实还是要提前预订的意思,而B说的是让学生自己去联系Course Convenor),所以B是干扰项。
因此,选项中关键词划取的快速原则是:名词-形容词/副词-动词。
至此,很明晰的一点是:对于雅思听力,读题,或者更正确的说是有针对性的读题,非常的重要!所有的努力,所有的准备工作,都是为了在听题时能更有效的进行同意转换,找到正确答案。
如果说听题是战场杀敌,读题就是战前侦查,侦查到位,知己知彼,侦查不到位,死都不知道怎么死的。
读题做到位了,听题也就自然而然了。步骤如下:
1. Locating: locate where the question is.
2. Judging: judge whether every choice is right or wrong.
简单的说就是:定位-判断,两步走。
同时,在判断当中一定要牢记前面说过的两个特点:Indirect answer和Trap.
(推荐剑桥练习:剑三P12, 剑四P36, 剑五P33, 81, 83, 剑六P38, 61, 82)
3. 选择题型中的预测
Prediction(预测)是听力两个基本解题方法中的一个(另一个就是关键词),主要运用于填空题型,但在选择题型中偶尔可以运用。
填空题型的预测主要在于观察选项组合,有一种组合是非常容易预测的,即干扰性组合:三个选项中有两个有明显的互相干扰作用,则另一个选项可以暂时排除。
例7: Cambridge 5 Test 3 Section 2 Question 20
With regard to their English, the speaker advises that students to
A. tell their lecturers if they have problems understanding.
B. have private English lessons when they arrive.
C. practice their spoken English before they arrive.
预测:BC选项存在明显互相干扰作用,一个是到英国后加强英语,一个是来英国前加强英语;关键词分别划在when和before, 来进行区分,同时可以先排除A。
录音:One or two of you ask earlier about your level of spoken English, obviously most of you have already achieved a lot, I wish I could speak your language half as well. Having said that though, I’m afraid the lecturers will make little or no allowance for the presence of non-native speakers in the audience, so anything you can do to improve your spoken English, even beyond the pretty high level most of you have already reached will make your stay with us that bit more fun for you. Some extra practice before you arrive is worth more than, for example, private lessons afterwards when you won’t really have time.
解析:通过最后一句Some extra practice before you arrive is worth more than, for example, private lessons afterwards… 可判断正确答案为C, 录音通篇未提A, 这是因为这样的选项组合,出题意图就在于用BC来进行干扰,如果答案用A则不能利用到BC的干扰作用,无法达到出题目的。