浅析雅思(ielts)考试的语言整体信息处理
2008-10-15来源:
编辑整理
雅思考试，特别是阅读和听力部分，在对输入信息进行思考处理的过程中，应注意对题干及其在原文中对应内容的语言整体性的把握。也就是说对于可能影响答案判定的题干和原文相关语句在逻辑结构，语意承接，主题一致，语法连贯等方面要能够理解掌握，从而为确定答案提供必要的依据和线索。
语言学家Anne Anderson和Tony Lynch在其经典的Listening（Oxford University Press 1988，A Scheme for Teacher Education Series）一书中对于语言的整体信息处理作了这样的论述：In general, researchers have discovered that there appears to be an important general language processing skill that influences performances in both listening and reading … so competent adult L1 readers and listeners do seem to build a global interpretation of what they read or hear, using information from earlier in a text to interpret what they encounter later.这段话阐述了L1 listening/reading的信息处理的一个共同点，即借助文字或语音信息的整体层次上的理解来解释单个构成信息的技能运用。作者之后提到对于L2 listening/reading也应具有与此相同的处理方法。试举一个简单的例子，我们听到这样的句子：Old Mrs. Grant was penniless. She went to the shop and looked in her purse. There were, of course, coins inside.假定空格处我们听到的单词不是很清楚，可能是nine或no。显然这里我们可以根据上文中出现的penniless，判定是空格处是no。这是基于对语言信息的整体理解和语意承接关系的把握作出的判断。
在雅思考试中，不论是听力还是阅读，这种方法的运用可以说是比较常见的。因此在平时的练习中应注意加强这方面能力的培养。在雅思阅读中，语言整体信息处理的技能可以运用于以下两个方面：
第一，为答案的预判和确定提供依据或线索。特别是对于填空型的题目，包括summary，sentence completion，table，diagram，flow chart等题型。在这类题目的解答过程中，对答案进行语法和语意的预判和分析是经常使用的解题技能，而这一预判分析必须依赖于对相关语句的逻辑结构，语法属性，语意承接等语言整体信息的把握。关于根据逻辑结构进行预判分析可以参见笔者的“逻辑关系词的阅读功能”一文（上海新东方官方网站雅思专区），本文就语法属性，语意承接的分析各举一例。
例一：语意承接预判（剑6/Test1/Q23-26）
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-K, below.
Modern cargo-handling methods have had a significant effect on 23 as the business of moving freight around the world becomes increasingly streamlined. Manufacturers of computers, for instance, are able to import 24 from overseas, rather than having to rely on a local supplier. The introduction of 25 has meant that bulk cargo can be safely and efficiently moved over long distances. While international shipping is now efficient, there is still a need for governments to reduce 26 in order to free up the domestic cargo sector.
A. tariffs B. components C. container ships D. output E. employees F. insurance costs G. trade H. freight I.fares J. software K. international standards
这是一道提供了选项的summary题，在对原文寻读之前，可以根据题干中各语句的语意承接关系和选项对比，对答案进行以下的预判：
Q23.题干段落的第二个句子和第一个句子是举例说明（for instance）的语意承接关系。而第二个句子讲的是一种贸易的方式，因此可以结合对比选项预判G. trade是正确答案。
Q24.根据整个句子的主语（Manufacturers of computers）和谓语（are able to import）及其可能的宾语（要填的答案）之间的语意关系，可对比选项预判B. components或J. software是正确答案。
Q25.根据空格后的that引导的宾语从句bulk cargo can be safely and efficiently moved over long distances（统装货可以安全高效长途运输）可以基本上判定只有选项C. container ships符合句子的意思。
Q26.由in order to free up the domestic cargo sector（以消除国内货运部门的羁绊）这一句意成分，对比选项可以预判需要政府减少的是A. tariffs（关税）或I. fares（费用）。
例二：语法属性预判（剑5/Test2/Q27）
Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-G below.
Q27. Peter Derks believes that humor
A. react to their own thoughts.
B. helped create language in humans.
C. respond instantly to whatever is happening.
D. may provide valuable information about the operation of the brain
E. cope with difficult situations
F. relate to a person’s subjective views
G. led our ancestors to smile and then laugh.
雅思考试，特别是阅读和听力部分，在对输入信息进行思考处理的过程中，应注意对题干及其在原文中对应内容的语言整体性的把握。也就是说对于可能影响答案判定的题干和原文相关语句在逻辑结构，语意承接，主题一致，语法连贯等方面要能够理解掌握，从而为确定答案提供必要的依据和线索。
语言学家Anne Anderson和Tony Lynch在其经典的Listening（Oxford University Press 1988，A Scheme for Teacher Education Series）一书中对于语言的整体信息处理作了这样的论述：In general, researchers have discovered that there appears to be an important general language processing skill that influences performances in both listening and reading … so competent adult L1 readers and listeners do seem to build a global interpretation of what they read or hear, using information from earlier in a text to interpret what they encounter later.这段话阐述了L1 listening/reading的信息处理的一个共同点，即借助文字或语音信息的整体层次上的理解来解释单个构成信息的技能运用。作者之后提到对于L2 listening/reading也应具有与此相同的处理方法。试举一个简单的例子，我们听到这样的句子：Old Mrs. Grant was penniless. She went to the shop and looked in her purse. There were, of course, coins inside.假定空格处我们听到的单词不是很清楚，可能是nine或no。显然这里我们可以根据上文中出现的penniless，判定是空格处是no。这是基于对语言信息的整体理解和语意承接关系的把握作出的判断。
在雅思考试中，不论是听力还是阅读，这种方法的运用可以说是比较常见的。因此在平时的练习中应注意加强这方面能力的培养。在雅思阅读中，语言整体信息处理的技能可以运用于以下两个方面：
第一，为答案的预判和确定提供依据或线索。特别是对于填空型的题目，包括summary，sentence completion，table，diagram，flow chart等题型。在这类题目的解答过程中，对答案进行语法和语意的预判和分析是经常使用的解题技能，而这一预判分析必须依赖于对相关语句的逻辑结构，语法属性，语意承接等语言整体信息的把握。关于根据逻辑结构进行预判分析可以参见笔者的“逻辑关系词的阅读功能”一文（上海新东方官方网站雅思专区），本文就语法属性，语意承接的分析各举一例。
例一：语意承接预判（剑6/Test1/Q23-26）
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-K, below.
Modern cargo-handling methods have had a significant effect on 23 as the business of moving freight around the world becomes increasingly streamlined. Manufacturers of computers, for instance, are able to import 24 from overseas, rather than having to rely on a local supplier. The introduction of 25 has meant that bulk cargo can be safely and efficiently moved over long distances. While international shipping is now efficient, there is still a need for governments to reduce 26 in order to free up the domestic cargo sector.
A. tariffs B. components C. container ships D. output E. employees F. insurance costs G. trade H. freight I.fares J. software K. international standards
这是一道提供了选项的summary题，在对原文寻读之前，可以根据题干中各语句的语意承接关系和选项对比，对答案进行以下的预判：
Q23.题干段落的第二个句子和第一个句子是举例说明（for instance）的语意承接关系。而第二个句子讲的是一种贸易的方式，因此可以结合对比选项预判G. trade是正确答案。
Q24.根据整个句子的主语（Manufacturers of computers）和谓语（are able to import）及其可能的宾语（要填的答案）之间的语意关系，可对比选项预判B. components或J. software是正确答案。
Q25.根据空格后的that引导的宾语从句bulk cargo can be safely and efficiently moved over long distances（统装货可以安全高效长途运输）可以基本上判定只有选项C. container ships符合句子的意思。
Q26.由in order to free up the domestic cargo sector（以消除国内货运部门的羁绊）这一句意成分，对比选项可以预判需要政府减少的是A. tariffs（关税）或I. fares（费用）。
例二：语法属性预判（剑5/Test2/Q27）
Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-G below.
Q27. Peter Derks believes that humor
A. react to their own thoughts.
B. helped create language in humans.
C. respond instantly to whatever is happening.
D. may provide valuable information about the operation of the brain
E. cope with difficult situations
F. relate to a person’s subjective views
G. led our ancestors to smile and then laugh.
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